zalkya - what is it? Endo treatment

[Mia11]

I’ve today had an appointment with specialist and a bit confused. It was a rushed appointment as he got called to surgery.

He said I could go on Zalkya. I’m currently on the mini pill would this be a replacement to mini pill or alongside it - any ideas?

Secondly, he suggested I have an ultrasound - does anyone know why this and not MRI?

I had a laparoscopy back in 2014 and they found deep endo and this was removed. I had ultrasound back then and nothing was found. I made this point but he said technology has come along way in a decade and that it would be picked up if I have any. Any experience of this?

I’m currently on the mini pill and although I’m not having periods I’m still getting pelvic pain.

Thanks x

[bearbellabailey]

hey so it is possible for it to show up on scans but only in rare cases the same for mri they maybe looking for chocolate cysts or anything on your ovaries if you already have diagnosed endometriosis I would be saying you want the surgery the chances are it's probably grown back I'm having surgery not even a year after my diagnosis one so please push for it as for the tablet speak to your doctor they will advise to take with or with out the pill xx

[KezMurr]

He's talking nonsense. The ultrasound won't magically show it up otherwise that would be the gold standard for diagnosis. If you're lucky it might, but chances are it won't. I've had ultra sounds amd MRI's. All scans were clear even though a laparoscopy diagnosed stage 4 severe endo with multiple organs fused together. My last MRI was reviewed by an endo specialist which was after my laparoscopy - My bowels were still severely adhered to my uterus for this MRI but the results were all clear. Lol! Scans cannot be used as a substitute for a laproscopy diagnosis and he should know this and he should have at least made that clear. If he attempts to say that clear ultrasound results mean you don't have endo, do not accept this under any circumstances. Sorry it's all so frustrating for you xx

[TandE]

I am not an expert, but I am on zalkya. It is a progestin so I would guess it would be to replace the mini pill. The idea with zalkya is that there is evidence that it can stop lesions growing and even possibly shrink them. I’m only a few weeks in and I’m not going to lie, the side effects have been, erm, interesting, but I’m going to persevere with it as I’ve heard it really can help. Good luck with getting yourself sorted.

[HedgehogMad]

I'm taking Zalkya - it's an alternative to the progesterone only pill as it contains a progesterone. I had worse pains and some bleeding initially but am about 6-8 weeks in and honestly feeling great. Pains have diminished significantly and I don't really have any side effects, plus no bleeding at all! I would say it's worth a try

[TandE in reply to HedgehogMad]

This is good to hear I’m about 5 weeks in, still getting awful night sweats and breakthrough bleeding (tmi I know) but I’m hoping they’ll both subside!