Body changes after BMX?

LAstar · December 2012

I had two lumpectomies then a BMX this year at the age of 42. I've needed no hormone-related treatments such as Tamoxifen. I'd had no signs that I was moving into peri-menopause before surgery, but now I am having irregular periods that alternate between a week early and 10 days late, mood swings, and dryness *down there*. I feel like the BMX has drop-kicked me right into peri-menopause. Has anyone else experienced these kinds of changes or other changes? Does the removal of estrogen-positive cancer cause this or is it just the shock to the system of 4 surgeries in one year? Perhaps it was scheduled to happen anyway and the timing is coincidental! Thanks in advance!

Beesie · December 2012

LAstar, you mentioned lots of possibilities of what might be causing these changes. I think the answer could be "Any of the Above".

I started peri-menopause when I was 42, with the irregular periods etc.. My periods had been like clockwork since I was 13 and all of a sudden, I had no idea when my next period would be. I'd get all the familiar PMS symptoms, but then I wouldn't get a period. (Or maybe I was just achy and moody and it wasn't my period?) Other times, I'd get my period with no sign before hand that it was going to happen. And it could be 2 weeks or 3 months between periods.

So whether the BMX has causes these changes for you, whether the BMX nudged you a bit quicker to this situation, or whether it's just happening on schedule.... I doubt that there is any way to really know. Certainly at 42 what you are starting to experience is not unusual.

CTMOM1234 · December 2012

I'd throw stress into the mix as a contributor -- even more so than removal of estrogen-positive cells. It can definitely effect your cycle and lord knows going though all of this is stress to the max! I was having everything that you mentioned (diagnosed at 43) and now my period seem back to normal. It's been just over 3 years since diagnosis, but for me, hitting that 3 year mark with no bc to deal really equates to allowing myself to reflect on what I'd been through resulting in a lowering of stress, an overall feeling of relief, and tah dah no peri-menopausal symptoms.

LAstar · December 2012

That is a good point, ctmom!

jill47 · December 2012

LAStar - good question, I never brought this up on the forum and it's kind of related to what you are talking about...how your body reacts after losing an ER+ tumor from a bmx. My tumor was 98%ER+/99%PR+. When I woke up from bmx surgery the first thing I felt was the worlds most wicked uterine cramps, felt like I was 10 yrs old all over again, I was not having a period either. It was weird, my theory (completely unscientific) is that my estrogen was pissed off as it lost a spot that welcomed it. When dx in May my OB/GYN ordered me off my birth control pills that was on for close to 20 years. Since my bmx I've only had 1 quasi period and 1 heavy period; while on the pill I had about 3 very light periods annually. I may be going through menopause now for all I know and how much of that if any is due to the bmx, I may never know. I hope you get more feedback to your question.

coraleliz · December 2012

I was 52 when diagnosed but still had regular periods. I got my period the morning of my BMX(makes for a happy camper). Then 2 weeks later, my period hit again. As Jill47 mentioned, I also wondered if it could be due to the loss of my breasts(each with a positive ER tumor). I figured the estrogen had lost it's hosts & bombarded my uterus causing me an early period that I'd never experienced before. Totally unproven, not scientific, just my suspicion. Both my PCP & BS wrote it of to stress. I thought emotionally I handled it as well as anybody could & my recovery was uneventful.

LAstar · December 2012

I'm a statistician and keep an Excel spreadsheet of my cycles. My cycle was normal-ish throughout diagnosis and 2 lumpectomies but has been very abnormal since the mastectomy. I too had a short cycle after my BMX. I'm sometimes very quick to anger or tears. Fortunately for my poor family, I am becoming more aware of these out-of-nowhere irrational emotional responses. Hormones surely do run the show!

jill47 · December 2012

Coralelz: "lost their host and bombarded the uterus" ! That is exactly what I was trying to say, I don't feel like I'm making this stuff up. No wonder I love this forum.

LAstar, agreed hormones can wildly take over.

Everyday-a-Hollyday · December 2012

I had a bmx on 11/14. My period was due that week. I never got it until yesterday (a full cycle later.) I am typically 31 days on the nose. I'm sad to hear this could become a common reoccurrence. I'm 38 and was ER+/PR+.

JamieB86 · December 2012

Everyday - don't start fretting yet. A BMX is a major assault to your body. Things may just return to normal. I'm on tamoxifen and my period is more regular now then it has been in a long time. Hang in there. I know this is a rough time, it gets better, promise.

Summer2recover · December 2012

I am 52 and my BC was 100% ER/PR+ and have been wishing and hoping for menopause to kick in. My BMX was in May 2011 but my body is not acting any different. I have been suffering with horrible cramping the first 3 days of my cycle for years and the beat goes on. My mom went through menopause late so I guess I'm doomed for a few more years. I do agree that the surgeries are a shock to the body, though, but not enough to scare mine away.

Merlcat · January 2013

My period was crazy- had it 10/05, diagnosed on 10/08, period again on 10/15, mx on 10/29, period on 11/01, then period on 12/06 and ugh what seems finally like a 'real' period on 12/30. Guess I'm destined for either more irregularity or my period on my exchange surgery date, 1/24-bleck

Body changes after BMX?

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