Lupron and hysterectomy

I was given lupron depot 5 years ago (2004) for endometriosis & adenomyosis . I researched the side effects and upon learning them I didn't want to take the shot. I suffer from multiple back problems, and the bone loss scared me. I voiced my concerns with my doctor at that time. He told me he knew better (he didn't want to perform a hysterectomy) and that he was giving me the shot. It has been a nightmare since. The side effects were terrible, the worst was the severe mood swings. Lupron depot changed who I was. I no longer was the happy carefree person I was. I was constantly angry and because of this drug I developed high blood pressure. This has not improved in 5 years. (I also gained weight from the shot and it took me 4 years after the last shot to finally lose all that weight.) I do not recommend any woman to take this shot. Do not let your doctor talk you or bully you into it. They only care about the money not you!!!!!!!

I have had two shots of Lupron, as a result I've gained almost 30lbs, had very bad joint pains and little hot flashes. I also experienced hair loss and became moody at times. However, my doctor did warn me that I would gain weight as a result of the shot and that I may experience hot flashes. December 2009 will make one year since my first shot the second shot was in April and I"m just beginning to feel normal again. It is now November 2009

Well this is my second go around with Lupron. In 2004 I was on it for 7 months for the treatment of Fibroids, at the time I was 25 and I was told the only other choice was a hysterectomy. Well my doctor at the time said the side effects would not be bad and so did not give me anything for the mood swings and hot flashes. This almost caused a divorce, I guess I was pretty bad! Well it did the job, but I did gain 30lbs. Five years later, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I was informed that I needed another go of Lupron. Well in those 5 years I had lost 100lbs and was feeling good. I started the Lupron in Feb. of 2009 and have gained almost half of that weight back and still no period. I have not had any children and it is looking like the next step for me is a hysterectomy. My depression that I thought I had under control worsened considerably and now am on 2 different depression medications. The only positive thing I would have to say is that the pain is gone for now and this time they gave me something for hotflashes and mood swings.

Hi. I just had a laproscopy done 3 weeks ago for endometriosis. I am 26 yrs old and have been dealing with this pain for almost 2 yrs now and it is the worst pain in my entire life. My doctor is now suggesting Lupron because even after the laproscopy the endometriosis was level 4 and had bonded to my intestines and literally trapped my ovaries and uterus against the lining of my stomach. The pain was a 15 to say the least and the past 3 mos it had landed me in the E.R. Finally the docs figured it out. I started my period 2 weeks after the surgery and the pain was still pretty bad. An 8. Now I am seriously considering Lupron. My health is on the line and this pain is not right. At this point I am considering a hysterectomy if Lupron does not work. Any help suggestions please? Monday I follow up with the Dr.

im currently on my fourth month of treatment with lupron and would like to know if anyone that had fertility problems was able to conceive after a course of lupron...? im 32 and have 2 beautiful children, but would like one more before i undergo a hysterectomy...i have been diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis and severe pelvic adhesion's. i was in so much pain that it was ruining my life...the lupron has been pretty great this time around...six years ago i did it without any add-back therapy, but this time im taking progesterone along with it and the side affects have been minimal...still have mood swings and a decreased sex drive, but no hot flashes or night sweats. its definitely worth the pain relief...for me anyways.

I am in the middle of my second month after getting the first shot (for 1 month) and the second ( for 3 months). I have recurrent fibroids and ovarian cysts that caused a lot of pain and severe bleeding.
I was scared to try Lupron. I consulted with my uncle who is an OB/Gyn and he told me that the version they use now is very safe, with side effects like many other drugs...
My doctor gave me options for the treatment, but because I want to get pregnant again (already have a 2 1/2 yr. old boy), hysterectomy was out of the question. The doctor removed some of my fibroids laparoscopically before I got pregnant with my son, but since they "showed up" again, he recommended to treat them with Lupron instead of removing them trough surgery, because the surgery leaves scarring that can later interfere with fertility.
Anyway, YES I have experienced many side effects mentioned here: hot flashes, mood swings, a couple of headaches, and some "bloating". The worst side effect for me has been insomnia...but they really haven't been that terrible...you learn to deal with them. I am in no pain and didn't get my period this month.
I guess everybody is different and they experience everything in a unique way.
My suggestion is to try it if you really need it and weigh in the pros and cons objectively.
Good luck!

ok, so I am 28yrs old just had my second lap for endo and my doctor has recommended lupron, after reading this I am soooooooooo scared to even get near this med. Its like you either take this with the hope of saving fertility and no pain..or not and have endo ravage your body and you will live with unbearable pain!!! I have no idea what to do, my post-op surgery appt is this week, and i am so scared after reading this. Is there anyone that did not have weight gain, headaches etc...anyone that can testify that lupron actually worked for them? Cause right now its my health on the line, my ability to have children, my ability to have a normal life free of endo pain or these crazy, horrible side effects...please help me!!!

I can relate to many of these experiences. Started out in my 20's with very irregular cycles, went to my first gyn after a miscarriage - the emergency room dr referred me to a dr that was at a fertility clinic. I had no idea why until I was actual a little more "awake" I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. I went through at least 6 or 7 different birth control pills, depo provera shot, nuvaring, then back on another birth control pill. finally we started doing the continuous suppression as I was bleeding at least a little bit every single day... for 2 years. I would still have my full blown period every 4 weeks or so, which also included a monster migraine on day one of the menstruation. Not only was my life being altered but I was starting to get anemic. Finally after a month of the continuous suppression my bleeding stopped. As did the menstrual migraines. I continued this way for 4 years. Didn't have a single period or migraine, life was wonderful.. or so it seemed. I have been over weight for most of my adult life. Finally decided to do something about it. I joined the gym with a friend and started losing weight. I dropped 55 pounds until... the dreaded bleeding, pain and hormones got out of control. I started bleeding every single day again. Finally made an appointment with my dr. She stated that when you lose weight it releases estrogen out of your fat cells. Gee, I thought losing weight was supposed to make you feel better!! I went on with it for a while thinking it would stop eventually and it just HAD to get better. In fact, things got worse. I started having horrible abdominal pain, eventually it got to be daily. To the point where I could not stretch or even hyper extend my right leg backwards. My abdomen felt like something had a rubber band tied to it from the inside. My dr said that she suspected endometriosis. However, due to my anemia... we had to wait. So back on the iron pills and wait wait wait. Finally, October 15th I went in for my lap. Sure enough, stage 4 endo, huge cysts on both ovaries. My endo had gone all over the place and attached itself to anything it could. Including folding my bladder in half! Good grief. I thought that I was just getting the weak bladder from getting older (I am 35 by the way). For the next couple of weeks after my surgery I felt pretty good. Finally pain free (still a little bleeding but not much). But, the end of December rolls around and here it is, back with all its fury. The pain is again horrible, my migraines are back, my energy is dwindling. The good life was short lived. My doctor suggested a series of Lupron shots. One shot a month for 6 months. My first shot in January (took me a little bit of time to decide if I wanted to do it) finally bit the bullet and got the shot. First few days, fine, no problem, no relief either but no life altering experience. Then one morning I woke up and realized I was not in pain. It was a strange feeling actually. But the time I got the second shot, no more bleeding, no more pain... However, the hot flashes, night sweats and the emotions came on. Holy cow. Drama drama drama. I could find any reason on the planet to argue, with anyone. Thank god I have a very understanding family and an even more wonderful partner. I think he has the patience of a saint. I still don't know how he puts up with me. If I am not trying to find some reason to pick a fight then I am crying like a baby... for hours and hours. These hormones are so out of control. I honestly don't know what is worse, the pain or feeling like the world is going to end in the next 2 minutes if I don't get this spill picked up.. I literally cried for 2 hours Saturday because my cat knocked a stupid bottle of car wax off a shelf in the back room. Good lord, I had the most horrible feelings coming over me and just could not stop crying. I bought a new bed 2 weeks ago and let me tell you. If I am not on one of my 13 hour sleep fests then I am laying in it crying and feeling sorry for myself. Or the even better part of indegestion or my favorite part.. gas. I honestly don't know if I can go on like this. I made an appointment to see my doctorr this Friday to determine what she thinks will happen if I don't complete the other 3 shots. just give me back the pain if you have to!

