Forced Menopause

[MaggieBailey]

So glad to have found this thread - DMIL called me this morning to tell me that my 17 y/o DSIL is most likely going to given Lupron (?) for forced menopause... She is trying to do all the research she can before this happens, to make sure its the right choice. So glad I can point her in this direction for some info on those who have had it ....

 

[lilsk8nmac]

Unfortunately, hormone treatments work differently for everyone, and you never really know how you react until you get into them.

I've had endo since forever, diagnosed almost 30 years ago. I've done Lupron twice, and managed to get pregnant when I was 37, so Lupron does not necessarily affect fertility. A friend took it while undergoing fertility treatments and never managed to get pregnant. I don't think it was the Lupron that affected our outcomes.

IF you can take bcps, and there are so many out there that having issues with one means you will have issues with all, they are awesome for some women with endo. I was one of my doctor's first patients to simply take them non-stop: no periods. At that point, I'd done the then-available hormone treatments twice, but still ended up hospitalized when having a period. It was my only option other than hysterectomy at that point.

I took them for 9 years, then took 3 months off completely, then a year normally before my painful periods came back. Went back on non-stop for a few more years, then did surgery, Lupron (twice), and successfully got pregnant first try (assisted). After a year, my periods were almost normal, but dr and I decided to go back on non-stop bcps because we didn't know how long that would be good for.

So... once I reached a 'certain' age, my dr and I decided to see if I could slide thru menopause gently. Not. After about 4 months, I had a period that woudln't end. Went on Aygestin to stop it, and it worked. I took Aygestin for the six months before my hysterectomy. Granted, at the time, I was already old enough that my estrogen levels were dropping. However, I nearly lost my job due to problems with my cognitive abilities. Post-surgery, I went on hrt and have re-acquainted myself with my brain.

Everyone's experience is different with hormones. At 19, you will hopefully have many opportunities to find out what your experience will be. Just remember, there are many different things to try. Your biggest challenge will be to find a doctor that you trust (and who trusts you) so that you will have a good partnership. I've had two doctors, and they were wonderful. I've also had a few that I've ended up walking out of.

Good luck. (Sorry for hijacking your post, OP!)

p.s. on Lupron, I had no hot flashes, but I was mean. And paranoid. I felt like I had no friends. And I didn't, because I was mean. But, after the 6-month course, I was myself again. No permanent changes. My friend had hot flashes. Her admin assistant quit when she heard that my friend was going on Lupron again.

My post was written with the intent to say that it's really different for everyone and for her to find a doctor that's going to give her options.
Aygestin is what has worked for me for 5 years plus...I am EXTREMELY sensitive and allergic to MANY things, and this is what works for me. I have adverse reactions to anything that contains estrogen so I wasnt a candidate for BCP with etynyl estridol (sp?)
Everyone is different, my doctor has been my doctor for fifteen years, I have been to specialists, etc.. for this and have stuck by this particular OBGYN bc she is the only one that would listen and take care of my well being. When she told me she was scared to give me certain options bc of my sensitivities and had the choice of giving me Lupron bc we were running out of options, she also stated that she would be having to do it under EXTREME caution that she could permanently turn me into "a little old lady." This is my case I am talking about and I didnt like the possible outcomes so I made the best choice for myself. The Aygestin isnt all rainbows and unicorns but it is the least scary/most safe thing I have used that has WORKED.
So I guess what i'm saying is we are all different and do what you think is best for you.

 

[quentina]

So glad to have found this thread - DMIL called me this morning to tell me that my 17 y/o DSIL is most likely going to given Lupron (?) for forced menopause... She is trying to do all the research she can before this happens, to make sure its the right choice. So glad I can point her in this direction for some info on those who have had it ....

I have to say that you will find MANY negative things about Lupron. But, I want to tell you that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I went from constant cramps, irregular bleeding, inability to stand up straight due to the endo to.....living the good life. I did eventually have a hysto however, it was after having a child. I went on to adopt my next 2 children.

 

[clutter]

My post was written with the intent to say that it's really different for everyone and for her to find a doctor that's going to give her options.
Aygestin is what has worked for me for 5 years plus...I am EXTREMELY sensitive and allergic to MANY things, and this is what works for me. I have adverse reactions to anything that contains estrogen so I wasnt a candidate for BCP with etynyl estridol (sp?)
Everyone is different, my doctor has been my doctor for fifteen years, I have been to specialists, etc.. for this and have stuck by this particular OBGYN bc she is the only one that would listen and take care of my well being. When she told me she was scared to give me certain options bc of my sensitivities and had the choice of giving me Lupron bc we were running out of options, she also stated that she would be having to do it under EXTREME caution that she could permanently turn me into "a little old lady." This is my case I am talking about and I didnt like the possible outcomes so I made the best choice for myself. The Aygestin isnt all rainbows and unicorns but it is the least scary/most safe thing I have used that has WORKED.
So I guess what i'm saying is we are all different and do what you think is best for you.

Sorry, the bolded was the point that I was trying to make, I wasn't trying to correct you. This is a 19 year old, who probably is still just learning about how she handles stuff hormonally. She really needs a doctor who helps her figure out how to read her body.

For anyone that is about to start Lupron, remember it is 'forced menopause' only temporarily. I think what lilsk8nmac and I are both trying to say is that with severe endo, there are other options to suspend your cycle. And that even if you do Lupron, you may find that you will need to look at some of the other options here.

