Menstrual Cycle
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Forum Name: TNBC Polls & Surveys
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URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=5366
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Topic: Menstrual Cycle
Posted By: Tangie
Subject: Menstrual Cycle
Date Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 2:39pm
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Does the menstrual cycle return after chemo and radiation treatment?
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DX & Surgery 3/6/09, stage 1, lumpectomy, 2 cm, no nodes
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Replies:
Posted By: kirby
Date Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:57pm
depends on your age and type of chemo. The close you are to menopause, the least likely cycles will return. Example: I was told at age 44, with having AC that I had a 10% or less chance of cycles resuming. For me, I took going into menopause as a benefit [ got to make lemonade when handed lemons.]
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44
Lumpectomy
2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3
4 rnds AC, 35 rads
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Posted By: Kellyless
Date Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 10:37pm
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It depends on the chemo regimen for sure. I was 45 and pre-menapausal, I had a CT and ultrasound of my ovaries before chemo that showed I was chock full o follicles, so still had years to go before I'd be menapausal. I am way menapausal now. I haven't met anyone that had my regimen - 4 dense dose AC every two weeks, 4 taxol every two weeks - that got periods back, no matter their age. It seems to be the ovary killer formula. I thought it would be just dandy, no more periods or chance of pregancy - my kids are 22 & 16 so fab on the no pregnancy. But I now know it's more problematic to be plunged into menapause like this than I thought. If I'd had this knowledge, and there had been a magic pill to not go into menapause, have a few more years of the benefits of the natural process. AND - no picnic recovering from all the treatment, with the menapause cherry on top. I know there are clinical trials of stuff to put your ovaries "to sleep" and reawaken them after chemo. If I could go back in time I'd say YES to that trial and go for it.
My husband said the other night, has I fanned myself during a hot flash at dinner, "Well, at least you don't have PMS anymore". That's a true statement, and I hadn't thought about that! So that's the good thing, I guess. No pregnancy & no PMS - those are my positives.
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IDC, 2.2 cm, Stage IIb,lumpectomy 1/30/09 ACx4,Tx4 36 rads
6/1/16 Local recurrence same breast, same spot 1.8cm Carb.4x every 3 wks, Taxol 12x once wk. Dbl Mast. PCR!! Reconstruction fail, NED!
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Posted By: unklez
Date Posted: Dec 16 2009 at 12:31am
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It's a pity doctors don't even mention Lupron to women. We had to ask about it and then wife's oncologist says "are you not done making babies?"...... It's not just about making babies. It is about having a lifetime of hormones that nature intended you to have...
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Wife Dx: Jul/09. Age: 37. Size: 3cm. BRCA: -ve. Lumpectomy: Aug/09. Micromet 1/9 node. Chemo Start: Sep/09. E5103. DD ACB-> DD Abraxane (Taxol reaction). Zometa (S0307). Canadian Fraction Rads.
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Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 9:59pm
My period came back a month after I finished chemo. Dose dence AC every 2 weeks X4 and 12 weekly taxol treatments. Very regular my hot flashes have almost disapeared. :o)
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Ariana
34 at DX 04/01/2009
Mastectomy bilateral
DCIS IDC TNBC stage 3c grade 3, 18 positive lymph nodes
TX DD AC x4 Taxol x12
Rads x25 completed 11/16/09
BRCA 1&2 neg
Avastin X18 done :o)
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Posted By: Ricki
Date Posted: Dec 21 2009 at 1:26am
This is very dependent on the individual. I was 39 and diagnosed and my onco was adamant I would go into menopause. I certainly began having hot flashes etc about halfway through chemo.
Finished chemo in June and finished rads in early September. Blood test in October 'confirmed' I was menopausal. 2 weeks later I got my period. Got my 2nd period, exactly 28 days later last week! My doctor then said that sometimes it takes a while for your ovaries to kick back in but when they do, they can kick in fast! Now thats my story but from what my doctor and nurse have told me I am unusual and that they may not last.
Ironically, I had opted not to have any fertility preserving measures even though I am single and without children. I just accepted that I'd missed that boat. Not sure what the universe is trying to tell me now! ;->
Dx Dec 24 2008. Lumpectomy and re-excision January 2009. 1.5cm
basal-like tumour plus invasion into the margins. Axillary dissection
(1 node of 12). Stage 2A, Grade 3. Completed 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
chemo and 30 rads. Negative for BRCA 1 and 2.
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Posted By: amylynn
Date Posted: Dec 21 2009 at 12:23pm
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I am 37 and just had my period return. I had my last on in March 09 when I started chemo and I finished my chemo in Aug 09. I didn't really think it would return, but last week I was having signs of PMS-crying and eating anything sweet, salty, and fried that I could get my hands on and then it came. I just got to the point last week that I took my scarf off and then my period came back..so feel like my body is getting back to normal.
