Endometriosis treatment. Anyone had these?

[Germgirl]

I saw a gynae doctor at last today ( ive had worsening abdo pain for years, been off work since April), she thinks I almost certainly have endometriosis but doesn't want to do a laparoscopy because basically I'm such a weird shape. I've lost 8 stone but am still pretty overweight. And all my fat is on my lower abdomen, exactly where the keyhole surgery would be.
So she's given me a prescription for Zoladex and Tibolone. The Zoladex will apparently treat the endo by putting me into a menopausal state and the Tibolone will treat any hot flushes etc that occur.
I can't get the Zoladex injection done until next Monday and now I'm quite worried (after reading up about the drugs)
Has anyone had one or both of these treatments? Would it be better for me to have the Zoladex without the Tibolone and see if I can handle any side effects myself?
The doctor was lovely but there was an awful lot to do and say in a short appointment and it all felt a bit overwhelming.
I just want this pain to go away!
If you've had Zoladex for endo, how quickly did it alleviate things? Did it work at all?
Thanks.

Try and keep calm. I know it's hard but I always find if I work myself up it hurts more. Zoladex is used for loads of things including prostate cancer so I don't know ow how they can say if it works it's definitely endo.

How did you get on Germgirl? Sorry this has been so confusing and upsetting for you. It's a shame you only got a general gynae straight away but lots of people do. I hope you get a referral quickly and get a definite diagnosis. Fingers crossed the zoladex works for you and the side effects are minimal!

The nurse wouldn't do the injection. :(
She went and spoke to one of the GPs who'd signed the prescription I took in there from the gynae clinic a week ago. Because the clinic hadn't sent a letter telling the GP why I've been prescribed Zoladex, the GP wasn't happy for me to have it.
Why they couldn't tell me this a week ago so I could sort it out before I spent an hour sitting in the bloody waiting room and then a further 45 minutes waiting while the nurse ran around trying to talk to the GP I don't know!
My GP surgery are shit. The medical staff are generally ok but the admin side are awful.
I will be speaking to the gynae clinic today. When the doctor gave me the prescription she said 'if your GP gets a bit funny about doing this then give us a call and we'll do it here'. I asked if I could just have it done at gynae anyway but she said no.
So I feel like I've wasted yet another week. I'm meant to be going back to work next Monday but that won't happen now.
So fed up with this all. I just want some treatment but all I get is ridiculous errors everywhere I turn.
I did manage to make an appointment to see the GP on Thursday to discuss a referral to an endometriosis centre. There's 3 fairly close to me although none in my trust. I will insist on a referral. No one in my trust seems to have a clue what they're doing.
Monumentally fed up.

Oh what a pain. I hope the GP sorts a referral nice and quickly for you.

Just had the injection. The GP did it and gave me a local without me even asking. I don't think the local worked because it still stung a fair bit but it was manageable.
She wouldn't refer me to the endo centre now. I've got to go back in a months time and if the pain hasn't diminished by then she'll refer me. She said there's no point if the Zoladex works, I can kind of see her point.
So. She said she hopes the Zoladex will help, it should stop my periods, or it might make me bleed uncontrollably! Time will tell :)

Oh my. You MUST get a referral to a endo specialist . Please.

With the support of the ladies on here I went to my gp to make a referral and she totally insisted I see a specialist (I'm complicated) and turns out I've been living with endo for YEARS after years of misdiagnosis.

I'm to have a mirena fitted shortly to see me through the menopause hopefully, otherwise it's a hysterectomy if that's unsuccessful (I'm presumably a lot older than you).

Endo is hard to treat and needs real specialist care. Look after yourself.

Ive been vomiting today & feel really sick. Don't know if that's because of the painkillers I take or the implant or the HRT. I hope it goes away. Feeling quite rough at the moment.
Yes I will insist on a referral when I see the GP in a month.

I'm 44, been having this pain on & off for about 9 years but it's got a lot worse in the last 2. I hope that Zoladex works and I can use it for 2 years. I think they're hoping that I will naturally start the menopause by the time I have to come off the Zoladex.

Hi Germ

I was diagnosed with endo in my 20's and I'm 46 now. I've just had my 3rd course of injections (Zoladex x 2, last course was Prostap, does the same thing). Ive had 3 months of tibolone this time because the hot flushes etc got the better of me.

I must echo the advice on this thread you need to see a consultant gynae who specialises or is very experienced in treating endo. Normally you would NOT be given Zoladex for longer than 6 months btw. Please push on for your referral.

Hi OP I'm sorry you're going through this, endo is a bastard and it's scary when you don't know exactly what's going on.

I was diagnosed (by lap) about 15 years ago. My endo was severe but funnily enough it was the sudden, really severe pain of an ovarian cyst and a trip to A&E then set the wheels in motion. My GP was very good and refered me for the lap after that. I had Danazol for 6 months, which is similar to Zoladex in effect I think. I've subsequently had further laps and an ovarian and fallopian tube removed. On the upside, I have been relatively pain free since then, and have conceived twice, naturally, despite being told by a cheery consultant my inside were 'a bloody mess!'

I came on the recommend Marilyn Glennville's books on female health, nutrition etc. She really understands endo and I've found her books very useful. But I agree with three you need specialist medical help now to get on top of the pain. Dian Mills book "Endometriosis, a practical guide to healing through nutrition" is good too.

Very best of luck x

You're right about those appointments being short and overwhelming. They tell you your diagnosis then you feel a bit shell shocked. I had to research what endo was myself! I didn't have the drugs you've been recommended I had prostap injections for 3 months which causes a temp menopause. Nobody prepared me for the side effects of this worst one was depression. I then had IVF which luckily worked for me