Comments on: Lupron Depot: My Side Effects http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:26:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Peggy Rowland http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-605831 Peggy Rowland Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:38:18 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-605831 Wow $600 a shot? It was only $450 when I got it back in 03. I've never understood the high cost of this drug. Hope it goes well Lindsey. Wow $600 a shot? It was only $450 when I got it back in 03. I’ve never understood the high cost of this drug.

Hope it goes well Lindsey.

]]> By: Lindsey http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-605571 Lindsey Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:31:40 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-605571 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis this August after having a ruptured cyst(endometrioma or chocolate cyst) on my left ovary. The doctor did a lap to remove the cyst and found stage 4 endo. He removed and all of the scar tissue that he could,scraped and also put in a sponge on my rear pelvic wall and over my left ovary to prevent more scar tissue from building up there. His treatment plan for me post op, was 6 months of Lupron, and urged me to check and make sure my insurance covered the 600 dollar a month shots. Honestly, I was terrified of going on Lupron after reading about all of the side effects and the horror stories that people have posted on the web (even some that have no relation to what Lupron does). The drug basically feeds too much agonist hormone to the pituitary gland, and causes the pituitary to physically exhaust itself, and then shut down, causing the temporary state of menopause, because it can't tell the ovaries to produce any estrogen. The pituitary gland controls more than just hormone production causing more of the side effects of the drug. Wikipedia has great info on this. I am going for my 4th shot this month. I can say that it hasn't been easy, but VERY effective at eliminating the symptoms of Endometriosis. The first two weeks I had a lot of endo symptoms, but had tons of energy, and a hard time sleeping, and some mild joint pain (nothing a little advil couldn't fix). Then all of the sudden around day 12 I started feeling mild hot flashes, that increased in frequency and strength and length throughout the days for about 3 - 4 weeks. The two weeks after my second shot where the worst. I only slept a few hours a night (nightsweats and insomnia), intense hotflashes every hour for 1-2 minutes,a mild headache everyday, and brain fog and tiredness. I went in for my second shot and asked if the symptoms would get any better, and the nurse said flat out... honestly no they wont...just bear with it a little while longer because this really works for a lot of women with endo. I then invested in a good desk fan for work, and some layered clothing. I am a private person, but felt it was important to share what I was going through with my co-workers so they understood why I might be red in the face, or a little foggy at work. Plus, then they wouldn't come to thier own conclusions about my odd behavior. I was just honest with them about what I was going through and they have been very supportive. My boyfriend is also very supportive, as I have ZERO sex drive and painful sex(this is wierd). I would also like to note that the better I eat during this treatment the better I feel. I have been drinking LOTS of water (you need it because you sweat a lot) limiting red meats, eliminatin gluten products, and eating only free range/organic fed chicken produce, and dairy products. I started eating poorly again around the holidays and I feel more moody and tired. Two weeks after the second shot (day 75) I finally started feeling better consistently. No periods, no endo pain, no more headaches. I can deal with a few months of hotflashes, heart palpitations, and mild moodswings for years of releif that my doctor says I will get from this treatment. I am supposed to follow up Lupron with birth control until I am ready to having children in the next 5 years or so. I'm not banking on absolute success, but keeping open mind, becoming educated about the disease and staying positive because I know that Lupron is not a "cure," but certainly focusing on the negative and being high strung doesn't help anything! Also, saving up for that "excision" surgery if I need it in the future. I wish the best to you ladies with Endo... It isn't easy, and everyone is different, but so far I have had lots of success with Lupron! I was diagnosed with Endometriosis this August after having a ruptured cyst(endometrioma or chocolate cyst) on my left ovary. The doctor did a lap to remove the cyst and found stage 4 endo. He removed and all of the scar tissue that he could,scraped and also put in a sponge on my rear pelvic wall and over my left ovary to prevent more scar tissue from building up there. His treatment plan for me post op, was 6 months of Lupron, and urged me to check and make sure my insurance covered the 600 dollar a month shots.
Honestly, I was terrified of going on Lupron after reading about all of the side effects and the horror stories that people have posted on the web (even some that have no relation to what Lupron does). The drug basically feeds too much agonist hormone to the pituitary gland, and causes the pituitary to physically exhaust itself, and then shut down, causing the temporary state of menopause, because it can’t tell the ovaries to produce any estrogen. The pituitary gland controls more than just hormone production causing more of the side effects of the drug. Wikipedia has great info on this.