Lilsk8nmac, I'm sorry for the troubles your sensitivities have caused you. I know that I'm fortunate that I am able to try all the different treatments (and yes, I've pretty much had them all that have been offered over the past 30 years). Of course, I'd much rather not have had the endo!

 

[feenie]

Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like there is a wide range of experiences and until my surgery, I just won't know where I will fall. DH is a little scared. His mom was a raving witch when she went through menopause, and was impossible to live with. I don't even remember my own mom having any symptoms, so either she hid it better, or it was more mild.

 

[clutter]

To get back on track, good luck with your surgery! Is there any chance that they can do it laproscopically? My gyn had a gyn/oncologist assist, and they were able to do mine that way. She's still high-fiving a year later.

Because I ended up staying only overnight, she started me on hrt when I got out. Before the surgery, she gave me the option of the lower dose or the higher dose. Knowing that I'm an estrogen junkie, I opted for the higher one. I'm now in a good place, for me, with a combination of estrogen and testesterone. My bff had a total hysterectomy a few years back and went on hrt, and then weaned off of it with no symptoms. My sister's friend suffered greatly and finally ended up doing something where they 'read' your hormones and implant them.

It just depends on the person, so be prepared to read your body's signs. While the physical symptoms such as hot flashes are easy to figure out, as are wild mood swings, sometimes its the subtle ones that are harder to read but are also harder to live with long-term. Just be aware. Hopefully, you will be one of the people that have an easy transition!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I had a radical hysterectomy at the age of 43 and have been basically symptom free since then. I have never taken any HRT or any other meds since then.

I do tend to be "warmer" than before, but no flashes. I don't think I'm any moodier than before, maybe I need to ask DH.

My standard is "I love my hysterectomy and recommend one to all my friends."

 

[willowsnn3]

As I posted earlier, my hysterectomy was about 12 years ago, but I remember a website called 'hystersisters' that answered a lot of questions I had at the time. I just checked and it (the website) is still around. Lot of info on there.

 

[feenie]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies again.
I had my surgery on Thursday. I was the first case, so I ended up being able to go home that night. So far so good on the menopause symptoms. I did start low dose replacement therapy the next day.
Healing is going well, I can't sit up on my own from laying in bed, but I can get out of the recliner on my own.
They were able to do it laparoscopically. Fortunaly I have a pair of capris that are two sizes too big, since the incisions are just above my waistband.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies again.
I had my surgery on Thursday. I was the first case, so I ended up being able to go home that night. So far so good on the menopause symptoms. I did start low dose replacement therapy the next day.
Healing is going well, I can't sit up on my own from laying in bed, but I can get out of the recliner on my own.
They were able to do it laparoscopically. Fortunaly I have a pair of capris that are two sizes too big, since the incisions are just above my waistband.

Glad to hear you're doing so well! Just be sure not to over do it, even if you are feeling OK. Be well!

 

[ElizK]

You are so lucky. To me, this is worse than any period that I ever had to deal with, at least that only 6-7 days of pure hell, I have yet to have even 1 day that feel normal, and it has been that way ever since I had my surgery.

I've said pretty much the same words as above. I traded one set up problems for a different set of problems. Nearly 3 years after surgery I can finally say that I probably made the right decision.

I had a hysterectomy with one ovary left when I was 41. The remaining ovary was supposed to keep me from going into menopause. Two days after surgery I had my first hot flash. I didn't know what it was, thought I had a fever. Then began the night sweats... at least 4 a night.

Life was much better once I started taking HRT. I take the oral HRT that only costs $4.00 a month.

I still occasionally will have a hot flash or a night sweat, but not enough to ask for an increase in medication.

 

[clutter]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies again.
I had my surgery on Thursday. I was the first case, so I ended up being able to go home that night. So far so good on the menopause symptoms. I did start low dose replacement therapy the next day.
Healing is going well, I can't sit up on my own from laying in bed, but I can get out of the recliner on my own.
They were able to do it laparoscopically. Fortunaly I have a pair of capris that are two sizes too big, since the incisions are just above my waistband.

Good news about doing it by scope! You will feel better very quickly, but keep in mind that you had a BIG surgery with LITTLE incisions! That's what my doctor kept calling me to tell me. I took 2 weeks off of work, but really after a few days I felt better than I sometimes have to push through. So take it easy!

As for sitting up from laying down, use a pillow to press on your stomach. I'm glad you decided on low dose HRT. I did that, and felt fine, but after a couple months, I still felt like I had a lack of energy, especially emotionally. My dr added a low dose of testesterone, and it was like a charm! So keep an eye on how you are feeling so you can adjust if necessary.

 

[Mickeyhead12]

Anyone taking HRT might want to research their options before taking the different medicines. A lot of doctors don't realize where premarin comes from and use different medicines when they find out.


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150856131601921.400484.124750411920&type=1

http://rayoflightfarm.org/premarin.htm

 

[clutter]

Anyone taking HRT might want to research their options before taking the different medicines. A lot of doctors don't realize where premarin comes from and use different medicines when they find out.

Many doctors start with estradiol because it is available generically.

 

[left210]

Not to hijack the thread but for any of you who said you have endometriosis you should look at other options. I had stage 4 endo and my life was forever changed when I went to Dr. Albee and Sinervo at the Center for Endometriosis in Atlanta, GA. You can call them or send them your medical records and they will tell you if they can help. If you want more info please PM me. I do not work for them but was a very very happy patient after treatment with them. I have no pain from endo anymore.