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENDO ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY BY THE TIME I WAS 25. I LIVED OUT OF STATE AND DID NOT LIKE THE DOCTOR I WAS SEEING SO I JUST DISMISSED IT. YEARS LATER AFTER MOVING BACK HOME AND GETTING MARRIED TO A WONDERFUL MAN WHO DOES NOT HAVE CHILDREN ( I HAVE TWO) I WENT TO MY OLD DOCTOR THAT I WAS REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH. TOLD HIM ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS AND ABOUT MY PAINFUL PERIODS AND HOW ME AND MY HUSBAND HADN'T GOTTEN PREGNANT AFTER FOUR YEARS OF TRYING. HE SCHEDULED ME FOR A LAPROSCOPY TO LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE IS ALSO A FERTILITY SPECIALIST SO I KNEW HE WOULD TRY TO DO WHATEVER POSSIBLE FOR US TO HAVE A CHILD. I HAD A CHOCOLATE CYST ON MY RIGHT OVARY, ENDO, AND THE ENDO HAD FUSED MY BOWELS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF MY ABDOMEN. I HAD ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION BUT I JUST THOUGHT I WAS LIKE ALOT OF OTHER WOMEN. HE TOOK CARE OF ALL OF THAT AND WHEN I WOKE UP HE TOLD ME HE WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO GO ON LUPRON ONCE A MONTH FOR THREE MONTHS. THIS WAS ON SEPT. 11TH. I HAD READ ALL THE BLOGS BEFORE HAND ABOUT LUPRON AND I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL AND JUST PLAIN SCARED ABOUT TAKING IT. MY DOC TOLD ME IT WOULD HELP W/ THE PAIN AND AFTER TAKING IT FOR THREE MONTHS IT WOULD HELP US GET PREGNANT. I TOOK MY FIRST INJECTION BEFORE I LEFT THE HOSPITAL THAT DAY. THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS I REALLY COULDN'T TELL ANY SIDE EFFECTS EXCEPT FOR HOT FLASHES. THEN THE HEADACHES STARTED. I HAD ALWAYS GOTTEN MIGRAINES, BUT THESE ARE 100 TIMES WORSE. I COMPLETED MY THREE MONTH CYCLE OF TAKING LUPRON ON NOV 6TH. I HAVE TURNED INTO A MOODY, CRANKY, ANGRY PERSON. IT IS UNCONTROLLABLE. AFTER MY LAST SHOT BEGAN TO WEAR OFF I GOT A HEADACHE SO BAD MY HUSBAND HAD TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK AND TAKE ME TO THE E.R. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS HORMONAL AND THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL W/ IT. THEY GAVE ME A SHOT AND SOME SAMPLES OF BUTALBITAL. THE SHOT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND THE BUTALBITAL ONLY MADE ME SLEEPY. I HAD THIS HEADACHE FOR OVER A WEEK. THEN IT JUST WENT AWAY. WHEN I HAD MY LAST SHOT MY DOC TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE A PERIOD WITHIN 6 TO 8 WEEKS AND WHEN I OVULATE AFTER THAT I SHOULD GET PREGNANT. IT TOOK ME OVER TEN WEEKS TO START. I FINALLY STARTED MY PERIOD A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. I FEEL AS IF I HAVE ALREADY HAD A CHILD WITH ALL THE BLEEDING AND THE PAIN. IT IS UNBEARABLE. I FEEL SO SORRY FOR EVERYONE AROUND ME BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT I AM BEING HORRIBLE. THROUGH THE LUPRON I HAVE GAINED 20 POUNDS, HAVE HAD SEVERE HEADACHES, HAVE BECOME VERY FORGETFUL, VERY VERY MOODY, AND JUST FEEL LIKE A TOTAL DEFERENT PERSON AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. I WILL NEVER TAKE LUPRON AGAIN!! NEVER. IF ME AND MY HUSBAND DO NOT GET PREGNANT AFTER THIS I WILL JUST HAVE THE HYSTERECTOMY AND BE DONE WITH IT. I AM HOPING I BECOME LESS MOODY SINCE NOW MY BODY IS STARTING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. OR AT LEAST I HOPE IT IS. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET PREGNANT WHEN I AM SO MOODY THAT NO ONE CAN STAND TO BE AROUND ME? PLUS I NEVER WANT TO HAVE SEX. DOES ANYONE KNOW EXACTLY HOW LONG IT TAKES LUPRON TO TOTALLY GET OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM?

