Could anyone give me any insight on their Decapeptyl experiences?

[Annan1267]

Hello there,

At the end of January I was given the three month Decapeptyl injection in the hopes of shuttig down my gynae system for a little while.

The first 10 days were full of pain, bleeding, hot flushes and mood swings, although this settled quickly. The past 3 weeks have been pain free, with the odd hot flush and headache.

I was delighted as I thought the drug was working and I was pain free.

But then week 4, the pain has come back with a bang. I'm extremely emotional and moody, with stabbing pains in my right ovary, radiating down into my legs and heavy feeling pelvic pain around my back and bum.

I don't know if this is normal or what I should be feeling. My consultant told me that it would be worse before it gets better, but I though that the first ten days was the "Worst" time that was supposed to come.

I'm wondering if anybody has had similar experiences and could give me an idea of a timeline of what to expect,

Thank you in advance to anyone that takes the time to read this!

[NoEndoInSight]

Hello Annan1267,

Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit grotty. Mood changes and emotional liability are known side effects of Decapeptyl treatment. They can be worse during the initial "flare" when you first start taking the drug and then improve, but they can also continue for the duration of the treatment.

Decapeptyl is a "GnRH Analogue/Agonist". This class of drugs works on your “Pituitary/Hypothalamus/Gonadal Axis” to stop your body producing the leutinizing hormone which usually triggers your body's production of oestrogen / progesterone and thereby your monthly cycle.

However, your body uses oestrogen and progesterone for many body processes, and among those processes is the regulation of mood. Both hormones, but particularly oestrogen, play a vital role in your brain’s serotonin & dopamine ("happy" hormones), and melatonin (sleep hormone) level regulation and uptake. Consequently Decapeptyl’s suppression of your oestrogen and progesterone levels can cause very significant mood changes (including sometimes severe depression and anxiety). You can read the manufacturer's guidance concerning Decapeptyl’s adverse affects here:

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

Because these adverse effects are primarily caused by the hypoestrogenic (oestrogen-deficient) state "GnRH Analogues/Agonists" like Decapeptyl induce, many specialists prescribe them along with complementary dose of "add-back" HRT.

Are you being prescribed "add-back" HRT alongside your Decapeptyl injections? If not may be worth asking your GP / prescribing Specialist about "add-back" HRT. If you already are then it might be worth asking them to review your HRT dose; every women's body is unique and it can take a bit of experimentation to find the right "add-back" HRT dose, so if you are offered HRT it is always important to bear in mind that some women need just a low dose of HRT, while others find that their body requires a much higher dose of HRT "add-back”. Different women also find different brands and formulations of HRT work better for them than others. It can be a case of trial and error finding the HRT dose that is right for you.

Regardless, you should let your GP and prescribing Specialist know that you have started to experience a dip in your mood as such adverse effects as listed within the “Special warnings and precautions for use” section of the manufacturer's guidance. It is your GP / prescribing Specialist's job to help you manage any side effects you might experience while undergoing treatment.

Sorry that was such a long reply, but I hope it helps. Best of luck & I hope things pick up soon.

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