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Post by denna on Aug 2, 2006 22:55:54 GMT -5
Hi, I'm blessed to have found this forum. Like the rest, i will do the introduction first.I'm Denna, 33 years old. i was diagnosed with endo just about 2 months ago. I have had a painful period since i was 15 but i have always thought it's normal. I'm not very sure whether i am lucky to be married to a doctor, i think i am as it really helps as i can easily get an appointment for all my sicknesses but i'm quite sad as he is soon to be a paediatrian and i can imagine how would he feel if i'm not able to conceinve due to endo...anyway, i am a strong believer that anything happens for a reason. I had a laparotomy just 2 days after my 33th birthday- how sad. it was supposed to be a laporoscopy but since my endo is already at its 3rd, stage, i had an open surgery. For those who have never had it, have a positive mind before you go for any surgery, pray helps and always have your love one with you. I had my hubby next to me throughout the procedure and when i woke up, the first thing i felt is his hand holding me. i hated hospitals and anything to do with it, so you can imagine how i must have felt. The operation went well. I was put into zoladex for 6 months. i just had my 2nd jab on monday. i have read some story and have found none on zoladex. i heard my gyny mentioned lupron but i didn't ask him about it. one of my tube is blocked- i went for hsg a year earlier. during the recent surgery when the used the dye, both seems to be blocked. i am going for another hsg to confirm it. i'm praying hard for a miracle- again, i do believe in miracle ( i'm not religious but i am a believer) i understand that this will occur again and now i'm into herbs and sure will try acupunture..will reply to some thread later. i hope i can help those who are in the similar predicament. cheers guys denna
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Post by erzulie on Aug 3, 2006 9:18:32 GMT -5
Welcome denna! Thank you for posting and introducing yourself. I have one question about your post: what is an hsg?
I think you are lucky to be married to a doctor. He sounds very supportive, and much as he might love to go through a pregnancy with you I'm sure he won't love you any less if you can't.
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Post by denna on Aug 3, 2006 19:36:49 GMT -5
hi
thanks for relpying. hsg = hysterosalpingogram, it's an x- ray to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open. it's the first test done if you go to a fertility clinic here.if both are blocked then the only option is IVF.
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Post by ouchy on Aug 3, 2006 20:34:25 GMT -5
Hi, Deena! Welcome to the forum! Good luck w/ IVF!
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Post by puddleduck on May 19, 2007 17:02:24 GMT -5
Here is an extract regarding treatment with Zoladex, Prostap and other GnRH analogues, from the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Green-Top Guideline for the Management of Endometriosis, October 2006.
"7.4 How long should treatment be continued?
Duration of therapy should be determined by the choice of drug, response to treatment and adverse effect profile. Duration of therapy is limited for some drugs and the adverse-effect profiles differ. These are factors determining which treatment a woman chooses.The combined oral contraceptive and Depo-Provera® can be used long term but the use of danazol and GnRH agonists is usually restricted to 6 months, although one randomised controlled trial suggests that treatment for 3 months with a GnRH agonist may be as effective as 6 months in terms of pain relief.34 GnRH agonist therapy is limited due to possible loss of up to 6% of bone mineral density in the first 6 months and the loss may not always be entirely reversible. Conversely, danazol produces an increase in bone mineral density.
7.5 Can bone mineral density loss while taking a GnRH agonist be prevented using ‘add-back’ therapy?
The use of a GnRH agonist with ‘add-back’ (oestrogen and progestogen) therapy protects against bone mineral density loss at the lumbar spine during treatment and for up to 6 months after treatment. 5 of 14 RCOG Guideline No. 24 Evidence level Ia A B Evidence level Ia Evidence level III Evidence level III A Evidence level Ia ?? A Add-back therapy involves taking one of the following medications at the same time as a GnRH agonist: a low-dose estrogen, a low-dose progestin or tibolone (a synthetic steroid which mimics the activity of estrogen and progesterone in the body). In a meta-analysis, comparing GnRH agonist treatment with GnRH agonist plus ‘add-back’ therapy (i.e. estrogen and progestogen or estrogen only) for at least 6 months, bone mineral density was significantly higher in women taking estrogen and progestogen as ‘add-back’ compared with a GnRH agonist alone (SD –0.49, 95 % CI –0.77 to –0.21).35 In addition, hypoestrogenic adverse effects were significantly less severe in the women who received ‘add-back’. Progestogen only ‘addback’ is not protective.There is insufficient evidence regarding calcium-regulating agents. How long a GnRH agonist plus ‘add-back’may safely be continued is unclear, but treatment for up to 2 years with combined estrogen and progestogen ‘add-back’ appears to be effective and safe in terms of pain relief and bone mineral density protection.35 However, careful consideration should be given to the use of GnRH agonists in women who may not have reached their maximum bone density."
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Post by teasle on May 19, 2007 17:34:56 GMT -5
Hi Puddle duck
Thanks
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Post by puddleduck on Nov 7, 2007 15:00:30 GMT -5
HI there, I'm wondering when the right time is to begin monthly Zoladex injections. I'm planning a holiday over the New Year and don't know whether it's safe to have the first injection beforehand. I've heard that pain can flare up initially.
