I don't want Prostap injections...!

[Sarah_Meriel]

Wondering if anyone here has also refused to go down the route of induced menopause? I'm sure it might help, but I'm very scared about becoming a monster, damaging my relationships and my self - I'm prone to getting low in the winter, and I'm very sensitive to hormonal changes. I've also read so many awful stories of long lasting effects. I just feel in my gut like its the wrong thing for me.

I walked away with the prescription from my last consultation with my gyne, even handed it in at the docs, but now I've decided not to go through with it. Worried about my next appointment in October - what should I ask for? I've got more symptoms related to endo on the bowel, which I did mention, and which have definitely got worse over the past few months. I am 29 and would love to get pregnant soon, but not right away.

Any ladies out there in a similar position, with any tips, or at least just empathy?!

[Cupcake1617]

Hey, I was in the exact same position as you.

My first consultant mentioned it would be the next step and I didn’t want them, my two GPs were hesitant about it so they got me transferred to a BGSE centre, where I assumed they would just operate. The new consultant there was adamant my next step had to be those injections so for a short while I had a paddy about it and then changed my mind.

For me I’ve always had to prove that’s somethings been wrong, so it was another hoop jumping exercise for me. It’s such a hard decision to make but only you know. I also came to the conclusion that I had tried everything else and I still couldn’t manage it on pain meds alone, so what did I have to loose?

The injections themselves I didn’t find too bad - I was given HRT alongside which managed symptoms.

Did they say how long you would be on them for? X

[Sarah_Meriel in reply to Cupcake1617]

Well initially just a month to see how I cope with the side effects. And then three-monthly injections, but he didn't say for how long after that. To be honest, I'm not keen on being on them long-term at all. I know myself and I am very sensitive to medication, and extremely sensitive to hormonal changes.

I was thinking of going to my GP and asking for a referral to a bsge, so good to know that's possible!

I feel such a lack of support - my gyne was lovely but gave me hardly any info, and you know how easy it is to become like a rabbit in the headlights in there and not ask any of the questions you think of as soon as you leave. But I think it's their job to give you the fullest and most long term picture as possible, but instead I just feel pushed in a certain direction that I don't want to go in. I love the NHS for so many reasons, but I feel like this kind of condition needs more support and more communication. I went in thinking I'd be offered surgery, and came out with a completely different prospect.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Obviously needed to come out!

[Cupcake1617 in reply to Sarah_Meriel]

Ah, I only noticed it helped after my second/third injection. I had 8 in total, seems to have caused some friction between three consultants I saw. One said it was fine and two said not at all. Guess it’s all down to who you see. I’ve heard people on them for a year though and that’s as long as they go I think.

Yeah it’s worth asking. I’m 28, so mine said I was too young to have Prostap and I shouldn’t have to go through it. But lots of people do have it at our age.

One of my consultants even suggested to find online forums, he was like there’s so much support out there. But I know how you feel. For me, I feel I’m always jumping hoops, trying various meds to finally get the op - could be a stalling technique?

Oh don’t be daft!! I hope you get some help and find something that works for you x

[wanwood]

Not sure the horror stories are very representative! I have found that Prostap has been on balance a positive experience. In terms of mood, over time it’s made me much less low than I was when I was having regular periods. I used to wallow in despair for days every month. The flip side of that is it’s made me a bit irritable and a little more tetchy but definitely not a monster. Also I don’t have cold hands and feet anymore, which is a bonus.

[Sarah_Meriel in reply to wanwood]

Yeah its interesting. I can see that there are positive stories out there and it really works for some women. It just seems like such a big risk to me - the "horror" stories are real, after all. I feel like I need more time and more information to make this decision. It seems like such a drastic measure, to avoid the inevitable, which is surgery.

[wanwood in reply to Sarah_Meriel]

I guess something to remember is that surgery isn’t a permanent solution for a lot of people and there are such long waits in between you’ll need to find other ways of coping anyway. I find Fybogel helps with bloating and bowel stuff, to answer your earlier question. And wearing loose clothing. And being referred to a BSGE centre, probably.

So sorry you feel like you’re not getting enough support from the NHS and just for how crap it all is. 💐

[Hidden]

I had Pro-Stap for 6 months, stopped my periods completely and the idea was that my hormones/uterus would "'re set" themselves. That's in really, really basic explanation 😂. It was really good and as I run warm anyway I didn't notice any issues. I hated the jab bit but it did give me some relief whilst making the decisions for the next steps. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[steph_D]

Hi,

I am 29 and have endo on my bowel. Had my first lap last year in sept.

I am under an endo specialist. I already have a son who is nearly 10. But had endo for 8 years.

I tried zoladex only had 1 injection and that was 9 weeks ago. It did improve my pain but the side effects are worse than the pain. I had serve headaches I was dizzy for 3 weeks not been able to sleep. The hot flushes are quite frequent, even now. Also made me sick. Everyone is different I tried it & it wasn’t for me. I was told by my endo nurse the more injections you have the more is in your system the stronger the side effects so after all that just from 1 injection, I decided to stop. My husband my myself we’re going to try for a baby after the course but we have checked with the endo nurse that we are ok to try now. So we are trying for a baby now.

That will be our family complete then and I will be having a hysterectomy once I’ve had my second child.

Hope this helps x

[Sarah_Meriel in reply to steph_D]

Thanks steph_D! Were you on HRT to combat side effects?