Anyone on Megestrol (Megace)?

Hello my lovely sisters!

I have complex hyperplasia with atypia and will find out next week when my date for the Castle is. (Had my D&C last week and the results came back showing that it had not spread to other parts of my uterus - thank God!).

Anyhow, to stop the proliferation of the atypia cells, my Gyne has me on Megestrol (progesterone - hormonal chemotherapy) until I have the surgery. Is anyone else on it?

The side effects are killing me! It's actually stopped my period, the nausea has settled a bit, but I do have occasions of waking up in the middle of the night to throw up, waking up in a ball of sweat (which is so opposite of me normally), my boobies are swollen as are my hands and feet/legs. And the emotions! Wow, I am crying all the time! It's like being in almost a constant state of PMS! And the insomnia - dear Lord, I'm only sleeping a few hours a night! These are all side effects of the Megestrol, but wow, they are hard.

I've never had children, wanted them but it didn't occur in my marriage (which ended a year ago), and I do regret not having them. And what the Megestrol basically does is make you feel like you're pregnant (the progesterone is "prepping" my uterus for pregnancy). Believe me, the irony of this is NOT lost on me and is making me even more emotional!

Can any of my sisters offer me some coping strategies? I think I have most of the physical side effects under control, but the emotional is taking a toll on me. I think coupled with the fact that I'm not sleeping, my emotions are hitting me even harder. Gosh, I hope my date for the Castle is soon!

Thanks for listening, my sisters! I feel so blessed to have found this Princess Haven!

Love and light!

Ann

I was only on megestrol for one month before having an ablation done and didn't suffer many side affects fortunately. I did step up my exercise which helped with the insomnia, weight gain and swelling-and wore me out so the emotions didn't hit so hard (and yes-I was having weepy moments!). And by exercise I mean just simple long walks-nothing crazy and I kept my diet really "clean" (lots of fresh fruit and veggies). Not much of an answer for you since you are obviously in a lot of distress but I hope it helps. Sometimes just taking some small steps can help with feeling a bit more in control of what is happening.
Hope you're feeling better soon!

I have been on Megestrol for about 3 months and the only real effects on me has been nausea at times, but have been lucky otherwise, and I'm on a high dose because my periods wont stop unless on that as well as a Luperon shot once a month. Maybe you should talk to your dr. maybe its not the right thing for you and he can put you on something differant.

I am on Megestrol to stop any possible periods before my surgery date, a week from tomorrow. I'm having night sweats, feel bloated and hungry all the time, but my periods were getting dangerous so I'm OK with the symptoms. I'm diabetic and for some reason my blood sugar skyrockets when the hormonal shifts from ovulation or a period begins. (My mother used to get hives and migranes every once a month!!) I did also feel nauseated so I looked online and found that Megestrol is also used as a drug to assist weight gain in AIDS patients. That would explain the constant desire to eat, even when I'm not hungry. It does feel a little like it did when I was pregnant, but many of my symptoms were due to the diabetes. Good luck!!!

I am a swallowing therapist by profession and Megace has long been used in the geriatric community to stimulate appetite, especially in Alzheimers patients. I have seen patients get violent about food while taking it as it does make one very hungry. My OB/GYN wanted me to take it briefly before she did my LSO 8 years ago. I refused!

I am on Megace until my surgery next week (started in Feb.) I was prepared for the 'carb cravings' but had actully lost weight (11 lbs.) as it wiped out my appetite. Some night sweats but no periods!