Ovariectomy Decision

Hi Simonet,



I had my ovaries out! Was glad to loose the little buggers and drop down my natural estrogen. They were pretty finished off anyways during the chemotherapy, and at 48, I just wanted them out. So they took the uterus too, as I had irregular bleeding. I healed well, small incision, short operation. But it still is an operation, and I'm not trying to make light.



Then I got switched from Tamoxifen to Arimidex. Going on my mid fourth year, and anticipate at least another two with some aromatase inhibitor. So far, so good.



Why not respect that your cancer said hey, I'm estrogen sensitive and take your ovaries out like your doctors advise. They can do it through a laparoscope nowadays, much less incision healing. Doing so may just work in your favor, and you won't have to fall asleep at night wondering.



So sorry about the blood clot, and hope it's completely resolved and non-tender.

Tender (smile face)

Hi!

I had an ooph @ age 47 done lapro.  It was an easy (for me anyway--compared to all the other surgeries) outpatient surgery.  I had it done on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday.  For me, it was a choice I made because I WANTED to take an AI as studies have shown them to reduce recurrence more than Tamoxifen.  It does push you into menopause and some people have more issues with that than others.   I just really wanted to get rid of most of that nasty estrogen running around in my body.

But...it must be your decision.

Good luck to you! 

I had mine out at 46. I feel so much "safer" for some reason. Plus, I had problems with Tamoxifen, so I needed the AIs. Menopause has not been as difficult for me as for others, but the body changes have been irksome. Vaginal dryness, less mental acuity (subtle, but there), fat in places that I never had...It was going to happen at some point, regardless. But I have NO regrets about losing the buggers. I fear ovarian cancer above all, I think.

Anne

I had mine out at 38. I'm now 44. Menopause will  hit hard and fast but then it does end. I'm now post menopausal. The nightsweats which were the worst are gone. No more hot flashes. My body changed but it did that with bc and chemo anyways. Oh and the forgetful thing you might notice. I don't as I'm also epileptic and the meds do that to me too so I'm use to it. You'll want to watch your bone density. I did shrink an inch and then I stabilized and I'm fine. No osteoprosis.

Sharon

I am 43 now

I am 46 and getting the "buggers" out in Dec--no need to keep them anymore! I can't wait and will feel better--I take Lupron now. It will give me peace of mind that the estrogen isn't cranking up those cancer cells again. My doc said just the ovaries, no hysterectomy--why did you get the whole works out?

hi hope some one can offer some words of wisdom. i am 4 wks post op had a bilat with recu surgery. Positve er,pr and strong + her2. will start chemo in nov at some point but am wondering when to request oopectomy or total hysterectomy? Lastly which surgery has best recovery results ie vag hysterctomy or lapro?

ho yea my name is Suzanne 42yrs with lots of living to do!

thanks anyone

jule thanks for your replie.  I just will feel so much better losing the whole lot then just the overies.  want to be as aggressive as i can be. Do you know if having a complete hyster affects your sexual feeling, or drive.  i imagine your libido might be alter.

thanks for your thoughts

suzanne

I was 51 when I had a bilateral for stage 1 ILC. I hadn't started menopause, so my onc thought it would be wise for me to have a complete hysterectomy for many reasons:

1) Family history.  My mom has ovarian c, my sister has bc.

2) I have Factor 5 Leiden, a fairly common, genetic blood-clotting element

3) Tamoxifen has a higher risk for blood clots than an AI

4) Women who have bc have a higher risk for ovarian & endometrial cancers

For me, the abdominal hysterectomy was a quick decision, because I've watched my mom suffer with ovarian cancer for 5 years. It was an easy surgery, compared to my bilateral, and I don't miss the monthly "curse"!  

I'm in a clinical trial and I was taking the shots and am still taking aromasin.  I decided to have a total hyster since I'm brca 1+ and my mom had bc and died with ovarian cancer.  The downside of the shots were the se's and making the time to go each month.  You can only vary the length between appointments by a day or two.  They did tell my I could self administer, but I couldn't do it.  Feel much better now that they are gone for good.  I know it's no guarantee, but it gives me some peace of mind.

hi5,

I had a complete hysterecttomy in 1983 at the age of 35 + ovariectomy on the right side in 1968 +ovariectomy on  my left side in 2000.

After my DCIS dx in March 2007,my onc put me on Tamoxifen,because our bodies have other sites that make hormones. He recommended Tamox because  I have osteoporosis. Tamox does not deplete bone density. 

karoline 

Hello all.  I had an hysterectomy 18 years ago leaving an ovary.  I just got Estradiol test results back that showed post menopausal woman should have a level 27.  My level was 47 which meant my ovary is still building estrogen.  I have been on Femara for 5-months and was told to immediately quit taking the Femara because it would not work form.  Med Onc wants to put me on Tamoxifen now.  Do not want to do it.  I prefer to stay on Femara (was not having to much trouble with SE's).  I asked about having ovary removed and was told to get with my gynecologist.  Was also told that most insurance will not pay for this.  What?  If you are ER/PR+ I would think reducing the estrogen level will be preventative or recurrence of cancer since you are now at higher risk of getting other cancers.

Thanks for starting this forum it has helped me make my decision to have ovary removed even if the insurance doesn't pay for it and with all the BC expense I can't really afford it.