I started Lupron in April of 2008. The year before this I worked HARD to lose 80 lbs. I finally got down to my goal weight because I was tld my endometriosis symptoms could be relieved if I wasn't overweight. I had a laparoscopy in March of 2008 confirming my diagnosis- Lupron was a last minute decision because of my age and status the doctor didn't want to do the hysterectomy right away. My endometriosis is spread throughout the body- including the lungs. While Lupron helped with the pain I was experiencing, it caused other pain. Pain that I can no longer even deal with. I became lethargic, depressed, and angry. My hair was falling out in large clumps. I didn't gain weight right away.. except a pound the first shot and three pounds hte second shot but I figured that was alright if it was only like 15 lbs total. I oculd deal with that. Here I am almost a year later. my last injection was in August. I gained a total of 47 pounds. I am a fat slob. I couldn't work out because my bones hurt so bad while taking the medication. No one around me knows what I went through physically. They al think that it was just some excuse to be a lazy fat cow but it truly HURT to move. Just simply walking from my bedroom door to my bed killed me. It hurt my ribs, my knees, my shins, my back. There were times when I couldn't even get out of my bed ebcause I just didn't have the energy. Then the depression started shortly after losing a large amount of hair. By now I am thinking about how ugly i've become on top of how fat I am. Nothing went right but my doctor pushed the shot. I figured hes the one with years of experience he couldn't possibly be this wrong. I trusted him. When I would go to him with complaints of my weight gain he would tell me to stop eating. The problem was... I wasn't eating. I was too sick to my stomach to bother. Then when I would get hungry i'd over eat. I bled a lot through the shots and I still had pain here and there but I was too afraid of what he'd put me on next if I complained. I started to forget simple things. My career was going down hill because they were sick of me not being 100% commited to my job any more. I cried all the time. I finally got sick of the weight gain while I was on my shots and I decided to work out regardless of how I felt and three times I passed out in the gym and was transported to the hospital where I had to listen to their advice on being overweight WHICH WASNT THE REASON I WAS PASSING OUT TO BEGIN WITH but no one wnats to hear what I have to say. Every one just assumed that I was this pig who never worked out in her life and over did it this time. What no one understood was that three months before the incident i was my average weight. I was tachycardic all the time- my normal resting heart rate while i was on my shots was 162. During a work out it would get up to 220!

Ive been off them since August and I haven't lost a single pound. I get up at 4am every day and work out. I park as far away as possible. I use the stairs instead of elevators. I eat healthy. I cut out extra sugars and stopped rewarding myself when I deserve it. I started these shots at 155lbs and today I am 215. Ive been on a strict monitored diet, diet pills and work out regimens and I am still 215. My knees kill me nad sound like velcro when I walk- ive even fallen a couple of times because they hurt that bad. My back still hurts and my neck still wont turn to the right completely because of a nerve that pinches or what have you in there that sends the sharp pain through my face when I move. I still have the depression but i think thats more because of my weight now than it is anything else.. and I finally ended up losing my job.

I recently saw my OB for a follow-up where he stuck me on yet another birth control. This one makes me vomit and gives me stomach cramps so Ive decided im done. I won't take another pill because its making me worse. Id rather have my uterus fall on the floor than pop another drug.

I see Lupron as a necessary evil. I am waiting for surgery in 2 weeks and Lupron has stopped me from menstruating which is a good thing. That is about the only good thing about Lupron. I haven't gained the weight people are talking about but am working out a lot. My symptoms are some night sweats but the dizziness, increased blood pressure and blood sugar and general achiness are the worst part of it. I also get headaches that come and go more after an injection; I have had three - one each month. Thankfully, I had my last one this week. This drug causes your body to try to speed up since it is depressing some of its functions which apparently is the cause of the high blood pressure. If there are any possible alternatives, I would go with that rather than lupron. I have run out of other medical options so only had Lupron until my hysterectomy.

I was diagnosed with seven fibroids, with some the size of a golf ball. My doctor was talking about a hysterectomy, I'm 52, but I opted instead for Lupron. Before I couldn't bend over and had a lot of pain in my stomach. I am going on my third shot, and yes, I have gained weight. And I am tired a lot, but these small side effects are nothing compared to the pain i was in before. I am also taking a give back hormone pill that helps with the bone loss and mood swings. I have not had any of the other problems that others seems to have. I am hoping this will shrink them so no surgery is necessary.

I am 24 and extremely active, in the military, and I had been having problems with bleeding on my menstrual cycle for over a year. I was basically on my cycle every day for months at a time and then when i stopped my body would start again if i began to exercise or run anywhere. Life was horrible. My OBGYN put me on Lupron for 6 months and it was amazing to not have pain, not have a cycle and to have freedom to move about. I got off of the shot and my cycles returned to normal about 2 months late but now after 4 months of being off my cycles has now gone back to this constant state. i have joint tenderness in my knees and hand....I don't know if this is a result of Lupron or just being a runner....I'm only 24 so I would think my bones were in pretty good shape....I had hot flashes while taking Lupron but my bleeding is so bad that I almost want to run back in and say but me on the 3 month shots so I don't have to deal with any of this.

Only on it for 1 month so far and already having issues. I apparently have the worst case of endometriosis all my doctors have seen, including a cancer specialist that had to do all my surgeries because of the severity. Granted, I am only 31 years old and have had a full hysterectomy. So, after 3 surgeries I am still having severe abdominal pain and bleeding (don't know where that is coming from since I don't have a uterus anymore) so they said try Lupron and I finally gave in. Now I started getting such severe pain in my lower back that I can't stand for longer than 15 minutes and terrible side aches. I started getting headaches (which I already take pills for for years now),and have gotten the hot flashes as well. What are we to do ladies? I am so sick of complaining to the doctors about pain. You feel as if you are a big cry baby. What are my options here and does this ever stop?

On July 9, 2008, I was admitted to the hospital for severe anemia, due to a heavy period that was on it's 3rd straight week. Because I had lost so much blood, I had to get a blood transfusion (4 pints). Since my bleeding would not stop, my doctor gave me a shot of Lupron. I was discharged from the hospital the next day because the Lupron stopped the bleeding. A week later I got, what I think was my normal period (which I don't even know what that is anymore) and that lasted 7 days. Almost immediately after receiving the shot, I noticed my hair was falling out in clumps when I washed it. 2 weeks later, I started getting bouts of suddenly feeling hot and sweaty. I didn't think much of it. I just thought my A/C unit needed more freon or something. That was until I went to see another Dr. for a second opinion. I am 38 years old with uterine fibroid tumors and my first doctor wanted me to get a hysterectomy. I have 2 teenagers and do not plan to have anymore children, but I just wanted another opinion. My second doctor informed me that Lupron's side effects are hair loss, loss of bone density, hot flashes, and premature menopause. When he mentioned hair loss and hot flashes, I knew then that I was not going crazy! Anyway, the second doctor explained to me that the loss of bone density and premature menopause would happen if Lupron is taken consistently. I just want to know when is my body going to get back to normal. All I had was one shot of this stupid drug! The hot flashes are not only uncomfortable but also embarrassing! It's been 3 months since I received the Lupron shot and the hot flashes have not vanished nor decreased. I know that every female's body reacts differently to different drugs, but if Lupron causes all these side affects, I suggest that you read up on the drug before taking it. I was told that if my bleeding comes back that I can ask for another Lupron shot. Well the answer to that is thanks but NO THANKS. Seriously, I would rather bleed than go through more hair loss, hot flashes or any other debilitating side effect.

