Hormone suppression after active treatment.

Hi , if you did go down the zoladex route, you can get Emla cream to put on an hour or so beforehand and you don't feel anything. The first time I had the zoladex, t was at the same time as my 2nd cycle of chemo so the nurses did it then. It was pretty sore! Every time since, I've used Emla cream and it's been fine.

Galligirl I would like my ovaries removed - do you mind me asking if you noticed any difference with menopausal symptoms compared to the zoladex and how the recovery was?

Thank you for the tip. Did you do the injections yourself at some point or always nurse?! 

Always a nurse, the injection is huge! My husband did the immune stimulating ones during chemo, but this is a different things altogether. It's easy enough for me to go and get it done every 4 weeks.

Oh ok. I better not offer to do it myself  

To be honest, my body has been through so much I’m not sure what is menopausal, medically induced, or just feeling old! I don’t think my symptoms were any different after having my ovaries removed. It was an easy key hole operation…no issues or pain after…a doddle compared to the crap I’d been through! The injections to keep me in menopause where horrible….so for me operation to get rid of ovaries was a no brainer….and I haven’t regretted it at all!

only downside….after a mastectomy, drain, key hole surgery (3 scars), and 2 c-sections….I look like I have been it a pretty bad fight!!!

Thanks for this Galligirl, I'm going to discuss ovary removal again at my next check up. I know what you mean about not sure where the symptoms come from. I don't really know what is menopausal, chemo or jut everything that I've been through catching up on me!

On what basis do you make judgement to remove ovaries? Pardon the ignorance. Just curious.

C x

Personally, I am seen as high risk for recurrence, I hated having the injections which I found painful and a constant reminder, I am well past child bearing age, breast cancer is prevalent in my family although no gene markers found. Physically and mentally I felt inclined to have this simple operation and they also could check no ovarian cancer (which is linked to bc).

All very personal…but important for me.

Hi ...sorry to keep asking. I felt that none of the medical team is telling me how high risk I am! So I am none the wiser. Do you ask onco this question? I have always wondered if I was genetically faulty anyway...how do you get a gene marker done. I think you have to pay for this test? Never knew ovarian cancer and BC are linked. I am so new about all these!

C x

For me, the ovary removal preference is a few things - I am mid-40s and am on zoladex for 5 years. I really don't want any chance of my ovaries trying to kick back in when I stop the injections so that I have to go through the menopause twice. There's also the risk of ovarian cancer if you've had breast cancer, and I can't stop thinking about ovarian cancer now so would rather they were just removed.

The other thing is that it feels like it might be better to have a natural reason for my ovaries not working rather than suppression through drugs. I know I have to take the AI, but it would be one less chemical to take.