Zoladex

That’s really unfair @CRM 😕. It should be the opposite. It’s great we have all these treatments, but to just expect us to say ‘welcome all nasty side effects, at least I don’t have bc!’ is not ok in my opinion. Quality of life just somewhat seems to go
out the window. It just pisses me off. We shouldn’t have bc and we also shouldn’t have the side effects!! 🤬. 

Yes @FLClover Sorry, I should have posted them in reverse order. 13kgs heavier is now. Around my lower belly where I get the injections I am so bloated.

@CRM is the first picture now? 

I wouldn't usually share something so personal but this photo popped up on my Facebook memories today so I thought I'd do a comparison. These photos were taken exactly 12mths apart. 4mths of Tamoxifen and 1mth of Zoladex VS 16mths of Tamoxifen and 13mths of Zoladex. I don't eat much, am on my feet all day at work and exercise 3 or 4 times a week.

I also started Zoladex about the same time as my rads, which was two months before starting Letrozole. The only side effects I had were occasional hot flushes. Two months after Letrozole, I’ve got joint pain after getting up from sitting position, and numb, tingling fingers. I think it’s def the AI causing the main side effects. And yes, the treatment does finally make you feel like you have c 😐

Yes - I think it’s the oral AIs that gives more side effects.  With the Zoladex, it does bring on menopause as well, but I do believe the AIs are the main drivers.  I think I did say before that I took a one month holiday from the AIs, whilst still on the Zoladex, and my side effects pretty much disappeared.

Hi everyone, so just a quick update. I’m in the middle of my rads at the moment, day 7 of 20 and so far so good. On the first day of rads I also had my first zoladex injection. That thing is huge!!!! But my stomach was numbed first and tbh the pain itself was less than a tetanus shot.

So far so good - no discernible side effects. Apart from the bruising, I kind of forgot I had it.

so my question is - is it actually the oral AI tablets that give the horrible side effects? I haven’t started those yet. I need to finish my rads and get my done density test first. I’ll be on exemestene. Or is it luck if the draw and some people can fair ok throughout the treatment?

Both my oncologist and my breast care nurse said at the 3-4 month mark you know the extent of your side effects and that level is generally what you’ll be living with. 

Yes - you can take a short break, but only if your oncologist agrees and you work with them.  Many people on this forum have had taken a little holiday (break) so, chat with your oncologist when it gets too much for you.

Hi @jintie, thanks for responding also. It really does sound luck of the draw doesn’t it. I hope the new AI doesn’t become as bad for you - can you take a break from treatment as an option at all? 

CRM said:

I have been on both Tamoxifen and Zoladex for over 1 year and have really struggled with all of the side effects. I started Tamoxifen in August 2019 and added in the Zoladex in November 2019. It's hard to know which drug to attribute the symptoms to. I have to try and get to 2 years on the Zoladex and then I can stop... I came very close to giving up during the COVID lockdown this year but my Oncologist has convinced me to continue on it for now. If I have to be honest, the only thing getting me through is knowing there is an end date to the medication! It's a hard slog but we are strong :) 

Hi CRM, thanks for sharing. It sounds like it has been a struggle for you and I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m hoping now with lockdown ending in Melb you get a chance to feel a bit more normal, and you sound very strong so hang in there!