HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Ovaries are being retired...chemically. Need advice

sassy · 01-20-2015, 06:21 PM

Europa,

I was on Lupron for four years to chemically shut down my ovaries. We took this route at the time because was surgeon was not in favor of my having additional surgeries at that point due to previous complications. When my surgeon gave the ok for the surgery to remove-- my oncologist wanted me to stay on Lupron because research was showing a benefit from Lupron in terms of recurrence. After four years we determined that I had gotten all the benefit possible, so I had an oophorectomy.

The Lupron can have some side effects. I was on Neurontin to combate both the discomfort and hot flashes. Stopped the Neurontin ahen I stopped Lupron and I felt like a new woman! If I could go back--I probably wouldn't change courses-- but the Lupron/Neurontin combo slowed me down mentally and physically.

What is your onc's reasoning for chemical suppression over oophorectomy? Will this be done with Lupron?

01-20-2015, 06:21 PM	#2
sassy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mountains of Virginia Posts: 2,267	Re: Ovaries are being retired...chemically. Need advice Europa, I was on Lupron for four years to chemically shut down my ovaries. We took this route at the time because was surgeon was not in favor of my having additional surgeries at that point due to previous complications. When my surgeon gave the ok for the surgery to remove-- my oncologist wanted me to stay on Lupron because research was showing a benefit from Lupron in terms of recurrence. After four years we determined that I had gotten all the benefit possible, so I had an oophorectomy. The Lupron can have some side effects. I was on Neurontin to combate both the discomfort and hot flashes. Stopped the Neurontin ahen I stopped Lupron and I felt like a new woman! If I could go back--I probably wouldn't change courses-- but the Lupron/Neurontin combo slowed me down mentally and physically. What is your onc's reasoning for chemical suppression over oophorectomy? Will this be done with Lupron? __________________ Rhonda (Sassy) dx age 45 DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes Triple Positive 4 DD A/C 12 Taxol/Herceptin 33Rads Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk Herceptin for total of 18 months Lupron Monthly 4 yrs Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!) Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement) Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk Back to Arimidex for year seven Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix Stop Arimidex 5/13 Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa 5/14 Start Tamoxifen 3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing 5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs 9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen 3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects! NED and no meds....... 14YEARS NED!