Remove remaining ovary??

Yes. Just say bye to the ovary. Sorry you had to suffer.

Ovarian torsion is scary.

I had a large cyst on my right ovary when I was 20, right before I got pregnant with my first child. The cyst was removed during my C-section with most of my ovary. I had functional cysts on my left ovary throughout my life, but they were never large. We would monitor them for a month or so, and they would go away. I was told this was normal, they were "funcitonal" cysts.

I was diagnosed with BC at 40, and after chemo and surgery my MO suggested ovarian suppression and AI. I read a lot about Tamoxifen vs OS + AI in premenopausal women and I made the decision to take lupron shots for ovarian suppression (started in February of this year) and started on letrozole in April. Overall, my menopausal symptoms were just a little more severe than what I had during chemo (more severe hot flashes and I started to experience joint pain - not too bad but enough that I could notice). My only problem is that I'm a worry wart and I tend to question everything. I was afraid of incomplete ovarian suppression, so in August I had my ovaries removed. Was told there was no right ovary left, only scar tissue.

I honestly don't know what I would do in your situation. Even though I think lupron was working for me (I had a sensitive estrogen blood test and it was virtually undetectable), I went through 6-7 weeks of severe hot flashes, dizzy spells and tremendous fatigue after oophorectomy. It was like I was thrown against the menopausal wall. I don't know if my ovary was still producing something while I was on Lupron, or maybe the fatigue was the result of having double surgery and not having enough time to recover - I had oopherctomy at the same time as my exchange surgery and went back to work after 4 days. Or maybe it was just the duration of time my body was without estrogen, my MO says that in those who are going through chemical or surgical menopause symptoms usually peak between 9 and 18 months. Anyway, I don't regret removing the ovary and tubes (yes, if you decide to remove the ovaries definitely remove the tubes, because ovarian cancer sometimes originates in the tubes). I was considered high risk for recurrence, and had chemo. SOFT and TEXT trials show that women in my category benefit from OS + AI.

Looking at your stats, you are probably not one of those pre-menopausal women, so I think your decision to not take AIs would be supported by an oncologist. So you just have to weigh the risks and benefits of menopause vs potential for ovarian torsion.

Wow, sounds like you are really suffering with Tamoxifen.

I would totally remove that ovary. I had ooph at 48 (diagnosed at 47, premenstrual) and removing my ovaries didn’t give me any more menopausal symptoms beyond what I had due to chemo. No weight gain. No insomnia. Sounds like you are doing a great job with your weight. I have read here from others on your same situation (taking charge of their weight in the same way you are reporting) that ooph did not interfere with their weight loss.

Also, don’t assume you will be worse off with AI. Many of us have minimal side effects on AI and you have certainly gone through hell with Tamo. And as others say, you can be on tamo while post menopausal instead of taking AI.Take a look at the thread “doing well with AI”.

Best of luck!

the transition may be smooth as it’s possoble you’re already suppressing hormones. I think in your position I would have the ovary removed but I understand the fears regarding menopause. I was scared too.

Definitely ask your doctor about staying on tamoxifen rather than starting an AI.

All the best!

etnasgrl, are you planning to continue taking Tamoxifen if you remove the ovary? What I meant about your MO not objecting to not taking AI is that for you continue on Tamoxifen offers (statistically) as much protection as taking an AI, assuming your ovaries are not functioning.

To add to LeesaD list of menopause advantages: I no longer have migraines that I used to get like clockwork in the week leading up to my period, my skin is clear and no munchies. I used to be extremely hungry all the time for at least 10 days before each period. I'm not sure if you have any of this anyway, because you are no longer menstruating. Also, I would give anything to get my migraines back if that meant I never had BC and I could enjoy sex again . I'm having issues with vaginal dryness and loss of sex drive, and that's in addition to sweat drenching hot fleshes, joint pain and occasional dizziness.

Hi Ladies!

I need to have ovaries and tubes removed. Doing it laparoscopically. Just wondering how your surgical/post op experience was? Going to do it in the Spring. Meeting with GYN Oncologist mid February. Just wanting to start managing expectations.

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much, FarAwayToo

farawaytoo, that’s funny. I’m two weeks out from bso and noticing more fatigue to. Maybe it’s the menopause symptoms setting in (I haven’t had hot flashes or any obvious symptoms yet) or maybe it’s that I’m suddenly up and about more and my body is still recovering.

SimoneRC, my BC was also called IDC with lobular features, because the tubule formation suggested ductal origin, but the tumor was e cadherin negative, which is usually the sign of ILC. What made yours IDC with lobular features? I was told that these details didn't matter and chemo and the rest of the treatment would be the same. But I wonder sometimes if I should dig deeper to understand what this means.