Hi Im 46 now, diagnoed at 43. I had a lumpectomy and axila disection for triple negative cancer. Warned I would likely end up infertile after treatment. I had 4 cycles of EC 3 weeks apart and then 4 Taxol cycles 2 weeks apart. Periods stopped after the first Taxol . 12 months later I was put on HRT but withough checking for definite that i had done though the menopause! After taking HRT for 6 months I started have very lihght / short persions so they stopped the HRT but still didn't do any blood hormone tests to see what was happening. Then nothing much happened for amost 2 years until 3 months ago, I had the most horredous period and actually went to the Drs about it. Blood hormone tests and a scan later, it turns out I HADN'T gone through an early menopause afterall (despite what various docs and specialists had said previously!) because of the chemo and hormones were as they should be for a woman my age, Oh and I aslo now have fibroiods :-( Now I'm wondering if the fibroids have been caused by the excess levels of oestrogen that must have been in my system thaks to the HRT !! Anuway, I have since had 2 more very paiful and very heavy periods and all my GP suggested was getting a coil fitter !
Sorry that was a bit longer than I intended ! I would suggest asking fora blood test to see what your hormones are up to. Rchel xxx
hi dear,
just read your story hope you have your period back , i havent had my period for 2 moths , worrying so much , i just engaged and we want tohave baby
having menopuse system is killing me , crying nonstop , feeling hopeless eventhouh i believe there is always a hope
so i wish your helath and your period back like i am wishing myself at the same time , i know we will
wish you the best
irem
hi dear
hope everything going well on your side just want to ask you that
are you still having your period? i am curious because i have the similar stroy going , but i am 34 years old
doctor told me it looks my menopuse started , havent had my period for 2 months , worring sso much
chemo also finished 2 moths ago
wish you well
So after 2.5 yrs ofnot having a period, mine returned today. Is this normal? Should I be concerned after it being so long? Im not sure what to think about this. I thought I was done. My doctor did tell me that it may or may not return.
Hi.
I was 35 when diagnosed 36 when I finished 3 x fec and 3 x docetaxel
My periods came back today, 7 months after my last docetaxel and probably approx 6 months after the chemo left my system. My periods stopped half way through chemo just after the start of docetaxel.
FYI I saw a fertility doc and she said that immature eggs stored deep in your ovaries take 6-9 months to develop and mature at which point they get to the surface of your ovaries. Then they are released, and soon after that you will have a period. She said the developing ones are likely to get damaged by the chemo. Therefore, if all of the developing ones are damaged, it will take 6-9 months after the chemo drugs are out of your system (at least) before any new ones develop and come to the surface. She was exactly right in my case.
Hi chewbecca,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums, you've come to the right place for some good, honest support from the many informed users of this site.
While you are waiting for replies, I have put for you below links to some of BCC's publications you might find helpful. Also our helpline team are just a free phone call away, 0808 800 6000 lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
Hi All. I was diagnosed with aggressive non-hormonal breast cancer in Jan 2005, aged 29. Had lumpectomy, followed by 6 cycles of FEC chemotherapy, then daily radiotherapy concluding in November 2005. I had Zoladex implant to temporarily shut down my ovaries, to protect my fertility during chemo. When my treatment finished, my periods came back within four weeks of the Zoladex implant wearing off, in 2005. Fast forward to December 2013, and I have been trying to conceive since having my coil taken out in Jan 2012 (implanted 2008). I am starting to wonder if the chemotherapy may have some way damaged my ovarian reserve, or the quality of my eggs. I have had an ultrasound scan of my uterus and ovaries in August 2012 and all was normal. The sonographer said a follicle on my left ovary was enlarged and about to release an egg, but no good news to date. Any advice? Does me having periods mean I am fertile? I am producing viable eggs? I have a regular cycle, average 27 days... Thanks,
Hello MJ
Thank you for your post and welcome to the forums.
I'm not sure that this is the best forum for you but as you are looking for support from other ladies who have been through chemo I have set your post live.
I would suggest that you maybe look at the Macmillan Website as the support from them my be more tailored to your present needs, here is a link to their site. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/LymphomaHodgkin/Hodgkinlymphoma.aspx
With best wishes
June, moderator
Hello,
I happened upon your post. I am a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and am desperately searching the web for a relative story.
I was diagnosed Stage III in Oct 08 at the age of 31. I did 3 different forms of Chemotherapy to get Remission in Nov 09. I was told after the 2nd Chemo that I was in Ovarian Failure. I underwent a Stem Cell Transplant in Dec 09, followed with 4 months of Radiation. Almost immediately went through menopause symptoms and was later told I was Post Menopausal. This was 3 years ago....
8 months ago I started HRT because I was just so miserable and I have to say that it really has helped. 2 weeks ago I got a menstrual cycle - almost 7 days long. I have no idea what it means and whether I will ever have one again. I was just curious if you have continued to have a cycle?....
I appreciate story. It is nice to have someone to relate to.
Just wanted to say that I am 4/6 through FEC chemo - TN so no hormone issues and have family sorted so not worried about fertility issues - hubby had vasectomy years ago - but since my first FEC in Jan I have had three periods - no sign of them stopping - arriving as normal - I am 38 and my mum went through menopause at this age so I am quite surprised that they haven't stopped - they must not stop in everyone?
Bumping up for Emily
Hi ladies thought about this thread this week.I finished my EC chemo on oct 27th and had my last period (if you can call it that )the day after. When i started my rads i started hot sweats and sleeplessness and continued to have no periods. This week 6 months later my periods returned. Im 43 and hormone negative .
Sharon xx
Hi Raechi
My friend had chemo twice & had zoladex to protect her ovaries & now has a little boy to show for it so I'd say go for it x
Twinky x
Hi All,
I am so glad i found this thread. I am just embarking on my chemo journey (i start tomrrow) having been diagnosed 6 weeks ago at 36. I've not had any children yet and do want some and i have been offered Zoladex during chemo - and i really dont know what to do.
Its nice to see so many ladies on here where there periods have come back. It gives me some hope - but i am in a proprer dilemma as to what to do re: Zoladex.
Why did my onc only tell me today when i need to decided tomorrow. Grrrr.
i am ER7, so i dont know how they will treat me in the future considering i do want to have little ones. Will wait and see, but seeing some of the posts on here i am glad to see my chance of being a mum may not be gone forever.
Rae
x
Hi I think I'm a little different here.
2006 DX:35yrs
Periods were very irregular prior to treatment, had gone as much as 8mths between periods( I had polycystic ovaries syndrome).
Had 3 fec and 3 tax + radio.
My tumour was aggressive and hormone sensitive.
I had no treatment to protect my ovaries from treatment.
Periods returned after last chemo and have been every 4 weeks like clockwork since then.I wasn't expecting to go through the puberty I should have had 20yrs before, and I have to say my mood swings were fairly spectacular.
I noticed a a big change all round in terms of my periods and all that goes with them.
In April 2010 I came off tamoxifen in order to have my second child, 5mths later I was pregnant without any assistance. I was taken off the tamoxifen because of the possible damage to a foetus. It can be so radically different for each of us that whilst the docs can take an educated guess there is no hard and fast rule (I was told I would go through a menopause and my periods may never return).
I hope things settle for you and that the responses you've had from us all are of some use or comfort.
Nicci x
Hi there
Tors - Not great timing is it!
I was about to turn 46 when diagnosed and pre-menopausal. I'd had a hysterectomy so no periods but had had blood test prior to diagnosis for other health reasons to check hormone levels.
Post chemo I was definitely menopausal for a whole 18 months. My surgeon was convinced that was it and that I should be switched from tamoxifen to an aromotase inhibitor. My Mum didn't have menopause until late fifties so I had a sneaking suspicion that my ovaries might kick back in. My Onc also didn't see it as clear cut and so they agreed I could have bloods checked every 6 months.
Sure enough 18 months later showed that my ovaries had once again kicked in - oestrogen levels had risen and FSH etc not indicating menopause at all anymore.
Here I am now at 48 and still not in menopause and still on tamoxifen. My oestrogen levels aren't that high though now so probably more like peri menopausal which I think can go on for years before actual menopause.
My tumour was 8/8 ER+ and 8/8 PR+ and I did query the need for zoladex or oophrectomy and told that tamoxifen was sufficient.
Elinda x