Lupron and memory problems

I'm 24 and just recently finished my lupron treatment for endo. I'm still having some of the side effects and have yet to start my period again. I honestly would've rather had surgery again for endo than go through months of the side effects. The memory problems, overall fogginess, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, hot flashes, and just the stress and complete crappy quality of life I've had most of this year has completely affected all aspects of my life. It's not easy at work, at home with my husband- surgery took a day or so to recovery from and this has been a nightmare for months and months. I'd really think about it and research the benefits for you vs the side effects before doing it. If there are any other options- I'd absolutely consider them.

I took lupron for about a year or so back in 1999. I don't remember a lot, just the hot flashes, etc, that I was warned about. I began to have memory problems a little. As the years passed by, it became worse. It is 10 years later and I have no short term memory. I have searched and searched to figure out what is wrong with me. My memory is gone. Its a sad thing, that this shot is still being given.

I am in month 4 of a 4 month Lupron shot that my doctor gave to prepare for surgery. I was told I might get hot flashes, loss of libido, increased urinary symptoms for a few weeks. No one said anything and there was absolutely nothing in all the drug leaflets they gave me that would have prepared me for the the horror story that my life was about to become. As if having cancer was not bad enough.Since day 2 I have suffered so many bad side effects that I have lost count. The worst is insomnia and nothing has helped including high doses of Ambien. They suggested Lunesta but my health insurance company balked and even if they had said yes, my co-payment would be unaffordable. This stuff is more expensive than gold. I am exhausted all the time. I have terrible memory problems that are so bad that I can be talking to some I know really well and not remember their name. I am unable to concentrate on anything, my mood swings are unbelievable, I feel mentally disoriented and dissociated all the time, high blood pressure, racing pulse, high blood sugar, hot flashes, raging night sweats, dizziness, bad balance. The side effects that I can handle include nausea, headaches, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain. I am supposed to be on Lupron for 2 years. The only difference I see with my Lupron experience and others here is that my gender is MALE and I have early stage prostate cancer. Being male, my other serious Lupron side effect is complete impotence which is going to go on for a long while due to the radiation. I had radioactive seed implants into my prostate gland done a week ago and I have to follow this with 5 weeks of beam radiation. Lupron seems to be an equal opportunity drug. Lupron has messed me up so badly that for the past 5 weeks I have been off work on disability status with no chance of going back for at least a month and my Dr thinks that may be optimistic. No one seems to know how long it will take to get back to some kind of normal. I just could not function at work and ended up in my doctors office having a complete emotional meltdown. I would caution anyone, male or female, to consider Lupron very carefully before having it.

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 had my second Lupron shot this last mid October that lasts, supposedly, 3 months. So I will be 5 months in this mid December and I have to say I was one of the people who was fine with Lupron...up until now. I had and have all of the typical side effects of hot flashes, headaches, memory loss, mental fog, etc. Then I had my first ever migraine a week ago that knocked me on my butt for 2 days. My memory loss and depression are by far, by far, the worst side effect I have experienced. At this point I am concerned my memory problems and mind fog will not go back to normal, which has already adversely affected by daily life. I was one of the people who spoke positive of this injection even after reading all the horror stories but now I am beginning to wonder if they were right on some levels. When reading all the different experiences I would get confused and wouldn't know what to believe. I am not saying I would change things, the jury is still out as to whether the benefits will outweigh the difficulties, but my personal experience and symptoms have been getting worse just in the last few weeks, so that would be between month 4 and 5 on it. I could lead a pretty normal life up until recently and I'm a pretty tough person, I clean houses for a living and work hard with a packed schedule so I am not just stating little symptoms I experience but ones that actually have affected my daily life. Just being honest so you know what to possibly expect, depending on your body's reaction. That is a point to keep in mind, everyone's body reacts differently but if the majority of people are saying the SAME side effects, makes you wonder if there is a consistent pattern.

