Update on Prostap

[Sunflower1968]

So today I started having heavy bleeding and painful cramps again - it has been 6 days since I had the prostap injection. No pain killers are working and I’m back in bed feeling just hopeless.

Has anybody else experienced this on prostap??

[NoEndoInSight]

Hi Sunflower1968,

Prostap is a "GnRH Analogue/Agonist" and this class of drugs works by overloading your “Pituitary/Hypothalamus/Gonadal Axis” until the GnRH receptors in your brain become desensitised and stop producing the leutinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones which usually triggers your body's production of oestrogen / progesterone and your monthly cycle. During the first few weeks of treatment when this "overloading" process is taking place, your body will experience what they call a "flare effect" - i.e. you may find that some/all of your endometriosis symptoms (bleeding, pain, bowel/bladder dysfunction etc.) can get worse before your cycle is shut down. How long this flare effect lasts depends on the individual, but it can be as long as 4-6 weeks. Sadly there is not much you can do except ride things out until things settle - I found multiple pain killers, an electric heat wrap, and plenty of rest helped.

You can find the manufacturer's official Summary of Product Characteristics info sheet (and also their less detailed Patient Leaflet) here on Medicines.org.uk website:

medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

If the flare is causing you to struggle to carry on with your normal day-to-day activities then it might be worth asking your work HR/Occupational Health advisor and also your family and friends to read the manufacturer's SmPC info sheet so that they can help support your through any rocky patches you are encountering while undergoing Prostap treatment.

I hope things pick up and you start to feel better soon, x X x

[Sunflower1968 in reply to NoEndoInSight]

Many thanks for your reply I am laid up in bed with a heat pad and popping pain pills and certainly having a “flair up” it’s hell.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me and for the link.

I will not be having this injection again, I know others have had great results using prostap. I just want it out of my system because I have not slept through the night since last Wednesday and I have never felt this ill before.

Your right in saying it can make your symptoms far worse I was in tears last night with pain and flooding and palpitations. My whole body hurts.

I am now taking so many tablets it’s just awful.

I eat very healthy I exercise I am of healthy Weight I do not smoke and rarely drink any alcohol yet I feel like I am 110 and struggling to function.

Thank goodness for friends and family and support sites like this!

Thanks again. XX

[NoEndoInSight in reply to Sunflower1968]

I'm so sorry to hear things are currently so rough, but fingers crossed you'll be feeling back to normal soon. Endo hormone treatments are so much trial and error and there sadly all too often seems to be a lack of information given about things like "flare effects" and the various side effects patients should expect and what can be done to minimise them, which makes living with them so much more difficult and distressing than it needs to be.

Glad to hear you've got a solid support network helping you through all this - taking it easy and indulging in a bit of R&R is definitely the best approach until it all passes.

Best of luck, x X x