Injections to bring on the menopause!?

[sam_naylor]

Can anyone give me more info on this please, how it works etc.. what happens, is it a proper full on menopause like we would naturally have.

[Sweetcheeksid]

Iv had 3mths injection and have to say I was told that's all I would need my 3mths have been hell, wouldn't wish it on anyone, now appointment delayed now need another course grrrr but everyone is different ,I had dectapeptyl and having another lot in the morning but worried sick iv not slept more than 3 hrs a nite for 2mths hot flushes nite sweats unreal, please look them up on the net before deciding, but like I said everyone is different xx

[sam_naylor in reply to Sweetcheeksid]

I don't know what I'd be typing in to look them up, I don't know a single thing about them. I've heard that the majority of them can be he'll and its really not something I'm wanting but it's an option.

[Chrissie66 in reply to sam_naylor]

The reason you've heard more bad things about it than good things is that people are quick to report bad things - when everything is going well, it doesn't occur to anybody to say anything

Also, if everybody looked up the possible risks and side effects of the humble paracetamol nobody would ever take them again.

It is a powerful drug and without doubt many women have horrible experiences on it. Many women also have very positive experiences, and most women are probably in the middle.

Also, it's a balance thing - are the side effects worse than the endo symptoms? For me 6 months of hot flushes and mood swings were nothing compared to the agony of endo. Also when I was feeling lousy I'd tell myself "It's just the drug" which helped.

If you really can't tolerate it after the first injection (although that's a whole different ball game again, the first lot is very often the worst because it's 'kicking in') then you can just stop taking it.

If you're worried about anything specific ask your doctor before you start

Good luck

C x

[michelle2013]

One of the drugs to bring on a chemical menopause is zolidex. It's a implant/injection once a month into your stomach. I had it about 5 years ago for three months and also had hrt at the same time. Can't remember any problems remember being period free and pain free at that time. 10 days ago I had the first of another 3 months course this time without hrt trying to stay positive and hoping it helps me. Had first hot flush after 4 days wasn't expecting any effects so quickly. Had lots of pain since, headache and blurry vision. Got appointment Monday with nurse to discuss side effects and whether I want more. Things may take time to settle and improve and I'm sure other people have found it wonderful. There are also other drugs that do the same

[Bokkie]

I was on Zoladex with HRT for 6 months and had the daily sweats, hot flushes, nausea and really bad headaches. I became more forgetful than usual and felt generally 'not with it' sometimes. Decided the side effects were effecting my day to day life too much and stopped a month ago. I am now having Depo-Provera 3 monthly injections which, instead of causing the menopausal symptoms fools my body into thinking it is pregnant instead; so far no periods and apart from feeling a bit emotional at times I have had no bad side effects yet. If my natural menopause, when it starts, is going to be like the Zoladex one, I can't say that I am exactly looking forward to those side effects again!

[Cooka]

I am on a 6 month course of Zoladex which is one of the menopausing inducing drugs - 4 months into it and hating every minute of it. My gyno told me to NOT read up about it and all its side effects before I used it because I will scare myself silly and the side effects are rare. He really played down how rubbish it can make you feel but he's a man and I'd like to see him on this! lol...

I guess it's up to the individual. Some ladies on this forum have loved it where it stops their pain and gives them their life back with the hot flushes just a bothersome but bareable side effect. But personally for me it's affected my day to day life in a negative way. Hot flushes, night sweats, ANXIETY, DIZZINESS, headaches, bone pain, fatigue, depresssion, moodiness, lost my sex drive, don't feel like myself....

I was put on hrt ad-back to help relieve the side effects and it does help somewhat, but for some reason it doesn't help with the hot flushes anymore.

I don't want to scare you away from it. As I said some ladies love it and it's up to the individual I guess. This is my experience on it.My specialists advised me to try this because it was the "quickest and shortest acting" treatment to treat my endo and fibroids. So I'm trying to hang in there...

[Curly2u2]

This is my fourth month on a six month course of Zoladex and I have to say the first month was fantastic! Before the injection having had to take to my bed most of the time apart from dragging myself to work I thought it was a miracle and got my life back. However once I had the 2nd month injection the hot flushes started at night to the point I slept (loose word as it's wasn't really sleep) on the floor by the fridge freezer then the cold tiles bathroom floor! I am also Miss angry, Miss weepy and feel bit dizzy at times especially at the beginning of the first week of the injection. However in my personal case I felt so bad before the injections that I have had to weigh up and I can't believe I am saying this but even with the side effects its worth it. I still feel I can live a better life even with side effects. That says a lot to how bad I was! Every body response is different but there is always a chance with anything you take/have side effects. In my case I decided anything was worth a try and as far as I am told this isn't a permanent so you can stop it at anytime. I was in so much pain it's worth it. I found my doctor helpful giving me the confidence I was in control anytime and can stop if it isn't working for me.

[Bexyrich]

Hi I've had 8 months of decapeptyl and have to say it has worked wonders. The first 4 months were really hard but i am now pain free. Yes there are side effects, hot flushes night sweats aching joints, head aches etc but for me being in constant debilitating pain the side effects were worth it. Remember everyone is different, what works for one may not for another. I had my last one in July and since have never felt better. We are now trying to conceive although my periods are yet to return which in some ways is a good thing. Good Luck what ever you choose.x

[JulesUK]

I've had zoladex twice. Firstly for 6 months and a few years later I had it again for two years and was able to stay on it that long as I took HRT. As you can see on here people have different reactions. For me it worked. There was some side effects but they were minimal and the fact that I was pretty much pain free made it worthwhile. I recommend taking sage tablets which helped stop my flushes, and I would definitely recommend the monthly injections not the three monthly ones as they didn't last the three months for me and you need to keep it topped up in your system.

