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[shell05]

Hello all.
I've been reading some of the ladies posts for a week or so and finally decided to jump in.
I'm 44 and at the beginning of the year was diagnosed with cancer in my womb so had to have full hysterectomy and radiotherapy.
As this was not only a massive shock emotionally but also a huge shock to my system and my body isn't happy at all!
Hot flushes are going to kill me I'm sure of it. I've never experienced anything so awful but I'm also having cold flushes and I mean freezing to the bone
I've been advised not to go with hrt as it may cause the cancer to return.
I don't sleep for days and now I'm turning into a snappy monster which is hard for me as normally I'm very laid back and easy going.
All in all feeling very deflated.
Sorry for the miserable post!
Thanks
Shelley

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM

I think you should seek a second opinion about HRT - I'm not clued up on this but can womb cancer be oestrogen receptive???
You only need oestrogen and I believe women who have had a hysterectomy are actually less likely to get breast cancer if they use oestrogen  - I thought the long term study showed that hysterectomised women were slightly more likely to get breast cancer if they don't have oestrogen?.  However that may depend on why they had a hyster in the first place. I still think it's worth researching this more as you are very young to be oestrogen deficient and you need to have your heart and bones monitored.  It could be wise to use local oestrogen if you are getting vaginal dryness and your bladder function isn't as good as it used to be - do check this with your doctor.
I would have thought that oestrogen would be good for you right now - for the long term benefit of your bones and heart and also to reduce these horrid meno symptoms.
If oestrogen is really not an option for you then do look under non hormonal prescription treatments at the top of this page, under TREATMENTS.
Keep us posted. DG x

[CLKD]

 

Who advised you not to use HRT?  If your womb has been removed and if there are no signs of spread then I can't see a problem.  My breast disease [1995] was oestrogen receptive but for Quality of Life, should push come to shove ! I would certainly be discussing it with an oncologist.

I had cold flushes within 24 hours of taking Tamoxifen - a drug that almost killed me  .  Like cold water running from the nape down between my shoulder blades, I thought I had a 'flu attack on the way 

Browse round.

[shell05]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question. All I get is 'it could aggravate any cells' and I get no definite answer really.
This has all happened in the last 8 month so is very new to me.
After having appointments with a genetics team apparently I have a high chance of cancerous issues
I can only repeat what I have been told.
The only other treatment I've had is acupuncture.

[CLKD]

One problem can cause others ……… however, how likely is HRT to cause problems?  I often wonder whether they are repeating what they have read rather than dealing individually with patients, may I ask whether the genetics team requested specific blood tests with regards the 'high chance' of issues?   I am fascinated by 'what ifs' 

Did the acupuncture help at all? 

Browse round, there is an Alternative section here …….. keep asking!

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Shell05

I'm really sorry to hear of all you've been through and that you are feeling so poorly. I can't offer any advice I'm afraid but just wanted to wish you well and welcome you to the forum. x   

[cubagirl]

Sorry to hear about you being so poorly. I can't advise, as I don't know. I had hysterectomy long time ago & put on oestrogen only. However, a few years back I came off it for 8 months to see how I'd cope. The answer was I didn't! Horrid time. Emotions all to pot, hot flushes, sweats & oh the chills were horrendous. Spent my wishing for a chill when I was hot & vice versa!

Eventually my GP agreed that quality of life was more important than any possible risks. Try & seek further advice as no point in suffering, if you can get some help.

[Hurdity]

Hi shell05

  from me too.

Sorry to hear about your womb cancer. Do you know what stage it was and whether it was confined to the womb or if it had spread to any other organs? Also did you retain your ovaries?

Re the genetics team - may I suggest that you request more specific information about your susceptibility - for example perhaps they have found that you contain a faulty BRCA1 gene which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer? There is more information on this here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Breastcancer/Pages/Breastcancergenes.aspx

I'm not sure how oestrogen replacement relates to this and whether in fact this is a contra-indication. As Dancinggirl says you may be at a slightly reduced risk of breast cancer if you take oestrogen only.

If possible I would ask for a referral to a specialist gynae at a menopause clinic who will have access to your relevant history including the genetic information.

Sorry I can't be of more help but please do not give up yet - there will be help out there!

Hurdity x

[shell05]

Thank you everyone for your well wishes it's amazing how a few words can lift your mood.
I  am waiting for another appointment with the genetics team as only blood tests have been done so far.
The cancer had spread outside my womb into the muscle. I was stage 1b.
I had a full hysterectomy so no ovaries.
The acupuncture did not help at all and I actually found myself being more wound up at the thought of going.
Thanks again, I really am finding your comments very helpful and just being able to 'off load' is helping too.

[Elizabethrose]

Good, off load away there's always someone here!

I had acupuncture done years ago when all else had failed with my migraines. I hated it too and it did nothing for the migraine!

All good wishes to you x

[Hurdity]

Hi shell05

Good news that it was only stage 1 cancer (although no cancer news is good) - as that is very early as I expect you were told - and has not spread beyond the womb.

The fact that your ovaries have been removed too means that you have been plunged into sudden surgical menopause - which will be worse if you were not menopausal before your operation ie you were still having periods.

Good luck with your appointment with the genetics team which I presume will help determine if you are at greater risk of breast cancer due to having had endometrial cancer? I hope you don't have to wait too long.

Do keep us posted anyway.

Hurdity x

[Ms Saucy]

Hi there.
What an amazing lady you are to have coped with all this and working on recovery. I have no idea about HRT being beneficial for you bit I send you hugs, cuddles and praise ..........take one day at a time is my motto .
Hugs Ms Saucy xx

[shell05]

Thank you Ms Saucy thats a lovely thing to say.
As you said, take one day at a time there are people far worse off than me

[Ms Saucy]

Hi there.
Sometimes kindness goes such a long way. I have a do, dump, delegate motto at home. I live with my awesome teenagers x2....my third awesome son became and angel in 2014 suddenly.
Recovery is so important for you, a shock re diagnosis and then surgery.
Always here with hugs, cuddles and support xx

[CLKD]

Shell - let us know how you get on!  Any experience can be helpful to others!