Oophorectomy anyone????

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ML1209
ML1209 Member Posts: 241
edited March 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

There may already be a thread for this - if so, please direct me :). My MO wants me to have my ovaries removed. I am taking Tamoxifen and it is causing my liver enzymes to be elevated - they continue to climb, and also causing hypertension. She would like for them to be removed and then I would change to an AI. Would love to hear any and all experiences. I am truly grateful for this amazing tribe of women! Thank you all in advance!

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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2018
    I wanted to go straight to AI's even though I was pre-menopausal. I did four months of ovarian suppression with zoladex shots so I could go on AI's. I decided to have oopherectomy so I wouldn't have to get the monthly shots anymore. I had my Ooph in Nov with no issues. Surgery/ recovery was one of the easier ones.
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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2018

    I had a hyster salpingo+ooph - robotic surgery. It was a fairly easy recovery...felt pretty good within 2 days. No pain meds after surgery. Hot flashes started 4weeks after surgery. That has been the worst part. I was in perimenopause before. The ooph was my choice - not part of my treatment plan. I had to have hyster anyway related to cervical cancer in situ, so it was offered as an option. After many medical opinions, and my gyn onc plus my breast onc and breast surgeon and other opinions I decided to go ahead...the hot flashes were so bad that I am on very low dose estrogen patch for two years and will ween off to mimic menopause...I am 48yo.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    I was allergic to tamoxifen but MO advised taking a daily antihistamine so I could continue it as I was pre-menopausal. After genetic testing results came in an oooh was in my future but not necessarily recommended for another 6 years. Then I developed blood clots in both lungs and my left calf. No more tamoxifen and ooph was scheduled during the same surgery as my stage 2 recon. I had all the baby making parts removed (uterus because I’d been on tamoxifen and risk of uterine cancer) and it was done laparascopic-vaginal. Very easy recivery. No pain from it at all-I kept asking if they were positive they did the surgery. hot flashes started in earnest about 6-8 weeks later. Curcumin supplements and 2.5mg of Zoloft have helped tremendously.

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  • ML1209
    ML1209 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2018

    Thank you all so much. I haven't had a period since first round of chemo and the hot flashes started then and have continued on Tamoxifen. I don't love them, but they aren't terrible. I wonder if they get worse when ovaries are removed? My breast surgeon oncologist recommended Serenol - it is bee pollen from a swedish flower. I haven't tried not taking it, so who knows if it helps are not but not willing to stop it to find out. Also helps with the insomnia. All in all, I don't have any huge complaints ... but my liver begs to differ.

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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2018

    Chemo put me in chemo pause' also and the hot flashes started then and continued through zoladex shots. By the time I got to the ooph they had reduced significantly. There was no difference and they did not get worse after ooph. I get maybe one a day now.

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  • CBK
    CBK Member Posts: 611
    edited March 2018

    I had laparoscopic salpingo-ooph, and it was a super easy surgery recovery-no need for pain meds. I was out shopping and driving two days later. Hot flashes did get much worse right after the procedure, mostly at night. The intensity has already subsided, and I have since added in anastrozole. So far, I do not regret this surgery in the least. And I am not taking any supplements or medication for the flashes.

    I was peri-menopausal prior to chemo, since I was so high estrogen positive and Brca+, my surgery was technically elective-but not really in my mind!!

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited March 2018

    This is all really good to hear. I'm considering this as I have family history of ovarian ca & the geneticist said we should think about it regardless of my genetic testing results (which I'm still waiting for).

    I also have adenomyosis so I'd be worried about weird lesions on my uterus being missed. And it seems that AIs are better at preventing recurrence?

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  • ML1209
    ML1209 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2018

    I am thankful for your input .... my MO had said even prior to chemo that she would like for me to do this, so onward I shall go. The hot flashes were the worst during chemo and then have decreased in frequency and intensity. Prayers and hugs for each of you!

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  • ML1209
    ML1209 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2018

    Moth - yes, my MO says a slightly greater advantage with the AI's. And getting them out - one less place for the cancer to travel too. I have scheduled my surgery for 4/6.

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  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,689
    edited March 2018

    Had ovaries and uterus removed last year. Should have done it years before, because it has made my life so simple. Easy procedure, easy recovery no more continuous cyles, low iron, worry about reproductive issues. Doing great, my iron is no longer hovering the low end and is perfect. I had the choice or shutting down my ovaries or removing them. It was important to have the procedure done while I had good insurance. If you are older than child bearing years, I would say there is not alot of downside for highly hormonally positive breast cancer patients. I have been on Tamoxifen for over a year and doing great.

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  • ML1209
    ML1209 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2018

    My surgery is scheduled for a Friday - would I be ready to go back to work on Monday?

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited March 2018

    very likely as long as there’s no lifting in you job duties. Lifting any weight over 5 lbs is out for at least 4 weeks.This is all provided it’s done laparoscopically.

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