Lupron Shot and Premarin as add back Therapy

(((Dottie))),
I agree with ((Karen)) about discussing the disuse of the Premarin...here is some info I found on Lupron to shrink Fibroids as well as *add back therapy*

	Quote:
recommended 'add back therapy' if you use GnRH agonists (Lupron and other similar drugs) to shrink fibroids. . To allieviate these problems, you take one of the menopausal drugs (Premarin type) and 'add back' the hormones to the system, in a small and controlled way. Its enough to get rid of the worst part of the Lupron problems, but manageable enough to not give you your symptoms back. http://www.fibroids.net/html/frameset.htm

	Quote:
The combination of GnRH agonists and low doses of the steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone (i.e., "add-back" regimens) has been employed in some clinical trials in an attempt to safely extend the maximum duration of GnRH agonist therapy without sacrificing efficacy. These regimens have been studied for use of up to two years. Preliminary data suggest they may be safe and effective if the hormone dose is low (equivalent to menopausal replacement doses versus high dose birth control pills) and if the GnRH-agonist is given alone first, allowing the uterus to shrink before the hormones are added. This approach appears to maintain uterine shrinkage and/or control of bleeding while supporting other tissues such as bone and minimizing side effects such as hot flashes that accompany the low estrogen levels induced by GnRH-agonist therapy alone. Several innovative options are under investigation as possible future medical treatments for uterine leiomyomas. There have been several small studies examining the use of GnRH antagonists in leiomyomas. The primary advantage of antagonists over more widely used GnRH agonists is that antagonists have a faster onset of action. However for long-term therapy, antagonists appear to have no advantage. The progesterone antagonist, mifepristone (RU 486), has also been shown in small studies to induce uterine shrinkage and stop menstrual periods in women with fibroids. However, this agent is not currently available in the United States. Studies of the antifibrotic drug, pirfenidone, are also underway to determine if this agent is useful in the treatment of fibroids. Other medical therapies including androgenic agents (e.g., danazol, gestrinone), progestins (e.g., medroxyprogesterone acetate, depomedroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone), and oral contraceptive pills have also been used to control menorrhagia (prolonged and/or profuse blood flow) in women with leiomyomas, presumably by diminishing the endometrium (endometrial atrophy). http://www.fibroids.net/html/frameset.htm

http://www.sirweb.org/patPub/uterine.shtml
http://www.fibroidoptions.com
http://www.nuff.org
http://www.fibroidregistry.org/
http://www.thefibroidplace.com
Hysterectomy and Uterine Fibroids: http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature/0,1204,2373.html
http://www.dyspareunia.org/html/fibroids.htm
http://boards.ivillagehealth.com/cg...oards/bhendomet
http://www.fibroidcorner.com
http://www.fibroids.net
http://www.uterinefibroids.org
http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com/co...s/overview.asp
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgu...asp?HWID=tv6687
http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/women/28.html
http://www.drdeljuncojr.com/fibroidtumors.html
http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic195.htm

FAS vs Myomectomy: http://www.drdeljuncojr.com/fasvsmyomectomy.html

Uterine Fibroids Risks Symptoms and Treatments: http://womenshealth.about.com/library/blfibroids.htm

Making the decision about treatment for uterine fibroids:
http://www.dyspareunia.org/html/fibroids.htm

Hysteroscopy for uterine fibroids:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgu...p?HWID=hw182639

Laparoscopy for uterine fibroids:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgu...p?HWID=hw182663

Myomectomy for uterine fibroids:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgu...p?HWID=hw182148

BCP's for Uterine Fibroids:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgu...p?HWID=hw181919

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids:
http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle...ley/banter_0529

How Do I Know I have Fibroids? Symptoms and Diagnosis:
http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle...ibroid_symptoms

Myomectomy:
http://www.gyndr.com/myomectomy.htm

Myomectomy an Alternative to Hysterectomy:
http://womenshealth.about.com/libra...=Myomectomy%3A+

Fibroid Treatment Options:
http://health.discovery.com/centers...st_options.html

Good Luck (((Dottie))) Pls keep us posted on how your doing....(((hugs)))

Hi Dottie!
I had been taking Lupron for 3 months and was all ready to go in for my hyst, but the dr checked me out and said the fibroids had not shrunk enough, and let me tell you, when she pushed on my lower abdomen, I almost went through the roof! Now I have to cancel my April 8 surgery for another month, plus I will be receiving another shot. I have hot flashes, mostly at night, but I try to pretend I'm laying on a big heating pad and it's penetrating my bones with healing and relaxation therapy. I'm amused at how these hot flashes are set off...if I roll over on my stomach or my husband puts his arm around me...voila!!! It's a hot time in the old town!!
I've been told the Lupron hasn't always worked for others, so if dr tells me the little buggers still haven't shrunk, I'm going for the TAH. Everybody else seems to come out of it okay. My dr is just so gung-** on the new laparoscopic hyst that's done on an outpatient basis that she doesn't care how rotten I feel. I was offered a hormonal drug to ease the Lupron effects, but I'm okay with hot flashes and sick of taking drugs. Good luck, Dottie...let us know how things turn out because I'm always looking for posts from ladies on Lupron.
Godspeed!!!