Need some advice!

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Cafelovr
Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
edited June 2014 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

OK, so after 17 months of "chemopause", I start my period. Now the doctor wants me to come in to test my estrogen levels and is talking about shutting down my ovaries with Lupron shots. Anyone had this done? He said he may take me off TMox and put me on an AI. Can you think of any questions I should ask him other than the obvious (se, length, % of reoccurence, etc)?

Thanks!

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2011

    Can't give advice, but I can say that many women on these boards are getting the Lupron shot to put them into chemical menopause. It seems that this done to stop that source of estrogen and/or allow them to use AI's.

    *susan* 

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  • steelrose
    steelrose Member Posts: 3,798
    edited April 2011

    Hi Linda...

    I had the Lupron shots before I started Arimidex. I don't remember a lot of side effects, or at least I can't distinguish them from the Arimidex side effects. Lots of hot flashes and general achy body. Early menopause isn't fun, but the alternative is much scarier! I elected to have my ovaries removed in Nov. I'm 96% ER+ so estrogen is definetely not my friend! I still miss him thoughWink!

    Wishing you the best!

    Rose.

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  • Padiddle
    Padiddle Member Posts: 853
    edited April 2011

    Hi Linda:  I don't know about the Lupron shots, but my onc recommended surgical removal of the ovaries which was done in February 2010.  Laparascopic, easy to recover from.  Maybe someone on the boards will know why some have surgical removal and some have the Lupron.  Hoping the best for you.  Jean

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  • ibcmets
    ibcmets Member Posts: 4,286
    edited April 2011

    Linda,

    I've been on Lupron for about a year and taking Femara.  I was pre-menopausal but did not want to take tamoxafin and I'm ER+.  I've had no SE's from Lupron.  My estrogen levels are still not at a point where I can go off Lurpon.  I had joint pain from Femara for the first 5 months, but later I don't have anymore SE's from Femara.  My scans every 3 to 6 months show if the Femara is still working.

    Terri

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited April 2011

    Thanks ladies for your responses!

    Jean, that's a good point...why do some of us do Lupron and some do ooph?

    Terri, why didn't you want to take Tamoxifen?

    I know the differences btwn TMox and AIs, but why is one better than the other? Hmmmm?

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited April 2011

    My onc would have put me on Zoladex if I hadn't gone into chemopause permanently. So that's now three ways of shutting the ovaries down. Maybe he suggested that because I still had a port?

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited April 2011

    I did an Ooph. It was a breeze. One less drug in my body. Menapause sucked.

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  • katie11
    katie11 Member Posts: 2,514
    edited April 2011

    I would definitely ask about having the ovaries removed.

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited April 2011

    I responded to radiation so they just zapped my ovaries out of commission.  I went into instant menopause and the hot flashes were horrible.  I dont remember an achy body but then I had aches and pains not related to the ovaries.  I think the lupron shots attack all the estrogen in your body because the ovaries are not the only ones to make estrogen.

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  • mari55
    mari55 Member Posts: 693
    edited April 2011

    Had a lap hyst (11/09) right before I was diagnosed with Stage IV  for reasons unrelated to BC.  Easiest thing I have gone through in the past year or so.  Femera didn't work long for me and now I am on tamoxifen which  had me stable last scan. Femera was much worse as it relates to bone pain and hair thinning.  Hot flashes are more prevalent on tamoxifen.  As others have pointed out we all respond differently.  Will see if Tamoxifen is holding me in a week or so.

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited April 2011

    I took Lupron for about a year and Tamox.  I recurred so I got my ovaries out to really shut those girls down.  Best thing I've ever done.  It is done laparoscopically and not very painful, tylenol handled everything pretty well. 

    I think Lupron got me primed for my ovaries out -- I had some wicked hot flashes on lupron and tamox and once I got my ovaries out no more flashes.  I didn't go on an AI, I had progression to deal with.  But my estrogen level was tested and I was fully post-menopausal.  Since you've been on chemopause it might help prepare your body for ovary shut down and it won't be too much of a shock to your system.  Good luck with whichever method you use -- it will definitely be worth it.

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  • Bruburn
    Bruburn Member Posts: 286
    edited April 2011

    Hi,

    Sorry I missed this earlier.  I had no periods during chemo and seemed to suffer much of the hot flashes etc at that time.  So, when I had my ovaries radiated I had no additional menopausal symptoms.  I started on Femara two weeks after getting my ovaries radiated.  So far so good!  We went straight to an AI because we wanted to totally starve these aggressive buggers of any estrogen at all!

    Good Luck and Let us know how it goes!

    Bruburn 

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