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Old 01-07-2010, 08:37 PM   #1
bejuce
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Bloated on Tamoxifen??
Hi everyone,

I started Tamoxifen after rads and lately I've been feeling very bloated, as if I'm pregnant (not possible, tied the tubes at my last c-section). Discounting the food extravaganza during the holidays, I started questioning whether the bloated feeling could be due to Tamoxifen.

Has anyone experienced that? Is bloating a side effect of Tamoxifen? How about weight gain? I'm exercising daily and eating healthy for the most part (again discounting the holidays and the Italian Panettone I had for breakfast at Christmas and New Years...)

Thanks!!!

Marcia (bejuce)
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ER+ (30%)/PR-/HER-2+, stage 3

Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding.
March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin
08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy)
08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best!
September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda
02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy
05/27/10 - Bone scan clear
06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found
07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin!
02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial
03/15/11 - First CA 15-3: 12.7 and normal, yay!
10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found
now on Tamoxifen and Aspirin
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Old 01-08-2010, 07:35 AM   #2
Hopeful
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Re: Bloated on Tamoxifen??
Bejuce,

I was never on Tamoxifen, but my onc told me anectdotally that he heard a lot of complaints from his patients about weight gain. According to Drugs.com, bloating is listed as a side effect:

http://www.drugs.com/cons/tamoxifen.html

Best of luck to you,

Hopeful
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Old 01-08-2010, 08:17 AM   #3
Becky
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Re: Bloated on Tamoxifen??
I was on Tamoxifen even though I am now on Arimidex (had ooph several yrs ago to do so). I did not have the problems you are having but I had the "eyes" side effect. Floaters and the perception that I was losing eyesight. I do know that weight gain is a Tamoxifen side effect but it is minor (10 lbs) and I bet you can work that off. Bloating is a b---- cuz that just makes you feel yucky.

In my estimation, most side effects tend to improve with time or you just get used to it.

If things go downhill, don't despair - there is another medication you can take being premenopausal - Evista. Most studies show it works just as well as Tamoxifen but without many of the side effects.
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Kind regards

Becky

Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia

NED 18 years!

Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:17 PM   #4
AlaskaAngel
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"side" effects of bc treatments
http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ad.php?t=41162
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Old 01-08-2010, 05:48 PM   #5
bejuce
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Re: Bloated on Tamoxifen??
Thanks so much! I have an appt with my oncologist on Tuesday and will discuss this with her.

Have a great weekend!
__________________
ER+ (30%)/PR-/HER-2+, stage 3

Diagnosed on 02/18/09 at 38 with a huge 12x10 cm tumor, after a 6 month delay. Told I was too young and had no risk factors. Found swollen node during breastfeeding.
March-August 09: neo-adjuvant chemo, part of a trial at Stanford (4 DD A/C, 4 Taxotere with daily Tykerb), loading dose of Herceptin
08/12/09 - bye bye boobies (bilateral mastectomy)
08/24/09 - path report shows 100 % success in breast tissue (no cancer there, yay!), 98 % success in lymphatic invasion, and even though 11/13 nodes were still positive, > 95 % of the tumor in them was killed. Hoping for the best!
September-October 09: rads with daily Xeloda
02/25/10 - Cholecystectomy
05/27/10 - Bone scan clear
06/14/10 - CT scan clear, ovarian cyst found
07/27/10 - Done with Herceptin!
02/15/11 - MVA-BN HER-2 vaccine trial
03/15/11 - First CA 15-3: 12.7 and normal, yay!
10/01/11 - Bone scan and CT scan clear, fatty liver found
now on Tamoxifen and Aspirin
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Old 01-08-2010, 06:08 PM   #6
AlaskaAngel
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Re: Bloated on Tamoxifen??
Marcia,

The other thing is that anyone who has had breast cancer and has frequent bloating probably should at least ask about having a CA-125, which tests for ovarian cancer.

When I was taking tamoxifen, I sometimes had bloating too.

A.A.
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