Lupron

[hurricaneheather]

"my" oncologist informed me today, that Lupron is currently on back order and may not be available for up to 1 year. i have been advised the next injection could be Zoladex, instead. looking into Zolodex, per AstraZeneca website: zoladex.com/breast-cancer/

[Wintervt]

Wow, that is news to me as I met with my oncologist today and she scheduled my Lupron injection for next week. Where do you live?

[hurricaneheather in reply to Wintervt]

i am currently in Florida. i go to Moffitt Cancer Center. i did not ask "my" CA oncologist.

[hurricaneheather in reply to hurricaneheather]

i have not found the research, yet. this is from the Zoladex website: zoladexhcp.com/efficacy/

[hurricaneheather]

i did not want an oophorectomy 5 years ago and chose the synthetic option; i did not want healthy organs removed or to be under anesthesia, more than necessary. i respect each persons' choice. i just read this: Overall survival for patients with HR+ breast cancer is similar for Zoladex® and oophorectomy*9.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I'm not familiar with lupron. Does it suppress the function of the ovaries? I've been having monthly zoladex injections since May 2018. Like you, I prefer this than having an oophorectomy. My oncologist respects my decision. I hope you can move forward soon with zoladex or whatever else your oncologist suggests. I cope with the zoladex injections very well and plan to carry on until I go through the menopause naturally or until the new treatment comes along. I've heard from my GP that there is something similar to zoladex in the pipeline.

Take care,

Sophie

[hurricaneheather in reply to Hidden]

thank you for the reply, Sophie. i appreciate hearing about your experience. yes, Lupron supresses the ovaries. having read the information on the Zoladex website and conversation with the onc, the next injection will be Zoladex. the onc is confident about the product, and i respect her decisions. be well, heather.

[Hidden in reply to hurricaneheather]

I wish you all the best with the zoladex injections, Heather. My GP alternates sides each month so I'm not always getting it in the same spot each time. I also receive a local anaesthetic, as the needle is large and painful otherwise (my first injection was done in my cancer unit at the hospital with no pain relief). I know some women cope fine without any numbing, but not me!

Sophie

[hurricaneheather in reply to Hidden]

thank you. Lupron was a quarterly intramuscular injection in the gluteus maximus; i alternated the glute each quarter. the needle was large, and i watched the nurse 'swirl it around' to mix the contents, prior to injection. fortunately, i did not watch the injection. was not thrilled about Zoladex being subcutaneous; already receive monthly migraine injections subcutaneously. though, thanks to 'chemical menopause,' there's enough fat there. i will have the nurse alternate the quarterly Zoladex injection, also. thought the needle for Zoladex was smaller then Lupron?guess i will close my eyes during it. :/ heather

[Hidden in reply to hurricaneheather]

Hi Heather,

I've not seen how big the needle is for lupron, so I can't compare that with the zoladex needle. Zoladex injections are given into the stomach though, so at least there's a little more dignity with it.

Sophie

[Rhwright12]

Hi! I’ve been on Zoladex since March of ‘18...They do have a 3 month shot as well...I used it for 2 years but have recently switched to 1 month shot as they checked my numbers to see if I’m post menopause yet...😡...not quite so back to 1 month shots probably till November...retest my numbers and go from there...No difference in discomfort or symptoms between the 2...😀

[hurricaneheather]

hello. thank you for the reply. was receiving quarterly Lupron injections and will be receiving 10.8mg Zoladex quarterly. had the hormones checked earlier in the month. Lupron has been doing 'what it is supposed to do: chemical menopause.' asked if i could stop Lupron, per the test results? the onc would like the body to continue receiving injections until the age of 55. was not thrilled, particularly since the body has received quarterly Lupron injections for fIVe years. sorry to hear that the body had to return to monthly injections. be well. heather