Did you gain weight on Tamoxifen? What helps?

I was on 20 mg but after 3 months I started having headaches 24/7 and brain fog. I have never had migraines or regular headache. I went to my family practitioner, a neurologist, and the survivorship provider. I had a brain MRI. The neurologist concluded that based on my symptoms, self-report, and MRI, the headaches were medication related.
I am now on 5 mg and seem to be okay.
I never had real hot flashes or vaginal atrophy from tamoxifen.

Hi
Thank you for that information. Because that is the only amount I will take. So we'll see what happens once. My pathology is back on the 16th.

Hi Sue, I moved your question about weight gain to this existing discussion so you can see previous helpful posts:
- Weight gain from Tamoxifen?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weight-gain-from-tamoxifen/

You can use the group's search to find discussions on many topics. See the search bar specific to the group here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/breast-cancer/

Here are a number of discussions about hormone treatment and weight gain that might be helpful to you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/breast-cancer/?search=weight&index=discussions

May I ask how many mg if tamoxifen you take? Do they consider dropping the dose?

Hi my doctor has prescribed Tamoxifen for me following double mastectomy. I am wondering if anyone has experienced weight gain as one of the side effects. I am a bit concerned as my weight is already on the higher end. Many thanks.

I took tamoxifen for 5 years. I gained 42 pounds. Needless to say, I wasn't happy. But, you do what needs to be done to improve the odds.

Thanks for sharing and very sorry to hear that. Have you tried increasing exercise and / or any diet therapy? Happy Mother’s Day.

I was prescribed Anastrozole , still an Aromatase Inhibitor to suppress estrogen. I didn’t gain weight ( I was pretty good about what I ate and did consistent and vigorous cardio and strength classes, 90 min twice each week and did 30 min of fast walk/slow jog each week for over 3 years. No budge in weight and almost every visit medically included a statement that it would help if you lose some weight. Frustrating was an understatement. My old oncologist moved and I got a new one. At my first visit I told him of my experiences and frustration with losing weight. He said to me “it is the Anastrazole”. He explained that it doesn’t make you gain weight but it DOES make it very difficult to lose weight. It causes fat cells that would otherwise be burned by your body for energy stay in your body and settle into stored fat. I asked about meds to help with weight loss and he said the new wonder meds they are advertising are Hormone based and with ER PR patients a big NO. A nonhormonal med would be ok. I worked with my PCP and have used Phentermine with some success. I have lost about 18 pounds but it still is harder to do. What they don’t tell us!

My oncologist also told me that losing weight while on Letrozole (another AI) would be next to impossible.

I have diabetes, so yes, I am definitely calorie/carb. aware. I have managed to lose 30 lbs, but still have 12 to go. I do some workout routines and walks.