Lupron Head in the Freezer, Postpardum Depression, Depo Lupron, Laproscopy, Shaky Hands
Posted over a year ago
I am 30 years old and have been put on Depo Lupron after a laproscopy to help with endometriosis. I am 2 months into a 6 month course (one shot every 3 months) of Depo Lupron and my life has drastically changed. I started feeling life altering hot ... more »
I am 30 years old and have been put on Depo Lupron after a laproscopy to help with endometriosis. I am 2 months into a 6 month course (one shot every 3 months) of Depo Lupron and my life has drastically changed. I started feeling life altering hot flashes and night sweats two days after the first shot and nearly drown myself in sweat 24 hours a day. I experienced a little postpardum depression after giving birth 6 years ago but have found myself sunk into a sinking hole of depression and anger like I've never felt before. I bawl at McDonald's commercials and become enraged if the dishwasher isn't loaded properly! I am ecstatic one minute and severely depressed the next. I have even had thought of suicide since being on this shot. I am normally a very outgoing, athletic, cheerful, happy person - but since taking this shot, I have become a stanger in my own head. I tell my family all the time that I need to "go stick my head in the freezer" to cool off because of the horrific hot flashes. I have to carry a handheld fan with me 24 hours a day and sleep with ice packs to keep cool. Since the shot started 2 months ago, I have lost all sexual drive, am thoroughly exhausted by 9am and find myself crying at my desk at work by late afternoon because I am so tired. My family thinks I am going crazy and I've never fought more with my husband. My daughter has gone to grandma's for awhile because I'm just so tired and irritable that I feel like an awful mother. Migraines have also come full circle since the onset of the shot as well as blurred vision and shaky hands. I'm a little achy throughout the as well. I know that everyone responds to medication differently, but I'm finding a lot of people with the same side effects as myself and have to wonder why the doctors don't warn patients about these types of problems before prescribing medications such as Depo Lupron. I don't think I'll be going back for the second shot. Could it get any worse?
Stephanie04g - hello there,
I am 22 and had my laproscopy when I was 20, then put on a years worth of lupron... I gained 50 pounds in 6 months, night sweats like you wouldnt believe, extreem mood swings, I was put on welbutrin for my depression and now that I have been off of it for a year I wish I would have NEVER gotten on it, I am engaged and my sex drive is near to nothing, even after a year!!! I even feel like my endometriosis has come back. I cant loose the weight I gained even after exercise because my hormones are taking for ever to get back (and remember I am just 22) and my metabolism has slowed way down... I wouldnt recomend lupron to my worst enemy! It has destroyed my life. I used to be a fit, 115 pound 5'7 college student engaged and happy, now I am fat, hardly engaged, and very unhappy. I can definitly sempathize with you on EVERY thing you are feeling, I had suicidal thoughts as well, that is why I was put on anti depressants, and you are NOT a bad mother, this is just a crazy turning point in your life. If I were you, and if I could go back, I would stop the lupron, and just stay on birth control and have a laproscopy every couple years, at least that is what I plan on doing in the future. I am never going to get back on that crap no matter how horrible I feel now. It will only get worse with Lupron, for me that is. I hope you feel better in the future, if you would like to vent or just ask me any questions about more of my experiance feel free to email me @: stephanie04g@yahoo.com, I feel your pain, hang in there, you will get through it!
Leelo - I had to go on Depo-Lupron for an entirely different reason, after a complete hysterectomy (at 44 years) a remnant ovary became evident. This remnant put out enough hormone that I registered as pregnant. So, the Lupron is meant to somehow fool and suppress the remnant ovary. For the hot flashes and other menopause like symptoms you mentioned above, the doctor prescribed low-level estrogren pills. Honestly, I haven't had a hot flash since I can remember when. However a major side effect -- pain and cramping. I thought my cramping must have been from the remnant ovary. But I've been tracking it, and it seems more related to when I get the lupron injection.
Leelo
Janieg - WOW! I am going thru the same thing!!! The only difference is I am 34 years old. I have had my first depo shot about a month ago. The night sweats are not only waking me up, but also my husband. He changes my night clothes several times a night. He gets soaked, too from all of my sweat. I have no sex drive and I am so angry all the time. I called the doctor and she said that this is normal! I just need to try to deal with the side effects the best that I can and if it gets worse to call her. I will pray for you and all of the other women going thru similar situations. Good Luck, sweetie!
