Please can anyone give me advice on Zolodex? I’ve been on it for 3 months, I’m having very bad hot flushes, insomnia and now depression (I’m not long diagnosed so that could also be a factor in the depression).
Do you know how long it takes to go through menopause this way?
Any tips for making it easier?
Hi Toomany,
I’ve received a monthly injection Lupron for the last 11 months for for chemical menopause. In the beginning my hot flashes were insane! They have now tapered off. I take melatonin for insomnia and vitamin D for depression both of which are helpful. It does get better.
Sending ♥️
Thank you x
Hi Too many wonderful questions!
Technically u shouldn’t have more than one period after u start...then technically u are officially in menopause after one year after last cycle...however the symptoms of menopause can go on for years...just like s regular menopause...😀💕
Okay thank you. Well I look forward to that then! Let’s hope I don’t have depression with it and that I’m just feeling like a fruit loop because of the diagnosis Xx
Thanks for your message. I had no idea about the insomnia. I wake up at 5.30 every day. Have you continued with the antidepressants? I have sleeping pills but try not to take them every night. Although reading your message I agree lack of sleep makes the whole situation worse. I will have one tonight Xx
Hi Ellie,
My oncology nurses sat me down and went through the possible side effects of Zoladex before I had my first injection. Insomnia, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and mood swings were some of them. I had a hot flush on 5th June last year and a couple of night sweats right after my first injection and that was it. Are you getting your injections at your local doctor's surgery or at the hospital? I would talk to your doctors about the symptoms to see what they can do to help you. Maybe a change in diet or supplements might help you.
I take Adcal D3 (calcium carbonate and vitamin D) and Montmorency cherry capsules (they contain melatonin and are an anti-inflammatory). We are all different, so what works for one person might not work for another. The same is true of symptoms. We don't all get the same symptoms. I don't know how long it will be until the symptoms abate. You are older than me, so maybe you will get through it more quickly. I am not sure how doctors will know when we are through the "menopause" as it hasn't occurred naturally for those of us who are still of childbearing age.
Another thing I wanted to mention is asking for a local anaesthetic if you do not already have one when it's time for your monthly Zoladex injection. When I had my first one at the hospital I was not offered any pain relief. I didn't know what to expect. I just thought it would be like having a flu jab. I didn't realise how painful it would be. I felt like I had been stabbed. So after that I was able to get the injection at my local doctor's surgery and they always offer me a local anaesthetic. It's standard practice there.
Take care,
Sophie x
Wow it always sounds like you get really great care. No one told me anything about the Zolodex just that it would bring on menopause. I’m glad it explains the insomnia. I just get mine stabbed in with no pain relief but I have to have them done at home as I’m not strong enough to go to the doctors. Next one on Monday. I will ask about pain relief. I’m feeling a lot calmer this morning, it’s just over 4 weeks since the anesthetic and I’m almost weened off the Oxycodone so I’m really hoping it’s that that has sent me crazy not the Zolodex as it sounds like you’re doing well on it. Thank you X
Morning Ellie,
I am very vocal and proactive when it comes to my healthcare, so I let the doctors and nurses know right away if I am not happy with something. It sounds like your medical team could have done better to prepare you for the Zoladex. They should have told you what to expect. Telling someone that it brings on the menopause is not enough. What does that mean other than the end of periods? I was given a detailed account of what to expect, as well as a reminder to use a back-up form of contraception (I came off the pill when I was diagnosed) until the Zoladex took effect.
As you have your Zoladex injections at home you might want to call your surgery and ask for the doctor to bring along some anaesthetic, as I don't know if they routinely carry it in their medical bags when making house calls. Doctors should routinely offer a local anaesthetic unless the patient is allergic to it or for some other reason. I hope your next Zoladex injection is pain-free for you.
Take care,
Sophie x
When I started chemo when I was first diagnosed 16 years ago it slammed me into menopause. I had alot of night sweats but the worst part was the depression and anxiety. My doctor put me on Effexor and it helped immensely with the depression and anxiety and I rarely got hot flashes after that. Don't be afraid to take something for the depression. This is a hard thing we are dealing with and if you need a little help, so be it. Hang in there,
Kim
I’ve been prescribed Citalopram, hopefully it will be helpful was Effexor specifically for menopause? X
Don’t worry I’ve googled it! X
It wasn’t for me it was for the anxiety and depression but I rarely had flashes while taking it. I hope something works for you!!😊🙏🏻
I’ve had 3 Zolodex shots. This may be helpful to you....I was prescribed lidocaine cream and was told to apply it to the area where the shot was going an hour before time and cover and tape it with Saran Wrap. I haven’t felt a thing when I get those.
But my gosh I’m having terrible night sweats. I have to change my pjs sometimes 5 times a night. After I get so sweaty then I’m cold. Then I wake up dripping again. Any suggestions would be appreciated. However now I’m on real chemo so no more zolodex in March.
Hope you get relief from these side effects real soon.
Hugs,
Stacy
I’m taking Effexor for my hot flashes. It’s an off label use but it really works. I was feeling like I had to change clothes three times a day because I’d get so wet. I’ve got night time pretty well under control. My husband sleeps with a heavy duvet but we have a sheet and blanket on the bed too. The duvet ends up all on top of him whereas I am sleeping with a sheet and light blanket and the room is 55 degrees. I don’t usually have the night sweats if I can sleep that cold. This is the second time I’ve gone through hot flashes. I thought the first time was bad! Little did I know that it could be much worse. I’m thankful for my doc, Ian Schnadig, who wants me to live life to the fullest and is happy to help me make that happen.
Sorry to hear that, yes I wake up soaked too, then shivering. Horrible. X
chemical menOpause with Lupron injections; monthly injections Aug-Dec 2015, then quarterly in 2016. per FSH & Estrodial blood work in Sep 2017:
chemical menOpause= Estrodial
non menOpause= FSH
requested retests this year.
sleep in bamboo sheets; cool and do not absorb odor. use supplements including one formulated by "my" doctor, Kristi Funk, Menopause Miracle, available at pinklotus.com
When I was on tamoxifen I had awful hot flushes and night sweats. I found a product called a cool towel. It's a small micro fibre sports towel that comes in a container that looks like a drinks bottle. You fill the bottle with water and put it in the fridge. The the hot flush starts you take it out, wring it out and wrap it round your neck. It is so cooling. I was having hot flushes every 20 minutes or somand the towel would stay cool for around an hour.
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