It is like the menopause however the effects are temporary (unlike the proper menopause!) when you stop having the injections your periods will return, usually within about 2-6 months.

Hope this helps, best wishes x

[hayls]

Hi

I am currently at the end of an 11 month course of prostap injections. For me it was well worth it, as others have said its a balance thing, for me the side effects of the prostap were worth it as they were easier to deal with than how I was with the endo before I started the injections. If you feel that you can manage with painkillers and get to work etc then it may not be worth being on the injections, for me I had got to the point where I couldn't really leave the house and was struggling to function for all but a couple of days each month so anything was better than that. It took about 7-8 weeks to stop the pain but once it started working I had no endo pain or bleeding at all (briefly went on hrt at 6 mths and that made me bleed so stopped it). I did have lots of side effects, mainly headaches (which passed after about a month), night sweats, hot flushes, sleeplessness and achey joints, these seemed to sort themselves out a bit after about 4-5 months and i switched to the 3 month dose which i found gave me less side effects. I also gained a lot of weight which for me has been the worst bit but even then it gave me my life back for the time I've been on it, I managed to stay at work full time (but did typically have a day or two off when I had each injection) and generally felt much much better than I did before it.

I went on the injections because I had hit rock bottom and couldn't cope anymore, to the point that I would probably have lost my job within another month or so and be confined to my house. I was already doing everything I could, endo diet and good painkillers et c, as I wanted to avoid the injections but in the end I really needed a break and its given me that. xxx

[adelejensen]

Hi everyone.

This has proved interesting reading as I'm due to see the consultant with regards to starting the injections and/or other treatment. I am worried sick and even having nightmares about the treatments!! But then I'm in so much pain today, I keep thinking do I at least give them a try?? I've had ablation, 2 laparoscopies, left ovary and fallopian tube removed and now the endo pain is worse than ever!! Not a happy bunny at the moment so this topic has at least given me some idea of what maybe to expect.

xx

[sam_naylor in reply to adelejensen]

Ahh! If the pains affecting your daily life and you physically can no longer handle it then I think it'd probably help you. I haven't had it so can't comment too much. X

[minnie71]

Hi I just started decapeptyl last week and so far Im feeling much better! Maybe Im mistaken tho and it hasn't really kicked in yet.. I don't know, just hoping it stays this way. i too was worried as I had read the reports prior to taking the treatment, but so far I am very pleasantly surprised. Before I got this injection I suffered REALLY bad with all the things associated with taking the injection.. No sex drive, horrendous night sweats, hot flushes and sweating, the list goes on. I was apprehensive about taking the injection as I was apprehensive about just how much worse my syptoms could get. I need not have worried as in the past week I have had no night sweating. Whether this is normal I don't know, but I'm sure glad it is this way, just hope it stays like this! I should also say that this is a temporary thing for me as a 1 off, as I have been offered a hysterectomy. I next c the gynae in Dec and will get booked in at that point. As I will get it done privately I won't need another injection due to not having to wait for long. My view was this... when life is just at rock bottom and u think that ur symptoms r awful then anything to try is a bonus, all in the hope of making ur life more pleasant. Worked for me xx

[daffodil]

I would agree with all the ladies who have found Decapeptyl to be well worth the side effects.I have had 3 courses of 6 months,with rests in between and each time I stopped the pain was so bad that I wa sbedbound and just living for the next painkiller,which only just took the edge of the pain. With the Decapeptyl I really had very few menopausal symptoms-except some chin hair! I was totally pain free,not even a twinge and felt emotionally on a much more even keel.I am now on Depo provera,which I am told I can have till I am 50yrs.It is much less effective and I have gained a lot of weight-but anything is worth a try when pain literally stops you living.I also had a nasal spray GNRH agonist,which was good but did give me hot flushes and felt very up and down and weepy.

As we are all so different,it really is a case of trial and error,but hopefullythere will be one drug that makes a significantdifference.Take care and keep posting.

[sully1]

i had 3 shots of Decapeptlyl and it was worth it the hot flushes started in the last month and i got a little forget but i would choose that over the pain any day and i also agree everybody is different whats good for some is not for others.But i will say after a day or so of Decapeptyl the pain was gone i sleeping and eating so much better

[Blossom79]

I have been offered this as i seem to have varicose veins in my pelvis causing constant pain. This is the first post where I have seen detailed descriptions about the effects, has anyone tried supplements to support them through them? i am currently taking vitamin E, a good B complex, evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil. I am also hypothyroid so i have to try to make sure i am losing weight as i have already put on 3 stones in the two years i have been on thyroxine. I also plan to use Juices to top up my immune system. Im scared witless that the injections will change me like the depo provera did... i was psycho B***H from hell on that delight!!

[pazdaz]

I just got my first injection this week as a trial run for 6 months before I get a hysterectomy next year. It have had so much issues including menopause symptoms with my fibromyalgia I honestly don't feel anything can be worse than what I already go through headaches bed ridden chronic pain though my body hot and cold flushes mood swings sever depression x but if this injections help with my periods that put me to bed for a week at a time of I'm ready x