New to the board!!! Help with Menopause brought on by Chemo

rae_98390
rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi

I am new to the board. I was diagnosis with breast cancer in 1999. Am doing well but would love to hear how others are dealing with menopause and no hormone therapy. It is difficult and doctors do not seem to understand.

I also have lymphademia and would like to talk with others who are going through the same thing. I have it in my right hand and arm and wear a pressure sleeve and glove.

You all take care.

Cindy

Comments

  • cherdaetwyler
    cherdaetwyler Member Posts: 156
    #2
    Hi Cindy,
    I am cher, still undergoing chemo, see my web page for early details.
    I use vitamin E and occasional supplements of Black cohosh to treat my menopause symptoms.
    Even though I am 55 i was still pretty regular in my schedule before the chemo started, and got hot flashes about 3 days after chemo started, and got a period to go with them. started the vitamin E and Black cohosh (E that first week and the cohosh 2 weeks later because the vitamin E just wasn't helping. After a month of the two of them I may have a single hot flash shortly after going to sleep, but only very occasionally have more than that.

    I don't start my hormone suppression therapy until the chemo is finished in early June. But there are lots of great ladies here ho can help you with that.
    cher
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • tiger
    tiger Member Posts: 277
    #4
    Hi Cindy, Tiger here, I cannot help with the menopause thing, but as for the lymphedema, it can be really painful, I know, I do exercises alot, even just sitting watching tv, move your arm around and up and down, i am doing light weights now and it has helped alot in aleviating the lymphedema, I find if I sit too long in one position I start to swell, so I just raise my arm, and do circles, stuff like that. Good luck and Fight The Good Fight!!
    Hugs from Tiger
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #5
    Hi Cindy. I have gone through menapause due to Tamoxifin. I feel fine other than Intermittent hot flashes ,mostly during the night. I did have them more frequently for about 2 mos. but now they seem much less frequent. I don't have lymphedema so I can't help you there. Just be patient. You should feel better everyday! Cathy
  • debw
    debw Member Posts: 99
    #6
    Have you tried manual massage? My physical therapist taught me how to do it at home and it really helps the lymphedemia. As for the menopause, St John's Wort helps me.
  • judyd
    judyd Member Posts: 124
    #7
    Hi Cindy, I had been on hormone therapy for about 12 years prior to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Nov. & having to go off of them. I had surgery in Dec. & started on tamoxifen in Jan. The hot flashes started almost right away after starting on the tamoxifen. The worst time was at night. They have gotten better the last couple of weeks & I am finally sleeping better. Something I haven't done since all of this started. I had taken one 400 Vit.E a day but started taking two a day so that may have helped. I also drink lots & lots of water. I have not had any problems with lymphedema, thank goodness. Good luck to you. Judy
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #8
    cherdaetwyler said:

    Hi Cindy,
    I am cher, still undergoing chemo, see my web page for early details.
    I use vitamin E and occasional supplements of Black cohosh to treat my menopause symptoms.
    Even though I am 55 i was still pretty regular in my schedule before the chemo started, and got hot flashes about 3 days after chemo started, and got a period to go with them. started the vitamin E and Black cohosh (E that first week and the cohosh 2 weeks later because the vitamin E just wasn't helping. After a month of the two of them I may have a single hot flash shortly after going to sleep, but only very occasionally have more than that.

    I don't start my hormone suppression therapy until the chemo is finished in early June. But there are lots of great ladies here ho can help you with that.
    cher

    Hi Cher,

    Thank you for the warm welcome. I am going to try the vitamin e and black cohosh. It would be nice not to have to take sleeping pills to get some rest. Only one or two hot flashes would be such a relief.

    I read your web page. There are alot of nice people in this network fighting the same battle. Thank the Lord for such support.
    Cindy

    You hang in there with the
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #9
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi Angie,

    Thank you for answering back. It is nice to have some people to talk. I am going to try the vitamin e and soy. Another lady cher suggested Black cohosh so I have a variety of things to try and see which on works for me.

    Take care.

    Cindy
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #10
    tiger said:

    Hi Cindy, Tiger here, I cannot help with the menopause thing, but as for the lymphedema, it can be really painful, I know, I do exercises alot, even just sitting watching tv, move your arm around and up and down, i am doing light weights now and it has helped alot in aleviating the lymphedema, I find if I sit too long in one position I start to swell, so I just raise my arm, and do circles, stuff like that. Good luck and Fight The Good Fight!!
    Hugs from Tiger

    Hi Tiger,

    Thank you for answering back. The cancer survior network is such a good idea. I was wondering do you do you use pressure glove, sleeve or bandages to relieve the swelling or do you manage the swelling with out them? I use a glove and sleeve and am interesting in how others manage their lymphedema.

    Take care.

    Cindy
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #11
    cruf said:

    Hi Cindy. I have gone through menapause due to Tamoxifin. I feel fine other than Intermittent hot flashes ,mostly during the night. I did have them more frequently for about 2 mos. but now they seem much less frequent. I don't have lymphedema so I can't help you there. Just be patient. You should feel better everyday! Cathy

    Hi Cathy,

    Thank you for the encouraging words. It helps alot just to have others who understand to talk to.