Amy
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36 at dx IDC 2/09, 8cmx3cm grade 3,BRCA1, Cl Trial-4- Taxotere,4-AC,6-Avastin,4 cycl Xeloda
9/09-rght mast.w/tissue exp
PCR
Avastin x10,28 rads,done 7/10
left mast/w bi-lat DIEP & OOPH
Mets 6/2012
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Posted By: girlpower731
Date Posted: Dec 21 2009 at 4:51pm
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I really hope that I get my periods back. I am 32, married, no children but want them. I have been getting lupron shots each month. I was actually debating if I should get the last shot b/c I will have to pay around $300 out of pocket for this one (the others were donated) but now I'm thinking I really need that last shot.
I truly believe that everyone is different in how that react to things like treatment so I have my fingers crossed that it all works out for me and that in time I am able to have a healthy baby in the future.
Girlpower
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dx: age 31. Stage 2a, BRCA1/2 -, Lumpectomy 8/09, AC/Taxol dense dose 9/09-1/10
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Posted By: Barb-42
Date Posted: Dec 26 2009 at 9:39pm
I was 42 at dx. as soon as I was dx. I stopped taking the birth control pill. It has been two years this month since my last cycle. I had dose dense A/C and weekly Taxol for 12 weeks followed by radiation which ended Sept 08. The hot flashes are horrible. I doubt at this point I will have another cycle. I can't say I really mind though.
My onc. says that I probably won't have any more at this point.
Take Care,
Barb
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dx-1/2/08 @ 42 yrs.old
lumpectomy w/close margins/ 1/14/08- no nodes/stage 1/gr.3
1.5 CM IDC
chemo-AC-3 Dose Dense
Taxol wkly 12- 2/21/08-7/17/08
Rads-33 w/8 boosts
8/6/08-9/22/08
BRCA 1/2 Neg.
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Posted By: mom&grandma
Date Posted: Dec 26 2009 at 11:27pm
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Hi Girlpower,
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Bonnie
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Bonnie, mom of Heather, age 32, Dx on 9/1/09 TN IDC Stage 1, 1.4 c, lumpectomy, 10/8/09, DD AC & T, 3/9/10 bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, BRCA 1/2-
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Posted By: Angelstone70
Date Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 2:44pm
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Hi I was 34 when i was dx'd with TNBC and I'm 39 now. 3 months after i finished chemo my period came back every 28 days!
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Posted By: tasoulla
Date Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 3:02pm
Hi Barb,
My mum has horrible hot flashes.......i'm trying to help her as much as i can!!
Are there any tips helping for hot flushes?
Does after chemo stop?
all the best to you all!
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Posted By: kirby
Date Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 7:26pm
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Tasoulla,
Taking lose dose effexor, an antidepressant, is often given for relief of menopausal symptoms. It has been discussed in several threads. Try searching. Otherwise, not drinking hot liquids, not having spicy foods, layering comfortable clothing so one can take off or add as tempertures fluctuate. Is the chemo throwing her into menopause or was your mum already in it? Once chemo stops, it will probably not change. Not to say that hot flashes don't change. They do change over time. For many people they lessen with time.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44
Lumpectomy
2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3
4 rnds AC, 35 rads
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Jan 18 2010 at 8:54pm
Tasoulla,
I was perimenopausal before dx and chemo. Chemo put me into full fledge post-menopause. The hot flashes and night sweats were terrible while going through chemo and shortly thereafter. I still have hot flashes, but they're not as bad or as often. Maybe after your mom is done with treatments they'll be less severe.
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
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Posted By: BossyRenee
Date Posted: Jan 24 2010 at 12:47am
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My menstrual cycle started when I was 11 years old and was like clockwork - every 28 days. Up until I had my kids, it would last for about 4 days. After I had my 2nd and last daughter about 45 min later I had a tubal ligation. My periods then lasted only a day and that was for about 21 years. Prior to dx I noticed I would go into 2, sometimes 3 days and I wodered if menopause was starting. Still every 28 days. I ha a period right before my 1st chemo tx so was not affected. However, my next cycle started on the day it was due but lasted 10 whole days. Flow was still light but just kept going and going. Does this mean I won't have another? I was beginning to have nightsweats prior to this. I have since had somewhat "mild" hotflashes. I would prefer it not come back so just curious.
Anyone else experience this type of pattern?
BossyRenee
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age: 46 - DX:8/17/2009, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- Tested negative for BRCA 1 and 2
Bi-lateral MX w/ TRAM-10/05/09
Chemo-TCx6 Rads to start in April 2010
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