I’m really confused and could do with any help. I’ve been on anastrozole and zoladex since my diagnosis 5 years ago. Apart from a single mastectomy 2 years ago, this has been the only treatment. My oncologist wanted me to stay on this plan for 10 years or up to my natural menopause, I’m 45 years old. Anyway, 2 months ago I started to have spotting and period pains. This happened twice and was a pattern like a period with menstraul symptoms. I had an ultrasound and internal, everything looked fine. On my oncologist recommendation, he told me to stop just the anastrozole for 6 weeks. He said this maybe stimulating my ovaries, which is where I’m confused, seen as it should be doing the opposite? So I’ve just done the 6 week break, no spotting happened but still had period pain and menstrual symptoms. After seeing my oncologist yesterday he has referred me to have gynaecologist investigations, in view of maybe the option of removing the ovaries. I just don’t understand why this is happening? Does your body become immune to the treatment? I also have tried tamoxifen but gave me awful neusea. This isn’t the only thing happening at the moment either, as I’ve had arthritis since I was 6. I’ve found out that I have a slipped vertebrae in my neck, which is resting on my spinal chord. It will need surgery but of course with everything else going on I don’t know what to think about first. A general anaesthetic my oncologist said will be needed for the gynecologist investigation, is this right? Surely I could have an epidural because of the risk with my neck. Help!! ??
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Hi Pink,
Sorry to hear you’re going through this. Perhaps one of the others will be more help with this, but it might be an idea to ring the helpline here or post in ‘ask our nurses’ as obviously, you have quite a number of unanswered medical questions to get your head around.
Hopefully, you’ll feel clearer about it all before too long.
Take care
ann x