SEX

Barb,

I am having similar problems, and I agree with you, dear. 

My dh hasn't complained, but I want my LIFE back!  I am also very tired of all the "preparing" that I need to do, IF I want to try to have sex. 

I am taking Tamoxifen, and it cause uterine polyps to grow in my uterus, and my endometrial lining grew from 4 mm, to TEN mm!!  I had to have a D & C last summer, and believe me, it was NO FUN!  My drs. refuse to just give me a hysterectomy, and I am just really feeling fed up with ALL of the 'stuff' that I am now dealing with, and they call this the NEW NORMAL...  well, I don't want any part of this NEW NORMAL!

I wish I could help you, with some advice, but I am in the same place as you are right now. 

There is another thread called I WANT MY MOJO BACK!, but I think all the ladies that post there have a relatively GOOD sex life.

It sux!

Harley 

Barb -- it's similar for me -- my guy says my "mutant boob" is just fine.  But it's not fine with me -- I think it's ugly. I miss wearing the occasional slutty top in the summer!!  Or sexy lingerie at home.  I hate being self-conscious.  I guess we should be happy that our men are trying....  But, Barb, you nailed it -- and we are too young for this crap!!

Oh -- the lube stuff -- there is an estrogen ring or cream you can use that apparently is safe.  I would be hesitant though, being ER+.  If you search the main site here there is some info.  But I'd ask my onc first before getting it from my gyno, or whomever. 

Harley: I was on tamoxifen first and wanted to get off of it due to potential female problems. When I asked my gyn about a total hyst, he said "the insurance companies do not approve them based on if they think you need them, if I ask for authorization, and your insurance covers them, they will OK it." He had no problem providing one for me, and they I was able to move from tamoxifen to an AI. It might be time to get another opinion from another doc about the total hyst...

I will admit, I tried estrace per my gyn advice, but in doing so, my hot flashes slowed way down and I had bleeding, so I'm now off that, per the onco.  The onco suggested the estring is the ONLY thing he would agree to.

As for the hysterectomy vs the ovaries out?  Harley and others are having enlarged endometrial size which can indicate uterine cancer, which is why she wants it done.  Removing the ovaries won't help or reduce the size of the endometrium, just reduce the estrogen in your body except for that converted by the adrenals.  B/c also, she's on tamox which carries a higher incidence of Uterine tumors, she wants it out now, not after the tumors start to show up.  Can't say I blame her. 

Wish,

Thanks for explaining my situation!  I couldn't have explained it better!! 

My onc offered for me to switch from Tamoxifen to Raloxifene ( Evista) for one year, but he went out of the room to go write the Rx, and when he came back, he said that Raloxifene hasn't been approved for use by us gals who have already been dx'd with bc, to prevent recurrence.  It is still being used by high risk gals who have not had bc, but are at high risk to get bc.  But, my onc said that Raloxifene does not have those nasty effects to the uterus, so I was really hopeful that I might be able to switch so I can avoid those nasty uterine se's!!    RATS!

My onc said that topical estrogen is ok, but the other drs. (my gyn and my pcp dr.) won't prescribe it, because THEY are waiting for my ONC to give THEM the go ahead!  Stupid idiot drs.!

Harley