I might have an obvious question. But wondering if anyone else have researched or asked the professionals?
I know the oestrogen is produced apart the obvious ovaries also in adrenal glands and fat tissue. But if I get rid of ovaries rather then shut them down by medication ( which causing my body wretched and old). Perhaps we can take a lower dose of the inhibitors? Perhaps.. 🤔
Im on Ibrance and Letrozole since Dec 2020 only. And the side effects are worsening.
Hope its not a silly question. Just wondering..
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Given that you are on letrozole rather than tamoxifen, I'm assuming that you too are postmenopausal. I think the estrogen levels in our bodies post menopause mostly come from other sources, not the ovaries (which is one reason why we show signs of aging). Also, I'm wondering whether the time it would take to recover from the operation might set your current treatment back considerably. You might want to read about oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery) on the Mayo Clinic website which explains some of the possible risks.
Hi R7777, Interesting question that I've not thought about at all. I am 45 and have been on Letrozole, Palbocilib (Ibrance), Denosumab (Xgeva), and Goserelin (Zoladex) for almost 2 and a half years.
My understanding is that Letrozole is the aromatase inhibitor which is to stop estrogen production from areas of the body other than the ovaries and the Goserelin (which is a once every 4 weeks shot for me) is to stop the ovaries from producing estrogen and put me in medicated menopause. So removal of ovaries would eliminate the need for the Goserelin but not the Letrozole, Ibrance or Xgeva in my case. But you have made me ponder if that would be beneficial. Honestly, when I started treatment, I'd had 3 surgeries in 4 months and the idea of another surgery was just something I don't think I could fathom at the time. Now I'm sort of set into a treatment schedule and since I'm at the clinic to get the Xgeva shot at the same time, it probably doesn't make much of a difference. But if you aren't getting a Denosumab shot, hmmm.
I will say some of the body 'getting wretched and old' would happen regardless. The lack of estrogen is a big driver of aging so I'd guess that removing the ovaries would be a different way to get the same effect? Maybe, I don't know. It does get better. I am frustrated by the creakiness of my joints, the having less energy than I used to (I was someone who never stopped and was always antsy to move), and the weight gain. But I don't know what is from which medicine (I did read somewhere on this forum that joint pain might be associated with the Ibrance), what is the menopause, and what is having been in lockdown for a year and thus much less exercise and much more eating! I've never baked so much in my life and my jeans are feeling the pressure!
BUT, I will also say, I feel so much better than when I started on the meds. I live a normal life ... some might say at what would be a more normal level of activity rather than my frenetic pace before! To be fair, when I started taking meds, I think my body was still recovering from surgeries and general anesthesia which I understand can make you feel tired for months or longer, and still kind of letting go of all the stress from the diagnosis period if that makes sense. I think I'd say that for up to about 6 months I was kinda like what is going on with my body but then I think my body got used to it and stabilised. Your body is working hard right now. Probably if I ate better and exercised more I would have more energy now! Also, some of the side effects (like weight gain, dryness, etc) I know some friends of mine who for some reason have started menopause really early are experiencing even thought they don't have cancer I think we just got it all at one time rather than gradually which is harder to adjust to I think. I don't know.
Anyway, forgive me for rambling away. I'm an external processor and was really fascinated by your question. Will keep an eye on other responses to this because I'm very curious!
By the way, Breast Cancer Now has some good booklets on the meds by the way - breastcancernow.org/informa... and there's tons of stuff from MacMillan online. Boy did I binge on all these webpages at the beginning! macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...
Hello Stac!Thank you so much for taking your time replying!
We are the same age and on the same drugs! Only mine is Prostap instead of Zoladex. But they do the same thing.
You are right about the aging- it will be here either way. Suppressing the oestrogen or eliminating it. I will see what stands behind the decision of medical suppression over the surgery next time I talk to my onk. There are different strengths of Letrozole, so maybe it can be lowered after the Oopherectomy? I less medication, less trauma for liver too??
All the drugs are mentioning weight gain and hair loss. Grr.. I guess we can't escape. Im going to start Biotin. I hope it will help. Im taking so many supplements! Thank you for your encouragement saying it will get easier and body will adapt.
Hurray!
I also have been binging on info's. Not so much the classic western medical one..as it clearly state incurable.
