Lupron Depot and Hot Flashes: What Users Say (Page 4)

• PMD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

"I started Lupron for PMDD five months ago, fully expecting many terrible side effects. For some women with PMDD, it doesn't work right away, so I didn't expect it to. But within a day, I felt better. Then, I felt perfectly calm, level-headed, content, clear-headed... just normal. I feel this way for three weeks, and then symptoms of PMDD reappear, suddenly, without correlating with life circumstances. I inject Lupron, and within a day I am A+. Once, I felt particularly awful at three weeks, took Lupron, and immediately forgot I got the injection. I was surprised that within two hours I felt transformed. My partner had to remind me that I had the injection two hours previous. I did experience horrible hot flashes and joint pain, but this went away with estrogen patches. Without Lupron or surgery, I would have committed suicide."

• Hys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2016

For Endometriosis "At age 42, I had a partial hysterectomy (uterus only) to remove large fibroids. (Daughter was born when I was 32.) The doctor found stage IV endometriosis. He left my ovaries and said he never wanted to do surgery again - endo everywhere. He suggested Lupron to arrest the endo. It took me a year to start Lupron. I had to contact a foundation to qualify to receive the medication for free. I did two 3-month shots. I remember some hot flashes, nausea, and a few mood swings, but it passed fairly quickly. Now, I am 46 and in full menopause. I have osteopenia with some degenerative disc issues. Chronic back pain hurts most when laying on my stomach in bed. But I do not use pain meds or H.R.T. I hope the brain fog and other symptoms continue to improve."

• Dob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2022

For Prostate Cancer "76 yrs. white male. PSA 200. Cancer spread to back and shoulders (according to PET scan). Got the 6-month injection. No pre-advice, oral or otherwise. Been 1 month so far. Side effects minimal, hot flashes, etc. So far so good, but it’s still early. I attribute many of the negative effects discussed here by others as merely attributable to their aging. I'm not having anger problems or lack of sex drive that I can’t pin on simply being an old man. I find many of these reviews based on a lack of objectiveness. Let’s see what I say in two more months. As far as the doctor's prognosis, I believe they are helpless against PC and reckless with others' lives. They will get old too."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2011

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis after having a laparoscopy. I started the Lupron shots not long after the surgery. While the symptoms seemed to fade, the side effects were terrible. I had unbearable mood swings, which caused many problems in the family. The hot flashes were ridiculous. I also ended up gaining about 20 pounds within six months. The pain did subside, and I have not had as much pain since I finished the injections 10 months ago."

• Nas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with stage 5 endometriosis back in the early '90s. My Dr. suggested to me the Lupron shots. The reason we did not do the surgery at that time, I was young and wanted children, so to help with the awful pain and miserable time of the month, we started Lupron injections. Let me say, the side effects were awful! The hot flashes, I wanted to go out into the snow naked to cool off. The mood swings were out of control, however, I was put through the menopause stage and no periods, that was heaven. I was on the injections for 6 months, then after I was off, the wicked horrid pain and cycle started. The weight gain was insane. I had to go back on the injections, but since the weight gain, I quit after the 2nd injection."

• ema...
• October 17, 2019

For Endometriosis "Using Lupron Depot for endometriosis. Have an injection once a month, have just had my third injection. Missed period by 2 weeks, so hopefully no painful period this month. I have had my last two periods, but they were nowhere near as painful as the ones I used to suffer with. I am experiencing hot flashes quite regularly, but they only last 10 to 15 minutes, so it’s something I can cope with. I am also going through stages of feeling quite anxious and depressed, but hopefully these symptoms subside and this injection helps me for the future, as I’ve recently spoken to my doctor who said this will help fertility in the future, as I am 20 and have always wanted children, something I thought was just going to be a dream when first diagnosed and had my fallopian tube removed at 17."

• Ale...
• August 18, 2017

For Endometriosis "I'm on the 6-month therapy treatment, and I got my 4th injection yesterday. At the beginning, I was getting the hot flashes, which I can deal with, the mood swings. I'd rather deal with that than the terrible belly button pain, bleeding from the navel, and chest pain. I was diagnosed with endo stage 4 about 3 years ago. But now I'm starting to think, 'Is it worth it?' with the insomnia, tiredness, diarrhea, and waking up with migraines."

