shots to shrink fibroids

Has anyone had to have a shot to shrink fibroids? I was told it would put me in early menopause until surgery but will be easier to take out the fibroid. Mine is the size of a small soccor ball.

ard64

I had 3 shots of Lupron (one per month) to shrink an enormous fibroid also. My Surgeon said it would make the surgery alot easier and safer. For me, the shots did an amazing job and my fibroid shrank by about two-thirds during the 3 months before surgery. Without it, I would've have had to have had a vertical incision, but he was able to squeeze it through a horizontal one. Some ladies are able to avoid the abdominal incision altogether by shrinking their fibroids enough to have alternative procedures.

The downside of the shot is that it will induce a 'chemical' menopause. I experienced hot flashes, dry skin and achy joints, but it was nothing I couldn't handle and was able to lead a normal life; everyone is different though. I found the side effects went away very quickly when the drug was stopped.

Wishing you all the best.

I had 2 months of the Lupron shots and it did nothing to shrink either my fibroid(grapefruit sized) or the ovarian cyst. I had the side effects mentioned by poodle plus my teeth hurt too. I still had to have a vertical incision, but I think that was because there was a chance that the cyst was cancerous, but it wasn't. Then like she said everyone is different.

I've also received lupron, my second one just last week. The DR was very pleased with the results so far and also said the same about a safer surgery that's my he still gave me the second shot.I also have the same side effects as pooodle but it's all tolerable.

It's to bad that it also doesn't shrink enlarged uterus's

Hi Ard64,

I did (3) months of lupron shots to shrink my fibroids enough for a LSH, a less invasive hyst. Yes, lupron might not be a walk-in-the-park sometimes with the temporary chemical menopause side effects. And, for me, lupron was a success.

My sister did lupron shots last year to shrink her fibroids for a TVH. And my youngest sister is presently doing lupron shots to help her surgeon with her surgery. She does not know if she is going to have a lap hyst or an abdominal right now, due to the size of her fibroid.

Mary

I have had just one with 2nd appt scheduled for 5/15. The problem I am having is I don't know why my GYN is doing the injections. To my knowledge the fibriod they can see is not even big enough to warrant surgery. I am having the surgery electively because I experience groin/pelvic pain that can excruiciating sometimes. So, next appt. I will be sure to ask her what is up with lurpon, if it is to shrink the fibroid?

Cynthia

For: Cynthia

Lupron can also be used to help with endo. Also, lupron helps to stop periods and thus it helps to bring the blood and iron count up before surgery. Possibly your Dr. has a reason in one of those things.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

I have a copy of the report from last visit and don't see in the progress notes any mention of endo. But, the VA has a tendency to do things "just because." Nevertheless, I'll be sure to ask her about the suspicion of endo.

Thank you, Mary...your best wishes are received.