Talk Cancer

Question:

DeAnna’s suggestion may be good, but the advice I got from my ob/gyn re. heavy periods (due to fibroids) was exactly the opposite.  In his opinion, one cause of uterine fibroid tumours is too much estrogen – so while the pill can ease period symptoms, the estrogen it contains can also cause fibroids to grow. There other dangers in long-term use of birth control pills.  imo It’s a decision which should not be made without very serious consideration. Chris F – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -n7…@aol.com (N7dla) wrote in message <news:20020218200451.22192.00000976@mb-fk.aol.com>… > I’ve only been on Avonex for 9 months.  I’m 38 and have a 5 year old and no > intention of having more children.  The Discovery Channel had a program on > about women and their cycles and the controversy of not having them.  The > program was well done and discussed both sides very well.  I talked with my > doctor and not having a period is just one less hassle for me.  Expecially with > my low back pain.  So when she wrote my Pill prescription it was so I can > refill it every 3 weeks. > I take the pill for 9 weeks, then one week of placebo in which I will have a > period.  My cramping has greatly reduced and I feel better.  I also don’t have > the mood swings.  Only having a period once every 3 months does not make you > bleed more or cramp more or pass more unneeded tissue. > Something you might want to think about and discuss with your doctor. > DeAnna

Response:

I’ve only been on Avonex for 9 months.  I’m 38 and have a 5 year old and no intention of having more children.  The Discovery Channel had a program on about women and their cycles and the controversy of not having them.  The program was well done and discussed both sides very well.  I talked with my doctor and not having a period is just one less hassle for me.  Expecially with my low back pain.  So when she wrote my Pill prescription it was so I can refill it every 3 weeks. I take the pill for 9 weeks, then one week of placebo in which I will have a period.  My cramping has greatly reduced and I feel better.  I also don’t have the mood swings.  Only having a period once every 3 months does not make you bleed more or cramp more or pass more unneeded tissue. Something you might want to think about and discuss with your doctor. DeAnna

Response:

This is very strange.  I have been on Avonex 2 1/2 years and started having heavier periods at least 18 months ago, especially the first 2 days, plus spotting 2 days before starting. Off to the gyno for a few uncomfortable tests, including a uterine biopsy and vaginal ultrasound… Was told possible fibroid, very common, (I’m 41 going on 42) blah blah, we’ll watch it… Neither gyno nor neuro thought there was any association with Avonex, and I couldn’t find anything in the literature.  Anyway, I’m going back in April, and I’ll raise the issue then (again).  Let’s keep each other updated, okay?  Shelley "P.L. Stack" <lfurl…@zbzoom.net> wrote in message

news:3c715c2f$1_3@corp.newsgroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve been taking Avonex for 3 years.  I was recently diagnosed with a > uterine fibroid tumor.    My  health insurance company lists heavy menses as > one of the side effects of Avonex, but I haven’t been able to get  much > information from Biogen.  Has anyone else had a similar situation? > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

I’ve been taking Avonex for 3 years.  I was recently diagnosed with a uterine fibroid tumor.    My  health insurance company lists heavy menses as one of the side effects of Avonex, but I haven’t been able to get  much information from Biogen.  Has anyone else had a similar situation? —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

"P.L. Stack" <lfurl…@zbzoom.net> wrote in message

news:3c715c2f$1_3@corp.newsgroups.com… > I’ve been taking Avonex for 3 years.  I was recently diagnosed with a > uterine fibroid tumor.    My  health insurance company lists heavy menses as > one of the side effects of Avonex, but I haven’t been able to get  much > information from Biogen.  Has anyone else had a similar situation?

I just happened to see this first thing logging on.  I’m sorry.  Just like salt on the wound huh?  Sorry.  I dont think Avonex would have much to do with it though.  The interferons are well known for their anti-cancer and and anti-tumour activity though, so maybe its been a good thing that you have been on it for this time, maybe it helped limit the fibroids.   I will look into it though. Stefanies mother had very serious fibroid tumours and… Anyone who may find this gross or disturbing dont read any further… Her tumours were removed vaginally, believe it or not.  She had one incision for some orthoscopic "like" instruments, and that was it.  It was a bit odd how quickly she was out of the hospital.  She had never realized how much they were affecting both her health and her sense of well being.  She was a changed woman after the surgery.   I’m not privy to all the intimate details of the surgery, but it seems, at least in this regard, medicine has come a VERY long way.  Menses just refers to "menstruation", normally, not sure what the health insurance company means by it.  But I doubt the interferon has done anything but "good" in that regard.  Its used a lot when things turn cancerous.  It may have been a silver lining in having to poke yourself every week for years.  Dunno, but I’m sorry and we’ll pray. Rob

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