Women w/ TAH/BSO w/ No HRT

zoots

Diag. w/ IDC Jan 2010.  Bi-Lateral Mastectomy w/ expanders March, 2010. 7 cm. tumor (3cm invasive)  Stage II; Grade 1; node neg.  ER+PR+ ; Braca 1 & 2 neg.  Onco type score= 9; no chemo, taking tamoxifen/Zometa.  Had CYP2D6 testing done; result= intermediate metabolizer.  Due to this, plus issues w/ a few ovarian cysts, heavy bleeding issues and uterine fibroids, I am considering recommendations to have TAH w/ BSO.  Until I decide, I have started Eligard injections to stop estrogen production.  Has anyone out there had TAH w/ BSO knowing they CAN NOT treat menapausal symptoms w/ HRT of any kind???  How bad can symptoms get?  What are they?  Can they be toleratd?  Considering options, need help to decide.  Any info would be greatly aooreciated.

Leah_S

I didn't have a surgical menopuse; had a natural one. I didn't use anything (no HRT, etc) and got through it. Not fun, but I managed. I have heard that surgical/chemical menopause is harder. A lot of women get relief from Effexor or other similar drugs (don't know names, sorry).

I've had a lot of hot flashes, etc, since starting Femara. Since I already went through menopause I consider this to be officially Not Fair.

Best of luck.

Leah

eileen1955

the hot flashes were interfering with my ability to live a productive life.     They were causing mini-panic attacks.    All I could think of was unzipping my skin and "escaping".

So I went on Celexa which is an SSRI anti-depressant.      It made a huge difference.

Also I bought bamboo cotton sheets and nightclothes.  Waking up "drenched" prevented me from falling back to sleep.  

my hot flashes were caused by "chemo-pause".  I never had to resort to HRT.