Endo options: lupron or hyst

Hi ladies! I'm new here. I have had two laparoscopies, one laparotomy, and a c-section. The laparotomy was on June 27, 2006, and the surgeon removed a 7 cm cyst, along with me left ovary and tube. (BTW, I was born with 1/2 a uterus and only a small ovary and tube on the right side, which was ligated during the surgery).

The pain is back. So, my gyn gave me the option of a TAH or lupron shots. Both sound scary, but I am leaning toward the TAH. Another excision is not an option due to the infiltration and depth of endo.

I am 35, have a wonderful DH and 9 yo DD, work full time, and have had endo symptoms for 17 years.

Anyone been in this (or a similar) position before?

This is just MY opinion because I was on the Lupron, but it was 8 years ago. According to what I was told they can give you some kind of hormone shots with it now so the symtoms are not so bad, but I would not do them again. They were just horrible not to mention did not do much to help. Is there any reason you would NOT want to have a hyst. given 17 years of what you have been thru? (just had to ask-no harm meant). I am in the group of "wont miss it" people and have no emotional attachment to my insides or them being gone! Check out the resources board for your options on both, but my personal opionion is get the Hyst! Recovery has not been horrible at all (3-4 weeks seems to be the bright spot for everyone) and for 17 years of what you have been thru what is one more month of recovery to get it over with? Good luck on your journey!

Sandra,

Thank you for your honest opinion. I guess I fall into that category too -- I won't miss my insides. I am done having children. And the Lupron side effects sound unpleasant.

Thanks again!

I was given that choice by my obgyn also. Since I'm well into my 40's and obviously past any more kids, he said he wouldn't scope me and then do another surgery. At the time, I felt like I had no choice, however after talking to a lot of people, including my gp, they all said the effects of the Lupron are NOT worth the help, and that after it wears off, the endo can return. To me, it wasn't worth the problems associated with it. My gp said he has had ladies in their 20's on the Lupron and even with the added hormones, they are in misery. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

I am in that exact position now. My GYN gave me those two options. I've had 2 c-sections/d&c/endo implant ablation a year ago. I've suffered with endo since I was 16. I chose to do one injection of the Lupron at this time to see if it helped any at all. She said if it helped then i'd know for sure that it was the endo giving me my probs and nothing else. I opted for the drug.. It's one month.. I'm praying no major side effects come along with it. If it does help, and then i know it's the endo, i will opt for a hyst.. She thinks she can do a LVH. DH and i have decided that'll be the way to go for us.

It can be hard to know exactly what to do when you have endo, especially since not even a hyst cures endo. And knowing how to address your hormone needs without feeding any microscopic endo that goes undetected is also an problem!

After my lap, hysteroscopy, and D&C, my doctor and I realized that I had no choice but to have a hyst. I had already been bleeding for two years, changed bcp numerous times, and then the D&C failed. So, besides taking care of my endo covered uterus (and appendix), we needed to stop my bleeding. Thus, I had a hyst.

Lupron has actually been offered to me post hyst to help with pelvic pain issues related to endo, but due to my migraines (which are worse than the endo pain) I was unable to use the Lupron. So, just because you have a hyst also does not mean Lupron may not be suggested in the future if you still have pain.

Do you see an endometriosis specialist? Have you had a second medical opinion about your situation and your options? Have you researched endo? You can find a lot of information by reading through the Hyster Sisters' Endo/Adeno Resources. Knowing as much as you can about your medical condition can also help you with your decision.

As each of us are unique, we all have a different perspective! My hyst was 6 years ago but I still deal with endo flare ups and could face additional surgery in the future but I did what was best for me.

I wish you the very best as you decide what is best for you!

I was in a similar situation as Weiser (posted above). Long-term endo and adenomyosis. I tried Lupron a couple of years ago, and it triggered the worst migraines I've ever had (and that's *really* saying something). I was out from work for 2 weeks.

Ironically, it *did* help the endo pain -- but the migraines weren't worth it.

I was also offered the choice of Lupron, but decided to have the hyst instead. None of the other hormonal treatments had worked, so I had no faith that Lupron would be any different. I had my hyst 1.5 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made.

My personal opinion? Do the HYST. It's a permanent
fix, without all of those Lupron side effects.
My doctor had already arranged to start me on Lupron when I started bleeding out and needed a transfusion.
I am glad that happened because it forced me to do the HYST, and ten days post op I'm already feeling better than I was before the surgery.
Good luck to you !

Thanks ladies. It helps to know that I am not the only one.