Lupron before surgery to remove diseased tissue?

Maureen73 · 03-04-2005, 10:08 AM

Has anyone’s RE ever prescribed Lupron for a short time (3-6 months) prior to laparoscopy to remove endometriosis?

I am 31, never been pregnant, ttc for 3 years. Was recently diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 endometriosis after exploratory laparoscopy and my only symptoms of endometriosis were really painful periods every 3 or 4 months, and of course, infertility. My tubes are open and unblocked at this time; however, my ovaries and most of the culdesac are surrounded in tissue, causing “severe” fusing of my organs. My RE wants to remove the tissue with combination techniques of electrocoagulation and excision. However, he also wants me to take Lupron (with add-back treatments) for no less than 3 months. I’ve been researching the drug on the internet and from what I’ve heard, Lupron can have some very serious, irreversible side effects. Has anyone ever had surgery to remove their endo without taking Lupron first, ie taking BCPs instead? My RE recommends the shots to dry-up any disease, so that extraction of the tissue will be easier.

**BC-Shelli** · 03-04-2005, 02:05 PM

I have done treatment in reverse order, surgery first, then lupron to take care of any endo left behind. The side effects of lupron can be nasty, but for those who it helps, it's worth it. I mostly had menopausal like symptoms, lots of headaches and hotflashes.....add-back therapy might help prevent some of that. The only permanent effect I had was I some thinning of my hair that didn't grow back.

sandeep · 03-04-2005, 10:24 PM

I've done lupron pre surgery. Apparently it helped in drying up the disease. Everyone I've talked to has done the Lupron presurgery...my naturopath gave me something called Traumeel to take immediately after surgery and a few days following...if you're seeing one ask him/her about it...good luck with your surgery.

Sarah66 · 03-05-2005, 11:18 PM

I did lupron after my first lap when endo was dx, then immediately went on the lupron with a second surgery planned after the inflamation/active endo was reduced so he could better pry the tube/ovaries apart from bowel. From the before lupron & after I could really see (even to my untrained eye) from the pictures at first and second surgery that things were a lot less red and swollen looking in there after the lupron. I was like Shelli in the side effects, with no real lingering side effects. (I didn't have bone densiometry done before and after, so I can't say for sure about that--but I was very diligent during the lupron to take plenty of calcium and get weight-bearing exercise to keep my bones as strong as possible.) It wasn't fun, but I do think it benefitted me and my surgery.

godschild76 · 08-23-2005, 09:58 PM

Just wanted to give my experience.....I had a lap last oct to dx endo. I have stage 4 and was going through IF tx. So I wasn't recommened to go through lupron at that time. My situation has changed and we are no longer ttc. So now I am dealing with endo pain during af. I have another endometrioma that has enveloped almost my whole right ovary which is what they found in the last lap and had it removed. It hasn't been even a year yet and it's back again and in full force. I am scared to do the lupron. I don't want the side effects....I don't want to lose my hair.....I have history of bone loss diseases in family.....I don't want to lose my sex drive (not that it's needed but well tmi)! I don't want things to change in my life like that and I am scared for all that. My ob says that lupron is best way to be able to have more children in future. So if you are thinking about it.....I suggest lots of research with people who have used it with success and no success and see if you are willing to go through those chances. I am still very unsure but leaning towards no! Good luck, Lisa

Melissa S. · 08-24-2005, 06:16 AM

Lisa,

Hi!! Well, I can give you some info on Lupron. My background info:

I've had 2 laps, the last one a month ago. Dx with stage IV endo on my bowels, colon, bladder, uterus and ovaries. Dh and I have been ttc naturally for 4 years. It had gotten so bad in the last year that conceiving was NOT going to happen b/c sex was absolutely too painful!! So, right after my lap in July my Dr. put me on 6 months of Lupron.

I was like you, very apprehensive over the side effects. I also have osteoporosis in my immediate family and was concerned about that. I spoke to my Dr. and she said that bcp really weren't the way to go if I wanted to continue to ttc. Her plan is Lupron and then ttc for 6 months or so. If it doesn't happen quickly however I will have to do something, bcp or hyst. Apparently my endo is very aggresive and she's already concerned that it penetrated my colon.

Anyway, after 3 weeks on Lupron I have had some side effects. Hot flashes that seem worse at night when I'm trying to sleep, moodiness (my temper has become pretty short and I'm easily irritated

), and sleeplessness.
I'm on 1200 mg. of calcium w/ Vitamin D everyday to counteract bone loss and will go for a bone density test. No other add back therapy for right now. My Dr. gave me a prescription for something that's supposed to help with hot flashes and told me too take as needed but she really didn't think it would work that good. Right now, I'm not taking it. I can handle the flashes for now and would rather not take whatever I can.

I hope my experience continues like it has. As I said, I have read and heard horror stories about Lupron but I think it was really my only option. We'll see. If you need any more info or need to chat let me know.

Melissa S.

