Zoladex - hold out to take HRT?

[cosima]

Hi all

Hope someone can help. I've been on Zoladex for nearly 2 months now (had one month injection and the 3 month one a couple of weeks ago). My consultant gave me a prescription for Livial as HRT "in case I need it".. I've just got the standard side effects - constant hot flushes, headaches every day etc and I can just about manage them. I'm just not sure whether to hold off on taking HRT as I assume that's why she didn't just say definitely take it. Does anyone know if there are side effects from the HRT etc? Don't want to suffer unnecessarily but I can hopefully get through without if it just stays like this!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Thecrazypugglelady]

I got told to take adsactly the same add back 1. To help with symptoms 2. To help with keeping strong bones etc i also take calcium tablets off the doctor. I hope this helps. Obviously everyone is different and body reacts in different ways x

[cosima in reply to Thecrazypugglelady]

Thank you! X

[Dapperfly]

Everyone is completely different re symptoms- so it’s hard to predict. My consultant didn’t want me on Zoladex alone for longer than 6 months, because of the bone health issues.

I’m very sensitive to to oestrogen/ progesterone medications and all have left me feeling awful. Others have had a great experience and loved tibolone. I felt great on Zoladex alone and managed to minimise the night sweats by stopping/ reducing caffeine and alcohol

[cosima in reply to Dapperfly]

It is hard isn't it! Yeah im only on zoladex for 6 months too!

Ooh interesting to hear Tibolone was good for you. Thats good about managing on zoladex. I dont drink caffeine anyway because of headaches but it has made me reduce alcohol as I'm just one big walking hot flush if I do drink!

Thanks for this

[lthompson81]

Hi I had 6 months of prostap and held out for 3. I could have probably coped but felt a bit weak and tired with joint pain so decided to start Livial at month 3. Once I started the bleeding returned so it made the remaining 3 months on injections a bit pointless. May not be the case for you but didn't agree with me. Xx

[cosima in reply to lthompson81]

Thanks. Yeah that's what I'm worried about!! Dont want to take it if it isn't going to massively help and make other things worse!

[lazylanc]

I had Prostap injections for 6 months and was given Livial add-back. Have to say I've felt truly awful on all medication interventions, and felt far better when I stopped all of it....I was advised to take Livial for a few months after stopping Prostap, but just felt far better once I'd stopped everything! It's advisable to take no more than 6 months of GnRH - even though my surgeon tried to put me on it for longer (he should know better!) Hope you find the right decision for you

[cosima in reply to lazylanc]

Thanks, thats helpful. Yep, im only on zoladex for 6 months, so only 4ish months to go!! Still not sure what I'll do, but leaning towards holding out with the side effects and not taking livial as I think that's probably best for me!

[lazylanc in reply to cosima]

I would suggest you DO take the Livial, unfortunately, just to protect your bones long-term since the Zoladex is an oestrogen suppressant....just for the while you're taking the Zoladex. Can't get the protection back later - once bone density loss damage is done, that's it. Not wishing to alarm or frighten you, but bones are important!

[Hidden]

Hi, I was advised not to take HRT because it has estrogen That would help with some of your symptoms but Endometriosis feeds off estrogen

[cosima]

Thats what I thought too! And I'm assuming that's why they haven't said definitely take it, but obviously if I had really bad side effects it was there. Thanks, that's helpful

[plotments in reply to cosima]

I was told that the amount they give you is only just enough to protect bones and help with symptoms but not enough to activate endo

[Noodle31]

If you're on Zoladex for more than six months, apparently you need to be having HRT. I'm nearing month 6 while I wait for a second surgery/egg freezing (my situation is complicated by endless waiting due to Covid - was only meant to be 3 months on Zoladex). I have the HRT (Tibolone) but will be starting to take after next injection.