I am going for my 4th shot this month. I can say that it hasn’t been easy, but VERY effective at eliminating the symptoms of Endometriosis. The first two weeks I had a lot of endo symptoms, but had tons of energy, and a hard time sleeping, and some mild joint pain (nothing a little advil couldn’t fix). Then all of the sudden around day 12 I started feeling mild hot flashes, that increased in frequency and strength and length throughout the days for about 3 – 4 weeks. The two weeks after my second shot where the worst. I only slept a few hours a night (nightsweats and insomnia), intense hotflashes every hour for 1-2 minutes,a mild headache everyday, and brain fog and tiredness. I went in for my second shot and asked if the symptoms would get any better, and the nurse said flat out… honestly no they wont…just bear with it a little while longer because this really works for a lot of women with endo. I then invested in a good desk fan for work, and some layered clothing. I am a private person, but felt it was important to share what I was going through with my co-workers so they understood why I might be red in the face, or a little foggy at work. Plus, then they wouldn’t come to thier own conclusions about my odd behavior. I was just honest with them about what I was going through and they have been very supportive. My boyfriend is also very supportive, as I have ZERO sex drive and painful sex(this is wierd). I would also like to note that the better I eat during this treatment the better I feel. I have been drinking LOTS of water (you need it because you sweat a lot) limiting red meats, eliminatin gluten products, and eating only free range/organic fed chicken produce, and dairy products. I started eating poorly again around the holidays and I feel more moody and tired.

Two weeks after the second shot (day 75) I finally started feeling better consistently. No periods, no endo pain, no more headaches. I can deal with a few months of hotflashes, heart palpitations, and mild moodswings for years of releif that my doctor says I will get from this treatment. I am supposed to follow up Lupron with birth control until I am ready to having children in the next 5 years or so. I’m not banking on absolute success, but keeping open mind, becoming educated about the disease and staying positive because I know that Lupron is not a “cure,” but certainly focusing on the negative and being high strung doesn’t help anything!
Also, saving up for that “excision” surgery if I need it in the future.
I wish the best to you ladies with Endo… It isn’t easy, and everyone is different, but so far I have had lots of success with Lupron!

]]> By: Catelynn http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-591830 Catelynn Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:52:54 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-591830 I had laprascopy in June to unblock my tubes and remove pelvic adhesions and treat infertility. Four months after, a hemorragic cyst had reached 7cm on my ovary and I had to go in for another lap. That is when they diagnosed my Stage IV Endo. One month after the lap, I was put on Lupron and have been on it for four weeks, so far. I had cramping during the first week, but since then no symptoms whatsoever. I am also using add-back therapy - and my RE made no indication that it would make the Lupron less effective. I was very nervous to even start Lupron, because I had done so much research and read all of the horror stories about the drug. I ultimately decided to take this path, because this is our last shot at conceiving naturally. The Lupron is only a treatment - not a cure, but it will give my body time to heal correctly without new Endo and tissue growth. While reading, I noticed most of these horror stories were experienced with the monthly injections, and I am currently on the 3-month injection. Maybe that is why there is such a drastic difference? Also, everyone is different and you never know how your body will react to anything. I just wanted to share my story and let women know that there are success stories along with the horror stories. Good luck to all... I had laprascopy in June to unblock my tubes and remove pelvic adhesions and treat infertility. Four months after, a hemorragic cyst had reached 7cm on my ovary and I had to go in for another lap. That is when they diagnosed my Stage IV Endo. One month after the lap, I was put on Lupron and have been on it for four weeks, so far. I had cramping during the first week, but since then no symptoms whatsoever. I am also using add-back therapy – and my RE made no indication that it would make the Lupron less effective.

