Previous breast cancer - when will surgical menopause start after TLH/BSO??

Hi
I had TLH/BSO 3 weeks ago today I was just wondering when to expect menopause symptoms?? I am 41 and had breast cancer 2 years ago which was estrogen receptor positive so I'm not allowed HRT. I have been getting night sweats since starting on tamoxifen, one of the side effects is menopausal symptoms and so far I've only had night sweats. Is it likely that the tamoxifen has mimicked my natural/surgical menopause? If so then i may be lucky enough to just suffer with the sweats?
Is anybody in the same boat as me?? How did you manage symptoms?

Thanks x

I had my surgery on march 6th and almost 3 weeks later I was full blown menopause!

Thanks for the reply - I've noticed that I've been getting a few 'flushes' like when yr embarrassed and get hot and flushed, it hasn't happened loads so I'm not sure if they are real 'hot flushes', I've also noticed broken sleep - covers on covers off covers on........

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Sar71 Thanks for the reply - I've noticed that I've been getting a few 'flushes' like when yr embarrassed and get hot and flushed, it hasn't happened loads so I'm not sure if they are real 'hot flushes', I've also noticed broken sleep - covers on covers off covers on........

Yep I was like that too! I take progesterone now and sleep like a baby.

I'll ask about that at my appt weds, I know I'm not allowed estrogen

I had a TLH-BSO because Tamoxifen (for DCIS in June 2011) had caused hypersensitivity (pain) of my many fibroids and the uterus itself. I am 43. I decided to do the BSO part to get rid of the estrogen as an added precaution against recurrence of breast cancer (and will be put on Femara next month). Happy to tell you that the only surgical symptoms I have had are vaginal dryness and some night flashes (most not rising to the level of night sweats and actually much less these days). I have occasional feeling of sadness but I certainly had these very occasionally before my surgery, so I don't think I can fairly attribute all of them to surgical menopause.

My DCIS was estrogen positive as well but both my primary oncologist and onco-gyn who performed my hysterectomy are fine with my being on short term course of Premarin and then switching over to Vagifem. I did test BRCA-, which probably helped them feel more comfortable with letting me have some limited localized estrogen.

Have you asked about going on Vagifem for local estrogen delivery to the vaginal tissues - It helps tremendously to fight the vaginal dryness. If you have bad hot flashes and mood swings, your gyn might also recommend taking Effexor (anti-depressant). I am not taking that, hoping to not need it, and am just being careful to monitor my diet against weight gain, eating really healthily, and staying active. Best of luck to you

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolinagrl42 I had a TLH-BSO because Tamoxifen (for DCIS in June 2011) had caused hypersensitivity (pain) of my many fibroids and the uterus itself. I am 43. I decided to do the BSO part to get rid of the estrogen as an added precaution against recurrence of breast cancer (and will be put on Femara next month). Happy to tell you that the only surgical symptoms I have had are vaginal dryness and some night flashes (most not rising to the level of night sweats and actually much less these days). I have occasional feeling of sadness but I certainly had these very occasionally before my surgery, so I don't think I can fairly attribute all of them to surgical menopause. My DCIS was estrogen positive as well but both my primary oncologist and onco-gyn who performed my hysterectomy are fine with my being on short term course of Premarin and then switching over to Vagifem. I did test BRCA-, which probably helped them feel more comfortable with letting me have some limited localized estrogen. Have you asked about going on Vagifem for local estrogen delivery to the vaginal tissues - It helps tremendously to fight the vaginal dryness. If you have bad hot flashes and mood swings, your gyn might also recommend taking Effexor (anti-depressant). I am not taking that, hoping to not need it, and am just being careful to monitor my diet against weight gain, eating really healthily, and staying active. Best of luck to you

Thank you so much for your rely. I'm due to see my gyn/onc on weds this week for my post op appt so as yet have not noticed any vaginal dryness but will bear that in mind as a treatment. Are you still taking tamoxifen?? I was under the impression I would be changed to something different, also, did tamoxifen give you any of the menopausal symptoms that you have experienced since your op?
I am seeing my breast cancer surgeon next week as I'm having surgery on my good breast, I'm having it lifted to match up to the reconstructed one so I will ask about tamoxifen then.
My hysterectomy was mainly precaution against the estrogen as well as ovarian cyst and then abnormal high grade cells on my smear, my gyn/onc thought hyster was my best bet. So unlike a lot of ladies I didn't really suffer very much before surgery.
At the moment I'm coping ok with the occasional flush and the night sweats are no worse than I was getting on tamoxifen so I'm hoping this will continue! Thanks x

Hi I had my opp last October and was in the very same boat as you.Breast cancer and tamoxafen. It took a few week to get the full blown menopause,but it came with a vengeance. I am having sweats day and night.I am fed up with them and the thought of them going on for years is awful. I dont know what we can take to help with our history. I tried soya milk but found no difference. I also read somewhere that it contains estrogen , so is it safe for us?There are different herbal remedies, but dont know if we can take these either.Ive not been much help but its nice to know someone is going through the same as you. We will have to keep each other up to date with any miracle cure haha.Good luck with your next opp. hugs xx

Thank you. Off off to hospital on Monday with my breast op on Tuesday. During the day I seem fine, just an occasional flushing feeling but I'm having restless nights! It's quite stuffy here atm so I'm not sure if my sweats are due to that or menopause. The rest of my family are feeling the heat in the nights too so I'm hoping it will pass.
My mum had a total hyster 6 years ago and she swears by cutting down on dairy products. She has switched to lactose free milk rather than soya and it seems to be working xx

[quote=Sar71;3793132] Are you still taking tamoxifen?? I was under the impression I would be changed to something different, also, did tamoxifen give you any of the menopausal symptoms that you have experienced since your op?

Hey there! No, I am not going back on the Tamoxifen, my onco said I would be put on Femara or I had other choices (but none were the Tam). I'm confused because I know some post-menopausal women are given the Tam, and others are given the AIs like Femara, etc - Not sure who gets what why. I will ask my onco next month when I see her.

I hope your recent breast surgery went well and that you are having a good recovery!!