removel of ovaries

Options
meeks
meeks Member Posts: 6

hi

 i've got the dreaded BRACA2 and just been advised to have my overies  removed, this will send me into early menopause as anyone else had this done ? any info regarding the above is welcome x

Comments

  • LISAMG
    LISAMG Member Posts: 639
    edited April 2010

    Hi Meeks!

    Knowledge is power and because you learned of your positive mutation, this will allow you to take charge of your health. Removing the ovaries or having a BSO can also decrease your risk for BC by 50% according to well documented research, especially if you are in your 40's, still premenopausal and being BRCA2 positive. See study below:

    Meta-analysis of Risk Reduction Estimates Associated With Risk-Reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation Carriers

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2639318/?tool=pubmed

    One strong recommendation for you, please consider visiting the FORCE web site, the only organization devoted to hereditary {BRCA} cancers at www.facingourrisk.org . You will find tons of support from women who are and/or have faced these preventative decisions, messageboards, quarterly newsletters, an upcoming 2 day national conference on hereditary breast/ovarian cancers, and local outreach groups,,,just a few of the many fabulous offerings.

    Feel free to PM me anytime for assistance or if you have questions. Best wishes.

    Warm Regards,

    Lisa

  • meeks
    meeks Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2010

    hi

    is anyone out there going through the BILATERAL OOPHECTOMY ( surgical menopause ) need as much info as poss really worried,have heard  that i could go straight into depression!

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited April 2010

    yikes! I hope not! I am scheduled for a complete hysterectomy on Monday. I am not BRCA + but we have a strong family history and They feel I have "A" gene, just undiscovered so I am being treated as a carrier. I am 38 and worried about all the SE of early menopause. I may have an estrogen patch that will deliver minute amounts of Estrogen  - worried about it all too!!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2010

    meeks---I had TAH/BSO 5 years ago (due to ruptured ovarian cysts) and haven't had any depression.

    Anne

  • meekz
    meekz Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2010

    hi anne,

    can you tell me of any other symptoms you may have had ? i'm kinda worried about weight gain and premature aging :o(

  • meekz
    meekz Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2010

    hi,

    good luck for monday you'll have to let me know how you get on i'm not having mine until i've returned off holiday in may :o)

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited April 2010

    Thank you! I will keep you posted.

  • sunsnow
    sunsnow Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2010

    Due to my positive BRCA2 status, I had a a bilateral mastectomy and BSO (already had uterus removed for unrelated issues). My surgery was 3 months ago today. I have not felt any symptoms of depression--quite the contrary. Without the hormone swings, my moods have been fairly even and that's been great. I still have to contend with the worries about having had cancer, but that would be the case no matter what! I no longer get migraines, so that's been a real positive. Regarding weight gain:  I've lost 17 pounds since my surgery. I'll admit that it's not coming off as quickly as it might have in the past, but I've made such positive changes, that it doesn't feel like I'm dieting. I still have 10 more pounds to lose, but I have my exchange surgery on Monday, so maybe that will help me over the hump.  I have had what I would call "warm flashes." I get warm a few times a day and sometimes at night.  I've never had the soaking sweat that I've read about.  I was unlucky enough to get cancer and the gene, so at least I've caught one break.  I'm 46 years old, and I had not had many peri-menopausal symptoms prior to BSO.  I know it's different for every woman, but I just wanted to add my experience in case it would be helpful.  Good luck, ladies, and feel free to PM if you have any questions.  

      

  • meeks
    meeks Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2010

    hi sunsnow,

    thanks for your message its made me feel better,i'm not one for pills and removing things that aren't broken but i've been told its for the best, my mother died of ovarian cancers and i have BRACA2 so i'm high risk.

    Did you put the weight on due to the HRT or was it due to something else, are you taking any other supplements or have you changed your diet ?

  • sunsnow
    sunsnow Member Posts: 92
    edited July 2010

    Meeks: The weight I had gained was just life--never lost the last 15 after my youngest was born 11 years ago, etc...the usual mom approaching middle age stuff. I was never taking HRT since I was not menopausal before BSO, and I'm not taking anything now. I've just become very conscious of what I eat, and I'm exercising regularly.

  • meeks
    meeks Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2010

    hi sunsnow,

    i've only just got myself fit in the last 6 months and i'm fanatical with exercising so hopefully this will stand me in good stead thanks again :o)

Categories