Zoladex before myomectomy - weight gain?

Posted , 4 users are following.

I'm 38 and have two large fibroids - 10cm and 7cm, which will need to be shrunk before myomectomy. The doctor told me last week that I will need to have Zoladex injections for 3 months prior to surgery. The surgery itself doesn't scare me but having Zoladex does.

I've always stayed away from anything that would interfere with my natural hormonal cycle, having used a copper IUD for birth control. So something that puts the body into a menopausal state seems really extreme to me.

The side-effects of Zoladex seem very brutal, especially what I have read about the weight gain. Just how much weight gain will it cause? And does the weight come off after the treatment stops? I've read that some people are unable to shed it at all.

I'm still undecided about going ahead with the surgery - it seems that Zoladex has a potential to cause more damage to my body that the fibroids... I would love to hear from people who've had experience with this treatment.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    I've been on zoladex for 5months and surgery is next week. I've not experienced weight gain, it's just hotflashes in the night. The weight thing scared me too but it's not been bad and I try to eat health rarely lol.

    I think it depends with your body. zoladex has horrifying side effects but there is also a chance of not experiencing it like in my case as my hotflashes ain't that bad.

    wish you well

  • Posted

    hi there, i had it for three months last summer prior to my abdominal hysterectomy in August. I'm 44, discovered had grapefruit sized fibroid and many others tucked in behind it so i had abdominal swelling and a bit of weight gain already. I had no side effects or weight gain with the zolodex and it really helped to tighten up and shrink my large fibroid. My consultant had told me I'd probably need a vertical incision for my surgery which i was dreading but thankfully the zolodex was effective and i was able to have a horizontal incision. Wasn't pleasant to have (in the tummy) but was fine and worked well for me. No weight gain or other issues. Best of luck with your treatment and surgery! It's fab to be fibroid free!!!

  • Posted

    i was on zoladex for 6 months. i only had hot flashes and felt nauseous sometimes . no wieght gain at all. but everything returned normal after the 6 months. so you will be fine

  • Posted

    Thank you so much to everyone for replying - your comments have really put me at ease about going ahead with the treatment, and I very much appreciate the words of support!

    I had my first injection 4 days ago, no side-effects yet but I understand it's still early days. So I'm hoping for the best and not so much dreading the worst. 😃

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