Zoladex and HRT troubles - advice please!

I am 6 weeks into a zoladex trial to see if a hysterectomy is the answer to my 25 years of endo issues. Am 41 so trialling HRT add back as the zoladex is giving me awful hot sweats and sleeplessness.

I seem to be really sensitive to any progesterone medications (they give me crippling migraines). The oestrogen gel is working well on the sweats but I have been told I can’t use this on it’s own due to risk of womb cancers (although once the thing is out I don’t see a problem??)

Have been seeing a private consultant but my insurance is refusing to pay now and saw NHS specialist endo dr last week, who is reluctant to do hysterectomy at 41.

Has anyone else had trouble taking progesterone HRT and what has been suggested?

Also does anyone have any tips about handling the menopause side effects of zoladex without HRT??

Thanks

[ccsmith]

Sorry I can’t answer your questions but we’re the same age and in the same situation. I’ve been on zoladex just over a year and have been waiting for a hysterectomy for 7 months. I had tibolone for HRT which I’m sure has progesterone in it. My go stopped the zoladex several weeks ago as I’ve been on it a while and I’m struggling mood and symptoms. He says I can have a different HRT after the surgery!!!

I not sure what HRT to advice as you have to be careful with how much oestrogen you have and obviously progesterone makes you poorly 😬

But hysterectomy st 41 is fine, my consultant was initially reluctant but when I clearly said I CANT have any more babies and I’ve really researched this he agreed. He was insistent I did zoladex first and initially I can’t say it did anything more than stop me bleeding. But pain has pretty much gone at 9 months. Only pain I have now is my bowels which he’s going to sort during surgery.

Have you tried herbal people talk about black cohosh and red clover!!!

I hope you find some answers

[Hidden in reply to ccsmith]

Thanks for your message. I have been told that the pain should stop from now but still getting awful pain in appendix area (although leg pain does seem to be slightly easier the last week or so). Interesting that it took 9 months for you!

My consultant said it is only licensed to have zoladex for 6 months so I feel I have to make a decision fairly soon if I want the surgery. I really want it to stop the pain but don’t want to end up in a situation where the HRT makes me ill too! Thinking about another lap to tidy things up for a couple of years before doing the full surgery but know this will possibly create more scar tissue too. V confused right now.

Have been looking at alternatives this week tbh and planning an anti-inflammatory diet and some acupuncture with a lady that specialises in women’s health. Also upping my magnesium and vitamins intake. Will look into the ones you mentioned too, thanks.

It’s so funny how some people think 41 is too young for full surgery even when we know it’s what we want!

Hope you find the surgery works well for you 🤞

[ccsmith in reply to Hidden]

I feel for you it’s a tough decision to make. I think I’ve got widespread endo and it’s taken a while to settle. It’s the not knowing which is a big problem as there’s no definite post surgery. My consult was clear he can not ‘cure’ me and I will still get some pain post surgery!

Best wishes with your decision. Xx

[Marvelchick79]

Hi, I also cannot offer too much hrt advice but I have been on zoladex and lival (tibolone) for 13 months. My gp has just told me to stop as I became quite ill recently and I was a walking side affect of the zoladex. Hrt helped me through but I think long term the risks are too great.

Now I’m waiting for the zoladex to wear off and see what happens 😬 x