Nervous: Where is My Period?

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
CAGirl
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:55 pm

Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby CAGirl » Fri Jun 22, 2018 5:14 pm

Hi Guys (Women, mostly),
Okay, so the whole reason I was diagnosed when I was (Stage 3C) was because I'd skipped a few periods, after a lifetime of very regular cycles. Both my OB/GYN and regular doc said it was "peri-menopause", but that didn't seem right to me -- neither my older sister (51, last year) or my twin (46 at time) were going through peri-menopause.
So, I requested blood work to check my thyroid and unbeknownst to me, there was an order in by my GI to check my iron level, and THAT came back startlingly low.
Anyway, even the chemo didn't affect my periods, which became regular again right after my surgery.
Can you all talk me down, please? I'm late (only one week, but it usually comes every 3.5 weeks). Had tubal ligation after my second C-section, so most likely not pregnant. How can I not be worried it's cancer mets somewhere in my body causing my hormones to be out of whack again?
Thanks...
Dx 2/2017, age 45, 2 kids: 6 yrs & 3 yrs
History of Crohn's disease - dx in 1997; in remission, thus no colonoscopy in over 10 years
Anemia dx 11/16: GI doc assured me "the likelihood of colon cancer" was "very low".
Stage 3C - T3N2b
8/64 lymph nodes; clear margins surgery 3/17
12 cycles of Folfox 4/17-9/17
3-month CT scan midway through chemo, no changes
2-3-mo CT scan post chemo 11/17 slightly larger lung nod (incr. from 7mm to 8 or 9mm)
CT scan 3/18 - NED
clear CT scan 1/2019 NED

menreeq
Posts: 70
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:26 am

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby menreeq » Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:41 pm

I don’t have any advice but just checking in to see how it is going. Hope it’s just late.
Stage IIA rectosigmoid CC (T3N0M0)
Dx 6/5/17 @age 41ls
Workup: c-scope, EUS, rectal MRI, CT C/A/P
AdenoCA 5.5cm, WHO Grade 2, 0/22 LN, no distant mets
CEA 1.9 (6/5/17), 0.8 (2/28/18), 1.0 (9/17/18), 1.1 (4/16/19), 1.0 (9/24/19), 1.7 (7/8/20)
No lymphovasc/perineural invasion, clear margins
MSI intact, OncotypeDx RS 7
Lap sig colectomy 6/23/17, no ileo/colostomy
Genetics neg for mutations, 4 VUS
Xeloda monotherapy 8/13/17-1/22/18
PET/CT 3/21/18 NED
CT C/A/P 9/17/18 NED, 3/8/19 NED, 9/19/19 NED, 5/13/20 NED

User avatar
Atoq
Posts: 412
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:31 am

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby Atoq » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:43 am

I have read that Folfox can affect hormon production and lead to menopause. Have you noticed other signs such as hot flashes?

Claudia
1972, 2 kids
Dx rectal cancer 10.2017
T3N2aMX (met left lung 8 mm)
Lynch neg
CEA 1.8
Neoadjuvant chemoradio Xeloda + 25x2 Gy
05.12.17 laparotomic surg. for blockage, colostomy
25.01.18 laparotomic lar, hysterectomy, ileostomy
05.03.18 core needle lung biopsy
07.05.18 CAT scan, lung met 11 mm
04.06.18 ileo reversal
26.06.18 wedge VATS
24.08.18, 31.02.19 CAT scan
12.09.18, 06.02.19 scope, CEA 1.6
19.11.18 scope
20.08.19 CAT, eco
13.09.19 scope, CEA 1.2
18.03.20 CAT, eco, scope, NED
29.11.20 CAT, NED
2023 NED

CAGirl
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:55 pm

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby CAGirl » Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:32 pm

Thank you both for your responses!
I heard that too about Folfox but figured it would have affected me right away... not so delayed.
Still no period. I wouldn't be thinking too much of it, since I am almost 47, but after my previous experience -- and having it go back to normal after surgery, I get so worried. Still, I've had uterine exams, breast mammogram, ultrasound, CT scan (liver and lungs), colonoscopy. Short of getting scans on every single part of my body, don't know what else to do but try to enjoy each day as if all is fine.
I do think I'll go for an early CEA test, though.
No other signs of menopause...
Dx 2/2017, age 45, 2 kids: 6 yrs & 3 yrs
History of Crohn's disease - dx in 1997; in remission, thus no colonoscopy in over 10 years
Anemia dx 11/16: GI doc assured me "the likelihood of colon cancer" was "very low".
Stage 3C - T3N2b
8/64 lymph nodes; clear margins surgery 3/17
12 cycles of Folfox 4/17-9/17
3-month CT scan midway through chemo, no changes
2-3-mo CT scan post chemo 11/17 slightly larger lung nod (incr. from 7mm to 8 or 9mm)
CT scan 3/18 - NED
clear CT scan 1/2019 NED

WarriorSpouse
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:02 pm

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby WarriorSpouse » Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:31 pm

My wife was 47 at diagnosis and had similar issues when treatment began. She says her doctors have stated that this is a normal response to her treatments.
D/H 47 years old, 10/2014, Stage IV M/CRC, nodes 12/15, para-aortic, 5 cm sigmoid resection, positive Virchow. KRAS mut, MSS, Highly Differentiated, Lynch Neg, 5FU/LV and Avastin 1 YR (Oxi for 5 months), Zeloda/Bev since 01/2016. 02/2019 recurrence para-nodes, back to 5FU/LV Oxy/Bev. It is working again. "...Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."-Walter Elliot