After my 2nd monthly shot of Lupron I experienced heart palpitations and high blood pressure. I felt as though my heart were going to burst while I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep. I saw a cardiologist who prescribed a BP med. Now I am on 1 medication to combat the side effects of another. I am due for my 3rd shot. I am buying time until my hysterectomy. I am worried that this 3rd shot will be stronger and worse than the first 2. I do not have any other worrisome side effects.

I just went to the Dr. for my second Lupron injection and to get some help with the side effects. Menopausal/emotional me, started crying!!! Gawd! I went in with my list of side effects from the last 3 months (and it was long!) and wondered what was worse, the pain of endometriosis or the life changing side effects of Lupron. My Dr. is wonderful and spent an hour with me; he decided to put me on Provera (progesterone or add-back therapy) for a week to see if the side effects improve. If they do, I get my second dose of Lupron in a week. If not, we stop it all and let my body slowly try to get back to normal (although I have never known what "normal" is since endometriosis) and see how the "therapy" worked. He is strongly encouraging me to follow through with the 6 month course as that is the recommended length of time for the best results. I'm 5'8" and have lost 10 lbs. in the last three months, I'm down to 107 lbs. He told me to try and eat more if I could (although my nausea is constant 24hrs. a day) and make sure to take a daily vitamin and calcium for bone loss. He said that he has never heard of blurred vision to be a side effect of Lupron, "But every woman is effected differently." I'm really hoping the Provera works - any kind of relief is better than this! I'm still having 3-4 hotflashes every hour with extreme exhaustion/fatigue, night sweats, daily migraine headaches, nausea 24hrs. a day, life changing mood swings, and shaky hands. He kept reminding me that this only 6 months out of my life - it's not forever ... forever feels like an awful long time when you can barely get out of bed!

I have had endo for about 9 years now. 6 surgeries later, I decide to try the Lupron Shot. I took the 3 month dose twice. I did not experience any side effects until the 2nd month, which included hot flashes, mood swings, sleepiness, no interest in sex, weight gain, horrible headaches, loss of memory, pains in all my bones, breast tenderness, blured vision and so on. I am now off the shot after being on it for 6 months, and I am worse now then I was then. My pain is back from the Endo, my stomach feels like there is a huge ball in it, I have extremes of sever diarrhea to constipation. I feel like Im going to throw up every other hour..sometimes I do. My bones hurt worse than ever. I still have no memory and I cannot concentrate very well. My Dr. will not allow me to have a hyst because he feels I am to young. I am 27 married with a child..how much older do I have to be to get some relief? So, yes I liked Lupron, it did help. but I would rather get this crap taken out than go through all of this again.

Hey ya'll I just thought I would share too. I was having crippling pain and I work with infants so I can't take any pain relievers of any kind because it could impair my judgment and cause a serious problem so......When I started to feel like something was wrong down in my southern region in February first thought was pregnant but when my period rolled around in March I knew something was seriously wrong. I went to my Dr. to get the referal to see a specialist and after telling him the type and amount of pain I was in and the different pain killers I had tried and the combinations he put me on a pain patch they give to people who are dying of cancer to help them deal with the pain (No work for me). Went to the specialist had some sonograms that liked to have killed me because they wanted me to have a full bladder and my pain was so bad that if I ate anything or my bladder even started to fill up I would get so sick from the severe pain. So they did the sonograms I promptly wet myself (so embarrassing but unavoidable due to the pain I couldn't get up with the full bladder) Went back to the Specialist he said "Ok, from what I see here and the photo's you showed me from a procedure in 2006 we are going to need to do a hysterectomy and described to me the gruesome details of a woman that had endo and it was so bad it got to her brain and killed her. Well we set a date for surgery and OF COURSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS TO ARGUE. They say we wont approve the Surgery unless she takes 2 months of Lupron first. So I had no choice but to pay for these $700.00 torture I never thought I would pay so much to torture myself. The doctor explained that the first 2 weeks would be bad and then he said IT WILL GET BETTER. (HAHAHAHAHAHA AINT HE A DAMN COMIDIAN) I had symptoms 10 times worse the first 2 weeks I thought to myself oh my god what have I done!?!?!?!?! BUT after that the pain got better it really did, it got better. I didn't know about all the side effects of the drug just the hot flashes and no period thing and the mood swings. So when I was having headaches I just assumed it was screaming kids, but I still had the headaches on the weekends. When all the muscles in my legs started to get sore I thought I am doing more than I used to but after a month of soreness I began to wonder. During this time I was having trouble sleeping but I thought it was from another pill I was taking so I stopped taking it still no sleep or verry little. Then last night I got no sleep because I had muscle spasms. This morning I thought my potassium is low I have had that problem before but then I thought about the fact that I have been eating the required stuff to keep it up.So that was the last straw. I found this site that links all the problems I have been having to the Lupron. But the things I knew about the Hot Flashes like clock work come at the same time every night, and any time I get the slightest touch of heat from food,outside temp(I live in Texas) or activity I get so HOT and start sweating from everywhere even had one little kid tell his mom "Hey look that lady is peeing on herself" I was sweating so bad.The mood swings......in the time it took me to get into a room at my main Dr.'s office with 2 sick kid's(approx. 1 hour) I was fine, then I was so mad I was cussing, then I was crying in the floor of the Dr.'s office with my 2 kid's saying it's ok mommy,then I was laughing hysterically at which time the Dr. said to hurry up and get me out of there before my mood changed again.(He was trying to sound funny but I am sure he was serious.) AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST the only other thing it did for me that was helping was No period. Wow I can deal with the period or I could deal with the pain I was in but not both. So given No with no real choice in the matter(to be able to have any kind of surgery that would help I had to do the shots) I have tortured myself relentlessly to get to the end of all this. But the Icing on the cake is that about four days before I got the second shot I was starting to hurt again and now five days before I go back I am starting to feel the pain again. And all I can say is the insurance company better approve the surgery on Tuesday or there will be one more person wearing a Straight Jacket because after all this if I don't get permanent relief I will be nothing short of Bonkers.

