Tamoxifen & Rash

Laurieanne · 03-29-2009, 08:07 AM

Hi Guys,
Has anyone experienced a rash while
taking Tamoxifen. I've been on it for about six
weeks now, and have developed a rash on my legs.
Little red bumps that are very itchy. I've been scraching so much. My legs are bleeding.
The only thing I can think of that's different is the
tamoxifen. It's so uncomfortable it's hard to wear jeans.
I also started taking Vit D about 4 days ago.
Thanks, Laurie

mts · 03-29-2009, 05:52 PM

I developed a rash that lasted almost two years... on and off but always there. I still have remnants of it on the back side of my arm pit. The pharmacist suggested an anti-fungal. It worked immediately. Most of the rash is gone...
ALso, when I started Tamoxifen and Herceptin, I developed a rash on my arms that aslo bled -it was sooo itchy. The only remedy I could find was to rub ice on my arms. The cold literally froze the itchiness away. Plus it felt really good. I would rub the ice cube until it melted and then pat dry with a clean paper towel. I know this can be time consuming, but as you well know- once the itching stops, the rash eventually goes away. I avoid the sun -which also helped with itchiness.
I know several members here suffer with rash--- hopefully they will post their remedies for you.
Maria

CindyE · 05-11-2009, 03:28 PM

I have developed a rash with red bumps too. It started under my underarms in my armpits. It's really gotten itchy and is worst in my radiation area on my left side and breast. I also have a few other spots that have red bumps and itch. It started just before my last Herceptin on April 27. I'm on Tamoxifen too since Nov. 2008. Not sure what is happening. I showed two of my doctors and then said it wasn't shingles but not sure what it was. They suggested I use some cortisone cream but that only helps temporarily. Any ideas?

Laurieanne · 05-11-2009, 03:56 PM

Hi Cindy,
My rash lasted about a month and then disappeared.
My doctor thought it was the tamoxifen, and actually considered taking my ovaries if it persisted.
I still get itchy after Herceptin for a day or so, but
no more rash. I never had the itching with just Herceptin. It was only when we started Tamoxifen.
Hopefully it doesn't come back.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I'm just not sure
why it went away. We didn't do anything different.
Laurie

CindyE · 07-28-2010, 02:02 PM

I thought I'd bump this topic as I'm still having rash problems. It's actually gotten worse. It's red, hot and itchy bumps under my bad breast, groin, armpits and behind my knees. I'm taking OTC Zyrtec twice a day which helps. But I still have the itching. I have decided to stop taking Tamoxifen for two weeks to see if it helps or the itching goes away. It's been 5 days since I've taken Tamoxifen and I'm not seeing any changes yet in the itching.