Hi Seasider
Im due to have oopherectomy in July and was wondering if you also had op by keyhole? If so, how long after could you drive/lift things?
Thanks
Hi lolly73
Couldn,t have keyhole surgery as had to many adhesions in stomach from 2 other ops i,ve had in past, still recovered quite quickly, couldn,t drive for 2 weeks,Think most surgeons try keyhole first then if carn,t do it do open surgery, good luck
Lornaxxx
Hi
I hadn’t read this thread before but just wanted to add my two pennyworth! I had BC initially in 2003, strongly ER+, had WLE, rads, Zoladex and Tamoxifen. After 2 years on Zoladex I wanted my ovaries removed, I was 41 at the time and had completed my family. I was talked out of it by my onc and surgeon for the same reasons as listed above. However last year I was dx with secondaries to the bone and I am convinced they started when my oestrogen levels rose again after coming off Zoladex. There’s obviously no proof of this but it’s my opinion. I have now had chemo for the bone mets and a local recurrence and went onto Zoladex, again, afterwards. However this time I insisted on getting rid of my ovaries and had them ablated with radiotherapy in November last year. This is another option to surgery but not to be taken lightly as I suffered with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for about a month after - not much fun. I avoided surgery due to having previously having had a Caesarian so would have probably ended up not having keyhole surgery. It is interesting how different onc’s have opposite views about removal of your ovaries but I would say insist on what route you want to take, they can’t refuse you and there shouldn’t be a need to pay for private surgery. It’s your body and your life after all.
Nicky
What a great thread, since I went in for my own ooph 6 wks ago felt so uninformed, but learned so much from all.
I had keyhole, which went well, even after a previous c-section (12yrs ago tho) and after a couple of days of continuous painkillers, the whole thing settles down very quickly. Stopped tamox just before op and had a month holiday from all drugs (hercept just finished too) which was magic. Felt sooooo much better overnight. No more fluctuation from the drugs for a while was such a relief. I changed oncs half way through treatment after chemo over an arguement about hormone drug sideaffects. He was old school and wouldnt listen to my questions/concerns. New, younger onc neva suggested ooph but happily agreed was good option when I requested. My treatment has all been through private insurance though, so dont know what obstacles I’d have faced on the NHS. Nonetheless, its the same doctors we see and their advice we use, despite who pays the bill!
Thanks so much for best wishes and same back to everyone about to go for it.
The only trouble I’ve had is the inital week starting taking Armidex. Every time oestrogen levels go down more you get a kick in the pants physically and emotionally, but it has settled and the flushes etc, life in general is so much easier than on tamox and zol.
With a yearly bone scan to keep an eye on things, calcium supplements are available, which dont have horrible side affects.
thinking of everyone who’s been there and going for it xxxx
Hi Jan
Im booked in for ooph in July. Just wondering how soon you could drive or lift things after keyhole? How easy was it to move about after? Thanks!
I am due my pre-med for ooph in a couple of weeks and will arrange a date for the op at that time.
I am pleased to read that keyhole was successful following a 12yr old c-section. I had one 14 years ago so am ever hopeful keyhole will be possible…I was told 80% of the time it is.
Was just wondering - how do you compare the recovery for the ooph to a c-section?
I am on NHS and similarly my Onc didn’t suggest the op to me but was more than happy to put me forward for it once I had brought up the subject…she is also young, upbeat and always sees the bigger picture, unlike many of my friends who have mail oncs!!!
Well i went in to my appointment all fired up with my points of view all sorted in my head and ready for battle. The oncologist came in apologised for being so long but he wanted to see me to discuss my letter asked me how I was, I made my little speech, he did the usual grope and poke and then said as I was obviously well aware of the risks/benefits he was more than happy to refer me and I would be hearing from the OOPH team soon.
As simple as that…why the blue blazes couldnt they have just done that in the first place. Did they think I was joking the first 5 tiimes I asked about it??? Not that I am complaing but honestly!!!
To be fair the man is lovely and I have never had a problem in the past so I shouldnt really be surprised. But Hooray!!! Never thought I would be celebrating pending surgery but Woo Hoo!!!
Thanks for all the advice and information.
As ever BC ladies to the rescue. Who needs google.
Love and luck to all.
S x
Morning Custard,
So pleased to hear they have finally listened to you, its about time.
Good luck with the gyne app sure evrything will be fine. Keep us updated and im really chuffed for you brill news.
Take Care
Leslee x
glad you got the result you wanted Cutard.
