Zoladex

[Paigealici]

Has anyone on here ever had this treatment?

What are the main side effects from it? I have read it used as a cancer treatment for males and females so its got me a bit concerned.

Tia

[Catness]

Are you on Instagram? There’s a wonderful account called ‘New York Endometriosis’ and if you scroll down there’s a great post about Lupron and it’s side effects xx

[Paigealici in reply to Catness]

Thank you so much - didnt realise there were so many 😥😥 xx

[HarrietC in reply to Paigealici]

Hi Paigealici,

I've just finished my Zoladex treatment and by the time I came to the end I was dreading coming off it. Honestly just feel like the first day of your period without the bleeding, unfortunately when my levels drop low I get migraines so for the first couple of months we're tough for me. We'll worth it, hope you don't suffer. Don't read too much xxx

[Peren]

Zoladex basically shuts down the pituitary gland so stops the production of your female sex hormones and puts you into a chemical menopausal state which reverses when you stop taking it. The thought behind this is to stop your period and allow your body some healing. Zoladex is supposed to also shrink endo lesions but obviously symptoms will return when you stop taking it.

I had it a few years back but with HRT add back and that seemed to keep side effects at bay. I had occasional hot flushes and night sweats but everyone is different.

[Katie22x]

Hi Paigealici,

I am coming up to my third Zoladex implant, I was very apprehensive before I started and like you, asked on here and did lots of research. But if you start you can stop anytime, so I thought it’s at least worth a try. I take hrt too, but so far I haven’t really had any side effects. I realise everyone is different. The first month my body was adjusting and I had a period that meant that my pain was bad, but since then I have felt better in myself, no period, more energy and pain is reduced, so for me it has been worth trying just to even have that little bit of relief!

Good luck in whatever you decide ☺️

[Hinesy]

I’m going for my first zoladex injection tomorrow and I’m really nervous! I wish I hadn’t read up so much on it..all I’ve seen is negative reviews!

[Paigealici in reply to Hinesy]

How did your injection go?xx

[Hinesy in reply to Paigealici]

I didn’t even know it had happened! The nurse sprayed some numbing spray and it was done in seconds. This is Day 6 and no side effects yet xx

[Ginger24]

I had zoladex with HRT for 6 months in the lead up to my second laparoscopy. It wasn’t used to reduced the existing endo, but keep it managed and reduce the chances of it advancing more before my lap. I had a diagnostic laparoscopy which showed I had stage 4 endo with a lot of lesions the surgeon in the case was not confident in looking much further so the extent was not fully shown but what they did find was still extensive. I then had my first zoladex while still in hospital and continued it for 6 months till my next op. At first it did help with my symptoms, even though that was not it’s inteneded use, but about half way though my symptoms came back till my op. After use my body bounced back so to speak with the menopause symptoms reducing in presence very quickly.

With any endo medication based treatment it is all about management of symptoms. Only surgery would remove any endo as the reason it’s an issue to begin with is that there is no where for the tissue to shed naturally as it’s in your body cavity. Therefore it’s just best to try and see which works best to manage your pain

[Chillier]

I'm half way through my six month treatment. I was worries but I can honestly say I have felt so much better while on the treatment. The side effects are nothing compared to endo pain, buy yourself a good fan for your bedroom would be my advice. I'm on HRT but more because my mental health has been dreadful while waiting for a diagnosis. But on the injections I feel more and more like myself. Hope it helps you. Remember it's only monthly so try it and you can always talk to your gynecologist again to review it.

Best wishes x

[Nyla-noooo]

Hi, I had the injection 2 weeks ago. I had really bad stomach ache for 2 days but then was absolutely fine, I was constipated but I got some fibrogel and that sorted that. I have had really painful legs but today that seems to have eased a bit but this week also I had a period and it was not great, bad headaches, tiredness just felt unwell but today apart from leg ache I feel great. I am having it due to being diagnosed with PMDD and after trying everything this is the last resort until they will consider a hysterectomy. I will definitely be having another injection as my mind feels the best it ever has. Good luck.