To Lupron or not to Lupron

mts · 12-14-2007, 07:59 AM

So, here I am 2 yrs after chemo and 1 yr after herceptin and in the "almost there" phase of menopause. I am ER+ 10% and PR- and decided Tamoxifen would not yield any real benefit... so I figured I would take menopause on as naturally as possible. In the meantime, my period keeps coming back every three or four months. Its lengthy (up to 3 weeks), heavy and hugely inconvenient. I am 45.
My question is whats the Lupron shot like ? I really worry that menopause will come on so suddenly that I won't be able to tolerate the hot flashes (I had a sampling of that when I was on chemo). I took effexor and that was worse.
Can anyone tell me what lupron felt like for them ?

Maria

sassy · 12-14-2007, 09:48 PM

Maria,

I was on Lupron shots every three months from November 05 to December 06. At that time my body started trying seriously to come out of menopause, so my shots were changed to every month. The first few months were like a hormonal roller coaster, complete with hot flashes and moods. My onc suggested trying Neurontin to help with these symptoms. It has helped tremendously, but has certainly not helped in the weight area.

I don't think the Lupron shots were so much the problem for me, rather my body trying to come out of menopause.

Hope this helps some.

Erin · 12-15-2007, 06:04 PM

I am not sure my input will be much help, but I never really had any problem with Lupron. I was perimeno prior to chemo (some night sweats and erratic periods), but the TCH put me right into chemopause. I never did get another period, but since I was not officially in menopause at the start of chemo, once the TC was done my onc started me on tamox. I couldn't stand the way it made me feel - really anxious and stressed. So, stopped tamox and started monthly Lupron on 10/1/07. I had two monthly Luprons and then had an ooph.

I had not problem with the Lupron or the ooph, but the tamox was a bear!

Hope that is helpful