Hi there After my lap on 2nd of october my consultant said I would need a hysterectomy but before that I would need injections!

[PoppyTango]

I was still quite sleepy and didn't think to ask why I would need injections or what they would be could anybody tell me why and what they might be please? Thank you

[jayneeb3]

Hi there, am guessing it will be to stop you having anymore periods, this will stop your condition getting any worse. I am on prostap at the mo, to do this, to see if the pain I have is from my periods. I had my right ovary removed a year ago and only had 2 months pain free, I had no periods in this time. If it does then I will be having a hysterectomy too. Never understand why they come and see you when you first come round I only remember a fraction of what was said. Look up Zoladex too, lots of post with both treatments. Hope this helps.

xxx

[Impatient]

The list of the drugs are on this page

endometriosis.org/treatment...

They are all classed as GnRH drugs

They are anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer) drugs too as well as being used for pausing endo.

They can be a godsend to some ladies they can be shear hell for others.

The side effects, and there are many can be intense and very debilitating

Some ladies get to take HRT at the same time to try and calm down the grim side effects and again this has varying results.

Do your homework.

1st step find out which drug they want to use.

DO NOT START taking the drug till you have done your homework and informed family and friends of the side effects as they may need to be your carer if things do get too severe which they can do. We are all different and side effects hit us all to some degree and it certainly can be a rough time.

Step 2 Look up the patient advice leaflet, check the contraindications and compare that with your own medical history.

So if you have a history of Depressive Illness, or Blood Pressure problems etc then these drugs are not for you.

Step 3 Having done your homework, work out whether you want to take the drugs or not.

You do have a choice, it does not stop you having a hysterectomy if you choose not to take them.

If you do decide you are brave enough to give it a go, then make sure you have stopped taking it long enough before surgery so that your periods have returned. On average this is 5months after stopping the drug. Might be much sooner, may be a lot longer.

A hysterectomy is only of any use to an endo sufferer if at the same time they also do their level best to remove the last vestages of any active endo they can locate.

Otherwise left behind endo will remain active.

If the endo has been inactive for a long time due to the GnRH drug you have been on, it will be very hard to see and thus to remove when you have your op.

You are much more likely to then need subsequent surgeries to get that remaining endo removed.

The hyserectomy doesn't cure or resolve endo, it just stops your periods.

The GnRH doesn't cure or resolve endo it just pauses it.

The endo must be removed as well as the uterus if you are to have a prayer of getting a peaceful and lengthy endo free time afterwards.

Personally having done Zoladex -No I wouldn't touch it again with 10 foot barge pole, but there are some ladies who swear they didn't suffer too much on the drugs.

Just look back over the many many pages of questions on this forum and there are so many reports on ladies experiences with the drugs. Just about every day someone posts a question.

It does need serious homework and serious consideration before you agree to this form of treatment. Once you have started and had the implant put in, you are stuck with the consequences come hell or high water for weeks even if you decide never to have another one.

[PoppyTango]

Thanks for reply I will have a read up on this x

[blondie120]

Hi don't be worried bout the zoladex implants I'm just about to have my 4th I'm a new woman! I'm bk @ work last 3 months the implants stopped me losing my job, I'm waiting to have a full hysterectomy as the implants proved my endo was back, I got a few more headaches an I'm more forthright or blunt should I say an yes hot flushes feel like I've been plugged in but I can do my job now which I need my wirs about me for So Don't be put off go for it I'm back to my old self an losing weight can eat all my favourites so give it a try girl xxx

[CurlyWurlyAmy]

Hi, i am currently in the injections and they are fine, the side effects are easy enough for me to handle and they have taken away my Endo pains. The next stage for me is a hysterectomy and i cannot wait. I am not on hrt, i know that this can make a difference for some people so if you try without hrt and don't get on well with the injections you should consider trying with hrt and see if that works before you stop taking them x

[Hidden]

I was also told that if I decided to have a hysterectomy (which is what is recommended), I would need to have the injections for six months. I think theses injections must do something to the Endo which then makes a hysterectomy easier to perform for the surgeon and less complications for the patient.

Some ladies on this forum have had bad experiences with the injections but others like blondie120, have had positive experience. It's all very individual and your personal choice.

Hopefully you have been offered a follow up appointment to discuss what the surgeon found during your laparoscopy and why a hysterectomy is recommended.

I wish you lots of love and best wishes.

Barbara

[PoppyTango]

Ah thank you ladys sound a bit more positive, yep have follow up soon, just said chronic endometriosis and large fibroid on my record card and that endometriomas removed from right overy but couldn't get to ones on left! Any idea how long you have to be on injections for before they do for hysterectomy?

Thanks again for your replys x x x

[Hidden in reply to PoppyTango]

I was told six months, which I think is the maximum time anyhow.

[foosey]

Hiya, I had my first one today and its a 6 month course, I have also been given HRT. I was told that Zoladex will improve my condition so its easier to operate when I have my hysterectomy.

[Oamanda6]

The injection will shrink the fibroid and stop the endo spreading. I'm on this treatment for the 3rd time post surgery. It has bad and good points tbh. Everyone's different so don't listen to all the negativity until you give it a try for yourself.

I may be on it for a year, it's only licensed for 6months for endo but in severe circumstances it's used a bit longer with add in therapy (HRT).

X