Lupron ? I don't think so

[confused Lex]

My God ...I just don't know what I would be doing right now if I hadn't found you all ...

Thank you so much for being here ..
I'm sorry that we all have our reasons for being here ..but no one can possibly understand better then those who are living the nightmare.

Now ..

AnotherKatie ..you asked why the hyster..
Adhesions(from previous surgerys and watching and waiting on this cysts way to long I think ) ...have everything a mess in there and my Dr's suggest I get this over once and for all ..or I will surely be back for more surgery.Also my small bowel is tangled up in this mess ..expect to lose some of that as well .
Both ovarys are a mess and the left with the complex cyst is attached to my bowel now .It's an owie I might add.

Seen a new Surgeon today ..very nice Lady but ...
Always a but eh ..
She first told me with the amount of adhesions I have I didn't have to worry about torsion or rupture ..
Ahhhh...
Is it me or is something wrong with that statement ?

Anyway ..she proceeded to ask me if I wouldn't mind trying Lupron for a while and see what happens ..
What happens I say ?
She says a trial run at menopause ..
and then surgery..
Ahhh put it off she says to try on menopause for size.. what I'm facing either today or tommorow ..why should I want to do this ?
Can I change my mind and not have menopause if I don't like it ?

Am I wrong here?

She is the chief of Obstetrics at St Mikes here ..

I really left her office with my head spinning .
And my least worrysome thought was the 485.$ canadian she wants per shot ....

continuing....

[confused Lex]

Thanks Marianne for your input ..
The more I hear the more I know I am doing the right thing ....by refusing it ...
I have researched many things and many drugs before ..part of my job as well ..so i'm pretty  good at finding reputable sites ..and I will tell you it was distressing to see so many documented side effects and so many negative reviews from both Doctors and patients alike .
I have yet to find anything positive about this ..but in all fairness I am still looking ..
But still not taking it n o matter what i find..almost all the side effects I have already without the Lupron and I am not looking to worsen my condition or postpone the inevitable ..
Don't know why Dr.s feel the need to take extra unecessary steps to cover their behinds at the expense of the patients well being ..What happened to the hipocratic oath ...?
Thou shalt do no harm ....hummm
Is the term to unrealistic in our modern society where the all mighty dollar rules ..?
I have to wonder ..
Sorry I think I'm starting to rant ..lol
Stopping here and saying thank you again ..all input is greatfully recieved and has made all the difference in my decisions .
Thank you Thank you
Hugs ..Lex

[wubbie3]

My gyn suggested Lupron after my surgery (moderate case of endo, mainly from a leaking chocolate cyst).
Thought about it, read all the nice little packages of info (got a really nice little letter-sized carry case out of it), said "this might not be bad... it mimics your natural menopause and menopause is really mild (and early) for women in my family".
Then I got online and did some REAL research on Lupron. Holy geeze, talk about non-listed side effects! I even took the initial call from the nurse at TAP pharmacuticals. Apparently they have a program that talks with you before, during, and after the drug therapy to monitor effects, give info, etc. The lady was a registered nurse working specifically for TAP and Lupron, and couldn't answer some of my questions. I work in medical claims (ok, for horse insurance, but alot of the drugs and functions are the same, so I know anatomy and how things effects other things). I was asking her the specifics on how the estrogen was supressed (ie. at the ovary, the pitituary, etc). She told me that the Lupron supresses LH and FSH at the pitituary. Ok...so I asked if the drug is keyed specifically to LH and FSH (so it would only affect those two hormones). The answer was no.... So that means that it can supress ANY hormone produced by the pitituary! It's only supposed to work on LH and FSH, but some of the side effects would say otherwise. I am pre-diabetic (major family history and have all the markers), and used to suffer from severe migranes (and happen to be severely allergic to almost all the treatments), and Lupron can effect both those things. She also wouldn't tell me if there were any documented side effects to the drug itself (unless she didn't even know... all she could tell me were the side effects of estrogen supression).
I saw some reactions that were great.... people were saying that it had pretty much saved their lives with only minor hot flashes, and saw others that said they had recurring, horrible problems for up to five years after they had finished.
My case of endo was not as severe as some.... so why the heavy duty high-dose kill-it-all drug? I think I'd rather have somewhere to go if the Depo I'm on doesn't work.
If in 10 years they tell me that I have to have another endo-cleaning surgery, I'm probably going to opt for a hyster and get it over with. Better regular hormone therapy then something that can mess with your systems for life.
Oh, and if they only want $485 Canadian... you're lucky. It was nearly $1000 per shot (US) for mine.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
~Marianne