CAGirl
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:55 pm

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby CAGirl » Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:44 pm

Thank you, WarriorSpouse!
Both my Oncologist and OB/GYN are saying the same. Onc said delayed hormonal response to chemo is likely.
I just wonder why it was like this before diagnosis, then regular after tumor removal, now back to irregular. Coincidence? Nice to hear from others of a similar age, though. Much appreciated.
Some might remember back in November, I threw my back out for the first time and couldn't believe it could possibly be separate from cancer. Nature of the Beast, I suppose...
Dx 2/2017, age 45, 2 kids: 6 yrs & 3 yrs
History of Crohn's disease - dx in 1997; in remission, thus no colonoscopy in over 10 years
Anemia dx 11/16: GI doc assured me "the likelihood of colon cancer" was "very low".
Stage 3C - T3N2b
8/64 lymph nodes; clear margins surgery 3/17
12 cycles of Folfox 4/17-9/17
3-month CT scan midway through chemo, no changes
2-3-mo CT scan post chemo 11/17 slightly larger lung nod (incr. from 7mm to 8 or 9mm)
CT scan 3/18 - NED
clear CT scan 1/2019 NED

MissMolly
Posts: 645
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:33 pm
Location: Portland, Ore

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby MissMolly » Mon Jun 25, 2018 7:19 pm

CAGirl:
I often write about the effects of high dose and/or long-term use of corticosteroids, myself having been on exogenous corticosteroids for 20 + years.

Most often I write to offer a warning of adrenal gland dysfunction associated with corticosteroid use.

Corticosteroids also affect other hormones released by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland. Lutinezing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) are generally suppressed with corticosteroid use. Both LH and FSH are pivotal hormones that rise and fall with a woman’s monthly cycle.

Delayed or absent periods can be explained by the dexamethasone that generally accompanies chemotherapy infusions. Dexamethasone is the most potent of the corticosteroids. Prednisone, prednisilione, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone are members of the corticosteroid family - each has a different dosing potency and active half-life.

Corticosteroids are not benign medications. Anyone who receives corticosteroids as part of chemotherapy, should be aware of the corticosteroid being used and its dosage equivalency - especially if a corticosteroid will be used for weeks/months. Talk with your oncologist about the benefits and risks of corticosteroids as pertinent to you and your treatment plan. Strive to take the lowest dosage of corticosteroid required to counter chemotherapy side effects (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, general malaise).
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.

Stewsbetty
Posts: 170
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 7:08 am

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby Stewsbetty » Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:59 am

Hello CA girl,

I was dx’d at 42 and had normal periods all through surgery and folfox. However, with my recurrence I did 2 cycles of folfiri and that totally whacked my cycle. After those I didn’t have a period for 3 months and now that it has come back it is erratic. Sometimes 35 day cycle other times 16 day cycle and then some normal 26 ones.
I think our bodies sometimes take a while to reboot after the chemo. But I would follow up with the drs in the ways you can and I hope that can give you peace of mind. :)
Beth
42yo At diagnosis. Female in BC, Canada
Dx: CC ascending
Right Hemi colectomy 06/16 clear margins
Adenocarcinoma 6cm High Grade
pT3 pN2a Stage 3
10 out of 16 lymph involved
MSI-h, Kras mut, Braf wild
Finished chemo Feb. 2017
PET scan showing active area April 2017
July 2017 CT showing LN mass and spread to other LN
Stage 4
Aug 2017 failed Fofiri
Sept 2017 keytruda scans every 3 months showing shrinkage and stability
November 2018 CT shows only 1 small tumour left
September 2019 clear CT finally NED!!!

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby Aqx99 » Fri Jun 29, 2018 12:35 pm

I was diagnosed at 39 and started going through menopause during treatment. I was flung completely into menopause when my surgeon removed my ovaries during my LAR. Definitely check it out with your doctor, you never know what else is going on in your body. The pathology on my ovaries came back as ovarian cancer. Luckily, we caught it extremely early.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

CAGirl
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:55 pm

Re: Nervous: Where is My Period?

Postby CAGirl » Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:31 pm

Thanks, All!
Docs seem confident it is not indicative of recurrence or another cancer...
I'll have another CEA test in a month or so, at least.
My newest problem: pain in the bottom of my foot. OUCH. (Plantar fascitis?) I really don't want more medical visits right now. Can't I pretend life is back to normal, and last year never happened???
Dx 2/2017, age 45, 2 kids: 6 yrs & 3 yrs
History of Crohn's disease - dx in 1997; in remission, thus no colonoscopy in over 10 years
Anemia dx 11/16: GI doc assured me "the likelihood of colon cancer" was "very low".
Stage 3C - T3N2b
8/64 lymph nodes; clear margins surgery 3/17
12 cycles of Folfox 4/17-9/17
3-month CT scan midway through chemo, no changes
2-3-mo CT scan post chemo 11/17 slightly larger lung nod (incr. from 7mm to 8 or 9mm)
CT scan 3/18 - NED
clear CT scan 1/2019 NED


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 105 guests