How long symptoms stay: hi I had... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

70,661 members52,131 posts

How long symptoms stay

Lothead01 profile image
12 Replies

hi

I had 1 injection of Prostap end of sept and unfortunately I suffered with, headaches, insomnia, no appetite. I became really depressed and anxious as well.

My dr said it works in your system 5/6 weeks and then stops and will start to leave my body. So I’m 4 weeks now past that.

I’m just trying to find out how long it took people to feel better if you had side effects. I feel better than I did but I’m finding one day I have a really low mood, the next day I’m neutral and then it changes to being anxious…

Can anyone shed some light on how long these mood swings can last after it’s stopped working.

apologies I know everyone is different, unfortunately I wasn’t given an hrt so it’s been a tough couple of months :-(

Written by
Lothead01 profile image
Lothead01
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
Dlpak profile image
Dlpak

Hi

My doctor told me it takes 3 months. I have some of the symptoms that you mentioning.

Lothead01 profile image
Lothead01 in reply to Dlpak

Thanks for replying 😌

That’s good your dr gave you an idea.. I wasn’t given any info so I’ve had to use google which doesn’t really help.. It's scary how much it affected my mental health after 1 injection..

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

I think this should have been more fully explained to you. It's supposed to be "informed consent" so they must explain everything first. I'm concerned that you haven't been given add back HRT. Is there a reason for this? Chemical menopause can be very tough. You're not get any of the hormones your body craves, and you won't be sleeping as you don't have any estrogen. I think if you can take HRT you should push for it, but I'm shocked that they haven't given it to you. You don't mention your age or why you are on it so I'm just guessing.

Lothead01 profile image
Lothead01 in reply to Sunset-lady

Hi apologies in advance for the length 🙈

Basically I saw a gynae in June to talk about a large cyst I have.. in that meeting she said I had adenmyosis, from there we were suddenly talking about removal of the ovary with cyst on, then an ablation and then full hysterectomy.. it was a whirlwind! The ablation wasn’t necessary yet but as she was going in for the cyst she said she would do it then.. I was given leaflets about an ablation and her words were 4/5 weeks before you will have an injection that will soften things up.. which was the Prostap but wasn’t even told it’s name or given any info on it.

So my surgery administered it and again I was just told this is a hormone and you might get a few side effects then they did it and again was left no leaflet from the box etc 😞

A few days later I had a period and then tingling and pain in hands and feet and then as the week went on. Insomnia, complete loss of appetite, depression, anxiety, horrible dark thoughts which really scared me. Really painful headaches. I felt like I was living in a fog and my brain just wouldn’t allow me to feel anything. I physically couldn’t cry for about 3 weeks.

Ive spoken to a dr a couple of times who sent me info on the injection and I also had to google the medication (how I found this site) the dr didn’t want to add anything at the time and wanted it to stop working and said come back if I was still having side effects but now I’m struggling to get in to see the dr. I feel better than I did but still not right. My sleep is still rubbish and really weird dreams, anxiety is lingering and ectopic heartbeats because of it. It’s been an horrific experience and I was in such a bad way I couldn’t go for the op, I was just struggling to function and I had lost all faith in the gynae. My dr wrote to the gynae to explain how I was and all they have done is send me another appointment for January.

This whole experience has really scared me and it has left me worried I won’t get back to being me.. I’m 41 with a small family and it has been an awful 8/9 weeks so far.

I can slowly feel improvements in myself which is good but as I said above I have no idea how long this drug takes to properly come out and for my levels to go back to where they were (if they ever do) my dr said they should. Before this I had a regular cycle every month some months heavy and clots but manageable. My mental health was good, I was exercising most days, looking forward to loads of nice family things we had planned and was doing well in my job. Luckily I work with mostly women and some older than me so they have been really understanding. 1 had ivf as well so knows how hormones can affect you. I knew hormones played a role in everything but I must say I have massive respect now for hormones. I am looking at trying some acupuncture, I’ve had it before but not for hormones just to see if I can help balance a few things in my body and I would love to get some proper sleep. If I’m not awake within a few hours I’m having the weirdest dreams x

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

So zero add back HRT. They just put you straight into chemical menopause at 41 with nothing????

Lothead01 profile image
Lothead01 in reply to Sunset-lady

Yes 😞 I didn’t even know it was an option until I came on here and now I can’t get anyone to prescribe me with any 😔😔😔 I don’t even want it long term just enough to get this drug out of my system.

I will be having a lot of words with gunae when I see her next about not warning me of any of these.. I genuinely didn’t even know it put you into temporary menopause

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

Wow! I cannot believe they did that. You must have felt dreadful. Make an appointment with your doctor and ask for some. Get Tibolone if nothing else. I would threaten to complain as this was NOT informed choice. Why can't you get anyone to prescribe it?

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

You're only 41! They should have known your ovaries would still be pumping out a lot of hormones. I'm raging for you.

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

And you're so bad you missed the operation! Put in a complaint- this is negligence

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

When are you due the next injection? I'm presuming you're not having it? The reason you feel better is because it's wearing off. I wouldn't have the next injection- it must have been a 3 month injection they gave you. If you don't have the next one, you won't need the HRT. You will bounce back as your ovaries will fire up again and you'll feel better. If you have a hysterectomy always ask to keep your ovaries if you can. I would refuse to have the injection again. Get the op done and go from there x good luck x

Lothead01 profile image
Lothead01 in reply to Sunset-lady

Yes it’s been an awful experience 😞 it’s really affected me… my mood is better but the anxiety is still there, it’s horrible. Before Prostap I felt fine was functioning and doing lots of things. I keep trying to get an appointment with a dr but there isn’t any 😞 I’m so upset I was never told and now feel I’ve just been left to cope.

It was only a month injection as well and that’s what worries me.. is this still the injection or am I now left struggling with anxiety. I still haven’t had a period etc so I’m assuming this drug is still firmly in my system. A few others I spoke to said it can take a good 2/3 months until they had periods again and felt more themselves.

Luckily I don’t need any other injections and I will never have this again. It’s great if it makes people feel better but this has made life really hard now for the last 8 weeks

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady

To get a doctor's appointment go through their website and complete an Econsul form. They HAVE to respond to you within 48 hours. They will contact you and give you an appointment. It will take a while to get out of your system but I would also let them know that you SHOULD have been taking add back HRT. Good luck x

You may also like...

How long did your stitches in bellybutton stay sore

Morning ladies, I know I’m only 2 days post op but when did your stitches stop being so sore....

How long does it take for a surgical menopause to show symptoms?

had a TLH and BSO nearly 4 weeks ago. I wondered how soon I might start to feel the first signs of...

How long does tummy stay swollen after laparoscopy

week ago and I’m still swollen and tender. Feels worse after eating. Any ideas how long this can...

Post Lap- how long until symptoms subsided?

wondering is this all normal? Does it get better or am I that unfortunate statistic that says the...

How long is the wait?

lasted 9 days so far. I’m just wondering, could you kindly let me know how long you had to wait to...