[confused Lex]

Hi ..
You are right Dian07 ..I haven't seen one personally yet but..one will be present or at the very least within arms reach during my surgery ..Here in Toronto things seem to be done a little differenly...you cannot just find a gyn/onc and make an appt ..You hve to be recommended and if there is no proof of cancer you will be waiting a long time .
The 2 surgeons that were selected for my sugery ..both had equal xtra training in sugical procedures same as any oncoligist...they both just chose different fields after training ..I seen them both ..made my choice ..and now the party is being arranged ...we all meet ..all 4 surgeons that wil be in the OR with me on june 27th  for our mutual agreement signing ;) and away I go ..So it seems the only way to get a gyn/onc in your operating room here is through the back door ...lol j/k but I guess they show their faces when it requested by another surgeon maybe as a courtesy or I hope as a precautionary move ..either way ..Glad he'll be there assisting ..Shouldn't say he'll ...evey Doc I have is female so for ..except the one I work with and he used to be my Doc ..lol
Anyway ..I want you to know ..I feel wonderful knowing that a special group of ladies are watching over me here ..and are not backing down when it comes to helping make the right choices .
Thanks Dian07 ...I apreciate your kind concern about my Doc choices .
I don't know if this forum was always like this or I just got really lucky to be here at a time when so many wonderful human beings were all in one place at the same time ..but..
I Thank God for my new family..
Hugs for all ..Lex

[dian07]

Hello there....I really do think if you have not seen a gyn/onc (and I have not heard when or where that has happened) that would be a good idea....I really do think it is imperative to seek a consult with a gyn/oncologist as we fall into their specialty arena....they are trained to deal with the problems we present ......these are the people we want to do our surgery.....they are the ones who will give us the best chance of a sucessful surgery as well as a good prognosis. Please do seek the advice and treatment of a gyn/oncologist.
Peace.
dian

[Mishelle]

I am one who tried Lupron talk about misery... And I still managed to produce cysts. The bone pain is horrible. It is terribly expensive. It may have some uses for some people and in some circumstances, but for me it just put off the inevitable. I also worked in the medical field and any depot takes up residence in ur fat cells, therefore u are stuck with it for awhile. Erika

[confused Lex]

Thanks for helping me feel confident in my decision to get it over with  ..I was lucky enough to have some options layed out for me ..and some truths as well.I choose what I felt would be the more sensible route and hopefully this will keep me off the operating table for any more of this stuff again.

Kinda have to wonder though if i was told about choices and manuvered into  doing it all ...lol
Always analyzing things to death I am ..lol
I can't say I blame my surgeons though..from what I have been told it's a mess in there ..they will probably need a map and some search and rescue dogs...lol...and if it's that bad I wouldn't want to take that trip twice if I were them ;)

I hope all goes well for you.
Takecare ..Lex

[confused Lex]

Thanks for your kind words ..
I will say to you my fellow Canadian ..our country is backwards when it comes to female issues ...just barely out of the dark ages I'd say ..
You must fight for what you want here and don't back down.These doc's here get that holyier then thou attitude here and you don't have to take it ..it's your body ...do your research on reputable sites only ...and the ladies here are a treasure trove of info. Arm yourself and get ready to tell them when you feel enough is enough . The sqeaky wheel theory really does work here ..I think in my case they probably got tired of me telling them their job ..and I work in the Medical field so I used that card too...lol
Hey ..a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do ..right ?

