Get FREE access to “The Breast Cancer Roadmap" here: bit.ly/breastcancerroadmap

The side affects were not great, but I made it 5 years! I’m an 11 year survivor.

Anxiety about cancer recurrence is the worst one 😢

I don’t know about other ppl but for me It’s not just about survival! It’s about quality of life! Surviving but being in chronic pain and many other elements can make it extremely hard just to get through the day! As someone who had HER2 cancer I was one of the unlucky ones where my body was perm🎉anently not same afterwards not even my teeth.This is not the same for everyone but it was true for me. Every cancer is different just like how every birth is different. Do your research and have a good support network during AND afterwards. And remember not one person is the same no matter how similar your cancer diagnosis is.

I'm 67 and was recently diagnosed. I'm not going to do hormone therapy. I don't care about weight, hot flashes, or change in sex drive. But I already suffer from depression and anxiety, and I've heard the joint pain can be debilitating. In addition, I am a college professor. I can't have "brain fog" for 10 years.

Tamoxifen sent me into early stage liver failure. I managed to stay on for four years, despite miserable side effects, before getting off. My liver enzyme levels dropped within 3 months off it; at 6 months, they were back to pre-Tamoxifen levels, and have stayed there. Everybody and every body is different.

You say "All you really want is for your cancer to not come back". At what cost to living your life. I am a male breast cancer survivor and there does not seem to be a lot of information about the efficacy of Tamoxifen in males. Side effects listed include loss of libido and impotence. I'm not sure if I could live with that. I have only just started taking a month ago. If the side effects take away my quality of life to the point of I am sacrificing my relationship just to survive in limbo... I will re-evaluate my options and choices. If there is one thing cancer diagnosis and treatment did for me, was to show how short life can be.

Breast cancer wasn't hard the after effects from having breast cancer is killing me.

I feel like this video is blaming the patient for some very difficult side effects. Having pain? You need to exercise more! Gaining weight? Change your diet! Feeling stressed? Listen to some music! Drying out? Drink more water! This is all far easier said than done. This drug causes an EXTREME bio-chemical change in the body that cannot be fixed. I stopped it and told my oncologist that I'd rather get cancer again than stay on it--it was that bad for me.

What is the percentage of cancer recurrence if you do not take a hormone blocker? (her 2+ stage 1)

Thank you for your educational material and helpful.

Yes about the he eyes! My great eye doc says with many patients the eye issues go away after ending this drug, but not always. He said to spread the word for all patients on Tamoxifen to get eyes checked once a year even if they don’t think vision issues are being experienced.

I take tamoxifen for almost 5 years now i experience all of this side effect it sucks but im almost there i cant wait .god bless you all

This was a brilliant video. I love your style. Thank you so much, Doctor!!!

Get your free copy of the "Breast Cancer Roadmap" here: bit.ly/breastcancerroadmap

I am opting not to take Tamoxifen after doing research on it I don’t think that is the route I’m going take. My oncologist is pushing me to take it….but I’m not sure

my personal experience was first of all: brain fog to the point of feeling hangover, personality changes and super fast uterus issues (it only took like 3 months or so of taking tamoxifen). Exercises, relaxing music & eating healthy food did not help with that, so I took a risk and stopped taking it

The meta-analysis also confirmed that tamoxifen increases risks of uterine cancer and of blood clots in the lungs. With a mean follow-up of 10 years, among women with ER- positive breast cancer, nine women who received tamoxifen died of uterine cancer, compared with one woman who did not receive tamoxifen. There was little risk for uterine cancer, however, in women under the age of 54. In the first five years of the study, six women who received tamoxifen died of a blood clot in the lung (a pulmonary embolus), compared with none of the women who did not receive tamoxifen.

I was on it for a year and felt miserable, as if I had aged 10 years. My doc has me taking a month off. It's been 2 weeks and I don't feel any better yet. I don't think I will go back on. The muscle and joint stiffness are so bad that it has affected my gait and balance, my exercise routine and my yoga practice. I won't even go into the other side effects I am experiencing.

