Hi all,
I have been told that the chemo I am to be given will bring on an early menapause, I was interested to find out others experence of their symptoms of the change. How severe are they and how long do they last, ie the hot flushes etc???
I have been told I will not be getting hormones as my cancer is not hormone receptive.
Thanks in advance
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Sorry to hear you’re having to have chemo - not a pleasant prospect.
I’m 44 and was having regular periods before I started chemo in April. I started on FEC, but changed to taxol (with herceptin) after two cycles. I had 3 periods then everything stopped very suddenly, and i’ve had nothing since July. I had hot flushes during the night, particularly (about 10 times a night at first), which have gradually reduced to normally a few in every 24-hour period - it’s still quite unpredictable. My oncologist said it was unlikely my periods would come back, being in my forties. In your thirties or younger i think they usually do. I found it quite upsetting - yet another thing being taken away from me against my will! even though I have three children already and probably wouldn’t be planning any more. It is still a loss, whatever stage you are at.
What age are you and do you have any children?
I wish you well with the chemo - hope it gets started and over with quickly.
Best wishes
Jacquie
Hi Jacquie,
Thank you for the info.
I am a very young 49 yr old, still having regular periods.
I have 2 children the youngest 12, I started my family later in life, didnt plan it that way, just didnt get pregnant for years, but god bless them I had 2 beautiful children eventually.
I know at 49 the change is just around the corner for me anyway, but with the prospect of starting 8 cycles of chemo on the 25th ( week thursday, not that I am counting of course) was wandering what I would expect in regards of the symptoms of the change.
Do the symptoms come on gradually or do they hit you ‘BANG’.
I am not sure what the first 4 of my chemo are called, 2 drugs, one which turns your wee red combined with ???, then it is 4 of taxatere (?spelling).
I always joked with my husband that I would leave home while going through the change so he could exscape the mood swings, but this is not going to happen now, sadly.
Thank you for your best wishes, this site is truely a help and it looks like we are all in this together.
Have you finished your chemo now?
I am still waiting for my herceptin results!
Take care now.
Jackie
I am just off to hospital now for pre chemo bloods, ecg, etc and a pre chemo chat.
Hi Jackie
I was 43 when dx last September, had 6 x FEC and after 1 period they stopped completely. The menopause symptoms kicked in fast after a couple of months, with hot flushes which aren’t nice, and mean’t no sleep. Finished the chemo in Feb this year and decided not to have the hormone treatment as the chemo made me so ill ( you might be fine, I think I was really unlucky).
However, after a visit to Onc in June, he persuaded me to try it so began in July. Just before I started taking it my periods returned and the flushes totally disappeared which was lovely!
Been on the hormone treatment for 3 months now and cant stand the side effects, so have opted not to continue with it, so I am just waiting for it to wear off.
Not everyone has bad effects, I suppose you just have to see what it does to you, sorry thats not much help. I don’t for one minute regret having the chemo though, especially as I am not going ahead with the hormone treatment.
Hope your treatment goes well, best wishes.
Deborahxxx
Hi Jackie and Deborah,
Jackie - I think what you’re on will be EC or FEC, then taxotere. How have your children taken the news? It’s been the hardest thing, telling the children each time there’s a bit more information.
As for the menopause - at least i guess we’ll be getting it over with quickly. Other stuff i’ve read about is the risk of osteoporosis, getting fatter around the tummy, and losing collagen in the skin so you start to look more wrinkly. Great!!! Lots to look forward to!
One lady I know who had a hysterectomy threw away all her old knickers and bought loads of lovely lingerie, to celebrate no more periods. Got to look on the bright side, eh?
I’m rooting for you with the chemo next week. Have you read the thread about good ideas for while having chemo?
love Jacquie x
Hi Jacquie,
I think my chemo is EC 4 cycles then the taxotere,also 4.
The children were upset but have really made alot of the positive side of mum being home more etc The one thing they are both worried about is people laughing at me because I am going to be bald. I wont be letting any one see me bald believe me!!! Well the children if they ask and want to.
How do I find the thread about ideas while on chemo, I did search the site but was unable to find it, or do you mean the archive of this forum???
Hmmmmmmmm the change, cant wait to look like a wrinkly!!! Think I might go go boots and buy all the anti -aging cream now!!! Do you think the more I put on the less I will age, Oh I wish.
Dreading the chemo but at least it is the first part of killing this dreadful thing nesting in my right breast.
Take care
Love Jackie xxxx
Hi Jackie
I was 41 when dx in Aug, so far i ahve had 3 FEC and my period has continued throughout. Mentioned this to the onc who said it doesn’t always bring on the menopause. Like you i am not looking forward to the flushes and wrinkles.
I was also dreading the chemo before it started and whilst not pleasant, for me it has been doable. As others have said have a look at Kelly’s chemo top tips there really useful and any questions remember to ask
Lesley
X
I’m 44 yrs and am on 4 x Epi and 4 x Xeloda…my periods stopped after the 2nd cycle, and I’ve had hot flushes, but to be honest, they’re not as bad as I expected. I feel myself heating up, especially the face, take off my sweater, then a couple of minutes later it’s over and the sweater goes back on! I don’t think anyone else would notice, as I don’t redden, but it must seem odd seeing me take my jumper on and off and on and off and… !!! It’s never kept me awake at night and I’ve only experienced a couple of incidents of feeling a sweat coming on in the middle of the night! I guess everyone gets it differently, but so far, it’s not been nearly as bad as I’d thought it would be! Maybe there’s more to come?!!
AliS