Lupron Depot and Endometriosis

[Kaa0218]

I am 27 years old and was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis 7 years ago. I have had 4 laps in which I have had an appendectomy, chocolate cysts, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endo everywhere (all reproductive organs, bowels, bladder, and diaphragm). I have been on just about every birth control on the market and have had multiple lupron depot treatments, with my longest being 9 months. My last lap was in June 2012 and around October I began having my normal endo symptoms of back pain, cramping, and heavy bleeding despite being on continuous birth control. I toughed it out as long as I could but in March 2013 my doctor convinced me to try lupron again, despite several attempts in the past where it was not effective. I did the 3 month dose in March and experienced heavy bleeding (which my physician identified as breakthrough bleeding)one week before the injection, two weeks into the injection, and every month up until May 2013 (sometimes twice in one month). These were not light periods but heavy bleeding for 5-9 days with clotting. I was also on add back therapy, which they tried to increase the dosage to stop my periods but that was only a quick fix and the bleeding eventually returned. I also experienced side effects typical of lupron such as forgetfulness, hot flashes, night sweats, and a small amount of weight gain. I never felt like the medication was effective the entire time I took it but my doctor insisted that I was not ovulating and it was working. Towards the end of the injection I was sexually active and a week after began feeling pregnancy like symptoms such as sore nipples, N&V, diarrhea which turned into constipation, acne, very emotional, cramping in pelvic area, changes in cervical mucus, and a constant feeling that AF was coming but never came. I took many pregnancy tests but were all negative although I can't shake the feeling of being pregnant. I went to my doctor and he did a pelvic exam and urine test which he ruled out pregnancy because my uterus was small ( I have a retroverted uterus) but did not want to do a blood test. He also noticed an increase in endometriosis, which proved that the lupron was not effective. I convinced him to do a blood test which I am waiting for the results but he explained my symptoms as being a rebound effect from the lupron suppressing my estrogen. I have tried to research this theory and have found nothing on it as well as no other women that bled through the entire 3 months of lupron and it was still effective. Any ideas of what may be going on?? I still feel as though I may be pregnant and the urine test isn't picking up and it may be too soon for an ultrasound.

[Kaa0218]

Thank you for your response. I was told the Lupron would shrink what was there and prevent any new developments. Since I have taken it several times in the past I knew that couldn't be the case. As for birth control pills most would work for a couple of months and then I would bleed through them regardless if I had a scheduled period or changed the dose. As for the surgeries I've had both done. I will look into the surgery you mentioned. Have you ever heard of this rebound effect that they're now trying to convince me of? I personally still think it could be pregnancy but my doctor is fixated on Lupron preventing me from ovulating regardless of the frequent heavy bleeding and an estrogen surge to explain my current symptoms.

[ticked]

You can get pregnant on Lupron that I know.

Some people bleed no matter what hormone they take.

I am not sure if you are aware or not but no medication at all stops Endo from growing. Lupron is a drug that shouldn't even be in the market. I too have been there done that.

That being said did any of those pills suppress you period?

When you have had these surgeries have they excused the Endo or just laser it out?

You might want to talk to your doctor about a presacral neurectomy . That is when they sever the nerves to the uterus to shut off the pain signal to the brain . I had one in 2007.

It is used when someone has severe Endo or heavy bleeding