Menopause after chemo

Kathy has described my own experience to a T which makes me think it could be fairly common with chemo induced meno.I was also 42 when I had chemo.HER2+.  I experienced the same symptoms and also eventually fell over.  I am now on Pristiq ( anti depressants) 100mg, and will continue to take them as they are one of the cleaner drugs for the liver, and when I did try to go off them, the symptoms reappeared. I still get flushes and sweats but am managing them better. I am hoping of course that your journey is more gentle!!

Regards, Annie

TNBC = triple negative breast cancer. ..ok.. got it.

I was HER negative, oestrgen negative, progesterone negative.. i think.. first time.

 Had chemo.. and early menopause. Had lots of flushes and fuzzy thinking, also was depressed, irritable and fought the effects i think. I had some suicidal ideation too, and crying more. I eventually went and spoke to a psychiatrist.

 Natural remedies.. not sure about what to use.

Now I have adjusted to slowing down, and try and go with how I feel. If I am tired, I rest, and pace myself.

Not sure how it is for a younger woman to go through early menopause. I was 42 and peri-menopausal, before I had treatment.

I have heard of black cohosh for flushes and night sweats. I did try a few things. I also changed my diet a bit.. more lentils, beans, low sat fat, lots of vegies, seasonal fruits, nuts, fish, lean meats, wholegrain cereals, low fat dairy. etc.

I am on a low dose of antidepresant ( zoloft 50 mgs... but there are others also .. eg, endep ) that help you feel better mood, sleep better, less flushes, less irritable and calmer. They can also help with reducing "perception " of pain ( which if you have chronic pain/ discomfort, can increase likelihood of becoming depressed )

I was avised to try them for 2 weeks, to see if the medication helped, and they did.  Some  people come off them after 6 to 12 months. They are not addictive, I was told. I got quite bad before I sought help. I would advise to seek help earlier, rather than later. 

I started off on 50 mgs daily, for a week; then went up to 100mgs daily and 150 mgs for a short while.. then back to 100 mgs, now 50 mgs..I sometimes even take 25 mgs.. and might go onto that this year..see how  I go on it.. and maybe even stop them....

One day I might come off them again.  I did it before, but, after a couple of months I had more discomfort, low mood, was irritable, low concentration, crying more again, and waking up in the night... so I might stay on them. No point in being miserable and not coping, I think now. I take a relatively low dose.

I am much better now, hardly any flushes, and have adjusted to physical and emotional aspects of menopause and other issues from the BC experience. It did take a few years though. Be kind to yourself, you have been through a lot. 

Maybe " google"..." natural remedies  early menopuase  younger women" also.

 I like to try different foods.. for menopause also, so maybe google that.

I have drier skin now; knees that are becoming more creaky, less muscle mass, plus need to watch calcium for bones. I take fish oil sometimes, caltrate sometimes, acidophylis sometimes and I try and eat a variety of good food, plus manage stress in my life. I also like early morning or late  sunshine on my skin for vit D.

 Doing something every day that you like to do / are passionate about, also helps.

" We are cracking up" my friend said... LOL, but if you can have a good laugh, it helps.

 Leonie, I too need to make a conscious effort to get  fitter in 2012, while not pushing myself too hard.

good luck, TC.... Kathy. OOXX.

TNBC = triple negative breast cancer. ..ok.. got it.

I was HER negative, oestrgen negative, progesterone negative.. i think.. first time.

 Had chemo.. and early menopause. Had lots of flushes and fuzzy thinking, also was depressed, irritable and fought the effects i think. I had some suicidal ideation too, and crying more. I eventually went and spoke to a psychiatrist.

 Natural remedies.. not sure about what to use.

Now I have adjusted to slowing down, and try and go with how I feel. If I am tired, I rest, and pace myself.

Not sure how it is for a younger woman to go through early menopause. I was 42 and peri-menopausal, before I had treatment.

I have heard of black cohosh for flushes and night sweats. I did try a few things. I also changed my diet a bit.. more lentils, beans, low sat fat, lots of vegies, seasonal fruits, nuts, fish, lean meats, wholegrain cereals, low fat dairy. etc.

I am on a low dose of antidepresant ( zoloft 50 mgs... but there are others also .. eg, endep ) that help you feel better mood, sleep better, less flushes, less irritable and calmer. They can also help with reducing "perception " of pain ( which if you have chronic pain/ discomfort, can increase likelihood of becoming depressed )

I was avised to try them for 2 weeks, to see if the medication helped, and they did.  Some  people come off them after 6 to 12 months. They are not addictive, I was told. I got quite bad before I sought help. I would advise to seek help earlier, rather than later. 

I started off on 50 mgs daily, for a week; then went up to 100mgs daily and 150 mgs for a short while.. then back to 100 mgs, now 50 mgs..I sometimes even take 25 mgs.. and might go onto that this year..see how  I go on it.. and maybe even stop them....

One day I might come off them again.  I did it before, but, after a couple of months I had more discomfort, low mood, was irritable, low concentration, crying more again, and waking up in the night... so I might stay on them. No point in being miserable and not coping, I think now. I take a relatively low dose.

I am much better now, hardly any flushes, and have adjusted to physical and emotional aspects of menopause and other issues from the BC experience. It did take a few years though. Be kind to yourself, you have been through a lot. 

Maybe " google"..." natural remedies  early menopuase  younger women" also.

 I like to try different foods.. for menopause also, so maybe google that.

I have drier skin now; knees that are becoming more creaky, less muscle mass, plus need to watch calcium for bones. I take fish oil sometimes, caltrate sometimes, acidophylis sometimes and I try and eat a variety of good food, plus manage stress in my life. I also like early morning or late  sunshine on my skin for vit D.

 Doing something every day that you like to do / are passionate about, also helps.

" We are cracking up" my friend said... LOL, but if you can have a good laugh, it helps.

 Leonie, I too need to make a conscious effort to get  fitter in 2012, while not pushing myself too hard.

good luck, TC.... Kathy. OOXX.

Best wishes to you.  I hope someone "young" gives you some answers to your query.  About 18 months ago it was noted by my gyne that I still had hormones and that I hadn't gone through menopause (at age 53!!!! - mum went through menopause when she was 56).  Anyway I have had the rediagnosis, chemo etc etc since.  I don't have periods anymore, some hot flushes but I think I have "weathered" menopause okay.  Anything is better than chemo!!!!!!  Hope you get some answers XLeonie   PS   I hope you are going to kick up your heels for New Year.   My New Year's resolution is to Get Fit and Eat healthy food.  I really want to get back to my level of fitness pre second diagnosis.