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Ok, so here's a stupid question...

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Posted 9/15/2005 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
How do I know if the chemo has put me into menopause?? I havent started menstrating since I gave birth. Do I just have to wait and see if "it" happens??

Chantry

Posted 9/15/2005 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's different for everyone and you'll have to see how things go.  I just began to have fewer and fewer periods until I had none at all.  Took me about 2 or maybe 3 years in all.

Posted 9/15/2005 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
So chemo does actually make you go into menopause? I think they told me that but I wasn't sure if it just makes your body think it's going thru menopause or if it actually does go into it. I can do without the periods.

Posted 9/16/2005 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Chantry & Katt, everyone is different. I was 31 doing chemo and my periods were as regular as could be, I never missed a beat. Others may stop temporarily, and others may stop completely. Plenty of times I remember seeing gals who thought they were in menopause and it was just temporary. Lots of "just waiting and seeing" in this game....

L&H,
Lori
Posted 9/16/2005 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm, so does anyone need 5 boxes of tampons?? They're going cheap! LOL
Posted 9/18/2005 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
My last period was just after my 2nd chemo.  That was Dec. 04 and I was 44.  I had very regular periods all my life and had no signs of natural menopause prior to this.  I am assuming this is permanent.  Just LOVE the hot flashes - NOT!  Actually, they have gotten less frequent and severe since chemo ended in Apr.  Tamoxifen hasn't given me any worse hot flashes and I've been on it a month now. 
Posted 9/19/2005 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

So how will I know when Im in menapause?? I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago. My Dr told me that I was not in menapause yet but the chemo would throw me into it. I keep telling hubby one of these days I will be sick not feel good and turn into a b**** he just laughs. My mom had a really hard time going through menapause so I hope mine will be easier. Thanks ladies.
Posted 9/21/2005 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Not everyone is bit**y in menapause. I had a hysterectomy at 42 as I was going into the big M. I don't think it made much difference in my personality and feelings, except I felt so relieved that pregnancy was no longer possible. At that age I did not want a baby because my kids were married and having babies. I got more aggressive after breast cancer, standing up for myself more than ever before. So I guess I am now in the B**ch stage. LOL. Actually, the Lexapro the dr gave me seems to even me out a bit there. Hope everything works out as smoothly as it sounds..... Hugs MK
Posted 9/22/2005 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
MK

Thanks for the info I dont think it will make that much of a difference for me. My mom had a tough time with it so I just assumed I would. Did you have lots of hot flashes? I have been having them for a year now. Sometimes they soak my hair and chest. I also had a hysterectomy at age 41 but still have my ovaries.

Mk I have always been agressive I hope the menopause dosnt make me more so!!!!!!! I have never had a problem standing up for myself. Thats what happens when you are the youngest of 8 children :)
Posted 9/22/2005 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
That would be be the only thing good to come out of his for me, NO MORE PERIODS! But the nurse said I still may have them (which would be my luck). I just can't win.

Posted 9/22/2005 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
LOL you go Bernadette. I had hot flashes three times and got over them three times. First after hysterectomy, then a dr insisted I take hormones, so when I quit taking them because they affected BP I had hot flashes again, then when I took Tamoxifen I had them again and they were worse then, too. Enough for me. Now I am just getting old................. LOL Hugs MK
Posted 9/24/2005 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Chantry:

 

Please don't assume you're in menopause because you don't menstruate.  I did that, even had a doctor tell me I was in menopause, and I wasn't.  THen the horrible happened:  I got pregnant on Tamoxifen, which causes terrible birth defects. 

 

Please take precautions and don't rely on an FSH test along with no periods as the criteria for determining if you are in menopause!  Learn from my horror

 

Sorry to be so dramatic, it just strikes a chord with me.

 

 

Posted 9/25/2005 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I think I have been getting hot flashes. I get hot easily anyway, but for a few days now I have been getting extremely hot, I mean sweat running down onto mo eyelids hot. I don't get that hot normally.

Posted 9/25/2005 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I believe there is a blood test to check hormome levels that should be able to acertain whether you are menapausal or not. Why don't you ask your doctor about having such a test? Don't play guessing games, as Ellen told you above she had a very traumatic experience. Hugs MK
Posted 9/25/2005 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully, I shouldn't be getting pregnant. I had my tubes tied about 20 years ago. :-)
Posted 9/25/2005 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Ellen, I am so sorry about your experience - thank you for sharing. We are not going to take any chances, but I was just wondering if there was some sort of test or distinct characteristic that could determine what was going on. (The FSH test??) Thanks everyone!
Posted 9/25/2005 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Chantry:

 

Thanks for your kind words.

 

The FSH test is a test that can tell you if you're producing estrogen, which may be helpful.  Ask your OB-GYN about it and MAKE SURE your OB-GYN is communicating with your oncologist. 

 

I get the hot flashes too, but they're not as bad as  they were.  I also think that the weather's turning, so there are more people sniffling out there, and that might just account for some flashy-like stuff.

 

 

Posted 9/25/2005 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't know there was a test (FSH). Not that I have to take it....I went into "temporary" menopause after the chemo and exactly 2 days after my doc said, "Well, it looks like you are in menopause to stay" and Blammo!...my period started back up.

In fact, the doc NOW says I am in perimenopause (the younger cousin of menopause, who is unpredicatable and annoying).

Ellen, they are FINALLY going to let me get a hyster now (as too much blood loss every 2 weeks is not a good thing!).

I think it's a real individual thing for each woman.

Erin

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