Premenopausal before BC Tamoxifen Bleeding

profbee

Hi, gang!  It's been quite a while since I posted.  But I have a question, and y'all know so much.  So...

I was dx'd in March 2011...I had a Mirena IUD at the time, so I hadn't had a period in months.  Later that summer, I had the Mirena removed b/c it just worried me to have anything hormonal.    I did my chemo, BMX, chemo, blah blah...Herceptin, and then Tamoxifen (which I am still on) and never had a period again--for THREE YEARS.  

Now, this month, I had sex with DH, and I'm bleeding.  I went to the gyno.  No irritation present, but I'm def bleeding.  They want to do an ultrasound, an endometrial biopsy, and possibly a D&C.  Last time they did an ultrasound my endometrial thickness was at 15mm.  I take it that's the super high end of normal.  So, now I guess I'll see if it's worse now.

I've considered never having my period again the only damn good thing to come from BC (actually, that's not true...you know I love many of you here now and some gone that helped me through), but I have heard that I could get my period back since I was only 39 at dx.  Now...42.  

So, what do you think?  My period returning?  F'in uterine cancer?!  Don't worry...I'm not quite off that deep end yet, but I'm starting to get a bit nervous.  Why do these things always happen on a Friday so you can squirm all weekend and then know you won't have an answer for over another week?!  ugh.

Any advice is super appreciated!  Love to all!

ProudMom_Wife

Hi profbee,

I was dx'd in Nov. 2010 at the age of 45.  Even though I was premenopausal I hadn't had bleeding in years due to an endometrial ablation, but I had regular bloating and clear discharge on a monthly basis. I definitely went into chemopause during treatment.

Fast forward to earlier this year. I started having strange fluctuations in my weight and having clear discharge again. Then had three episodes of spot bleeding after having fun with DH in a two week span. Went to see OB/GYN. Decided to wait and watch. Happened again. OB/GYN suggested an Hysteroscopy with D&C to make sure all was OK.  Everything came back benign.  Since the procedure I have had not further spotting, but continue to have those fluctuations and clear discharge on fairly regular basis.  My OB/GYN said that the procedure could have cleared up whatever was causing the bleeding or whatever was irritated cleared up on its own, don't really know.

Both my OB/GYN and Oncologist aren't quite sure if my ovaries are waking up a bit before shutting down for menapause or what since I am 49 now. It is a mystery and the blood tests to check estrogen can be inaccurate while on Tamoxifen.  So I am doing the wait and watch and both my doctors are monitoring the situation. If I have any spot bleeding again I am to contact both of them right away.

You are younger than me and my oncologist has always told me that some women in their 40's whose ovaries are shut down due to chemo can have them wake up again 3-5 years later before going into menopause and that is why she wanted me on Tamoxifen instead of an AI.

I believe it is a really good idea to have the procedures suggested by your doctor. 

Best wishes.

profbee

Thanks so much, Proud.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to respond.  Thank you!!!  Yes, my onc has said repeatedly that although I haven't had a period in 3 years, I'm not menopausal and so Tamoxifen it is.  But this is the first bleeding episode I've had at all.  And she also said that my periods could come back, so that is likely what this is I'm sure.  But boy...feeling cruddy and hating that now this is what my next two weeks is about.  I mean, I'm glad that I'm insured and I can investigate these things, but remember when you could just go to a gynecologist and not have a MILLION tests and whatnot?!  ugh.  I'm trying not to obsess about remote possibilities.  I guess I'll know more after this next week.  It is truly helpful though to hear your similar experience!

TwoHobbies

Hi, profbee.  I had some bleeding after intercourse that stopped within a few minutes.  Still the obgyn sent me for the whole shebang.  My uterus was thickened (I think 13), I had something on my ovary they were worried about.  I had a uterine biopsy and it was totally normal.  A few months later they repeated the ultrasound and the ovary was fine too.  So there's hope its not an indication of something bad.  They just can't tell because its so common to have uterine thickening so any bleeding they want to check out.  . 

profbee

I'm so glad that you're okay!  My fingers are crossed that I will be fine and just have to do these tests and get it checked out.  But, y'know, I'm stupidly googling symptoms of uterine cancer.  

voraciousreader

I had issues before my breast cancer diagnosis.  I was premenopausal at diagnosis and was getting recurrent bleeding polyps.  Many sisters can have polyps and be asymptomatic....but not me!  When I began Tamoxifen and ovarian suppression, I still got bleeding polyps every few months and uterine thickening.  After two years of Tamoxifen, I was FINALLY postmenopausal.  Switched to AI, uterine thickening subsided....but I was STILL getting bleeding polyps every few months!  In March, I had a "well" check-up and had gone 8 full months without a bleeding polyp.  Before I could pat myself on the back, in June I had my 8th D&C in less than 5 years for another huge bleeding polyp.  This week, I finally stopped bleeding from the D & C.  I now have an appointment in August to discuss a hysterectomy.  Doctor said if I get another bloody polyp it will be time for a hysterectomy...absolutely no more D&C's for me!

Hope your journey is easier than mine!

profbee

GEEEZE LOUISE!!!!  You bled for over a month from your D&C?!  ugh.  It sounds like you might benefit from the hysterectomy.  That is so much going on!!!  More than one D&C a year!  Thanks so much for your response.  I know we participated in some threads together years back!  

This reminds me of the day I had to sign up for all of my chemo appts....it was the first time I cried...sitting there at the scheduling desk!  Who has time for all this?!  I'm totally making myself nuts thinking about the bleeding, how sore I am...not period sore, but sore, my long-term heartburn, bloating so much that I've gone up a size despite not weighing any more.  I'm doing just what I know I shouldn't...imagining all sorts of worst case scenarios.  It just doesn't feel like a period.  But then, I haven't had a period in 3 years, so who remembers?!  

voraciousreader

prof....doctor told me I was an outlier!  And I wasn't just staining!  It was a bloody mess.  Said my uterus was angry!😨....Of course it was angry!  Wouldn't you be angry from all that poking around?????

profbee

What an ordeal, hon!  I'm so sorry.  I hope you can get a resolution to this soon!

voraciousreader

Hope you can hang in there too and keep your wits about yourself! What a journey!