I was very nervous to even start Lupron, because I had done so much research and read all of the horror stories about the drug. I ultimately decided to take this path, because this is our last shot at conceiving naturally. The Lupron is only a treatment – not a cure, but it will give my body time to heal correctly without new Endo and tissue growth.

While reading, I noticed most of these horror stories were experienced with the monthly injections, and I am currently on the 3-month injection. Maybe that is why there is such a drastic difference? Also, everyone is different and you never know how your body will react to anything. I just wanted to share my story and let women know that there are success stories along with the horror stories. Good luck to all…

]]> By: Peggy Rowland http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-511686 Peggy Rowland Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:50:06 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-511686 Barbara, I know I'm not Holly, but to answer your question in general, no - I didn't take add back. That should help with the side effects. My doc said it would be more effective if I didn't take the add back. However, this is just a treatment anyway, not a cure, so maybe that part doesn't matter so much. If I ever HAD to take it again (don't see that happening), I'd try the add back. It's pretty tough without it. Barbara, I know I’m not Holly, but to answer your question in general, no – I didn’t take add back. That should help with the side effects. My doc said it would be more effective if I didn’t take the add back. However, this is just a treatment anyway, not a cure, so maybe that part doesn’t matter so much. If I ever HAD to take it again (don’t see that happening), I’d try the add back. It’s pretty tough without it.

]]> By: Barbara http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-511583 Barbara Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:11:00 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-511583 Did you take ad back therapy with your lupron depot? I was going to take the Lupron but now am terrified after reading all these horror stories. Don't know what to do now. My doctor said the add back would lessen the side effects. I noticed most of the people who are posting are not mentioning weather or not they took ad back therapy. I am totally confused. Did you take ad back therapy with your lupron depot? I was going to take the Lupron but now am terrified after reading all these horror stories. Don’t know what to do now. My doctor said the add back would lessen the side effects. I noticed most of the people who are posting are not mentioning weather or not they took ad back therapy. I am totally confused.

]]> By: Peggy Rowland http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-480330 Peggy Rowland Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:50:43 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-480330 Eliabeth, If you're still having that much pain after your lap, perhaps you should seek out a more skilled surgeon. The endo lesions need to be surgically removed, cut out. Not everyone is as skilled with this. Some surgeons will just diagnose and free up scar tissue, leaving the lesions. That happened to me for my first surgery. If you have another surgery, be sure to ask exactly what will be done. Also, I think you may be worrying a little much about the Lupron. Be sure to ask your doctor about side effects, and not believe some of the extreme things you read on the web. Disfigurement is a bit out there! Yes, I've successfully taken birth control pills (with low dose estrogen - Loestrin) for endo. Ask your doc if that's an option for you. Eliabeth,
If you’re still having that much pain after your lap, perhaps you should seek out a more skilled surgeon. The endo lesions need to be surgically removed, cut out. Not everyone is as skilled with this. Some surgeons will just diagnose and free up scar tissue, leaving the lesions. That happened to me for my first surgery.

If you have another surgery, be sure to ask exactly what will be done. Also, I think you may be worrying a little much about the Lupron. Be sure to ask your doctor about side effects, and not believe some of the extreme things you read on the web. Disfigurement is a bit out there!

Yes, I’ve successfully taken birth control pills (with low dose estrogen – Loestrin) for endo. Ask your doc if that’s an option for you.

