First monthly Prostap injection - side effects two weeks in…

[Purple_Badgers]

Hi lovely people! Not really a question, but let me know if your experience was similar to mine…

Had my first monthly Prostap injection at my GP surgery two weeks ago. Got told I could choose between arm, thigh & buttock for an injection site, so opted for arm. Painless injection and didn’t give me a sore arm, so got off to a good start 😀

A couple of days later, I started to feel my usual pains getting worse (particularly hips & knees, but also other joints). By the 1 week point, my limbs felt heavy, sore and bruised, which I think is the “bone pain” described in the list of possible side effects. Also experiencing some trouble sleeping, with the occasional hot flush and racing heart. Have broken out in hormonal chin spots, which I thought I’d seen the last of years ago… oh joy! My glands seem to have swollen again- the ones under my arms are particularly uncomfortable.

The latest development was yesterday, starting with terrible bloat, then tummy cramps as if I was going to have diarrhoea, then awful lower back pain, plus familiar period pains. Have started bleeding, not dissimilar to my normal light period, though I wasn’t actually due my period for another week under normal circumstances. I’m exhausted and have a pounding headache that’s making me feel a bit nauseous. Feels like it might turn into a migraine, as my eye is twitching and my eyes are getting really tired while typing.

If anyone else has felt this rotten on Prostap, but stuck with it and then felt better, it would be very reassuring to know! Love to all 😘

[SarahAnne81]

This is exactly what happened to me! Due to go & get my second injection Thursday so will ask for us then if this is normal, it scared me how heavy the bleeding was & l am normally very heavy & pain has been even worse, so not filled with positivity with this 🤓😒

[Purple_Badgers in reply to SarahAnne81]

Oh yuck, sorry you’re having a rough time too. Though I’m reassured that a) it’s not me imagining things and b) if we’re feeling very similar then it’s probably normal. Please let me know what the doctor/nurse says about it.

I’m pretty sceptical about the benefits of having Prostap too, but decided I was prepared to try it and see. Obviously, it’s not going to do anything for adhesions, and my advanced/deep endo is more than likely creating its own oestrogen, separate to my reproductive system. However, I’m hoping for some relief from actual periods for a while, just to alleviate the awfulness that comes with the monthly cycle…

On a positive note, the Prostap doesn’t seem to have affected my moods thus far - hope that continues!

From what I’ve heard/read, the unwanted side effects can all come in a rush at first then eventually settle down to something a lot more comfortable. Let’s hope that’s where we’re heading! Good luck with yours xxx

[Lindle]

This is all normal. When you have the first injection the ovaries are over stimulated before they shut down and produce a surge of oestrogen called the flare effect. This lasts up to 3 weeks or so. There will often be a bleed once the ovaries shut down so I'd say you are getting through it now. The severity can depend on when the injection was given - it should be in the first 5 days of your cycle when oestrogen levels are naturally low.

If you suffer troublesome menopause symptoms you should be given HRT in the form of combined oestrogen/progesterone or tibolone.

[Purple_Badgers in reply to Lindle]

Thank you for the explanation - hopefully I’ll be through the worst of it soon then. Neither my gynae nor the GP mentioned having the injection at a particular time in my cycle, so it was just a random date. It’s annoying to think that I might not have felt so awful if it had been timed differently… ☹️

[Moon_maiden]

The consultant told me it can take 2/3 to get working properly. I was given HRT, Tibolone to start two weeks after first injection

I had the other one, same concept. Did nothing for me pain wise. I didn’t have side effects that I could differentiate, but possible.

[Prettythings1]

i had these side effects after my firsst prostap injection it calms down though dont worry x

[Username12345678]

hi, I had terrible mood swings and irritability and aching joints for a few weeks. Once the hot sweats & heart palpitations started I went onto tibilone. Everything settled down after the first month and my periods and all the pain stopped 😃. I was on it for years and it really made a difference. Good luck, hope it works for you x

[MooBoos1 in reply to Username12345678]

Hi, you said you have been on Prostrap for years, can I ask how long please? My consultant wants to put me on it for 6 years until I reach 50 but I have found little research about long term use. I have also been prescribed Tibolone but looking into this I really don't think its suitable for me and I am really concerned about taking both drugs. How have you been on both and any side effects?

Thanks

[Username12345678 in reply to MooBoos1]

I was on prostap on and off for 2.5 years. Most consultants won't prescribe it for more than 6 months. But mine was happy with it as it worked so well for me. There is a risk of osteoporosis so regular bone scans are recommended. I was also reluctant to take the tibolone but I really needed it as the menopause symptoms we're difficult. The tibolone really helped.

[Panwendy]

I had mine nearly four weeks ago now and I'm run down full of pots ulcers in my mouth and cold sores. I had been having the horrible hot flushes greasy hair and headaches sent from hell, that also like yourself have made me feel extremely sick. I got out on metoclopramide that seems to be helping take the edge off it that side of it. I also feel like I'm bruised on my legs and my skin is sensitive to touch, kind of like it stings when I touch it. I'm on liquid morphine, tramodol and naproxen for all my other pains that keeps them at bay on a good day but when my flare up kick in they don't even touch the sides. I'm to hoping that it will get better as the weeks go on but I don't think ill be having the injection again by choice and plus they did my needle in the front part of my stomach. I really hope it gets better for you though good luck xx

[Bala101]

I had one injection, awful side effects, no more. But 2 months on still got effects! So much for put of system. Forgetting stuff, hot cold about 10-15 X a day headaches exhausted beyond belief etc. hoping it goes?!!

[Purple_Badgers in reply to Bala101]

Hi, that sounds awful- have you been back to your GP or gynae? It doesn’t seem right that 1 injection should still be affecting you badly 2 months later… but I guess it’s a possibility. I’m a little concerned that there might be something else going on though, that isn’t because of the injection… so probably best to get yourself checked out?

[Bala101]

It's menopause symptoms that's all. I'm a bit fearful the prostrap triggered natural menopause though! Not seeing gynea for at least another 6 months.

[Ben2011]

Hiya I had my first prostap injection yesterday and I have mild pelvic pain today like mold period pain. Do you think this would be from the injection ?

[Purple_Badgers in reply to Ben2011]

Hi, I guess it could be, but I don’t think anyone can tell you for sure. Everyone’s experiences are so different in terms of what side effects, when they appear, how severe etc.

Hopefully your pelvic pain doesn’t get worse xxx

But best to keep an eye on things and ask for support from your gp or gynae if you’re worried. As per the replies above, there are lots of unpleasant side effects that are expected, but may be manageable with the right HRT and painkiller combo.

Also, remember that any tips and tricks from ladies in natural menopause also apply to medical menopause and could be really useful. Take care of yourself xxx