This is nice info if you are a true physician with valid information. I'd like to believe you are, but how can we verify?

This is a really helpful and informative video Amy! Thank you! Tamoxifen has reduced my appetite, I’m also on prostap injections, so double the potential side effects! However, a good exercise, nutrition combo is really helpful! For joint pain, exercise helps, but, I’ve added liquid collagen and glucosamine supplements … helps tons!

Im on tamoxifen for 2 years and am doing well. I was always a big walker and hiker. Im post menopausal and I chose tamoxifen because it has shown to not cause bone loss in postmenopausal women. I have hot flashes but they are managable for me because I have already been through menopause. I take fish oil which helps my joints. Im walking 3.6 to 4 miles per day for 5 days per week. It helps me manage tamoxifen fatigue. I get aches in my lower legs which I didnt have before tamoxifen. I gained 10 pounds and am dieting to work it off. I find eating a can of beans each day helps subdue my appetite. The fiber really fills me up. Green tea is helpful too. Im getting light anxiety on tamoxifen. My side effects are pretty mild compared to many other women. Thanks for this run down of symptoms. I didnt know the weight gain and muscle aches were from the tamoxifen. Ill keep walking and I enjoy using a row machine.

I am not on tamoxifen yet and I already have these feelings and symptoms. The hot flashes are already killing me.

Thank you! I will be starting tamoxifen in March and I feel prepared now!❤

Thank you for this video. I’m also a PharmD & know patient experience is not always reflective of the literature. I noticed the study you referenced is from 2008. Do you know if newer data have been published on this? I have a very serious history of depression. It’s very disheartening to hear about the mood disorders. I’m curious if you have any information on the baseline characteristics of the patients that experience these mood problems. I’ve had zero depression during this battle. I’m applying my years of therapy and overall feel extremely grateful. What was the baseline mood of your patients who you’ve seen with worsened moods. Finally, I wanted to clarify something about the data you said is reported by the drug companies. I’ve worked in medical communications for the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. The drug companies are required to report what was observed in their registration studies. As you know the population in these studies have a strict inclusion criteria and may not always reflect the population. Which is why, as you know, the value for real-world studies has increased dramatically in medicine. However, these studies can’t always control for confounding factors

Thank you for this, I started a week ago, my doctor told me most of all of this with Tamoxifen, it is the radiation that stopped 2 weeks ago, horrible side effects now. But he never said anything about weight gain or skin dryness, so I have changed to being Vegan... 4 months now. I have gone through menopause ending 15 years ago, so hot flashes are evil, but I will try to increase protein. Thanks again

Anastrozole for ten years. I am 4 years in. Stage lll did not do chemo. 19 bad lymph nodes. Did radiation. I was hospice RN for 18 years. Chemo is a huge money maker. Why were all of my beast cancer patients bald when I got them? You know the answer and I do too! I asked my oncologist a serious question yesterday and he talked around it so I shut down. I have gained 2lbs in 4 years. Very hard work. I made my own care plans as my team is not. Excerise, diet, walking, and tons of prayer and studies in my faith. I am 72 and on only one pill….anastrozole. Fatigue is brutal.

My Mom was given Tamoxifen and had really advanced breast cancer..she had no side effects and was full of energy..then her doctor told her it was only good for 5 years and put her on megace..which caused horrible reactions like sweating and weakness and she died shortly after...the change in meds killed her.

And what about increase of endometrial cancer risk and blot clots during tamoxifen ?

I am on this medicine right now and I've never felt right. The joint pain and muscle pain the bone pain can be excruciating. I don't want to get breast cancer again. During chemo I had every weird side effects. I've been on it since December. I go for my follow up Mammogram next week. Then to chemo Dr. I have lost more weight, I went from 177 to 137. I don't feel good at this weight. I'm at an impasse on what to do next.

I have experienced hair loss on Tamoxifen in addition to the hot flashes.

Yeah…I won’t be taking this. My quality of life matters more than the quantity.

Hi Amy thank you.

