Post oopherectomy and complete hysterectomy please help

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ForHisGlory
ForHisGlory Member Posts: 64
edited April 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

if you have experienced surgical menopause and can help guide my decision I would greatly appreciate it! I have been on Tamoxifen for two years and due to some complications have been off since December. I also struggle with ovarian cysts that are painful. My DR sent me to a gynecologist oncologist because of an elevated CA125 and also Tamoxifen troubles and he is recommending to remove my one remaining ovary only (right one was removed years ago) and leave the uterus. This will eliminate my need for Tamoxifen and cure the symptoms of the cysts. I'm really concerned with surgical menopause this summer as I have one son graduating and a daughter getting married in August. Should I do it now or postpone til fall? My husbands and Dr says do it now, but idk how severe my menopause symptoms will be. Please help if you have experience in this area. Thanks

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited April 2017

    Forhisglory, I had a complete hysterectomy/oopherectomy in January. It was the best decision that I have made thus far. If you read through my thread, Uplifting and Positive Messages on the Hormonal Forum, you will see my journey and decision making laid out, day by day. If you are done having children, there is no reason to keep the uterus. Tamoxifen can cause uterine issues. You will still need to take an antihormonal, as other organs make estrogen, not just the ovaries. By having a complete hysterectomy and oopherectomy, you remove any possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer. My MO plied me with loads of vitamin D and iron infusions after my surgery. Having a hysterectomy does not interfere in your love life, etc.

    Recovery is very easy. I drove within a week, walked the very same day, and have been able to finally hit walking 5 miles per day. I have no regrets. I have been married for 23 years and have an 18 year old, and a 20 year old.

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  • new2bc
    new2bc Member Posts: 559
    edited April 2017

    You still have to take Tamoxifen even if you remove your ovaries. I have had a total hysterectomy and ooph last year and the side effects are hot flashes which I had before the surgery because I was taking Tamoxifen. But if you leave your uterus, you have to still worry about thickening of the lining and uterine issues because of Tamoxifen. Ask your ob/gyn if it is wise to remove the uterus too. Recovery was very easy.

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  • Wildplaces
    Wildplaces Member Posts: 864
    edited April 2017

    I have had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy, 10 days after mastectomy and about 10 days later started chemo - so "the doing", provided you are comfortable with your team, is not the hard bit.

    The surgical part is reasonably straightforward, and gynae oncologists surgeons are usually sharper technically.

    My hot flushes were horrid but I was having chemo at the time - so hard to comment on what was what.

    I am uncertain from your post of what the precise indication for surgery is and what is the long term plan after surgery.


    So an ophorectomy was proposed on the basis of:


    - ovarian cysts are they simple/complex/ large/causing symptoms ??...


    - rising CA 125


    - plan to change Tamoxifen/ or cease Tamoxifen - is there a plan to go to AIs?? ( they are not without side effects ...but some do tolerate them brilliantly) Or given the Stage 1b grade 1 - go to nothing but monitoring ?


    Any other considerations that might make you choose a hysterectomy/oophorectomy ?


    Having a clear answer to the above will help you decide whether you need to plan sooner or later, and understand whether you can manage health and family over the next few months.
    Simply put why does your Dr wants you to do this sooner??😊




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  • Wildplaces
    Wildplaces Member Posts: 864
    edited April 2017

    Michelle's details on the practical doing bit are the same for me.

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  • ForHisGlory
    ForHisGlory Member Posts: 64
    edited April 2017

    thank you all for responding. Basically my oncologist doesn't want me to go back on Tamoxifen due to some issues and I have had a time of it with pain due to very frequent cysts. She was uncomfortable with the rising ca125 and sent me to the gynecology oncologist for a recommendation. She said simply from her end that an oopherectomy would make her more comfortable and we may attempt to go on AI's after but if I'm not able to tolerate them she wouldn't be as upset since the ovaries would be gone. There is no urgency except I'm not blocking any hormones at this time. The GO does not see a need to take the uterus because I am not experiencing heavy bleeding. There is some thickening of the endometrium but he feels it will resolve with the absence of Tamoxifen. I'm on board with the plan but simply worry how bad the menopause will be and dont want to mess up summer plans. I only had night sweats and hot flashes on the Tamoxifen, and quickly gained 5 lbs soon as I went off the medicine. Had my periods the whole time as well but now PMS is returning returning (joy).

    GLad to hear so many do so well with the surgery and post surgery menopause as well. Pretty sure they will call tomorrow to schedule and I've just been all over the place about it. It's easier if therewas an urgency behind it.

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited April 2017

    ForHisGlory, if you are going to have the surgery, why not take the uterus? It does not produce enough hormones to be significant and keep you out of menopause. If a person is diagnosed with BC, the chances of that person having reproductive cancers are a little higher. I was happy to have perfect ovaries, tubes, uterus and cervix removed and not in a diseased state. The last thing that I wanted was having any future issues to deal with and I feel a huge sense of relief. As a matter of fact, I feel healthier than I have in many years because I am walking or trying to walk 5 miles per day, working with dietitian, utilizing everything at my MO's disposal, i.e. vitamins and iron.

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  • Desiwyatt123
    Desiwyatt123 Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2017

    Hi Michelle, I have also had a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed but I have awful hot flashes. Have you had this issue?

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