HRT use & the return of menopausal symptoms prior to diagnosis

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Dreamcatcherr
Dreamcatcherr Member Posts: 20
edited January 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi. I am curious if any of the ladies who have had a BC diagnosis and where using hrt at the time, did you notice an increase in menopausal symptoms prior to your BC diagnosis?

I am waiting on my GP appointment to get the referral to the see a breast specialist. I have been using hrt for 2 1/2 years due to a hysterectomy. For just short of 2 years I used a combined hrt as I still had one ovary, I started on patches about 6 months ago after having my lonely ovary removed 10 months ago. I am on the highest dose patch but I have noticed hot flashes are returning along with an increase in insomnia and mood changes, oh and night sweats!

About 11 months ago I noticed my left nipple had inverted/retracted, I had an ultrasound and was told it was just one of those things, possible widening of the ducts due to hormones, but to follow up if I had any further sypmtoms. I have since found a couple of areas I am concerned about. 1 lump, though I think I have a fibrocystic breast. I also have an area that feels quite thick and solid with a barely noticeable indent close by. My nipple is more inverted now and pulling toward said thick area.

My mind is in overdrive as I am now so worried that this all began a year ago! I am wondering if it is BC, could this be stopping my hrt working? Causing the return of my menopausal symptoms? I am 40 now, having my hysterectomy at 37. Its hard to find any information about BC risk and hrt use if using it due to early menopause. 2019 appears to be the year when old theories about hrt have flipped 180` so rather than asking Google I thought someone here would be able to help.

Thank you

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited January 2020

    I was on HRT (estrogen only) for many (also had hysterectomy but still had one ovary) I started it during menopause and b/c of the newer research on the risk (estrogen only actually decreasing the risk of bc) and the heart and bone benefit, my doc & I decided to continue it. I also tested positive for BRCA1 and docs at cancer center didn’t feel like I needed to stop the HRT b/c brca is generally a triple negative bc. So, I continued to take it. I had no menopausal sx when my bc was dxed. It was not a typical BRCA1 ca, it was ER & PR+HER2- and I had to stop the HRT immediately. That was when I started having menopausal sx again as I couldn’t titrate down slowly. So, menopausal sx didn’t present as sx of bc for me. I had absolutely no sx. It was picked up on MRI. All my providers were surprised I had an estrogen positive bc given the BRCA1 mutation, but told me that was actually a better situation b/c triple negative bc tends to be more aggressive. So, this is a long response and I’m not sure it helps, but I have not heard that menopausal sx are a sx of bc. I just wanted to share my experience w HRT. (I miss it, I have to say). Maybe someone else will have more info. Best to you.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited January 2020

    Hi there. Sorry you are stressed. Yes I was on HRT when I was diagnosed with BC. However I was much older than you and I was taking it for menopausal symptoms. I took it for about 8 years before my BC diagnosis. I had the patch. I felt great on it! However I do believe it contributed to my BC. I asked my BS if he thought it caused the BC and he said most of his patients did not take HRT so hard to tell. I was told to get off the patch ASAP. To answer your question about BC causing your menopausal symptoms, I really cannot think of a reason why it would. BC does not change your hormone levels in itself. I wouldn't worry about that alone being an indicator that you have BC. My advice would be to follow it through though. Hope I helped a little. Good luck and keep us posted

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  • Dreamcatcherr
    Dreamcatcherr Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2020

    Thank you Yoga and Dtad for your replies. Just a coincidence then, possibly due to stress. I wasn't sure how BC effects hormones so as my mind has been doing a lot lately I began pondering. I'm definitely not going to up my dose (if it is even possible to) or change hrt until I've seen my BS. I have terrible anxiety when it comes to health issues, I've had so many problems over the years it's hard not too. I just wish I had bilateral changes so I could convince myself it is all normal changes. I've had so many GP and hospital appointments I hate the thought of having to go again! But I will, my mind needs a break!

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited January 2020

    be sure to let us know what you find out.

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