Hi Ladies
Have many of you been forced into menopause by your treatment & if so at what stage dies that happen? I was originally treated for breast cancer 6 years ago with E-CMF & then tamoxifen but had periods throughout & have no idea what a hot flush feels like! Now on FEC-T for a recurrence, still having periods. Onc reckoned it would happen this time but at the moment I’m not convinced. I was 38 first time & now 44. Would like to know about your experiences.
Twinky x
I was dx at 44. Had 4 x FEC and 4 x Tax. I had periods as normal up to Tax no 2, then nothing. Been menopausal ever since (now 49)
Lol…so I’m not out of the woods yet Roadrunner…thanks for the warning!
Twinky x
I have - but I’m older than you. I was 48 at dx, still having regular periods and no sign of any hot flushes.
I had FEC-T and periods stopped after my second FEC and I haven’t had one since (nearly a year). I still haven’t had a hot flush though!
I’m now on Tamoxifen.
Dx
Hi Twinky
I had E CMF started March last year had one period that month and never had another I was 48 at dx. Still not come back and having hot flushes from hell!!! Have been taking clonodine for them but really not helping much. Hope you keep them at bay for a long time yet!
I am triple neg so no hormone treatment to blame!
Jill x x
Hi twinkly,
I was dx at 44 , last November, periods stopped after second TAC and hot flushes started. Have been told that if they come back on tamoxifen, they will give me Zoladex to stop them. Hope you avoid hot flushes as long as possible,
Herbi x
Lol…it’s a bugger this treatment. All these things it puts you through. Those not in the know have no idea what we go through. I shall hope the hot flushes stay away a bit longer. I obviously don’t take after my Mum as she went into an early menopause in her late thirties.
Twinky x
I was 42 at DX, had x4 FEC and had periods regular as clockwork every 26 days throughout, then went onto TAX, periods came to a halt after 1st tax, now on 3rd tax, i still have PMT though loool
I was 48 at DX, had 6 x FEC and periods stopped at 2nd treatment. Have had hiddeous hot flushes and a course of accupuncture DID help but they’re starting to return again ( the tropical moments, that is ).
Like we havent got enough to deal with, eh ???
Madge x
48 at dx, regular as clockwork despite the Mirena coil, 6 x FEC and last period just before FEC5, when I had a hot flush from hell. Had Tamoxifen from after chemo so started around July last year, still on Herceptin but am having a Tamoxifen break at the moment. No periods though, and the hot flushes I’d managed to get on top of with Citalopram while taking Tamoxifen have returned now that I’ve stopped taking it - what’s THAT all about!
I have a friend who had a full hysterectomy for ovarian cancer (no chemo, no hormone treatments) and she couldn’t believe the mood swings caused by instant menopause, which is of course what gets thrown at us in Plus size.
I was DX three days after my 45th birthday in December 2010 and had surgery followed 3 FEC and 3 Tax starting in late January 2011. I had a period round about the time of FEC 1 but that was it. I had my first hot flush the evening of Tax 1 (just over a year ago) and they’ve continued thick and fast ever since. Luckily, although I overheat rapidly several times an hour and feel rather peculiar whilst its happening, I don’t actually sweat.
I’ve been on Tamoxifen since late May. My onc told me I’ll probably have 5 years on Tam then I’ll have a blood test and switch to an AI for 2-3 years as I’ll have naturally entered the menopause by then. Apparently your body’s normal hormonal changes still carry on below the effect of Tam - it just masks the effects.
Jane xxx
I’d just turned 45 when i was diagnosed. The chemo put me in a temporary menopause which lasted about 18 months then I came back out of it. I’d had a hysterectomy but kept ovaries so I only knew this from blood tests (hormone profile: oestrogen level, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, LH (luteinising hormone))which they’ve continued to do otherwise they won’t know when to switch me from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor.
My latest bloods show I’m heading to menopause again, and I’m 48 now. That is quite early but I was told after all my gynae surgery and the chemo that this was likely to happen (my mum didn’t have hers until late fifties).
Elinda x
Hi Twinky,
As you know, I’m 43 and had FEC. My periods ended just before no 3, not had one since.
Funny enough, I spoke to a friend this week, who also had E-CMF 6 years ago who had her last period on No 2 and has now gone into menopause and is on AIs (confirmed as Elinda described) - she’s our age too.
My hot flushes are there but not as strong as others I’ve spoken to.
Axx
I was 43 when dx with both primary and secondaries just over a year ago, periods stopped at chemo no 3 did 1 FEC then 5 taxotere, this plunged me into early menopuase and have had no sign of the monthly since, now will continue forever on herceptin and tamoxifen for 5 years, been having hot flushes with full on visible sweating for about 9 months now they come and go initially they were terrible, they have calmed down now but still wake me up at least 3 or 4 times a night and have minimum of 5 episodes during the day. If I drink a lot of caffeine they get more intense and I experience more of them, so I’ll be drinking decaf. Onc has just prescribed clonodine so will try that.
Sending you all love light and cooling breeze
sarahlousie xx