How I FEEL after 2 Months on TAMOXIFEN | Breast Cancer Survivor | Tamoxifen Vlog

Starting Tamoxifen I decided to make a vlog to document when side effects began, how I felt, and what I noticed as the weeks passed. Since my last update at 1-3 weeks things have definitely changed, some things for the better... some things sadly got worse. I hope this helps you in some way🌷.
❤SUBSCRIBE for more videos relating to my breast cancer journey created to help others, and share a space where we all feel less alone🫂. Thank you for your support and for being here with me!
You are stronger than you know!
Sincerely,
Chelsey
#tamoxifen #breastcancerjourney #breastcancersurvivor
*The content of this video simply shares my personal experience and what I've learned through it; therefore it should in NO WAY be substituted for any medical or professional advice.
I highly recommend doing your own research, and following the recommendations of your personal medical care team *

[@LoriKiplingerPandy]

I've been on Tamoxifen for 18 months. The first month was rough with joint pain making my ankles and knees hurt quite a lot. I also had to get up to pee 5x per night. I stuck with it and 8 or so weeks later and the all night pee fest tapered off and so did the ankle/knee pain. I do notice continued fatigue and hair thinning...but sad as that is for me the benefits outweigh the side effects and hopefully I'll also see a bit of bone density to help with my osteoporosis too....wishing everyone here the best of luck - there are no easy answers and everyone's bodies will respond differently to treatment....now if I could only stop those stupid Cords from developing in my arm ;-)

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience🙏🙏. That is so great to hear that the night pees and joint pain tapered off! I'm holding hope for things start to level out and get better as time passes👍! Oh no, you have some cords..?? I've had a few flair ups of cording, but nothing for a couple years🤞.

[@rutaberhane521]

😊

[@jinx6444]

I’ve been on tamoxifen for 3 1/2 years and the joint pain has never improved. I can’t wait to stop this medication

[@manipatel2839]

Thank you ❤​@@rutaberhane521

[@marianneperez6767]

I'm a Cancer survivor too. I'm also on tamoxifen. I wish you all the best!! I wish I could take your depression away and all your going through away. God and the angels are with you! You are a brave champion! You will make it through this.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Hello again! I'm so happy to hear you are on the survivor end of treatment🙏🎊!!! Thank you for being so kind and supportive, I truly appreciate it. You are such a positive, uplifting soul. Thank you for sharing your light with me💫. Wishing you all the best 🌷!

[@sueu6263]

The anastrozole I started taking in April started making me lose about 30% of my hair, which used to be strong and abundant☹️. Now, the slightest touch causes hairs to fall. That’s my worse side effect, I can deal with the bone pain, by walking, thank God, no depression ,yet…🤞🤞. Chelsey, you’re going to be ok, the side effects will get better, I’m told by a few women on tamoxifen . And you have your precious little boy now, a blessing 💕🥰

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Oh no! I've heard about hair loss on anastrozole. I'm so sorry. Do you know if that side effect improves over time? Thank you so much for your encouragement💕! And yes, so thankful for our little one and the joy he brings is such a miracle🙏💫! Take care and have a wonderful day!

[@gailpaul400]

I’m on Aromatase inhibitor but managing quite well, you will get better I’m sure. Met a lady last week stopped Tamoxifen after tow months. Ten years still cancer free, maybe lucky but better safe than sorry.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I'm happy to hear you are managing so well💕! Thank you for the encouraging words🙏💝!

[@lynetteriello3795]

Chelsey, thank you so much for sharing your journey and experience. I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 years, 5 months, and 2 days. I have experienced many of the side effects you mention. I do not feel like myself on this medication either. I take 600mg of Gabapentin an hour before bedtime. This has helped tremendously with the hot flashes and quality of sleep. Sending you much love and support. Continue to focus on all the blessings in your life.❤

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Hi💗! Thank you so much for your message and the tip! I've heard of Gabapentin, but haven't tried it yet. May I ask... have your side effects worsened, stayed the same or improved with time? Thank you very much for connecting and sending love and support, I greatly appreciate it🙏🌷. Smiling thinking of you and your kindness tonight😊. Sending love and support right back:).

