Lupron Depot Lupron, Severe Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts, Natural Menopause, Two Evils
Posted over a year ago
I really need help. I had a Lap done last week due to have pain. I was on Depo Provera for 5 years and had to go off of it and onto the pill. WHat I didn't know was that my cervix had closed up. When I was having my periods, it was "backing up" and ... more »
I really need help. I had a Lap done last week due to have pain. I was on Depo Provera for 5 years and had to go off of it and onto the pill. WHat I didn't know was that my cervix had closed up. When I was having my periods, it was "backing up" and going through my fallopian tubes and into my abdomen. This caused my endo and I have one fibroid. Yesterday I sat down with my gyno to discuss this. I am 25, have no children, and I'm getting married in 7 months. Hysterectomy is not an option. He wants to start me on Lupron ASAP. At first when he mentioned menopause, I was worried - then he said that it would basically be hot flashes and mood swings. After researching the drug, I'm terrified now. I know any drug can be looked up online and have people giving the "pros" and "cons". However, I haven't found many people that haven't went through hell with this. He wants to give me one injection a month for 6 months. THe thing is, I don't want to have children for a few more years. If I go through this hell, will I be able to wait to have kids? And what is the add therapy everyone keeps mentioning? And how many people really have life-long symptoms from this? I understand that there are people that will have bad experiences with the drug, but is that what this is? I can't have memory loss or confusion where I work - it would get me killed (literally). And I can't be screaming at people either - that will get me fired. I'm not having pain since the gyno did the Lap and cleaned out what he could find. He is telling me my chances of having children (assuming the Lupron works) at best is 60%. So are my options basically go through hell and chance permanent memory loss and other horrible things or never have children? I am so scared and confused right now and I don't have much time to decide. I would really like truthful, helpful feedback.
Chrisco79 - I understand how scary this is. I did not research Lupron before I went on it. My gyno also told me it would only be hot flashes and mood swings. Honestly when I was on the shot I felt pretty good. I did not have a period and that made me feel a lot better since my pain was mostly during my cycle. I did the add back therapy (which was a progesterone pill) that I took everyday for the first 4 months I was on the shot. The add back helped with the hot flashes however it had it's own side effects. I was extremely bloated and had a crazy appetite. I could not eat enough. I was constantly hungry, which caused me to gain 15 pounds in 4 months. So I decided to stop taking the add back pills and the bloating and appetite issues went away. The hot flashes intensified and I got one about every hour. They're really annoying but aren't that big of a deal. I was receiving 1 shot every 3 months and was on it for a total of 6 months. I have now been off of it for 2 weeks and am now having a lot of yucky symptoms. I have been very dizzy and just found that my gums are receding. If I had it to do over again I would not have taken the shot. However every situation is different and if it is important to you to have children then you may want to seriously consider it. I lost my health insurance and am unable to see the doctor so I don't know if it helped with my situation. I have a friend who did the Lupron for 6 months and she loved it. Her side effects were very minor and it helped with her situation. I have always been sensitive to my hormones so the fact that I haven't been feeling well does not surprise me. I have not experienced memory loss problems. I did fall into a major depression about 2 months after taking my first shot. I became very emotional and am still having trouble with my emotions, but I can't say it is from the shot because I do have a history with depression. That is the only mental effects that I experienced. I hope this is helpful for you. If you would like to ask me any questions send me an email at chrisco79@gmail.com.
Ashwee9 - Lucky818920....Please please please do your research before you do this!!! I do have endo, and I chose not to do this. It will do some major damage to your body!!! Its not a long term fix. You go on the shot for 6 months, and when you come off, the endo comes right back!!! My best friend went through hell with the Lupron! I watched her go through so much crap, and it didnt even help. Some yes, have had great benefits, but the more and more I read, most dont! DONT EVER listen to someone when they tell you you have a 60% chance of conceiving!! See out other people, a Reproductive Endocrinolgist or a midwife...I am currently using a midwife and she is wonderful. Lots of things you can do besides RX to help. Not only do I have endo, but I have PCOS. Please email me at ashwee9@yahoo.com if you want to chat.
Educatedconsumer - I posted my scenario below b4 reading yours. At the end of the day, Lupron is part of a treatment plan if you're experiencing bleeding and pain (to the point it's unbearable). Lupron is not the treatment. My fertil specialist confirmed all that I read online, endo is positively ID'd and treated with ab surgery. Watch the video and let me know if you'd like to talk further. I'm a business owner so I approached the doc selection and managed all pre-op like a day job. Thankfully I did so b/c I learned more by pushing back and asking questions. Don't be afraid, stay informed.
youtube.com/watch?v=7sZa1K_71Zs
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LUPRON got the job done PRE-OP (stopped bleeding, pain, fibroids didn't growing, in prep 4 myomectomy). LUPRON is not a problem solver, rather it relieves symptons for a time (like taking over the counter pain meds b4 having your wisdom teeth extracted). RECOMMENDATION: Age doesn't matter, CHOOSE A FERTILITY SPECIALIST to diagnose and treat the problem (or reproductive endocrinologist). GOAL: Keep your repro organs in tact unless it's life threatening. NOTE: Endo and adenomyosis can be removed w/o a hysto if that's what's causing bleeding & pain. See Dr. Sherman Silber surgery video youtube.com/watch?v=7sZa1K_71Zs I think lap surgery is overrated b/c of quick recovery time. Women I spoke to that had lap surgery, had more than one surgery (lap then ab myomectomy). Docs need to see, touch & feel to effectively diagnose & treat. Choose an experienced specialist that is committed to solving the problem w/o performing a hysto. Monthly Lupron shots under the supervision of a specialist as a means for solving the problem is key. My side effects are tolerable; explosive bleeding and crippling pain (had to stay home) was not. Yoga, meditation, exercise (walk daily) and a clean diet (NO processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, xanthan gum, fake food coloring, etc.) helped as well.
