menstruation during/after AC/T???

Options
doconabike
doconabike Member Posts: 3

I am 42 and I start A/C on 7/24 for 4 cycles every 2 weeks followed by taxol for four cycles every 2 weeks.  What should I expect regarding getting periods, "chemopause", etc.?  I want to be prepared....  When will my periods stop?  Will they re-start?  I need rads after my chemo and I'll need tamoxifen after chemo....

Comments

  • crazyride43
    crazyride43 Member Posts: 154
    edited July 2013

    Everyone is different, I'm sure, but here was my experience:

    Just turned 43 when diagnosed and had very regular periods.  After starting A/C had two very heavy and painful periods, then Taxol threw me into chemopause (very wicked hot flashes!).  Then my period came back 3 months later pretty much the same as always.  My acupuncturist said this was a good sign - by body was healing itself after chemo.  Of course I freaked out a little knowing that my cancer was highly ER+.  After rads I started Tamoxifen (10 months ago), and have had a period on a regular basis, although not as predictable as before.  Sometimes 26 days apart, sometimes 40+ days.  Makes planning tricky!  I have also read mixed reviews on getting a period during tamoxifen...on the plus side it's a good thing that the uterine lining is shedding each month, and on the down side I am still producing a lot of estrogen.  My MO tells me not to worry, that the tamox is doing it's job no matter what estrogen is being produced.

    Wishing you the best possible experience through all of this.  Feel free to PM me since you are having the exact same treatment as me and we are about the same age!

  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited July 2013

    Hi -   My story is a little bit confusing so bare with me.......My chemo regimen was a little different as I did not have Adriamycin, but.....I was 42 at diagnosis (almost 2 years ago).    Had one period after starting T/C and that was it!  Started Tamoxifen in March 2012 and haven't had one since.  I was told that my period might return, but it might not?  After 17 months without a period,  my MO checked my estradiol and FSH levels to see if I was postmenopausal and I am.  Long story short, I was switched to Arimidex for a few weeks and my period returned, so I went back on Tamoxifen.  From what I was told and have read, not having a period after a BC diagnosis is a good thing.   My MO also said that if my period did return, she would talk to me about starting Lupron or Zoladex injections, to keep my ovaries supressed, and obviously, that means no period.  As we all know, different MOs have different philosophies.  But, again, from what Ive read and researched, its NOT a bad thing if your period stays away after chemo, especially for those of us who are ER/PR positive.  One thing is for sure, I LOVE not having one anymore!! 

  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited July 2013

    I was diagnosed just before my 45th birthday.  My chemo was AC x 4 DD and T x 4 DD.  Prior to chemo my period was very regular and very predictable.  Started chemo on 12/1/11 and have never had a period since.  After chemo, did rads and currently taking Tamoxifen.  No period, no problem!

  • mmadrigal05
    mmadrigal05 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2013

    My story just adds to the confusion of chemo side effects. I found my lump at the end of my pregnancy and started getting things checked out a few months after I gave birth. I gave birth in May 2011 and was dx'd Oct. I hadn't got my periods back after my pregnancy yet and started AC x4 then on to Taxol x4. Still no periods. Then January of this year I got my period back and it came back pretty much normal just as it was before I got pregnant. 28 days, every month like clockwork, for 4 months. Then I stopped having them again and got my bloodwork done. It showed I was peri menopausal. My MO said I may still go back to normal or I may not. It's too soon to tell she says. I was triple negative BC so hormones weren't ever a concern for me, until now of course. The hot flashes, fatigue, insomnia, and depression SUCK!!!!! I found a natural remedy at my local health food store that my MO said was fine to take. I think it helps a little. I am getting ready to go back in for surgery this Friday so I know that is an added stress. I have to start the recon process all over. Not really a happy camper but it's how the cards are playing. My DMX was March 2012 with immediate TE placement. I ended up having to have radiation which fried my tissues so I had to remove the TE completely and let my body do some healing before starting over. This whole BC rollercoaster has been the pits, but I am here to raise my two adorable boys (3 1/2 and 2). It will not beat me, no matter what side effects may pop up from time to time. 

    I keep telling myself "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" :)

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited July 2013

    I write a breast cancer Blog and hear from hundreds of women.  It seems some women in their 30s and 40s start their periods again after Chemo.  Most have not had periods during ACT.  Some go into permanent menopause.  It just varies and you can't predict it from my experience of listening to women.

  • Tpettis
    Tpettis Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2014

    I am 32 years old had triple negative BC and ftoze eggs. During chemo my period stopped for 8 months. Got it back in August and been trying to get prego had a very lite period last month and now no period but prego test came back negative. Does this mean I may be going into menopause again? 

  • wildrumara
    wildrumara Member Posts: 450
    edited January 2014

    Hi there!   Not necessarily.  I am not a medical expert, but I do believe it will take some time for your periods to regulate.  You may not have something for a few months and then you may start again.......and then stop again!   Your oncologist could run a blood test to see what your estradiol and FSH levels are.  That will give you a better idea of whats going on??

Categories