Leuprolide and Hot Flashes: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2019

For Endometriosis "I had severe endometriosis. I had the kind of pain that makes you blackout. I would bleed all over my chair at work. I wear only black or navy pants. So far, I've taken 3 shots, and thankfully I am pain-free. I have no period. But the hot flashes are HORRIBLE. I'm always hot and tired. I don't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep. I've gone as far as putting ice packs on my bed so that I can sleep for a few hours. I've gained about 35 pounds in 9 months, my hair is thinning, I ache all over, my vision has decreased so much, I seem to forget everything if I don't write it down. I think I got the entire list of side effects, however, that pain before taking Lupron? No way! I literally shake when I think about it. I'll try to manage."

• 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."

• geo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2024

For Prostate Cancer "Has helped reduce PSA from < 200 to .019 over 9 months of treatment. I've had 2 6mo shots. No problems with injections. Cannot differentiate which drug causes hot flashes, fatigue, and depression when receiving ADT. I'm receiving drugs and injections in my treatment. PSA number has steadily declined."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2010

For Endometriosis "I did a 6-month treatment of Lupron, and it wasn't that bad. The first couple of months, I experienced migraines and hot flashes. For the remainder of the treatment, I continued to experience the hot flashes, but my mood swings became very uncomfortable for my family, friends, and me. I would one minute be calm and neutral...the next minute I would become mean and hateful. That was never how I was prior to the treatment. However, I completed my treatment in August 2009, and I haven't had any problems with my endometriosis at all. My doctor has now given me the option to either get pregnant or continue with birth control pills until I decide to become pregnant to maintain the endometriosis. I highly recommend this method if you can withstand the side effects."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2009

For Endometriosis "I have taken monthly injections for the past 6 months. I had a very difficult time for the first 6 weeks of treatment, but since then have not had many side effects. I had severe stomach cramping initially, along with migraines and mood swings. As those side effects subsided, the hot flashes began. With the hot flashes came nausea and unpredictable crying fits. My doctor put me on a low dose of Estradiol and Prozac. Within a few days, I was pretty much back to my old self, minus the horrible belly pains. I have to say, overall the good outweighs the bad."

• Doi...
• December 1, 2016

For Endometriosis "During my early 30s, I had 2 laparoscopies and 1 laparotomy for severe endometriosis but had no relief from pain. At 34, I had my 1st Lupron Depot shot. It eliminated my pain completely. The only side effects were hot flashes and irritability. The side effects were exactly what I am experiencing with menopause now at the age of 58. I did not have any joint pain or other side effects. After 6 months of shots, my primary care physician advised that bone loss could result from prolonged treatment, so we stopped treatment. As an alternative, I was put on low-dose birth control pills, which I took every day to stop my periods. Should have done this to begin with! No pain and no side effects!"

• Ei...
• December 7, 2016

For Endometriosis "I have endometriosis and adenomyosis, and pain was scary, and I became bedridden some of the days. I had my first Lupron 11.25 mg in June 2016. I am suffering following side effects, but I will continue this medication as pain from endo and adeno is worse than side effects. - Swelling at feet - Weight gain - 6 kg in 6 months - Increased sweating - Hot flash suffered only the first month of this treatment - Fluid retention - Carpal tunnel - Forgetful - Growth of upper lip hair - Slipped disc and compression of the right leg nerves. I am going to take the second injection soon, and after that, I will go for hysterectomy. Btw, I am just 36 :(."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2009

For Endometriosis "I was very pleased with my Lupron experience. I was on a six-month course and found the first three to four months easy. I did experience hot flashes, mood swings, and slight insomnia. My fifth and sixth months were a little more difficult for me. The hot flashes became a little more apparent, the mood swings more frequent, and my face began to break out. To me, that was the worst. Along with the Lupron, I had a laparoscopy 2 months before the medication, and I started acupuncture treatments about a month before beginning Lupron, which really helped with the side effects. My pain levels before medication were unbearable. I could hardly bring myself to get out of bed. I now notice that my pain level is low if I have any at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2016

