I’m due to start Zoladex early January? Does it hurt and do you get many side effects?
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Dors it hurt, yes it stings a bit but i buy emla cream & put it on 30mins before appointment & i dont feel a thing.
Hard to tell if i have side effects as im also on letrozole too, putting me into menopause.
I can find it hard to find my words & havr a creaky knee. Worth it if it keeps cancer at bay.
Good luck x
It’s quite a sting but goes my super fast
I’ve had to twice without any numbing cream & keep forgetting to ask for it
The side effects are more annoying
X
Yes it does hurt cos it’s a big needle but only for a few seconds. My practice nurse suggested asking my oncologist to change it to Prostap which is a very small needle and it’s 3 monthly instead of monthly so it’s a win-win!! Worth asking, glad I did xxx
You can get zoladex in 2 doses; 4 weekly or 12 weekly.
Good youre up to 12 weekly…much more convenient
I get Zoladex every 4 weeks and while its not exactly an enjoyable experience it really is over so quickly that its totally doable. I had DIEP flap reconstruction too and have found on a few ocassions that if I’ve had the jab in a specific area I actually can’t feel it at all! Clearly my nerves in that area are a bit shot 
I’ve also found that taking a deep breathe in and then breathing out slowly as they administer the jab helps to reduce pain (got that tip from someone I follow on Instagram).
In terms of side effects, I cant honestly say that it makes much difference for me to what I already get from Letrozole
It depends on your age (ie whether you are already in menopause). I’m 36 so Zoladex put me into a menopause and I had all the symptoms- hot flashes, primarily. The injection itself stings a little (it’s a big needle), but it’s over in a few seconds.
I’m 42. I’ve not gone through menopause yet although haven’t had a period since I have my baby. Chemo probably stopped my periods.
My oncologist wants to start monthly and if I cope well with side effects he’ll change to 3 monthly.
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I’ve been on Zoladex for about 8 months, it does hurt but it’s over very quickly. I have found my side effects are bad though - hot flushes as others have said, but worse for me is stomach pain, bloating and UTIs which I seem to get a few days after each injection. These are worse now than when I started.
@rosa1 I’ve only had my first injection, but it went smoothly. GP nurse does them often and knew what she was doing. She used a “freeze” spray which was cold, but worked a treat. Others have had a numbing cream to use an hour before hand. Worth asking about both. I am three weeks along, no adverse effects yet. Just had a period, which I believe is common at the start.