NOW I feel like my body's betrayed me!

Jorf · September 2007

OK, cancer - yeah, my body did its best and kept the cancer to one ugly node. Yeah, I went through chemo and lost my hair and etc etc - but my body never did throw up. And lucky me I lost weight during chemo and finally learned that 10 pounds down - even five - is really more than I need to lose.

So, really, my body did me good - as good as can be expected - during this whole thing.

NOW, tho - NOW! What happens? I wake up Friday morning and feel like I did at 13 - WHAT'S THIS BROWN STUFF!!!???? Oh, sh!t! I'm having a period. It's been 16 months. That must be why I felt so funky last weekend (hm, I thought to myself, I haven't felt like this since last April...). NOOOO! I don't want this! I don't want to have to have an endometrial biopsy (even tho I'm 100% sure it's not endometrial cancer, well 99.9%) because I have the world's most sensitive cervix. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE MY PERIOD BACK!!! I LIKED BEING MENOPAUSAL!!! GIVE ME BACK MY HOT FLASHES!!!! THIS IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!

Love,
Jorf

newvickie · September 2007

SHHHH....it's ok. I was in menopause for over a year and had the exact same experience. I freaked out as I was on Arimidex so I called my oncologist and he switched me to Tamox...to make a long story short..that was the end of my period...almost like a last hurrah (one day and really very little spotting and had the old PMS feeling going on too...or so I thought). Dr. thought I was in chemopause but the hot flashes are the same and no more bleeding...hope it turns out the same for you.
hugs
Vickie
oh...if my period does happen to return I plan on having the old ovaries whipped right outta there and put in a jar!

SheriH · September 2007

Wow, I know how you feel. I had the same thing happen to me, too. I switched from arimidex to tamoxifen and had about 4 periods before having my ovaries and uterus removed. Here's the sad part: My surgery was scheduled for a Thurs and I started my period on Monday. How's that for irony? Why couldn't it have waited another week? The pathology came back and said I was in full on monthly cycles again. Lucky you Vickie, it was a one shot deal. Hopefully, Jorf, yours won't be too bad.

nofear123 · September 2007

I know how you feel. I'm 44 yrs. old. and 3 yrs. out. I was in a study for Femara and was taken off the tamoxifen. I started having periods again and now my dr. has me on the Zolodex shot and tamoxifen. I've already decided that I won't be taking another Zolodez shot and I will be talking to the gyno about having the ovaries removed. There are just days I would love to burn all the pills and rely fully on God. Has anyone else tried the zolodex shot?

Jorf · September 2007

THANK YOU! Last night I had a little cramping when I got into bed (a little too late on the ibuprofen) and came downstairs and sat on the toilet and bled for a while. During that time I decided to read about endometrial cancer on my palm - BAD IDEA. Anyway, I'm pleased about what you all wrote. It is definitely an incentive to have the ooph. We'll see. I'll call the gyn tomorrow and see when I can see her.

I really really really don't want to have periods again.

LizM · September 2007

Jorf, If I recall correctly you are around 50. I was 49 and premenopausal at diagnosis 2 yrs ago and also had 1 ugly node and chemo put me in chemopause. After treatment I went ahead and had my ovaries yanked because I was bound and determined I was never going to have a period again. I hated my periods before I was diagnosed and after diagnosis I hated my ovaries because they were the estrogen producers in my body. It is the best decision I made. After they were out I did not have to worry about my period returning or being on Tamoxifen and endometrial cancer I just went on an AI. I know that oncologists and most doctors do not agree with removing a healthy organ but I see absolutely no need for ovaries when you are 50 diagnosed with bc and are menopausal age. I had it done laproscopically and it was a breeze. I only missed a few days of work.

Curlylocks · September 2007

Hi No Fear,

I am 43 and on Armidex and Zoladex injections. I hate the Zoladex injection and worry that once I finish them in a year or two that my period will come back. I am highly er/pr+ so now being referred to a surgeon to have my ovaries removed early next year.

All the best with your decision.

Your bc sister
Michele

Jorf · September 2007

Thanks Liz, yeah - I'm 51. Way too old to be having periods (grin grin). I may seriously consider the having my ovaries out thing. Especially if it's an easy lap surg. I'll see what the gyn says tomorrow - imagine I'll have the endo biopsy. I hope I don't end out needing a D&C to make it stop. I have my black belt test on the 14th and will have NOOOO surgery between now and then no matter what. I'm happy to live on ibuprofen since it'll help the neck and foot pain too.

I'll let you know tomorrow what happens.

Thanks.

2up · September 2007

even chemo didn't shut my damn fool ovaries down completely!

my onc was astounded .......... finally stopped menstruating at chemo #6, then had about 8 months "off" from periods, then right back to crazy, heavy bleeding .......... with the best of both worlds (menopause side effects plus menstuation BS!)

WAS PUT ON ZOLADEX INJECTIONS ALONG WITH THE TAMOX AND STILL GET MY PERIOD FAIRLY ROUTINELY!!!!!!

good grief ......... no freakin wonder i'm a walking unpredictable,crazy woman ......... (and have been for decades lol) ........... i'm a crazy ball of uncontrolled estrogen ........ i am PMS personified!!!!!

my docs are mystified at the "strength" of my ovaries ....... but it sure does explain a lot!!!!!!!

ooph for me in november ........... yipppee!!

i think its quite common for menses to return post chemo, but i could be wrong .......... i'm lucky to remember what day it is anymore!!!!!!!!

NOW I feel like my body's betrayed me!

Comments

Categories