Ooph or not to Ooph!

Hi mocame:

I'm curious as to why your onc isn't recommending the Tamoxifen?  Is it because it was DCIS?

I had a laparoscopic ooph.  After finishing chemo, my periods returned.  Doc suggested I would get greater benefit from chemo if I were in menopause -- either chemical or surgical.  He suggested Lupron.  But because I had a giant endometriosis on one ovary (not related to the bc), I decided to go with the ooph.  It wasn't a hard surgery -- outpatient, home by noon.  Tough getting in and out of a chair or bed for a couple of days, but otherwise not a lot of pain.  Back to normal activities in about a week or so.  Of course, I have hot flashes and some sleepless nights, but my gyn insists that "crashing" into menopause may be easier than perimenopause because these symptoms might not last as long.

Good luck with your choices.

I was told stay away from soy also.  I was told ooph was an option, but I had endometrial fibroids really bad (uterus was size of 26 wk pg).  I elected a hysterectomy instead.  The "crash" into menopause was a walk in the park compared to my monthly cycles.  I was severely anemic (to the point of blood transf), so the decision was pretty easy for me.  I was out of bed the day after surg (and had to have 2 surgeries, I started hemorraging in recovery), I took it easy for about 10 days,didn't even walk out of the house till time to remove the staples, and was feeling good enough for a New Orleans weekend 2 weeks after the hystero.  The hot flashes were not too bad, and gyn put me on Celexa for mood swings and Restoril to help with sleeping.  I think DH likes me a whole lot better now!  The chance of recurrence and the ER+ had me pushing for a pemanent solution to the hormone issue.  Good luck to you!

I didn't have just the ooph though, I had a complete hystero, so I'm thinking that a few days of down time would be the norm.  I'm sure that bone density is an issue, but it was such a small one that we never discussed it.  I guess the BC is the #1 right now.  I also have degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, so I'm sure the bone issue will be visited after the tx for this is over.  I know that my gyn, breast spec, and onco all said hormone production WOULD be stopped, whether by meds or removal, it had to be done, no question about it.  And they all did say the best choice was removal.  I know some are worried about having children after, I did not have that issue to ponder, so I didn't fight that decision.  I had been having so many prob with the fibroids, I was greatful to have the hystero. 

Oh, should have said that I'm not sure there's a difference in bone density issues depending on whether you go into surgical vs natural vs chemical menopause.  I think the issue is more going into menopause early.  So, I'm 41.  Average age of natural menopause is 51.  So I have an additional 10 years of no estrogen -- which just ups my risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.  But I don't think that my increased risk is due to the method of reaching menopause, just the timeframe, kwim?

I think the bone loss is directly related to  the overall loss of estrogen, regardless of how it is lost (naturally, medically or surgically), and it progresses over time. I never went thru natural menopause--had "medical menopause" sort of from tamoxifen, then a surgical menopause--TAH/BSO for large ruptured ovarian cysts. The SEs from surgical menopause are immediate and intense from the plummeting estrogen levels. My SEs subsided over time (the 1st year was the worst), but I still have mild hot flashes, insomnia and generalized achiness and it has been 3.5 years since my surgery. It may be due to the tamox, but I'm finsihing up with that  in about 10 days, so it will be interesting to see how I feel than.

 The important thing is to take calcium with vit D (make sure it contains magnesium and take twice a day for better absorption)  and do weight bearing exercises.

Anne

I was just diagnosed at 41 and as soon as my chemo cycles are over I ma having at least an ooph, maybe everything out.  I am er+ and I do not want the risk that comes with still having my ovaries if I am no longer having kids.  I figured that the chance of my period continuing is too high and if I could have surgery during my chemo, I would get them out tomorrow!!