Any advice on Zoladex

[DoggyDays]

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with extensive endometriosis affecting my bowel and other areas. I am about to start on Zoladex injections and wondered if anyone had any experience of them and what to expect?

Thank you

[Sunset-lady]

Hi. I'm about to start zoladex too on the 29th December. Have you read about it? It seems to me that with these very powerful drugs everyone responds differently. For some, they are life changing and they get their lives back, particularly women who suffer from PMDD. For others, they cause too many side effects, and they hate it. I have stage 4 endo and my cervix is attached to my bowel now. I'm bleeding a lot and I'm constantly anaemic. I can't have a hysterectomy so zoladex is really my only option until I go through menopause - I'm 50. The idea is to try zoladex for a year, and pray that my ovaries will shut down forever.

Zoladex artificially shuts down your ovaries and puts you in chemical menopause. Now, if you are not suffering from cancer, you should get add back HRT to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Some doctors don't offer you it though as it's the estrogen that's feeding the endo (and in my case fibroids) but the estrogen in HRT is minimal and surgical menopause can be brutal for some. I will most definitely be taking HRT as my mental health will not cope without it. If you are not offered this I would ask for it. Many women get given Tibolone but I will be taking body identical progesterone (utrogestan) and estrogen gel.

How long you can stay on zoladex is also hotly debated with some women only on it for a year, and others staying on it much longer. I think it depends on how well you get on with it. From what I've read, it takes away the pain of endo and eventually the bleeding once it settles, but some complain about joint pain and sleeplessness. You should request a bone scan when you start particularly if you are under 40.How old are you?

When you go on zoladex it has to be informed consent so you need to know about it from your consultant; they must make sure that you understand what you are being given. I hope that's helpful. There are Facebook support groups too, but remember that support groups are usually used by those having issues, and therefore need support. Lots of women take this and just get on with their lives. Fingers crossed that we fall into that group xxx

[Cherries44]

Hi , my journey with Endo and Adenomyosis started about 16 years ago and I just kept getting told it’s cos I was getting older there is nothing to worry about but after the pandemic my menstrual cycle just went crazy and I would have 1 period for 3 wks out of 4 so went to my doctors and they thought they found abnormal cells so I was sent for scans and was told that I have endometriosis and was put on Zoladex it does take a few weeks before you notice any difference but i was able to go back to having some form of normal in life. , At the beginning of 2023 I had my Right ovary and tubes removed as they thought that was the main issue , so no more Zoladex but I was now taking HRT . 6Months later (OCT time ) my symptoms returned diagnosis this time was Adenomyosis my consultant decided that she would perform a Total Hysterectomy which I had done 11th Dec 23 although I’m still having nausea and headaches from the after effects of medication I have been taking , Today which is day 8 Post op I have to say I feel pretty Great and I’m hoping that this will be the end to it all for me now . I would just like to say I think Zoladex is a great was to find out what your body needs , I hope everything goes well for you and you have a great Christmas xx