More scared now than before starting chemo

Hi @JoB, I was on Zoladex for 5yrs, after 4yrs tamoxifen - to which I developed a resistance resulting in BC recurrence and mastectomy. I was 38 when first diagnosed so tamoxifen chemically Induced menopause. Zoladex continued that. I had the menopausal symptoms of hot flushes, poor sleep. I had pre-existing depression so i don't know whether either or both drugs exacerbated that, or whether it was just the whole shitty cirumstances of BC and associated issues. Side effects were a bit tough and uncomfortable sometimes but I got help with sleep meds, counselling - hot flushes not so much. When I finished Zoladex I had my ovaries removed in a full hysterectomy as I was terrified of my body going back into oestrogen production as previous tumours were er+ & pr+. I still have menopause symptoms 2yrs later just as I had on Zoladex although not as intense.   Ask all the questions you need of your Onc, BC nurse etc to get informed. You could try Zoladex and see how you go - I'm not sure of your age but you could also discuss ovary removal with your Onc and the pros and cons of each. I did this and Onc advised there was no going back from removal so by trying Zoladex I would least get an insight into how my body reacted to the menopause state. If I could manage, removal could be considered if I chose.  I took Zoladex because I wanted to do everything I could to stop BC coming back and figured it was my best chance. I didn't want to be saying 'what if' down the track if I didn't. It's ultimately a personal decision. I'm happy to answer anything else if I can. I also had clexane for a period and they were awful! The Zoladex injection varied depending on who gave it. Some I hardly felt, others - ouch! I put emla/numbing cream on the spot where it was to be injected and that made it painless. If I remembered! I forgot to mention memory/brain fog as a side effect. I've become a bit of a wuss through my BC experiences so the cream made it easier to tolerate. One inconvenience was having to go the Onc ward each month to get it although some gps are able to give it. None of them at my clinic - a women's clinic - were! Go figure! Anyway, I wish you all the best. There's always this horrible anticipation before a treatment and often its not as bad as we worry. It's the unknown that's hard. And everyone's experience is different, so it's hard to get difinitive answers. Take care and I'll answer anything else I can.  :)