Zoladex anyone?

[suzie_s]

Hi, had my first 3 month check up with oncologist yesterday. All o.k. he is happy that the Tamoxifen is not causing too much trouble. In a couple of weeks he wants me to start Zoladex, once monthly injections of a slow release capsule for the next 2 years. Has anyone out there taken this and how did you go?

[Sailor]

Hi suzie s Most advanced prostate cancer patients can tell you about Zolodex. Generally we have the three monthly slow release injections, so I wonder why you are not on them. Side effects - really bad menopause. Hot flushes, personality change, screwed up memory. However, you learn to live with it. Cheers Sailor

[suzie_s]

Well hello Sailor, (sorry couldn't resist!) Thanks for your reply re Zolodex. Do you have this every three months? I was told it would be monthly?? Doesn't sound too inviting but I guess it's better than the alternative. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Was also told I could elect to have ovaries removed?? This whole learning curve is huge! Thanks so much, Suzie

[Sailor]

Hi Suzie I was on intermittent androgen deprivation therapy, so for most of the tim I was on Zolodex for six months, then would have a holiday from it until my PSA started to rise again, which on average over the fourteen years was eighteen months. Six months on, eighteen months off. So I had the three monthly injection twice, then monitored. Prior to Zolodex the option was to be castrated and I did who when he had me in for another minor operation, kept me waiting to get to theatre from 2 pm when I was scheduled until 11 pm, - no food no water, no drip put up, then suggested as I was wheeled into theatre that I give him permission to do a bilateral orchidectomy, that is have my testicles removed. I still had enough wits about me and found enough spit to be able to say NO! All of this stopped a year ago when I no longer responded to Zolodex. I am what is termed "Castrate resistant". I prefer the term Hormone Refractory as I keep telling the medic's that I have been castrate resistant for a long time. I don't know why you are being given monthly implants when you are to be on the drug fro two years. Cheers Sailor

[suzie_s]

Hi Sailor, Thanks for your response. Seems you have had quite a journey. I too had quite a wait when I went to hospital for a mastectomy in April this year. Scheduled surgery for 11 am, was taken downstairs at 7pm where I waited outside those theatre doors till 8pm till the show was finally underway. I was checking for exit signs and planning a runner I was so anxious by this stage! Apparently they were having trouble tracking down some blue dye they use during the surgery. Nothing like being prepared! Anyhow I hope to have a reconstruction soon, hope that goes better. Still want to find out more about this Zolodex medication. Is it different uses for males & females maybe? Wonder if I had ovaries removed I wouldn't have to bother with it (goodness knows I don't need them any more!) Things I will be asking for sure. Thanks again, Suzie

[Allicat]

Hi Suzie I haven't had zolodex but it was mentioned to me as a possiblity as measure to protect my ovaries during chemo. I would guess that for females it is taken monthly due to the monthly menstrual cycle. I am on triptorelin for 5 years which is a monthly injection to turn my ovaries off which I imagine to be somewhat similar. When I started it in November 2010 I got menopausal symptoms - in particular hot flushes. They faded after a while but then when I started tamoxifen in April 2011 they started up again and I still have them. Best Wishes

[suzie_s]

Hi Allicat, Thanks for your response. All info is gratefully accepted. How do you find having to take these injections every month, is it a nuisance and does it hurt? Was ovary removal ever mentioned to you? Maybe not depending on your age I guess. I have been taking tamoxifen for 3 months without any real note worthy side effects, hopefully this will be the same for the zolodex - here's hoping! Many thanks and all the best to you, Suzie

[Allicat]

Hi Suzie, Ovary removal was mentioned only in passing and nobody suggested that I should have them removed. I was 33 when I was diagnosed (35 now) and maybe that is recommended more for older women? I'm not sure. I go to the hospital every month for my injection. I can generally go at 8.30am which allows me to be only slightly late for work. I just pop in and see my nurse and it is not much trouble. I quite like staying in such regular touch with the hospital. The injection itself involves a jab in my butt and the needle stays in for 10-20 seconds. Sometimes it hurts but not badly. Sometimes my butt/hip ache a little for a day or so afterwards but that happened more in the first 6 months and not so much now. Basically it's fine. Glad you're going well on the tamoxifen. Hopefully the zolodex will be good to you too.

[suzie_s]

Hi Allicat, Thanks for your reply it was very helpful. I am 52 years old so I guess I don't need my ovaries any more, but I know what you mean by staying in touch with the hospital/doctor etc. I will wait and see if it is mentioned again but think I should try the zoladex first and see how that goes. I was told the injection would be given in the tummy but as I haven't had one yet will have to wait and see where they decide to jab me. I was a little concerned that it would be quite costly (about $300 a pop) according to some, but then others said nothing like that. I am going to enquire at the chemist today just to be sure! Thanks again for the information, it is gratefully received. Hope you are doing well. Suzie

[Sailor]

Hi Suzie s The price of Zolodex has come down - back when I first went on it the 1 month inject was $1200. Glad I wasn't paying. As far as I understand it is on the PBS so shouldn't cost you more than the co-payment which from memory is about $30. I have always had the implant in the tummy. Cheers Sailor

[suzie_s]

Hi Sailor, Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thank goodness for that! I was a little worried it was going to be something I couldn't afford very easily, didn't want to put more of a strain on the finances. I have had some good news today, I have been scheduled for breast reconstruction surgery on the 7th November. Very excited but I'm sure I will be nervous as it gets closer, but it can't be as bad as the last time! Wish me luck! Hope you are well and many thanks again, Suzie

[suzie_s]

Hi Sailor, No probs, Suzie