For Endometriosis "I had a laparoscopy done in March 2015, and they determined stage 4 endometriosis. Before then, I had maybe 1 week out of a month without pain for over a year, it was horrible. My first injection was in September 2015. I had a laparotomy in October 2015, the doctor did an amazing job and removed all the scar tissue and cysts. My second injection was in December 2015, and the hot flashes are brutal. I am now on a low dose of estrogen to help with the hot flashes. It has helped but not fully. I highly recommend the injection if you want to be pain-free, the hot flashes are brutal but way better than the pain."

• Ang...
• February 4, 2020

For Endometriosis "My doctor told me about Lupron Depot, told me the side effects, and I was weary because it's an antineoplastic. I started it along with the add-back therapy of Provera 5 mg and had barely any side effects the first few weeks. Then I slowly started to gain hot flashes and some cramping in my right ovary where my cyst was. My period stopped before the second shot. I will say not to get it in the arm (deltoid) because my first shot was in my right arm, and it hurt even a month after. I get my fourth shot on the 18th, and I can tell you, the benefits will outweigh the negative side effects I'm having. So far I've had: thinning and loss of hair, my back and neck constantly hurt, hot flashes 2-6 times a day (mainly at night), vaginal dryness, which causes a lot of pain during sex, mood changes (I cry a lot)."

• Des...
• February 20, 2016

For Endometriosis "Desperate for relief after 2 surgeries within 3 months of each other, I was so hopeful about this medication. I ignored the reviews and got the shot (11.75 dosage administered every 3 months). I regret my choice so much. First, the expense! Even with insurance, my out-of-pocket was $1,100. The mood swings were so bad that I became suicidal. I've gained 20 pounds that exercise and nutrition can't shed. The hot flashes were controlled by an OTC called Estroven. The pain did subside, but only for the 1st month after each shot (I got 2 shots total). Now, the pain is back and worse than ever and I'm only on month 5 of the treatment. Surgery #3 scheduled in 2 weeks. This med is NOT worth the side effects."

• KCM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2016

For Endometriosis "My first 3 weeks on Lupron were miserable. Painful, the heaviest period I've ever had, and just overall regretting my decision. It's now been about 2 months, and I'm feeling amazing! Hot flashes and forgetfulness, yes. But the pain is almost completely gone. My pain had me bedridden some days, and now my worst days just require a heating pad. I can't believe the turnaround."

• 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...."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Endometriosis "Was prescribed Lupron after endo surgery since not all growths could be removed. I was very scared to be taking it after I read about it (I cried in the doctor's office when getting the injection). But I ended up loving it. It stopped my periods and the pain, so my anemia was under control and I had so much energy! As for side effects, there was insomnia (but I was not tired from it, so it was OK) and hot flashes started after about two months - but that was nothing compared to the relief. I only got one 3-month shot, but the positive effects lasted for quite a bit. I hope to get another 3-6 months soon. I know there are risks to this, and everyone reacts differently, so I could not advise anyone to take it or not, but for me it was wonderful."

• 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."

• Lan...
• December 28, 2016

For Uterine Fibroids "I am on a 3-month shot plan but monthly shots. I didn't want the 3-month all at once because I wanted to see how my body would react to it first. Shot given 12/07/16, and today is 12/28/16. The first week, I didn't really have any side effects, and I was really hopeful that this would be the worst. Wishful thinking didn't last long. Hot flashes, night sweats, chills, emotional wreck, and I believe slight headaches that come and go. BUT, on the contrary, less than a month and my fibroid has already physically shrank. I haven't seen the doc yet, but I can physically see that it shrank. My clothes are loose in the belt line area. My fibroid was the size of a small grapefruit (17 cm), but I really see a huge difference in shrinkage. Could be worse :/"

• 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."