i have been offered ovarian suppression by my oncologist has anyone gone through this or have

I haven't been through this, Laura, though I know of women who've had the option. If your oncologist recommends this path, then I'd go withhis/her recommendation. Or, if you don't feel you can trust your oncologist or are uncomfortable with ovarian suppression, why not ask for a second opinion?

Anyone else out there been through ovarian suppression and can offer Laura any insight?

Good luck, Laura - PJH

I have not had ovarian suppression - I had a total hysterectomy, though it was PRIOR to getting my BC diagnosis and still did chemo - and my cancer still returned despite Femara....go figure.

I was unable to pull any info from this site, but did a Google search and found lots of articles.  Some of the most helpful info came from NCI , CancerLine , OurBreastSite .

I hope you find the info you are looking for to help you make an infomed decision.

I do not regret my hysterectomy - just the hot flashes!

Good Luck!

Angi

I had a masectomy, CEF then Taxotere CHEMO, Herceptin, Radiation, am now on Tamoxifen and ovarian suppression in the form of Lupron Shots every 3 months.  The tamoxifen and lupron work differently regarding estrogen.  From what I understand tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors on the cells, and lupron shuts down estrogen prodcution at the source by shutting down the ovaries.  I opted for  shots instead of having my ovaries removed because the latter seemed so final and if I couldn't cope with the menopausal  symptoms I could always stop the shots but I couldn't undo the surgery. 

I went into menopause from the chemo at age 36. I have two young kids, at the time they were just over a year and 3 years old.  I was advised by a second opinion not to have more kids as I am hormone receptive positive.  My oncologist said, after 5 years of lupron I may be in permanent menopause, but I may not. There is the option to revisit the having children issue.

The shots are very expensive. I don't have health insurance and they are not covered by OHIP ( I live in Toronto), it costs $1164.00 per shot, every 3 months for 5 years. However, since I am young, and was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer, and Her 2 nu is aggressive, they are blasting the cancer with all that they can, so it won't come back, and that's what I focus on. There are challenges going through menopause at a young age, especially chemically induced menopause. Instead of a gradual menopause it's like someone turns of a switch. Also, I  am going through something that my friends aren't and they can't relate.  Chemo put me into a temporary menopause, when I came out of it and got my period, I felt stressed re the hormones in my system.  That's when they put me on Lupron.  (first once a month, then the slow release every 3 month shots. It's good to do the once a month shot first, so if you don't react well it is  only for a month as opposed to 3) I have been on it for almost a year, I can't believe it.  It's hard to tell which meds are doing what to me...I was doing herceptin, tamoxifen and lupron simultaneouslyThe challenges are  the hot flashes and night sweats which interfere with sleep, the loss of libido, and the mood swings,  I find I start feeling good the week before my next shot and after my shot I dip down again. I am finding it easier to fall back asleep at night after hot flashes and night sweats.  I do find that sugar and caffeine and spicy food trigger hot flashes and I try to avoid these, especially before bed. Good luck!  You can also contact Cancer Care ( I don't have their number off hand sorry if I find it I will post it) and ask to be matched with someone around your age, with your treatment who can share what it was like for them.  I also asked my oncologist to put me in touch with other patients (she asked them and they contacted me) who were going through the shots and ovarian removal -- it was good to hear what they had to say but I also realized that every person's experience is his/her own ...it's like the statistics, you can have a 1 percent chance of something but if you are that 1 percent then whatever it is , is 100 percent for you.

good luck