[@lolo7778]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!!

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I hope it's helpful in some way🙏💕

[@donnapatterson1150]

The dark mood and pain were the reasons that i stopped TAMOXIFEN after a year. I feel so much better. I am sorry you are not feeling well. Thank you for sharing.😮

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I'm so happy to hear you feel better after stopping🙏. Thank you for your kind compassion💝. Wishing you continued health and happiness💫!

[@carolyngore5661]

Have you considered taking a lower dose of tamoxifen. There are some trials on this if you Google it.

[@rajneetkaur3899]

I can’t see you crying. Big hugs to you ❤❤.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you so much for your warm compassion and support💝🤗💝!

[@emilyheath420]

I’ve just started taking tamoxifen and I’m having a rough time with the side effects! The dark mood and joint pain is the worst for me! I really hope things improve for you xxx

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Shoot, I'm sorry to hear you are feeling the side effects too! Thank you yo much🙏. I hope as time passes things level out and you begin to feel better as well💕!

[@emilyheath420]

@@ChelseyTarnow your videos have helped me so much 💕 I’m so grateful for you and appreciate you xxx

[@ChelseyTarnow]

@@emilyheath420 awe thank you for letting me know they have been helpful for you, that makes my heart so happy💕! I'm smiling as I write this reply😊. Wishing you the most wonderful day!

[@angelamartinez2541]

3 mos in…ankle stiffness in the morning when I haven’t exercised in a couple of days. And, for me, cold hands and feet except when having a hot flash. Also, I’ve been more impatient, easier to anger. I’m sleeping okay with a low dose Trazadone. Wake up once or twice with a hot flash, but fall right back to sleep. These all feel like typical menopausal symptoms and hoping they ease up soon and that science will show that HRT is safer for us than what the medical community currently believes. Thank you for sharing your experience 🙏🏼

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience🙏. It's interesting how everyone is so different. I truly hope as time passes the side effects ease up on you. You are not alone❤❤

[@maryjostarks8351]

I am having a hard time sleeping on my AI & have started taking THC gummies at bedtime. These gummies have helped me tremendously.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Oh interesting, I'm so happy it's helping! Thank you so much for sharing🙏💕!

[@LovelyLauren83]

Started tamoxifen a few weeks ago and also noticed changes with my sleep at night. THC gummies help me sleep too!

[@ChelseyTarnow]

@@LovelyLauren83 Thank you for sharing! So happy you've found something that helps you as well👏👏!

[@chloeincontext8944]

Hi Chelsey👋🏾 I’m Chloe (Denver,CO USA) I was wondering if you have tried using a smart thermostat to lower the temperature at 2:45-3:00 AM? It’s amazing you were able to identify WHEN the hot flashes occur. I am early in treatment just about to enter chemo round 2 of 8. I’ve realized how important it is to track symptoms day and time. I feel like my doctors are more diligent and responsive when they see my yellow cancer book with all my notes make its appearance. Last thing, I have been wanting a Whoop for years and now that sleep is so critical to recovery and my mental health biting the bullet. Do you use any wearable technology to track sleep zones, oxygen, etc? Love your beautiful spirit and maybe our new nórmala requires some creative problem solving? Just know while it may FEEL buried, your joy is not lost.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Hi Chloe! Thank you so much for this kind and thoughtful message! We actually do thermostat, that is such a GREAT idea! Thank you! Good on you for keeping such diligent notes👍👏! I definitely agree that it's helpful for your medical team to know exactly whats going on when you aren't in their direct care. I haven't tried any type of wearable technology to track. I had a fitbit back in the day, but found it made my arm feel hot so haven't given anything else another chance as of yet. That is also another great idea though! I wish you continued resilience and strength as you tackle the rest of your chemo sessions💫. One thing that helped me was to celebrate every step along the way as something/anything was accomplished (no matter how seemingly small) 💕👊.