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Post by puddleduck on Nov 24, 2007 13:10:58 GMT -5
Hi there, Just thought I'd share with you that after my first monthly Zoladex injection on CD7, my temperature chart and other signs have shown that I ovulated on CD9. (Usually my charts show this happening anywhere between CD 12 and CD 16). It is said in the literature that Zoladex and other GnRH analogues work initially by increasing levels of hormones to induce ovulation, and overloading them until they shut down. Can it have worked as early as this to induce ovulation?! Anyone with a partner might like to take note of this and make sure they're taking extra precautions (i.e. barrier methods), since things might happen out of the blue like this.
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Post by cherry on Nov 24, 2007 13:51:26 GMT -5
Both times with GnRH I have found that the instructions, and the nurses giving the injections, had warned that it is not a contraceptive so I think that is something that is well communicated PD
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Post by gemini on Nov 25, 2007 11:58:33 GMT -5
hi thanks for relpying. hsg = hysterosalpingogram, it's an x- ray to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open. it's the first test done if you go to a fertility clinic here.if both are blocked then the only option is IVF. I had this back in FEB and it hurt like mad ! i was so tense and whilst the gyno was inserting the clamp to insert the tubes..i tensed up and it popped out. Instead of being supportive n carrying i heard her shout my name and have a go at me not being relaxed enough. The assistant held my hand throughout the procedure. When the dye enters the tubes ..you get a really bad cramp like a bad period pain ... The procedure takes abt 10 mins if that..but me being the scaredy cat..it took a lot more than that .. Thankfully both tubes were fine..the gyno even said ur womb is healthy and i cannot see any ENDO anywhere..but NOW the docs tell me there is no way it can be picked up with a HSG.
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Post by puddleduck on Nov 26, 2007 6:32:40 GMT -5
Here's a thought: After the 1st Zoladex injection, if you have a period early, when should you have the 2nd injection? For example, if the 2nd injection is timed 28 days after the first, but you start bleeding 7-10 days before it, should you wait until the very start if the next cycle for an injection, have the injection earlier that usual or just have the 2nd injection exactly 28 days after the first one? I'm just hoping to give the Zoladex a chance of working better. Having it almost half way through a cycle seems a bit of a waste, since it might be too late for it to shut down the ovaries. What are your experiences regarding injection timing and bleeding?
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Post by cherry on Nov 26, 2007 7:58:46 GMT -5
The first injection is timed with your cycle to coincide with hormonal changes but after that the bleeding is not considered a natural cycle and therefore is not a consideration. You should read through the lupron thread PD, there have been other women who have had irregular bleeding with the start of a GnRH treatment. As it is a hormone treatment, it is only to be expected, I myself had 6 weeks of bleeding when starting my GnRH the first time around. I think the 28 days is to with the fact that the dosage is limited.
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Post by puddleduck on Feb 15, 2008 17:47:04 GMT -5
Here's my update:
I've had 3 injections of Zoladex every 4 weeks now (without HRT). I found a reduction in pain after the second injection, as well as an increase in the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. I had difficulty sleeping right from the very first injection and my energy levels dropped after the 2nd one.
However, just before and even after the 3rd injection, the pain increased again and I began to find myself feeling very withdrawn and depressed. My short term memory and ability to remember words has become dreadful. I've discussed this with the doctors and we have agreed that the side effects are far outweighing the benefits...so no more injections.
As well as Zoladex, I ended up: -taking valerian every night to make me sleep -dropping roman chamomile oil on my pillow to help me sleep -using a chillow pillow for hot flushes at night -using a portable fan for hot flushes during the day -taking fish oils/EPO for brain, concentration and dry skin -using Replens vaginal moisturiser for vaginal dryness -taking a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D/zinc supplement for my bone density -taking DLPA for pain and depression
Was it worth it? No.
The pain has decreased again, but I think that's due to a combination of the after effects of 2 weeks' DLPA as well as Zoladex.
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Post by gemstone on Mar 28, 2011 11:12:16 GMT -5
I went to the hospital today and was told basically that the wait for the lap is going to be long.
The doctor said that Zoladex injections would be good as they would chemically induce the menopause and stop my periods.
He was very blase about this and I am quite freaked out by the whole thing, and have been in tears today because of how overwhelming everything has become. I had the first injection today.
Reading the above posts seems to imply that I will still have periods and the side effects for Puddleduck seem awful. On top of that, the doctor didn't ask where I was in my cycle.
Does anyone have any experience of Zoladex as I can see the posts are a few years old. I really am starting to feel the pressure of all of this as I can't seem to get anywhere.
Thanks guys.
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 28, 2011 11:39:06 GMT -5
I can understand your tears honey. I'm not overly impressed with how you've been treated, it's quite shocking. Maybe you'll be ok on Zoladex, fingers crossed. I don't know if we have many members who've been on it, and I'm selfishly hoping you can post about your experiences so we build up some knowledge. We're here to support you with it though, remember that x
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