tamoxefen and weight gain with alot of gas

[Dancerhere]

Since being on Tamoxefen almost 3 and a half years I have noticed alot of water retention and gas lately. Can this happen now after taking it for this long? I cannot stand the pressure of the gas and the water weight makes it impossible to wear any of my clothing in comfort. I understood that the gain would be initially and not now. Also, I have alot of gastrointestenal problems on this drug, night sweats are terrible, discharge and so much more. What is the percent of this drug helping to insure not getting another breast problem regarding cancer again? I heard it is only 6 to 10% and if this is so I would stop taking the drug due to all the side affects.

Thankyou

[Dancerhere]

I so appreciate all who took the time to answer my posting.....thankyou so very much

[carme]

I took Tamoxifen for 4 years while on the trial that started in 1992. I had to go off because of edema in my legs...after 4 years on the drug.  My breast cancer showed up in late 2003...but I have the BRCA2 mutation too.
You probably should be examined for your symptoms anyway, as they could be from something else.  Especially if you take some of the drugs for arthritis etc.
My mother took Tamoxifen for 5 years after her second breast cancer. She lived for 14 more years, dying at 80 of undiagnosed ovarian cancer.  Undiagnosed because she was SO stubborn and would not be examined for some symptoms that were pointing to that disease.  All told, she lived for 27 years after her first breast cancer.

[Polly1971]

I had a different reaction to Tamoxifen therapy after my mastectomy and was switched to Arimidex.  There ARE other drug treatments.  

[Dancerhere]

Thankyou for getting back to me..........I was wondering if the sudden death of my brother and loss of my cousin has had an affect on my body. All this happened in March and since then I have been having all these problems.........I appreciated your help very much........thankyou

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear about all these side effects.  What you are experiencing now are really not so common side effects of tamoxifen, and I suggest you have yourself evaluated by your doctor to rule out other causes of water retention (e.g. heart or kidney problems).  The benefit of 5 years of tamoxifen therapy can be between 10-20%.  If you are already post-menopausal, or if your hormone levels are already post-menopausal levels (LH, FSH, estradiol), then you may want to ask your oncologist about shifting to an aromatase inhibitor (exemestane).  This form of hormonal treatment has lesser side effects than that of tamoxifen.

Regards and God bless.