    You take care.

    Cindy
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #12
    debw said:

    Have you tried manual massage? My physical therapist taught me how to do it at home and it really helps the lymphedemia. As for the menopause, St John's Wort helps me.

    Hi,

    Thank you for answering back. I have a physical therapist who taught me manual massage. It really does help alot. Do you use a pressure sleeve or glove to keep the swelling down? I am interested how others deal with this.

    I will try the St. Johns Wort and see if it helps me. Black cohosh and vitamin e was also suggested by others on the board. I am hopeful one of these will help.

    Take care.

    Cindy
  • rae_98390
    rae_98390 Member Posts: 28
    #13
    judyd said:

    Hi Cindy, I had been on hormone therapy for about 12 years prior to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Nov. & having to go off of them. I had surgery in Dec. & started on tamoxifen in Jan. The hot flashes started almost right away after starting on the tamoxifen. The worst time was at night. They have gotten better the last couple of weeks & I am finally sleeping better. Something I haven't done since all of this started. I had taken one 400 Vit.E a day but started taking two a day so that may have helped. I also drink lots & lots of water. I have not had any problems with lymphedema, thank goodness. Good luck to you. Judy

    Hi Judy,

    Thank you for answering back. This is a nice group of people. I have been given alot of helpful suggestions. I am going to try them and see which one works for me.

    A far as the lymphedema goes I am thankful you do not have this problem. :) My doctors nurse said the best preventative measure is to wear gloves when cleaning or gardening. I do this all the time now.

    You take care.

    Cindy
  • shout51
    shout51 Member Posts: 11
    #14
    Hi Cindy, It seems like you and I have more than Lymphedema in common. I was barely 44 years old when I was diagnosed and the Tamoxifen put me into early menopause. Talk to your doctor about things you can do to ease the symptoms of menopause, there aren't a whole lot but they can help some. My oncologist, who is a woman, let me start using something called Estring. It is a round rubber ring that you insert vaginally for three months at a time and it helps some. It only has a small amount of estrogen. The one I use is 2mg. You do have to have a perscription for it. The hot flashes will subside, eventually. You just cope the best you can and have a very understanding family!!!!! My best to you, Shirley
  • kathyv
    kathyv Member Posts: 1
    #15
    Hi Cindy
    I too am new to this group. I am also having alot of problems with menopause brought on by chemo. I am 47 and have been on tamoxifin for almost a year. When I get one of these flashes all I do is sweat. My hair gets soaked and I can feel the heat coming out of me. I hate this and am just about to quit the tamoxifin for this reason. I would think a year would be long enough to get thru menopause???
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #16
    kathyv said:

    Hi Cindy
    I too am new to this group. I am also having alot of problems with menopause brought on by chemo. I am 47 and have been on tamoxifin for almost a year. When I get one of these flashes all I do is sweat. My hair gets soaked and I can feel the heat coming out of me. I hate this and am just about to quit the tamoxifin for this reason. I would think a year would be long enough to get thru menopause???

    Hi Kathy. I'm also Cathy! I"m 49 and have been on Tamoxifin since Oct. I,too, have hot flashes,some days more than other days although not as bad as yours seem! Have you spoken to your MD re: treatment to possibly lessen the hot flashes? Your GYN might have better answers than your Oncologist. Don't quit the tamoxifin. It's too important in keeping the "Beast" from returning.Good luck! Cathy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #17
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #18
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • binsky
    binsky Member Posts: 2
    #19
    Ask your doctor about black cohosh. Mine wants me to avoid it because it has plant estrogen and my cancer is estrogen related.
  • ruthanne
    ruthanne Member Posts: 3
    #20
    Hi Cindy, I was also dxex in 1999. Had lumpectomy, did chemo and radiation. i also have lymphedema in right arm and hand. Would love to chat with you to compare notes. I also went thru chemically induced menopause. its the pits but hey we are still here!!!! My email is ramarch16@aol.com write and we can wine together sometimes thats the best medicine. Ruthanne
  • bestill
    bestill Member Posts: 5
    #21
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I'm also "10 years out" like annepa who replied to you and even though I haven't had a period for 5 years, I'm still experiencing more of hot flushes than flashes along with occassional palpitations. Have had blood work and other tests to rule out everything else, so I keep chalking it up to hormonal stuff. Was wondering if anyone else continued to experience any of these seemingly menopausal symptoms? I agree that exercise and healthy eating are the way to go. I've also been practicing yoga and meditation for over 6 years and they have helped me to bring balance and calm to my daily life - pretty good life it is. I'm an ACS volunteer and life is pretty darn good except for these strange physical things that pop up. My surgeon told me (jokingly) that the downside to survival is that you live long enough to get other things! Seems like that's the case. Anyway, was wondering about other folks' experiences as long term survivors. Sending a smile.

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