Anyhow. ..I'm glad to hear your not gonna use the rx for lupron.. and if you feel you want it out then demand it ...someone will give in :)
I wish you all the best and Godspeed in your recovery ..whichever route you choose to get there..
Takecare ..Lex

[MickeyVicki]

Geez, my spelling is awful tonight.  If some of that does not make any sense to you, then ask me to clarify!!

[MickeyVicki]

My doctor recommended Lupron Depot for me after my surgery in 2004.  At surgery, we discovered that I have one awful case of endometriosis.  

However,  after considering the side effects, as well as the cost (I have no prescription coverage,)   I chose not to take the recommendation.  My doctor supported me completely, and immediately recommended some alternatives that were not as effective but not so troublesome in the side-effects department, and far less expensive.

All things considered, had I know what would be found at my surgery, and that I would subsequently develop more cysts (which resolved on their own, Praise be to God) as well as developing polyps in my uterus, then I would have requested a TAH/BSP instead of the "simple" removal of the mass/ovary/fallopian tube as I did in 2004.  But, we live and learn.

Honestly, I think that more doctors ought to lay out ALL the options for their patients,  surgical and non-surgical perhaps not putting pressure for any particular option ***unless, of course, cancer is a possibility*** and let the patients have more choice and understanding of their conditions and options.  I know women whose doctors have simply stated more or less that, "This is what I am going to do," and the poor women had, or at least felt they had, no choice at all.

[ticked]

rrrrrrrrrrr!!!

i just posted this long message to you but it all got deleted.

Anyhow.  I just wanted to say as a fellow canadian going through all of this i wish you luck.  I am still awaiting someone to do a lap on me.   I am on the watch and wait.  Its been about 6 months.  i started on BC last month (marvelon 28)  it has worked awesome for me.  My hormones are in check for the first time in a while.  I still have the lupron prescription in my purse but i dont think that i will use it.  my friend was on DEPO and she gained 50-60lbs in 2-3 yrs.  plus because she was on it for so long they are going to try to concieve it could take a couple of years for that to actually  happen.

That is all i have to offer :)

Angela

[confused Lex]

So July12th it is for me ..Surgery day...with origanl surgeon...I want all these aliens out of me ..I want my hormones balanced for once in my life (PCO) sufferer here and I want to get better ..hit the roller ball therapy Mary taught me about to beat back the adhesions I will no doubt get after the cut back the old ones..I want to go to aqua fit then yoga and get my life and body back ( I know this all is pending the outcome of the patholigists report during surg ) But i choose to be optomistic.

So what do you think my sisters of the heart ?

Have I lost my mind or am I just having bad luck with doctors ?

I know you ladies will come through for me with all you good sense/good advive and understanding ..
I await your reponses..and tommorow ...I... will be out book shopping ;)

Thank you so very much for all your help..
Lex..

PS: posted all this on yesterdays questions but figured we all look forward here not back ;)

confused Lex
06/08/2006
C10 . Ladies /Cysters

This is what I've found on Lupron ..

USES: This medication is a synthetic hormone. When it is used, the body stops producing testosterone hormones in males and estrogen hormones in females. When the medication is stopped, hormone levels return to normal. Leuprolide is used in the treatment of prostate cancer in men, early puberty in children, and anemia (due to uterine fibroid tumors) in women.

OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for ovarian or breast cancer in women.

SIDE EFFECTS: Adults - This medication may cause nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, night sweats, bone pain, swelling of feet and ankles, headache, or difficulty urinating the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. This medication may cause reduced sexual desire. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following while using this medication: rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, painful urination, testicular or prostate pain (men), persistent irritation at the injection site. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: severe headache, vision changes, severe drowsiness, unusual or one-sided weakness. Children - This medication may cause general pain, acne, irritation at injection site, vaginal inflammation or discharge (females). The medication may rarely cause swelling of hands or feet, weight gain, headache, nervousness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, gingivitis, or trouble swallowing. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.


My Goodness ..don't I already have all most of these problems ...
I should want more ..
Rather grow a third eye in the middle of my forehead ..I think ..lol
Lex