The period from hell....

kathleen1966
kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Ok, I have posted about menstruation issues before. And low and behold, I am having another issue.  After bleeding for the first two months of chemo, I have not had a period for 10 months..  Then, I saw signs that it was "coming back".  Well yesterday, it came back as the period from hell. I don't want to gross anyone out, but I am soaking through the thickest tampon out there every forty five minutes.  It is Sunday.  I feel ok, maybe a bit clammy. I am going to wait until tomorrow to see if it stops and then will call my gyno but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.  I am 45 years old.  I can't believe I did not stay in menopause. But the hot flashes have been done for three months now....I don't want to go to the emergency room for this.  What would they do?  This is embarressing for me. Just want to know if anyone else has had a period from hell after not having a period for soo long...

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited September 2011

    Hi Kathleen,



    I had those before my dx and it sucked for sure. I used a super/super tampon and was leaking after about 45 minutes too. Are you passing any large clots? I did that too for a while so it might happen. A call to your on call gyn or onc might be in order just for some peace of mind.



    And can I tell you I swear I'm starting to become somewhat psychic. I had a dream this morning that I had a period----which I haven't had one now for over a year. So weird to have that dream and now read your post. Maybe you were "channeling" me---lol. But seriously---call the doc if that keeps up today!!!



    (((Hugs)))

    Sharon

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  • calamtykel
    calamtykel Member Posts: 1,187
    edited September 2011

    Kathleen - I am 42 and I can't believe mine came back either.  And when it did, the second period lasted 15 days.  Then I had a six week break and then it came back and I bled for six days - it stopped for two weeks and then it was back with a bang and lasted over two weeks.    I went to my herbalist and he put me on chaste tree extract for a very short period of time and it stopped bleeding overnight and has not returned for about six weeks. 

    I think what you're experiencing is a symptom of peri-menopause.  I did a lot of reseach on that because it totally freaked me out - I had myself diagnosed w/ all kinds of horrible things because my period was so bad. 

    I would try to rest as much as possible and hopefully it will slow down.  I did ask my gyn when I went and she said it can take months to get back to normal.  As for me, I think I'm fluctuating between menopause and not - now that I haven't had a period, the hot flashes are back.  It's fine with me - I'd rather it NOT come back...

    But really heavy periods, closer together or farther apart or longer periods are all symptoms of perimenopause.   An old remedy to stop flooding is cinnamon sticks or even regular cinnamon in hot water, like a tea, and lying in bed. I did it a couple of times in the past (before cancer) and it did seem to help at the time.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2011

    My first one was from hell. The second one was normal. Hopefully it stays that way.

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2011

    Kathleen-you are pretty much describing the periods that I have had all my adult life, except for when I was pregnant or on birth control pills. I have not had chemo, so I can't speak to that experience. 

    When I found out I had breast cancer, I had to go off birth control pills, and my periods from hell have returned. I have regular blood tests to make sure I'm not anemic. One thing that has helped somewhat is taking 3 ibuprofen every 4 hours at the first sign of bleeding. This is prescribed by my ob/gyn and seems to help somewhat.

    I have tampons and pads stashed everywhere at work-in every possible place I could be in the building at any given time. It's a pain.

    Edited to add: I'm 51 and my periods show no sign of stopping. 

    Mary 

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  • sherrypl
    sherrypl Member Posts: 33
    edited September 2011

    I was having similar experiences and because of it I had the Nova Sure procedure done on Friday. It is only for women that are done having children. I had it done in The doctors office, it was intense during the procedue and the remainder of the day but the next just a little cramping. Most women will stop bleeding monthly after the procedure, I am hoping for good results.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited September 2011

    Is it possible the heavy periods are caused by something else? Benign uterine fibroids for instance? I had issues with that for many years and had an endometrial ablation (Novasure is type of ablation) and never had a period again. Caryn

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited September 2011

    Thanks everyone, I got some medication that begins with an M from my gyno and have an appointment with her tomorrow.  However, I never took the meds because the heavy out of control bleeding has ceased. Wow Mary, I can't believe you have suffered through these types of periods on a regular basis.  I do have uterine fibroids. I am also still anemic though after my chemo and radiation.  The numbers are not super low but below normal.  A friend recommended taking vitamin C.  I took it and an hour later the bleeding went back to normal.  I don't know if it works that fast but she swore it worked for her when she had this issue (she had the endometrial ablation as well). On the Internet, it says this is a folk remedy.... I hope this does not continue. I will ask for the endometrial ablation if it does. I have had this issue before but never for the length of time I had it this time....ridiculous, couldn't even leave the damn house....

