Period came back??

Sukiann

Hi there,

I hope someone can help. I finished my five years on Arimidex and lupron shots last August. I was premenopausal when I was diagnosed at 44 years but I wasn't put on Tamoxifen because of a family history of blood clots. My last period was in May 2009 one month after I started chemo. I haven't had one since I started chemo and the combo of arimidex and lupron shots. Now at age 50 I noticed last month my nipples were really tender for a few days, then the pain went away. A few weeks later (last week) it happened again - painful nipples. Then a few days ago I was really blue, so blue and moody that I said to my husband that if I didn't know better I would think I was having PMS. Well, I started bleeding yesterday. Not a lot but enough for me to have to wear a pad. Oh, and my horrendous hot flashes that I've endured for 5 years are gone. I don't know what to think. Should I be alarmed? Should I call my gynocologist? I just saw her in February and she said my exam showed a menopausal woman (I guess my vaginal tissue has thinned). I'm confused and a little concerned. Anyone have some words of wisdom on this?

Meadow

Sukiann, I would call and tell your doctor, just because it is unexpected, and odd that you would start again. And the hot flashes are gone too? Wow! I know some ladies still are going thru menopause at 50, and you may not have another period after this one, but yes, Ithink I would call. Perhaps someone else will respond soon who did this too. Enjoy the hot flash free days and nights!

rgiuff

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Perhaps after all those years of suppression, your ovaries may have come back to life again? The fact that you've had PMS symptoms makes it seem like it is a period and not suspicious postmenopausal bleeding. I say, enjoy the benefits while they last, especially if it's improving how you feel! It happened to me after I quit tamoxifen. I had gone 2 years without a period, then I had only one more. A D&C showed that it was nothing to be worried about.

new2bc

Sukiann,

I have a similar situation. My blood test last December showed that I am in menopause. My doctor switched me from Tamoxifen to Arimidex. During the last 2 months, my hot flashes are gone. This month my period came back lasting 7 days. I have not reported it to ob/gyn yet. If you see your doctor, please update this forum to let us know what happened.

rozem

new2bc. You should inform your MO right away as Arimidex and the other AIs do not work in ore-menopausal women. They will have to shut down your ovaries or switch you to tamox

Sukiann. Sounds like it was the lupron doing its job and now that you stopped it your hormones are surging again. If you were natually not going to go in to menopause until your 50s then its likely this is just a period but I would contact your MO

Sukiann

I know I should call my doctor. I'm just so busy living life after all that I went through that I don't want to but I will call and see what she has to say. I really do think my ovaries came alive again. I just have so much darn estrogen in me (tried to kill me feeding the cancer!) and it won't give up. You could say I'm all woman!

My fear is that the bleeding is something like endometrial cancer or something like that. I truly think it's my period but you just never know. Wasn't expecting breast cancer either and look what happened.

I'll report back

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer!

ShetlandPony

Sukiann, tell your oncologist. The onc or the gyn can check your blood levels of E2 and FSH to see if you are still premenopausal. If you are, you can discuss whether your risk level warrants further endocrine therapy. (Not tam, but maybe OS?)