9 replies to this topic

[Odessa]

Hi, I have just been told that I will require 3 months of depo-lupron treatment before I can cycle again. My RE said I was probably not going to like it because it gives you symptoms of menopause. Anyone have experience with this treatment?

[impatient]

Hi Odessa,

I don't know the answer to your question, but I just wanted to say hi and good luck!

I just found out I have endo and blocked tubes and I'm waiting for appointments with my gyno and RE to discuss this and find out whether IVF would work for us, so I'm curious to know about your situation. What is the rational behind taking depo-lupron? Does it reduce inflammation?

[Odessa]

Hi impatient, thanks for responding to my post. Since I first posted this thread I have been doing alot of research. I continually produce poor quality embryos and 3 months of lupron may help. The research I have been doing suggests my endo may be affecting my eggs and also may cause problems for implantation.

[mmoyd]

Hi Odessa,

I also have endometriosis and have had to do the three months of depo lupron prior to my cycle. I've been on Lupron before and didn't like it so I was pretty scared to take it again. However, the dosage for the IVF prep was 3.75 ( was was on 7.5 for 5 months before). The 3.75 dose was actually fine.

I had the hot flashes, changes in boobs, fat distribution, some moodiness, some sleep disruption and some changes in the ability to form sentences or reading, some minor eye strain type reaction, and overall dryness. However, the symptoms were for me very manageable and I was able to keep up with my usual activities quite well. I actually enjoyed it a bit, because I didn't have my period - which is a real bonus for me.

The only problem for me is that there was a gap between when they wanted my monthly lupron shots to subside and my daily lupron shots to begin. In the meantime my estrogen went up and now I've been delayed for the start of my IVF cycle while they put me on larger dosages of Lupron to try and suppress my estrogen further. From talking to the nurse this is unusal so I'm sure you won't have any troubles.

Hi,

I was also put on lupron depot for 3 months prior to my last ivf attempt to treat endometriosis. I hated the wait but wanted to give us the best chance of it working.

For me, the side affects weren't too bad. Hardest one was vaginal dryness (which felt slightly like burning it was so dry) but that only lasted for a couple days after the shots and then went away. I did have spotting a bit after the first injection but it also didn't last. Nothing else sticks in my mind so it wasn't that bad.

And I'm not 24 weeks pregnant so it was all worth it. (although to be honest, my dr wasn't sure it helped much in my case)

Good luck.

[Odessa]

mmoyd and trying4notwo- thanking for responding to my post. It has been 3 weeks since my 1st injection. The first 2 weeks I didn't notice much but this last week I started having hot flashes, mood swings, terrible headaches, night sweats, vaginal dryness and spotting. On the positive side with all these symptoms means the medicine is working.

[heres2hoping]

Hi Odessa,

I too had 3 months of Lupron before IVF. The hotflashes were the worst for me. Not to bad after 1st shot, 2nd shot I had everything happen at once, memory/sentence forming problems and hotflashes like no other. I was cold all the time usually and I think my husband (who is always hot) enjoyed the cool room. I would wake up in sweats. I wish I could say it helped me but I am now gearing up for a laproscopy for endo after my failed IVF last fall. My endo is pretty severe, stage 4. I have never seen a positive test yet in my life but I know there is hope still. Will be doing another IVF late summer/early fall. Sometimes it takes more than once unfortunately.
The Lupron is supposed to reduce inflammation, too, to help with implantation.
Good luck with your cycle! I wish you a Big Fat Positive!!

Odessa,

Sending you lots of luck with everything. As mentioned above, I did have vaginal dryness after the shot, but the symptoms did lesson after a bit and then felt pretty normal again. Hope that the same happens for you, and as you said, you know that the meds are working.

[Odessa]

Thanks for your support and good wishes.

[Highest hopes]

For those who did Lupron before FET, when did you stop the monthly shots before starting estrace?