@LindaLandowski- Linda, reading your post broke my heart! Are you on Tamoxifen? I was put on that drug after my 1st Battle with Breast Cancer! I suffered with those symptoms, just like you! The Cancer came back, while suffering on that drug, 11 months after finishing almost a year of treatment! I had to do all that treatment, all over again, both chemo and radiation! I am now on Arimidex and the longer I am on it, the side effects are getting worse! I was feeling the same as you . . . Please don't give up, it will get better! It is NOT HOPELESS! You have fought way to hard to throw in the towel now! I thought that I would never be able to have sex again as well! You need to have those follow-up appointments ASAP! There are organizations that can help you get the medical attention you need and I suggest seeing a therapist as I did! It really helped me to talk to a "neutral party"! I have many suggestions and would really like to help you get through this, if you would want me to! Having a good support system is really important! It is very hard for anyone to understand what we went through, and are still going through, unless they have been there! I am not a crazy person . . . just someone who cares, knows how you feel and wants to help! If you want to talk, let me know and I will give you my e-mail, and/or phone number! Hang in there! We are all fellow "Sisters" in this battle and need to help one another any way we can!

@A MyBCTeam Member . . . Thank you so much! I know how hard the "battle's" were for me, and still are! If I can help others, it makes me feel better too! I took Tamoxifen after my first fight with Breast Cancer! The side effects for me were awful and happened right away! The Cancer came back 11 months after finishing treatment, while taking it! I am currently taking Arimidex and the side effects are awful as well and are getting worse the longer I am on it! I starting it after treatment for my second fight with Breast Cancer! I have been through hell and back, twice, so I am afraid not to take it! I have had a few scares, but it's been three years, so far so good! Everyone tells me how good I look . . . Wish I felt as good as I look! Make-up does do wonder's, LOL!

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A MyBCTea...

I was 46 y/o when I started chemo.My period stopped after the the 2nd treatment and I went into " medical menopause" this lasted for 9 months but still you have to be careful because you still can get pregnant during chemo.my period came. Back was lighter but both my oncologist and ob/gyn told me I still will go back through menopause which I'm dealing with today now at 49.,Stay sexual active during chemo if you feel up to it..Stay normal as possible .I find having sex kept me calm and relaxed plus it keeps your husband or partner happy.Be blessed and you are not alone,Didn't lost the beautiful person you are just because of breast cancer.I have been through this twice and I believe I'm here on this earth for a reason.All the trials drama with breast cancer treatments will seem small when you finally finish..Welcome to our group of survivors..

I had chemo at 40 and my periods stopped immediately - they returned a year after chemo ended. I've been on Tamoxifen since then - 6 years later, they are starting to get intermittent.

I did perform an experiment, however. I was suffering vaginal dryness and all the problems associated with menopause - but the only remedies I could find in the medical literature were hormonal replacement (not an option) and sex (also not an option). I discovered you can be prescribed a dildo to stimulate the vagina in lieu of sex! I bought one instead - used it every day for a month in the shower - and my dryness went away AND my period came back. It was like a jump-start for a dead engine.

I quit having periods after my 1st chemo ... I was actually on it with my 2nd treatment (nov.2012) and it stopped that day and hasnt been back! I also was thrown into menopause between the chemo and now on Tamoxifen...woohoo! Hot flashes drive me NUTS and at first I went thru a bit of RAGE!!! Sex...as LoriS said is painful, not to mention I have no desire anymore. Not good since my BF is 13 yrs younger than me... but hes been excellent thru all of this and has stuck by me and is still sexually attracted to me which is a good thing! I just wish my "drive" was still there! baysteps... one thing at a time!