Prostap

[Shelly085]

Hi has anyone on Prostap experienced any side effects like weight gain, low mood etc, my specialist has just started me on in to try help with my pain while I wait for my excision surgery, he also said it helps with the inflammation an bleeding so they can see more clearly. I only had the 1 month dose for now to see how I get on with it as I was reluctant to go on it. I want kids more than anything but never been able to get pregnant. I think I’m just worried with it putting u in the menopause.

[wanwood]

Prostap was amazing for calming down my endo but yes there were side effects. They are worse at the beginning, probably in month 2 or 3. I don't think you will feel much after only 1 month. It takes some time to work. The worst side effect I experienced was irritability, lasting around a month or two until things settled down and my mood stabilised. Having periods was terrible for my moods so not having periods was better all things considered. Also, my bra size went down. That was a bummer for someone without much in that department to begin with.

After I came off Prostap and my cycle returned to normal, I lost at least half a stone. Which suggests that the Prostap plus recovering from surgery had contributed me to gaining the weight in the first place. I didn't notice any weight gain at the time because the endo was causing so much bloating before the surgery, and my wardrobe was designed for bloat.

[Shelly085 in reply to wanwood]

Thanks for the reply I must be coming down with something then. I just feel like I’m coming on my period but that can’t be happening as I’ve only just finished. At least I hope not I couldn’t cope one a month is bad enough lol. I hope it works for me as I’ve tried everything else.

[AtomicHair in reply to Shelly085]

Hi Shelly085,

I felt like I was getting the flu after my first injection. Like you I opted for just one month to see how I was on it and I think it help me feel like I had some control over what was happening. During that first month I want sure it was worth it as still in pain, all my muscles hurt and I felt like I had cotton wool in my head some days. I am now another month in to a 3 month injection and things are a little easier and there has been a reduction in the pains I get in some areas. I found it hard to figure out what felt better and could only notice all the new issues at first, but now notice that some pain is no longer happening so I try to think about that. I am only on this until I have a meeting in March when I will hopefully be given some options, so that is helping me commit to trying it.

Unfortunately we all have a different experience and hormone treatment can take a while to make a difference and our bodies not always like the change initially.

Hopefully you find something that works for you.

[Shelly085 in reply to AtomicHair]

Hi AtomicHair

Everything your saying I’m experiencing I didn’t think it could happen the day after having it. I just hope it’s all worth it in the end

[AtomicHair in reply to Shelly085]

My nurse did warn me that the first month can be tough, it's such a shock to the system. I did feel it quite quickly, I booked myself in for a massage at the end of the first week and that helped, but felt very different to normal, so that was interesting.

Have you been given HRT to take? That can help with the symptoms, I haven't taken mine but have it just incase.

It not like you can stop it at this point, it's in your system but my second injection was different again and I didn't get any of the aching. Due to bad planning on my part I had a gap of about a week when I was over due for my 2nd one and the pain was so bad during that time that it did make me really think about how I had been feeling during the month and made getting the 2nd one an easy choice.

Also lots of warm baths helped me out, but that always works for me.

Hope you start feel well soon!

[Shelly085 in reply to AtomicHair]

yeh they gave me hrt but I didn’t wanna take it, I’m gonna try leave it for now see how I get on just keeping my yuyu bottle on me lol. I’m might try the warm bath thanks

[Shelly085 in reply to wanwood]

Hi can I ask how long you was on prostap for an how long it took for your period to return

[wanwood in reply to Shelly085]

I was on it for 9 months. I had my last injection lasting a month at the beginning of December (2018) right before surgery, and my period returned at the end of Feb/ beginning of March (2019).

By the way, I would highly recommend taking the HRT. It is completely safe in someone who is normally pre-menopausal age. It is only adding back a small amount of the hormones you would naturally have in your body.

[Shelly085 in reply to wanwood]

My gyno dr is saying it’s easier for them during surgery if you take this before, but then I’m getting told it’s not as if there is small spots it makes it harder for them to see I don’t know what to believe

[wanwood in reply to Shelly085]

Well, sounds like a good idea to ask this question to your gynaecologist and discuss the pros and cons from a clinical point of view. I suspect that your doctor has made his recommendation based on your particular case. Nothing is cut and dry with endometriosis, because there's so much we're still learning about it, and the evidence is often unclear, which means that your doctor is usually weighing up all of these different points of view and has decided that one is more convincing than the other.

There's definitely a case for informing yourselves on these issues (I read a lot of articles in medical journals), but there comes a point at which it's better to go with the clinical judgement of the actual person treating you rather than something you've read on the internet, especially if it's second-hand rather than a direct medical source. This is when the question is about what's most likely to work, I mean. Obviously you need to make the decisions about your body in terms of what risks you are willing to take, and what side effects you would be willing to put up with, to get the outcome you want.

[jenipovey]

My side effects from this were horrendous! I had a 6month course of injection. I suffered from immense mood swings, nausea, confusion, 3 stone weight gain over the 6 months and hot flushes!

It basically puts you through a fake menopause. But I then had another injection at the end to basically ‘restart’ my system. I am 24 with no children, so my biggest fear was not being able to conceive afterwards. I still have not yet tried to conceive, but due to the condition, my specialist has assured me they will go through fertility planning when I am ready. They say me and my husband will go through a test to ensure compatibility with my eggs and his sperm and can set up IVF when we are ready

[Shelly085 in reply to jenipovey]

Hi jenipovey

I hope I don’t gain weight already gained 3 stone last year due to oedema which I’ve not yet been able to loose an it’s really depressing. I to really want kids I’m 35 in a few month I tried for 6 years an nothing I hope this doesn’t make it worst.

[jenipovey in reply to Shelly085]

I cannot seem to shift the weight at all! I have tried every form of diet, eating and attempting to do bits of exercise (I struggle with most exercise due to the pain)!!

