Lupron and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• ols...
• September 17, 2014

For Prostate Cancer "Had my first Lupron shot before 45 days of radiation. Having hot flashes, muscle and joint pain but not too bad. Doing the shot every 3 months. PSA went from 11.5 to 0.1. Next shot coming up in a couple of weeks. Don't have a problem with the shot or after having it. I think Lupron has been helping me, but everyone has different experiences with it. Good luck to all you prostate cancer people."

• alb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2016

For Prostate Cancer "This is pure poison. I have very bad side effects from this poison, and the doctor said he can do nothing. The physical and mental pain is so bad: hot flashes, very high blood pressure, headaches every day, pain urinating, joint pain, mental confusion, brain fog, memory loss, totally itchy all over, sleeplessness, very bad fatigue, and a lot more. My doctor never told me anything about this poison, just injected me with a 6-month supply at $6,000.00."

• Gru...
• September 30, 2016

For Prostate Cancer "My PSA was rising after RP to 0.59. Started radiation with Lupron. If you exercise really hard with lots of caffeine, no sugar in the morning and minimal sugar all day long with high-quality food, then the effects of Lupron are minimal other than the muscle pain and some joint pain. Sex life is about once a month. The more you exercise, the more likely you are able to have a sex life. After six months on Lupron, I can still have sex. I took Bicalutamide with my first shot. I highly recommend avoiding the hot flashes."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2009

For Endometriosis "I just finished my 3-month course of shots. The first two months were not too bad, but the third month has taken its toll on me. I can deal with the hot flashes, but the joint pain has become very intense. The pain is disruptive, where my hands are aching all the time. It keeps me up at nighttime, and then lack of sleep becomes a problem. I wish they would suggest a joint therapy program for you to take if you need it because it's not like you can just call up your doctor and see him right away."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2013

For Endometriosis "I was given the three-month injection in July 2012, with no mention of the potential side effects. I have been off Lupron for over one year and still have debilitating bone, joint, and muscle pain. I have had significant hair loss, short-term memory problems, and depression. My physical disabilities mean I will probably have to give up work. It is disgraceful that this drug was given to me with no discussion around these life-changing side effects. I'm worse now than before I started!!"

• Pro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2018

"My husband was only 41 years old and diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. PSA was 59 and Gleason 9. It was in 5 lymph nodes. Surgery was not an option. He went through chemo and 45 rounds of radiation and has been on Lupron every 3 months for 5 years now (he was given 2 years to live). I thank God every day for having him here with me, but he isn’t the same man I’ve been with for the last 30 years. This drug is the only thing keeping the cancer from growing, but it’s destroying him and our marriage. The physical side effects are joint pain, sweats all the time, muscle loss and strength, and our sex life went from 5-6 times a week to 1-2 a month. Mentally, he’s a mess, and dealing with him is so hard. He went from having too much testosterone to none. He’s overly jealous, crying easily, sensitive, and just downright crazy sometimes, and he was none of these things before."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2011

For Endometriosis "This is my fourth month into the Lupron cycle. I have endometriosis. Have no period, no pain. I do get some hot flashes and a little weight gain, but that is the least of my problems on the shot. It is the joint pain. It is the worst in the morning when I get out of bed. My hands, legs, and feet are the worst. It is not so bad throughout the day. But when I sit for some time, then get up again, the pain starts all over."

• Fut...
• April 17, 2013

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with fibroids twice, an ovarian cyst 8 cm big, and endometriosis. I'm going to take my third dose in two weeks, and I was prescribed this medicine for six months. Pros: after the first injection, no periods! Five months without a period was right up my alley, being I had been bleeding so much for so long, I needed the break. Cons: if you eat salty food or heavy carbs, you feel like you are going to throw up. Hot and cold flashes, sweats, stiff joints, joint pain, headaches, sleeplessness/severe insomnia, dry skin and dry eyes. I could go on, but I'm doing this to rid myself of ongoing bleeding, pain, and infertility. It's worth it to stick it out if it really works, I don't know if it does yet, but I know I'm not bleeding."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 20, 2016

For Endometriosis "I've been on Lupron for 8 months now. I have very, very painful endo that has put me in the ER at least 50 times in the last 5 years. I tried the depo shot and continuous use of the NuvaRing before this. Nothing has worked, except Lupron. I do suffer hot flashes and a bit of fatigue/joint pain around the time that would be my cycle. The first cycle on the injection was still hell, the second, I could still work! :) My doctor wants me on it for a while, as I'm only 23, and she doesn't want to jump to a hysterectomy just yet. I'm scared to go beyond the recommended year of Lupron, but so far, so good, and it's the only thing that's given my life back. I hope that if you try it, it works for you. Though, we are all different."