I discovered I had endometriosis in March 2000 at which time I had surgery to remove what was there, then the gyn followed up with the Depo-Lupron shots for six months. To help with the hot flashes, mood swings etc. My doctor put me on a very low dose of Estrogen which helped. I was having fertility issues before this and when I finished up the shots and the time had ran out and still had no period, my doctor put me on fertility drugs to give my body a jump start, and in April 2001 we found out we were pregnant, during which time my teeth started deteriating and by the time I have my second and last child in March 2003, I had to have major dental work done. I blame the lupron shot for this issue, apparently my calcium level dropped. I told my gyn about it and he said he had never heard of any such thing before as a side affect of the drug. I pretty muched laughed in his face and told him to advise future patients to increase the calcium while on the drug. Then recently I discovered like a lot of you that there are some really serious side affects from Lupron. Since this after having my last child I went on the Depo Prevera shot for 6 months, gained unsightly weight, so I got off of that and got my tubes tied in 2004, then by March of 2006 I knew my endometriosis was back full fledge and in June 2006 I had to have a hysterectomy. My only long term affects from the Lupron and Prevera shots is still trying to lose some of the weight and living in pain during every meal but due to the extreme affect it took on my teeth, I can not afford even with insurance to get all the work needed done!!!! If I had to do it over again, I would have had the surgery and then worked on getting pregnant immediately, because long term..... It isnt worth the "preventative" HaHaHa!!!!

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?

Hi: My doctor has suggested me lupron depot 3.75mg for three months before doing supracervical laparoscopy. I did ask the doctor about the side effects and she said that you might get hot flashes and mood swings. Thats all she said about the side effects. My first shot is on Tuesday April 15/08. After reading all these experiences i am so scared to take them and planning to talk to the doctor again and looking into the abdominal hystrectomy instead of supracervical laparoscopy. Do you guys think that because it is 3.75mg and not 7 or more mg it might not have that many side effects.
God, I am so confused now, please help me out here.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis about 4-5 years ago. I had a laparoscopy done and was told if I got pregnant that the endometriosis would be cured. I now have a 16 month old son (who I adore). Anyways, it took us about 2.5-3 years to get pregnant. In December I went to another doctor who told me to start Lupron shots for the endo. He put me on 6 doses of monthly shots. I was told that it should get me by long enough to have another kid. The side effects haven’t been back. The worse one is night sweats. I hate those. My problem now, I am in the middle of the 4th month and I am having severe cramps….no spotting or bleeding, just bad bad cramps. I called the doctor and he put me on Hydrocodone for pain. Any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone?? I’m hoping to have another child but feel that my window is closed and he will want to do a hysterectomy next. HELP!!

I am 50 years old...nearly bled to death from fibroids and became anemic. I had extremely heavy periods and had to receive a transfusion of 2 units of blood when my blood count went down to 7. My options were 1) Do
nothing...2) Take 6 months of Lupron to hopefully bump me into menopause....3) Fibroid embellization...4) Hysterectomy. I am trying to avoid a hysterectomy....and needed time to get my blood count up before any other procedure. I have had some of the side affects...hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats,.....but I had them before because I was pre-menapausal anyway so there is really no difference. Have not noticed any weight gain and I get my 3rd shot today. Everyone's body is different...for now Lupron has been a life saver for me.

Hi, I'm writing this as well as having posted on the lupron petition. This is a nasty nasty drug. I had endo, adenomyosis, and nearly bled to death. I couldn't get a hysterectomy because I couldn't get insurance for a pre-existing condition. My gyno said Lupron's maker would donate a dose. I had a stroke about three days after taking the drug. I had complete double vision. I lost my memory, my mind, I had to have blood transfusions, I had horrible hot flashes, my memory still hasn't recovered nearly 8 years later. I would recommend that anyone who has taken Lupron do a mercury detox, because it is preserved with thimerosol, that's what turns it silver. The memory problems will subside somewhat when you do a heavy metal detox. Montmorillonite Bentonite can help. I have done some research and have read that endo can be caused by an infection, and that colloidal silver may be of use in treatment. I would go holistic, I would deal with the pain, or with anything other than Lupron, it wrecked me and I haven 't really been healthy since then.

Beware, don't fall for the hype, it's just not worth it. BTW, I finally had that hysterectomy. I've never felt better. But I'm glad I waited until after I was able to have a kid.

I am taking Lupron as I had horrible endometriosis, two large-grapefruit sized tumors and several smaller implants removed. I lost my right ovary, and part of my left in the process. I am 28, newly married, otherwise healthy, and I want to have children, so I went on Lupron that my surgeon/OB suggested- monthly for six months. I read a lot of side effects and was TERRIFIED to go on it.

My own husband is an M.D. and I made him call different doctors in his hospital to see what they had to say...in a few days he called about 5 different OBs. Thankfully, they said that those that had side effects that were extremely severe was pretty rare. Still, I was scared.

I am now into my second month on Lupron and I have to say that the side effects aren't nearly as severe as I thought they would be. No hot flashes, no hair loss, no crazy depression, no anything else. I DO have fatigue, but it's manageable with coffee and extra sleep. I have some mood swings- mostly I feel more grumpy. The most noticeable and bothersome is the lack of sex drive and vaginal dryness. I also have trouble achieving "the big O."

Still, so far, very manageable. I'm not sure if it'll be worse if time goes on. But I feel like everything on the internet is really negative. I'm not discounting the tales of people who have had a bad time, but I wanted to put out there that it isn't always the worst thing in the world.

I'm 44, was diagnosed in Dec 07 with endometriosis. Started Lupron Therapy in January 08. The hot flashes are terrible. So far have not had any other symptoms that I know of. I have just taken my third shot. Other than the hot flashes that are worst at night and tend to keep me awake most of the night, I haven't had many other effects. I get some headaches, not too bad or too often. I have had a little weight gain but, I am on Wellbutrin and trying to quit smoking so the weight gain can be attributed to this as well. I'm not really sure what to expect after the therapy but, will be having a hysterectomy. I have not had any pain in more than two months and that makes me very happy. After almost 2 years of constant pain, I know there is now an end in sight. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone but, for me, it has been a God send.

hi I'm 28 yrs old and have been diagnosed with endo. i have been taking the Lupron shot since August 07. I'm only suppose to be on them for a year. 2 weeks after my 1st shot, i started getting severe headaches w/ nosebleeds. also, I'm so exhausted all the time. after my 2nd shot i started passing out with severe headaches. i told my doc about it and she took me off the shot til i got a cat scan which came out normal. at the beginning of February 08, i was back in the er room 3x in a matter of 48 hours, thats when an ob/gyn at the hos. gave me another shot of Lupron. since i got this 3rd shot, i started having severe migraines and passing out again along with extreme exhaustion. I'm very angry my doc won't do the hysterectomy. she says, I'm too young. but the shot sends u into perimenopause, whats the difference. i was taking the hormones as well before my doctor took me off the shot but they made me really, really angry all the time. when the doc at the hos. gave me the shot, she didn't put me back on the hormones. this shot is suppose to help me but instead its ruining my life. i have severe headaches and exhaustion with the shot and severe pain without the shot. i don't know what to do. I'm not suppose to have any pain after i get off the shot for up to like months or years i was told. the shot started to where off at the end of January and i had to get it again in February when i was originally suppose to take my 3rd shot. i still have pain in my stomach, it just makes it tolerable. my other side effects r: mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, no sex drive, extreme nausea, depression, stomach pains, swelling in my stomach, weight gain, and of course severe headaches. this is effecting my life so much. i do not recommend getting the depro lupron shot to anyone. of course everyone is different, but if the shot effects u like this, i recommend u not taking it. i will not be taking my next 1. i will be calling my doc 1st thing tomorrow morning cuz i passed out Friday with my 6 year old daughter here and no one else. i have been so afraid of this happening with my kids here and it has happened. as a mother u don't want your children to have to go thru something like that without no one else around. has anyone else had these side effects? i can live with most of them, but i can't live with the extreme exhaustion and severe headaches with passing out. thank u for listening.

I;m only 17 and this is the third time that I've been on Lupron. It does suck at time's but you learn how to deal with it. Last month I had my 7th surgery for endo. In June when I turn 18 they are thinking about doing a hysterectomy, which I really need. The first time I was on Lupron I gained about 20 or 30 pounds. But the last two times I've actually LOST weight. Right now I'm experiencing hair loss, weakness, and headaches.I cry a lot, anything bad or anything people say I get really upset. Anger is like no other. Each day is different which is very difficult because my friends don't believe how I feel. From having stage 4 endo , I had to be pulled out of school and put into home schooling.

I was taking Lupron shot for severe endo and ando. The best 6 months of my life!! I was feeling so much better, no more Pepcid ac and Advil! I wasn't crutched over holding my stomach at work all the time....I no longer had to take off work for 7 days out the month, I wasn't in pain. I have hot flashes, but so what....it was worth it. I don't recall any mood swings, I'm more moody off the Lupron because I'm always in so much pain. Lupron worked for me. My options was the shot or a full hysterectomy. I will probably have the hysterectomy eventually, but right now, I'm trying to get my doctor to give me the shot again. I was reading and some of you have been on the shot for a year or longer....I was told I could only be on it for 6 months.

Hi everyone, I am a 36 year old with severe endometriosis. I was diagnosed at 17 and was offered a hysterectomy at that time, since I would never have children (So they said, 5 miscarriages but 2 babies, later, I had them all fooled). I have had 6 surgeries throughout the years for severe pain and endo growth. Finally, I asked for a hysterectomy to avoid all of these problems. My Dr. asked me to try Lupron first for relief. I have to say, I am so glad I did!!! I have felt better on the Lupron than I have in years. In addition to this, I have been taking 5mg Aygestin as back therapy (Norethindrone) and I take Calcium replacement daily. It has been wonderful. I have felt good, LOST weight, but do have annoying hot flashes the first week after the shot, but they go away. Additionally, I have had fibromyalgia for the last five years, and my pain symptoms have gone away with the Lupron +add back therapy. I think the 5mg of Norethindrone is the key to preventing the terrible side effects that Lupron is noted to have. I would recommend the shot, only with the additional Progestin- along with a multivitamin with calcium. I am GLAD I did! A hysterectomy may still be in my future, but for now, I have options.

Hi All,
Just wanted to share a positive Lupron experience. I began Lupron in Dec 2005 and ended in Jan 2007. I took monthly Lupron shots for a year straight. However, my Dr. prescribed an add back drug called Norethindrone which I took once daily the entire time I was on Lupron. The only side effect I had was about a 10 pound weight gain. When I asked my doctor if this was from the Lupron he said maybe 3 or 4 pounds of it. I was eating right and exercising during this time period but was still gaining weight. About a month after I came off Lupron I began losing weight and was able to fit into my old clothes a few months later. I am sure it was the Lupron that caused me to gain weight.
If you are taking Lupron without any add back drug, this seems when all of the other horrible side effects come into play. Just wondering if anyone had a really bad experience even while taking the add back drug.

I read up on Lupron and was very hesitant in taking the shot, However, my doctor convinced me that it would be helpful with my Endo which is a stage 4. My doctor said well any medicine is like a restaurant if the side effects are bad then everyone knows just like if you get bad service.
Well I got my first shot about a month ago and I think I should have listened to myself, I traded one pain for a ton of others.
I have severe depression at times and the bone pain is almost more than I can bare. I live on Advil to keep the pain under control. I can barely get out of bed in the morning b/c I hurt so bad and I can barely walk. I am losing hair and it is thinning out horribly. I too have put on weight with regular exercise and watching my diet.
I get heart palpitations to where my heart feels like it is going to jump out of my chest and this is the first month. I am afraid of what the next month will bring. I am only 35 and didn't want to get a hysterectomy.

I took one injection of Lupron for fibroids in Nov. 2001. It totally changed my life, I am no longer the same person I was before. It started with severe migraine headaches for 14 days straight and attacks of nausea, lack of appetite. I used to have a strong stomach - now I was very easily nauseated. I never went for the second shot. I began to have panic attacks regularly (I had not had them for over 20 yrs). I was tired all the time, and a person who used to work out at the gym 5 days a week - eventually I quit. Now I just walk. I feel about 65 yrs old (I am just 49). I look old, my face began to droop, my hair thinned. I had bouts of depression coupled with general anxiety. My migraines worsened. My sex drive dropped to zero, I feel almost "sexless". I used to be confident, now I was afraid of everything. I now suffer from irritable bowel syndrome - with bouts of diarrhea, bloating and severe gas pains. I have trouble eating sometimes.. I have had all the tests and no one can find anything wrong with me,and none of the doctors think all these problems are due to Lupron. But, I know - I was NOT like this before Lupron. It ruined my life. I just wish my doctor would have informed me of all the terrible side effects - she only told me about hot flashes. I looked into suing her for malpractice but the lawyers said they could not build a case with no real medical evidence that my symptoms are caused by Lupron. I just wish I had known then what I know now. I tell everyone - NEVER take Lupron. Six years later and I still feel like this. Oh what I wouldn't give to have not taken that drug.

