Anyone had nausea as a side effect of tamoxifen? What helps?

Tamoxifen

Hello everyone, Ok, here is a rather delicate question: Has anyone who has been on Tamoxifen for awhile (I've been on it for a year and a half) had problems with bowel movements?

@sparklegram A year and a half is a long time.

You'll notice that I moved your question to an existing discussion on this topic. I did this so you could connect in a central location with members like @rarelybees2889 @mugs24cancer @pattycincinnati @crystalgal

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-problems-have-you-had-with-tamoxifen/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lcis-should-i-take-tamoxifen/

Above are a couple of previous discussions you may wish to scroll through.

May I ask if you've had issues the entire time or is this new?

I’ve been on Tamoxifen for about 6 months now and every now and again I feel nauseated especially in the morning. The Oncologist wants me to take it for up to 5 years because I’m in the high risk category for breast cancer. My only question is can this cause a problem beings i have pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis)?

I have been on Tamoxifen for almost 8 years and have never had any issues at all. It was decided I would stay on it for 10 years if I tolerated it well. I honestly cannot tell I take it. Have you added any other medications on a daily basis ? Maybe come off of it for a few days and see what happens. I would talk yo your oncologist.

Thank you for your reply, @jdriver. Yes, i contacted my oncologist and asked if it would be at all risky to stop taking Tamoxifen for one month, and she said I could do that. Like you, up until now I haven't had the problems with Tamoxifen that I had with the other AIs.

Good morning @erikas, no, I've had almost no issues with Tamoxifen until now. This particular problem has been going on for a few months, though. Thank you for your reply and referrals to other locations.

Welcome, @shirley57. Such a good, but very specific question. I did a quick internet search and found this 2016 information about tamoxifen and its potential as a treatment for pleural mesothelioma - a lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

- Tamoxifen And Pleural Mesothelioma https://www.asbestosis-compensation.co.uk/news/breast-cancer-drug-mesothelioma.html

I think your question is one to ask your oncologist and your pulmonary specialist. Is your oncologist aware of your lung condition?
What time of day do you take your tamoxifen?

Thank you for your response. My Oncologist definitely knows my situation. I guess I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t taking something that could hurt me because I was on Tamoxifen a year before my diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis and was taken off the Tamoxifen because that’s when I was told it wasn’t safe for me, that was 7 1/2 years ago. I take my Tamoxifen around 7-8 in the morning.

Thank you again Colleen for the information you put in your response because I didn’t know that about Tamoxifen and Pleural Mesothelioma. I guess my Oncologist did some homework before subscribing the medicine. I feel much better now that I read the article. Thank you again!

You're welcome. It's always good to ask questions. I'm sure your oncologist appreciates knowing that you want to make informed decisions.

Now, about the nausea that you experience. Does it happen before or after you take the pill at 7 or 8 am? Have you thought of slowing moving it to a different time of day?

@sparklegram and @jdriver, what time of day do you take tamoxifen? Do you find there's a better time to help manage side effects?