Skip to content

Tamoxifen causes leg aches and stiffness?

Page last modified on: September 8, 2008
Question from Stephanie: Could tamoxifen be connected to leg aches and stiffness? After sitting for a long time, and when sleeping, I feel a stiffness and achyness that I don't think was there before tamoxifen. I've been taking it for two and a half years. Thank you.
Answers —Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D.: I have heard of women who are on tamoxifen and do complain of these types of pains, so this is probably normal. It's not something we see commonly, but it's certainly something that I've seen, and it's also an arthritis-type of condition. It's probably exacerbated by the hormonal properties of tamoxifen.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: For women who first went through chemotherapy, and who then go on tamoxifen, sometimes it's hard to tell which symptoms that you're having are due to the chemotherapy or due to the tamoxifen. Also, most women take tamoxifen for five years.

So as you grow older through those five years, you may notice some new aches and discomforts, because you're growing older and you're experiencing the wear and tear of living. Some women also become relatively inactive for a period of time between diagnosis, end of treatment, and recovery, and may gain weight through that period of time, as well. These things together can lead to lack of conditioning and some increased stiffness.

On Wednesday, April 17, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Breast Cancer Pain. Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about managing pain caused by breast cancer and breast cancer treatments.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D. is a medical oncologist specializing in pain treatment.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.