Lupron shots?!


Question:

Lupron shots?

I'm due to have my second laparoscopy for endometriosis in august, and if my doctor does find endo, she wants to start me on lupron afterwards. I've always been skeptical of it, and birth control alone makes my moods go crazy, so I'm really scared about mood swings and hot flashes. Any advice?

Additional Details

2 days ago
Sorry...what i mean by "find endo" means if it grew back...I also have cysts that she is removing

1 day ago
thanks kw...the problem is...this is my 4th opinion, and the 3rd time I've heard Lupron come out of my doctors mouth


Answers:

Hi There~

I am sorry you are facing this huge decision with Lupron. I think the information provided above kwahraps is very key here.

While, I always highly recommed expressing your fears and concerns to your Dr., it's important to know you have the right to say NO to such a strong and powerful drug. This drug is a very strong one that is even used in prostate treatment in men (so I would look at that too).

There are many common side effects that a lot of sufferers experience such as very bad joint ache, hot flashes, weight gain, extreme mood swings, memory loss, hair loss, grand maul siezures, etc. seem to be much more common than in past years and more.

The theory is a good one which is to cease the menses to allow the endo to shrink and lie dormant and cease further growth. The down side if one could take it is, you can only be on this drug about 6 months but some Dr.'s have gone as high as 9 or more which increases more problems. Once someone is done with their treatments the pain can come back with a vengance as well as have long term side effects, and the joint pain seems to be the worst for most I have talked with over time.

Many women I come in contact with on a few forums have had such bad experiences right after their first and second shots. There have been some exceptions where it has helped others. I personally tried Lupron and it was making me feel crazy within a month. I went pretty emotionally upside down.

They switched me to another GNRH analog drug called Synarel which had a lot of the same effects but not as strong and I was able to do it for 9 months and then have my surgery. When surgery came the active endo was shrunken down greatly and it stayed at bay after surgery with still ceasing the cycles with consecutive birth control pills (which can add more estrogen-but is the lesser of all evils).

My concern for you is if the pills have been tough emotionally, this drug can be something so much more powerful that can create a whole new set of mood issues. I would really talk to your Dr. again and see if there is an alternative treatment to cease the menses, not hysterctomy as it can still grow but something that may better work for you. OK?

I know we are all different so it's very important to find something that you will be happy with as well.

If you need help with any support group links or need to chat I am happy to help you with that.

Good Luck!

Elisa




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