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[Snowy]

I've searched on women's health forums but just come up with pages of ill effects and bad experiences So what better place to ask than Omlet?

I've been advised to consider an injection of Zoladex to bring on premature menopause prior to (hopefully) having a hysterectomy. I don't have to have it, but it would make sense. Trouble is, I'm irritable and depressed enough without taking medication that has depression and irritability as a side effect, as well as hot flushes! Does anyone have any positive experiences of it, or is it always as bad as the stories suggest?

[Omletina Kyckling]

Hi Snowy,

I can't comment on this drug specifically but with any drug, you only ever seem to hear the horror stories, you rarely hear about people who are fine with any drug with no side effects. When I went on methotrexate I read up on it and the reviews from users terrified me, enough to make your hair fall out (one possible side effect!!).....one lot I got from the chemist had a list of rare side effects with "and rarely, death" as a side effect! I've been ok on it, get sick etc. but nothing drastic, so it could be that those who are fine with Zoladex don't bother to post on the internet, if you know what I mean.

Hope you get some more definitive responses about any side effects the this particular drug.

By the way, you hide any depression very well, I've always found you to be the sunniest person!!

All the best with it!

[Snowy]

Thanks Diane! You are right, it's only the horror stories I've heard! There must be some good ones out there - I have managed to find a couple now I think I just need to go for it and come on here for a boost when I need it

[C&T]

Not used this drug, but another drug that also brings on the menopause.

 

After reading and hearing all the horror stories and side effects, my husband (jokingly!?!) was planning an escape to go and stay with his mother for when I got really bad! But actually it was/is fine.

 

There are moments when I can start to feel upset for no reason, or a bit teary - but would say nothing worse than an average PMT moment. I give myself a quick talking to, and am normally OK again! Can also feel a bit hot at night - but nothing too severe, and I can feel tired by the end of the day.

 

The only thing I would say is the first time I took it, I wish I hadn't told anyone about it. I was more sensitive to things (see above for being a bit upset/teary occasionally) so people wanting to talk about the drugs and affects while I was on it drove me mad, and it got to me much more than it would do when I'm off the drugs. People telling me how I was feeling (when I knew myself thank you very much!!) was like a red rag to a bull - especially a certain BIL who apparently knows everything...

 

Everyone is different, but I would say (as others have said) don't believe all the horror stories about inducing the menopause, and if it helps in the long run, do consider it.

 

Good luck!

[BarbaraJ]

I think i was offered this as a prelude to a hysterectomy but went for a Mirena coil instead, the reported (online) side effects were horrific but it has worked great for me and at present avoided a hysterectomy which i didn't really want at the moment.

Try it and see how you get on!

[Alis girls]

I know its given by drs at work for Prostate pts who have cancer. I have Mirena coil too - no periods - still ratty and bad tempered and bloods suggest Im not menopausal - just ratty and bad tempered

[Snowy]

I know its given by drs at work for Prostate pts who have cancer. I have Mirena coil too - no periods - still ratty and bad tempered and bloods suggest Im not menopausal - just ratty and bad tempered

Yes, it works on the pituitary gland to suppress the production of oestrogen and testosterone, so they use it for hormone dependant cancers. The mirena was considered but is not an option for me.

I was sent a link to the hysterectomy site, which is brilliant, and seems to have some much more positive accounts of zoladex prior to it. Feeling better now, and happier with my choice! I knew Omlet was the place to ask!

[The Dogmother]

I was never offered it Snowy. The Mirena was never an option for me either and as they were convinced that I was going through an early menopause anyhow, it made no odds. I had the hystericalectomy 2 years ago (uterus only) and it was brilliant. I started to have hot flushes again earlier this year, even more debilitating than before. On the advice of a friend, I started to take Femarelle - a herbal alternative to HRT (the latter doesn't suit me) and after the first three months, most of the menopausal symptoms had gone, and provided that I remember to take it twice daily they stay away.

 

Good luck Hon, and if you want to chat about having an hystericalectomy then give me a bell; I have only positive feedback and it's the best thing I ever did.

[Jools]

Glad to hear it Snowy.

 

It's ten years since I had my hysterectemy and I've never looked back. I had the Mirena coil for a few years beforehand, mainly because of my age and a reluctance to give up my uterus in my mid-thirties. I had fibroids and the symptoms got so bad, I had no option. Mine was also sub-total and I was warned I had a high chance of an early menopause, but at nearly 48 I'm still waiting.

 

Hope all goes well for you too.

[Tiggy]

we give quite a bit of zoladex at work, mainly to men with prostate cancer, they joke about getting man boobs & hot sweats & menopausal (not sure if they are pulling my leg about the last one) but of the few ladies that have had it for endometriosis they seem to have been OK, I suppose anything that stops you having that sort of pain would be a godsend. i hope everything goes well for you

[quickcluck]

I use it at work, for ladies the same a you! Like everything I here mixed reports, but the general concenus is that it's well worth the try. You will have to have more than one, so if you find that it doesn't suit you, dont have any more! Most ladies say that they can cope with the flushing etc, as it's eases the bleeding, pain etc......