Has anyone been offered Goserelin (Zoladex)?

Hi 

I'm on goserelin for 5 years and have had 6 monthly implants so far. I've just switched to Letrozole from Tamoxifen now that goserelin has taken my hormones down to menopause levels

It's a nuisance having to go every month and you have to arrange any holidays for the next few years around the appointments as the implant has to be every 28 days. But it's very quick - most of the appointment time is spent confirming your details and discussing how you are feeling. It's not very painful - a quick scratch and it may bleed a little bit afterwards (I say it must be like being microchipped - the implant is about the size of a rice grain I think)

The drugs were discussed with the oncologist rather than the surgeon. A lot depends on whether you are pre or post menopausal, your age - if you are under 50 then they usually treat a little more aggressively- and the type/grade of your tumour.

I'm 49 and re-menopausal and was expecting just to take Tamoxifen for 5 years. But my lump was grade 3 and so they wanted to put me in menopause as it was beneficial, hence goserelin & Letrozole.

I hope that is useful info. Good luck with the 25th!

Mollusc

Thank you and thank you for that info, i am under 50 and from everything i have read it seems a good option. Not sure if i get any say in it though. 

Hope you are doing well and remain well. 

Clare

I’m keeping well, thank you. I’m lucky insofar as even though I am now in menopause my symptoms are mild - a few warm flushes, slightly stiffer joints, that sort of thing. My biggest issue is insomnia but I’ve found half a Sominex tablet before bed does the trick!

Although the oncologist will recommend a treatment, it is up to you whether you go along with it. But they won’t want to over treat. If your lump is low grade then the recommendation is likely to be just Tamoxifen.

Michelle

Hi

I have TNBC + have been put on Zoladex to suppress + try + protect my ovaries during treatment (I am 43).  I am hoping that I don't go through permanent menopause but have been told by my oncologist, there is a 60% chance I will   As Mollusc has said, the injection itself is ok - does bleed a little but takes no time at all but it does have to be done on the exact day every month for it to be effective! 

I have had terrible hot flushes throughout the night which is preventing me from sleeping so I am exhausted + a bit of an emotional wreck but my oncologist has prescribed some sleeping tablets to get me back on track   No other side effects as of yet though.

All your treatment is your choice at the end of the day lovely so if you don't feel it is for you then definitely speak up!

Good luck with your op lady - you got this 

Sending love 

Ah thank you for your responses and good wishes. I am hoping that my op does not get postponed again as I had just got my head in gear then had a positive covid test!

I used to have an injected contraceptive (which fed the cancer) which stopped my periods and I am pre-menopausal so hopefully I will get to give this a go. I already get night sweats but counteract this by having the window open at night and a very light duvet. 

Love to you all

Very similar experience here, also triple negative and taking zoladax injections once a month for the duration of my treatments and for 2 months afterwards, I think. Hot flushes are definitely the most noticeable side-effect as far as I can tell. . .. I've also had mild headaches and just general aches and pains but I was taking so many pills after treatments after the EC treatments, and also 5 at home injections per cycle to help out my WBC count that those issues could have been from any / all of those meds. But 4 zoladax injections down and I can say it's been fine for me, no unbearable side effects and the injection itself is fine, little pinch and it's done.