Zoladex injection

[kelly74]

Hello,I am new here,I had my gyne appointment today and he has put me on Zoladex injection for 3 months along with HRT which he said should help with the pain,then will go back after 3 months for lap/pelvic clearance possible removal of ovaries,I am 38 with two children.I would be really grateful for any advice

[Beks04]

what advice do you need?! Its like reading my own story. I'm 38 too but have no children (a decision my husband and I made before I received my endo diagnosis). I had a laparoscopy in November 2011 which confirmed the presumed diagnosis. I was started on Zoladex and HRT a few weeks later - it has helped with some of the symptoms and pain, but I'm typing this clutching a hot water bottle to my belly trying to ease the pain and bloating! I have opted for surgery and will be having a lap hysterectomy, removal of my ovaries (oophrectomy) and also having some endo removed from my bowels in two weeks time. I'm petrified that it won't work - I keep thinking if the hormones haven't worked, will the surgery? The Zoladex can make things worse initially and there can be side effects (I experienced migraines). The combination of treatment can help shrink some of the endo tissue which is why the docs use it almost pre-operatively. I wish I could say I'm prepared for my surgery but as it gets closer, I'm becoming more anxious. You can stay on the hormones for up to six months, especially if they improve your symptoms significantly. All the best, hope this was helpful!

[kelly74]

Thank you,yes it was very helpful and I'm sorry your still in so much pain,yes our stories sound very similar even though I knew this was probably the course of action the gynae was gona take I'm still surprised at how freaked out mentally I actually am about the false menopause and possible removal of my ovaries.Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on with your operation.xx

[heatherec]

Hi Kelly74,

Just thought i would give you my thoughts on it. I am currently on Zoladex and Livial after having a lap in November to remove endometriosis. I have had quite a bad time on Zoladex with a hell of a lot of side effects and only half way through my treatment all of my symptoms are back with avengeance!!

I know what you mean about the mental affect of being put into a false menopause i am only 21 and have no children yet so i know how worrying it can be, but just remember that the treatment is used so widely with many women that if it were that damaging to put someone into a false menopause then they wouldn't be using it as Becks04 said almost pre-operatively.

I also have to go back for a lap and to see how the Zoladex has slowed down the growth however i sadly have a feeling that it has made it not better.

Keep me up to date with how you are going on the Zoaldex

Heather x

[hillidoos in reply to heatherec]

hi heather, sorry you feeling crap, i too am on the injection with liviel as a back up, the first two weeks i ended up on morphine for the pain for then it just went completely i did have night sweats for a month but they too have gone, but six weeks into the treatment i feel pre menstral ie. sugar craving, moody and my bowels are sluggish again but no pain, i'm now hoping that it isn;t going to stop working. Hope your lap goes in your favour.

[sanchia46]

Everyone seems to react to it differently. I had the injection without the HRT and it took away my pain.

[Chels78]

Hi Kelly,

Sanchia, your so right, everyone does react differently to this medication. It did wonders for me too, it was the best i felt for years!

Kelly, try it, see how you go, if it doesn't work, come off of it, but try and give it a couple of months first. The HRT will help with the symptoms. I wish you all the best and hope you get some relief from it. Good luck xxx

[Notsoyummytummy]

Hi new to the site and spotted your old post.just wondering how did it work out ? I have just done 3 months on zoladex with livial.i had 1 pain free month but 2 severe pain months . I have already had a partial hysterectomy but retained my ovaries.i just don't know how to keep going with this pain.Obiviously I will be back to the consultant next month but am struggling to keep positive with this nightmare