What about the tiredness...depression...and feeling like not doing anything

Just watched your video and I loved it. I’m actually on Tamoxifen for 2 years now however I never had Cancer. My case is a family history of Cancer. This might be a stupid question, can drinking a Squirt soda that contains 2% or less of grapefruit juice cause my Tamoxifen not to work? Everything else you mentioned I already avoid.

My mom is already having a very bad joint and body pain after end of radiation. Doctor prescribed her tamoxifen and everyone is taking about the stiff muscles and joint pain. I am worried 😟.

You need to understand the worst possible side affects… blood clots which nearly killed me 4 years ago

It’s also a prodrug If you use a string cyp 2D6 inhibitors like ssris (especially paxil), it may stop the tamoxifen from working

I'm a 63 y/o male who had breast cancer 18 months ago. I had a mastectomy but there was no cancer in my lymph nodes and my Oncotype score was very low so I didn't have to have chemo or radiation. I was put on Tamoxifen and every since I just feel sluggish and my memory is affected. My oncologist says since breast cancer in men is so rare there really isn't a lot of data on the side effects of Tamoxifen. I can live with it but I wish there was more info about the effects of Tamoxifen on men. I have started walking. Two weeks in I can do about 3500-4000 steps in about 30 mins which is just short of 1.5 miles. I want to get up to 2 miles daily in the next month.

Using tamoxifen for gynocomastia

Are there safe weight loss drugs that those on Tamoxifen who have experienced weight gain can consider that will help with weight loss in addition to the tips you give here?

Triple positive HER2 + stage 2 at 82 years old .. not getting chemo or radiation. Tamoxifen was suggested but i am not a strong person, very sensitive to everything, had plenty of surgeries and dont know what to do other than this medication for ER+. I want a quality of life no quantity in misery. What is life span difference at my age of taking or not taking Tamoxifen?

Any ideas for how to deal with the acne? I started tamoxifen two months ago and I have cystic acne for the first time in years.

Dr Amy I will be starting tamoxifen soon. Worried about side effects. Does a lower dose help reduce side effects and will it still be effective in cancer recurrence? 5mg or 10mg instead of the 20mg

What about blood clots?

Thankyou for this. I found it very helpful

I'm a cancer survivor 8 yrs and still on tamoxifen. I am having some nodes that are currently being tested. The r breast was removed and a mass is detected above that wound and the left breast. Now my right risk is swollen I'm 36years old 14:54

Achieving health is never due to being deficient in a pharmaceutical

@dr Amy, is it possible to have brown spotting like menses even though we are on tamoxifen? I have my Menes stopped after doing my first round of chemo. That’s in sep 2021 and started taking tamoxifen in nov 2021 and I never had menses coming. However since yesterday I’m getting brown spotting. Is it normal? Should I see the gynae or oncologist? Please advice

Hi Dr. Amy it was as if you were reading my mind. I am on aromasin for 5 years and these are all the side effects i get. There’s one more, i suddenly start yawning a lot although i am not sleepy or tired and that’s annoying, is that also due to aromasin and how do i control that. I’d be grateful if you reply

What about blood cloth?.....I had it...and this can be really tricky an dangerous and make the treatment even more complicated...

I’ve been on Tamoxifen 7 years- was diagnosed with Triple Positive Breast Cancer in 2016 at 41. I’m on the 10 yr plan.. I’ve faired well with minimal side effects. I do have muscle/ joint aches (which the Dr’s say isn’t a side effect.. I beg to differ!), I don’t have hot flashes which I count as a blessing. I have gained weight in my mid section which is disheartening but I can handle it to give me a better chance to stop a recurrence. I have random side effects that may be because of Tamoxifen or simply me going thru peri menopause at 49.

My cancer came back as soon as I stopped tamoxifen 😭 I didn’t even have many side effects but did gain some weight which freaked me out. I should have just focused more on my diet and stayed on it. 🙈

I was diagnosed in april at 42. Had a lumpectomy and axillary node clearance. Will have to do chemo, radio, hormone therapy and zometa.. i will also become infertile..aside of how long will i live i am afraid of not being the same person anymore..

