How bad would it be to get pg?

MoniqueG

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes.  How terrible would it be if I got pregnant a year after being diagnosed with IBC?  We're certainly not *trying*, but my cycle just came back 6 weeks ago (so I've had 2 now post-chemo), and we're not exactly preventing, ya know?  So if the Good Lord thought it would be a great idea to bless us with another child, how bad would that be on my health?  Would I just have to go off of Tamoxifen while pg?  I guess that in itself is dangerous, right? 

Btw, I'm 39, and have one 6yo daughter.  My IBC was stage IIIb with a 12cm mass, and I'm currently NED.

leisaparis

I think this is a decision you should consult with your dr. about. Then you & your husband make that decision together. God forbid something go wrong. Your husband would then be raising these kids on his own. With that being said, I personally would not tempt fate. I would use protection. Even just a condom. You may not be having anything happening now, but we as IBC patients are not out of the woods till @ year 2-3. That is the greatest time for recurrence. I did not take tamoxifen, so I do not know how that plays out for you. Good Luck in your decision and God Bless.

kathleen1966

I know this is not going to be popular, but you asked!!!  I think it would be a horrible, horrible idea for you to get pregnant and I hope that you start using protection if you believe this is acceptable. All the extra hormones brought on by a pregnancy would likely (though no-one can be sure) destroy your NED. My period is trying to come back and I think of the same thing at times....what if I got pregnant.....Then I realize this would be a very, very bad idea. It is very wonderful that you are NED! 

lago

Being hormone positive I doubt this is a good idea. When you're pregnant your hormone levels rise. You should really discuss this with your doctor. In the mean time use a condom. They aren't that bad.

You need to be around for your children that you already have. God doesn't just choose to give you a child. God just gives you the equipment to have one. You do have some control over this. It's up to you to decide if it's right to use the equipment.

Beeb75

There are a couple issues here. One is that it's not recommended that you take tamoxifen while pregnant. It can cause birth defects. You would not know immediately that you were pregnant, therefore, your fetus would be exposed to it for at least a few weeks. Second is that you had an aggressive cancer and, if you got pregnant now, you would not be able to complete the optimal treatment for it. Tamoxifen is a powerful weapon against hormone responsive breast cancer. 

I have discussed this issue with my oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering many times. "In theory" it would seem that pregnancy in general would be bad for hormone responsive BC, because of high levels of estrogen -- but studies have shown that for women who complete all their treatment, pregnancy doesn't seem to have an effect one way or the other on recurrence. However, women who do not complete their treatment (i.e. don't do tamoxifen) and women who get pregnant within 2 years of their dx/treatment, do not do as well. My onc says "don't cut your treatment short" for pregnancy. Do all the treatment, then work on the pregnancy issue. I know that given your age and mine, that is easier said than done. 

My take would be -- take steps to prevent pregnancy now. But think about if you do want another child, and if so, plan for one after tamoxifen.  

I don't think it's a good idea to leave this one to the fates. As we have all learned the hard way, the fates can be cruel. 

anonymice

As a fellow IBCer, I would wait a couple of years.  Make sure it's gone.  Your biological clock is ticking a bit, but not screaming quite yet.   

Seriously, I have exactly the same issue but my cancer's not hormone receptive at all.  But, with IBC you know, they throw the book at you (and the chair and table too!).  Our treatments are aggressive and stressful.