I am on my third moth of the Lupron shot! I was basically three choices as to how to take care of my severe Endo and severe Anemia caused by the Edno those three choices were 1. Do nothing and eventually bleed to death.
2. Take Lupron and 3. Have a Hysterectomy! Okay I am 27 years old and bleeding to death from a period is not an option I was even willing to ponder (what idiots for giving me such an option), having a hysterectomy was something I thought about but then after doing much research I decided No and I did research Lupron and although I read horrible things I felt that was really my only option to some hope of relief and I also thought, I am a big girl I can deal! Well I am dealing, I have not experienced a hot flash but I do have night sweats, headaches and feel sick to my stomach on a daily basis! The side effect that I really am suffering from is total hair loss. I mean I have hair on my head but I use to have the thickest hair and get so many compliments on it and now when I brush it, wash it, run my fingers through it or just put it up I literally will have a hand or brush full of hair. My hair was so thick I could not get it into a barette and I would have to use those think hair ties sometimes two hair ties and now I can use a kid hair tie and tye it once! Me and my baby niece who is 16 months old share hair tyes! I have done more research on Lupron since starting it and although I have not experienced many of the side effects listed that you could suffer a red flag went off when I read, it does not cure Endometriosis and there is really no cure, just pain management and so I am at the point where I believe I am going to stop and find alternatives myself and if that means going to GYNO after GYNO then so be it. The side effects I have suffered from are minimal however if the pain is going to return after I stop Lupron then why go through the pain of side effects? This is soley my opinion and I am posting to get it the madness of my chest that I allowed my Doctor the guy I pay take control of my health! I am now taking that control back.

I am 17, soon to be 18, and have suffered from this horrible pain over my right ovary (basic area) for near 5 years now. I have missed my whole high school years, ended up being home schooled from the pain and graduating early. I FINALLY have a job that I love, but I'm afraid I won't be able to last. I go in to work with pain, get fevers because of either the pain or inflammation. I have had 2 laps, the first one showed nothing (I also, in 8th grade when all this started, had a 5.5cm cyst on my right ovary), the second showed endo on my right ovarian ligament. I have tired almost every birth control out there, and all they do is make me 10 times worse (odd, but true). Now this new doc wants me on Lupron. After all I have read, I'm scared to take it. I'm supposed to take it Friday. The bad thing is, I already have an auto immune glitch (we believe, every problem I have is linked to auto immune), I don't want to be worse. Recently I was on DEPO, which is horrible (seriously, don't take it you gain so much weight and it is so hard to get off, you bleed for like a month or more after you stop... it's awful). Every time I get this pain I bleed 10 min later, badly. I just want this gone, but I don't want any other problems too occur. If anyone has any links that specifically list the side effects of lupron or anything else that might help me, I would love it.

I am a 33 year old female with two children. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis in Sept 2001, two months after my wedding. My doctor treated the best he could without hurting my chances of having children. After my family was finished he suggested Lupron. We had several meetings and much material before I deceied to take Lupron. I had a choice try the shot or have a hysterectomy. I choose the shot. I had a sever fall right before taking the shot and had major concusion. So when I went to the doctor with problem the lupron shot was over look and things going on blamed on my fall. However 11 months later I have found out different. I started Lupron in Oct 2006 and had hot flashes and some mood swings but it was well worth it not to be in pain 24/7 with the endo. However I was having headaches and joint pain but it was blamed on my fall.
I had memory problem at work that keep me from doing my job properly however it was blamed on my fall. I am sure the fall had something to do with it but I know the Lupron did also. Now 11 months later I am learning different.
I have a microadmea in my pitubitary gland, 3mm tumor. It is not cancer. However I have learned my shot is to blame. Granted this is in 1% of patients who take the drug. I have had major memory problems, depression, anxitoy, nervousness, hot flashes, cold sweats, major headaches, joint pain, general pain, hair loss, insomia, heart paputations, tacardia, lack of skin tanning, mood swings, endmea, tingling in hands and feet, gi problems, brusing easily, and many more things.
The lupron did what it said it would about my endo pain. It went away.
Now because of what was learning about my reactions to the drug and add back therpy my doctor took me off everything. It is horrible. It can take a long time for the side effect to go away from taking the drug but you have side effects from getting off the drugs too. I am getting a double dose and feel as though I am loosing my mind. My 4 year old asked me something three or four time and the last time she asked mom you need to do something with your head and get it together I am tired of telling you the same thing over. I hate my family is sufferieng. I will hae a hysterectomy in late Oct or early Nov, I am just waiting for the meds to get out where my system will be clear.
I am ready for my life to be back to normal. I am hoping the memory problems and pain will clear up soon however from my readings it could take some time. I want to be able to take care of my family again and know I did it well.

I just took my first of six shots 2 days ago. I'm already experiencing a general hot feeling, hot flashes and insomnia. I'm worried after reading these posts. ... My doctor did not explain the severity of the side effects prior to recommending the drug. Should I continue the treatment? My endometriosis only effects my life during my periods, and have no symptoms while im not menstruating. However, my period pain is so severe it impairs my ability to function. What do i do?

It has caused my panic attacks, which have been gone for 20 years, to come back. Also, I have acne all over my face. I never had any pain with my endometriosis, but it caused a cyst (10cm) to kill one of my ovaries. So I guess I have no other choice, unless I want a hysterectomy.

I have had 3 shots of Lupron - going for the 6 months of shots. I've had some hot flashes - mood swings and headaches. These side effects are consistent with menopause I'm told. Our bodies are being forced into menopause and the side effects we experience now - we'll experience in true menopause is what I'm guessing.

So no, not every person has a NIGHTMARE experience as you read on here. It's not great - but it's not terrible. The pain that prompted the need for Lupron shots (after my hysterectonmy last year, age 35) is gone.

Studies on the Lupron site will give you a better idea of what percentage of women experience the various side effects.

hot flashes, hair loss, memory loss, bone and joint pain, seizures, hand and foot twitches, crawling sensations in arms and legs, accelerated facial aging, and chronic insomnia. I would rather deal with the pain of endometriosis than the HELL of Lupron!

I was on Lupron for endo 4 and 5 years ago, two times. The second time without add back therapy. I started migraines at that time and basically had them for 2 years almost non-stop. I am ultra sensitive to estrogen level. I also had joint aches, night sweats, and severe depression. I finally had a hysterectomy two years ago and got rid of my migraines with a nice steady dose of estrogen. I can't lose the weight. I still have joint pain.