• cak...
• March 2, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovaries when I was just 16 years old. I'm now 22, and I've gone through 9 birth control pills and 9 different gynos. I had a laparoscopic surgery when I was 17, which removed scar tissue and large cysts from my ovaries. After the surgery, I was on birth control (Seasonique, which is wonderful for endometriosis), and up until a year ago, I hadn't had many issues with pain. I started to get the pains again, along with bleeding for 3 months on birth control, so I went ahead with Lupron. After reading up on it, I was hesitant but moved forward. It stopped the bleeding, but the pain is still there, and now my joints ache every day, and also depression and suicidal thoughts are always there. Do not do it."

• Jen...
• October 6, 2014

For Endometriosis "I received my first shot on June 18 and thought I made the biggest mistake of my life after reading several blogs. After a couple of weeks, to my surprise, I felt good. I did have hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and joint pain, but it went away eventually. I had my second shot on Sept 18, I'm currently having hot flashes and joint pain."

• Try...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2016

For Endometriosis "I took it 8 years ago for fibroids, cysts, and severe endometriosis. I was on Lupron for a year after trying other options. I had hot flashes and joint pain, plus a lot of the other symptoms mentioned. Calcium and vitamin D helped with joint pain. The symptoms remained consistent while I was on the Lupron, however, even with the side effects, the year that I was on Lupron was the best I have ever felt. Finally, no more debilitating pain. I got pregnant after the 6-month weaning off period and had two kids. If endo is an inconvenience for you, maybe not the best drug. If endo is ruining your life, some side effects and symptoms are worth getting your life back. I am on it again and grateful that there is something out there that gives me relief."

• Mau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2015

For Endometriosis "I've received my first round in June 2015. Almost immediately, I started experiencing side effects. Headaches, weight gain, hot flashes, constant sweating, mood swings, made my depression worse, now swollen legs and ankles, also severe joint pain. This is becoming unbearable, and I'm rethinking doing the next cycle. It's helped with my endometriosis, which I'm happy about, but these side effects are a...."

• cj2...
• November 22, 2015

For Endometriosis "This drug should be taken off the market. It kills your immune system, and the side effects never wear off. I had three injections in 2002 and am still suffering from what has happened to my body. The joint pain and hot flashes are unbearable. This medication has robbed me of enjoyment of life. Its only purpose is money for Big Pharma and ease of surgery for the doctor. No benefit to the patient at all. Do not take this, it will ruin your life."

• pos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis after my first laparoscopy in June 2015. Following my first surgery, I started Lupron injections in hopes of slowing the endo growth. I had three rounds of Lupron causing terrible side effects, which included, but were not limited to: fatigue, night sweats, mood swings, joint pain, severe abdominal pain, lack of sex drive, natural lubrication, and anxiety. In December 2015, my second laparoscopy and six months of Lupron left me with stage 3 endometriosis. The doctor wanted to continue with six more months of Lupron and another surgery. I declined such an offer. I am very unhappy with how this drug affected my life. My body will never be the same after Lupron. Don't take this drug."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

"I was given Lupron depo for my endometriosis. My husband and I had been having issues having a baby. I was supposed to have 3 shots total. After the first shot, it wrecked me. It messed with my bowels, my period was more painful than ever, body pain, insomnia, and extreme fatigue, one night I had to call 911. My skin was burning from the inside out, and my heart started racing to the point where I could barely breathe, and my heart was palpitating. I refused the next 2 shots. Since then, I've continued to have bone and joint pain, fuzziness, I can't retain thoughts or remember simple words. My teeth became really sensitive. It caused nothing but hardship."

• Yoo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2024

For Prostate Cancer "The worst effect (in combination with Zytega and prednisone) is numbness of the feet and ankles, and intense tingling of legs. Both effects make sleeping nearly impossible. Also, weakness, muscle and joint pain, and atrophy of testicles. I take two Zytega tablets and one prednisone tablet daily. My PSA is consistently less than 0.04, which I believe is the detection limit. I have been taking these meds for 9 months post-surgery and radiation."

• Eag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2024

For Prostate Cancer "The 7 months of treatment I am on, along with 9 weeks of radiation, appears to be working well. My PSA (with stage 3 prostate cancer) went from 7+ to 0.05. That said, I am fighting brain fog, fatigue, slight weight gain, loss of sexual interest, nearly chronic dry cough, general itching, and joint and muscle pain. Looking forward to the product wearing off starting around 6 weeks from now. Strongly recommend resistance exercise, it helps a great deal!"

• Bil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2024

For Prostate Cancer "I was diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer. I opted for complete removal of the prostate and follow-up treatment of ADT and radiation treatment. My first injection was June 2023, and the second was January 2024. PSA test every three months since the first injection, and PSA was 0.00. I experienced many of the normal side effects from the Lupron injections, the worst has been the fatigue, joint pain, sweats, and hot flashes. It has been almost a year since my last injection. I still have some lingering side effects, with the worst and most often the sweats and hot flashes."

• Ann...
• September 10, 2014

For Endometriosis "Third shot of Lupron and suffering a lot. Joint pain and depression. But the doctor does not agree it has side effects."