Lupron Depot pros?

Question

In the next few days I will be recieving the Lupron Depot shot (11.25mg). I am 20 years old and have been going through the painful effects of endometrosis for several years.I have read over alot of reviews from this shot and i'm seeing alot of negitive side effects. I get sick really easy so I'm afriad that my body will take this shot badly. I had a laproscopy in November of 2006 when I was finally diagnosed with the endo and where they burned out most of it. The next period I had was extreme pain as usual. The only pro that I see in getting this shot is the fact that I will be pain free for 6 months in the period department. I was wondering if there was anymore pros that anyone has experienced fromt his shot.

Answer 1

Perhaps you will be one of the lucky ones in whom Lupron is effective and confers minimally negative, short-lived side effects.

However - it is important to be realistic about this drug. If we were to believe the doctors who prescribe it and Takeda Abbott Pharmaceutical's fancy marketing literature and website(s), everyone would think Lupron was the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's not. It is a temporary, stop-gap measure only which often affects women in a highly negative manner (with long-lasting side effects) and doesn't even temporarily remove the symptoms. There is a reason that the Endo treatment centers do not use or prescribe Lupron in their practices (see http://www.endoexcision.com, http://www.centerforendo.com, http://www.endometriosistreatment.org, http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/surgery%20vs.%20gnrh.pdf, and http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/PreDiagnosisGnRH.pdf for more explicit details on the drug and it's effects and shortcomings).

Side effects of Lupron are potentially extremely negative and long-lasting, and include (as reported by the manufacturer itself, not just those who hate the drug) Asthenia, General pain, Headache, Hot flashes/sweats, Nausea/vomiting, GI disturbances, Edema, Weight gain/loss, Acne, Hirsutism, Joint disorder, Myalgia, Decreased libido, Depression/emotional lability, Dizziness, Nervousness, Neuromuscular disorders, Paresthesias, Skin reactions at injection site, Breast changes/tenderness/pain, Vaginitis, Flu-like symptoms, Heart palpitations, Syncope, Tachycardia, Appetite changes, Dry mouth, Thirst, Ecchymosis, Lymphadenopathy, Anxiety, Insomnia/Sleep disorders, Delusions, Memory disorder, Personality disorders, Rhinitis, Alopecia, Hair disorder, Nail disorder, Conjunctivitis, Ophthalmologic disorders, Taste perversion, and Dysuria. And that's just a few. Check the prescribing literature or check a PDR for the long list.

As an aside, there have also been several lawsuits against TAP, including the largest one in federal history - ever - against a pharmaceutical company - $875 million, prosecuted under the RICO statutes (racketeer influenced criminal organization) for the kickbacks they gave prescribers to give the med to their patients. Unfortunately, while that lawsuit was huge and brought justice, it did not bring justice to those who are suffering the horrific long-term side effects, because the suits were about pricing not side effects.

See also http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc to talk to thousands of others who are in your shoes and can offer insight and advice. I know you asked for pros, but unfortunately, there are very few associated with Lupron. The key to successful treatment of Endometriosis is removal of disease - true removal, not superficial ablation - not ovarian suppression. There is no guarantee you will be pain free for 6 minutes, let alone 6 months. I do wish you luck, however, and hope that whatever you decide is the right answer for you. Entering into an educated treatment option is never wrong; just make sure you've asked all the questions and been satisified with the answers. Good luck no matter what you decide.

Answer 2

No period for six months is about the only pro. I was in the same situation you are. I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and had been through three different pills, a laproscotomy/ DNC, then finally lupron. To be honest, I still experienced some pain while on the shot. The first month the pain was pretty much the same, because of the time it takes for the medicine to work through the body. After that, I didn't have the sharp stabbing pains, but just mild discomfort every once in a while.
Expect when you get your shot for you muscles to tighten around the area that the shot was given. (Usually in the behind alternating cheeks each month.) I really didn't feel sick when I got my shot. However, once the medicine was in my body I had pretty much all the side effects of menopause. (After all, that is what you are putting your body through.) Things I experienced where; hot flashes, breast tenderness, dryness in the cervix, decrease in the sex drive, night sweats, and mood swings. Also, my first pap after the lupron course came back abnormal. I am not trying to get you to not have the course done, because it can be beneficial. However, there are many side effects and problems that can come with it.