Laparoscopy or Lupron?

[lm2424]

I have been in and out of doctors and gynecologists and the hospital for the past 3 months.  I have sever abdominal cramping every single day for the past 3 months.  I also have groin, sides, and lower back pain.  The pain is sometimes stabbing and sometimes achy or cramplike.  I have also been spotting in between periods, and my period has been irregular.  My last gyno kept trying to send me somewhere else.  I have had just xrays, ct scans, ultrasounds, 9 things of blood drawn, 2 urine tests, 3 pelvic exams, and everything has come back fine. I finally went to a new doctor today and he suggested I go on Lupron. He also said I could chose to have a laparoscopy.  But he recommended the Lupron. I got home and looked it up and have seen some pretty horrible symptoms.  And I am just wondering, is it smart to go on Lupron before they even know if i have endometriosis? Or should i get the lap done to be sure? Do my symptoms sound like endometriosis to anyone. The doctor today told me that he's not sure it's endo because it is everyday, he said if it was endo it would be cyclical, and worse around ovulation or my period. But if he doesn't think its that, then why is he trying to put me on Lupron? I am so confused, and the pain is just so unbearable.  I just don't know what to do. And I would love to get some input from someone who has been through this, because I just feel like doctor's don't know enough about endo, or just want to push me off on someone else.

[kellekellz410]

i was having the same symptoms including extreme nausia. was in and out the hospital every month but my symptoms only occured around my period. i had a laparoscopy and they determined i did have endo when i was 17. (i am now 21) i tried every type of birth control and nothing worked. i have also been told by several doctors that the lupron is my best bet. i would suggest that you get the lap done first to see if you in fact do have endo cuz the side effects to lupron apparentlly arent the best. i got the lupron about 3 weeks ago and havent noticed anything yet but i guess the true test is next week when i should be due for my period. if you do have endo its important you get help because i know first hand how much it *****!  it may not be cureable but it can be managed. the goal to treating it is to prevent you from getting your period so if you dont want the lupron you could try birth control and skipping over the sugar pills and start the next pack.. or the depot shot. (didnt help for me but everyone is different.) the laparoscopy is a small operation with min recovery time and VERY little scaring. i went to work the next day and you cant even tell i had it done. but if you do have endo they can remove most or all of it during the lap. but it will come back. the lupron shot stops the production of hormones which prevents you from getting a period which then shirnks the endo cells and they eventually go away. after the 6 month treatment the best thing to do is go on the depot shot since the lining of the uterus is very thin from not menstrating, to prevent the growths to spread again. i hope this helps and everything works out for you, i know its very frustrating! but get the lap done, what do you have to lose. it could be life changing

[Neta100]

Hi there.  I know that it can be scary, but you have first of all to find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable and then go on from there.  I had a 6 cm endometrioma and endo, but my PF said that I had cancer and that he needed to remove everything and I don't have kids.  I was shocked and depressed, but I started searching on line and talking to doctors until I found a doctor whom I could trust and who was also worried about my fertility and not just open me up.

He did a laparotomy last December and removed the endometrioma, did washings and was able to preserve my reproductive organs.  I had no symptoms related to endometriosis, but I had it.  Then, I had the 3-month Lupron shot and 9 months after I feel pretty well.  I still have some side effects from the Lupron, but the Lupron helps you control the endometriomisis and improve your fertility.

In my opinion, both the surgery and the Lupron were worth being done.

Best wishes,

Neta

[ALSELM]

I was going through the same thing this past spring.  I went to one gyn and she said that the only thing that I could do was go on the Lupron, but the side effects are said to be pretty bad.  I got a second opinion and the doctor said I could have a laparoscopy or go on the Lupron.  I chose the laparoscopy.  She was able to remove all the end (there was a lot).  Now I am just on the pill which I take continuously, and I feel great.  I would suggest have the laparoscopy and then see how you feel.  At least you'll have peace of mind that it is endo before choosing to proceed with the Lupron.

[ticked]

I would recommend NOT to take the lupron unless you have had a laproscopy done to rule out endo.  You do not want to take Lupron unless you have to.  After my surgery I was diagnosed with stage IV endo and i was given lupron to take for 6 months. after 3 months i had to come off of it because i had such severe joint pain and depression.  i would never recommend every taking that medication.  I would however try taking a birth control continuously and see if that makes a difference before you have surgery.  

[teddybears4ever2]

I would take the Lupon, but I've been told I don't weigh enough.  I would say have a lap, because if you are anything like me you may very well have endo so bad that you need a laporotmy (sp).  I have stage four and am scared to death about it.  I have to live with it.
As far as I know I'm the only one in my family that has this.  
Knowing for sure eases your mind some, but it can also have its drawbacks.  

[mkseym]

I would recommend having the surgery first to make sure it is endo. The surgery is not all that bad and that way you will know.  Otherwise you will just wonder if you made the rihgt decision to go on the Lupron.  After the surgery if you do have endo then I would recommend the Lupron.  If you are having that much pain and it is from endo the Lupron will help and I know the side effect sound scary and horrible but for the most part they are better than the pain.  Unfortunately we have to choose which we want to feel.  I hate the side effects of Lupron but for sure have a ton less pain when on it.  I have been on Lupron twice for 6 months each time and had 4 surgeries.  I had more pain relief with the Lupron than any of the surgeries.  They help but not as well as Lupron.  I would talk to your doctor about doing the surgery.

The other piece of advice I have is make sure you really like your doctor and have a good relationship.  That is so very important when dealing with things like this.  You need to have someone you can trust and will listen to you.

Good luck, let us know what you decide!

[babyblue2449]

Your symptoms are the same as mine.In the last 6 months i have been to the ER 6 times. They did all the same tests that you had. All they found was either a cyst on my ovary or fluid in my abdomin. My gyno put me on the pill and i had a reaction to it. So now i am to have a laparoscopy to determine if i have endo. The ONLY way they can tell if you have endo is by doing this procedure! Tell your doctor that you want the surgery first, then you will know for sure if you have endo or not. Then if you have it, you can decide on the best course of treatment. Hope i helped. Feel free to message me if you want.