Ovarian function, again

[susie]

I am considering having ovaries removed, as I am 51 and have pre-menopausal FSH and Lutien. Dr. says it could be beneficial, but will put me into instant menopause with flashes and mood swings. What do you think? She does not seem to like Lupron, and I know that ovaries can be llittle "cancermagnets" (my husband's term) anyway.

[susand]

I am 51 also and I was on Lupron for two years. Everything was in the NED normal range--and then six months ago I got off the Lupron on the assumption I was in menopause. My markers have climbed ever since I got off and now they are out of the normal range for the first time in years. I am going to try to get back on the Lupron.

There are side effects from it--which is part of the reason I got off in the first place. But, it can help you control things for a long time.

Best,
Susan in CT

[Isabelle]

I had my ovaries removed laprascopically (spelling?!) and it was an easy surgery for me.

My cancer is ER+ and Her2+. I had a lot of chemo. at age 39 after my original diagnosis and my onc. ASSUMED I was now post menopausal. I was more worried about ovarian cancer and didn't think about the danger of ovarian function to my situation. I was talked out of "unnecessary" surgery.

When my markers started going up two years later and I went off tamoxifen I immediately got my period. We tried zoladex and aromsin, but I kept spotting and presumably ovulating. I wish I had my ovaries out sooner. Than maybe the Aromasin would have worked for me.

I am on Herceptin and Navelbine now and doing well but I would have liked to have spent more time trying the hormonals and think I would have been able to if I had my ovaries out sooner.


Isabelle

[susie]

You can still use hormonals, even aromisin, since you used it with ovarian function. Now you don't have the estrogen produced by the ovaries. It is really shocking to me that they (doctors) don't keep track of a woman's ovarian function. It was a nurse who warned me thjat just because you javen't had a period in years doesn't mean that your body in menopause. Too many things are assumed and this is a life-and-death situation. The way in which cancer is handled sometimes seems so hit-or-miss, I just don't snow what they are thinking. But one thing I know: we have to think for ourselves and do our own sleuthing. I would like to ask, what were your side effects from having your ovaries removed? Mood swings, weight gain, hot flashes, ect? I am ready to do this "old school" thing (that is the term my doctor used) but I know it is permanent and I don't want to ruin my mind, nor be beholden to antidepressants. Please, your experience needed!

[jeff]

Hello Susie,

My partner, Rachel, has been on lupron for over 8 months now, so that she could use Arimidex rather than tamoxifen. She has had virtually no side effects from either lupron or Arimidex. I want to note that among other side effects she has NOT had are hot flashes.

Early menopause does up the chances of having intensified side effects but it's not a 100 % thing.

Rachel takes 800 i.u. of Vitamin E per day as well as lots of IP6, both of which, anecdotally at least, help cut down on menopausal side effects.

Good luck!

And feel free to email me (melnick@babson.edu) if you have more questions...

Best,
Jeff