I was just wondering who on here is currently taking Zoladex and who’s suffering from low moods with it?
I’ve just had my fourth injection today and have been having such low moods, to the point that it’s causing problems in my personal life.
Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to cope with it. My nurse is asking my surgeon if I can take something to improve my mood but if he says no (which is a high possibility) I’m not sure what I’d do.
Thanks in advance!
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maddiegrace_
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Hi, saw this and couldnt read and run....i dont have lots of advice, but ive only had 1 injection and this has given me a low mood too. Its alot to deal with, and you do need support. I really hope that the docs can do something to help you.
Hi there, I’ve been on it about a year and sadly for me low mood is a part of it. I spoke to my consultant & GP and they both said because were thrown into the menopause suddenly it’s a common side effect. People can take 5 + years to go into the menopause and therefore it happens slower and manageable.
I’m on Citalopram 20mg as I was really struggling. It has taken the edge off and I’m managing much better. My anxiety is a lot better as well. I still seem to get PMT type symptoms once a month and my mood changes with that. My consultant says it’s because I’ve been on it a while & injection is wearing off quicker.
Zoladex is a GnRH Analogue. This class of drugs work by suppressing your body's production of oestrogen / progesterone and thereby your monthly cycle. This can bring relief from cyclic endometriosis symptoms because oestrogen feeds the progression of endometriosis.
However, oestrogen does not just feed endometriosis, it is also plays an integral and invaluable role in many other of the body's processes. Consequently many of the side effects associated with Zoladex / "GnRH Analogue/Agonist" treatment - including low mood - are associated with the hypoestrogenic (oestrogen-deficient) state.
You can access the AstraZeneca (the manufacturer’s) Summary of Product Characteristics (which is basically their detailed drug and side effect leaflet for patients and for medical professionals) online here:
If you have a look at the side effects table you will see that significant mood changes (including depression and anxiety) are listed under the “Special warnings and precautions for use” section at the top and also on the general side effects table further down the page.
Are you also being prescribed a dose of “add-back” HRT alongside your Zoladex injections?
Many specialists prescribe Zoladex along with a complementary dose of "add-back" HRT to treat Zoladex’s more unpleasant side effects (like the mood changes) - the goal being to "add-back" just enough oestrogen to ease them without reactivating the growth of Endometriosis. But as every women's body is unique and it can take a bit of experimentation to find the right "add-back" HRT dose - some women need just a low dose of HRT, while others find that their body requires a much higher dose of HRT "add-back". Similarly, some women find different brands and formulations of HRT suit them better than other - it is all sadly just a case of trial and error until you find what works best for you.
I know you said your nurse is going to talk to your Specialist about your low mood, but can you look up their email address and contact them directly? And have you spoken to your GP about how you are feeling? Both should be made aware immediately that you have started to suffer a side effect listed on the “Special warnings and precautions for use” section of the manufacturer’s product guidelines so that they can start finding a way to manage this type of Zoladex side effect asap. As well as “add-back” HRT or other medication options, they could also perhaps offer you some emotional support to help you cope with them in the interim.
I’ve always found it helpful to print out and refer to the manufacturer’s Summary of Product Characteristics when reporting any treatment side effects - providing my GP and Specialist with a copy if necessary (likewise if you do seek emotional support from a psychologist/counsellor). It can save time in helping them correctly diagnose your mood side effects and ensure that they provide you with swift, appropriate, and effective support to treat/manage them.
If your Specialist / GP feel that they would like specialist information about how to treat/manage the type of mood changes (or any other side effect) Zoladex can induce then, the although they do not provide direct advice to patients all of the big drug companies employ pharmacologists whose job it is to advise Specialists, GPs and other medical professionals about their products, the potential side effects of those products and how they can best help their patients in managing any side effects. AstraZeneca’s (Zoladex's manufacturer's) pharmacologists can be contacted by calling this number:
AstraZeneca Medical Information Direct Line
0800 783 0033
Being prescribed a treatment to manage a condition is not the same as being prescribed a cure and it can be very difficult for the people around you - your employers, friends, or loved ones - to keep that in mind. Every treatment (even the successful ones) can still have side effects that you may have to learn to accept and live with. If you feel your mood is impacting on your personal life and you are tired of struggling to find your own words to describe the impact Zoladex is having upon your usually much more upbeat outlook then you could also print off the "Summary of Product Characteristics" and ask your family and friends to read that too. Then maybe you won't feel that you need to make excuses about how you are feeling because you will know that they have concrete evidence from the manufacturer that it is the drug making you feel low and out of sorts?
NoEndoInSight thank you for all of that information! It’s really helpful. I think the HRT “add-back” is what the nurse is trying to give me. I’ll defo look into those other points you have suggested, thank you. Xxx
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