Menstrual Cramplike Pain after Mastectomies

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Harleymom
Harleymom Member Posts: 6
edited November 2016 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I've been experiencing the kind of achiness, especially in my legs, that has started to remind me a whole lot of menstrual cramps since my bilateral mastectomies almost a year ago. I'm 57 & went through menopause after chemo 10 years ago. This achiness begins in early afternoon & continues until bedtime, & even opiate painkillers don't touch it. I also have fibromyalgia, so I thought the mastectomies had made my fibro flare, but this pain isn't like the fibro syndrome, which used to cripple me in the mornings but ease up around noon. Now I can barely sit still without muscle relaxants, acetaminophen, & NSAIDs every few hours, & even those only help somewhat.

Please help! Since my mastectomies last December I've been basically unable to do anything outside my home involving sitting still & focusing, like most socializing. Work? Forget it. I exercise as much as I can, like Zumba classes, walking, & running when an Achilles injury isn't acting up. I'm of normal weight.

Am I nuts to think that without the estrogen of my rather small breasts, suddenly it's like prostaglandin overload like when your period starts? I get hot flashes again, too, which had FINALLY ended years after my bilateral oophorectomies. Still have uterus.

I need to talk to onco & ob/gyn docs about this. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

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  • Blinkie
    Blinkie Member Posts: 169
    edited November 2016

    Harleymom - I'm not sure this is the information you are looking for but thought I would pass it on just in case.

    I went through menopause over 15 years ago. Recently I have felt like I was having cramps and didn't know why. Then I went to a workshop about breast cancer that included discussion on menopause and vaginal health. The speakers mentioned that if the vagina gets dry, we can experience cramping similar to menstrual cramps. Also, the lining can become so dry that it will tear easily. This makes sex painful & vaginal exams really difficult. Everyone in menopause, and especially those of us taking aromatase inhibitors, should learn what to do to protect ourselves. There are physical therapists who specialize in the pelvic floor. There are various types of moisturizing agents, although we should be careful to choose carefully what we use. For example, some contain aloe vera, which can cause allergic reaction in some people. Others contain chemicals that some people choose to avoid. I would seek out an expert in this area to get the best guidance if it is something you want to pursue.

    I hope you find relief from your difficulties.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited November 2016

    Have you had your K (potassium) and MG (magnesium) levels checked rrcently? For me 1/2 way through 12 weekly Taxol my K levels dropped drastically so had to go on mega doses of K. Still have issues with keeping my K level up so have to take it to keep leg pain/cramps away. Low Mg can also cause issues. It is very important to know rather or not 'you' have K issues before taking it as too much can cause as much or more problems IF it is not needed. When I forget to take my K, it let's me know and within a 1/2 hour after taking more K the cramps go away - no matter how strong the pain meds I could take are - they do nothing to alleviate the cramping/PAIN. but K does. Check with your Drs for a test of K and Mg levels before trying it as too much K can definitely cause major issues just as too low can also.

    Have you thought about seeing a Chiropractor? Might surprise you how much the right one can help. I was always a skeptic about Chiropractors until it was suggested that I have one of my competition horse be seen by Dr Max (a human Chiro that had branched out to horsher. It was amazing the different. I had him work on one of my broodmares later - it was even greater positive results for her. It did take more than 1 adjustment for both of them but I could not believe how much better they were after Dr Max adjusted them. Even with all the positives I saw with them, it took me a while to heist my posterior to a Chiro for myself (Dr Max had passed). I was still very skeptical but that changed quickly when I started seeing a Chiro for myself - yes even if 'you' are osteoporosis, a knowledgeable Chiro can be great. My biggest issues are with upper back (lot of arthritis) but even though I never thought hips had a problem - turns out did/do and I am much 'limberer' (it that a word?) after an adjustment.

    Have no thoughts about hormones possibly being an issue or not. I was 44 when went through natural menopause which was 19 yrs before IBC DX.

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