1. < Breast Cancer

When you have hormone positive breast cancer, how to manage menopause?

Posted by sue417 @sue417, Apr 10 8:49am

Hi
I just finished breast cancer surgery and radiation I was taken off my HRT last October. I am 65 I have major menopause symptoms and wondered what women do that have had a breast cancer and are not allowed to take estrogen to get through this phase of life. I cannot sleep because of the hot flashes all night and now I have to start tamoxifen 5 mg which I'm hoping does not increase my night sweats I miss my estrogen/Progesterone and I'm at a loss. Is there anything you can take to help I just feel ill all the time. Anyone else have this kind of experience. I was on bioidentical hormones my cancer is estrogen progesterone positive HRT negative. My oncologist did put me on vagifem thank god for my bladder issues

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celia16 | @celia16 | Apr 10 7:25pm

That sounds quite miserable. I hope you can find some relief. I’m afraid I don’t know any options. Have your doctors been of any help with that?

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sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 11 8:01am

Hi
No, just my oncologist allowing me to use vagifem. I have a new g.p which I see next week so hopefully I can go over my concerns with her.

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Apr 11 8:08am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi No, just my oncologist allowing me to use vagifem. I have a new g.p which..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
No, just my oncologist allowing me to use vagifem. I have a new g.p which I see next week so hopefully I can go over my concerns with her.

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I hope you will get more feedback here. And, I hope your doctors have recommendations to address it. I never had night sweats..,no idea why. Are you able to get much sleep?

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1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 11 9:51am
In reply to @celia16 "I hope you will get more feedback here. And, I hope your doctors have recommendations to..." + (show)
@celia16

I hope you will get more feedback here. And, I hope your doctors have recommendations to address it. I never had night sweats..,no idea why. Are you able to get much sleep?

Jump to this post

Hi
My menopause has been wicked from the day it started. I wasvon hrt for 10 yrs.
Thks

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1 reply
livedinrochester | @livedinrochester | Apr 12 12:06pm

I have had hot flashes for 22 years now. I am 72. I also take BHRT (0.025 Estradiol patch & 200 mg of Progesterone). It does work and I have not had any side effects. But it scares me to be on BHRT THIS long. Tried to wean off but they were right back. Very bad hot flashes around 4AM and wake up & cannot get back to sleep.

Either because I did NOT have kids I am a diethylstilbestrol (DES) daughter I think! NOT enjoying my "golden" years!

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1 reply
livedinrochester | @livedinrochester | Apr 12 12:09pm

Sorry to hear this. Not fair that women get all kinds of "crap" and men get very little. Hope things work out. I have used BHRT for severe hot flashes for 22 years and am scared to death of breast cancer.

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1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 12 12:51pm
In reply to @livedinrochester "I have had hot flashes for 22 years now. I am 72. I also take BHRT..." + (show)
@livedinrochester

I have had hot flashes for 22 years now. I am 72. I also take BHRT (0.025 Estradiol patch & 200 mg of Progesterone). It does work and I have not had any side effects. But it scares me to be on BHRT THIS long. Tried to wean off but they were right back. Very bad hot flashes around 4AM and wake up & cannot get back to sleep.

Either because I did NOT have kids I am a diethylstilbestrol (DES) daughter I think! NOT enjoying my "golden" years!

Jump to this post

Hi
Yes I am 65 I did not have children either I was on HRT for 10 years it was great but because I just got through breast cancer I'm not allowed to take it anymore so I guess this is the way it is now which is frustrating and I do wake up at 4:00 a.m. also every night with a wicked hot flash very strange thanks for sharing

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sue417 | @sue417 | Apr 12 12:52pm
In reply to @livedinrochester "Sorry to hear this. Not fair that women get all kinds of "crap" and men get..." + (show)
@livedinrochester

Sorry to hear this. Not fair that women get all kinds of "crap" and men get very little. Hope things work out. I have used BHRT for severe hot flashes for 22 years and am scared to death of breast cancer.

Jump to this post

Hi
I was told that my HRT was not the cause of my breast cancer at all even though it is estrogen and progesterone positive

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red79 | @red79 | Apr 14 3:12am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi My menopause has been wicked from the day it started. I wasvon hrt for 10..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
My menopause has been wicked from the day it started. I wasvon hrt for 10 yrs.
Thks

Jump to this post

Hi Celia 16 it's a nightmare I'm 45 years old just had blood tests to see if I'm in menopause or if its thyroid get results on tuesday.hope you get it sorted soon.

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2 replies
celia16 | @celia16 | Apr 14 6:23am
In reply to @red79 "Hi Celia 16 it's a nightmare I'm 45 years old just had blood tests to see..." + (show)
@red79

Hi Celia 16 it's a nightmare I'm 45 years old just had blood tests to see if I'm in menopause or if its thyroid get results on tuesday.hope you get it sorted soon.

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So sorry. I do have hypothyroidism that is remedied with medication, but I have never had any hot flashes, mood swings or night sweats. I have no idea why. My mom had a terrible time. She’s also had 2 pelvic surgeries.

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