Have you tried any IVF?

[Shelly085 in reply to jenipovey]

I’m not with my partner anymore I ended up going for it alone but they said I don’t meet the criteria apparently. I can’t afford to pay for it right now so gonna have to wait

[jenipovey in reply to Shelly085]

Ahh, well I hope everything works out for you and you finally get to have a child

[Afrohair in reply to jenipovey]

Just thought I’d mention my endo specialist has said fertility more or less returns and you should go on it temporarily then have excision surgery then ttc

[Shelly085 in reply to Afrohair]

I hope so

[AnnieMac123]

Like you I was given very basic information about these injections. If I had of knowing all the side effects I would have refused to take them.. I did gain weight and had the worst night sweats. My memory was also affected... What my gp referred to as baby brain ( pretty crap comment given how long we have been trying for a baby!!! ) I took this for 3mts only but the side effects lasted much longer... My periods were gone completely for almost 9mts only returned after I started acupuncture. ..so it maybe worth doing a course of acupuncture alongside taking it... As it may help the side effects!! Good luck!

[Afrohair in reply to AnnieMac123]

Just curious to this as I was told everything comes back to normal after

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Afrohair]

Not my experience... I only wish... It caused me the guts of a year and its time I didn't have on my side.. I will be 40 this year.. My amh is now 0.6!!

[Afrohair in reply to AnnieMac123]

That leaves me a bit iffy wether I should just keep trying for a baby or have surgery it could be a while before I get seen for surgery

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Afrohair]

Do lots of research and tell your doctor about ur concerns.. If u feel he/she just brushing you off then ask for a 2nd opinion... But I don't think any doctor can tell u 100% that's there won't b side effects.. Everyone's experience is different but the acupuncture was def what helped bring my periods back. . I just personally know if it was offered me again I wouldnt go there.

[Afrohair in reply to AnnieMac123]

I’m 34 now it starts to get harder once 35 I was hoping I’d only be on it 3 month but I ain’t even got a referral yet going to my gp Monday

[Afrohair in reply to Afrohair]

Worried about periods returning cause I’m ttc

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Afrohair]

Even if u had small bleeds while on this medication... (wasn't my experience & I think it's pretty rare to have small bleeds) you are warned against ttc.. My surgeon advised us to go back to using condoms for few months. This is really strong stuff but it's not a contraceptive and could harm a foetus if you were to fall pregrant .... . Have a read of the patient leaflet.... medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...

Honestly not trying to scare you I just wish I had been given more information. I felt I lost so much time cause of the side effects... You could get lucky and have very minimal issues and you period may come back bang on the day its expected. I think you just need to weigh up your own health issues (ie. Can you cope with period as they are or could you do with a break for it all for few mts and give ur body that extra chance to heal following surgery)... At the end of the day it's ur body.. You doctor can only advise... But u know ur ability to cope with pain etc. I have had 2further laps since taking prostrap and personally felt all the better for not taking it. Don't be scared to Ask plenty of questions...make sure the doctor understands that ur aim is to ttc as soon as possible following surgery.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Afrohair in reply to AnnieMac123]

That’s a bit difficult as if it isn’t bad enough we are trying for a baby but have to use condoms and take injections my body never likes hormones either.just looked at nice guidelines and it Dosent advice hormones when ttc .everything is so contradictory.im thinking just to put up with it I’m not saying you’ve scared me out of it but when I got the pill I felt worse and my side effects were worse don’t want to be waiting for period after surgery either there’s a girl on here never took any hormones prior to surgery and conceived afterwards no problems.she seemed lucky though she didn’t have any endo pain but they said she had stage 3 when they went in .my gynaecologist Dosent think mine is too bad but I do have major symptoms on my period my diet is helping though I have pain every day now but I think it’s down to putting hormones in my body it’s got worse

[Shelly085 in reply to Afrohair]

I thought the Prostap stopped your hormones

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Afrohair]

Without a lap am afraid they can't tell u from scans just how bad things might be! Honestly my periods were a little better after my surgeries. Ask them what ur options are other than these injections .. Explain that u didn't have the best experience even taking the pill....they may advise you differently if they are aware of past issues. I know Reading the patient forms can be scary and it's mostly the drug companies covering themselves from being sued... But my surgeon really drilled home the use of comdoms while taking this.

Lots of girls get lucky and fall pregnant very quickly after surgery. Have you had ur amh levels check to check your egg reserve?? By doing 21 day bloods they will also be able to see if you are ovulating.... I promise the surgery itself isn't as bad as you are imagining but do take the time to rest up after

[Username12345678]

Hi I’ve been taking prostap for 15 months and it’s the best thing I ever did. I had mood swings for the first couple of months but nothing as severe as when I tried the pill. I’ve been period and pain free the whole time. Memory can be a bit foggy at times but I’d take that over the endo any day. I was very reluctant to take the hrt (not more hormones 🙁) but it’s really helped with the hot flushes. I’m 43 so can’t take prostap for much longer but wish I could. It’s given me my life back. Good luck, I hope it works for you.

[Afrohair]

Does it cause bleeding like the pill

[AnnieMac123 in reply to Afrohair]

Prostrap is designed to stop ur ovaries from working... It will stop ur periods

[Afrohair in reply to AnnieMac123]

Straight away

[Paddymam74]

Hi - I’m on it now. It’s not easy and I Elul recommend HRT and supplements. I’ve had endo stage 4 20 years and I’ve got a son aged 11 which I conceived a few years after going on zoladex so it worth it. Don’t give up hope! My mum was a midwife and said when I was diagnosed and upset that she has had loads of people through the wards having babies with endo on notes. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but this gave me hope and I conceived easily. Good luck! X