Hello Everyone,
Hope you’re doing ok and if you’ve got this far, thanks for reading! I realise this topic probably won’t apply to most Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)’ers, but hoping there is someone out there who might have been through both at the same time?!
Just wondering if Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) might affect how we go through the menopause - in terms of symptoms and also whether we are limited in what HRT we can have?
I’ve had Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) for 9 years, no treatment yet. Am in my mid-late 40s and experiencing lots of peri menopause symptoms. Off to see a GP next week who specialises in oncology + menopause, so hopefully she can help. But it occurred to me that the fabulous people here might have an insight.
Thanks as always and sending hugs to everyone on this wintery evening!
Firefly x
Hi @Firefly interesting a subject not often talked about with any blood cancers.
I never talked about my menopause to anyone.
I was diagnosed after an abnormal smear test and op at 53yrs old with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
I must have gone through my menopause a couple of years later.
I hope others might be a lot of practical help than me.
So glad that you are seeing your well qualified GP next week and perhaps write down all the questions you want to ask.
Please do let us know how you get on.
Be kind to yourself
Hi Erica,
Thanks so much for your lovely response. I have lots of questions for the GP written down which will hopefully help.
Hope you are doing ok yourself.
Firefly x
Dear @Firefly
Thank you for posting and talking about this really important topic. Really glad to hear you are visiting your GP about this and would also encourage you to talk to your Haematology team about your symptoms too. It is important that both your GP and Specialist team are aware to support the safe management of your symptoms.
There is some information here from our colleagues at Macmillan to consider Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment | Macmillan Cancer Support
Any symptoms that you are experiencing are worth mentioning and we must consider them in terms of you as an individual. Whether you are on treatment or not can effect symptoms and management too.
As ever, if you need to talk this through, please do get in touch on the support line: Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK
Kind regards
Gemma
Thank you @Firefly for bravely bringing us this topic. I was diagnosed with an Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) at the age of 35 in 1992. Straightaway I was started on medication which rapidly put me into an early menopause. I was warned about this but was in so much shock at my unexpected diagnosis that I didn’t really take it in. Even the doctors were surprised at how quickly I went into the menopause. I realise now, with hindsight, that I was having to cope with the menopause on top of everything else and I wish I had been given more support and understanding and also that I had asked questions. It was a different world then and unfortunately at that time I had a rather unhelpful male haematologist and it wasn’t something that was discussed. I wish you well. I definitely think it should be a subject more widely known as not all blood cancer patients are going to be past menopause age. Warm wishes Willow x
Huge thanks Gemma! This is really helpful.
I don’t have a specialist team anymore 
, my heamotologist discharged me to my GP a year ago. Which is good for obvious reasons but disappointing as I have nobody managing my Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) anymore, other than myself, the surgery just leaves it up to me. At least I know enough to know what test results mean and when I would need to ask to be referred back to haematology.
I will read the MacMillan information now. Thank you!
Firefly x
Hi Willow,
Thanks so much for your lovely reply and so sorry to hear you had to go through so much trauma all at once, that sounds just awful. I’m grateful to be at this stage at a time when menopause is less taboo and is discussed more widely now.
I hope you are doing ok and am grateful for your kindness.
Sending love,
Firefly x