Elizabethfaraone - I took Lupron Depo for three months and the only side effects I had were hot flashes. After this treatment, I no longer had heavy periods and menstrual cramps, which, for me had been intense since I was 17 years old. What a relief to not have severe loss of blood and severe pain once a month. I wouldn't recommend any medication for long term usage, as they all have their side effects, but this drug improved my health. I don't know if my fertility was effected. I've never had children. Do the research and see if it negatively effects fertility.
Maggietay - I have severe endometriosis and ovarian cysts. I lost one ovary to the cysts. I suffer from intense debilitating pain due to these two issues. I chose depot Lupron because my doctor would not agree to giving me a hysterectomy. I am done having children, which may be a great difference than your situation. But I must say that I have never had such energy and quality of life than since I went on lupron. I am taking it continuously with hrt in the hopes it will get me through to natural menopause thus avoiding the hysterectomy all together. We will see. I experience hot flashes and for the first few days after the shot I get teary and emotional and experience some confusion - like forgetting what I was doing etc. It is very minor however and definitely worth it for me. If you are experiencing extreme pain and it is stopping you from living, sometimes you have to make a choice between two evils. (I however don't see Lupron as evil. I just haven't had the scary stuff in relation to it). Every person is different. I have never regretted this decision. I have not had a cyst or debilitating pain since I started on it. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Most doctors are genuinely caring people and don't want to do anything to you that you are scared of or that will harm you.
Firstelektra - I have severe endo and have been dealing with the pain far too long. Six months ago I ended up in the emergency room because of it. Had a Lap done in January, but my doc wouldn't remove any of the endo during the procedure, he said they don't treat it like that anymore (not sure how true that is). So, I'm now on my 5th injection of lupron out of 6, and so far so good. I had hot flashes, night sweats, very moody, tired, but it all passed after my third injection. The severe pain is gone for now, but I still have little twinges here and there right around the time of ovulation. I even ended up getting my period right before my 4th shot, (not sure if it's normal) and the bleeding and the pain was 95% better compared to what it used to be. Not sure how normal it is to have a period while on Lupron, I told my gyno about it, he seemed a little surprised, but not overly concerned. You really have to keep in mind that not everyone is the same, we all handle things differently. For some, Lupron has worked wonders, for others, not so much, but if you don't try, you'll never know if it would've worked for you. If the side effects get out of control, let your doc/gyno know that you want off the drug, it's that simple. You know your body better than anyone, it's your decision what you want to do with it. Good luck.
Laura1128 - This is my story from Lupron 12 years ago. That is right it has been around at least that long as a matter of fact LONGER.
I will be 43 years old this year. 11 years ago I had my son after 5 years of infertility due to endometrosis. I had two laps to clean it up which didn't work , so I went on lupro for 4 months. Only side effect were the hot flashes, no headaches like some other people I knew took it had. I had my last shot and immediately after it wore off (can't remember the time frame so long ago now) three months of trying I got pregnany with my son. It was the only thing that worked. After delivering him I went immediately on birth control continuous, meaning I through away the last 5 days -7 days (that's the week you get your cycle) and started on the next pack . The point to his was to NOT get a cycle, remember no cycle no endo. About a year later we decided to try again for our 2nd child, we figured it might take us a while so we should try sooner then later, so I stopped the pill and again three months later I got pregnant with our daughter. After she was born we decided that the changes of us having a third were slim so I went back to my Doctor and asked what my options were, because my endo was growing so fast and I was only 33 at that time they told me that I had a HIGH chance of having a hysterrectomy by the age 40 so I had to do the birth control. I hated the pills I do have to tell you they make me sick I can;t even remember to take a vitamin never the less a BC Pill, so I started the Depo Prevara shot. It is 9 years later I am still on the shot which normally your not suppose to be however due to the fact that I work out all the time and a lot of it is weights, so that helps witht he bones loss I am fine, I never had any issues with long term effects from the Lupro (remember It's been 12 years now that I took it) nor the Depo. As a matter of fact I do not even get a period. I have friends who have suffered from endo and didn't have the right dr and they both are suffering from it for years, One had emergency surgery because it was growing around her intestants. One last note trust me I know the side effects of any drug are scary however by not treating the endo you can have worse problems. I take Imitrex for Migrains have you ever seen the side effects of that, or what about any other RX you take. I agree that you need to know your body so you need to make a decision based on what you know you can or cannot handle.
Hope my posting helped!
Billmorrison - An excellent presentation, but I have problems w/ my own side effects, e.g.arm and jaw pain, chest discomfort, and seeming bronchial swelling a la my life long acquaintance and affliction w/ asthma.
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.
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