surgical menopause

mernilizbeth224

surgical menopause

mernilizbeth224

Last summer I had my ovaries removed to lessen my risk. My mother, maternal aunt and sister have all been diagnosed and treated. My  sister and my aunt in their 30's. The doctor who did the genetic counseling is sure that it is genetic. Sis was negative for BARC1, BARC2 & BART. He thinks its one of the genes not identified yet. We also have lost a cousin to lymphoma ( son of aforementioned aunt) He was diagnosed at 28yrs old. I have another cousin on mom's side with thyroid cancer.  I'm terrified. After surgery I started taking flax seed oil and soy isoflavones to deal with the sudden onset of symptoms. I can't find any reliable research on the risks of taking these HRT alliteratives. I have been having tenderness in my left breast for a few weeks. My doctor thinks its because my body is finally running out of its estrogen reserves. ( I'm overweight, and estrogen accumulates in fat cells) My last digital mammogram was in july 08 and my insurance wont pay for another one till 2010. They say I only need one every other year. is there any one else out there with similar experience?

Annabella58

Hi there:

I'm sorry your family has had to go thru so much ....I am also getting the ovaries out and the uterus also in March.  I don't have the brac, but I have had bc twice so I am opting to take everything out to lessen the risk also...my oncologist and OB/GYN have said they think it's a good idea. 

I have been told and also read that you really should not take these things....they are both a form of estrogen, which is what you are trying to avoid, right?  Soy sauce, and flax seed in food (like Barillia pasta stuff) is OK, but not actual sources or supplements of these things.  Also was told to stay away from homeopathic stuff such as black cohosh, etc.  You really do not want to put estrogens (even plant estrogens) back into your body.  They won't help, tho they are healthful things, but not in your case. 

If you are overweight, (I am too) that can cause estrogen.  I know we both should lose it, and we will when we aren't terrified, right?  In the meantime, some exercise will really help with your anxiety. 

Did your dr. talk personally to the insurance company about your case?  Sometimes they can get things or tests OKd when the insurance says no.  It may be that you have not had cancer yet, in which case, good for you!!!  And I personally would pay the 150.00 or so to get the mammogram myself, if they really won't help you, but I would tend to think if your dr. can show them evidence of family cancers, and will go to bat for you, it might get thru.

I know it's easy to say don't stress, but really what will that do for you, besides upset you?  Chances are good that you've eliminated most of your trouble causers (I know mine was definitely estrogen caused) and you could try eating 9 servings of veggies and fruit and do stay away from the two things you mention.  Life is a crap shoot anyway, and it sounds like you are doing a good job of staying healthy! 

It's pretty aggressive, but have you considered prophylactic mastecomy?  I think your insurance might go for it and the reconstruct (I have one, it's awesome, truly rivals the original) if your dr. can show evidence of a medical reason why.  It would be one way to absolutely level the playing field.

Good luck with everything, I will pray for you to be just fine.  PM me if I can help you out at all.

I've been there, and terrified sucks. 

be well

annie

Elliemae32

I just had my ovaries and uterus removed in October during my c-section.  I have been taking Effexor XR 75mg for the hot flashes.  It is working wonderfully.  I have also been taking melatonin at bedtime to help me sleep for the last week.  I feel like a new woman!! 

Good luck,

Ellen

Daudine

Please stop the isoflavone and phyto hormones right now. If you get your ovaries removed is to reduce the risks. You should not take hormones at all. Genetic breast cancer is hormone sensitive.

I am 38 and BRCA-1 positive. My mother died from a second breast cancer at 64, first one at 51. My aunt died at 42 of breast cancer another one at 38 from lung cancer, an uncle at 51 from colon cancer.

I had my ovaries removed last March and I had bilateral mastectomy with reconctruction last May though I have no cancer. My chances were too high (90% breast cancer and 65% ovarian cancer). I don't regret anything though it was a hard road to take.