What Causes Heavy Periods Along With Severe Mood Swings With History Of Mastectomy?

Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2015

Question: I am on day 3 of my period. It use to be very long and heavy with cramps and general pms symptoms but I could function fine. this month Ive had an intense heavy flow and its almost done on day 3, but I have had these crazy intense scary emotional feelings. I feel out of control, cannot focus, concentrate on tasks and had lots of crying/sadness/gloom. Ive never felt like this and feel I am sliding into some horrible mental emotional place. I also had some intense feelings of tightness in throat and around my chest, like I cannot breath or am drowning in these awful feelings. Anxious and panicky feeling, though better today than 2 days ago. this is not me at all, I am not a crier and usually feel quite happy, busy and productive. I am 45, fit and have a great family and good life(despite breast cancer in the past, I have completed reconstruction last winter, mastectomy after 2nd dci non-invasive,her2 neg, no chemo or meds) I don't think these are related although I am absent breast tissue that may help regulate some hormones. I really need help, Im worried and want to get myself back. I feel lonely even with my family around and really do not want to be alone even I another room. This is so weird, please help me sort it out.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Probably anxiety only

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

It is good to know that you are doing well after mastectomy for DCIS. It has been cured. Breast reconstruction has also been done which will help with your body image. Usually breast removal does not cause any hormonal problems as breast is the site of action of hormones, not their site of production.

I feel that there is a lot of anxiety going on, part of which is related to the heavy menstrual flow. I would suggest you to be on some anti-anxiety meds for the time being, which will take care of most symptoms. If needed, some meds to control the flow may be given as well.

Please continue yoga, meditation, exercises to maintain healthy body and mind.

Hope this helps. I will be available for follow-up.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (32 minutes later)

Anxiety seems a bit vague and dismissive as an answer. I am wondering if you are an expert in the field of womens issues, hormones and brain chemistry. Ive never had feeling like this before, always dealt with awful periods as part of life, but not the intense grief,out of control ,panick stricken unable to function self the past 3 days. I am stronger than many,no fainting flower- in 4 years of dealing with the fear/surgeries/pain/changes of breast cancer treatment I maybe came to tears 3 times and then felt better, forging on unwilling to be beaten down. I do not want meds for the flow, it is done in 2 days, so that fine. I do not want psyc meds to mask the symptoms either. I want real answers and something real to balance what is going on in my body/mind. Could you please refer me to a specialist as that is what I thought I was getting, perhaps a female that has encountered these symptoms herself. If I am asking for help, these means I feel desperate and that is not living.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
anxiety may be related to hormones

Detailed Answer:
I am a specialist in breast and gynecologic cancers. So I come across a lot of women with these symptoms. I am still reasonably certain that anxiety is playing a major role here. Hormones themselves can cause fluctuation in brain neurotransmitters and can cause anxiety or depression. But of course, here we can only guess what is going on. Only your doc can ascertain the exact problem.

However, I am not expert in brain chemistry so you can take a second opinion from a psychiatrist.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar