I'm 30 years old and have had endometriosis since I was 15/16 years old. I've had multiple laproscopic surgies that have not helped and now my dr. prescribed 2 injections of lupron. She said the only side effects are hot flashes and bone loss and that is why they only do 2 injections(1 every 3 months) and then stop. I was just wondering if anyone else has used this treatment for endometriosis and if you had any major side effects and if it helped? I've been having to sleep with a heating pad every night b/c the pain is so bad so I really hope this helps.
As a couple, we decided to go ahead and do it. It was rather amazing in that the pain and suffering of endometriosis went away. It was a wonderful break from the terrible pain, etc. that you are experiencing.
We were a little concerned about long term effects, but we did get pregnant within a couple of months of the "wearing off" of the Lupron.
It was a great choice vs. going scope again! Worst thing, was had night sweats....
I did not take Lupron (I do not recall the oral pills I took), but they gave me all the awful side effects, like weight gain, depression and facial hair. I had severe pain since age 15/16 and was ready to do anything to improve it by age 19 - not knowing if I was going to be able to conceive down the road. Remember, the medicine will mess with your hormone levels - either good or bad. Check out the reputable medical websites, such as www.webmd.com for more information and opinions. I ended up taking 1/2 the prescribed amount, due to a pharmacy error [back in 1979] and was shocked that after 6 months of treatment my endrometriousis was "gone". After two bouts of hospitalized anemia for extremely heavy periods, and being on over 5 varieties of birth control pills I was in the situation to try to have a baby. She is now a healthy 17 yr. old who I need to schedule at Children's Hospital to find out if she also has endometriosis. Six years later I had another healthy baby girl after giving up trying to conceive again. Due to ongoing bleeding and fibroid problems I had a complete hysterectomy at 41 yrs. old. Best thing I ever did for myself. If you are in the Cinti. area, I can recommend a great OBGYN. Goodluck and hope you are feeling better soon.
When Lupron was suggested for me I did some reaserch and did not like what I found out. I went for a second opinion to a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, Doctor Goldberg and he suggested that I not take the Lupron. Instead I took a different birth control pill, skipping the blanks so that I did not have a period at all. This helped me tremendously and I was able to function in my everyday life again...Best of Luck to you.
I took the Lupron series in 2000 after my first laporoscopy. I didn't take it after my second in 2005. I don't think i was any better for taking it than i was not. One thing I will say, my hips have never been the same. Eight years later my hips still ache. When I went in for months five and six, they hurt so bad that I had to lay across the table to get the injections because I could not hold myself up on one leg long enough for them to give me the injection. I had to sit on the bed to dress, I couldn't put total weight on one leg or the other, and it took almost 6 months after the cycle was complete before I could.
After my experience, I would only recommend you take ths medication for severe cases, and only if you are planning to have more children.
I had a laparoscopy and have been doing well since, with minimal pain. Before that I couldn't function because of adhesions from all of my organs. They recommended Lupron to make sure everything didn't grow back. I took it and DO NOT recommend it without doing all kinds of research first which it seems like you are doing. I know it reacts differently to everyone but, It made me crazy! I was only 21/22 at the time and it really is like being in menopause. Then if you go off of it all of the hormones come flooding back at the same time and make you feel like a lunatic. Not to mention weight gain. I know it doesn't matter how much pain I am in, I will not take it again.
Hope this helps, if you need anyone to talk to feel free to write back!
I have never used Lupron. I am 36 and had endometriosis after the birth of my second son. I was in terrible pain and can understand exactly what you are going through. I had two very beautiful, healthy, energetic boys and I could barely take care of them. I too had the laproscopic surgeries that did not work. Finally, at 28, I went to my gynecologist and told him to fix me or I would find someone who would. Now, I don't know if you are planning on more children, I was not, but the best solution for me was a hysterectomy. I don't regret it at all and I've felt so much better. I am on a low dose of hormone and will stay on it until I would normally go through menopause (about 45-50 yrs. old). I know 30 seems young for such a drastic measure, but 28 was even younger. Talk with your doctor...masking the problem with something (ie: drugs, injections) is not going to fix it. None of them are long term solutions. I, myself, refused to live that way until I went through menopause. Good Luck, J....I'll be praying for you.
