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lgray3911's avatar
lgray3911
Member
8 years ago

Need some advice

Hi ladies I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas. Am looking for some advice. So I am 38 and was diagnosed in Feb. I had to have a mastectomy and opted for double. Have finished chemo and radiation but am still on herceptin. So my question is..... my cancer was estrogen positive so my oncologist has recommend that I start Zoladex next herceptin cycle to shut down my ovaries with the view to removing them in a few months time. Chemo has already shut them down so why am I bothering doing that??? Would rather not inject my body with anything else plus it seems pointless if I am going to remove them anyway (which is what I want to do) Is there a reason he is recommending that I do the injections for 3-4 months or should I push to skip that step?!? 

6 Replies

  • Sunshine0206's avatar
    Sunshine0206
    Member
    8 years ago
    Perhaps because your body might still be producing oestrogen even though you have stopped mensturating? Those hormones are fertiliser. He is most likely being cautious. Best to seek clarification ASAP so that you aren’t worrying.

    I’m 41 and chemo has not stopped my periods. I’m on the home run on paclitaxel. I will have my ovaries removed  as soon as practicable.

    let us know what onc says?

    Good luck.
    x
  • EarthWalkerLish's avatar
    EarthWalkerLish
    Member
    8 years ago
    I've been on Zoladex since Feb this year. Injections are fine, my GP gives me a local anaesthetic first, so I don't feel anything really. Maybe your dr wants to ease you into menopause before removing your ovaries.  I'm just coming to the conclusion that I would rather have my ovaries out than continue with Zoladex.  I'm having some awful peripheral neuropathy which is impacting on my life. At first I thought it was Chemo induced neuropathy but my GP is starting to think it may be the effects of the Zoladex.  I was ER+ so I think it's time for the ovaries to go, I'm 48 and had 3 kids. My hands just are working very well anymore, struggling to type. Anyone else on Zoladex had this problem?
    Lisha
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    8 years ago
    Honestly those ovaries are producing the goodies the cancer needs to thrive so if there are any cells bloody left there they will use it. Zoladex will put you in complete menopause. (And think about this ...How many women fall pregnant whilst breast feeding and no periods?) I say bring it on...then whip the damn things out. Also I believe with zoladex you can have a AI  instead of tamoxifen which most likely your oncologist plans on you having. But .....ask him/her why they think this is the best option. I hadn't had a period fir 2.5 years and they still checked I was completely through menopause before starting a AI.
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    8 years ago
    http://beacon.bcna.org.au/2015/10/update-on-zoladex-for-premenopausal-women/

    Zoladex has in recent times come onto the PBS

    https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-women/research-news-and-issues-for-young-women/

    There's an article on Zoladex within the link above

    It is about giving you the best possible chance 

    I had 26 zoladex injections (one every 4 weeks) given by my GP after the first with the medical Onc.  I always had a numbing injection first and there was no pain with it!  My ovaries are monitored via vaginal ultrasound and are very healthy

    I don't think it is wise to skip a step just because..............
  • LMK74's avatar
    LMK74
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi @lgray3911, I'd definitely ask your oncologist why he is recommending it. I am on zoladex injections and hate the bloody things with a vengeance. I'm 43 and was pre  menopausal before chemo. I was started on zoladex straight away back in Feb. The needles are big and bloody hurt. I can't see the point if your having your ovaries out in a few months.  I will be asking my oncologist about getting my ovaries out, would be so much easier. Best of luck.
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
    Approved
    Hi @Igray3911, I thought chemo had shut down my ovaries, but my period came back 2 years after chemo and I’m now peri-menopausal. I don’t know about Zoladex. All the best and I hope you are having a lovely festive season.