Hi
I’ve now been on Zoladex and armidex for 2 years this xmas eve my OC would like me to come off and try Tamoxifen AGAIN!! We did try tamoxifen but my periods came back thats why the zoladex,but seemingly they only like you to be on this for 2yrs!Has anyone else been on it longer? what are the SE ?
The options he has given me are
Try Tamoxifen
Carry on with Zoladex a little longer…
3.Have my ovaries removed
Take a chance!!
I’m only 42yr and the thought of having something else removed!!! and that would also be final that I would never have a chance of any family…that would really put the FULL STOP in. The thought of also trying tamoxifen again is also a horror!!
Anyone else know of anyone or in the same situation???
Sorry to hear you’re facing such a hard decision at this time of year. Same thing happened to me on Tamoxifen - my periods came back. However, my onc recommended continuing with tamoxifen and having Zoladex as well, never any talk of Arimidex. I’ve been on Zoladex for about 7 months so I have a while to go, but I’ll be facing a similar choice once I come off it. Onc said ovaries out best bet.
I’m very lucky to have a family so fertility isn’t such an issue for me anymore. But it was a big issue, which is why I didn’t have any treatments that would affect it first time round. Depending on your initial diagnosis, some docs suggest taking a break from the drugs to have a baby, if that’s what you really want, then going back on them after. Maybe you could discuss?
Yes, me!! I’ve been on it for over 3 yrs now to go alongside arimidex after swopping from tamoxifen to try and reduce side effects (it didn’t!). I have bone mets and had them since primary diagnosis in July 07. Was also 100% ER & PR+. At the moment, onc is keeping me on this combination as long as I am relatively stable. I don’t have children and never wanted any so that isn’t an issue for me. Turned 47 last month.
Liz
PS Something about 2 yrs was mentioned initially but I think they thought I would be menopausal properly by then but it’s never been mentioned since. Chemo originally gave me menopausal side effects and they have continued to this day.
Hi
Thanks its good to know that there’sothers still on the drug and still getting all the lovely side effects.
Do any of you bruise with the injections? after 2 years now I constantly have a bruise on my stomach and use Emla cream.Thought it was the nurses so I changed nurses and still the same!! I also seem to be putting alot of weight on ie I’m getting a real podgey tummy and my nails are crap even though I take supplements and extra calcuim. really getting me down or prehaps thats just the lack of sleep.Celebrations 2yrs anniversary of Zoladex yehhhhhh!!!
I’ve had bruises on the odd occasion when a different nurse has done it and in the early months but for the most part, I just get a little mark. One nurse made a real mess of it and the implant was only just under the skin and I could feel it - yak! The bruise lasted over a month on that occasion and I was concerned it hadn’t been done properly so wouldn’t work that month so I asked when I went for my drip at the hospital later that day and they said it was ok, just not a very good job!! I assume you use the opposite side each month??
I put on 1.5 stones in a month when I swopped on to the zoladex and arimidex but then stabilised and whilst I can’t lose any (not that I try hard!!) I haven’t put any more on. My nails too have gone soft, ridged and split in the middle but tis has only happened in the last 6 months. I asked on chat if it could be from the zoladex but the nurse said it wasn’t a known side effect. Perhaps it’s just cos of the menopausal effects. Not to mention the hot sweats, bad moods, woman from hell to live with that I turned into but now take prozac to calm me down!!! Hey-ho, if it helps keep me alive and as well as possible, it must be taken.