Took it for 10 years! Nearly 14 years clear :)

I already went though that enough when I had my mastectomies. I am still trying to get the weight off. I also have hypothyroidism. When I had radio active iodine done to me & it permanently did damage to not only to my thyroid but screwed up my immunity. It's too bad I didn't get a second opinion about that. Then after the radio active iodine thats when I began to get Cancer. Because my uterus was normal before the radio active iodine. Then I never had breast Cancer before the radio active iodine. I can't take medicines or supplements that constipate me. And I'm a walker the Cancer medicine would debilitate me. I walk long distance no medications that cause weight gain or joint pain. I don't drive so this is not a option for me.

Does this also apply for Anastrozole ?

Wow, the side effects are terrible. 😢 REALLY grateful l didn’t have any side effects. I have a friend who felt very sick on tamoxifen & had to get off of it. 😖😭

do you need a prescrip (RX) for tamoxifen citrate?

Im Bout to start on july 1st oh no this all sounds so scary and inconveniece for me why should i take it if my surgeon said the C i had looks like it cannot reocure since it was a lazy one. Why should i go thru all of this can i go intead the natural remedies instead. Or why should i give up on my ovaries now exactly that im engage. 😢

How long does tamoxifen hot flashes take to go, and is it normal to have hot flashes all day, cause my mom is going through hot flashes all day from last 4 months.

My specialist said that tamoxifen doesnt course boneloss

After 5.8 years, I took my last Tamoxifen on July 4th! Whoo hoo! I gained 32 pounds though, boo.

Hi. Dr Amy I just discovered your videos. I’ve been on Tamoxifen for 2 years. After watching your videos. I’m officially stopping. I haven’t personally experienced all the symptoms your describe but joint /muscle and the occasion moods are definitely concerns. I was wondering if you could talk about or share some more insight with more personal aspects of Tamoxifen such “vaginal dryness” loss of Libido. No-one wants to talk about these areas as well. I just turned 50 and I have desires. When we stop tamoxifen will moisture return back and does libido return. Also want vitamins do you recommend to help these areas? Im so glad I discovered your videos. I did also read a medical review conducted in Sweden that a 2 year dosage was ok in many breast cancer patients.

I am not using it anymore- it was making me feel bad

I had to come off Tamoxifen due to the brain fog - all the other symptoms I managed to control with most of the advice given here, but could not get rid of the brain fog, it got so bad I would leave the house and not know why I had gone out- very scary at 45yrs old. After about 2 months off it, I started to feel much better and was put on Anastrozole which I seem to tolerate better, still brain fog but not as bad.

Tamoxifen and skin sagging rapid aging, looking haggard. any help on this. Is hydration enough to counteract this?

Can you do video on aromotaste inhibitors

Does Xtane (Exmestane) have the same side effects?

Thanks for the helpful video. However, Tamoxifen prevents bone loss instead of causing osteoporosis. There’s a mistake in 10:01

I had Invasive Carcinoma, NO special type Grade2 cancer and finished radiotherapy a month ago. I’m due to take Tamoxifen for 5 years to stop any reassurance but hesitant as I’m 48 and will go into menopause in a few years. The side effects are scary and the fact that you can get other cancers while on this drug is a little concerning. Where can you find some info on re-occurrence of cancer for women who didn’t take tamoxifen and women who have taken it? I’ve spoken to 2 women who were on tamoxifen for the same cancer as me and their cancer can back after 3 years of taking tamoxifen with bad side effects.

I couldnt get out of bed. It was terrible. I have psA as well so I have pain all the time so cant take it. What else can I do?

It does make you gain weight and causes other extreme menopausal side effects. Flushes etc etc

But how much does it really reduce your risk? Everyone says tamoxifen reduces rates of recurrence “greatly” but I feel nobody states a number so we can really make informed decisions. So, recurrence rate without tamoxifen is X% Recurrence rate with Tamoxifen is Y% What’s x and what’s y?