• LOR...
• December 4, 2019

For Endometriosis "I've finished my third cycle of Lupron for endometriosis, and it kicked my butt! Each cycle includes an injection each month for 6 months. Once I finish Lupron, I slowly have periods, and each month the pain gets stronger. Last time was bad, but nothing like this. There's no way of describing it other than 'Roid rage.' I couldn't control my emotions. For 2 1/2 months, I was manic. I'm talking fighting fits of rage and sobbing on the floor, which is nothing like myself. I'm almost emotionless. Hot flashes, hair thinning, loss of sex drive. That last one, which I hope doesn't affect you, surprisingly is one of the worst. Gained 30 lbs over 6 months while dieting. Even with an extremely strict diet, I have only managed to lose 2 pounds, and it's been 2 and a half months since my last injection. All in all, I'm not sure if I will go through another treatment of Lupron as all the side effects that affected me seem to get more intense each time."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2020

For Endometriosis "I was put on this medication after laparoscopic surgery to remove cysts that were causing me pain. They found out I have stage 2 endo and recommended the Lupron with the acetate pill. The first month was fine, but the second month my period came early and never stopped. I can deal with the hot flashes, but I've currently been bleeding and cramping for 4 weeks, and they just keep telling me to wait it out. I'm due for the second shot in July, and I don't know if it's going to help at all. I am depressed, and the night sweats are a lot to deal with. I would rather have dealt with the endo pain 2 days a month than to have done this."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2012

For Endometriosis "Had my first shot about a week ago. I have major pain in my joints (elbows and knees), hot flashes, and night sweats. But honestly, so far, so good. I am no longer feeling the horrible endometriosis pain. Will update more once I'm further in. Plan as of now is to do 6 months of Lupron and see if my fallopian tubes have less swelling and inflammation, as my husband and I would love a baby of our own. Good luck to all. This is not easy. But I am hoping it will be worth it."

• Mon...
• September 18, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and endometriosis at 18 years old (very early to find). I've suffered 4 years of this before I got diagnosed until eventually I was rushed to the hospital from the pain. My only option was Lupron Depot shot, I got the 11 mg one. Worst decision of my life. I am thankful for having 100% coverage because it would've been a waste of money. I feel sad, depressed, anxious, it's awful. I already have depression and anxiety. I feel like I'm going through withdrawals, I get heat flashes. The pills they give, what they call Norlutate, didn't help the symptoms, I've noticed they made it worse. I had headaches every single day. I wouldn't recommend this shot. I'm still having period pain, and it's been 3 months."

• Woo...
• March 29, 2023

For Prostate Cancer "Been on Lupron now for 3 1/2 years. I’m 84 years old with metastatic prostate cancer. Lupron did take my PSA from 196 to almost zero. However, I have all the side effects… fatigue, hot flashes, ED, and a 13-pound weight gain around the middle. I’m alive but have very little quality of life. There are new studies showing that very high doses of testosterone (I know it sounds crazy) have been shown to reverse the cancer and give men a much better quality of life. I’m going for a new treatment soon as the Lupron is starting to fail as my PSA is creeping up. My advice is if you can avoid Lupron, do it at all costs. Your life will change with the first shot."

• aha...
• April 2, 2017

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 16, started 6 months (6 injections) of Lupron therapy at 17, and felt amazing. Yes, I gained weight and got the hot flashes, depression, and swollen legs and feet, but it was all worth making the pain go away. Fast forward 5 years, and endometriosis is back with a vengeance, plus I had a golf-ball-sized cyst on my ovary. So I had the lap to have the endo burned out and the cyst removed, and of course the next step was up to me, and I begged for Lupron! Sadly, I've been let down the second time around. Symptoms are all the same, but now the pain is still persistent, even in my 6th month. Major sad face about that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2018

For Endometriosis "Within one week of starting Depot Lupron, I was struck with severe headaches and fatigue. Muscle and joint pain set in, and sleep became impossible. I have had no relief from my endometriosis pain. Pelvic pain is daily and constant. Dull aches in my lower abdomen and sharp shooting pain through my colon. Even with add-back therapy, I have had hot flashes and severe waves of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I wish I had never gotten it. This is the second time my doctor has put me on this 'medication' with zero results or relief from my symptoms. I only feel worse. It has made me and my relationship suffer. It's not worth it."

• Jud...
• June 23, 2011

For Endometriosis "Just finished three shots of Lupron Depot - shots were given in the hip - little to no pain at all. The worst side effect = hot flashes. They were unbearable, really. Was prescribed the lowest dosage of estrogen medicines for the hot flashes - working great. Doctor not giving any more shots of Lupron until we see how my body reacts to the medicines. I was just prescribed a progesterone as well to balance with the estrogen medicines - to take for a two-week period."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2017

For Uterine Fibroids "I was on Lupron a few years ago. For chronic pain, multiple cysts, I was bedridden a week or two of every month. This injection saved my life back then. I lost coverage, so I stopped. Now I have coverage and decided to try it again... it's not working this time! I'm in pain all the time still. I have trouble sleeping at night or staying asleep, my libido is gone... and I'm in the 4th month of treatment and started bleeding and have really bad pains again... and my hot flashes are back. The first month is the worst! The worst period of my life... but there was no bleeding until now... so I would recommend trying the once-a-month doses first."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2024

For Uterine Fibroids "I have been on Lupron for 4 months, about to have my fifth shot. I have a 10 cm submucosal fibroid which was causing pain, severe bleeding, and anemia. Since starting the Lupron, my migraines increased by double (I had to switch meds so I could go to work). I’ve gained 10 pounds, I have night sweats, hot flashes during the day, my mood gets angry and sad the week after the shot, and now my hair is thinning. I also am still bleeding daily (spotting). I was put on progesterone to offset some of the side effects. I have two more shots until my second surgery, and I can’t wait to be off this medication."

• KBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2020

For Endometriosis "I had a very similar experience to Lora C. I was a mess on Lupron and very much not myself. I couldn't control my emotions, I was either dead inside or crying, there was no in-between. My night sweats were awful, and I was mean all the time. The worst part was probably my memory. I had no recollection of anyone's name, I could recognize their face and the fact that I definitely knew them, but never their names if I had met them after I was on Lupron. The shot also hurts like anything, and hot flashes are real. I was consistently warm all the time. Summer was unbearable. Also, the first few months were the worst endo pain I had ever felt. It was terrible. It finally went away after about month 4 or 5, and I was in a normal range of just feeling pressure down there. It wasn't nearly as painful, but always present."

• Ozz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2024

For Prostate Cancer "Started with bicalutamide for 3 months, seven weeks of daily radiation therapy, including Firmagon for 2 months, now on Lupron Depot for the past 14 months, all this after robotic radical prostatectomy as my PSA had started to rise again. Scan showed cancer cells active in the pelvic area, currently on my last Lupron Depot injection with 4 months until it ends. Many side effects: depression, huge loss in strength and endurance, hot flashes, 4KG increase in fat around my torso and breast areas. I try to go for a 5km run about 3 times a week to keep some muscles working. I am 77 years old and was a champion age-graded runner before this."

• khe...
• October 22, 2009

For Endometriosis "I just had my second shot 6 days ago. I will admit that my pain from the endo is a great deal better than it was. I was a few days late to get my 2nd shot and could feel the symptoms coming back slowly. The side effects are miserable. I don't want to finish out the treatment. Going for a second opinion. Will be trying estradiol today for the hot flashes, which have been the worst, at least 3 an hour, and all night long. Haven't had any weight gain so far, weight loss, probably because I am so paranoid about gaining."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2021

For Uterine Fibroids "Lupron did not work for me. I took this medication as a last resort prior to having surgery to try and stop further growth of my already large fibroids and stop the hemorrhage-level bleeding that I was regularly experiencing. This was an injection taken once every 3 months. While taking, my bleeding continued to get heavier. I had all the side effects and none of the stated good effects. The doctors don’t tell you that this medication may not work, and when I told my doctor that it’s not effective and I continued to have heavy bleeding, she still wanted me to continue taking this very expensive medication. For me it wasn’t worth it. The mood swings alone made me feel awful, I had memory fog, and the hot flashes were so intense. Take with extreme caution."

• EC4...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2018

For Endometriosis "I am 25 and received 9 months of injections with Lupron for endometriosis and had a terrible experience with it. First was the symptom flare the first month, which made my pain even worse, and I missed 3 weeks of work out of 4 weeks. Then, even with add-back therapy, I had hot flashes, trouble sleeping, severe pain with sex, and bad acne. And it did nothing to help the pain I was having. I stopped this medication after 9 months, and even now, one year after stopping, I have residual digestive issues and continued vulvodynia, which started when I was on Lupron. Many doctors seem to use this drug as a first-line treatment against endo, but it is brutal and is only a temporary treatment."

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2012

For Endometriosis "Got first shot Jan 2012. Side effects: night sweats, hot flashes, headache, and muscle ache all bearable, but hot flashes have interfered with sleep. Just got 2nd shot this week, 4-24-12. Have sore throat and headache, seem to be more agitated and irritable. Hot flashes are a bit worse, and headaches are coming back. Overall, if this is the gist of side effects, all worth it to make sure cancer, if spread, does not come back. Had hysterectomy Nov 2011 and found cancer in uterus. Doctors said it was contained to uterus, but for safety precautions, put me on Lupron."

• KDI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2023

For Uterine Fibroids "Took Lupron injections for several months, prior to surgery to reduce my fibroids. It did the trick, and the surgery was successful. Within two years, I got pregnant and had my daughter. Without Lupron and my procedure, it may have never happened. Had no issues with Lupron, except for the hot flashes I was forewarned about."

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Endometriosis "I just started the Lupron shot, and so far it's helping, but it's also come along with hot flashes, dizziness, prolonged QT heart interval (I already have the heart problem, but it is amplifying it), body pain which is slowly going down, brain fog, insomnia, fatigue, inability to breathe, and is making some of my connective tissue symptoms worse. I'm hoping at least some of these symptoms go away. If they do, I will continue the monthly shots since the endo symptoms are getting better (headache, bowel issues, insane amount of bleeding every month, and debilitating pain)."