EARLY MENOPAUSE

SPEDTEK · January 2005

I AM RELATIVLY NEW TO THE BOARD, I HAVE ONLY POSTED A COUPLE OF TIMES. I WAS DX IN JUNE OF 2004, HAD SURGERY TO REMOVE STAGE 2 RECTAL CANCER FOLLOWED BY 7 WEEKS OF 24/7 CHEMO(5FU) AND DAILY RADIATION THERAPY. I WAS TOLD EARLY ON THAT I HAD A 50% CHANCE OF GOING INTO EARLY MENOPAUSE (I AM 29). AFTER MY DOCTOR DOING HORMONE LEVELS CHECKS, THE RESULTS CAME IN AND IT IS OFFICIAL. I AT THE AGE OF 29 AM IN MENOPAUSE. AND ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE A VERY ELEVATED PROLATIN LEVEL, PROLATIN COMES FROM THE PITUITARY GLAND IN THE BRAIN. SO NEXT WEEK I WILL HAVING AN MRI DONE TO SEE THE SIZE OF THE TUMOR, THAT MY DOCTOR FEELS SURE IS ON THE GLAND. DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE TUMOR, IT MIGHT BE TREATED MY MEDS OR I MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE BRAIN SURGERY TO REMOVE IT. MY QUESTION IS HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THE HIGH PROLACTIN LEVEL WITH EARLY MENOPAUSE. AND I JUST WANTED SOME ADVICE OR ENCOURAGING WORDS REGARDING BEING THROWN INTO EARLY MENOPAUSE. THANK YOU.

GINA

spongebob · January 2005

Gina -

I wish I could give you some advice on early menopause, but I can't (remember, I'm the guy with the hairy back from previous postings - no menopause for me).

Gosh, It seems to me that with the protracted chemo AND radiation, they really went after your cancer aggressively for it to have been Stage II.

As for encouragement - I'm all about that, as is almost every person that comes here. There are so many options if you want (more) kids, and as far as the elevated prolatin levels go... s your doc sure there is a tumor? Has s/he done CT Scans or PET scans? Recall that Lance Armstrong had bran mets as well and then went on to not only surviv, but to also win the Tour De France. No chips to cash in yet, darlin'!

You hang tough, focus on positive thoughts and events and come here to vent or seek advice (from the qualified gals) any time!

Be well.

- SpongeBob

Moesimo · January 2005

I was 46 when I had radiation an I was put into instant menopause. The night sweats were uinbearble. My doc would not give me hormones because there was a study done and many of the women got breast cancer. My doc felt I had enough going on.
I was put on Paxil 20 mg a day and the night sweats are gone. I am sure it has helped my mood also.
I don't know anythnig about the prolactin.

Maureen

andreae · January 2005

Hi Gina,

I'm so sorry about the confirmation of your menopause. Given your age, fertility is a serious issue. I became menopausal due to radiation as well. It was tough because I am young and hoped to have children. On the plus side, though, I don't regret my chosen course of action for a minute. Cancer is aggressive so we need to be aggressive as well. My periods have stopped for two years now, so the worst of it is over. I would get hot flashes but they were tolerable. I opted out of HRT because estrogen seems to promote breast cancer growth (tumors have estrogen receptors and it leads to proliferation). I know there is a link between breast and colon cancer so I don't want to put myself at risk. There is, however, many benefits to estrogen. Bone health, reproductive tissue health (keeps everything "down there" healthy) and some say it is linked to libido (although others argue testosterone is the hormone of desire). Estrogen may also be a protective factor against CRC. So, hormone replacement is worth looking into.

As for infertility, it really sucks. BUT, there are many, many options for us. So long as you still have a uterus, you could carry and deliver a child. You could use a donor egg and your partner's sperm. That is if you want the experiency of carrying a baby. I know a doctor who broke the bad news to me (that I would be infertile and we had no time to harvest eggs) told me that many couples will try with fertility specialists for years to have children and then finally decide to adopt. Once they have adopted a child, they regret the fact that they waited so long! Raising, nurturing, loving... That is why a love my mother. I certainly don't care whose canal I came out of! There are so many unwanted, unloved children (or ophaned, due to the horrible tsunamis). We have the blessed job of taking care of them. And, finally, let's face it... No periods can be pretty cool. I never worry about cramps, "unexpected" visits from Aunt Flow, and I save a ton of money on tampons. I'm also ALWAYS a pleasure to be around (well, almost always!):)

If you have any more questions, I will certainly get back to you. Wishing you continued wellness and health,
Andrea

slammer · January 2005

Hi yes I had early menopause, even symtoms b-4 I had my hysrtroceromy, at 43
I have had colon ca then my overies blew up realyy like one was the size of a brick the other a grapefruit. so then hysterectomy, but I had hot flashes b-4 and all that included at 40 plus
now on hormons love it
, not for everyone but me & 2 of my girlfriends said take them otherwise you dri up & and like a old lady
I am still young enough for sex right!! yes

kangatoo · January 2005

slammer said:
Hi yes I had early menopause, even symtoms b-4 I had my hysrtroceromy, at 43
I have had colon ca then my overies blew up realyy like one was the size of a brick the other a grapefruit. so then hysterectomy, but I had hot flashes b-4 and all that included at 40 plus
now on hormons love it
, not for everyone but me & 2 of my girlfriends said take them otherwise you dri up & and like a old lady
I am still young enough for sex right!! yes

Hiya Gina. Ok...how can a mere male compete with these answers. Well, for one thing Gina you are welcome here and the gals here have offered some good advice(although Sponger wasn't real helfull..but then he's a guy too..lol!)
Sorry you have had to meet us at such a young age babe but nonetheless you have come to the right place. As for the menopause bit....errr...I'd ask my lovely wife Jen who is doing the hot flashes thing too(at 49) but she's not home at the moment.
Take comfort from Andrea's(our resident sweetie) comments....one way or the other she always inspires us.
Hey...and could it be "just possible" the meds have thrown your reproduction system out of whack temporarily?? Her's hoping for you that the doc may just be wrong.
Even if I am a male Gina.......I am praying for you that things might settle down again.
Our very best, kanga n Jen

Fitlisa · January 2005

Hi Gina,

I too was suspected of having gone through early menopause during my chemo. The hormone tests came back inconclusive, i.e.. one was elevated the other normal, so we werent sure. I was experiencing horrid hot flashes though and had my own suspicions, but, since I'd had a hysterectomy at age 37 (I'm 43 now), they also thought I had gone through menopause then,

As for the elevated prolactin levels, I had that also, but not during chemo. When I was 30-35 I underwent IVF and lots of tests, etc. for infertility and this was discovered at that time. It wasnt caused by a brain tumor but I was put on medication (I wish I could now remember what it was) to lower the level to normal. I have no idea what my prolactin level is like today.

I have no idea if this helps, but perhaps you, like me, have an overactive pituitary that seems to like to produce tons of prolactin.

Keep us posted as to what they find Gina, as I will be thinking of you,

Take care,
Lisa

tortal · January 2005

I was 27 and went threw the same thing im know 30 and its still hard. reply to your other message my doctor streched out the colon a little and that made it easer. as for the diarea it takes time to heal its not over night its taken my three years in june and i still have bad days were i can't leave the house. But its better then the colostomy bag for some one of my age I couldn't deal with that at 27 being a female its was to hard. all of you that can deal you have my total respect I have a j pouch and thats hard enough

EARLY MENOPAUSE

Comments

Discussion Boards