Breast cancer
posted by Aiidee
07 October 2015

New to tamoxifen - Exhausted

Last reply: 21 October 2015 16:23

Hi I have just started taking Tamoxifen 2weeks ago and am completely exhausted all day every day. Anybody else go through this? My oncologist dud say it can take time for my body to adjust but I am shocked at how tired I feel. No other side effects.... Any body else deal with this and how long did it last
Thanks

2 comments

Comments

commented by Irish Cancer Society
19 October 2015

19 October 2015 11:35

Dear Aiidee

I am sorry to read that you are experiencing such exhaustion having only recently started on Tamoxifen.Like any drug,some people have more side-effects than others.Many women find that side-effects are worse at the start of treatment but they settle down after a few weeks or months.
Fatigue is a common side effect of Tamoxifen.It is more common in women who start taking it before the menopause than those who start taking it after the menopause.We have a good book called ‘Coping with Fatigue’ and some aspects of it you might find helpful.You can down load it from our website here https://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/files/content-attachments/coping_wi…
Meanwhile if you would like us to put you in touch by phone with another lady who is on Tamoxifen you can phone our Nurseline here and we can arrange this for you.

Kind regards

Cancer Nurse | Irish Cancer Society.

commented by happy39
21 October 2015

21 October 2015 16:23

Hi Aidee, I was the same when I started tamoxifen, it took 6 months for my body to adapt but it did. I know the fatigue is frustrating but just give yourself time and eat healthy and your energy will return but it took me a year for energy to return once treatment (chemo, radiation, herceptin) stopped. I am now on tamoxifen a little over 5 years (new study shows taken it for 10 years is better) and I feel fine, I exercise and that helps to keep my weight stable. Just hang in there. I was 36 when I started it and I know it is hard to feel so tired but it will pass - promise

© Irish Cancer Society 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved

Irish Cancer Society Head office, 43/45 Northumberland Road Dublin, D04 VX65; Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20009502; Revenue Number CHY5863; Company Number 20868.