Been asked to try Zoladex

[Emma-mcshane]

Has anyone got any experience of taking the Zoladex injections to help with the endo symptoms and pain? m abit nervious about taking it and would like you hear about other peoples experiences.

Many thanks!

[Rachel_1666]

Hi Emma,

Hope you have had a nice day.

I have been on Zoladex now since beginning of March (having the injection every 4 weeks)

This was after a laparoscopy to remove a cyst in each ovary and explore also.

My doctor chose to put me on Zoladex for 6 months until my next laparoscopy where they will go back in to remove the endometriosis and unblock my left tube.

Some of the side effects I have had so far-

Hot flushes

Headache/migraines (but that was only for a few days 2 weeks after the first injection)

Lightheaded

Memory fuzzy

Joint achy (but I have been taking an extra calcium vitamin to help with joints)

No bleeding *since having the injection*

Itchy

Pain side of things comes and goes .. definitely think it is different for everyone. As well as what side effects you may have.

Let me know if you have any other questions or want to talk.

Rachel xx

[Emma-mcshane in reply to Rachel_1666]

Thank you Rachel, this is very helpfull! Good luck with your next op

Emma xxxx

[rlauren03]

Hi,

I've just finished my Zoladex course, I was given 1 every 4 weeks for 4 months and have to say, before the first one I was really scared! Turns out, really didn't need to be!

Like others have said, I know it's different for everyone but for me, it actually helped a lot! Got rid of quite a lot of the pain I'd been experiencing and helped with random things I hadn't realised could have been connected to my endo as well like (sorry if tmi) I have endo on my bowel and was dealing with constipation, not a problem anymore lol! I used to get a lot of backache which unfortunately is starting to come back now I've stopped the injections, but that went as well!

Side effects I got were some hot flushes (uncomfortable but nothing major), some headaches a couple times a month I'd say, definitely got a bit irritable at times but again, nothing major and I also used to have maybe a day or 2 of feeling pretty dizzy a couple days after the injection.

The shot itself looks intimidating, but it's over pretty quickly, it hurts a bit more than a blood test for example, but really not that bad, and as soon as the little pellet thing (the nurse described it as being similar in size to a grain of rice) is in, you're fine! I did bruise a little bit at the injection site and it was a little tender for a couple hours afterward but then it fades again.

Overall for me personally, I was really pleasantly surprised by Zoladex and I would say based on my experience, the benefits far outweighed the side effects.

Hope this helps and that whichever way you choose to go, you're symptoms improve!! X

[Emma-mcshane in reply to rlauren03]

Thank you Lauren, you have made me feel alot better.

Xxxxx

[Moonglo]

I don’t have much to add except my Dr gives me a local anaesthetic injection beforehand as it helps with the tenderness afterwards.

I suggest researching (google) both the minor and more major (but rare) side effects to make an informed decision. I’ve had similar side effects to the other two ladies, and to me they were worth it to minimise the effects of my endo. It’s given me my life back!

[Emma-mcshane]

Definitely and at this point I will try anything to get my life back! I will do some research as you said and get the information about side effects. Its great hearing other peoples experience.

Emma xxx

[Vicky2708]

Hi Emma,

I was nervous about Zoladex like you were - I had my diagnostic op done in October last year when Endo was confirmed. Straight after my op, my consultant wanted to start me on Zoladex and I refused because I didn't really know much about it and what it would likely do to my body.

I started the combined pill in November and was back in hospital between Christmas and New Year where Zoladex was then started. I've now had five injections and have to say, they have given me my life back. I've managed to get down to only taking one painkiller a day - still sometimes have my trusty hot water bottle with me at night, although that makes the hot flushes worse!

I've had similar side effects to the ladies above but think the benefits outweigh those definitely - good luck with it if it's what you decide to do. I have my next follow up tomorrow where I need to decide what treatment I'm trying next xxx

[Emmasmith2017]

Hi Emma

I’ve been on Zoladex since September 2017, had my surgery back in March. Within a month it stopped my periods which was absolutely fab!!

The injection itself is a tiny bit painful but other than that absolutely fine takes seconds to do.

I had really bad hot flushes for the first 6 months then my consultant put me on tibolone however that started my periods back but took away the hot flushes however the periods are pain free which is good.. to the point where I wouldn’t know I was on a period!

In my opinion Zoladex is a great injection definitely worth a try!

[Jess_85]

Hi

My experience with zoladex was not that great and would advise you to thoroughly research it before jumping for it but I am aware that everyone is different! My main problem was hot flushes, the mood swings were horredous()my work told me afterwards I was a ticking time bomb!)

When I stopped the course after 6 months I had quite heavy weight gain and then had unwanted hair growt()which I have never suffered before) and now have to deal with 2years after my treatment. Although the pain did go down it still came back with avengence and so personally for me I wished I never went on it but was told at the time this was my only option!

Good luck in whatever you chose but I just wanted you to know that it does'nt work for everyone.

[PandoraPenguin]

I had 3 months of Prostap before my lap. I didn't find any difference in my symptoms but I also had adhesions and pelvic congestion which may have been causing the pain more than the endo. Funnily enough I was already getting night sweats and some hot flashes which had started along with all my symptoms so it didn't make it much worse. I carried one of those aerosols of water from the pound shop which was great to cool me down. I did feel more down but I think that would have happened any way given the long road to diagnosis and treatment and I have had severe depression in the past as well so I am prone to the black dog. Husband said I was a bit more moody but nothing major so he's quite hopeful I won't be a nightmare when I hit the real menopause!!!

I don't recall the injections being any worse than the ones I have had for allergies (bum), pain (thigh) or tetanus shots. They did mine in my belly and I'll be honest that is a little fleshier than I would like so maybe that helped, the nurse said belly is better than bum.

If the Dr says I need it again or Zoladex (gather its the same idea) then I'd have no problems doing it again.