Kzm0998 - Hi. I am 34 yrs old as well. I had several Lupron injections about 8 yrs ago (three shots, 1 each month for 3 months) before my myomectomy (fibroid) surgery. It was an awful experience as I had horrible mood swings, depression, night sweats, hot flashes, etc. from the medication. Unfortunately, the fibroids have grown back and I need to have another myomectomy at the end of September... so I'm back on the Lupron rollercoaster now. This time around I had one 11.25 mg shot about three weeks ago. I was dreading the Lupron more than the surgery. The one thing I did differently this time around is that (at the advice of a good friend) I spoke to my doctor about getting on Wellbutrin (an SSRI antidepressant) which I have to say has honestly helped cushion the 'fall' considerably. My family has definitely noticed a difference between 'then' and 'now', big-time! I still feel the side-effects of the Lupron (night sweats, hot flashes, low sex drive) but it is not as much of a nightmare this time around. Also, I am forcing myself to go to the gym or out for a walk at least two to three times per week which helps with my stress/mood level too. Anyway, not sure if this posting was helpful at all but I wish you all good luck, be safe and be well! XOXO
Niki06is - HI there my name is Niki, and I to was on lupron depo. After my laproscopic procedure my dr. put me on the shot for 6 months. I do know how you feel with the anger, crying and SWEATS. My dr. put me on addback therapy. Progesterin. It did help. I am now finished with my 6 months. Never though I would get that over with. Ended June. Still on progesterin which is also used as a form of birth control. No period. During this I was also diagnosed with IC. I thought I was crazy that the pain was still there. I don't know what is worse. Hope u r feeling better soon. niki06is@yahoo.com if u wanna chat.
29allison - I am 29 years old and have had the symptoms and problems that you are facing an dhave been through. i too faced depression head on and experienced things like hot flashs, migraines, loss of sex drive. i say have had i was on lupron for 12 months, the longest dosage that you can get. one every 3 months. i did this in order to eleviate severe pain during very long periods. i was diagnosed with endomitriosis at the age of 16 years old and had my laporoscopy at the age of 18. i cant tell you how wonderful it is to read these postings..... it has now been 5 years since my last depo lupron shot i still have these flash backs of getting this shot. you have more horrible things to look forward to sad to say. i have hair growth on my face and teeth that continue to rot. i brush floss, 3 times a day. still nothing. i suffer from a periodontal disese. if you want to talk you can reach me at jrabb35@gmail.com
Mmallin - I am supposed to get my first injection next week. After reading these comments, I am scared to death. I have already gained over 15 pounds on birth control. Still not overweight, but I don't want to be. I don't know what else to do. The pain is horrible, I can't work with it, I can't lose my job and there doesn't seem to be any realistic answer to endometriosis.
Teri31 - Wow-yeah I'm trying to get my insurance to approve this medication but am SERIOUSLY thinking about just not going through with it and taking my chances, keep taking the birth control pill and see what happens. We're thinking about having kids in about 6-9 months anyway so. Your postings are very helpful. I haven't found much of an upshot to taking this medication after surfing the web all night. I will see if there is something else that can be done to reduce the chance of regrowth of the endo. I am 31 and am really hoping that now, after I've had my lap, I can reclaim my old life and have sex with my husband and get back to living.
