MENOPAUSE

[Tara]

For all of you ladies out there that had chemo induced menopause.  Did you ever come out of it?  If so, when?

I'm 7 months past treatment (almost 8 yippee!!) and I still haven't emerged.  Prior to starting chemo the docs said that my fertility should return within 6-12 months.  I quit taking the pill b/c I didn't like the side effects... however, I started back today.  I would rather have breakthrough bleeding and get fatter than deal with a Mississippi summer and hot flashes!  My MIL has a summer home in Lakeside OH, on Lake Eerie........ I've told her I may be moving in for the summer.

So, all of you post chemo chicks - did you ever emerge from menopause?  How long after treatment?  What type of treatment did you have?  How old were you when you were going thru chemo? etc,etc,etc.

[Cari]

All I can say is that I have NEVER been the same hahah.  I was 28 when I started chemo had treatment for a year and a half and it took about another year to start my period again.  But I had it once and then not again.  So after talking to my onc he said I could go back on the pill and see if that regulated me--so I did.....The first few months I was like clock work it was great--I felt half way normal again---and then I stopped again--I am 4 years out of treatment and have not had a whole year worth of periods.  I can't even remember the last one at this point.  The plus is though I am not having hot flashes but I still seem to get the PMS symptoms the week before I SHOULD start.  So I don't know...........Its a mystery to me!!!  Good Luck!  HUGS

[Kelly_Marie]

Cari-thank you for sharing the part where you get the symptoms when you should begin but never do!  I thought I was going crazy-I've written in a journal to keep track and sure enough I was not making this up!  Tara-  5 years after treatment I had the blood test to make sure I was menopause- it came back post-menopause.  I was ok with that I just wanted to make sure if I needed to buy birth control or not, so not. 

However, 1 year ago I lost my patience with the continued side effects my body has had since treatment, pain, fatigue, etc.  My aunt was going to a wonderful Dr. who also studied in the natuapathy of herbs.  I was interested since he was an MD.  Anyway after two visits, over 6 months I started having periods again.  Gotta be honest I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I'd gotten over the no child factor and was starting to enjoy the lack of a monthly hassle.  Now, I have not gone back to get the blood test to see where I am now on the menopause cycle.  August will be my annual checkup and I prefer to be sticked the least amount of times so I will get everything done then.  I will check back with you if you want then.

Thanks for asking Tara as I would have been too shy to ask.  But once a topic is presented I'll be honest if warranted:)

Blessings,
Kelly Marie