Return of my period

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Ronee33
Ronee33 Member Posts: 25
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi,
Just a question for those who may have some insight on what I should expect. I did not have my period for 11 months -- blood test indicated that I was post menopausal. Just last week, it came back. Now, personally, I was ok with it being gone. I figured it was one positive to this whole cancer/chemo thing. Has anyone else gone this long without their period only to have it come back? I'm hoping, fingers and toes crossed, that it was just a last hurrah. Should I hope for this or has it really returned?

Thanks!

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  • MrTangerineMan
    MrTangerineMan Member Posts: 4
    #2
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    Hi,

    Over the last two and a half years, my partner (44) has endured three courses of chemotherapy (6 x AC, 5 x Taxotir, 6 x Xeloda). Her periods had completely stopped and her oncologist had told her they wouldn't return. However, three months ago she had a period for the first time in two and a half years, and has since had two more, exactly 28 days apart (she was never regular before). I guess the body is quite resiliant.
  • martyzl
    martyzl Member Posts: 196
    #3
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    Hi Ronee!
    I am now 39 and finished my chemo in Dec. '02. I was perimenopausal before the chemo.
    My period took about 10 mo's to start up. (Amazing that I cannot remember exactly anymore!!) I had the ovaries chemically suspended though... and was told it didn't work.
    Surprise! Then told that it was unlikely that I would still be fertile. (Didn't have blood test but was getting ready to...)
    Surprise!
    Not to scare you but I am due any time.... do be careful! *smiles*
    ANYTHING can happen. As Mr. T said, the body is resiliant... amazing too!
    If it makes you feel any better, you may be entering menopause... it can take time for your body to wrap things up. My Mum was 42 when she had me (another surprise). 2 yrs later she thought she was pregnant again... it was just menopause starting up. Former mother-in-law thought she was bleeding to death... menopause showing up. Everyone is different.
    Have you checked with your gynecologist to let them know?

    Best of luck and be well!
    Marty
  • krisrey
    krisrey Member Posts: 194
    #4
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    Hi Renee,
    I too have not had a period in 15 months, then suddenly out the clear blue sky I had some very tiny spotting and that didn't even last. But you don't mention if you are on tamoxifen or not. I did call my onco because she said after all this time I should be post menopausal, however because of the tamoxifen it warrents checking with the GYN just to make sure its not the tamoxifen causing other problems. I had already had an appt with my GYN (today in fact. I had an ultrasound, bone density, uterin biopsy, and blood work. As it turns out I have a cyst on each ovary which they will ultrasound again in three weeks. All these things done as procaution because of the tamoxifen and the spotting I had. I only tell you this because if you are on tamoxifen you should call you GYN and get checked.
    Take care Renee,
    Kris
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #5
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    Hi Ronee. I went 13 months without a period (I'm 47 and was no where near menopause before chemo). I tested that I was fully in menopause so I asked to be switched from Tamoxifen to Arimidex. Two months after switching, my period returned. I called my oncologist. I was given the choice to return to tamoxifen (and keep my period) or get Lupron shots every 3 mos. to supress my period and stay on Arimidex. I then called my GYN to get her opinion and she told me to come in for some tests and to examine me. She did a transvaginal ultrasound to check the status of an ovarian cyst I've had, took blood for another FSH test (which came out half menopausal, half not), did an exam and wanted to consult with some collegues about me. The consensus was that my body might just be reacting to the change in medication. To get a better idea, I am now scheduled to go in for an endometrial biopsy. If it turns out that I'm no longer in menopause, I've decided that I will have my ovaries removed rather than stay on Lupron shots indefinitely. Going back to tamoxifen is not something I will consider, since it is not as effective as Arimidex on my HER2 + cancer. Hope things work out as you want them to.
    Susan
  • bevwells
    bevwells Member Posts: 4
    #6
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    I went for 21 months without a period which was in July. It was as normal a period as ever, but I haven't had one since. My docs want me to have a biopsy just to be sure. I've been on tamox for about 18 months.
  • bonham
    bonham Member Posts: 2
    #7
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    martyzl said:

    Hi Ronee!
    I am now 39 and finished my chemo in Dec. '02. I was perimenopausal before the chemo.
    My period took about 10 mo's to start up. (Amazing that I cannot remember exactly anymore!!) I had the ovaries chemically suspended though... and was told it didn't work.
    Surprise! Then told that it was unlikely that I would still be fertile. (Didn't have blood test but was getting ready to...)
    Surprise!
    Not to scare you but I am due any time.... do be careful! *smiles*
    ANYTHING can happen. As Mr. T said, the body is resiliant... amazing too!
    If it makes you feel any better, you may be entering menopause... it can take time for your body to wrap things up. My Mum was 42 when she had me (another surprise). 2 yrs later she thought she was pregnant again... it was just menopause starting up. Former mother-in-law thought she was bleeding to death... menopause showing up. Everyone is different.
    Have you checked with your gynecologist to let them know?

    Best of luck and be well!
    Marty

    Please tell me more. I am 34 finished with chemo
    going onto radiation. It has been reccomended that I take tamoxifen and lupron. I do not want to take lupron. I would like to have a baby in the future. Any suggestions???
    Kimberly/bonham

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