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Will hot flashes from tamoxifen ease up?

Page last modified on: October 13, 2008
Question from LydiaS: I just started taking tamoxifen 2 weeks ago and I'm hot flashing more than ever. Will this ever ease up? It’s making me sick and fatigued and I can't imagine trying to go back to work like this. HELP!!!!
Answer —Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S.: This is not unusual to be experiencing side effects like this, especially when starting tamoxifen. Give it more time before feeling like you want to throw in the towel. Your body is trying to go through an adjustment, so try to wait it out a bit longer. Take a look at the information on the Breastcancer.org site that provides specific recommendations to deal with the symptoms you're experiencing, since this is new for you. If it continues to persist, notify your doctor to see if he/she wants to prescribe something for you to relieve the symptoms.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Ongoing Medications. Patricia Ganz, M.D. and moderator Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. answered your questions about staying on track with breast cancer medications you have to take on a regular basis.

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.

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Meet the Experts

Patricia A. Ganz, M.D.Patricia A. Ganz, M.D. is a medical oncologist and a professor in the schools of medicine and public health at UCLA, and is director of the division of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center there.

Lillie Shockney, RN., BS., M.A.S.Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. is the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

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