Zoladex vs Lupron

Options
Axolotl
Axolotl Member Posts: 56
edited September 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I've been on Aromasin + Lupron (3 month shot) for around 18 months. My insurance has changed so I need to switch oncologists. The new oncologist's office asked by email if I would switch to Zoladex as that's what they typically use. They did give me a choice to stay on Lupron. I've heard that Zoladex is a more painful shot. Are there any other differences? Does Zoladex have any benefits?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Cpeachymom
    Cpeachymom Member Posts: 518
    edited August 2019

    Hi! I was on Lupron for about 8 months and now I’m on Zoladex for the past 8 months. I do prefer the Zoladex, but yes, the shot hurts more. It’s in your stomach instead of your backside. The chemo nurses usually feel bad for having to give it! It is a big needle and it’s supposed to be injected under the skin but not into the muscle. If you’re thin like me, there’s not much room for error. But I feel better on the Zoladex as I wasn’t tolerating the Lupron well and it was messing with my blood sugar. Also the Lupron was every 30 days, the Zoladex is every 28. (I don’t do the 3 months, but I think they do have them) I ice the area before the shot and it helps a lot!

    I hope this helps!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wtf_is_going_on
    wtf_is_going_on Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2019

    Hey there! I've been doing Zoladex for close to a year and a half. I used to have a fear of needles before this journey, now..not so much. The needle for Zoladex is huge. I have a routine down though for injection day.

    1. Apply Lidocaine to the area that will be stabbed. I usually apply an hour before I go in. Where I live, it's a walk in basis and I wait up to an hour sometimes. The longer it's on, the more you won't feel. I use saran wrap to cover the lidocaine.

    2. Once they call my name and head back, they grab an ice pack and give it 10 mins.

    Hope this helps! I usually don't feel anything by doing this, at most a hard pinch. It took a few tries to figure out the perfect time frame.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited September 2019

    I asked my nurse if I could have my injection in the backside of my love handle and she was fine with it. They gave me an ice pack and numbed up the area, didn't feel a thing. At all. Maybe you can ask your nurse if you have an option of where it's injected?

    Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories