scared about lupron

I am having a supracervical hysterectomy (keeping my ovaries and cervix) 12/27/04 for large fibroids(squashing my bladder), bleeding, pain and anemia. Since my uterus is so large and my hemoglobin is on the low side, my gyn wants me to take lupron for 3 months, to shrink my uterus and stop the bleeding to increase my hemoglobin, so I can donate 2 units of blood prior to the surgery ( that doesn't sound too good either).
I've heard so many things about lupron, none of them good. My gyn told me hot flashes and headaches, that's about it. I'm nervous about the whole thing and lupron injections have me really scared. Can anyone tell me about their experience with lupron and what to do about the possible side-effects?
Thx.

I was supposed to take the lupron, but opted to do the hyster instead due to other problems that came up. I have read alot about lupon and basically it sends you into menopause. I have a girlfriend on it and all she seems to complain about is the hot flashes, but even those went away after awhile. Good LUck

Pixxie,

I have a similar story to yours. Had large fibroids and I had a LSH. Kept my ovaries and cervix also.

I also did 3 months of lupron. As mskins said, it causes chemical menopause. I did the lupron to shrink my fibroids for my less evasive hyst.

I had hot flashes, night sweats and I loss interest in sex. That was due to my fibroids also!!

I just made the flashes a lifestyle for awhile. Yes - they could be a nuisance and I kept thinking of "why" I was doing it.

My Dr. did not advise any longer than 3 months since long term use of lupron can cause bone density loss.

You will probably get pros and cons on lupron. I think every Hyster Sister is different.

In my case, I am very glad I did it. I am extremely happy with my LSH results and the side effects of lupron wore off right before my surgery and my ovaries are working again.

Best wishes.

Mary

I am currently taking lupron shots. I have been on them now for 4 months. I started taking them because of endo. and enlarged uterus. Lupron worked like a charm. I have had no more pain, and my uterus went back to normal size. BUT..... of course there is a catch. I have to stop the lupron and now opt for the hyster. because I got way too many side affects. Hot flashes, night sweats, gained 23 pounds, which I could live with all of these things if I did not have pain any more, BUT.... I got worse side affects, I got joints and bone problems. My doctor says that not many people get those side affects. And we are not sure if the joint and bone problems can be reversable. I wanted to do the lupron shots because I am so young and only have one child and wanted to have more, but in my case that did not work out. But the lupron shots did work for the most part. The lupron shots made all my pelvic pain go away that I have had for years. If I had to do it over again, I still would have tried the lupron shots. Now atleast when I have my surgery on Sept. 21 it will be easier for the doctor to do what she has to do, because my uterus is back to normal size.

Best of wishes to you

Love
mysticwindow

To: mysticwindow

Nice username!!

Gosh...I had the opposite with lupron. I started the shots at a normal weight for my height (5' 10").

I lost weight due to the sweats. I got tired of hearing, '"You've lost weight." Ahhhh...YEAH!!!!!!

Kinda funny since 25 years ago I was 100 lbs overweight!! No fad diets. Just ate less and exercised more.

I think the only problem I had with the round of Lupron was vaginal dryness. This is the first time DH and I had to use a lubricant. I have finally started having my period again (darn it) after about 2 1/2 months without it. That was a definate bonus.

I didn't have too bad of the sweats or headaches.

Hi!
I had my first Lupron shot July 7th. It has helped with the pain. Hot flashes and night sweats are here in full force, but you know what? At least they don't hurt! I have not had any sexual difficulties, in fact it has been even better that before - perhaps because I'm not having pain with it. No Aunt Flo since then.
I was worried about it as well. I have one more shot and then I am hoping to have a hyster in February. Lupron is just to help with the pain until surgery. Good luck!

Jo

Hello,

I took Lupron 3 months before my LAVH. My doc suggested it for 6 months to try and avoid surgery. I had the usual headaches and hot flashes. I did not have the night sweats, but did start having panic attacks. My heart would race and I would get extremely nervous. A week after my third shot the pain and bleeding came back. I gained 6 lb over the course of the shots. Which was very discouraging to me because I had already gained 10 lb on the Depot shots and I exercise 5 days a week. Anyway, the worse for me was the panic attacks. The hot flashes aren't that bad if you dress in layers.

Best wishes to you.

I took my first Lupron shot on August 19, so I'm very interested in this thread.

My doctor asked to take Lupron to shrink my fibroid before she does surgery (TAH). She wants to get me into surgery within the next month or two, but thinks even a couple of shots will give her more room to work. I'm all for that!

When did people first start getting side effects? I think agreeing to take this stuff was the right decision for me, but it was still scary to allow it to be injected into me.

Thanks,
Margaret

JO I COULD KISS YOU RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH

I starting to think I was going crazy and it was all in my head.
Thanks,
Nikki