I imagine we will probably be getting ‘done’ at around the same time.
By the way…if you google ‘oophorectomy’ you get the animal equivalent of ‘spey’ come up!!!
Had to laugh!
Hi Pheebster
When is your ooph? Mine is July 9th.
Are you on tamoxifen? I am, and am wondering if they will change me to arimidex after, have they mentioned this to you?
Lolly
Hi Lolly,
I just wanted to say that they kept me on tamoxifen after my ooph and hystrectomy, i had mine feb just gone.
Good luck ladies
Take Care
Leslee x
Hi Leslee
Thanks for your reply. Why do some stay on tamoxifen after removal of ovaries, while others are changed to arimidex? Is it the usual case of different oncs opinions, or is there a medical reason?!
Hi Lolly,
Im sorry, but i cant answer question. I was shocked at even having to stay on tamoxifen, i thought if you had everything out you didnt need anything because your not producing estrogen but i suppose if it was high to start with then there not gonna take any risks. Maybe someone else can answer, id like to know too.
Good Luck for July.
Take Care
Leslee x
i had ovaries out april 08 been on tax for 3yrs now, ask consultant if i was going to change to arimidex,said no cause this has lots of side effects to and that it,s not worth changin if ya used to tax, hope this helps
Lornaxxx
Hi Lolly - I dont know how old you are. I am 48.
Chemo has already thrown me into menopause, but to be sure of this I would have to come off tamoxifen for 3 months prior to getting a blood test to prove it.
Once I have my ooph I will be on tamoxifen for another month - just while the oestrogen seeps away (sounds sad doen’t it).
I am then going on to a newer drug called Femara also known as Letrozole which has been proven to be slightly more effective than arimidex. But then what do we know…so many different opinions out there held by different consultants/PCTs…
I was told that once you are period free for 12 months you are considered to have had your menopause and then put onto arimidex. You should also be monitored for bone density during that time.
I will fix my op date on Monday and will let you know once it is confirmed.
Hi Pheebster
I am 35, but I havent had a period for 13 months cos I have been on zoladex, so dont know if that counts as menopausal!?
Seeing my onc in 4 wks, so see what he says then.
I think the worry is at your age that the chemo (if you had it) and tamox can give you all the menopause symptoms but then periods can return years later.
I was surprised ooph patients stay on tamoxifen but I was told by my onc that even a year of arimidex can improve percentages of a recurrence. But as I said earlier, I think the consultants all have different ideas…and I am sure age has a great deal to do with it.
I will add one thing though - the cost of tamoxifen is around £2 to your GP whereas Arimidex is around £90 and that is per month!
Makes you wonder…
Hello - This is the first time I’ve contributed to this site (if it’s any help to anyone out there.) I am 43 now (diagnosed at 41) and have had everything - L mastectomy (oestrogen positive, grade 3), axillary clearance (2 nodes affected),8 cycles of chemo (TACT2 trial), 3 wks radiotherapy - then a very surprising stroke (yes!) which was quite a shock. So with hormone treatment planned: no Tamoxifen allowed as it has an increased risk of blood clots apparently. I was therefore put on Zoladex and then Arimidex tablets once my oestrogen levels were shown to be low enough. I was unhappy with having to have both drug applications indefinitely, so was given a laparascopic oopherectomy last month. I have to say that it went totally without incident and I am really pleased to have had it done. No discomfort at the time, quick recovery (in fact I went on holiday, flying abroad for the first time in 6 years 3 wks after the op.) No new menopausal side effects at all since the oopherectomy and at least I know that I am “properly” (surgically) menopausal now (not just halted with Zoladex.) My situation was a little bit complicated, having had a stroke, but I was keen to have my ovaries out from the start. Had something of a wait but that was also because I had a DIEP (belly) breast reconstruction at the end of last year. Am happy to share any of these experiences with anyone interested. Next check up with the breast clinic is tomorrow morning. Good luck to all.
Hi Beachgirl
Just wondering how soon after the ooph you could drive? What about swimming?
Were you up and about very quickly after the op?
I have this op next month and am looking for any advice people can give.
Thanks
I had bilateral salpingo ooph just over 2 years ago. It was planned for keyhole method but they found a lot of adhesion so opened me up like a can of sardines! I had to stay 4 nights instead of one but I cycled 15m round trip to my checkup 15 days after the op so I’d say don’t worry about driving, lifting etc. for perhaps 2 weeks.
D