Hello Maldugs,
Wishing you the best tomorrow for your new injection ---
I'm on the ZOLODEX shots that you spoke about
--- I've been on LUPRON, then FIRMAGON, and now on ZOLODEX ... so I do have experience with all three of these kinds of ADT shots. ZOLODEX is similar in its chemical composition and chemical action to LUPRON, so I think of them as "first cousins" to each other, just as a frame of reference for you.
ZOLODEX shots aren't used as often, it seems. ZOLODEX does come in different doses --- once a month or multi-month. Right now, I'm on the one that lasts for 3 months, after trying out ZOLODEX month-by-month at the beginning.
Just to alleviate any anxiety you might have --- the ZOLODEX shot is injected right into the abdomen. To be honest, it's a little different than the other shots, because they have to use a larger gauge needle. Don't worry about
this at all, however --- right before the ZOLODEX shot, they inject you with a little bit of anesthetic to numb the abdomen a bit --- they wait a couple of minutes and then inject the ZOLODEX.
It requires a larger gauge needle because they are injecting a small "pellet" into your abdomen. Again, no need to worry about
this --- I've had no discomfort at all from that --- I don't even see the needle and no problems at all after the injection. Over the course of weeks, then the "pellet" slowly dissolves into your system.
They just have you lie down on a lab table for the injection --- you won't even see the needle and it's truly NOT an issue at all, in my personal experience, at least.
My oncologist felt that for my case, the ZOLODEX would have more of an "edge" in suppressing my testosterone level and thus, my PSA level. He has my testosterone level checked frequently and it's been staying below 10 the past few months, which is the lowest level ever, in my experience so far. I'm digging into my third year of being on the ADT shots continuously.
I know it helps to hear responses from others who have direct experiences with specific questions, so I hope this will be helpful to you. I know ZOLODEX isn't as common as LUPRON or FIRMAGON, so I wanted to make sure you heard from someone who is on these shots currently. I would also say my side effects are minimal, so I am thankful for that.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Wishing you the best, Maldugs !
Iowa State Cyclone Fan
Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 11/17/2015 2:37:01 PM (GMT-7)