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• Mazzi1984

  

  • 6 posts
  November 7, 2013 3:13:52 PM WATime

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  I have been informed about a drug called Zoladex and am looking for opinions from people that have used it or have declined it.
  
  Zoladex from what I understand inhibits the production of oestrogen and effectively closes down the ovaries to put the patient in a state of reversible menopause.
  
  http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/75054/b1000/breast-cancer-13/ovarian-treatments-for-breast-cancer/
  
  I think the idea behind the treatment is sound but the way it's administered and the length of time I could be on it makes me wonder if mentally and physically I could do it !?!?
  
  
  
  

  **Updated** 29yr old. Ductal right breast. 1st Oct lumpectomy. Unclear margin. Grade 2. 22nd Oct Bilateral mastectomy - no recon. Moving on happy.
• socksie

  

  • 2 posts
  November 10, 2013 10:38:53 AM WATime

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  Hi Mazzi1984, I was on Zoladex for 12 months. Brought on a pretty quick and intense menopause, lots of hot flushes, but I really didn't have too much else with it. I should have done my bone density before I started but was sick of tests and didn't do it, so I can't be completely sure how it affected my bone density because I only had the dexa, bone density done after I had finished it. My periods returned after I had been off the Zoladex for 3 months. I just had the implants every three months and found no trouble with that. Not painful or difficult. Liked my oncologist, happy to see him! How long do they want you on it? My oncologist was happy with 12 months.... Socskie
• Mazzi1984

  

  • 6 posts
  November 13, 2013 3:06:37 PM WATime

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  Hey Socksie
  
  Zoladex was suggested by my surgeon so I bought it up in conversation with my oncologist. He didn't seem to rate it and said something about the case study reports haven't been released and changed the subject. I did further research and found a study that had been done in America and it mentioned that the risk of stroke goes through the roof, just in case it was true I kept away from it as we have a lot of stroke in our family. Also the possible side effects and it only being administered by implant put me off completely. I would like to opt for radiotherapy to my ovaries or surgery but the oncologist shot that theory down as well so I give up !!
  Just going to try Tamoxifen and see what happens :-)

  **Updated** 29yr old. Ductal right breast. 1st Oct lumpectomy. Unclear margin. Grade 2. 22nd Oct Bilateral mastectomy - no recon. Moving on happy.
• socksie

  

  • 2 posts
  November 25, 2013 6:40:44 PM WATime

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  Hi Mazzi, I was just gonna say the implant was just a little injection into the tummy. It was nothing!! Just wondering (if you don't mind talking about it), why you had a double mastectomy? Have you talked to another Oncologist? The first one that I went to, the first time I had breast cancer, set a timer, when I said to her about diet and exercise, she said it wouldn't make any difference, then changed her mind a bit later and said there was some small evidence... In fact the evidence is quite compelling, and is quite mainstream now, so I found myself doubting that we could establish a relationship, so I found another oncologist. He was wonderful, and I could talk to him about anything. He was knowledgeable, insightful, an all round good guy. Unfortunately, he has died, and I am faced with a second cancer, and finding a new oncologist. Have not been so successful thus far. I am thinking about looking for someone else, as I am finding, as it seems you are, that this one is not answering my questions to my satisfaction. I found last time, that it was much easier to have treatment, and feel happy with what you are doing when you really trust the person you are working with. Good luck with everything.
  Regards,
  Socksie
• Mazzi1984

  

  • 6 posts
  November 26, 2013 2:38:00 PM WATime

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  Hey Socksie,
  
  The story as it stands is - I declined Chemo and decided against bringing up Zoladex anymore. The Tamoxifen is giving me no issues at all so I’m feeling very lucky!!
  
  Why did I have a double? The million dollar question! My mind and gut knew it was the correct thing to do after the lumpectomy didn’t present a clear margin. I knew getting rid of the right “troubled” breast was a non-negotiable; I wasn’t willing to risk anything being left behind for a second time. As for the left breast, well I went from being someone that just had them there as ornaments to someone whom was riddled with lumps. Though I was told everything in the left side was normal fatty connective tissue I wasn’t convinced that there was nothing to be worried about as it was so uncharacteristic for me so it was all or nothing.
  Also I had been told that the lymph’s were clear so if that really is the case and it’s been removed early enough I have a very good chance that it’s all over for good.
  There are so many different reasons; some even related to the lumpectomy process itself and the risk of reoccurrence and having read numerous articles and posts from other women. Once I found out the risk was still there the question for the double was actually why not? Hope that makes some sense?
  
  I am off to see another oncologist on Thursday at a different hospital so will see what they have to preach to me 
  
  SET A TIMER!! Oh my…… I don’t think I would have hung around if that had happened to me. I feel for them and what they have to see and do every day of the week. I’ve only been living this for 11 weeks and I’m over it, so when I see how empty and defeated they look wandering about the hall way looking for another patient to talk too I get it, I understand but I find it hard to believe they have the persons best interest at heart when everything is so pre-programmed and so robotic for them!? I guess we all have our own ways in which we wish to receive and process information so we have to find the Doctor/person that fits – I hope I meet them on Thursday.
  
  Are you in Perth?
  I can report back on my findings if you wish?
  
  You will find them, you just have to go with what you feel and not back down. Don’t be afraid to be step on some toes. I went to my GP with a bunch of questions, statistics you name it and I apologised for taking up so much of his time and he said, “It’s a breath of fresh air to meet someone like yourself that is so involved in their health decisions. I find many Doctors consult their little medicine book and just issue the patient that particular bottle and they are happy because it came from their Doctor. As you know, it may not be right for them.”
  
  I wish you good luck also!
  MZ XXX

  **Updated** 29yr old. Ductal right breast. 1st Oct lumpectomy. Unclear margin. Grade 2. 22nd Oct Bilateral mastectomy - no recon. Moving on happy.