Lisabebee - My OB gave me my 1st and LAST Lupron shot in August 08 and it literally turned my world upside down! I have always suffered from severe migraines and my cycles were now turning into severe bleeding episodes landing me couch ridden, which they thought after a laposcopy would turn up Endo, which that did not. I was clotting so bad --taking a shower looked like something out of the movie Psycho. My husband and I decided a Hysterectomy would be our last resort and would try the Lupron shots. I have never been so ill. My internal temperature felt like someone threw me into an oven and set the temperature of my head at 200 degrees. Being an experienced migraine sufferer, I have never felt anything like these before. I literally would stick my head in the freezer! After seeing my regular doctor (who turned out to be an ass and clueless) he gave me a script for Xanax because I couldn't sleep and sent me to a Neurologist because my head hurt so bad. She set me up for three MRI's, which of course turned up nothing. It was Hormonal! She put me on another drug to counter-act the Lupron, which caused numbness in my feet and hands, and added to the memory loss I was already experiencing with the Lupron -- so I was walking around not even being able to remember what I was just doing the minute before last. Everything you read about this crap is true! I have been seeing a Chiropractor for the past two months before I have such horrible neck pain, my bones ache. I describe it as "dry ice" throughout my whole body. I wake up cold. I wake up with a headache. I wake up miserable. This is February 2009. I had the shot in August of 2008. I had one shot. I would never, ever, get this thing again. No matter what. I'd rather bleed to death! LB
Melita791 - Guys Im 18...I had the laparoscopy in June 8th,2009. Im currently in the Lupron shot. I don't know if these symptoms you all experience come after the first 2 shots. But right now Im scared to death of what you said. Im merely 18 and Im a happy soon-to-be college student focused on my goals and exited about it. I wouldnt want the lupron shot to be ruining my time especially my sex drive, personality and weight. Im a very thin girl (105pounds) and I enyoy every minute that I make love with my boyfriend. My doctor gave me a pill. I dont know the name but ill be taking it. Maybe you should try it. I have one more question though, When exactly did you guys started having these symtoms? All Im having is hot flashes but they're mild considering they could be mistaken for the usual Puerto Rican temperature which in summer like right now is very high. Also maybe some tiredness, but Im always tired cause I go out at night a lot. I have been experiencing heavy trembling and bleeding after sex. Is that all normal? Am I experiencing symptoms already? Im really worried about the bleeding because Ive just had my period a week and a half ago and it looks very much like a period.
Keylimepie - Don't ever take Lupron even once. It's not necessary for anyone's treatment. If your doctor recommends this drug: switch doctors. Doctors get illegal kickbacks in the form of "education grants" to prescribe Lupron. It is NOT FDA-approved for IVF. For many people (approx. 1 in 4) the side effects are PERMANENT. I know because it happened to me. And I only took Lupron once!!! Do not tell yourself "it will be worth it, I can deal for a few months". You will have lifelong health problems from Lupron, possibly including heart damage, cancer, and vision loss. You will DEFINITELY have osteoporosis. It says so right on the warning label. Taking calcium doesn't help. Lupron leeches calcium out of your bones and it spills into your kidneys, causing kidney stones. Please Google "Lupron Victims" and get a clue before this drug ruins your life like so many other young women.
Briestylez - I'm a little sad that all of these postings are negative. Let me give my experience..... I'm 31... and I had my first lap surgery this past august (2010) Stage 4. Endo... removed left ovary bcuz it was the size of a football. I'm currently on lupron depo plus addback therapy. Next week is my 5th shot (6 total for 6 months). Symptoms have been mild to moderate hot flashes (which are NOT life altering, just a little awkward and sometimes funny), night sweats, headaches the same week as each shot, a little weight gain, a flare or two of acne, mood swings.....and just now in my 4th month I'm experiencing pretty severe depression. Next week is my 5th shot and I'm planning to discuss options to help with the depression. Yes, its difficult. But honestly being pain free has been a blessing. It hasn't been so awful that id tell some poor woman/girl not to try it. For me, its been helpful....and the symptoms are bearable. You have to be realistic, and smart about how you prepare for this treatment. Lupron is not supposed to be taken for longer than 6 months...and the add back therapy is a really good idea for everyone. Take it day by day but don't let all of the negative stuff scare you. Remember, people only really post things when they're bad...no one sems to take the time to post when its good news. My doctor works in Newport Beach and is renowned for her education, care, and bedside manner. I trust her completely. She has been my number one advocate for care....and it would be wrong to discredit a doctor for prescribing something that "sometimes" can have a harsh affect on someone. Ps. My doctor doesn't get a "kick back" from the company...in fact, I couldn't afford my medication and shots...and applied for assistance through the Abbbot rx helpline. And they paid for the 6 month treatment. So thereisnt a hidden reason for me to be prescribed Lupron. Its been hard...but worth it for me. I wish you all good luck, stay positive. What you think, you become. Its the truth. Xoxo
Sarahanne81 - I almost died on this drug once from an attempted suicide and then seven months after my last injection. Do not take it. My bones ache every day and I deal with severe depression that was not there before. I was for this drug until I ended up in a psych hospital for trying to kill myself. If you are on it take anti depressants.
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