Lupron is stimulating me?

[Maribelle]

After three weeks on BCPs and 20 days on Lupron, my RE has concluded that Lupron is stimulating my ovaries instead of suppressing them. Last week, when he did an U/S after 14 days on Lupron, my ovaries appeared quiet but e2 levels were 100 (needs to be less than 20 to start). So I stayed on Lupron anothe 6 days and b/w today showed my e2 had risen even more. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? I haven't. The nurse said it effects some people that way, but I am suprised as it worked as it was supposed to last time.

Anyway, I am supposed to go back on BCP tomorrow and go in in two weeks to see if that suppresses me. I'm not sure why my RE thinks that may work, but he seems optimistic about it. If the e2 levels don't go down, I will be SOL this cycle and have to start again in January as the lab closes down in mid-December.

Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Does anyone have any tips that could help me lower my E2 levels? What the heck is going on with me? Any advice is appreciated!

Mari

[volley]

I've read that since lupron is a gnrh agonist it initially causes release of FSH and LH which I supposed may be what is stimulating your ovaries. It is supposed to release your natural hormones initially and then you start the stims which add more FSH. Maybe you're very sensitive to the FSH. I wonder why they don't try the gnrh antagonists which suppress FSH and LH altogether. I'm not the specialist, obviously, but I could see how that may be happening. Maybe you could ask him if there is another protocol that would be better.

[Maribelle]

Volley, what you say makes a lot of sense. They did say they have another drug for me that kind of sounded like the word antagonist, but the nurse said I won't need it until after I am suppressed. I'm just so confused, but thank you for telling me more about how Lupron is supposed to work. That helps me understand all of this a little better.

Mari

[Maribelle]

I am just updating this thread in case anyone else has a similar issue in the future and looks through the archives. After stopping Lupron and going back on BCPs for two weeks, my U/S showed that my ovaries are quiet, and my RE is going on with the cycle. I just have to take another shot (centroide or something) to keep from ovualting later in the cycle. My RE still has no idea why I reacted so differently to Lupron this time. Who knows?

Mari

[Rach97]

BCP and Lupron has not completely suppressed me either. My estrogen was 114 and then dropped to 70 after two weeks on Lupron. I'm asked to take Lupron another week in hopes the estrogen goes down to about 50.

Apparently higher estrogen may also be caused from a common cyst that ruptured. I've also been told that Lupron could cause estrogen to go up before it comes down in certain cases. It never happened to me with past cycles, but it's happening now.

We are hoping and praying that everything goes well for us to proceed in Dec. Otherwise our cycle will be canceled which is a major problem. Our insurance is running out and so this is our last chance.

I've asked my doctor to call me tomorrow to discuss our concerns and to learn about any other options to suppress. We can't afford to let too many days past by. Lupron is causing me severe headaches and it would be good to know if BCP or other options could be effective sooner rather than later.

[Maribelle]

Rachel, it is so irritating to run into obstacles before a cycle even really starts, isn't it? I'm sorry Lupron in effecting you so badly. I have heard Lupron headaches are a real pain (bad pun).

Do you know if you have a cyst? My RE looked pretty carefully during the U/S and didn't see any, so he said it is just an unusual reaction to the Lupron. I sure hope the Lupron works for you. I bet it will. I have talked to several women who seemed to get more resistant to Lupron the more they were exposed to it, but it just takes a little more time. Your numbers seem to have dropped really well in just 2 weeks, so I bet you will be ready to go very soon. My E2 number actually went UP after 2 weeks on Lupron, so at least you are heading the right direction. I think it will happen for you!

Hope your head feels better and please let me know what your RE says tomorrow.

Mari