I've done some research on Tamoxifen after my daughter was recently diagnosed with DCIS. She's just finished radiation and will be starting Tamoxifen soon. I found a couple of studies that have shown the benefits of half dose Tamoxifen is as beneficial as the currently prescribed dose and has little to no side effects. She told her oncologist about this study and he wants her to go with the full dose. I'm guessing that protocols aren't easily changed until many more people become informed that a reduced dose will provide the same benefit with less to no side effects. Is this awareness being promoted???

Does this all work for the different hormone suppresser they give to older women? After menopause they don’t usually gives Tamoxifen and I can’t remember the name of the drug I was told they would give me.

What about Arimdex? Are the symptoms the same?

Trying to cut down on food doesn't really help once you get the weight gain due to Tamoxifen

I couldn’t make it 3 months

My Dr.prescribed it for me at 67,I heard today that it should only be given to women that are premenopausal.I am disgusted with him,not paying attention to his patients.

Tamoxifen blocks (antagonist)estrogen in breast tissue but it acts like estrogen (agonist) in uterus and bones. You state that tamoxifen blocks estrogen in endometrium, bones and fat.

I’ve been researching whole plant extract cannabis, Provigil, glucose monitoring, and gabapentin. Also possible oophorectomy since I am no longer having kids. Having lived with severe, debilitating depression and ADD, even though I am 5 months out from Tamoxifen, I’m researching now so I have a game plan. Diet and exercise are not enough. Careful, tailored supplementation and medications will matter for me after all, Tamoxifen is STRONG.

As someone with triple negative and two recurrences .. i wish tamoxofin was an option for me

How about taking it 2-3 days/ week? And not every day, since it’s half life is 5-7 days in adults. There is always a tendency to over prescribe this type of drugs. My integrative MD, had suggested to take the Letrozole which was prescribed by my oncologist 3 days/ week and it was working well until after taking it for one year I started to develop tendon issues and 2” diameter alopecia even with such a low dosage, so I stoped taking it. It’s half life is 2 days.

Is there any chance to stop hair loss caused by Tamoxifen? Does anyone maybe have some experience?

You say that so many women stop taking this medication so what happens to them? Have they gotten their cancer back?

if tamoxifen blocks estrogen binding to breast tissue, why can't you take hrt at the same time.

I had stage 0 breast cancer DCIS. I decided not to take it. I’m already struggling with losing weight, so the extra 20 lbs would be horrible for me

I gained weight , joint pain but stopped after 4 yr as cancer came back 🤷‍♀️

Can i take anti depressants whilst on tamoxifen?

How about leading with it can cause uterine cancer eventually or that it makes the cancer more aggressive once you become resistant to the tamoxifen and that the edema can promote (lymph°EDEMA) which there's NO CURE for as it is a chronically progressive health issue and stage 4 leads to Elephantiasis of the limb(s) if you are heavier-obese and less mobile as you get older which is usually very naturally the case

i’ve decided against it. the anxiety is real.

Anyone with hallucinations with tamoxifen?? 😢

Read..estrogen matters...Avrum Blumming MD

Your expected side effects should be geared for premenopausal women and not post menopausal women. Once you start going through menopause you are more likely to gain weight. All my friends going through menopause gain some weight therefore I don’t feel like weight gain from taking Tamoxifen is from Tamoxifen. It’s from menopause. I’ve been taking Tamoxifen for 8 months now and have side effects except occasional night sweats. I exercise everyday and stopped sugar and processed foods. Never had brain fog even after 4 rounds of chemo. Not everyone has side effects from Tamoxifen.

I really wanna have kids tho and you can't get pregnant if you take Tamoxifen. I see so many people taking a haitus from tamoxifen for a few months to get pregnant.

Are you speaking to metastatic breast cancer? Or are you excluding women with metastatic breast cancer? I don't want a confrontation, I'm simply trying to find out whether I can dismiss your video if it doesn't apply to me. Thank you, please let me know.

I have no ovaries, or tubes. I have zero breast tissue. Why should I still take this?

You just said in another video we should not eat the chicken

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