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periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:58 am
by jennyjojjr
I would like to know how many of you had menopause from Folfox. My periods stopped after surgery, then came back 4 months later in the middle of my treatments. Onc. said due to my age 48-I would have permanant menopause.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:25 pm
by ckmr233
I had periods all through treatment and I'm 47.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 2:59 pm
by BrownBagger
Just as a side note, my testosterone levels plummeted during/after 4 rounds of Xelox. I never had it tested, but all indications pointed to that. So, yes, chemo can mess with your hormones and reproductive metabolism.

It took more than a year for it to come back, too.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:09 pm
by Mona
My periods stop because of Folfox. And yes my status is “Early Menopause” at 47. So you are not alone.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:41 pm
by thostie
i am 28 and my periods have completely stopped. my oncologist told me it could be permanent or they could come back if i ever get off chemo


Do you all get hot flashes? they are so uncomfortable!!!

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:31 pm
by Phuong
I'm not sure if mine came from chemo or radiation, but it did send me into menopause. I dont' know if it would be permanent or not, but I would think it likely.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:47 pm
by Georgie
I had ovarian tissue harvested from my right ovary before I started treatment. It is still new technology but the theory is it can be put back in later and I should return to pre-menopausal and 'should' be able to get pregnant one day. Whether or not I can carry a pregnancy is another matter, with 50Gy of RT to my pelvis!

I started RT and chemo in Feb and the last period I had was the week before it all started. Onc thinks its permanent for me, until I have the ovarian tissue put back in.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:17 pm
by terrimc333
I was a year into menopause when diagnosed, so no personal info. However a friend of mine that had lung cancer prior to menopause experienced early onset due to chemo.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:31 pm
by NWgirl
My periods stopped once I had my first surgery (I had surgery BEFORE chemo/radiation). I was 43, almost 44 at the time. I haven't had a period since and it has been 4 years. I was off chemo for about 2 years before starting chemo again this year.

I've never had any real symptoms of menopause other than occasionally I feel a little warm. It's definitely not what I would consider hot flashes.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:39 pm
by fritts44
Georgie wrote:I had ovarian tissue harvested from my right ovary before I started treatment. It is still new technology but the theory is it can be put back in later and I should return to pre-menopausal and 'should' be able to get pregnant one day.


That's the coolest thing I've ever heard!! I didn't even realize they could do that!

I became menopausal, but I thought it was due to the radiation rather than the chemo. The radiation oncologist said that if his work didn't do it, the chemo would have. I have an appt next Tues with my Ob/Gyn, who is a holistic guy. He does bio-identical hormones, and the results of all my blood tests will be back before my visit. I'm expecting he'll put me on some type of hormone.

And, yes, Thostsie -- the hot flashes are horrible!! I no longer have my Lorezepam Rx, so I take Tylenol PM. Doesn't help -- the hot flashes still wake me up, then I can never get back to sleep. I'm pretty sure I was addicted to Lorezepam, though, so I don't want to get back on it. (yes I do!!! no, I shouldn't! -- oh crap!)

Lee F.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:07 pm
by jennyjojjr
Well, evidently this effect is unpredictable. Mine stopped the day of surgery, and returned 2 months ago, even though I'm still on chemo. I never had any hot flashes though. The reason I was concerned is due to osteopenia which of course worsens with menopause.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 8:23 pm
by Ashlee H.
With my first round of FOLFOX I went into immediate menopause. That was one good thing out of all of this. I didn't have to go through what my friends did with the natural menopause.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:10 pm
by keepcalmcarryon
I stopped having my period in 2007, when I was 44 and first diagnosed. No symptoms other than the end of periods.
Ok, fast forward to today. My horrible pelvic lymph node decided that squashing my left sciatic nerve, paralyzing my foot and causing all sorts of fun pain, wasn't enough.

Now its crawling along my bladder and uterus, and maybe a node behind my urethra.

The weird and relevant thing is that I now get a fairly heavy period every few weeks that lasts a half day. I'm back on xelox again, no idea if that's a factor.

Re: periods

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:44 pm
by thostie
jennyjojjr wrote:Well, evidently this effect is unpredictable. Mine stopped the day of surgery, and returned 2 months ago, even though I'm still on chemo. I never had any hot flashes though. The reason I was concerned is due to osteopenia which of course worsens with menopause.


i also have osteopenia but my onc gave me boniva. are you on a bone builder?

Re: periods

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:45 am
by Jen
I went thru menopause hot flashes and all the symptoms after chemo and radiation...then after 3.5 I began to have a regular period again. Now I get to go through menopause again someday :roll: All the docs told me it would never come back after a year. My theory is I gained enough weight back, wasn't getting hit with chemo anymore...the body is amazing how it tries to heal itself.

edited...oh and I had had my ovaries moved and attached near my kidneys to avoid radiation damage..for three years I thought they died either from the surgery (the blood supply of the stalks are very sensitive) or chemo. So I guess they are operating in their new location...it really throws of radiologists when they see 2 bubbly masses in the wrong spot near metal clips.