This can't be menopause...right?

Sorry about your diagnosis. Most likely chemo has triggered temporary menopause, which will become permanent once you have your ovaries removed in March. Night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness are common symptoms of menopause. Don't know about crying, but with everything going on, you have plenty of reasons to be emotional. In my case (44 y.o. pre-menopausal at dx), my periods stopped after the 3rd round of front-line chemo. I have been on oral (Premarin) and vaginal (Vagifem) HRT since my hysterectomy 2.5 years ago, which eliminated menopausal symptoms. For those scared of estrogen there are natural ways to manage menopause.

Good luck and best wises in your treatment,

Alexandra

I have not had my period since a week after being diagnosed more than 6 months ago. I am having hot flashes horribly. I have not had any tratment or had my ovaries removed and I am 44 years old, so most people would say I am too young to go through it. I have heard of other women going through menopause because of cancer though. It is possible that you are going through it too!

khsherwood said:

Night sweats

Hi everyone,

Since  Kickin-it brought it up I too have been suffering with terrible night sweats. I went through natural menopause ten years ago when I was fifty one. It was hot flashes that were actually sort of funny. I was throwing open windows in mid -winter to cool down  and always asking people "is it hot in here or is it just me?". Now, ten years later, I am drenched in cold sweats almost every night. I need to change my pajamas and often pillowcases several times a night. I kept complaining to my doctor about it. I think they think this a minor complaint compared to the fact I have Stage 3C ovarian cancer. I had a  total hysterectomy as part of my debuliking surgery last October. They say that removing my ovaries put me through a second menopause. Two weeks ago I was put on Paxil, an anti-depressant, to help with the night sweats (?). I can't take hormones because I am also a breast cancer survivor. The Paxil has done nothing for me. Also, and this may seem minor to most of you, you can't drink alcohol while on Paxil. I haven't had a drink since I was diagnosed last October because  alcohol is dehydrating.  I usually don't drink very much, one to three glasses of wine a week but since today is my last treatment I was looking forward to having a glass of champagne with my husband to celebrate. Guess that's not happening.

So, what I want to know is if anyone else has experienced these drenching cold sweats and what did they do about them, besides taking hormones? 

 

thanks, Kelly

Kelly, I took two things which seemed to make a big difference to the post-hysterectomy night-sweats.  First was the anti-depressant Zoloft, prescribed by the gyn-oncologist. And my gyn also suggested Evening Primrose Oil capsules which I also took.  The problem was solved.  

I have found also though that I get night sweats for a couple of nights after treatment?  I end up in an ongoing fight with the covers...on, off, on, off, mop off, etc....

All the best, wishing you relief.

yamster34 said:

I forgot to mention the hot

I forgot to mention the hot and cold flashes. I too ask, "is it hot in here or is it me?" I drive my husband nuts by turning on the furnace one minute and air cinditioner the next. Doctors I had seen at the time treated me like it was all in my head because the problems started when I was 38 years old. So I stopped seeing doctors even though I knew it was probably more serious than the doctors seemed to think. Which is why, when I finally saw an ER doctor, I was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer. I am not complaining though, because I have seen many good things happen since I was diagnosed! I kept praying that I would go through menopause. I had no idea that prayer would be answered by a terminal cancer diagnosis. I am happy that prayer was answered though!

You are so young, and to my 62-year-old mind it is a darn shame that you are here posting your experiences. Sadly, cancer touches the lives of the very young to the very old , to the very weak to the very strong and to the very rich to the very poor . One out of 3 women today will get cancer and one out of two men.  Also, cancer is on the rise. There are woman with stage 4 ovarian, primary peritoneal and uterine papillary serous carcinoma (all 3 are very similar) and they are thriving without disease. Keep your faith and your sense of humor, as borh will help you cope and will likely extend your life for many, many years. I have uterine papillary serous cancer with a 50/50 chance of a recurrence.So far I have survived close to 1.5 years post op and doing well. You can do just as well, yamster! I am counting on it!!

Hugs to you,

Cathy