Has anyone used Zoladex instead of Tamoxifen?

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Lori45
Lori45 Member Posts: 12
edited October 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

It seems like everyone is recommended to take tamoxifen as continued treatment for estrogen positive breast cancer. I have just read about Zoladex and I guess it is a shot every 4 weeks that suppresses the ovaries. Has anyone every tried this therapy or have had it recommended?

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  • fizzdon52
    fizzdon52 Member Posts: 568
    edited October 2015

    I used it in conjunction with Letrozole. I actually injected it myself every month. The Letrozole reacted badly with me though so both were stopped and now I am on Tamoxifen.

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  • Cmo65
    Cmo65 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2015

    No, but I discussed with my MO. But she said I should only consider it if I couldn't handle Tamoxifen

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  • fd1
    fd1 Member Posts: 239
    edited October 2015

    I've been taking tamoxifen for three years. My period came back after a year of chemo-pause and my oncologist put me on Zoladex to put me back in menopause. The needle is HUGE so kudos to anybody that can inject it themselves. It's a such a hassle going in for the injection every month. The worst thing for me, however, is the side effects. It makes me moody, depressed, and fatigued. It also makes me an insomniac at certain points each month. Ugh! Tamoxifen on its own was much better.

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  • UAgirl
    UAgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2015

    I have been getting the Zoladex shots since February (so for 9 months now). Once my periods stopped, I started taking an aromatase inhibitor - Exemestane. For me, the side effects of this combo seemed more appealing than those of Tamoxifen.

    As fd1 said, the needle is insane. Fizzdon52, you are a rockstar!! It's a 16 gauge needle, it looks like the tip of an ink pen and they inject a pellet just under the skin about 2" from your belly button. I'm kind of scrawny, which I'm told makes it more painful because there isn't any fat to inject into (I'm not sure I believe that it would be any less painful for someone with more curves). Since I tolerated the menopause side effects ok, I have decided to have my ovaries removed so I can stop the Zoladex - I can't imagine having the shots for 5 years. 

    The side effects from the Exemestane have proven to be a big PITA....some insomnia, constipation & severe joint pain. My oncologist said after surgery we can try other aromatase inhibitors to see if I tolerate any of those better than the Exemestane.

    I hope this helps :)

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2015

    I get Zoladex and Aromasin instead of Tamoxifen. My combo gives me hot flashes and made me moody, though since I've been on Celexa, the latter has disappeared. Yep, the needle for Zoladex is big, but I have plenty of subcutaneous fat (thanks, twin pregnancy!) so I don't mind the injection. Best wishes!

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited October 2015

    Just to outline the usual options, Lori: For premenopausal women, Zoladex or Lupron is used to suppress the ovaries, the main source of estrogen in premenopausal women, effectively putting them in medical menopause. This is usually done so an aromatase inhibitor (Femara/letrozole, Arimidex/anastrozole, Aromasin/exemestane) can be used at the same time. (Aromatase inhibitors block the enzyme the body uses to convert androgens into estrogen.) However, Zoladex or Lupron can also be given with tamoxifen. And I read that some oncs might give Zoladex or Lupron alone if the woman can't use tamoxifen or an AI, but that is not common.

    Did your onc recommend tamoxifen to you? And you are hoping there is an alternative? If so, I suggest trying the tamoxifen to see how it is for you. Although some women do have trouble with it, many women tolerate it quite well, and it's just a daily pill. Personally, I found it easier than letrozole.

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