Leuprolide and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2017

For Endometriosis "The hospital OBGYN decided to give me this while I was receiving treatments to prevent me from bleeding out (I have leukemia) and only told me I would get night sweats and a slight mood swing, and I would not get my period. I had my period for a month and a half straight, causing me to get transfusions almost daily. My bones feel like they're breaking, I went from 115 to 170, I'm constantly about to punch through things or cry uncontrollably, suicidal thoughts shot through the roof, blood pressure dropped, sweating so much, I can't walk much anymore without sharp pain and tiredness, etc. I begged them not to give me it on my second round of chemo, and they still did. Do yourself a favor and don't take this drug."

• Lal...
• November 5, 2018

For Endometriosis "I will say I virtually have no periods and have had maybe 3 endo pain days that don’t come close to what the pain used to be. NOW the side effects are horrid! BUT I’ll take the side effects over the pain in periods. My bones ache, not unbearable, but uncomfortable. The night sweats, bad but bearable. I’m tired lots, but I can function with some caffeinated tea & B12 for energy. Mood swings and little depression/anxiety. It’s not intense depression for me, like nothing that makes me want to harm myself, it’s just more of a dark cloud following you around. So if you have mental “instability” before taking the drugs, make sure you talk to your doctor. I did not lose hair, and my hair did NOT thin/fall out. I did not gain weight. The side effects still make the medicine worth taking because I have no pain or real periods. I get the shot every 3 months (I’m on 9 months) and take a pill that comes in the shot package. The pill is taken daily, shot is every 3 months for me. Good luck!"

• Swe...
• January 6, 2017

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with stage 1 endometriosis after I had a laparoscopy. My doctor suggested Lupron Depot for six months (2 shots). I have been on Lupron Depot for almost 3 months where it is time to get my second shot. I am almost sure I will not get the second shot. I am in worse pain than I was before the shot, and I have had NONSTOP bleeding. You are not supposed to be bleeding while on Lupron, especially for three months. I have an appointment with my doctor soon about my next step. The medicine is supposed to rid you of pain-but for me, it caused it to worsen. In regards to other side effects such as hot flashes, depression, mood swings, etc., I don't have any of that! Bottom line, I wish I never would have gotten this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2012

For Endometriosis "I am only one week into the Lupron, and my pain has begun to not ease, but not be as sharp as it was at all times. I can finally breathe and think before the next stabbing pains begin. But about two days ago, I got mood swings. I seem insane, I'm fine, then I'm screaming. I'm only 17, and this is NOT what I need along with the disease. I hope it gets better, for I won't have any friends at the end of the six months."

• Alm...
• November 13, 2011

For Endometriosis "I have been receiving Lupron shots since August 2011. December will be shot number five. Within the first two weeks after receiving my first shot, I noticed a huge difference in pain. How awesome! I had been dealing with this pain since 2008. I had exploratory surgery and tried Chinese medicine along with acupuncture and found no relief. Lupron has been the first thing to help me be almost completely pain-free. Will post again after the 6th injection. I had one huge mood swing after my 1st shot and very little hot flashes. I am not craving chocolate as much but have found myself craving milk (I have always been a milk drinker)."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2010

For Endometriosis "I just had my 5th shot yesterday. The past few months have been painless in regard to side effects other than night sweats and mood swings. I have not gained any weight, and everything seems pretty normal. Once again, other than the mood swings. These are harsh, and sometimes I feel like another person has taken over my body and thoughts."

• 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."

• 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."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2015

For Endometriosis "I took the shot for 6 months. I had issues that I could tolerate, such as vision change. The injection would shoot pain across my lower back. Well, it's been 8 months since I had a shot. It took me 2 months before my period returned. I recently started experiencing pain in my belly button. Vision was getting worse, mood swings. The end of April, my period was bad, then 2 weeks later, I had another one. I was ready to have everything removed. I had given up hope of having a baby... So, out of the blue, I missed my period, and now I'm 5 weeks PREGNANT!! I wish everyone good luck and hang in there!"

• 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."

• 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)."

• bit...
• June 11, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis during an appendectomy, but due to cluster headaches, hormones were contraindicated. Eventually, Lupron was advised. My mom, who NEVER had any menstrual cramps, told me horror stories, and I reacted as usual and agreed to the Lupron injections, and I have lived to regret it. Like so many others, I had severe menopausal symptoms, mood swings that made my fiancé think I was bipolar, and attempted suicide twice in a 3-month period, which is very unlike me. It caused weight gain, which I'd never had, and threw me into early menopause at the age of 46, 8 years after treatment. Now I'm suffering from acute hypertension, and I'm at risk for a stroke, which can't be attributed to anything else. But hey, no cramps!"

• 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...."

• Gre...
• July 4, 2009

For Precocious Puberty "My daughter was diagnosed with CPP at 2 years old. The pubic hair and breast development disappeared by changing to an all-organic diet even before starting the treatment. She still has mood swings, and her height has improved with the Lupron, but the doctor still can't give me a cause or hope of when we'll stop the vaccine."

• 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."

• Kam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2016

For Endometriosis "I started this about 6-7 weeks ago after laparoscopy for small endo on my bowel, and the top of the cervix was unsuccessful. The first month was a nightmare. Started with worsening pain symptoms and an extra-long last period. Mood swings were outrageous. Crying all the time and a little feet/ankle swelling. Started adding back therapy and spironolactone a week ago, and as I reach the end of month two, I'm pain-free and I feel emotionally more stable. The side effects are manageable, at least right now. So if you can get past the initial period, it works."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• mel...
• May 11, 2011

For Endometriosis "Been on this for 3 months. Yes, it does diminish the pain, but feel terrible by the side effects. Get mood swings, hot flashes, acne, and if that's not bad enough, weight gain. It's like you are a whole new person and not a very nice one. I have also been feeling very depressed. I only have one more month until my surgery, so I'm trying to stick it out. Best of luck, ladies."

• 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."

• Fri...
• April 14, 2016

For Endometriosis "I've only had one dose of Lupron; before going on it, I did my research. One side effect is horrible insomnia (which I have). I know not every single change in my body can be blamed on the Lupron. I have endometriosis, and the Lupron basically puts you in a state of menopause. Headaches, insomnia, sweats, and mood swings were very bad the first couple of weeks; now my stomach hurts! So I think I can pick and choose what the medicine is responsible for and what the state of chemical menopause is doing to me."