[@ASH-T786]

Hi praying for you I was diagnosed with her2 positive breast cancer stage 3 i am undergoing chemo i am 38 years old having hot flashes every night around the same time between 3 to 4 am. I am struggling with my side effects i feel mentally i am unable to hold my emotions 😢

[@ChelseyTarnow]

My heart goes out to you and I send you much love💕, support and strength. I found chemo to be an extremely mentally and physically challenging treatment... you are not alone🫂. I think it is 1000% ok (and expected) to be emotional and find what you are going through hard. You will get to the other side💫. Every day you are one step closer to being done, you've got this💪!

[@user-gp9mf8rr9q]

Thanks

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeannachebat]

Hi Chelsea. God is with you and for you. As difficult and challenging as life can be, God only allows it if it's for our good. I bet you are more wise now than before, more compassionate, discerning, and upgraded. If not yet, then you're still in the fire being refined, and that hurts. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Also, i want to share that i was able to shrink the cancer in my breast naturally. It's possible. It has since grown back but still isolated in my breast. I've been able to keep it at bay and i know i can shrink it again if i did what i did before to shrink it. So i bet you would be fine if you cut your dosage at least in half and did the other anticancer things i did to shrink it almost down to nothing. I just started on 5mg tamoxifen for peace of mind and am eating the food, taking the supplements and will fast like i did before. Fasting has huge benefits on health and will eat and kill cancer. I got real thin but I'm alive and so much better than i ever have been. And that is because of the cancer battle i fought, and everything that happened in my life during it. It was rough but I'm so glad it happened now being on the other side. So since you don't have cancer anymore, i thought I'd present another option for you if you so desired. God bless you and thanks for making these videos.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you so much for your very heartfelt message🌷💫! I so appreciate you sharing your light and I'm absolutely thrilled to hear that you were able to shrink your cancer naturally👏! Thinking of you tonight, it makes my heart do happy hearing you are thriving🌠

[@carolm_48]

This is why I am going the natural route lowering estrogen.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I totally understand:). Wishing you all the best💫🌷

[@loribakergirl6438]

Please would you share what you mean by natural route of lowering it? I also don’t want to take any of these hormone blockers after reading all of these horrible accounts😢

[@chabotamasupelo8320]

Soursop is the way to go! Kills cancer cells

[@loribakergirl6438]

@@chabotamasupelo8320 ok. I’ll research what this is. I’ve seen the word mentioned in various places.. thank you and I’ll look into it!!

[@lordjim3109]

May I ask you why were you on aromatase inhibitor and not tamoxifen from the start? Aren`t aromatase prescribed chiefly for post-menopausal women? I`ve heard they have a lot harder side-effects than tamoxifen. Was this the reason you switched to tamoxifen? But why were you on aromatase in the first place?

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I tried the aromatase inhibitor at first as there was some research that concluded it showed a very slight benefit over Tamoxifen for women under 35. I switched as the side effects were so harsh for me and I turned 35.

[@carolynadams5126]

I'm conserned about ESR1 mutations risk from these medications... NIH clinical studies show poor outcomes.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you for sharing🙏❤. So important have have all the information when making decisions about our health.

[@yildizkernchen1737]

Berberine also blocking estrogen

[@ChelseyTarnow]

I haven't heard of that one! Thank you for sharing.

[@yildizkernchen1737]

@ChelseyTarnow and melatonin too.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

@@yildizkernchen1737 really?! I had no idea!

[@big-lv2wt]

What if stop taking it

[@ChelseyTarnow]

There is the possibility it increases the risk of my cancer coming back

[@bobbipetty7411]

Quit taking it

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Fair suggestion!

[@Laurenash997]

On an Al for 16 months, became too debilitating, month break on Tamoxifen, leg cramps, extra hair growing on face, around hairline, wake up soaked, got cold, one day bleeding from other breast, after 15 months a Pulmonary Embolism was found, off that put on an anticoagulant, Xarelto, that was horrendous . Blackouts/spinning. Have stopped all these drugs.

[@BeautyIsMyLife]

Were you able to fully recover from your side effects after stopping? ​@@Laurenash997

[@laurareeves8682]

The brain fog was unbearable for me.

[@ChelseyTarnow]

Thank you for sharing🙏. It's so all challenging.