]]> By: Eliabeth S. http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-480181 Eliabeth S. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:47:14 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-480181 I took Lupron shots about 2 years ago. My experience with all the side effects are just like everyone else's. I had my last laproscopy after my last Lupron shot 2 years ago. Since then my period has gotten heavier every month, cramps more frequent and excrutiating each month, pain during sex which I never had before...and it feels like someone is ripping my cervix out. I have to lay there curled up in a ball, I sweat to death and feel like throwing up and passing out...all for about 30 minutes. I get this weird stabbing pain in my pelvic area that feels better when I push my stomach out. My appendix hurts every now and then. Pain shoots down into my thighs. I need to go back to have another Laproscopy obviously, but has anyone else taken any other medicines to decrease the pain of endometriosis? I just want to have kids one day and I will go through Lupron's horrible side effects if I have too. Also, I'm now gettin these weird indentions on my upper thighs...does anyone have that...I read Lupron can cause disfigurment??? I took Lupron shots about 2 years ago. My experience with all the side effects are just like everyone else’s. I had my last laproscopy after my last Lupron shot 2 years ago. Since then my period has gotten heavier every month, cramps more frequent and excrutiating each month, pain during sex which I never had before…and it feels like someone is ripping my cervix out. I have to lay there curled up in a ball, I sweat to death and feel like throwing up and passing out…all for about 30 minutes. I get this weird stabbing pain in my pelvic area that feels better when I push my stomach out. My appendix hurts every now and then. Pain shoots down into my thighs. I need to go back to have another Laproscopy obviously, but has anyone else taken any other medicines to decrease the pain of endometriosis? I just want to have kids one day and I will go through Lupron’s horrible side effects if I have too. Also, I’m now gettin these weird indentions on my upper thighs…does anyone have that…I read Lupron can cause disfigurment???

]]> By: Holly http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-449427 Holly Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:30:25 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-449427 i was on lupron for 6 months and it has been the best 6 months of my life, ya there were side affects but they were nothing compared to the pain that i have been having for 13 years. never knew what it would feel like to be pain free but it is awesome i would do it a thousand times over. i was on lupron for 6 months and it has been the best 6 months of my life, ya there were side affects but they were nothing compared to the pain that i have been having for 13 years. never knew what it would feel like to be pain free but it is awesome i would do it a thousand times over.

]]> By: Katie http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-421533 Katie Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:26:27 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-421533 I am a 27 year old nurse that has only seen lupron used for treatment of male prostate cancer prior to my diagnosis of endometrosis and I knew that it made those poor men crazy wheb they were on it so I was scared prior to treatment but my doctor laid everything out all the possibilities and side effects and gave me lots of reading material, and after ending up in the ER 2 times in such sever endometrosis pain I decided to go on the Lupron. I have been on lupron plus add-back since july I have had 2 injections and have not had a side effect one. I am taking 2000mg of calcium so suffer from constapation related to that. My endometrosis pain is nearly non-existant now I am glad for lupron, but very sorry that you all did not get the same benifits that I did. For people out there it is not always bad for everyone it is going to be different from person to person but it is always good to get all sides before making such a big decision! I am a 27 year old nurse that has only seen lupron used for treatment of male prostate cancer prior to my diagnosis of endometrosis and I knew that it made those poor men crazy wheb they were on it so I was scared prior to treatment but my doctor laid everything out all the possibilities and side effects and gave me lots of reading material, and after ending up in the ER 2 times in such sever endometrosis pain I decided to go on the Lupron. I have been on lupron plus add-back since july I have had 2 injections and have not had a side effect one. I am taking 2000mg of calcium so suffer from constapation related to that. My endometrosis pain is nearly non-existant now I am glad for lupron, but very sorry that you all did not get the same benifits that I did. For people out there it is not always bad for everyone it is going to be different from person to person but it is always good to get all sides before making such a big decision!

]]> By: Janice http://www.blisstree.com/articles/lupron-depot-my-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-352965 Janice Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:20:45 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=66065#comment-352965 I was on the Lupron Depo shot last year and what a mess. It was bad from day 1. I started feeling the side effects in a matter of days from excruciating painful cramps to hot flashes and flu like symptoms. After my third shot I couldnt get out of bed anymore, I went back to my Dr and told him of my side effects that he had not even been made aware of by the drug company. It is more than a year later since I have received any of these shots and I am still not right to this day. Please if anyone is going to consider this drug for treatment of your condition, please look into it further with your Dr. before making any mistakes like I did. I was on the Lupron Depo shot last year and what a mess. It was bad from day 1. I started feeling the side effects in a matter of days from excruciating painful cramps to hot flashes and flu like symptoms. After my third shot I couldnt get out of bed anymore, I went back to my Dr and told him of my side effects that he had not even been made aware of by the drug company.

It is more than a year later since I have received any of these shots and I am still not right to this day. Please if anyone is going to consider this drug for treatment of your condition, please look into it further with your Dr. before making any mistakes like I did.

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