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Zoladex and Livial
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09-04-2012, 09:11 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 3
Hysterectomy: November 20th, 2012
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Zoladex and Livial
Hello all,
Just signed up so be gentle if I break forum etiquette accidentally
Well I live in Switzerland and long story short am scheduled for my Op in November. I struggle a bit as I am trying to understand all the ins and outs in German and then working out what it "really" means in English (I'm from the UK originally). So my German vocabulary is now vastly expanded to include medical terminology - the unexpected joys of life.
BUT my main concern is I am having a Zolodex injection tomorrow and was promptly handed a box of Livial tablets in case of symptoms. and that was that. no information on what to expect. Has anyone had a similar course of pre op treatment and what can I expect. I realise it's to put me into temp. Menopause but does it "hit" from day one, is it gradual, is it a nightmare???
I am in a complete vacuum and happy to be educated as the Swiss male culture is pretty brutal!
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09-05-2012, 02:39 PM
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Posts: 81,723
Hysterectomy: April 7th, 2005
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Zoladex and Livial
I hope the injection went well today and you were able to find out a little more about the drug and its possible side-effects.
I had 3 months of a similar drug called Prostap to shrink fibroids, which resulted in a temporary, chemically-induced menopause. Zoladex, however, wasn't suitable for my situation having a different method and timing of administration, plus any add-back therapy to ease symptoms (like Livial) would defeat the purpose of the Prostap in my case.
Any symptoms were gradual but became more intense with each injection. However, everyone is unique and, with a different drug plus add-back therapy, your experience most likely will be different.
Whilst you're waiting for further replies, it may help to try a site search which will reveal Zoladex queries in several different forums, depending on the reason for use.
Also, it would be very helpful (when replying to your concerns) if you could complete your Member Survey which includes only basic information such as why you're having surgery and, therefore, why you have need for the Zoladex. You can do that by visiting your user control panel or clicking here.
We're sending positive thoughts!
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09-06-2012, 02:36 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 164
Hysterectomy: September 13th, 2012
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Zoladex and Livial
Hi, SwissSis, and
I had a 6-month course of Zoladex implants from February to July of this year. This was following a diagnostic laparoscopy in December 2011 in which the surgeon discovered that the endometriosis was too deep and inaccessible for him to reach. We decided to try Zoladex to give me a "break" from my periods while I was waiting to see the endo specialist who will be performing my excision and hysterectomy (I also have adenomyosis) next week.
Anyway, my experience was that the menopausal symptoms came on very gradually. I had my first implant about two weeks after a period, and I got one more period on schedule after that. Then they stopped. My worst side-effect was hot flashes -- at their peak I was having them about 20-30 times a day and another 6-12 each night. The "peak" lasted probably 2-3 months. However, they didn't bother me nearly as much as my pelvic pain, so in the grand scheme of things, it didn't really worry me. My sex drive dwindled down to nothing, although it had been at low ebb anyway because of the chronic pelvic pain. I had no lubrication or noticeable vaginal discharge. I also had very little appetite for food -- I had to eat by the clock or I'd suddenly feel very dizzy and sick from not eating.
Zoladex didn't affect my sleep patterns (aside from my sleep being interrupted by the hot flashes), nor did it affect my moods, skin, or weight. My hair became a little bit dry, but I'm not what you'd call a "fashion plate" so that wasn't a concern at all.
Zoladex can cause bone density loss (the primary reason why non-cancer patients are limited to a 6-month course), so I made sure I got extra calcium in my diet and also took calcium + vitamin D supplements according to the recommended daily dose for someone "at risk" for osteoporosis.
Interestingly, my father had a (longer) course of Zoladex for prostate cancer two years ago, and he and I had absolutely identical side-effects. Hooray for genetics I actually felt less alone knowing that he'd gone through the same thing -- it was a bit of a bonding moment!
My last Zoladex implant was the 6th of July and I have yet to see the return of my period. I was told that it takes an average of 8 weeks to come back after the last implant "wears off" (so for me that would've been the first week of August). However, I'm having my surgery next Thursday so if it doesn't come in the next 7 days, it'll be gone for good!
I hope this was helpful & please feel free to ask more specific questions! Sorry I couldn't speak to the Livial; I was not given any add-back estrogen because for me, that would have defeated the purpose of the Zoladex therapy.
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09-06-2012, 06:27 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 3
Hysterectomy: November 20th, 2012
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Zoladex and Livial
Thanks very much for the replies, the key message I take away is that if I get reactions it will be gradual. I was due to get the injection yesterday but told the Prof. that I felt so knackered that I didn't feel I could cope with any side effects so would rather not have the injection. I was expecting an argument but instead was marched off for a blood transfusion as my iron was down to "4" and he was pretty shocked. I was just exhausted but now feel much better and feel quite proud as I think my body must be pretty strong as I did an hour in the gym the night before as I put my tiredness as "just the usual rundown feeling". Anyway long story short I am due another transfusion next week and then I will agree to the Zoladex as I now realise I was completely empty of energy and now feel I could fight any nasty side effects if they start up. I'll let you know how the zoladex goes and thanks for the feedback to my original question.
Cowbells x
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