I had my first injection of Lupron August 25, 2006 and the side effects have been horrible. They started out as mild headaches and joint pain too severe migraines and joint pain so bad that I can't walk at times. Not to mentions the hot flashes and night sweats. After 2 surgeries and 1 ovary left at the age of 26 they said that it was Lupron or hysterectomy. But the dr wanted to do the Lupron b/c I have had too many surgeries and he was wanting to avoid another one. I have been into the dr 3x this week and called them the other 2 days. They said that I was showing signs of stroke and put me on the add back therapy and painkillers and told me to get to the ER immediately if it got worse. That does not sound ok to me. I have missed so much work b/c I can't keep my eyes open and sick to my stomach from the severe migraines. I do not recommend taking the shot. Nobody told me of the real side effects until after I had the injection. If anyone has any ideas on how to get these headaches to go away it would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I am losing my mind.

I have been getting the 7.5mg injection once a month since July 2006. I had a uterus the size of a 5 month pregnancy and have several fibroid tumors. My uterus has shrunk (not sure about the fibroids) but I have been having so many side effects I don't know if I would do this again if someone told me about them. Thankfully my last shot was Sept 8th and I will have a hysterectomy in October. I did lose the stomach but regained it with the weight gain!!!! My bones are always aching, constant teeth ache, headaches (mild migraines) every day. Now I have been experiencing dizziness and nauseous. I have been coming home from work the last couple of days because of this. I am so tired all the time - I take a nap during my lunch hour to just get through the day. Oh and the memory loss is so difficult for me. I cannot even remember co-workers names. I can't remember what I was supposed to do when I get across a room. I have to set a timer to remind me that I am cooking dinner!!!! I would definitely not recommend Lupron for any long time use. If my doctor told me that I would have to get another shot - I would say NO!!!!

Well, I'm 29 I have three boys 1, 4, and 6. Between My one year old and four year old i had a miscarriage. I've always had bad periods but i learned to deal with it. After my last baby who was born at 27 weeks gastation. My periods got worse!! Besides that i started passing blood clots. ?@## What in the world was wrong with me?? Well, i went to see my doctor and i told her i had bad pains with my periods and passing blood clotes. We decided to do a Hysteroscopy, a Laparoscopy and a DNC!! Well, the test results came back that i have servere Endometriosis!! I seen my pictures AND THEY DON'T LOOK GOOD. But i don't like either of the options... Lupron shot or complete hysterectomy including my ovaries..NOT LIKE'EN THAT EITHER. RRRRRRR someone help me!! It's been a little over two weeks sence my surgery and i started reading about it endo. I got the book ENDOMETRIOSIS The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health By MARY LOU BALLWEG and started on an Endo Diet even started takeing Vitamins "MEGA VITA MIN FOR WOMEN". I just don't know what else... learning from the book over 600,000 hysterectomys are done a year and only 100,000 are really needed! AND after learning more about Lupron... i don't like it!! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT! Who wants to face all this at 29... and go through menopause at 29...Not me...but this is what i was delt..

I started on Lupron because of extreme pain in my lower left abdomin thought to be ovarian cysts or endometriosis. Within 24 hours of each shot, it would feel as if my legs were broken. It hurt right into the bones and I wouldn't be able to walk or even sit comfortably. It would last about a week. I finally gave up, my mobility was so impared. Now, I'm waiting for exploratory surgery and possible hysterectomy.

Lupron has been a terrifying experience for me. It was recommended as a last approach prior to a hysterectomy. I am 29 years old with two children. I have an incredible amount of scar tissue as a result of infections. I experience incredible hot flashes, confusion, extreme insomnia, joint pain, sharp pains in my back and abdomen, extreme vile nausea and dizziness. Vision issues, you name it. It was wonderful to see feedback from everyone to know that I am not alone. My doctor says that all of this is a figment of my imagination. The most terrifying of all is the fact that I cannot seem to think straight. I was an incredibly technical person before I started on the lupron injections (i'm on my 2nd and last 3 month shot), and I now feel like I've been reduced to nothing. I cannot manage to do things that would have been extremely simplistic before. Sometimes the cramping is so bad that I cannot move. I cannot wait until this is over.

I was definitively diagnosed with endo at 27, but had symptoms for years prior. I am now 42. My doctor told me at the age of 27 he was not going to put me on Lupron, as the side effects could be horrific for a woman that age; my goal was not conception, but rather pain relief. He said if I could ride it out until I started showing menopausal symptoms, then we would go with the Lupron prior to hysterectomy.
The endoscopy done at that time bought me about 4 months of relief, then the symptoms started to slowly recur. With my having had a precocious puberty, it was a pretty sure bet I would go premenopausal in a few years.
Started at age 37; the endo pain has gotten so severe that it now keeps me up nights, mid-cycle (whenever that may be - my cycles have been doing their own thing now). I already have hot flashes, night sweats.
I was given the Lupron 2 weeks ago, in order to calm the inflamed lesions prior to my hysterectomy in a few months. They also plan on taking one ovary, and this will give my body an adjustment period prior to surgery (the hope is I can maintain my female hormone levels without redevelopment of full blown endo before I am naturally finished with menopause).
Headaches? Night sweats? Hot flashes? Insomnia? Had them before I started Lupron.
And in my case, I have lost 4 lbs in 2 weeks without really trying; except for the fact my craving for candy is diminished. I still eat some, but when I go to the store, I can pass the candy aisle without even having to browse, to see what's new. I just don't care anymore.

I feel I need to add my story for some balance on Lupron. I'm 53 and am finishing my fifth month on Lupron. I began taking it because I'd been anemic and bleeding very heavily (because of a fibroid) for quite a while, and I wanted to avoid a hysterectomy.

Mine is almost all good news. My hematocrit (I think that's the word, it measures iron) went from 30 to 40 after a couple of months, most bleeding gone although the verdict is still out on whether I've hit menopause and can expect to not resume bleeding when I go off Lupron (this month or next). My side effects have been almost non-existent. Occasional headaches, some fogginess, absolutely no weight gain (and I'm the type that gains weight easily), sleeping well, and normal moodiness. I fully expected hot flashes especially since I'm almost at menopause anyway, but haven't had any. I do get warm sometimes, but no intense heats or sweats. I exercise (walk or lift weights) almost every day so maybe that had something to do with it.

I think it's important that a woman considering Lupron know that it's not always grim news when you receive the shots, and that even if you do experience some of the side effects, it is better than the effects we are currently suffering (i.e. pain from endometriosis, excessive bleeding). I don't think women should reach for Lupron readily, but in some cases it is the best option.

I was diagnosed with Endometriosis and only taking pain medication when needed. It got to the point where the medication stopped working. I decide to go ahead with the hysterectomy in April 2004. I continued to experience spotting and pain. My doctor and I decide the last resort to keep from having another surgery right away would be to try Lupron. I have had four injections and the symptoms I am experiencing are waking up at night, hot flashes and occasional mood swings. I started Premarin with this last injection and it is helping. I only hope after my final injection I will not have to go through another surgery.