Add back hrt with Zoladex

[Saffie123]

Hi all, just after a bit of support/others’ experiences…

I had my 3rd Zoladex last week and over the last 2 weeks menopause symptoms (muscle/joint ache, severe fatigue, palpitations etc) have kicked me hard. Previously prescribed Tibolone but massive headaches middle of the night so I tried to persevere without hrt and failed! The consultant (who’s booked me for a hysterectomy and endo excision) gave me Evoril Conti - 2 patches in and I’ve got stomach cramp, pelvic pain, headache.

Is this me overthinking? Psychosomatic somehow?

My op is next month, after another Zoladex implant. I’m minded to stop the Zoladex before the next is due (and hrt) given the ‘therapeutic trial’ of Zoladex has already guided the decision and the surgery is booked.

I know I should email the secretaries but I feel such a nuisance to them and worry I’m overthinking any cramp/pain and automatically attributing it to hrt.

Did anyone else have increased pain with hrt? If so, did it settle?

TIA

[MrsPaddingtonBear]

Hello

Firstly it’s good you haven’t long to wait for your surgery. I was on zoladex and evorelle for 15 months then 4 months of provera and evorelle. The ideas is that these ease symptoms and thin the lining of the womb to make surgery safer. Yes the effects at first can be like a massive flare up but once it settles it’s better. I have just had my hysterectomy surgery 10 days ago. Currently waiting to go home. I had major complications from a stuck bowel and ended up with a stoma bag till next year. Other than that all is as planned.” Still i survived the surgery and I’m living to tell the tale. Please doesn’t stop any treatment without medical support speak to someone first as this is part of your surgery plan. Good luck

[Saffie123 in reply to MrsPaddingtonBear]

Oh thank you for this, I will definitely send the secretary an email as don’t want to do something not intended. I’m just conscious of the side effects and now feeling bloated with hrt and stomach ache and general ache.

I’m glad you are out the other side but what a time you’ve had. Sorry it wasn’t straightforward but I hope everything has been done endometriosis-wise that is possible. I’m worried to ask friends (some of whom are medics) as they are querying why a hysterectomy and keeping ovaries and saying I’ll be worse off and pain will still be there. But I’ve got to trust that the surgeon ‘first does no harm’ and wouldn’t do it if he didn’t think it would help. I know I’m very lucky … it’s just far away to plan but a bit to far off for all the panic and overthinking to start 😬

Keep us posted as to how you are doing. Rest up and heal well x

[Ash24601]

I'm not sure if this is advice but I can share my experience.

When I was in my early 20s I did 9 months of Prostap. Started with Livial HRT but stopped taking due to migraines. I bled everyday for the whole 9 months. Wrote off Prostap ever since.

I am now approaching my mid-30s & just started Prostap & Tibolone as part of the REGAL study. I have only had a 1 month dose & about to have a 3 month dose next week. I have weirdly found no migraine flare ups yet. I do think the HRT gives me a very specific type of abdominal pain & fatigue so I switched to taking it at night which has made it more bearable.

[Saffie123]

Thank you! I do wonder if the age you have it has an impact. I’m always sensitive to hormones. For me, the mirena was a poor choice and that’s meant to be a tiny dose 😕

I’m going to have to email the secretary and be one of those patients that fills her inbox 🙈

It was the gastrointestinal effects (aside from the headaches) that struck me as odd, which as with most of us, makes any pelvic pain fire up!

Thanks again for your reply!