Re: Lupron with add back therapy?? For kim
From: Vanessa (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun May 30 18:27:08 2004
Hi Kim,
Thanks for responding to my email. it's nice to get the opinion of
someone in the medical field who shares my condition. I had leg pain b4
Lupron but it became agressively worse after Lupron. Within the 1st 2
weeks I could barely walk. It took over a month for that to wear off.
I'm not sure if the initial pain was related to Lupron or not. It was
after my 3rd injection that i noticed that my teeth were becoming really
sensitive, and after my 4th shot that my ankles, wrists and jaw started
to hurt badly. I have been taking calcuim supplements for over a week
now and I'm not sure if this is why but my ankles, wrists and jaw are
feeling better. I have also taken it easy all week and tried not to
walk around much. I just hope I can avoid any permanent damage to my
bones.
--
Vanessa
At Sat, 29 May 2004, Kim wrote:
>
>Hi Vanessa... no I really don't think you are overreacting!! It is
>great that you researched the meds on your own.... many people don't
>even bother. I am a nursing student, before nursing school I really
>trusted doctors to know all about medications etc., but after seeing how
>much pharmocology they actually receieve- most of their education about
>medications is limited to a few pharm. classes during school, trial and
>error, and through drug reps that do not routinely spend much time
>talking about the negative side effects of the drug they want the doctor
>to use! The doctor who prescribed my lupron did tell me about the side
>effects, but he did not make it sound like they were a big deal- this is
>what really irritates me. I have fractured my hip and ankle in my early
>20's so I am very concerned about the Calcium depletion of lupron. I am
>currently taking a multi-vit+ viactiv calcium supplements+ 3-5 serving
>of low fat dairy each day-so hopefully I won't have any problems with
>this. If you have a chance... can you let me know when you started
>noticing the severe side effects of lupron.... I am having some only 2
>weeks into it and am wondering if this is just the tip of the
>iceberg???? Thanks... KIM
>
>At Sat, 29 May 2004, Vanessa wrote:
>
>>Hi Kellie,
>>
>>You mentioned a bone density test and I think I may need one. I just
>>had my 4th Shot of Lupron. Early on in my lupron treatments I reported
>>extreme leg pain to my gyn...he brushed me off and sent me to my family
>>dr. I have recently been noticing that my teeth are very sensitive and
>>I have a lot of pain in my ankles, wrists and even my jaw. The pain
>>almost feels like the pain I had in my legs a few years ago when i had
>>shin splints. I called my gyn to ask if I should be taking calcium
>>supplements. His exact words were "I have never heard of bone pain as a
>>side effect of Lupron so see your family dr". I then went straight to
>>the pharmacy and had a pharmacist look up the side effects of Lupron and
>>she told be bone pain was a very serious side effect that should be
>>looked into ASAP. She gave me a print out of this info and I want to
>>anonomously fax it to my gyns office. B4 Lupron I was on Depo Provera
>>(which is also known to deplete calcium levels) but my gyn has never
>>discussed the importance of supplements or anything (not even add back
>>therapy while on Lupron with me. I have since started taking a multi
>>vitamin and calcium supplements on my own. I don't understand how dr's
>>can prescribe a serious medication like Lupron and not realize that bone
>>pain is a side effect...especially after depo provera...2 drugs in 3
>>years that are known to cause bone problems....how could he dismiss me
>>like that? I AM SO FRUSTRATED!!! My health is at risk and my gyn just
>>keeps ignoring my symptoms. If I go back to my family Dr he just thinks
>>I am whining...I don't know what to do! How can a Dr not understand that
>>2 drugs that are known to deplete calcium levels can cause bone loss? I
>>am not a dr but it seems pretty logical to me. What happens when dr's
>>like this prescribe medications to patients who do not research things
>>on their own? That is a scary thought!!! I am now afraid that if I take
>>my dr's word on anything I am putting my life at risk. That is a scary
>>thought to have as well. Shouldn't we be able to trust Dr's with our
>>life? My Dr told me there no symptoms to Lupron except weight gain, hot
>>flashes and depression, and said even those were not serious.
>>
>>Sorry so long but I need some feedback (from anyone) so I don't feel
>>like I am over-reacting or going crazy.
>>
>>--
>>Vanessa
>>
>>At Sat, 29 May 2004, Kellie wrote:
>>>
>>>I took the Lupron Injections for 12 months, 6 with add back, 6 without
>>>following my first lap. I had an initial problem with headaches and hot
>>>flashes started a couple of weeks after my first shot, but these side
>>>effects were NOTHING compared to what I felt like prior. To have the
>>>respite from my periods, and to not have any of the pain that was going
>>>with it was wonderful. I went from the shots to progesterone to try and
>>>keep from having a period until I was ready to attempt pregnancy. I do
>>>recommend having a bone density test done at the beginning of lupron
>>>therapy and to make sure to take extra calcium and do weight bearing
>>>exercise. My family is pre-disposed to osteoperosis and we found out
>>>early that I have lower density in my spine, so we kept a close eye on
>>>the bone density. I wish I could do lupron therapy again. It was way
>>>easier than the endo (or even pregnancy!).
>>>
>>>--
>>>Kellie in NC
>>>
>>>>Hello all!
>>>>
>>>>I am having my first lap on June 3rd. Afterward, my doctor has
>>>>suggested Lupron. I told him about all of the negative things I have
>>>>read and heard about the drug and he said most of his patients do well
>>>>with add back therapy.
>>>>
>>>>I have seen several posts regarding Lupron but I was interested in
>>>>hearing from those that had add back therapy with the Lupron.
>>>>
>>>>I am going to try continuous birth control pills first, and if that
>>>>doesn't work I will consider the one month Lupron injection.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance.. this is a great endo board!!!
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Angie
>>>>
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