Why do people gain weight while on lupron and how long dose the side affect last?
Question posted by jazminsmith on 20 March 2010
Last updated on 5 January 2019
5 Answers
While receiving Lupron injections to shrink uterine fibroid tumors and endometriosis prior to having a complete hysterectomy, I experienced almost all of the common listed side effects. Perhaps the most personally devastating side effect that did not subside after the hysterectomy was a 65 pound weight gain. My weight rapidly went from about 115 pounds to 180 during the months I received the Lupron injections.
I was able to overcome the weight gain to a more normal weight only by obtaining medical treatment from a physician certified in Bariatric Medicine. Specifically, my individualized treatment plan was for non-surgical bairatric weight loss. The treatment plan included both pharmaceutical medication and dietary supplements, as well as exercise and healthy eating practices. The program also provided both psychological and dietary professionals who met with a group of patients in the program, alternating every other month.
I met with the bariatric certified phycian & their staff monthly to monitor my BMI and weight loss progress. The support I received was exceptional!
It was a journey to the point of realization that the weight was brought on by the Lupron injections, a medical intervention, so perhaps it would take medical intervention to be successful in loosing the weight gained.
It has been over 15 years since going through the program and by continuing to utilize the skills I learned, I have maintained my goal weight without any further pharmaceutical interventions by continuing to live a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and healthy nutrition and eating habits on my own... but the program left the door open to return to treatment as/if needed. I am so grateful for this approach to weight loss. There were out of pocket costs that were not covered by health insurance that could be used as health care deductions for income tax purposes.
The overall improvement in my physical and psychological health and well being that continue today were worth the costs many times over. I would encourage indiduals to research non-surgical bariatric certified medical treament along with their primary care physician to see if it is an appropriate medical treatment to address Lupron weight gain for themselves.
Hi Madams60! Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, had a hysterectomy in December of 2018 after 3 months of Lupron to shrink a large fibroid. I didn't gain a whole lot of weight as a result, but more than I am comfortable with for my height and frame. What supplements did the doctors recommend for you? I'm not at a point of needing prescription weight loss medication, so natural supplements would be my best bet. Also, could you give an example of your meal plan? Thank you for your time and advice!
i believe that suzanne66 gave the best (scientific) answer 8 years ago, although it probably doesn't mean much to the rest of us... i am taking the 3-month cycle of lupron shots for prostate cancer... i always imagined that the weight gain was tied to the decrease in testosterone necessary to starve the cancer and lower one's PSA... that has certainly worked in my case and lowered my PSA from 248 to 0.49... i have also gained 20 pounds... my only side effects have hourly hot flashes and fatigue... the hot flashes affect my sleep, and while i'm not sleeping, hey, let's see what's in the fridge... my theory is that, if i could sleep more, i'd, by extension, eat less... i don't know what else they prescribe lupron for, but in my case it's certainly doing its job and i have no real complaints... i've only been on the shots for 5 months and have not yet experienced any side effects that would make me wish that hadn't started the treatment...
I have also gained 25 pounds since my shot in November of last year!! I was given the 3 month injection of Lupron.
I have been on every single birth control for 16 years now!!
I have Endometriosis and my Fibriods have grown back!!
This last injection was the worse thing that I could have done!! The hot flashes,joint pain, weight gain and dryness!!
I'm just waiting for it to get out of my system!!
Never again!!
I had surgery for fibroids, endometriosis and I had a partial hysterectomy on July 31st!! It was the best thing that I have ever done!!! Now I'm battling with the weight!
no idea
Side-effects of Lupron include increased levels of triglycerides and
fats in the plasma. These effects could account for weight gain that some patients experience when taking Lupron.
https://www.drugs.com/ppa/leuprolide.html
I am taking lupron 13.25mg and HATE it! I wish I would have been told the side effects in more detail before I began the series... I am in my 4th month of the lupron therapy and have gained 30+ pounds, cramping, spotting, irritable, and have worse acne than I did when I was a teenager. I'm being treated for endometriosis and I now need to weight the option between endometriosis pain and ALL of the side effects... Good luck to you~ I wish I had better news for you.
Well.I been diagnosed with endometriosis 12 yrs ago and been given same treatment and I put 60pounds on in a space of 6 months.Im a huge 180 pounds disabled person now with joints pain in most of my joints.I had DVT and nurolgia with hair loss and achne a dry skin.I wish that I never had the treatment.My husband says that I have mood swings and I cant loose weight and the pain is still there.12 yrs later Im no better.I knew that endometriosis are uncurable and you can only dampen down them but the is no cure!
I've been taking Lupton since December and my only side effects are hot flashes ,night sweating, bone and joint pains but the side effects out weights the pain of endometriosis.
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