Pre-Menopausal Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Trailrunner
Trailrunner Member Posts: 11
in Ovarian Cancer #1

I am about a month away from my surgery.  I'm having a prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy because I carry a gene mutation that increases my risk of ovarian cancer, and I just got through bilateral breast cancer.  My breast cancer surgeon, gynecologic oncologist, and regular oncologist all agree that I should have this done.  If not, it's surveillance ultrasounds every 3 months and possible biopsies, etc.  And I understand that surveillance just isn't good enough to catch ovarian cancer early.  It was a hard decision, but I've decided to go forward with the surgery.  

I am about to turn 47 years old, still having regular periods, so pre-menopausal.  Can anyone please share with me how it was for you after your pre-menopausal bilateral ooporectomy?  I really need to hear that you got through it, how it was when you woke up from surgery, and how you are coping.  I can't take hormone therapy because my breast cancer was estrogen receptor positive.  So I'm going into this "cold turkey."  My gynecologic oncologist said it could be a couple months before I adjust to the new menopausal me.  

I would welcome hearing from anyone who has experienced the bilateral oophorectomy pre-menopausal.  Actually, I would welcome hearing from everyone! Smile

Thank you!

Comments

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    edited February 2018 #2
    Hello, Trailrunner. 

    Hello, Trailrunner. 

    I am a visitor from the Uterine board, and I think both here and there, there are a quite a few women who have experiened a "complete" (formerly know as "radical") hysterectomies. I think we might have had a little 'extra' and the cervix and omentum also get removed for us.

    What type of surgery are you having?  A DaVinci or the traditional open, abdominal surgery?  If you have the DaVinci I would recommend have Gas-X on hand.  It is an easier recovery than the traditional surgery.

  • Trailrunner
    Trailrunner Member Posts: 11
    #3
    I must be having the DaVinci

    I must be having the DaVinci method because the plan is to remove my uterus through my vagina.  The salpingo-oophorectomy will be done laporoscopically (spelling?).  So no incisions across my abdomen.  

    My concern is about the sudden loss of hormones.  Did you have bilateral oophorectomy?  What was the experience like in terms of the sudden drop in hormones?

    Maybe I should check out the uterine board as well on this topic.

    Thanks. 

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    edited February 2018 #4
    Trailrunner - I had

    Trailrunner - I had everything removed - that seems to be common when cancer of the gyn track is found.  

    As for 'instant menopause' I really think it depends on the individual.  I had my surgery when I was 49.  I would wake up in the night ON FIRE - not so much sweating and soaking sheets and clothes, and I think that is the case because I am not a "sweater".  If I sweat it is pretty extreme.  I would throw the covers off, let the air cool me down and then throw the sheet back on.  Some women have said they woke up from surgery and started to experience hot flashes - seems pretty wild but probably possible. 

    Again, everyone is different and I think I was a milder case.  I see you posted on the Uterine board.  You chose an older thread so I am not sure if women will reply - it is a good group over there - and you might want to start a new thread with this subject.  They might respond, but it is if they see the subject they might reply faster. 

    (Some of us visit the other gyn cancer pages.  We are all together here on the "below the belt" cancers)

  • Trailrunner
    Trailrunner Member Posts: 11
    #5
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    Trailrunner - I had

    Trailrunner - I had everything removed - that seems to be common when cancer of the gyn track is found.  

    As for 'instant menopause' I really think it depends on the individual.  I had my surgery when I was 49.  I would wake up in the night ON FIRE - not so much sweating and soaking sheets and clothes, and I think that is the case because I am not a "sweater".  If I sweat it is pretty extreme.  I would throw the covers off, let the air cool me down and then throw the sheet back on.  Some women have said they woke up from surgery and started to experience hot flashes - seems pretty wild but probably possible. 

    Again, everyone is different and I think I was a milder case.  I see you posted on the Uterine board.  You chose an older thread so I am not sure if women will reply - it is a good group over there - and you might want to start a new thread with this subject.  They might respond, but it is if they see the subject they might reply faster. 

    (Some of us visit the other gyn cancer pages.  We are all together here on the "below the belt" cancers)

    Thank you!

    Thanks for your response!  It helps so much to hear from someone who has experienced the sudden menopause.  I have a long history with depression and anxiety and so I worry that I will wake up from surgery in a major depression from the drop in hormones. But someone pointed out that I'm already on Tamoxifen that blocks estrogen and I've had the opposite reaction...it's improved my mood like an antidepressant.  LOL  

    I'm going to post in the gyn cancer pages too.  Thank you so much.  

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