Question Title: Adverse reaction to Lupron

I received one shot of 3.75mg of Depot Lupron in Nov. of 97 for a IVF and have had serious medical problmes for the last ll months. Within 4 hrs of receiving the shot I had severe hip bone pain and nausea. The IVF failed and I stayed into a menopausal state, my estrogen dropped from over l000 to l3 and my progesterone from 680 to .2, my menstrual cycles have always been normal prior to the IVF, our infertility cause has to do with my husband. Within 2 wks of the failed IVF and having had no period, I began having intense adrenaline rushes up the left side of my throat (the shot was given on my right buttocks) and rushes from my heart. These adrenaline rushes would wake me up from sleep and were quite frightening. Right before I would have an adrenaline rush both of my arms would go completely numb. My heart rate would plummet to l80-200. I was hospitalized after having l0 in a row with an intense feeling of impending doom. The cardiologist ruled out pheochromocytoma with a 24hr. catecholomine urinalysis and R/O carcinoid syndrome by abdomial CT Scan. Heart echo showed mitral regurgition but no prolapse. All thyroid tests were WNL. Only the hormonal levels were abnormal. I have no hx. of anxiety or panic attacks or depression. I have been a neonatal intensive care unit nurse for 9 yrs. I also have 6 yr. old twins from a prior IVF with no problems during that procedure. I saw a endocrinologits who diagnosed me with hyperadregenic state possibly related to side effects of Lupron. I began tenormin 25 mg. bid, zanax 0.25mg q 4hr's. Cardiologist tried me on Zoloft and all symptoms were increased in severity and made me sicker. I began loosing weight and continued to have parasthesia in my sternum along with adrenaline rushes. Had a sleep study done which showed SVT, PVC's without pauses and sleep apnea and repeated arousal from sleep with no known etiology. (I would wake up 4-8 times per night for 9 months) Had upper GI in April showed no reflux, but started Prilosec for 2 months with some relief. In Oct. had my first period in l0 months and all symptoms increased in severity, which continues whenever I ovulate now or right before my period. My hormone levels are still all over the place, but slowly seem to be improving. I began Serzone and very gradually increased dosage to 50mg bid and it has helped to sleep for the first time in l0 months. However the sternum burning is still so painful and intense that I cannot eat at times for days, my activity level is still very limited, I can only do things for 3 hrs and then the burning and pain is too much along with extreme fatigue. Only lying down or doing yoga helps calm my nervous system back down. Dr.'s say possible another year before I am recovered and that I may never fully recover. I am going to see a gasteroenterolgist Dec. 2l and schedule a scope to see if burning is from too much acid or if its just parasthesia. Do you know much about Lupron and any of these side effects that I have been experiencing over the last 11 months? I am still completely disabled and sometimes get really discouraged with all of these medical problems. Prior to the Lupron I was very healthy, ran 5 miles 5x weekly, and was very fit and active with my family. Have continued in therapy for support, but still looking for answers. Thanks for your time, I know this is a long story.

Merry Christmas,

Debi

Dear Debi:

Wow, I have never heard or read about a reaction to Lupron like you had last so long after one dose. As you know, lupron is used as a fertility medication to get the women to ovulate. The mechanism is hormonal and as you can atest to, it sure works on the nervous system controlled by the hypothalmus. Since your autonomic nervous system is out of wack, I would stay away from medications that alter it, such as SSRI and even over the counter alpha agonists. What you are doing is correct. As you force your nervous system to calm down or increase the parasympthetic tone, you will over-ride the sympthetic system. I bet when you get stressed things really start to hop, literally, I bet you are constipated too. I am not sure how long it will take to get back to normal. There is a pulse generator that runs the release of the releasing factors in the hypothalmus. Once this pacemaker is altered, it likely will take time to reset. I imagine that you have stomach problems, so I would try and make sure your on an antacid medication or something to reduce the flow of acid into your stomach. I hope that things resolve soon. I wish that I could have been more help. I know that controlling the releasing factors in the hypothalmus is big time research. I would go to the internet and start searching in the IVF stuff to see if others have had your problem. I will look and ask around and if I find anything, I will post it. Let us know if there is help that we can give.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS

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