Should I be scared?

PatriceH · 04-03-2010, 02:49 PM

First, next week, I have my first mammogram after a year of chemo, lumpectomy radiation. I sure hope it's clear.

Second, I was premenopausal, chemo put me into menopause. doctor said due to my age (49) that most likely I won't get that monthly "gift" back.

But that past few weeks, I've had symptoms of PMS...back hurts, feelings of ovulation, etc. I'm hoping it doesn't come back, but then again, if it doesn't what the heck is going on with my body?

I will be seeing my family doctor for a pap smear in a few weeks, so depending on what happens or doesn't happen, I can surely ask him. I don't see the oncologist until the end of May.

What is the experience of others on this?

tricia keegan · 04-03-2010, 04:03 PM

Hi Patrice,

I was 46 and in chemo pause too!

My onc said my period could return up to a year or more later so I decided on having an ooph and have no regrets. I've been taking arimidex since '06 and doing well still, I was highly triple pos so wanted to ensure the period would not return!
Hope your mammo is clear too and good luck!

Becky · 04-03-2010, 05:03 PM

I was 46 and got the gift back 7 months after chemo ended. Like Tricia, I got an ooph so I could take Arimidex and never looked back. You could get it back again.

v-ness · 04-03-2010, 06:36 PM

get this one, i had my uterus and one ovary taken out over a year ago because of endometriosis, fibroids, etc. and yet i can absolutely tell that i am not menopausal even in spite of the chemopause. but i too have had the feeling of ovulation some months. there is no mistaking that feeling, and my breasts have also gotten swollen. my onco never remember that i have no uterus and is always asking when my last period was, argh. but i know she must see so many people, so why remember my period. anyway, given this fact, i am going on tamoxifen right after radiation and i've had a test to determine my hormone level, which will be repeated for months until she thinks i am post-menopausal and can switch off tamoxifen. our bodies are mysterious things!

Lien · 04-04-2010, 09:29 AM

I was on zoladex for 5 years to stop my ovaries. I stopped taking the shots 6 months ago, and now at age 50 the Gift came back. Sigh.