I tent to search the threads of people who got NED and how! And there is so much info out there. ; )
Good luck xx
I got my ovaries removed because I couldn’t tolerate the abdominal shot to suppress my ovaries. Unfortunately you still have to be on an AI. But, honestly it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was a quick and easy surgery and I eliminated having to get that painful shot every month. Turns out they had breast cancer in them that the scans never picked up. So for me it was a win win!!❤️Mandy
I totally agree with Mandy! And regarding the recovery time, I had my operation in the morning and went out to dinner with my husband that evening. I wouldn't say I was in top form, but I was completely able and comfortable doing so. And yes, I am still on the AI.
Great question!I had an oophorectomy about a year and a half in to my diagnosis, which forced mesopause (2016). It was a great decision for me. It was a faster recovery than a full hysterectomy. I wanted quick recovery because I didn't want to miss 6 weeks of life recovering from a hysterectomy. It was day surgery and after a few days resting at home, I went to my son's football game 4 days later in October. Not the most pleasant of conditions for the game but I was excited to be there.
The down side is being slammed with all the menopause symptoms at once and it does contribute to aging faster. The upside, I have not had a single period since, I am aging!! and I have stayed away from Adriamycin for 5 years to date. Treatment has been relatively manageable and I feel my quality of life was protected.
It does not stop the need for inhibitors but does help starve hormone fed cancers.
The one thing I am sure about is no know knows what decision they are going to make until you are faced with the question. What I believed in theory has changed as I change and grow more comfortable with where I am at and what is important to me.
Ask the questions to find out if it is right for you! Good luck on your decision.
Hello Tammie! Thank you for taking time to reply to me. Glad it worked for you well. I wonder now if stopping the ovaries medically has the same aging effect as their surgical removal...hmm
I also had them removed as the monthly injections were making my moods a bit crazy! I had it in March 2020 and recovered within days. Good decision- I have put on some weight, nothing crazy , but a little heavier than I was previously. But delighted to have one less medication a month! I was 46 when removed and 44 when diagnosed
I’ve been very lucky - I’m on leterzol and Ibrance- and I know some ladies have thinned hair, but mine is really think and my skin been good. Just lost my waist!
Hi I'm on Ibrance too as well Anastrozole, I have goserelin monthly injections and zometa monthly I'm having a meeting with a oncology gynaecologist on the 19th to discuss possible ovary removal, I'm 31 and was forced into early menopause as soon as they found out the cancer had spread. From what I understand from speaking to my consultant is that my med strengths won't be reduced if the Dr agrees to ovary removal(he should as my grandma has ovarian cancer) but I just won't have the monthly goserelin. I'm actually going to ask about a full hysterectomy as I had to have Lletz procedure in Jan 2020 as they found precancerous cells (2020 was a seriously crappy year for me) I would definitely ask your oncologist if they could arrange for you to speak to someone in that dept even if its just so you can ask questions.
Good luck! I have been told before- should you ever need to have a hysterectomy, don’t go for a total one! Try to find out why..I wish I could go and ask “my” gynaecologist.
When I lived in Czech, we used to go to gynaecology ever year for a smear test/ ultrasound, boobs control. Here in the UK( USA, Canada.. the same I guess)- you have to be referred- usually when there is a problem already.
I think it's due to the recovery time they don't like to do one-but I'll keep you updated. I have 2 children under 5 so I can't exactly sit around recovering but I just see it as it'll be 2 cancerous less tk worry about! I think yearly checks would be much more beneficial if they had them here in the UK.
I was diagnosed in Jan 2017 . Had a left mastectomy with axillary dissection. Did 27 radiation treatments. Was put on Arimidex. My gynecologist wanted me to have a complete hysterectomy (oopharectomy) when I saw him t that October(2017). He was spouting off all kinds of statistics and stuff about how high the chances are for the cancer to spread to the ovaries or uterus. Said since I was through menopause he felt strongly I should have this done. I told him I just came through a mastectomy with a latisamous flap and skin graft done. I'm not ready for another surgery right now. So I waited till October of 2018 when I saw him for my yearly check up . I told him I would have it done now. (Oh January 2018 I had mammogram of right breast and CT scan of body. Bone scan and bone density. All came back good). He scheduled it for first part of December. Went through all the pre op procedures . Uterine biopsy etc. All good. As they do as standard practice they send everything they remove away to be checked. Sure enough they found a microscopic cell in my right ovarie of breast cancer. So now I'm MBC. They did brain MRI and Pet scan after that found nothing. Oncologist said the spec they found in my ovary was so small it probably wouldn't show up on a pet scan yet. They switched me from Arimadex to Letrozole January 2019. So far so good. Recently I did have a slight rise in liver enzymes but onc. Doesn't seem too concerned yet. So long story short my gynecologist was right in telling me to have a oopharectomy!
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