period during taxol

scaraher
scaraher Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hey everyone I have a question. I am on my second round of taxol after 4 rounds of a/c. I have not had a period since the week after starting a/c. Yesterday I started spotting called oncologist and he told me its normal but call if it gets heavier. And guess what it got heavier so I called him today and I am awaiting a return call but I was wondering if this is normal. I thought the chemo was supposed to shut down our ovaries? It makes we wonder if its not working. All the bad thoughts have been creeping in lately since I am almost done with chemo. I hate chemo but I feel like my lifeline is going to be yanked out from me soon. Ok I didn't mean to get into all that. Just wondering if anyone else on taxol started their periods up again. Thanks
Stephanie

Comments

  • scaraher
    scaraher Member Posts: 20
    #2
    ok I have chemo brain I am on taxotere not taxol. I dont know if that makes a difference
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    I had two 10-month courses of chemo, one in 1986-7 and another in 1988. I was 38-40 at that time. I did not stop having periods until months later after I had been on tamoxifen for some time.
    Maybe I am the weird one, who knows? But that's how it was for me. Check again with your doctor and KEEP checking until you get an answer that puts your mind at rest.
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #4
    I was told from the outset that my period may or may not come or go while on chemo (started Herceptin/Taxol in June 2007, did that 24 weeks, a month off, C/A after that). My period stopped in Sep. 07, still have not started back. I am 44, so Dr. told me I may start back again, but it may not start back for a year after last dose (that would be April 2009). No guarantees, and everyone is different (where have I heard that before?)

    I would definitely talk to your Dr. about any concerns, but it sounds to me like you are within what is "normal".

    Best wishes, seof
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    Stephanie, first of all, I can totally relate to your feeling anxiouse about chemo ending. After my second to last treatment I went home and cried brcause I knew I had only one more treatment to go. No matter how unpleasant, it does seem like your lifeline. But remember, you will still see your doctors for a long time after so you are not totally out on your own. As for your period, at 42 yrs old I also had 4 AC and 4 TAxols and my period stopped after my 2nd AC. I have not had a period in 2 years and have been taking tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years. My onc told me that he was going to do blood tests for menopause and then we would switch to aromatase inhibitor this winter or so. Well, not only an I not menopausal but my levels are super high! Go figure. So I guess there is no rhime or reason to this. But don't worry about your chemo not working----every body is different and your chemo is doing its job. Good luck, keep us informed. Eil
  • scaraher
    scaraher Member Posts: 20
    #6
    unknown said:

    Stephanie, first of all, I can totally relate to your feeling anxiouse about chemo ending. After my second to last treatment I went home and cried brcause I knew I had only one more treatment to go. No matter how unpleasant, it does seem like your lifeline. But remember, you will still see your doctors for a long time after so you are not totally out on your own. As for your period, at 42 yrs old I also had 4 AC and 4 TAxols and my period stopped after my 2nd AC. I have not had a period in 2 years and have been taking tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years. My onc told me that he was going to do blood tests for menopause and then we would switch to aromatase inhibitor this winter or so. Well, not only an I not menopausal but my levels are super high! Go figure. So I guess there is no rhime or reason to this. But don't worry about your chemo not working----every body is different and your chemo is doing its job. Good luck, keep us informed. Eil

    Heres the up date. I finally talked to my dr and he says it is probably just break through bleeding and it is ok, but if it gets really heavy call him. My worries came from the fact that my cancer is ER + and Pr +, and to me period equals estrogen and other hormones that I don't want in my body right now but my dr says it is ok and everything should be fine. Thanks everyone for the responses.
  • babebussie
    babebussie Member Posts: 150
    #7
    Funny you should mention periods because when i started chemo in january 2008 i was on a/c for 4 rounds. My period stopped after round 2. I had my mastectomy in april and began taxotere the end of may. I'm 3 rounds in on taxotere with 1 more to go on aug 5th and you know what my frigging period started back just last week. It first started off spotting then it turned into a full blown period. I told the onc this on my last visit which was tuesday and she said not to worry about it. I thought that when you went through chemo your period stopping was only temp and it would come back later on, i didnt know that it was suppose to stop it all together, or is it?
    Anyway....i hate that it's back because i was getting used to not buying the personal stuff and having bed fun whenever i wanted but now....hmmmm, i dont know.

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