Any tips for facing ovarian suppression?

andrearose

Hello,

I'm 42 with a low oncotype and my MO gave the choice of either Tamoxifen or ovarian suppression + aromasin. He leaned toward the ovarian suppression, so I scheduled my first shot in two weeks. I'm...nervous. Does anyone have any tips for handling the side effects or can you let me know what to expect in terms of how quickly they come on? I guess I am most concerned about wild mood swings or hot flashes? Also, I take a low dose of prozac but am considering changing to effexor if it helps with hot flashes.

PoohBear-61

Hi andrearose

I started OS in 2013...side effects (menopausal side effects) kicked in 6 weeks after starting .

Had hot flashes and night sweats at first but they got less and less after about 6 months then to almost nothing after ....I bought a fan for my office and slept in sweat pants and a long sleeve shirt as it would prevent me from freezing at night due to the damp skin ......so my issues with hotflashes was short term . I don't get night sweats anymore and occasional light hot flash maybe twice a day ....my triggers are when I get angry or irritated or if I eat sugar ......I did not have mood swings ........ 

I exercised 5 days a week and ate low glycemic ...which I think is what got me through all this ...... IT really wasn't all that bad ....

I did tamox and OS and am now due to switch to AL's...but am thinking off just staying on the tamox ......since I have few side effects .....

 

HUGZZZ

barsco1963

Hi andrearose - I like PoohBear was originally prescribed zoladex and tamoxifen and found the SEs to be tolerable. Of course everyone is different and the SEs may affect you differently. I find that I have joint and muscle aches/pains as well as hot "flushes." I don't often wake up soaked as some women do, but do find that sometimes my shirt is damp. I dress in layers due to the flushes coming throughout the day also and the sweater is off and on like a fireflies light.

I didn't experience any SEs from the shot itself - it was unpleasant to receive but not a long lasting soreness by any means.

Wishing you good luck and minimal SEs.

NineTwelve

I'm getting the goserelin (Zometa) shot once a month and taking Tamoxifen. I haven't had many side effects. A little warm sometimes, but I dress in layers.

Years ago, I took Effexor for depression and had horrible side effects, so beware - there are a lot of us who couldn't at all tolerate this drug. Do some research before you go on it, because it can be a bear to get off.

JohnSmith

Hi Andrea,

I noticed you're in the ILC (Lobular) camp. At age 42, that makes you a bit more rare.

It's been over a month since you posted and my wife was curious to hear about your AI / OFS experience (side effects).

Can you let us know?

ann273

I have been on Zoladex (OS) for about 5 weeks now and I am doing alright, no noticeable side effects yet. Im not sure if it gets worse with time. I guess it differs from person to person. I can keep you updated on this thread with my progress. Good luck!

Ann

scvmom65

Hi Andrea,

I was 44 at my dx and told I had the hormones of a 20 year old. I was given the same choice as you. Went on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years before I developed ovarian cyst, then told I had to remove my ovaries due to all the cysts. After my ovaries got removed, my onco always tests my hormone levels and they are bottomed out, so as of now he has me on no other drugs. I also have pretty low body fat - around 20 percent and he said that fat makes more hormones so that may be why in my case I don't need further medication.

I don't have "mood swings" but what I did notice on both Tamox and now is that I am quicker to anger. I just have to talk to myself to calm myself down and I tell myself whoever is upsetting me that they are just being a duma**. I do have hot flashes though. Before I was always a cold person but not anymore. I found wearing clothes in layers helps, you don't want to be stuck in a turtleneck even thought it might be really cold because you can't peel it off when a flash hits you. They seem scary at first, but after awhile you realize they come and go and it will be all over in 15 mins or less. For me they come on fast. I get an anxious feeling first, like when you are really scared. Then I start feeling hot. You just don't want waves of them. It helps to figure out what triggers them so you can avoid them. Heat will so hence the layering clothing, when it is over 100 degrees outside and I get in my car which is parked outside I know I am just going to have to deal with it, for me blow drying my hair does so I have learned to embrace my waves. Thank God I can still drink a cup of coffee in the morning. Also being very nervous will bring one on me too. I had to give up chocolate though Even one little square will set me up for a 6 hour hot flash party every 30 mins. About every 3 or 4 months I try again and so far it still gets me, oh well. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Anna

scvmom65

Oh geez I forgot to mention what to do that helps if you get a hot flash that works for me - ice water! If I drink some cold water and sometimes suck on one of the ice cubes I can end the hot flash.

Scottiemom11

Andrearose,

I'm on both Tamox and lupron (OS). In my second month of lupron and HFs were severe at first. MO already had me on Gabapentin for HFs while just on Tamox so she upped the dose and it seems to be working. Effexor was an option but I chose the Gabapentin because it also helps with nerve pain. Ice water also helps and now I'm back on frozen fruit smoothies with protein powder. Yummy, good for me, and cold.

Scottie