DIEP recon and Zoladex
Has anyone been on Zoladex injections before there DIEP surgery... where did you continue the injections in the month before and after surgery? Were you able to use Lupron instead? I am not a candidate for oopherectomy at my age, but my team can’t give me an answer yet about Zoladex injections. Surely I’m not the only young hormone positive BC patients on zoladex who has gone through DIEP....
Choosing between tamoxifen, zoladex or no treatment at all...
Hi all, I'm new to this forum but not new to BC. I was diagnosed in May last year, had a lumpectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiation and started tamoxifen a year ago. However I suffered terrible side effects and was given the choice of zoladex as an alternative to it. I have not been on tamoxifen since may this year and have enjoyed a much better quality of life. With zoladex I've been told that osteoporosis and early menopause would result, which doesn't sound great either. I'm really torn about what to do. Is there anyone who has decided to leave it up to fate and not take any treatments at all? Is that an insane choice to make? Any insight or personal opinions welcome. Thank you so much!
Zoladex
Hi guys just wondering everyones experience with zoladex? I’ve been on it for a month and last three days i just can’t stop crying.. I have arthritis in my neck and that’s been the worst it’s been in a long time for last 10 days and I’m just not sure if it’s the drug or the fact I’ve been running on adrenaline and working hard with horses to keep me busy after op and radiation etc for 3 months and finally just hit a hole... I think I’m die to start tamoxifen soon as well ... Off to oncologist tomorrow for 2nd injection and will also talk to him but just wondering what people have experienced. Thanks 😊
Zoladex covered by PBS?
This Wednesday I will be seeing a new oncologist for a second opinion. My initial oncologist recommended Zoladex and Aromasin as part of my hormone treatment. Im researching all I can before my appointment this Wednesday, is there guidelines or restrictions on the PBS cover for these drugs? I have "Googled" as much as I can but Im still a bit confused..obviously I will ask my oncologist when I see him. I may even be recommended a different hormone treatment altogether, but thought I need to do my research prior to my visit and be prepared. I have found a copy of "The Beacon" newsletter dated 2015 which was included in my breast care pack, this outlined PBS restrictions which applied to zoladex, but may be well outdated now. Thanks!
Osteoporosis at 42
I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis (my T score is -2.9) and I’m 42. I was diagnosed with BC in July last year... I’m NED and on Zoladex and Exemastane. This is something I was not expecting. I think I’m going to stop anti-cancer treatment. I don’t want my T score to drop any further.Travelling overseas with zoladex injections
Hello 🙂 I'm heading overseas for about 6 weeks to visit family, and I'm taking my zoladex injections with me. Will I be able to take them in my hand luggage? I'll be declaring them, and will have a letter from my oncologist, but qantas webpage isn't 100% clear about carrying them when I won't need to use them on the flight. I don't really want to check them in, in case my luggage goes missing.
Zoladex 3 monthly available but not PBS covered for women
I wanted to share something I recently learned as it might help ease the burden of regular monthly injections. I recently learned that the goserelin injections many of us have monthly are actually available in a 3 monthly dose (10.8mg). I was a really hopeful thinking this could significantly reduce the stress, time and cost that comes with needing to have an injection every 4 weeks. However, my Med Onc informed me that in Australia, the PBS doesn't subsidise the 3 monthly dose for women, although it does for men (prostate cancer). The reasoning given that there's `insufficient evidence of reliable suppression of serum oestradiol' in women. What doesn't make sense is that there is evidence suggesting otherwise. Recent research indicates that the 3 monthly dose is non-inferior to the monthly dose for pre-menopausal women with breast cancer in terms of ovarian suppression. For me, the monthly injections come with a real burden: financially - GP visits and medication add up every month time wise - frequent GP appointments and pharmacy trips take time out of the week. physically and emotionally - injection itself is painful, it's a large slow release implant into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. The main alternative - surgical removal of the ovaries is obviously much more invasive and comes with it's own risks and long term consequences. Given that the 3 monthly option is already in use, clinically tested and could ease the burden for many of us, I would really like to see equal PBS access for women. I'm curious, has anyone else looked into this and how to go about taking action?
Zoladex & Letrazole or Tamoxifen or Remove ovaries + Letrazole
Hi all :) Firstly, this forum is amazing and I am so grateful for it and all of you who take the time to share and respond. When you feel like no one else can relate it really just gives one comfort. Im 41, was HER2 positive, chemo & surgery done. Mid way through radiation. I have been on Zoladex from during chemo (8 months) Chemo side effects were minimal and it was effective, I perhaps did not notice side effects and was running on adrenaline or in survival mode. Now that, some time has passed I have noticed some side effects that are bothering me and want to get off Zoladex but chatting to my oncologist about it, her recommendation is to stay on zoladex Bone pain, fatigue, hot flushes, irritability, disturbed sleep, belly fat, weight gain :( are the side effects I have been experiencing. Not to mention the injection can be painful. I have to have herceptin for the next year every 3 weeks and zoladex every month for 5 plus year and the letrazole for minimum of 7-10 years. These are my protential options Zoladex & Letrazole Tamoxifen Remove ovaries + Letrazole I guess what I am looking for is to hear about your experiences or route you took and whether the symptoms subside or anything to manage them. Does eating better and exercise really help with the weight gain or is it inevitable? Look forward to hearing from you. Feeling overwhelmed today
