Oophorectomy. . . Yay? Nay?

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Sinsin
Sinsin Member Posts: 358
edited July 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

So I am seriously debating having my ovaries removed before I start rads. I am currently in menopause from the chemo and am 34 so it is likely that I will not remain in menopause when done with treatment.

I am NOT BRCA positive but I currently have a chemical imbalance that causes me to be on a roller coaster of depression especially when I menstruate. Since being in menopause I have balanced out and my antidepressants are able to work. So that is a pro. Also, my mother went through menopause early and by 42 had a hysterectomy due to severe menopausal symptoms. So it is likely that I may undergo menopause early as well and I do not wish to suffer as bad as she did.

I have discussed this option with my oncologist and she is on board with it and is of the opinion that post menopausal women have possibly better success with Tamoxifen and minimizing recurrence. There is a study currently being done to see if this is true that should have it's results posted at the end of the year. However, I would prefer to not wait as when I am done with treatment, I'd like to focus on recovery and not more surgery.

I was wondering if any of you had undergone an Oophorectomy and what your thoughts on it were. Was it worth it? Or was it not? Thanks in advance for your input!

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  • lindacam
    lindacam Member Posts: 161
    edited June 2014

    Hi.  I am 50 and thrown into menopause with chemo.  Having ovaries out next week.

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  • Nan54
    Nan54 Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2014

    Have you considered shutting your ovaries down medically (with lupron or zoladex) for awhile to give you some time to make this decision? I hear the surgery itself is no big deal (risks like with any surgery, but pretty minimal), but lack of estrogen starting at such a young age could lead to other problems down the road. This is what my MO and OB/Gyn have said to me when I asked the same question. So, currently I am getting a shot monthly to put me in menopause and waiting for the TEXT and SOFT trial results to decide next steps... There is a thread in the Stage 1 forum called something like "stage 1, grade 1 and premenopausal" that has a lot of info regarding ovarian suppression in case you want to check that out... Good luck to you!

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2014

    Thanks for the input!

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  • JudeMama
    JudeMama Member Posts: 24
    edited July 2014

    It's been a while since you posted, so you may have already made your decision, but I thought I might as well put in my 2 cents.

    I had a hysterectomy/salpingo-oopherectomy in April 2006 and it was a piece of cake. It was done laparoscopically and my recovery time was very minimal. I went home the same day and was back to work in a week. I also switched from Tamoxifen, which disagreed with me, to Arimidex.

    Hope this helps and that you are well!

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited July 2014

    Thanks JudeMama! I have decided that I still want to do it, it's just a question of when. My OB/GYN is uncomfortable doing it so soon after chemo with my immune system being weakened and chance of infection higher. So I may have to wait until after rads. I will also have my tubes out too as my OB says that current studies and lit show having both out greatly reduce the chance of ovarian cancer even more.

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited July 2014

    hi Sinsin,  I'm having mine out too. Doc said we can do it a few weeks after chemo before rads. Im 47, ive had irregular bleeding since chemo started - up until tbe last few weeks when hot flashes have started.  I don't want to take another drug to shut off my ovaries,  not when its so easy to have them out. I will have to ask about my tubes.  So far it looks like I will keep my uterus and I wont be taking tamoxifen. ... I suppoze it will be femara or something. 

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  • JeninMichigan
    JeninMichigan Member Posts: 2,974
    edited July 2014

    I had mine out about a year after finishing chemo and was 42.    Side effects where not much more than what I was already experiencing from chemical menapause and the surgery was pretty easy.  I had my tubes take too.  I preferred this option than taking Lupron or other meds to shut down my ovaries.  Good luck 

    Jen

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited July 2014

    Sinsin, I struggled with depression from the time I was fifteen, sometimes severely. Perimenopause was especially bad & horrid with mood swings & even hostility I never had before.I had to have a complete hysterectomy for an ovarian tumor. I have not been depressed since. It was like magic to me. In my case I definitely do not miss the estrogen.

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