Forum Discussion

KylieG's avatar
KylieG
Member
5 years ago

Menopausal Symptoms

Well I'm coming to the end of my chemotherapy treatment- wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.   First I had four rounds of AC followed by 12 weekly doses of TCH (I'm double negative, HER2 positive) and there has been a massive reduction in the tumour and my lymph nodes look pretty clear now too!  Yay!  I'll be on the Herceptin for a year though.  I just wanted to ask a question regarding menopausal symptoms for anyone who's been through them: I am getting hot flashes constantly, like every 1/2 hour to hour.  My head gets covered in sweat, I throw everything off, and then a few minutes later I'm cold again and put everything back on.  Driving my family crazy turning the a/c on and off all the time lol!!  But- here's the weird thing, I've been getting period type cramps, like ovary and uterus pain, and I want to know, is this part of menopause or are my periods getting ready to come back?  They've been gone for a few months now but the cramps are intensifying.  Also my hair is growing back, it started coming back when I switched from AC to Pacilotaxen.  And my surgery is going ahead but they're not doing much in the way of reconstructions because that's not considered "essential" :9 I had been hoping for a double breast reduction and now they're saying they can only do the one breast.  And if I have to have a full mastectomy there's no reconstructions on the cards!  Anyway thanks if you're reading this, love to all during this scary time!
Kylie
chemotherapy
coping
herceptin
menopause
  • KylieG's avatar
    KylieG
    Member
    5 years ago
    Thanks so much everyone, it's good to know I'm not alone!
  • StarGirl's avatar
    StarGirl
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @KylieG, I had a very similar experience with paclitaxel also at age 41. I had horrible ‘chemopause’ during treatment. The night sweats were the worst. I can’t remember exactly when the hot flushes etc stopped, but while my period stopped completely during treatment, it came back about 6 months after I finished chemo and has been regular since with no more menopause type symptoms. I am also on herceptin and perjeta and they haven’t given me any issues of this kind. What you’re experiencing may be temporary due to the drugs, but depending what effect it has on your ovaries/hormones may push you into menopause proper. It’s a bit of a waiting game unfortunately. All the best x
  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @KylieG,
    Chemo induced menopause is digusting to say the least and I think the minimum amount you are warned about it prior to treatment quite negligent really.  Considering it pretty much alters your life overnight there really should be more preparation for it. 
    Just search hot flushes on here and you will get pages and pages of discussion about the subject.  I had the same chemo as you, had one treatment and everything came to a screeming halt.  Add in hormone therapy after that and I would never want to re live those first 12 - 18 months of flushes eewwwww
    I sympathise with you sweet. Hopefully your body sorts itself out faster than mine has.
     xoxoxo 
  • Katy_Sodapop's avatar
    Katy_Sodapop
    Member
    5 years ago
    The hot flushes could be due to menopause or it can be a side effect of the chemo or steroids. My hot flushes during chemo sound like yours and they are incredibly intense with a lot of sweat and severe night sweats. My onc said it was most likely the chemotherapy and once I started meds to stop producing hormones it was definitely a different kind of hot flush and that's when I reached forced menopause 
    It's not nice is it! Hopefully the cooler weather helps you 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    5 years ago
    Regrowth seems to vary a lot. I hadn’t expected my hair to start growing back as long as I was having chemo but it started about halfway through Taxol. Slow and just fluff to begin with but bit by bit.........my wig was a lot more attractive than my start-out hair, but I was still glad to have it back, white, frizzy, curly and all! 
  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    Maybe you’re right that with the weekly doses your ovaries  can be more active. And since your hair is growing a little it seems like some things begin to work again. I am growing some hair down below but none on my head unfortunately and I have just had my 10th dose. 
    I know these hot flashes and sweats are uncomfortable, and then I am so cold the rest of the time. A bald head is good when it’s hot but now it’s not funny at all. 
  • KylieG's avatar
    KylieG
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi Ddon
    Thanks for the commiseration!  I'm 41 but periods were full on before all this, I think I had 3-4 after treatment started but they've been gone a little while now.  I guess there's no way to tell what the cramps are about for now but I think I've had some breast tenderness too so I'm thinking since I'm getting the Paxiltaxel (Copied your spelling as I got it so disastrously wrong in my OP lol) in weekly mini-doses instead of the bigger 3-weekly dose, maybe its effects on my hormones are weakened and it's all coming back?  Just an idea.  Communication with my Onco has been sketchy at this point due to Corona and tele appointments with other people.  I do hope these hot flushes don't last years, they're very difficult at night!  
  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi Kylie, I know all about the hot flashes. I am 9 sessions into paclitaxel (after AC). I spend my nights either a lather of sweat under the fan or pulling all the covers on. Then the days - dripping sweat or getting a jacket on and a beanie for my bald head.  And next I have to start tamoxifen and I’ve been told these sweats can go on for years. Not much fun. I haven’t had any pelvic cramps at all so can’t advise on them. My last period was January 1 month after starting AC. I am 47 but still had regular periods prior to bc. You look so young - maybe your periods will start back. 
    I am sorry you can’t get your reconstruction done now with this virus - it all adds extra frustration and stress. Take care of yourself xx