Hi Niki, your story sounds almost exactly like mine. At the time my gynae wanted me to go onto Zoladex after my lap, but I refused. I didn't like the idea of being in a menopause-like state at the age of 28! In the end I decided to do nothing, no drugs, nothing and instead just focussed on a really healthy eating plan and exercise. I can't say whether this did anything for my endo or not, but overall healthwise, my periods improved tenfold and I just felt good. The docs had told me I'd never conceive naturally and would need IVF, but I did actually end up conceiving naturally 2.5 years after my diagnosis and now have a beautiful bubba boy
Thanks so much for the replies so far. I'm freaking out a bit over having Zoladex so it is so comforting to hear good stories! so happy for both of you to have babies too!
Laranna - were you trying for long before you conceived naturally?
Since I found out about the endo and being told I wasn't going to be able to have kids, DP & I decided not to bother with contraception. So, I guess you could say we weren't officially trying but weren't preventing either, so I guess it took us 2.5 years.
I was on Zoladex 5 years ago for 6 months, following my Lap. Side effects were: hot flushes, forgetfulness (post-it notes were sooo helpful :-) ), mood swings. Then I went onto the pill straight away. Prior to Zoladex & the pill I never put on weight and could eat anything and do no excercise. Since then I have to be more careful and have gained 15kg. I'm not sure if that's the Zoladex or the Pill though. We started TTC 11 months ago and haven't been successful yet, but I think that's more becuase of my very irregualr cycles than anything Zoladex did. Also, my endo hasn't returned (that I know of) and my tubes are clear, so for me Zoladex was useful and the side effects weren't so bad.
My doctor warned me about not getting pregnant on it too, and I think she said it was best to wait for 3 - 6 months after to make sure it was out of my system, but it was a while ago so that's a little hazy.
I was on Zoladex 5 years ago for 6 months, following my Lap. Side effects were: hot flushes, forgetfulness (post-it notes were sooo helpful :-) ), mood swings. Then I went onto the pill straight away. Prior to Zoladex & the pill I never put on weight and could eat anything and do no excercise. Since then I have to be more careful and have gained 15kg. I'm not sure if that's the Zoladex or the Pill though. We started TTC 11 months ago and haven't been successful yet, but I think that's more becuase of my very irregualr cycles than anything Zoladex did. Also, my endo hasn't returned (that I know of) and my tubes are clear, so for me Zoladex was useful and the side effects weren't so bad.
My doctor warned me about not getting pregnant on it too, and I think she said it was best to wait for 3 - 6 months after to make sure it was out of my system, but it was a while ago so that's a little hazy.
I was 22 (I'm nearly 30 now) when I had my first laparotomy (I've had two of those). Afterwards my gyno prescribed a course of 6 months Zoladex implants (they were implanted somewhere near my bikini line).
First couple of months were a bit strange. I started with the hot flashes within the first month, I lost about 5 - 8 kilos (I was a walking skeleton) must have dropped about 2 or 3 dress sizes (due to the intense hot flashes), I had mood swings, teary outbursts over silly little things, no libido to speak of (not that it mattered since I wasn't in a relationship), constant exhaustion, terrible headaches, and basically I didn't cope well. I did everything I could to put weight on but it just kept melting off me. The only good thing about the Zoladex was that it stopped my periods. I think it took probably only 2 months or so for my periods to return to regular .... not long at all really.
Now I know EXACTLY what women complain about in the menopause because I've been thru it.
There is mention of risk of osteoporosis being increased after undergoing this treatment due to its effect on the hormones and calcium levels etc. Because of that suggestion I had a bone density assessment done prior to treatment, and one following the treatment and (as I was still at the age where bone density is on the increase (I think it continues to increase up to age 25)) I was relieved to find that my bone density had actually increased over that time. It probably has more to do with your age and general health and/or family history.
Did Zoladex fix my endo? NO. It recurred within 18 months - so I was quite disappointed that it didn't seem to do much for me. I was told that it could still recur after this treatment - but didn't expect it would recur so quickly and aggressively.
Just be careful and if you decide to go thru with it, make sure you listen to your body and surround yourself with people who are understanding and supportive of your situation.
Hi Niki1
Your story sound like mine but a year and a half ago I had everything you just said but had my left ovary removed had my op late 2006 went on Zoladex for 3 months they rushed me to IVF and fell pregnant first go. I know I was very luck but keep going with your treatment it worked for me.
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