questions about lupron, looking for answers

I saw a new doctor today, he wants me 2 try lupron for the 2nd time. He said its changed a lot since I've last tried it & said we can do add back therapy which should make side effects more bearable. I had a horrible experience w/ lupron about 5 years ago. The side effects made me crazy...this would be a big decision for me considering once you take the shot you can't go back. I was wondering since the whole point of the lupron is to stop your period & I'm taking a bcp continuosly that has already stopped it, how can the lupron help??

Since you have had a bad experience with Lupron, I can understand your concerns and hesitation! However, your body has changed in the last few years and using add-back therapy might be the key that allows the Lupron to be successful for you. You could also get the monthly injection rather than the 3 month one. Other options might include Depo Provera or an aromatase inhibitor.

While both Lupron and continuous birth control pills can be used to stop periods, they work differently and treat endometriosis differently.

The bcp works by suppressing menustration and inhibiting growth of endometriosis, thus hopefully alleviating the endo pain. The continuous bcp's are usually combination pills (some type of estrogen with some type of progesterone) so you would still be getting some estrogen.

Lupron is a GnRH agonists that works by stopping the production of estrogen completely. The goal is to deprive any endometriosis of estrogen in the hopes it will dry up and disappear. With Lupron, there should be no estrogen to keep fueling the endoometriosis.

You can read more about the various endo treatments here: http://www.endometriosis.org/treatment.html.

Have you had a second opinion about what might be best for you at this time? What type of doctor are you seeing?

Knowing the best way to treat endometriosis can be very difficult as we will each react differently to each treatment. No two of us have the exact same body chemistry so no two of us will have the exact same outcome.

I wish you the best as you work through all the pros and cons for you to determine which path is right for you!

KMARRERO-
I just read your post about lupron. I came here looking for similar information. After my 2nd surgery that didn't work for endo, my doc too wants to put me on lupron with norethin (add back hormone.)

Like Weiser posted, they do have the 1 month and 3 month. We are planning on the 1 month. I don't have any experience with lupron only experience with never ending endo and pain. I'm hoping if I take the 1 month shot and the side effects are too horrible then after the 1st month I can make a decision to stop. this is a hard decision though. Even one month seems like a long time.

Have you or any one you know had any success using diet and holistic medicine? I'm also considering the route.

Thanks for the info & lily22 I do not know anyone with success with endo period! A lot of women in my family have it but I'm not very close to them to find out about there experiences & my stepmom has is but we see the same dr & seem to be facing the same problem..this is my 3rd opinion. My 1st was my dr of 5 yrs who suggested hyst & my 2nd & 3rd both want to try lupron w/ add back.....this is starting to put strain on my personal relationship & I'm worried that ill never find relief..I'm even starting to wonder if its even endo since the previous treatments & procedures didn't work.