One thing I will tell you that has helped me is B vitamins regularly in your system and staying as active as possible. Write things down to remind you for the memory issues, don't over-commit to things because of the mental affects-it hits you hard when you can't follow through, and try to watch your sugar intake, which messes with your emotions. Hope this is helpful.
I would love to know from someone who has the same symptoms (which looks like almost everyone who is on it) and who is now off of Lupron for at least a few months, if the symptoms of memory loss and mind fog go away. Is my memory permanently damaged?

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 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 had 3 lupron shots for endo. The pain from endo actually got a lot worse. After my third shot my doctor decided to give me a shot of depo provera. This was in a seven day time span. Has anyone done that before? It's almost been 2 years since my last shot, but I have been on depo provera almost a year and differant birth control pills with in this time span. Nothing seemed to help. My problem now is extreme anxiety and panic attacks with the memory problems. Has anyone had this problem after the discontinuation of lupron? I have almost every symptom of a hormone imbalance, but doctors say a hormone test won't show any thing. Can someone please give me your opinion. THANKS!!!

I had two shots of lupron for uterine fiboids and the side effects are terrible. I had a migraine today and was unable to work. I went to the doctor and he said headaches were not a know side effect. Other effects I have experienced include: memory problems, sweating, no sex drive, hot flashes, insomnia, headaches. I haven't read that lupron can cause blood clotting but I am sure anything is possible with thisdrug. Anyone know how the side effects last after stopping drug??

I had my second shot today. So far severe night sweats,bone pain in hands and feet,some numbness in arms and legs.No memory problems so far. If bone pain become worse will not continue treatment. Has not seemed to help with the endo as mich as I would have liked but am still hoping symptoms will improve.Also have nausea everyday!

OK ladies (and gentlemen too), I have just completed my second 6-month course of Lupron. The first time I had some side effects while on the medication (mood swings, hot flashes, massive - 40 lbs! - weight gain, memory and concentration problems, aches and pains, etc) - but the withdrawal was worse. I was trying to plan my best friend's bridal shower and couldn't do it because I was mentally non-functional, and I had diarrhea and other unpleasant effects. Within six months, however, I was able to hold a full time job, take graduate level classes, and do all my other activities. And Lupron gave me 12 symptom-free years - I was sure my endo was cured.

After I found out otherwise last fall, that I had huge endometrial cysts again PLUS some small fibroids (the result of all the pills and progestins I'd taken trying to help the endo), I faced surgery and Lupron again. My doctor was extremely conservative and JUST took out the large cyst on one side - leaving several smaller ones on the other side as well as ALL the adhesions. He recommended Lupron again, and I decided to take the bull by the horns and to do what I could to help myself.

During the course of Lupron treatment, I tried to consume at least 40 mg of soy (soy only!) isoflavones per day. I avoided beer, yams and other phyto-progestins. I upped my consumption of milk and other calcium-rich foods; if I craved sweets, I binged on them. In other words, I listened to my body.

Recent research has shown that the hot flashes and memory problems associated with menopause are the result of changes in the processing of carbohydrates that causes too little glucose to reach the brain. Likewise, I have read that the joint pains associated with Lupron are caused by the drug's undermining the liver's ability to produce glucosamine, another glucose-derivative. I noticed that when I would have symptoms and would, for example, eat sweets (no, fruit won't do), my mental symptoms would subside and my joints would almost immediately feel better. I realize most doctors would stone me for this advice, and I have gained 15 lbs - but I have /only/ gained 15, whereas I gained 40 before while attempting to eat right and exercise.

I have also found that MSM, especially when combined with chicken collagen, almost instantly helps my joints. The glucosamine/chondroitin formulations I tried tended to make me dizzy - again, probably something to do with the Lupron's effects on the liver.

For my immune system I have been taking Coenzyme Q10 and Juice Plus, a fruit and vegetable blend available online (www.juiceplus.com).

I won't say I haven't had side effects either while on the Lupron or since going off, but I have been functioning much better thus far than I did while on or immediately after going off the Lupron before. Can't hurt to try it. Good luck!

Memory problems, hot flashes, clumsy, night sweats, depression and anxiety, moody, arm swelled after the shot, this is only my second shot and my last!