Lupron for Endometriosis

[wubbie3]

Hey all... I had my post-op recheck today, and the gyn and I were going over things I can do. Apparently she wasn't even able to get all the endo out since there was some on the other ovary, and a small patch right over a major blood vessel or something. Ick.
She's given me three suggestions. One is a BC called Loestrin24Fe that I guess means you only have a period for three days. Second was the Depo-Provera shot, and third was the Lupron Depot shot.
She's wanting to lean to the Lupron.
I'm so confused. This endo thing sucks, and knowing that I'm going to have to deal with it for the rest of my life sucks more. Plus, while I never was gung-ho to have children, now the option has pretty much been taken away. I didn't even know I had endo..... The endometrial cyst rupturing and spilling endo everywhere is what made me go to a gyn in the first place. I was 27 and had never been. Talk about a kick in the pants!
Can I get some insight on what method is most effective and safe to at least put a tight lid on this endo?
Help! I have piles of literature for all three things, and none of them manage to explain what will happen to the endo on this stuff. All they tell me is that I won't cycle. Well, I get that part.... but I'm not understanding the rest, and my gyn apparently thinks I'm smarter than I feel, because she knows I understand medical terms, so I'm thinking she feels that I understand all this.
Help again! *sigh*
Any advice from people who have taken any of these routes?
~Marianne

[Mary 53]

Yep...Wubbie, google these words   progesterone for endometriosis   (all three) and just wait. Wow. First site that comes up discusses the whole pregnancy/progesterone thing. Now....this is not to say you need to get pregnant :) ...but, bioidentical progesterone from a compounding pharmacist might just be your answer. Make sure you call it bioidentical progesterone. You do not want progestin. That is the synthetic (I see this is addressed in one of the google "hits" too)form of progesterone and well, nooooo, you don't want that. But, many people, doctors included, will use progesterone and progestin simultaneously.

Catch you in a bit. Mary

[Mary 53]

This is very interesting. I was just going to google some ideas for you, Marianne...and get back to you on the other post you left for me regarding rolling. But, I have heard of bioidentical progesterone as a natural remedy for endometriosis....by balancing out the estrogen you take away any chance of the excess estrogen feeding the endo. Now, if you think about it, the time in your life when  you are making the utmost progesterone is when you are pregnant....AH HA! Let's look into this. More later. Sorry, I am posting in dribs and drabs this weekend.

Mary

[wubbie3]

My gyn wants to do the full 6 month treatment. One thing the brochures don't mention is side effects or risks of the medication itself. Obviously I know the side effects of not having estrogen (same as normal menopause), but what about the drug itself?
~Marianne

[PPhelps]

I didn't have endo that severe, but getting pregnant seemed to be my cure. My dr's said there was no evidence of endo at my last lap on 4-7-06 for scar tissue. My first lap was in 2001 for endo. The doctor said I must have been pregnant at the time of surgery, but it was during the traveling stage. The embryo hadn't attached yet. I seemed to be a natural cure for me.

[wubbie3]

I have absolutely no desire to get pregnant. (Plus, you need to have a significant other/husband/something)
Small children and I do not get along... Plus, I'm only 28 (as of this weekend) and don't really want to think about starting a family yet.

[wubbie3]

I have absolutely no desire to get pregnant. (Plus, you need to have a significant other/husband/something)
Small children and I do not get along... Plus, I'm only 28 (as of this weekend) and don't really want to think about starting a family yet.

[suzsen]

I took a shot of Lupron before my hysto to reduce the blood loss when the took out my uterus.  The dr warned me of all sorts of possible side-effects: hot flashes, night sweats, etc -- but I never had ANY side-effects at all.

I think a shot of Lupron lasts 30 days.  You can take it for up to 6 months, but no longer (especially at your young age) because it puts you into temporary menopause and if you take it too long you could get osteoporosis (thinning bones).

The theory is that during the time you're on Lupron, there is nothing to "feed" the endometriosis so it will shrink and maybe go away completely.  If it does come back, it will be smaller and will take a while to grow again, so it should be at least temporary relief.

I had a friend who refused to try Lupron because she heard it was so awful, but as I said I had NO trouble with it.  But I only took it for one month.

[susieq_not]

I am recently diagnosed with endometriosis and they recommended an IUD with progesterone - I think it's called Mirena - I THINK. Anyway, it is supposed to stop the cycles too. I don't know much about anything other than lupron and they recommended that for me also. I quickly refused because it basically shuts down your ovaries. I have no intentions of doing anything permanent. Anyway sorry I can't be of more help.