03-04-2005, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Maureen73 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 8	Lupron before surgery to remove diseased tissue? Has anyone’s RE ever prescribed Lupron for a short time (3-6 months) prior to laparoscopy to remove endometriosis? I am 31, never been pregnant, ttc for 3 years. Was recently diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 endometriosis after exploratory laparoscopy and my only symptoms of endometriosis were really painful periods every 3 or 4 months, and of course, infertility. My tubes are open and unblocked at this time; however, my ovaries and most of the culdesac are surrounded in tissue, causing “severe” fusing of my organs. My RE wants to remove the tissue with combination techniques of electrocoagulation and excision. However, he also wants me to take Lupron (with add-back treatments) for no less than 3 months. I’ve been researching the drug on the internet and from what I’ve heard, Lupron can have some very serious, irreversible side effects. Has anyone ever had surgery to remove their endo without taking Lupron first, ie taking BCPs instead? My RE recommends the shots to dry-up any disease, so that extraction of the tissue will be easier.

03-04-2005, 02:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
BC-Shelli BC: Endo, PG Loss & Gyn Procedures Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: God's Pit Stop Posts: 20,681 Blog Entries: 757	I have done treatment in reverse order, surgery first, then lupron to take care of any endo left behind. The side effects of lupron can be nasty, but for those who it helps, it's worth it. I mostly had menopausal like symptoms, lots of headaches and hotflashes.....add-back therapy might help prevent some of that. The only permanent effect I had was I some thinning of my hair that didn't grow back. __________________ Shelli~ TTC #2 for 10 years until my body gave out... Dx: Chronic Endo/Adenomyosis.....Hysterectomy/LSO 3/9/02......Lap/RSO 12/9/04 Mom to my One-derful Lindsay 11/9/90 and Michaela...Heaven Born at 8 weeks pregnancy 4/25/94 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb" Jeremiah 1:5

03-05-2005, 11:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarah66 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 4,609	I did lupron after my first lap when endo was dx, then immediately went on the lupron with a second surgery planned after the inflamation/active endo was reduced so he could better pry the tube/ovaries apart from bowel. From the before lupron & after I could really see (even to my untrained eye) from the pictures at first and second surgery that things were a lot less red and swollen looking in there after the lupron. I was like Shelli in the side effects, with no real lingering side effects. (I didn't have bone densiometry done before and after, so I can't say for sure about that--but I was very diligent during the lupron to take plenty of calcium and get weight-bearing exercise to keep my bones as strong as possible.) It wasn't fun, but I do think it benefitted me and my surgery. __________________ Sarah66 mommy to 2 wonderful kids! I can't believe how fast this goes Who hit the warp drive button? Ds age 10, Dd age 7 Mom to a special needs child

08-23-2005, 09:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
godschild76 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: WA Posts: 243	not on lupron yet, but recommended Just wanted to give my experience.....I had a lap last oct to dx endo. I have stage 4 and was going through IF tx. So I wasn't recommened to go through lupron at that time. My situation has changed and we are no longer ttc. So now I am dealing with endo pain during af. I have another endometrioma that has enveloped almost my whole right ovary which is what they found in the last lap and had it removed. It hasn't been even a year yet and it's back again and in full force. I am scared to do the lupron. I don't want the side effects....I don't want to lose my hair.....I have history of bone loss diseases in family.....I don't want to lose my sex drive (not that it's needed but well tmi)! I don't want things to change in my life like that and I am scared for all that. My ob says that lupron is best way to be able to have more children in future. So if you are thinking about it.....I suggest lots of research with people who have used it with success and no success and see if you are willing to go through those chances. I am still very unsure but leaning towards no! Good luck, Lisa

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03-04-2005, 10:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
sandeep Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 22	I've done lupron pre surgery. Apparently it helped in drying up the disease. Everyone I've talked to has done the Lupron presurgery...my naturopath gave me something called Traumeel to take immediately after surgery and a few days following...if you're seeing one ask him/her about it...good luck with your surgery.

08-24-2005, 06:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Melissa S. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Iron Station, NC Posts: 78	Lisa, Hi!! Well, I can give you some info on Lupron. My background info: I've had 2 laps, the last one a month ago. Dx with stage IV endo on my bowels, colon, bladder, uterus and ovaries. Dh and I have been ttc naturally for 4 years. It had gotten so bad in the last year that conceiving was NOT going to happen b/c sex was absolutely too painful!! So, right after my lap in July my Dr. put me on 6 months of Lupron. I was like you, very apprehensive over the side effects. I also have osteoporosis in my immediate family and was concerned about that. I spoke to my Dr. and she said that bcp really weren't the way to go if I wanted to continue to ttc. Her plan is Lupron and then ttc for 6 months or so. If it doesn't happen quickly however I will have to do something, bcp or hyst. Apparently my endo is very aggresive and she's already concerned that it penetrated my colon. Anyway, after 3 weeks on Lupron I have had some side effects. Hot flashes that seem worse at night when I'm trying to sleep, moodiness (my temper has become pretty short and I'm easily irritated ), and sleeplessness. I'm on 1200 mg. of calcium w/ Vitamin D everyday to counteract bone loss and will go for a bone density test. No other add back therapy for right now. My Dr. gave me a prescription for something that's supposed to help with hot flashes and told me too take as needed but she really didn't think it would work that good. Right now, I'm not taking it. I can handle the flashes for now and would rather not take whatever I can. I hope my experience continues like it has. As I said, I have read and heard horror stories about Lupron but I think it was really my only option. We'll see. If you need any more info or need to chat let me know. Melissa S.