lupron mood changes

In June 2006 a 10cm endometrioma was found on my ultrasound. I researched as much as I could about endometriosis as I was told it was a possibility that I had it. I was sent to my local Gyno and she told me she wanted to put me on Lupron and that nothing could be done even if I had Endo. I refused. I didn’t want to be put on a medication if it wasn’t proven that I had endometriosis. To me, that was really stupid on the doctor’s part. I did my research. I knew it was used for endometriosis, but unless I was diagnosed, I was NOT going on Lupron.

I searched high and low and thanks to the worldwide web I found two specialists in Toronto for endometriosis, so I had my doctor send the referral over. He found the recto-vaginal cyst by rectal and vaginal exam that had been missed for 14 years. I was happy that finally they had found something. I knew it wasn’t all in my head for these many years. He sent me to his protégé.

Post Surgery Lupron

I was on the operating table three months later in June 2007. After my surgery I was out of it. The surgeon supposedly talked to me but I was not coherent at the time so his intern was told to come in. I was told that Lupron was the best medication for the severity of the disease I had and she gave me a prescription. I felt like I had to take it. I just had surgery and she was telling me it was the best option and at the time. The specialist, the Gyno and the GP all told me that “Lupron suppresses endometriosis.”

From June to September 2007, I took the monthly injections and I remember the first month feeling somewhat okay. I guess I put most of the blame for the side effects on my recent surgery. After two months, depression started to kick in and a major fibromyalgia flare as well. My bones and joints were so sore. My muscles ached like crazy and that was with the Add-back therapy. I would get sharp pains to the pelvis that would leave me breathless. On the plus side, no period. After three months I went back on my regular birth control pill, Marvelon. The transition went well.

Lupron Again and Again

In June 2008 I was told to go on Lupron again. I must have been a glutton for punishment because I did, for another three months of monthly injections without the Add-back therapy. My mood was extremely out of control. I was angry and agitated. The Lupron injection was causing insomnia. My moods were all over the place and the pain intense, however, there was no bleeding or Endo pain. After this, I went right back on Marvelon.

In 2011 I went back and forth from the Endo specialist who did my surgery and pain management clinic. I contracted PID. I felt that there was major damage from the PID plus Endo. The original surgeon said there was fluid in the cul-de-sac and told me I had to go on Lupron again. He said if the pain and fluid went away it was Endo and he would operate and if it didn’t, it wasn’t Endo.

So in October 2011, I had one injection that lasted for three months without the Add-back therapy, per his request. I didn’t want to, but the pain was too much to take, so I did it anyways. Well, this was the worst experience yet because even if I wanted off of Lupron after a month, I couldn’t because it was a 3 month injection. I was screwed. The first month was okay, but then I became extremely depressed, no sex drive, chronic headaches, nausea, no ambition, and insomnia.

I went back after three months. He didn’t do an ultrasound and because my pain wasn’t gone he said it wasn’t Endo; it was neuropathic pain syndrome. Oh Lord. He really pissed me off. So back to the pain management clinic to be a guinea pig for another year before she would agree to operate.

In February of 2013 I had surgery again and Endo WAS found.

What I Learned

Lupron did not suppress my endometriosis. The doctors either did not know this or prescribed it anyway. I realized after my first injection, that the medical staff at the clinics also did not know how to use Lupron. They had to read the instructions on the box, and even then, would prepare the injection wrong. The instructions clearly say “DON’T SHAKE.”  It is supposed to be mixed by rocking it back and forth slowly and gently. I noticed that when they mixed it improperly, the Lupron side-effects came on much more quickly and much stronger than when they mixed it properly. I don’t know if this is coincidence or not.

If I had known what I know now about Endo and Lupron after speaking to Dr. Redwine, I would never have taken this medication to begin with. Nothing suppresses Endo, no medication, no diets etc. If it is not all excised, it will continue to grow, period. I went through years of hell because the doctors did not know what they were doing. Please don’t make the same mistake I did.

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Lupron: The Cycle of Negligence