Lupron shots

[Neta100]

Hi there.  I am a 38 year old woman with no kids who was diagnosed a year ago with uterine fibroids and a 6 cm cyst of unknown etiology.  They ran TVUS, abdominal US and the cancer markers (CA - 125, CA 19-9) of which the one for ovarian cancer came elevated.  Since then I started the battle of trying to find out what my best option was and finally after making sever medical consults and searching on line, I decided to get operated.

Last Saturday the GYN did an abdominal laparotomy and found out that I had a huge endometrioma and of course endometriosis.  The surgery went well and the doctor was able to preserve my uterus, ovaries and tubes since I don't have kids and I still wish to do so.  Almost a week later I feel pretty well, a little bloated but I am able to walk and move around.

The doctor recommended a 6 month lupron shot in order to treat the endometriosis and was wondering if there is someone who has undergone this treatment and her experience with it.

By the way, a little history on my condition.  I have never really had any problems with my periods (heavy bleeding, pain, pain during intercourse, long periods) and just by coincidence in an abdominal MRI they found out that I supposedly had uterine fibroids and a cyst of unknown etiology.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Neta

[Silvara]

I was put on a 3mos course of Lupron before my fibroid surgery in '00.  It was supposed to shrink the fibroids and make them less vascular so I wouldn't have as much chance of having bleeding problems in surgery.  The smaller they were, the easier it would be for my Dr to remove them w/out big cuts on my uterus.  

I didn't have any terrible side effects with the lupron.  Everyone is different, though.  I didn't get hot flashes or anything like that and I was grateful!  However, the Depo Provera shot gave me terrible mood swings and temper tantrums.  

I hope the Lupron works for your endo.  Good luck!

[Neta100]

To affierros:
Hi there.  I went in for surgery because the TVUS revealed uterine fibroids and a 6 cm on the left ovary of an unknown etiology.  The GYN was able to drain the endometrioma and he did washings in order to clean everything up and didn't remove my ovary. As far as I know you need treatment for endometriosis, or at least in my case, because I still want to have kids.

To Laney: Thanks for the info.  I tried searching on line for the product but didn't find much information.  I know more or less of what it is since I searched on line a lot before I got operated.  No one suspected I had endometriosis, but the doctor says that he thinks I'll be fine.  By any chance do you know where I could read more on the lupron shot.  And thanks again for your help.

Neta

[Laney8463]

Hi there,
The theory behind the lupron shots, is to put a person into a temporary menopuase and allow the endo to die off. Endo is fed by the estrogen released by your ovaries and the only real "cure" for endo is to remove the source of the estrogen, hence remove the ovaries. Obviously this is not possible if you want to have children. The short term lupron should help clear things up. I wish you the best of luck with all this.
Take Care
Laney

[afierros]

Correction.  What I mean since your doctor saw you had endometriosis why didn't they get rid of it instead why did he want you to take the shots?

[afierros]

Hi I am going in for surgery on Tuesday.  My doctor says she sees a 6cm hemorrahic cyst (blood filled) on my left ovary.  When I went to the ER in October they called it an endometrioma.  Did your doctor think your was an endometrioma before they operated on you?  Also how come your doctor didn't clean up the endometriosis and put you on shots instead?