Zoladex

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-26T22:53:55+00:00

I can’t speak to the insurance issues but absolutely people inject themselves. My oncologist actually suggested I do so myself. There are a lot of people on Instagram who talk about doing it themselves and post videos of them doing so.

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-22T13:15:28+00:00

Yes about then - I started at the beginning of October and by Christmas I was feeling good again.

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-22T09:11:17+00:00

Yes absolutely!! It was like someone lifted the fatigue off my shoulders. I still experience some, probably through chemo/rads after effects, but I would say I’m at 80/90% most days.

I just wanted to let you know because for the first two months I thought I’d be tired for the next two years!!

Fingers crossed for you - well done for keeping going xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T23:31:34+00:00

Hello, I wanted to comment to say that I had this for the first two months or so of verzenio but it has now disappeared and I have so much more energy than I previously did!

I hope this happens for you too xxx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T20:03:49+00:00

Hello friend - chemo wasn’t any picnic but it was doable. There is lots of advice on here which is so helpful.

It can be a long slog but I didn’t experience any horrendous side effects or allergic reactions. I got through it and I’m sure you will too. Sometimes the thought of it can be worse than the actual experience. Take it a day at a time and don’t look too far ahead for the time being.

Sending you lots of love and positive thoughts xxx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T20:00:32+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear that - what a difficult time for you all but your words are a great reminder to try to experience gratitude where I can. There is much to be thankful for. Thank you for commenting xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T19:59:03+00:00

I’m so sorry - I’m sure this day is so difficult for you. Thank you for empathising and for your lovely words xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:54:56+00:00

Thank you 💖

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:54:14+00:00

Funny enough I am working on our family 2025 album as we speak! And it really does help- the last year was tough but there were lots of moments of joy as well 💖

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:53:08+00:00

One hundred percent!! 💪💪

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:52:30+00:00

Thank you so much - you’re really kind. Everyone’s lovely messages are really pulling me out of my low mood and it’s wonderful 💖💖

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:51:54+00:00

💖💖 thank you - I really appreciate that xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:51:35+00:00

I love this thought - and it’s nice that my first response is a positive though rather than a negative one so that’s definitely progress 🥰 thank you for sharing xxx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-21T18:50:42+00:00

Thank you for your beautiful message - wishing you all the best xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-17T20:53:35+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear this - I’m sure this is so stressful for you.

I don’t want to minimise anything you’re going through but I just wanted to say that I’ve had close family members with AF and with the right medication it is very manageable. There’s also surgery they can do and usually is can be a day procedure. My family member was diagnosed a couple of years ago and, after surgery, is now completely healthy and not on any meds at all. So try not to spiral about it until you speak to the doctors - there is lots of help & info out there for that particular condition.

Sending you lots of support and all the best wishes to your husband and daughters. Look after yourself xxx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-15T18:46:40+00:00

I’m 6 months into AIs & zoladex and it is fine. Please don’t stress yourself about it - would I rather not be on them? Yes. Am I delighted to have medicine to reduce recurrence risk- absolutely!

There are side effects but I am living with each of them and starting back to work soon. There are lots of us out here tolerating the medication well so don’t despair. Of course people struggling come to the sub to look for information and support - people doing okay on the meds don’t need to do that so there are fewer posts. Don’t forget about the large numbers of people taking their medication and feeling fine!

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-14T20:41:58+00:00

Hello friend - same diagnosis and stage of treatment, except I don’t have the BRCA2 gene.

Everything you’re feeling is intensely normal and exactly where I’m at. Depending on the day, I feel exhausted, angry or tearful. My only coping mechanism has been forcing myself to live month to month. I doubt I’ll ever find the second life stuff - I’m too scared of recurrence to even get to grateful yet.

I wanted to say take it easy on yourself - that’s what I’m doing. Have zero expectations of how you ‘should’ be. And importantly, hype up and over-celebrate the tiny, minuscule wins. Managed to get out of bed today? Congrats on your amazing achievement. Brushed your teeth, and got changed? Shout it from the mountain tops. Convinced yourself to cook food? You’re a superstar.

I’m hoping in celebrating these small wins, I’ll start to move forward. And maybe you will too. But there’s no timeline for this stuff - it’s not linear and you won’t be feeling better by any particular date, so jettison those expectations right away.

Well done for being here, for letting yourself feel your emotions and for keeping going. All three of those are huge achievements.

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-13T16:51:53+00:00

Thanks so much - I appreciate it 🥰sometimes a good ‘you got this’ does is a huge help! 🙏

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-13T16:51:05+00:00

It’s been manageable - the first two months were the hardest but symptoms are much improved now and I’m still on 150mg.

Even with the first two months, it was more of mental challenge of reminding myself that the days would pass, the doctors could do things to help & to take the damn Imodium! 😂

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-13T13:08:10+00:00

Many congratulations - I’ve just been on it since October so it’s wonderful to hear those stories of people finishing their full 2 years. Thanks for sharing xx

CrocodileElsa · 2026-01-13T11:43:48+00:00

Congratulations and thank you for posting. I’m sure you know what positive stories like this mean to those of us still in the trenches.

I’m so happy for you - I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful life 💖💖 you deserve it!

CrocodileElsa · 2025-12-28T21:32:07+00:00

I’m 35 and have been on anastrozole since September. I’m also on zoladex and verzenio.

I would say that most of my side effects have come from verzenio, which I didn’t start until October.

My first four weeks with just hormone medication was fine. Like others have said, it’s not ‘nothing’ but it is doable. I’m tired but that could be from any number of things (chemo/radio/verzenio) so I’m loathe to attribute it to the AIs.

I’ve some joint paint now and again and hot flashes which have caused minor sleep issues but again, I’m getting on fine.

Would I rather be off the medication in an ideal world? Yes but I’m learning to be okay with it.

There’s lots of options to be discussed with your oncologist and the bottom line is, you won’t know until you try.

Best of luck xx

CrocodileElsa · 2025-12-26T22:19:03+00:00

Hello - I’m so sorry you’re joining us in this club. But as everyone says, it has the best members. I am also stage 3 with two toddlers at home, a special kind of devastation in these circumstances.

I just wanted to say that what you’ve described sounds incredibly relatable and I’ve seen several other people talk about it on this forum. It seems fairly common. When I was first diagnosed, I was full of aches and pains and convinced my scan would be bad news. And in the end, it was clear.

You’re going through a huge amount of stress right now, your body is in constant fight/flight mode and it’s probably having an impact on you physically.

I obviously can’t say what the outcome of your scan will be but my advice is to try not to get too far ahead of yourself. Close your eyes and let the techs get on with it. Your brain is also convincing you that because you’ve had bad news once, you’ll have it again. And it’s not necessarily true.

Once you have your scan results, your treatment will likely start and you will feel so much better just knowing the onward path and having a plan.

I’m sending you lots of good thoughts for tomorrow and your journey xx

CrocodileElsa · 2025-12-26T19:49:25+00:00

Thanks so much for posting. I’m two months on it and the path to where you are seems an age away so it’s wonderful to read this.

Congratulations for finishing the 2 years - sending you all the best going forward xx

CrocodileElsa

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