Younger women with OS/oophrectomy/hysterectomy on AI

I was 45 at dx and never got another period after chemo. About 2 years after chemo ended (still no period) I had to have ovaries out due to cysts. That was 3 years ago. I had been on tamoxifen since my chemo and my MO wanted to change me to an AI after the ovaries came out. He ordered a baseline dexa scan and found that I had severe osteopenia which was super odd because I exercise all the time! I now see an endocrinologist for my bone issues. Because of my bone issues, I cannot be changed from tamoxifen to an AI so I am still on tamoxifen and have been on it almost 5 years. I also take bone building meds (I call it my old lady medicine!) to help increase my bone density. I am doing OK. I do get a lot of aches and pains but my doctors are making me get tested for autoimmune diseases - they don't think any of this has to do with tamoxifen, my treatment or menopause. I don't know for sure what it is from, but I find it hard to believe that none of it has to do with my treatment in some way. I don't have as many hot flashes as I use to...that is manageable. Other than that, I am OK.

Hi exercise Guru!

I am Cari. I was diagnosed at age 31, just 3 weeks shy of my 32nd birthday. I am 33 now. The past year has been crazy! I am on ovarian suppression, but I had to D/C Aromasin because I developed trigger finger.

Chemotherapy immediately sent me into 'chemopause'. I had the hot flashes, waking up in the middle of the night drenched with sweat, typical stuff, but nothing else. I do take 75mg of Effexor a day, which combats the hot flashes. It also helps me not soak the bed in sweat every night too.

I intend to stay in menopause indefinitely.

I have a oopherectomy scheduled November 25 had a Lupron shot but haven't started aromasin due to insurance refusing to pay for it errrrr waiting in the prior authorization to go through the shot sucked my ass hurt for days just want to get those ovaries out and move on with my life oh and I'm 30 so wasn't heading for menapause for a while

I was 49 when diagnosed a year ago. During the course of many complications, I had a DVT, so onc didn't want me to take Tamoxifen. He said I had to be on an AI since I was 100% ER/PR+. He tested FSH/LH and decided I was in menopause, so put me on Exemestane. 4 months later, I got my period. I decided I didn't want to deal with the Lupron shots, and wanted to just get rid of more parts that could try to kill me (not BRCA +, but mother died of ovarian cancer), so had ooph in August. The surgery was incredibly easy, compared to the other six. Hot flashes are very annoying, but manageable. Lately have had a lot of aches and pains in hands, hips and back, but I had back problems before. I think I'm going to ask Onc for DEXA scan in December. I'm very happy I had the surgery.

Exercise guru~

Because OS is more effective than tamoxifen, I will not be using tamoxifen. My trigger finger went away fairly quickly, it took a month to really feel loose again. Gosh, I would wake up and my knees would be SO stiff and painful.

To be honest, I am more afraid of not living well than dying, so I err on the side of feeling good even if it increases my chances of recurrence. I believe it will recur if it "wants" to, if that makes sense.

I am taking Effexor for my hot flashes. I do 1 hr of cardio every day, and weight train every day, but different groups. *joy*

Hi Ladies....

I finished chemo 7/31/15 and rads on 10/9/15 and am having an oophorectomy by the end of the year. I have an ultrasound and meeting with surgeon this Friday. After the ooph, I will go on an AI.

I know everyone is different, but which AI tends to have the fewest side effects? Has anyone had any noticeable side effects from Effexor? And...what is trigger finger? Yikes!

Thanks!

ThinkingPositive~

My hands shook a little, and holding a pencil hurt. The one day my fingers sort of became "stuck".

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigger-finger/basics/definition/con-20043819

I'm actually on OS and tamoxifan. I seem to be the only one. My MO had a good reason for it, but now I can't remember what it was. My feet hurt...MO says it's the Lupron.

I am currently on Tamoxifen and had been taken Zoladex for OS but it increased the severity of the foot cramps I get and the fatigue; as well as ongoing bleeding. My MO encouraged me to stop the Zoladex but ultimately left it up to me. He also says that having my ovaries removed will just be more of the same (minus the bleeding) so I am not sure what I want to do now since I was originally leaning towards having them removed. I've decided to stop the injections two months ago and can already feel the improvements, except now I feel like my ovaries are raging inside. I've always had painful periods and heaving bleeding (back in the day when I still menstruated) so I don't know if that has anything to do with the pain I'm now experiencing. Part of me want to just stay on the Tamoxifen and hope for the best, while the other part of me want to just take it all out and take whatever SE come with it ...knowing I'm doing everything I can to prevent a recurrence. Wish the decision wasn't so hard to make.

I was advised by my ob/gyn to do a hysterectomy/oophrectomy also because of a cyst in my right ovary. My estradiol level changed from menopausal level to premenopausal level while on Arimidex ( increased by more than 100 points). I hope this surgery will not be too painful.

Hi,

I was diagnosed at the age of 40. I had a salpingo-oophorectomy at 41 and have been on Femara (the brand name) since. The ooph was the easiest surgery I had; I recovered in a couple of days and I was out and about shortly thereafter. Other than mild joint pain, I have had no issues with Femara so far. I just wanted to let the people looking for information know on this thread. I am now 43.