Menopause (not chemopause) at age 36?

kks_rd

Hi, it's been years since I posted. I completed treatment 3 years ago and generally speaking have gone about trying to live my "new normal" life. When I had chemo, I experienced what I could characterize mild-to-moderate menopausal symptoms. It took about 6 months for my period to come back in any form, and it was irregular for at least a year and a half after that. I would still have occasional "warm flashes" too, so it was clear that hormones were wacky. My MO said all that is normal and for the most part, I could deal with it.

So by this time of year, last year, I was having fairly regular cycles. This continued until December when out of the blue the hot flashes came back WITH A VENGEANCE. They are fast and furious - at least 1-2 every hour and I break out into a full-on sweat pretty much every time. They wake me out of my sleep - I'm not sleeping very well these days. It is incredibly frustrating... but more than that... very worrisome. I finally broke down and called my GYN and I will be seeing her in a week. The triage nurse I spoke with agreed it's probably nothing, but given the suddenness and severity it's worth looking into. I'm not looking for relief necessarily (hormones and SSRI/SNRIs are out of the question, so I don't think there's much else available treatment-wise anyway), but I am very concerned about two things:

- unexplained menopausal symptoms as a potential sign of ovarian cancer or some kind of recurrence / mets. I realize this is unlikely but it's my first worry since I am BRCA1+.

- even if nothing is wrong right now, and this is just early menopause - the risks associated with hormonal changes so young aren't good i.e. heart disease, bone loss, sexual problems, etc. (all the reasons they used to do HRT in women going through regular menopause). Despite my genetic profile and huge risk for ovarian cancer, they didn't want to do an ooph/hyst until I was at least 40 because of the other health risks attributable to no circulating estrogen.

Does ANYONE out there have experience with this?? I'm trying not to get worked up but frankly -- maybe it's just because I'm not sleeping -- today I am a bit preoccupied with it.

Thanks to anyone who can help. -Kat

yoga_girl

American Society of Clinical Oncology

*Magnesium Supplements for Menopausal Hot Flashes*

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/27/7/1151.full

Hot flashes are common with natural menopause or induced estrogen deficiency from chemotherapy, tamoxifen, raloxifene, or the aromatase inhibitors. As many as 90% of perimenopausal women have hot flashes,and 40% of survivors of breast cancer rate their hot flashes rate the effect as “quite a bit” to “severe”. While some women are not affected, others have significant sleep deprivation and distress. 

Several treatments have proven effective including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, medroxyprogesterone, and megestrol acetate, but all have potential adverse effects. Antidepressants can cause mental, emotional, and physical adverse effects. Megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate, while effective, can potentially cause fluid retention, premenstrual symptoms, and deep vein thrombosis. 

. . . hot flashes diminished within 24 hours and had not returned. In each case, the person was not expecting any relief from magnesium, so placebo effect is unlikely.

(full article available through the link above)

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=liquid+calcium+magnesium&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=36882242&ref=pd_sl_5uk201kl94_b  - brands of calcium/magnesium, liquid options

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=powder+calcium+magnesium&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Apowder+calcium+magnesium  - brands of calcium/magnesium, powder or dry options

Many of the products listed above are available at most health food stores in the higher concentrations.  As with all supplements and vitamins, be sure to have your blood work done first so you have your baselines.  Work with your doctors to identify and achieve your daily dose.

Hot flashes (and the swing from hot to cold flashes) can be overwhelming when they happen while going through cancer treatments and experiencing SE.

kks_rd

Oh my gosh! I could just cry at the possibility of getting some relief. At least until we can figure out what's going on. I'm going to pick up some magnesium at the store today.

Seriously, thank you. It doesn't lessen my worry but maybe I can get a decent night's sleep...

Moderators

Also kks_rd, you may want to read this section on our site Managing Hot Flashes

Please let us know what your Gyn says!