Re: Bleeding. Weighing the options is hard !!!

[Guest guest]

> After the discussion, he concluded by saying he thought I should

> try the Lupron. I'm scared of Lupron - too many horror stories.

I

> told him my concerns and he said it helped 80% of his patients,

and

> that side-affects are temporary.

The results of Lupron are also temporary. Fibroids generally grow

back once it is discontinued, then you are back to square one,

trying to decide on a treatment option. If you need Lupron in order

to shrink the fibroids enough for a resection then it may be a good

idea.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was a bleeder like you, only worse. I was bleeding pretty much every day. Huge

clots and flooding. It's a horrible memory. I had severe anemia (you must check

this out for yourself). I was very sick. I took the Lupron. The side effects

were horrible for me but for others they are less severe. I wouldn't take it

again. You must take extra calcium with it. Too many docs can do the surgery

without it. It didn't shrink my fibroid and it didn't stop my bleeding (had a

flood the day of my surgery). Having the myo was the best thing I did. No more

heavy bleeding!!! It took a while for the Lupron to get out of my body. In a

way, I resented being put on the Lupron because it delayed my surgery for 3

months. Doing it over, I'd just do the myo. But others get good results from the

Lupron with little side effects. No more for me.

I wasn't a candidate for a UAE. My fibroid was too large for a resection. Hyst

was out of the question. So I picked a myo and don't regret it.

Keep on top of any anemia. This sent me to the ER more than once and they said

it could have killed me. It's truly dangerous.

I feel for you. I know about the bleeding and it only gets worse. It's so tiring

and embrassing to deal with. I don't know if this helps you.

But I have a life now and didn't before. So I hope this gives you hope that

there's a end to this misery.

Ku

[Guest guest]

I have several fibroids, one of them is 20 cm. I have been on Lupron (actually

Zolodex

which is the same thing) for five weeks. I am having no noticeable ill-effects

from the

Zolodex. My bleeding has lessened considerably and my blood count went from 24

to 34.

I feel much better without the anemia. I am still bleeding a little, like one

mini-pad a day.

Hopefully, the Zolodex will shrink the fibroid, and I will have surgery in May.

I

am so glad my blood is better so I won't need a transfusion.

I was so scared about the Zolodex shot, but it was a piece of cake. I have

gained a few

pounds, but I figure it's temporary.

[Guest guest]

To Jean:

I am scheduled for a myo on May 17th & had my first shot of Lupron 2 weeks ago.

My doctor also recommended the Lupron shots for 3 months prior to the surgery.

After reading about it on this forum & hearing mostly negative responses, I

consulted my best friends father who is a top Gyn/Ob in Toronto. He examined all

my tests - 2 ultrasounds & an HSG & definitely concurred with my doctor here in

Vancouver that Lupron was definitely the way to go. It helps with anemia &

recovery from the surgery & is only temporary. One of the things I did read was

that it turns the fibroids to jelly which makes them harder to remove - my 2nd

opinion doctor in Toronto said not to worry about that.

I know it's only been 2 weeks but I haven't felt any major side effects yet -

they say that they really only kick in after 2-3 months anyway & they do stop

your period which is a bonus - no bleeding for 2 months- yeah!! I've read the

studies on Lupron online & the only side effect that seems to occur in 98% of

women is hot flashes which don't last all that long.

It's a tough decision & you have to do what you feel comfortable with. My doctor

is quite experienced in myos & recommends Lupron for his patients.

Good luck - I'll keep you posted with any updates on the side effects.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

,

I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

[Guest guest]

,

I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

[Guest guest]

,

I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

>

>

I don't think so. It still feels the same, but I haven't had an ultrasound

since Dec. 27th.

The doctor said it would take at least two months, but will shrink all it's

going to within

three months.

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

>

>

I don't think so. It still feels the same, but I haven't had an ultrasound

since Dec. 27th.

The doctor said it would take at least two months, but will shrink all it's

going to within

three months.

[Guest guest]

> ,

>

> I was just wondering, did your fibroid shrink any?

>

>

I don't think so. It still feels the same, but I haven't had an ultrasound

since Dec. 27th.

The doctor said it would take at least two months, but will shrink all it's

going to within

three months.