Hi J.,
I was 15 when I had my first laproscopic surgery and that is when they discovered my endometriosis. I had two cyst one on each fallopian tube that they were going in to remove and when they were doing that they saw all the scaring from the endometriosis. Since I was so young they never even thought I could have such an advance level of endometriosis but no one could ever explain why I was always in so much pain. They lasered it when they were in there. That didn't last for very long and I was back missing school and activities and doubled over in pain. So my OBGYN at the time said to try a round of Lupron. I do not want to scare you. Do what you think is right for you but for me only being 16 it was the worst thing I could have done. Yes for that 6 months the pain got better not gone but better but I had so many side effects from the shots. The biggest one was hot flashes. I couldn't sleep because of them, all day long I would have them and couldn't foucus. They put me on estrogen patch to help with the hot flashes. That did not help. If anything made the whole situation worse. I gained about 40 lbs as a side effect. I have talked to others over the years who have done the Lupron Shots and all have said they would never do it again. It might be totally different for you though. One thing that worked for me for many years was taking a birth control called Desogen. I supressed my periods by skipping the sugar pills ( the 4th week in the packet) and started a new pack of pills for that 4th week. The new birth controls that say you will only have 4 periods a year are nice but not for endometriosis. You will spot and not be regular which makes the endometriosis flare up. I also use a magnetic pad that helped ease the pain a little. It is like the magnetic bracelets people wear for arthritsis. Do you plan to have more kids? Did being pregnant help? Well I could probably go on for days but I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me.
~A.
I do not have endometriosis, but I am a massage therapist and trained midwife...I wondered if you have explored Chinese medicine/acupuncture at all? It is the most researched of all Chinese medicine therapies and is INCREDIBLY effective. They can work with moms who are breastfeeding as well. There are several experienced practitioners in the Louisville area. Feel free to contact me for specific contact information.
I had the Lupron shots about 15-20 years ago. To be truthful I don't how long they helped but I ended up still having to have lap's done in the years following. I only had the side effect you mentioned, hot flashes and my dr. told me to take two tums x-strenght to make up for the bone loss. As they tell you I did not have my period during the time of the shots but I honestly don't remember if the pain came back as soon as my period came back. I was getting bad migraines and my doctor offered to put me on Seasonal (you only have periods 4 times a year) but I was just about ready to try and get pregant so I didn't do that. Since then I've heard some bad things about it so whatever you decide, do the research!
Good Luck,
C.
I have never heard of Lupron, but I did want to bring up a new treatment that my aunt recieved and she says it is the best thing ever! She had a relatively new treatment called a uterine ablasion, in which they insert a balloon type thing un the uterus, blow it up and heat it up, cauterizing most of te uterus. She said it's great, and she has never been happier. She did have trouble finding a Dr. to do though, so good luck. I know this isn't a direct answer to your question, but thought it might help.
J.,
Although I have never taken Lupron, it was "heavily pushed" by a previous gyno of mine.... I did a large amount of research prior to making the decision, and decided against it. The most disturbing thing I found was that it often causes menopause in women way too young to go through menopause! I'm not sure if you are planning to have anymore children, but I would do A LOT of research before you make your decision. There are many, many, many options for pain management that may not change your life forever! I would even get another opinion from a different gyno. I have been in pain for 10 years now, (ages 17-27), and completely feel your pain and frustration. I can't do things I want or ever consider normal, and I don't sleep well either. Good luck, I'll keep you in my thoughts!
Hi J.,
In 2001 we found a fibroid tumor on my uterus and prior to my doctor removing it he wanted to shrink it. He suggested Lupron and I took it. It did its job of shrinking the tumor so I received a much smaller incision and there was less risk when removing it. The only side effect that I can report is horrible hot flashes for months. Other than that I don't believe I have any long term effects. Good luck in your decision!
L.
