Chemo induced menopause

nonichol
nonichol Member Posts: 170
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
I am just wondering if any of you were thrown into menopause from the chemo? I need to go see a Doc and see about some relief.
My irritability is bothering me the most (probably bothers others more). Of course, I have a host of other symptoms as well.
How have the rest of you dealt with this?
N

Comments

  • mbh97766
    mbh97766 Member Posts: 39
    #2
    Apparantly I too have been
    Apparantly I too have been thrown into menopause but am told it is from the radiation. Either way, I have an appointment with a naturopath to discuss this and a some other issues at the beginning of next week. Since I'm only one week post treatment, I don't suppose I can discern between what's menopause and what's fatigue, and other side affects at this point. But I certainly will let you know what she shares with me.
    Darcee
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    #3
    thx
    Yeah,
    Let me know what your doc says, please. I wonder what our treatment options are, since we have had cancer. I don't have a doc appointment til March and do not want one.
    Thx,
    Norma
  • dewaldj
    dewaldj Member Posts: 5
    #4
    Menopause
    Hi nonichol, I too have chemo/radiation induced menopause. The symptoms were horrid, sweating all the time, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritability, etc. I take Prempro, I KNOW what some studies say about this drug and those like it, but I'm willing to take the chance to feel normal again. I've been on it now for 2 years and I don't regret my decision at all.
  • grandma2selena
    grandma2selena Member Posts: 199
    #5
    mbh97766 said:

    Apparantly I too have been
    Apparantly I too have been thrown into menopause but am told it is from the radiation. Either way, I have an appointment with a naturopath to discuss this and a some other issues at the beginning of next week. Since I'm only one week post treatment, I don't suppose I can discern between what's menopause and what's fatigue, and other side affects at this point. But I certainly will let you know what she shares with me.
    Darcee

    Not Unusual
    It is not unusual for Chemo to throw you into menopause. I didn't deal with it, but I had already had a hysterectomy years before. Every cancer patient I have known who has received Chemo has experienced this (well female patients). I am surprised they didn't mention this to you from the get go, I know my doctors discussed this with me before we started.
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    #6
    menopause
    Hi N-I was diagnosed at age 55 and was still getting my period like clock work.I dont know if it was the chemo or radiation ...or both,but i went into menopause.The hot flashes were horrible.Now 29 months later since i finished treatment, the hot flashes have calmed down.They used to be all day,every day.Now I can go days without any.I didnt want to go on medication for the hot flashes...Anti depressants have been prescribed to others.(They seem to work well for flashes.)I gave it time and they have definitely gotten better.I can't imagine anyone who is treated for anal cancer not going into menopause.I think the radiation melts your insides.But it is a small price to pay...we are here....Hugs ..alyse
  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    #7
    grandma2selena said:

    Not Unusual
    It is not unusual for Chemo to throw you into menopause. I didn't deal with it, but I had already had a hysterectomy years before. Every cancer patient I have known who has received Chemo has experienced this (well female patients). I am surprised they didn't mention this to you from the get go, I know my doctors discussed this with me before we started.

    yes
    Yes, my Doctor did mention it. But, I did not realize irritability was part of the package. That is the symptom most bothering me. I guess, I need to talk to the Doc about my options, if any.
    Thanks everyone.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #8
    z810840b said:

    menopause
    Hi N-I was diagnosed at age 55 and was still getting my period like clock work.I dont know if it was the chemo or radiation ...or both,but i went into menopause.The hot flashes were horrible.Now 29 months later since i finished treatment, the hot flashes have calmed down.They used to be all day,every day.Now I can go days without any.I didnt want to go on medication for the hot flashes...Anti depressants have been prescribed to others.(They seem to work well for flashes.)I gave it time and they have definitely gotten better.I can't imagine anyone who is treated for anal cancer not going into menopause.I think the radiation melts your insides.But it is a small price to pay...we are here....Hugs ..alyse

    Memopause
    I was told before I began treatment that I would go into instant menopause. I was told it was because of the radiation. I did go into menopause instantly, no exageration! Hot flashes were bad for awhile. They have subsided for the most part. I was peri-menopausal pre treatment and I had worse hot flashes back then. In a strange way I think my menopausal symptoms were easier post treatment. Fried ovaries I guess....
    Liz
  • dasspears
    dasspears Member Posts: 227
    #9
    lizdeli said:

    Memopause
    I was told before I began treatment that I would go into instant menopause. I was told it was because of the radiation. I did go into menopause instantly, no exageration! Hot flashes were bad for awhile. They have subsided for the most part. I was peri-menopausal pre treatment and I had worse hot flashes back then. In a strange way I think my menopausal symptoms were easier post treatment. Fried ovaries I guess....
    Liz

    Already in the throes....
    of menopause. But, my radiation onc did say that if I was not in menopause at the time of my treatment, I would be after due to the radiation the pelvic area receives. I have found that Premarin cream helps not only with the symptoms but also with the vaginal dryness. I am using it in conjunction with my dilators to try to re-open my vaginal path. Also, taking evening primrose seems to help with hot flashes. Could be in my mind but hey, if my mind thinks it is working, then I'm happy with that.
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #10
    dasspears said:

    Already in the throes....
    of menopause. But, my radiation onc did say that if I was not in menopause at the time of my treatment, I would be after due to the radiation the pelvic area receives. I have found that Premarin cream helps not only with the symptoms but also with the vaginal dryness. I am using it in conjunction with my dilators to try to re-open my vaginal path. Also, taking evening primrose seems to help with hot flashes. Could be in my mind but hey, if my mind thinks it is working, then I'm happy with that.

    My radiologist told me my
    My radiologist told me my ovaries were fried after 3 days of radiation! What a bonus.....go through cancer/treatment, etc, and deal with menopause as well!!
    I've never taken anything except a natural supplement that really didn't help ( with hot flashes) and acupuncture....which does help.
    After 3 years, the hot flashes are much less frequent, but I still have them at night and at least once during the day at work. My co- workers get a kick out of seeing me look as though my face is about to explode as I'm fanning myself like a maniac!!!
  • carlo1024
    carlo1024 Member Posts: 5
    #11
    instant menopause
    Hi-the same thing happened to me due to radiation. I was referred to an endocrinologist because the hot flashes were so constant. He prescribed a course of beta blockers rather than hormone therapy and it was quite effective in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes. I don't know if it would help with the irritability-but maybe if those go away, you won't be so irritable. LOL
  • carlo1024
    carlo1024 Member Posts: 5
    #12
    instant menopause
    Hi-the same thing happened to me due to radiation. I was referred to an endocrinologist because the hot flashes were so constant. He prescribed a course of beta blockers rather than hormone therapy and it was quite effective in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes. I don't know if it would help with the irritability-but maybe if those go away, you won't be so irritable. LOL
  • carlo1024
    carlo1024 Member Posts: 5
    #13
    instant menopause
    Hi-the same thing happened to me due to radiation. I was referred to an endocrinologist because the hot flashes were so constant. He prescribed a course of beta blockers rather than hormone therapy and it was quite effective in reducing the number and severity of hot flashes. I don't know if it would help with the irritability-but maybe if those go away, you won't be so irritable. LOL

Discussion Boards