periods after chemo??

I am also her+ ES + and had a bilateral mastectomy and have started recon. I was very fortunate to have found the lump at stage 1...by chance it was close to the nipple, 5 weeks after a clear annual mammogram. Currently about to complete last cycle of AC chemo and then will start paclitaxol and herceptin which I hope will be easier. Kath

Hi Cat. What good news. Glad the chemo os doing its job. Its awful poison but we have to remember why we are taking the bloody poison. 

You are very young Cat. Did you have any other symptoms other than a lump. I didn't. However I was always tired. Always assumed it was menopause. Lol

What do you mean by cancer markers?

I had scans, mri etc but cant remember that. I had radiation in my nippes to track cancer. Dont know if that is the same.

How long have you been on chemo and did you have radiation. I had double mastectomy node dissection. 4 rounds of EC fortnightly chemo and now 12 weeks of Paclitaxel. I see your on another drug. Is it also chemo.

I will keep in touch if thats ok Cat. Not many see to be HER2. interesting to follow and read what effects some and what doesnt. Its lovely to chat to women going through the same. I find it very kind and heartwarming

Hugs to you Cat.

?? keep in touch Airlie

Hi Airlie,

I don't mind at all being asked. Sometimes they can operate on liver. In my case, no. Chemo was very effective and achieved significant reductions in all tumours. Am in remission, on herceptin and perjeta indefinitely. Seems to be working. Tumour markers holding. No increase.

Cat ??

Hi Cat,

Thanks for letting me know. I hope you didn't mind me asking. I guess I am still a bit ignorant or maybe just don't want to know any more than what I have to. 

Can they operate on your liver?

I do hope chemo is helping you. 

Keep in touch with your progress.

Airlie ??

Hi Airlie,

Thanks for your message. Had an ablation, which has sorted the bleeding. Thank goodness. I was diagnosed at stage 4 via the following - found a lump, sent to mammogram and ultrasound. Had a fine needle biopsy. The above showed cancer in breast and lymph nodes. Referred to breast surgeon, who ordered blood tests (tumour marker), MRI, core biopsy, bone scan, CT chest and abdomen,  CT head. The tumour markets were quite high so basically they went looking as they said breast cancer generally goes to bones, liver, lungs and brain. They knew it was already in the nodes. Scans showed significant disease in liver. So that made me stage 4. Does that help? 

Cat xx

Hi ya. 

Sorry to hear about those blasted periods. I am post menopause now but while during peri menopause my periods were much like yours. (Unfortunately)

I do hope you can get some relief from a good gyno. 

I am stage 3 Her2+  and will be on my next lot of chemo and Herceptin next week. 

May I ask how you were diagnosed with stage 4. As in was it due to node involvement. Only if you want to answer.

Thinking of you.

Airlie ?? 

Stay in touch and bugger off periods 

Airlie ?? 

Hi Cat

Ive had two endometrial ablations 10 years apart. They work a treat. I was having extremely heavy periods for 16 days every 3 weeks and ended up anaemic. The first ablation was considered a failure because I still got periods for 4-5 days every 4 weeks but they were light. To me it was a miracle. After 10 years, things started going back to what they were in my younger years, so I had another one. I haven't had a period now for 4 years (I'm 50). I was in early menopause when I was diagnosed and chemo has pushed me through completely, so I am now post menopausal. Yeehaw!!!  Hopefully the gyno will get you all sorted. Good luck. Karen xox 

The blood test can tell if you are in peri menopause but not how long it will last. If it continues really heavy and frequent get a referral to a gynae. If too heavy too long you will become anaemic? Kath.  X

Thanks everyone. I went to see my GP today as I have never had such heavy bleeding. This is way more than I had even after giving birth. GP said try ibuprofen (which I was actually already taking for a head cold) and gave me a referral to a gynaecologist for possible ablation. GP said mirena coil might be an option, but I'm really not keen on the idea of a coil. I have heard so many bad things. I googled endometrial ablation and it doesn't look so bad. See my onc next week so will see what he says. Xx

hi Cat i feel for u its bad enough going through menopause a few times but i would let your oncologist know even if u just ph their rooms & tell their receptionist. they may well have tested ur blood hormone levels automatically but your gp can do that. But i do know your oncologist needs to know because some of the medications are for pre-menopausal some for post-menopausal it may effect your outcome You definitely have been through the wars i hope you can get it sorted , Cheers ;)