Ovaries?

imblessed2
imblessed2 Member Posts: 69

 Has anyone had their ovaries removed prophylactically (sp?)?

I am negative mutation.  I am HER2 positive.  My onco doc says that I could really have even more difficulty with menopause ( starting Tamoxifen after heal from DIEP).

Thanks for your replies in advance! 

Blessings,

Sandy

Comments

  • chrishat
    chrishat Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2010

    hi sandy,

     i did! i am 45, was premenopausal, and my cancer was 97% er and pr positive. i just felt like it made sense for me to do everything i could to get rid of all the estrogen i could. plus, i wanted to take arimidex instead of tamoxifen, since the data suggests it is more effective....but you have to be post menopausal. so i had a prophylactic oopherectomy in june and it was really easy, for me. the surgery itself was laproscopic, outpatient. the only difference for me in how i feel now is that i have hot flashes, but they aren't horrible, just annoying. i'm brca negative also. i think it was mostly an intuitive kindof thing for me.

     good luck with any decisions that you make!

    christine

  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 218
    edited September 2010

    I am scheduled for oopherectimy tomorrow at 8 am.:) Also having hysterectomy.  I will be at the hospital overnight and then home to recouperate and will post you back about my entire experience.  It seems my 'recovery' time is when I logged my most hours here at BC.org, lol. I am BRAC2 positive, 46, and already naturally 'menopausal' according to my hormone panel my GP did.  

    Fingers crossed :)

    xo

  • imblessed2
    imblessed2 Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2010

    Good to know, Christine.  I hear more and more women are doing it.  I not  too worried about the hot flashes as much as the vag. dryness and stenosis ( which since a year of chemo...not much will change, I don't think). 

    I am considered pre. so I am going to be taking Tamoxifen after healing from the DIEP.  I've heard it causes muscle pain?  In addition, my onco doc is very conservative.  She wants me to take Tamoxifen for 10 yrs. vs 5.  Anyone else been recommended this?

  • imblessed2
    imblessed2 Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2010

    I had a hysterectomy 10 yrs ago which uterine fibroids.  I was a bit sore for a couple of weeks.  I Know you are making the right decisions with your history.  Will keep you in my prayers and for a speedy recovery:) 

  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 218
    edited September 2010

    Well, I'm back. 

    Surgery really is about good pain management, isn't it?.  This surgery was managed nicely in hospital with a morphine drip layered with percocet.  Wow!  Home on day 2,  and Day 3 finds me still needing percocets and soft food.  The worse part is the bloating from the gas used in the procedure.  Can't stand up straight today, and am a grumpy girl as a result!  Pathology will be in and available at my 4-6 week check up. The surgeons indicated everything 'looked' great so far, so nothing glaringly advanced. Really thats what this has been about.... reducing the 40-60% risk of Ovarian cancer with BRCA2 gene.

    The 'con' part will take some time to present themselves(if any).  The surgical pain will be forgotten in 10 days

    :)

    Feeling very glad its over, and am glad I made this decision this far !

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