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited September 2011

    Kathleen-I was on birth control pills for about 25 years, off and on, primarily because they DID help control my periods. In fact, they were the only thing. I've had numerous D & C's over the years and I have no apparent cause for my heavy periods, other than a hormonal imbalance.

    Sometimes I wonder if all those years of birth control pills caused my breast cancer, but honestly, I could not have lived having periods like that for all that time. I only went off them when I was diagnosed with cancer.I keep hoping that since I am 51, almost 52, that my periods will stop soon. Mary  

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited September 2011

    I had one period on chemo, and I've had two since.  The first one after chemo was BAD.  I had uterine polyps 5 years ago and I had to literally run to the bathroom in the AM when I woke up.  I was using my newborn son's diapers - it was that bad.  Once I had the polyps removed, I was fine. 

    The 1st period after chemo was like you described.  The second was heavy, but not too bad.  And it appears that this month I will not be having a period.  But I started Tamoxifen this month...

    I'm glad you got into to see the GYN.  And I'll be remembering the tip on Vit C.  Can't hurt, right?  ANd it's better than another prescription bottle on my nightstand!

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited September 2011

    I can't believe it started back, it sounds awful.  Not exactly the same but after my last baby was born I had the worse period ever.  It was like my body made up for my 9 mth vacation, I bleed for over a month and they had to finally give me meds to stop it.  Here's hoping you get relief soon.  Hugs.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Kathleen,  I went thru those menstrual issues when I was in perimenopause.  Some days I had to wear 3 tampons and a pad.  These heavy periods seem worse when laying down for extended periods of time and the blood pools and then gushes out when standing up.  MY Gyno told me thatEmbarassed.  I had stopped having those periods in my a 50's.  But they are awful to go thru.  My Gyno told me that hormone imabalances can cause the uterine lining to build up and thicken significantly and when it finally sheds off it's those very heavy flows.  My DH used to tease me because he woud go to the drug store to buy the personal items.  He'd bring them to the check out register, and when the lady at the register, would greet him and say something like "have a nice evening"  he would say to her, "does it look like I'm going to have a nice evening, she' s like the "Suez Canal".  He would always get the ladies at the cash register laughingLaughing

    I went thru those mentrual periods and menopause before chemo.  I often wonder if the HRT I took to control those periods contributed to my BC diagnosis at 59.

    image

    Barb

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited September 2011

    Well I am scheduled for a D and C and then I am going to do the ablation procedure.  Apparently, I have months of build-up in there. When I went for a sonagram in March they told me I was still ovulating and that my ovaries had not been destroyed by the chemo. I had heavy periods before cancer, lasting about ten days. And since I will not be having any more children (glad I have two boys, can't say that I didn't always also want a girl as well but I am happy to have children at all), I think the ablation will be a good choice for me. Thanks for responding!  I'm not sure if the hormones given for menstruation issues would be strong enough, say like fertility drugs may be, to contribute to BC?  I was on the pill for 10 years in my twenties and I wonder about this.  But I stopped taking it when I was 32.  I am certain the DCIS (a very large portion) part of my chemo had to have been in my breast for some time before my first mammogram at 44 revealed my invasive cancer as well.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2011

    Kathleen, good luck with your procedure.  When I was going thru this I had a Vabra endometrial biopsy in my gyno's office.  It's a D & C with a vacuum like procedure.  These procedures  are so not fun.  When I was experiencing the heavy bleeding it was because of a condition called "hyperplasia" of the uterine lining, which they always want to do a biopsy. I personally believe that when we go thru perimenopause it lasts for several years during this phase of our lives, just as puberty lasts for years.Undecided

    image

    Barb

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited September 2011

    I have a girlfriend who is 57 and she has experienced periods like this all her life.  her doctors have done some 'stripping' procedures on her (taking some of the uterine lining out).  It did help her quite a bit.  I am sorry I can't be more specific. .. perhaps is was ablation.   wishing you luck and hope you find relief.

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited September 2011

    Hi guys, I had this through perimenopause, and ended up with anemia.  Believe it or not, one of the symptoms was craving ice.  So make sure to check that out and good luck honey!! xo

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