Time post symptoms and conditions

I have just taken my sixth and FINAL Lupron shot. I was unaware of many of the side effects, like IBS. I am a lot different than most women. I was born with a birth defect called cloacal exstrophy. I am 41 years old and have lived my life with no bladder or rectum, due to extreme reconstructive surgery at birth. I have a permanent Colostomy and urinary diversion (ileal conduit). I do not have a very large amount of intestine, which creates an absorption problem of certain things, one of them being Calcium. I have also had severe orthopedic reconstruction since birth.

In December of 2008 they found a mass on the right side of my abdomen along with a hydrosalpinx. The hydrosalpinx was drained and I was then urged to start a 6 month cycle of monthly Lupron shots. There is a long history of endo in my maternal family. I have been advised that because of existing scar tissue from so many past surgeries a hysterectomy was not possible. I can not even have a laproscopy to determine that the growth is actually endo.

3 months into the shots I started to suffer extreme diarrhea, lasting from 1 to 3 weeks at a time post the Lupron shot...it was blamed on overgrowth from past surgeries, etc. It has become a terrifying experience for me. Due to my inability to absorb calcium well I now have several calcium kidney stones that must be broken apart with a laser. I have no idea what will happen with the GI symptoms or if they will continue once the Lupron "wears off".

I have no concerns about fertility, since having children has NEVER been an option for me. My concerns are surviving my life longer without additional risk to it from taking this drug.

I have had the usual symptoms of sweating, night sweats, fatigue, Hair loss, loss of appetite and occasional insomnia. Again, the most concerning to me are the kidney stones and GI problems I have been experiencing, including "sludge" in my gallbladder.

I am severely disheartened by the lack of looking at the whole picture, at least midway through this treatment. This is compounded by the fact that my treatment stems from one of the country's "top 10 Hospitals", which is a direct affiliate of the Children's hospital that did an AMAZING job of successful reconstruction in 1968. It is 2009 and I have fewer options to improve this situation than I did the issues from the original reconstruction in 1968.

I feel I never should have been put on this medication and am deeply concerned about my survival from here. If I could go back 6 months, as informed as I am now.....this IS NOT the path I would have chosen. I no longer know which Doctor to trust, what decision is best for me or how much more I can take.

If there are any AMAZING Dr.s reading this, please feel free to contact me...I am desperate, I do not feel that this should affect my survival rate and am willing to listen to alternative solutions IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

Anyone with a shortened GI tract, absorption issues, or previous health conditions should WEIGH ALL OPTIONS and do AS MUCH RESEARCH AS POSSIBLE before agreeing to this treatment. I placed trust and confidence first, not one of my better decisions concerning my health. I will not continue treatment with Lupron.

I started taking Lamictal for a seizure disorder a little under 1 year ago. It was difficult to tell how it effected me because I was going through xanax withdrawal at the same time, which I am sure is the reason I had the seizure to begin with. I did not realize this was the case at the time and so i cannot really tell you what my initial reaction to Lamictal was. Now I am noticing some side effects. Difficult to fall asleep (but that's always been the case.) Nightmares (they have gotten less intense, though). Occasional nausea, although never to the point of vomiting. I recently cut my super-long hair b/c it was falling out a bit. It' not as bad now that I got some of the weight off of my hair. I definitely have trouble finding words and often find myself feeling embarrassed when I'm in a social or professional situation and I'm not able to contribute as much to a discussion. I will probably stay on the med til I have been seizure free for a couple of years. I only had the one grand mal seizure. I am 31 and trying to decide if I want a child within the next couple of years, but have to consider the risks associated with the Lamictal. Good luck to everyone. Just do your best to be healthy and take care of your body.