[Guest guest]

> To Jean:

> I am scheduled for a myo on May 17th & had my first shot of Lupron

> 2 weeks ago. My doctor also recommended the Lupron shots for 3

> months prior to the surgery. ... It helps with anemia & recovery

> from the surgery & is only temporary.

My gyn also mentioned that it helps with the anemia - it would allow

my blood count to improve by reducing the bleeding. But I haven't

heard that it helps with recovery from the surgery -- how does this

work??

My gyn said that it " reduces the thickness of the endometrium " ,

making the myo easier. I took this to mean that a thinner

endometrium is easier to cut through.

>One of the things I did read was that it turns the fibroids to jelly

>which makes them harder to remove - my 2nd opinion doctor in Toronto

>said not to worry about that.

I've read this too, and there seems to be conflicting information on

whether it's a good or bad thing.

> I know it's only been 2 weeks but I haven't felt any major side

effects yet - they say that they really only kick in after 2-3 months

anyway & they do stop your period which is a bonus - no bleeding for

2 months- yeah!! I've read the studies on Lupron online & the only

side effect that seems to occur in 98% of women is hot flashes which

don't last all that long.

>

> Good luck - I'll keep you posted with any updates on the side

effects.

> Cheryl

Thanks for your feedback Cheryl, and I would definitely be interested

in hearing updates on any side affects, and how the Lupron is

changing your bleeding.

Jean

[Guest guest]

> I have several fibroids, one of them is 20 cm. I have been on

Lupron (actually Zolodex

> which is the same thing) for five weeks. I am having no noticeable

ill-effects from the

> Zolodex. My bleeding has lessened considerably and my blood count

went from 24 to 34.

> I feel much better without the anemia. I am still bleeding a

little, like one mini-pad a day.

That's a big improvement in blood count for 5 weeks! Are you taking

iron supplements as well?

So you are bleeding a little bit each day, but you don't have

a " period " when you bleed more?

Is Zolodex also given as a once/month injection?

> Hopefully, the Zolodex will shrink the fibroid, and I will have

surgery in May. I

> am so glad my blood is better so I won't need a transfusion.

Did your Dr say that the myo couldn't be done unless the fib shrunk

some?

> I was so scared about the Zolodex shot, but it was a piece of

cake. I have gained a few

> pounds, but I figure it's temporary.

>

>

Sounds like it's working quite well for you, with no significant side

affects. Please let us all know if side affects come up.

Jean

[Guest guest]

To Jean

Well, today is 15 days since my first shot & day 11 of my period. I had really

bad cramps for about 2 hours - took 2 extra strengh Advil which seems to have

alleviated the cramping. In that 2 hours I've had clots as well as my bleeding.

I thought my period was over then this happened today - kinda freaky. I'm hoping

it's the Lupron - if anyone has experienced this, please post your experiences.

Other than this - just minor hot flashes - nothing serious at all. I'll

definitely keep you posted

Cheryl

jean_99usa jean_99usa@...> wrote:

> To Jean:

> I am scheduled for a myo on May 17th & had my first shot of Lupron

> 2 weeks ago. My doctor also recommended the Lupron shots for 3

> months prior to the surgery. ...

[Guest guest]

> That's a big improvement in blood count for 5 weeks! Are you taking

> iron supplements as well?

I take Floradix. It's an herbal, vegetable iron supplement. It seems to work

very well. It's

expensive, about a dollar or two a day.

>

> So you are bleeding a little bit each day, but you don't have

> a " period " when you bleed more?

I had one bout of bad bleeding a couple of weeks ago, but it settled down after

one day.

>

> Is Zolodex also given as a once/month injection?

Yes. It's the same as Lupron, just a different company manufactures it.

I was scared about getting the shots, but it wasn't painful. My gyno talked

like it was

going to be horrible, so I was pretty nervous. Before the first shot, he

thought I chickened

out and bolted, but I just went to tell my husband something in the waiting

room.

> > Hopefully, the Zolodex will shrink the fibroid, and I will have

> surgery in May. I

> > am so glad my blood is better so I won't need a transfusion.

>

> Did your Dr say that the myo couldn't be done unless the fib shrunk

> some?

No, he just said it would be an easier operation, and would be worth it if my

blood

improved. The shrinkage is variable, so they're not counting on it. He said it

averages

about 50% shrinkage.