Endometriosis and Zoladex

[faye*]

Hi,

I'm still fairly new to BB. I had lap surgery last week and FS says I have severe endo however my tubes and ovaries etc are all really good. I need to have surgery to remove the endo which will apparently include partial bowel resection. FS wants to put me on Zoladex for 2-3 months leading up to the next operation. I'm reading some horrible things about this drug but do I really have a choice in whether or not I go on it? Any suggestions?? Or has anyone had this surgery with bowel resection and is this going to cause bowel problems following surgery?

[Astrolady]

I had severe Endo in my early 20's I went on Zolodex after my operation, cause I went under not really knowing what they were going to find but knowing something was there. I was on Zolodex for 6mths post surgery. I didnt' have any bowel removed though.

[faye*]

Did you have any bad side effects from the Zoladex? I guess it's different for everyone though...

[Jane :)]

Hi Faye,

Sorry, only just saw your post now.

I was on Zoladex for three months at end of 2011 beginning of 2012.

The good things about Zoladex is that it stops your periods. Which means that it also stops all the pasin associated with severe endo.

The bad news is (in my case only, I can't speak for others, I'm sure many havd had better experiences but..) The needles hurt a bit (but was manageable). And the injections have left quite noticable scarring which I am hoping will fade in time. Fingers crossed. I also unfortunately seemed to have every possible side effect from headaches and weight gain, to extreme irritability and mood swing, hot flushes (my God they were awful - thank goodness we had a cold summer or I wouldn't have survived) and then there were the heart palpitations / panic attacks. Whilst all this sounds terrible, the goos news is that when all these things happened at least I knew why and could reason with myself..."it's only the zoladex, this too shall pass".

I must admit I counted down the time til I finished the medication, but would I do it again... well probably, the relief from pain was amazing!

My FS who did my lap, removed most my endo but couldn't remove the endo on my bowel. At the moment I am just trying to put up with those related symptoms because I am quite scared about having more surgery, particularly becuase it would involve a portion of the bowel being removed.

How are you feeling about it all?

Would love to know how everything goes with your surgery as it looks likely that at some stage I'll have to go back under the knife to have that dealt with.

If you decide to go on the Zoladex, I really hope that you don't get many side effects. Not everyone get them. You could be the lucky one.

[Astrolady]

Sorry I didn't see your reply. Only side effect I had was no period for 6mths.

[faye*]

Thanks Jane, i'm starting on the Zoladex this Friday so I guess I'll just have to see how I go... i've bought some emla patches to help with the injection so i'm hoping that helps.

I'm quite nervous about the surgery especially having to have part of my bowel removed but FS told me it should still only be about a 2 week recovery time. It could also cause some bowel issues that should settle within 6 weeks but that was pretty rare. The surgery won't be for about another 3 months but i'll definately let you know how I go afterwards. I feel better knowing it's still only a short recovery time. There is a bowel prep for the day before the surgery too which doesn't sound too nice but I'm just trying not to worry about any of that yet.

[faye*]

Sorry I didn't see your reply. Only side effect I had was no period for 6mths.

That's great Astrolady, hope I'm the same but I guess i'll know soon enough :-)

[Jane :)]

Best of luck faye.

[faye*]

Just had my first Zoladex implant done, wasn't too bad but thank god for emla patches. It helped alot. Just a bit of a sting where the implant is but nothing major. Fingers crossed for minimal side effects...

[ineedpixiedust]

Hi! Just to post a good word about zoladex... I had them for 6 months, last implant on feb 14th and had all symptoms full blast after the first month until a month after last implant. Syptoms of side effects eventually went and gradually I became my usual self! I'vebeen feeling bloated for the last few weeks and finally yesterday af returned!! Am so happy and relieved good luck to all of u undergoing this treatment... it's tough but survivable.. Now keeping fingers crossed as we are starting ttc again this month

[ineedpixiedust]

Update: got af back after 2 months and BFP after 1 cycle!!!!!!! Am so happy!!! Zoladex worked for me ) good luck ladies x

[Jane :)]

Ineedpixiedust - congratulations! Very exciting for you. Wishing you allthe best with the pregnancy etc.

Got to keep the faith that at some point we will all get lucky or find the treamentt approach that works and leads to that exciting BFP. All tghe best ineedpixiedust

[maxhobho]

Thanks Jane, i'm starting on the Zoladex this Friday so I guess I'll just have to see how I go... i've bought some emla patches to help with the injection so i'm hoping that helps.

I'm quite nervous about the surgery especially having to have part of my bowel removed but FS told me it should still only be about a 2 week recovery time. It could also cause some bowel issues that should settle within 6 weeks but that was pretty rare. The surgery won't be for about another 3 months but i'll definately let you know how I go afterwards. I feel better knowing it's still only a short recovery time. There is a bowel prep for the day before the surgery too which doesn't sound too nice but I'm just trying not to worry about any of that yet.

Hi Feye


How was your experience with Zoladex. I had mine about a month ago and I am starting to see the side effects. I have a headache, vomited once last week, hot flashes but not bad cause its winter in South Africa and this morning I am suffering from depression. Do you know how long this would last?

[faye*]

Update: got af back after 2 months and BFP after 1 cycle!!!!!!! Am so happy!!! Zoladex worked for me ) good luck ladies x

Fantastic news - congratulations!!! I wish you all the best with your pregnancy So nice to hear some positive news!!

[faye*]

Hi Feye


How was your experience with Zoladex. I had mine about a month ago and I am starting to see the side effects. I have a headache, vomited once last week, hot flashes but not bad cause its winter in South Africa and this morning I am suffering from depression. Do you know how long this would last?

Hi maxhobho,

I'm now 4 months into Zoladex and have another 2 months to go. I'm counting down!!! The side effects I've had mainly are headaches (thankfully these eased up after a couple of months), hot flushes, night sweats (this has been the worst side effect as I haven't had a decent nights sleep this whole time) and i've been quite emotional. The depressed feeling I know very well how you feel and I have found this to last for a couple of days about a week after each injection. It then seems to peak again about a week before i'm due for the next implant but only lasts a day or so then i feel almost normal again.

It certainly hasn't been easy and i'm also very frustrated that i'm still waiting on my operation which was supposed to be last week but has been delayed and I still don't know when it's going to be. Dealing with that while i'm so tired and emotional is hard.

On a good note I've obviously had no periods and therefore no endo pain which is great...

Keep in mind that the side effects are different for everybody so fingers crossed you cope ok...

Best of luck with it....