Lupron injections to induce menopause

Maddi
Maddi Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had any experience with Lupron injections to induce menopause? With the new drugs, my oncologist needs me to be menopausal. I'm having all kinds of side effects, such as headaches, hot flashes, dizziness, fatigue.... Does anyone have any experience with these getting any better? Thanks!

Comments

  • ktinkey
    ktinkey Member Posts: 170
    #2
    Maddi,

    I only took one injection, then opted to have just my ovaries removed instead of continuing with the injections. For me, it was the best thing I have ever done. Since I haven't been on the site for awhile, I don't know if you have posted before your injections, so you may have a very good reason to keep your ovaries, age, etc. I was 48 when I had mine removed. The suregery was outpatient and recovery time was minimal. My oncologist didn't even bring up the surgery, I did. I did some research and wasn't too keen on the side effects of Lupron, so opted for the surgery. It has been a year and a half now, and I am very happy with my decision. You have to talk with your doctor and make your own decision, but I just wanted to give you another option. Hope this helps.

    God Bless,
    Kathy
  • Watercolor
    Watercolor Member Posts: 45
    #3
    I got a series of three Lupron injections 14.5 years ago in the months prior to hysterectomy. Was told Lupron would shrink fibroids and uterus making surgery easier for the doctor and easier on me. It worked -- did just that. Also was told side effects would be menopausal symptoms -- hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, etc., etc. Well, I had no side effects at all. A very good experience with Lupron.
  • Maddi
    Maddi Member Posts: 2
    #4
    ktinkey said:

    Maddi,

    I only took one injection, then opted to have just my ovaries removed instead of continuing with the injections. For me, it was the best thing I have ever done. Since I haven't been on the site for awhile, I don't know if you have posted before your injections, so you may have a very good reason to keep your ovaries, age, etc. I was 48 when I had mine removed. The suregery was outpatient and recovery time was minimal. My oncologist didn't even bring up the surgery, I did. I did some research and wasn't too keen on the side effects of Lupron, so opted for the surgery. It has been a year and a half now, and I am very happy with my decision. You have to talk with your doctor and make your own decision, but I just wanted to give you another option. Hope this helps.

    God Bless,
    Kathy

    Kathy, Thanks for your input. I'm 44, so don't really care if I keep my ovaries. My oncologist did offer removal as an option, but I've been reluctant to undergo another invasive procedure. Also, did you have any problem with menopausal side effects after your ovary removal? If so, how long did they last? Thanks! Maddi
  • Vanetia
    Vanetia Member Posts: 19
    #5
    Hi Maddi,my oc also has me on lupron for meno. i have only had 1 injection, supposed to get one every 3 months along with taking arimidex, i didn't have headaches, but the nightsweats are awful, and the pain in my ankles seems to be getting worse, hot flashes, but no dizziness. I like the other suggestion down there to have ovaries removed. After the injection i had a lump at the injection site that hurt for about a week. The injection itself did not hurt.
  • lw2320
    lw2320 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    Maddi,
    I don't know if you have started the lupron or not. I am one of the people that had very adverse reactions to it. The night sweats and all of those things were mild compared to the mood swings and the depression. I am lucky I am still married. The mood swings could occur from one minute to the next and were very radical. I also became almost manic depressive. One minute it was like feeling normal and then the next it was very deep depression. It became even to the point of suicidal. When my husband first told me this was happening to me I did not believe him, and finally when I really had a bad episode, I believed him. Part of the reason I did not want to do the ovary removal was because I wanted children I was 40 at the time. I decide god would take care of that and now I have a beautiful adopted daughter. I guess is what I am trying to say the reactions can be terrible and at first my doctor would not believe us. Please take care, if I can answer any questions please let me know. Good luck to you and be careful.
  • powder
    powder Member Posts: 4
    #7
    lw2320 said:

    Maddi,
    I don't know if you have started the lupron or not. I am one of the people that had very adverse reactions to it. The night sweats and all of those things were mild compared to the mood swings and the depression. I am lucky I am still married. The mood swings could occur from one minute to the next and were very radical. I also became almost manic depressive. One minute it was like feeling normal and then the next it was very deep depression. It became even to the point of suicidal. When my husband first told me this was happening to me I did not believe him, and finally when I really had a bad episode, I believed him. Part of the reason I did not want to do the ovary removal was because I wanted children I was 40 at the time. I decide god would take care of that and now I have a beautiful adopted daughter. I guess is what I am trying to say the reactions can be terrible and at first my doctor would not believe us. Please take care, if I can answer any questions please let me know. Good luck to you and be careful.

    Dear lw2320,

    I read your msg. about the extreme reaction you had to Lupron. I seem to be experiencing exactly what you described. My current situation mirrors everything you have shared in your email - EVERYTHING. I really need to talk to someone because I am afraid for me at this time. If I commit suicide would someone finally believe that this reaction is life threatening at this point? Please contact me if you get this msg. Since you have had this experience perhaps you can give me some hope to make it to the other side. (I worked while going through surgery, chemo, radiation, etc. and have always maintained a very positive attitude, that is why this concerns me so much.) Please respond if you get this msg. I keep reaching out but don't think anyone gets how serious this is, including my oncologist, whom I have always had great faith in.

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