Posts: 89
1/10/11 2:27 P

I started on the tamoxifen in may 2010. according to my onco, it's like any drug, and affects everyone differently. some meds work better than others for different people. if the side affects of anything are really bad, talk to your doctor! they are there to help!

current weight: 205.4

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12/20/10 12:47 P

I just started on the other stuff...Arimidex, and so far so good. Anyone on that and are you having any side effects. I've already gained so much weight just since being diagnosed. I swear I gained 20 pounds during Chemo and never felt sick or lost my appetite. I'm glad I felt great with it but I thought at first at least I would lose weight. Hah!

Posts: 91
12/17/10 10:05 P

I want to chime in here... I've been on Tamoxifen since April 2010, and because I was worried about the weight gain, I increased my exercise dramatically, and started tracking with Sparkpeople (in January 2010). My weight loss was ridiculously S-L-O-W (compared to what it would have been if I were still in my 30's!). I lost maybe 2 pounds per month. Then, because I believe that getting to a healthy body weight reduces my risk of recurrence (I'm ER+/PR+), I wanted to speed up the weight loss. So, I changed my plan and then was able to lose much more quickly (like 8 pounds in November). So, it is indeed possible on Tamoxifen, albeit slow.

And, I finally had to get a prescription to ease the hot flashes and night sweats caused by Tamoxifen.

Best wishes!

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Posts: 860
12/15/10 12:17 A

Thanks for the replies, ladies. If it's of any interest, I've done some more research and the American Cancer Society web site indicates that weight gain is a side effect of hormone therapy generally, not specific to Tamox. I was so happy to have kept my weight consistent all through chemo, and now this! I haven't found anything about it affecting sleep, but that may just be usual insomnia...

Anyway, I did want to thank you for the replies!

Pounds lost: 1.8

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12/11/10 4:16 P

I have heard numerous times that weight gain was a side effect. I just started Armidex 2 days ago and hope it doesn't happen. I guess if some of us tend to gain weight easily we will have to be extra careful with our eating. Hey, I GAINED 20 pounds during chemo! When I first was diagnosed I tried to look at the positives and besides breast cancer being treatable, I was hoping to lose 20 pounds but I wasn't so lucky!

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12/11/10 3:12 P

Seawave, I was on tamoxifin for the full 5 years, and didn't have a weight gain problem. Sorry!!

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Posts: 4,621
12/11/10 1:58 P

So sorry, Seawave. I took Tam. for about 3.5 years and didn't have that side effect. They switched me to something else (arimidex) that was supposed to be more successful for post menopausal women. Praise the Lord I am almost done with the 5 years therapy of that.
Surely someone else here has had this. At last resort, call doc office & speak w/his nurse about it.

current weight: 0.8  over

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12/11/10 1:05 P

I'm hoping one of you ladies has experience and advice for me. I started taking tamoxifen 9 days ago, and I've gained 7.5 lbs! I know eventually it settles down, but it's disrupted my sleep and my eating habits, I have cravings I haven't had for a year... Any advice???

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