Life After Hysterectomy, Mastectomy and Anastzole
A little back story. I was diagnosed at the age of 41 with ER+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in 2018. I had a lumpectomy, 33 radiation treatments and then took Tamoxifen religiously for 4 years. Just when I was starting to feel back to myself and like I had this thing beat, I found out almost 4 years to the day that it came back in the same breast. So this summer, I had a complete hysterectomy. Then 4 weeks later a bilateral mastectomy with expanders placed and then another 8 weeks later, expanders replaced with implants. I also now take Anastrzole daily. This all started 5 months ago. Currently, I’m miserable. My husband and I, who used to have a fabulous sex life, have had sex 3 times since my hysterectomy. All 3 times were so bad that I ended up crying afterwards because I was humiliated. It was bad due to me not getting “wet” at all. We have tried lube but it is still painful and miserable for me and it doesn’t seem like my husband is enjoying it much either. The hot flashes, night sweats and joint pain from the anastrzole have made sleeping almost impossible. All of this doesn’t even touch how devastated I am over the loss of my own breasts.
My question is, it this just how things are now? Is this long term? Does my body eventually adjust? Will I never be self-lubricating again? I’m 45 and I feel like I’ve turned 80 overnight and it does not seem fair. Does anyone have any experience with this? My doctors never lead me to believe that I would be this miserable.
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Jenni, I feel your pain, I am miserable. Double mastectomy DIEP flap OVARIES OUT and letrozole and cholesterol meds. Joint pain insomnia swelling sweating. The extreme night sweats and hot flashes have gotten a little better. That is the only thing I can offer. And I learned how to dress differently, light loose clothes, nothing tight, no sweaters. I can’t comment on the sex, don’t like my husband so haven’t tried. Sleeping at night is total misery, I’m swollen in pain wake up every 2 hours to pee and wake up with a headache.
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jrnj-I’m so sorry that you are having to live that way! It seems so unfair, some days more than others!
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@jenni0102, @jrnj we're so sorry for all you're going through. Have either of you considered asking your doctor about switching to another aromatase inhibitor that might have less/different side effects for you?
Also, jenni0102 our section on Sexual Health During and After Breast Cancer might be very helpful to you.
In addition, some podcasts you might find helpful to listen to/read the transcript:
And, this recent Research News article:
We hope you find all of this helpful and we're sending hope for some relief for you soon. Hugs!
—The Mods
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I think self-lubrication after menopause is a toughie although not impossible. I've pretty much decided it's impossible for me though. How I cope is Sliquid Sassie products, a vibrator, and just having sex because I know it's good for me. The first months weren't the most comfortable. It got better the more regular I was. But it's not ever really comfortable and won't ever be again I imagine but I'm just happy for the intimacy.
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