Terrified of Lupron

HotChocolate79

Hi Ladies.  I posted this on the IF board as well, just hoping to get more responses... I met with the RE yesterday to talk over my IVF protocol.  He said that he'd put me on Lupron Down Regulation and gave me a flyer/calendar.  I admit that I never understood the differences between different protocols but I started researching this and I am ***terrified*** of Lupron's side effects and all the horror stories out there.  Most people seem to still be battling them long after they stopped taking it. 

I am curious if anyone felt this way and was successful in convicing your RE to go with a different protocol that does not carry as many risks of side effects as Lupron does.  If it matters, most of our issues are MFI - I ovulate regularly and always have.  I was hypothyroid but am finally regulated under medication so it shouldn't be a problem at this point; and have what RE says is a "slight" LPD. 

Any thoughts and experiences with Lupron vs other protocols that do not use it?  Thanks.

pulga131

I'm on a 6 month treatment of Lupron for endo (1 shot a month for 6 months) so the way it effects me might be different than for IVF users. The first shot was the worst. A lot of people end up quitting after shot one. During the first month I almost felt like I had the flu. I'm 4 1/2 months into it now and I can tell you other than being constantly hot (not really hot flashes I'm just always hot) I'm not having any symptoms. My only advice is to take extra calcium to avoid osteoporosis and try not to give up on it right away b/c the side effects seem to get better with time. GL  

HotChocolate79

pulga131:

I'm on a 6 month treatment of Lupron for endo (1 shot a month for 6 months) so the way it effects me might be different than for IVF users. The first shot was the worst. A lot of people end up quitting after shot one. During the first month I almost felt like I had the flu. I'm 4 1/2 months into it now and I can tell you other than being constantly hot (not really hot flashes I'm just always hot) I'm not having any symptoms. My only advice is to take extra calcium to avoid osteoporosis and try not to give up on it right away b/c the side effects seem to get better with time. GL  

 

Thanks for responding.  Would you mind if I PM you in a bit?  I am concerned because I have a predisposition to some things that are specifically listed as the most common side effects, especially depression. It really worries me and I want to push for another protocol but I don't know if this makes any sense or I am just crazy.    

Jezebell26

Ive only used Lupron as a trigger shot which is 2 doses 12 hours apart. I usually only get injection site side effects and i get like a mosquito bite size bump and it itches. Goes away after a bit. GL to you and hang in there! I have heard of a lot of girls complaining of headaches and that it makes you loopy (loopy lupron). Hope the time passes quickly for you! GL on your upcoming IVF.

pulga131

HotChocolate79:

pulga131:

I'm on a 6 month treatment of Lupron for endo (1 shot a month for 6 months) so the way it effects me might be different than for IVF users. The first shot was the worst. A lot of people end up quitting after shot one. During the first month I almost felt like I had the flu. I'm 4 1/2 months into it now and I can tell you other than being constantly hot (not really hot flashes I'm just always hot) I'm not having any symptoms. My only advice is to take extra calcium to avoid osteoporosis and try not to give up on it right away b/c the side effects seem to get better with time. GL  

 

Thanks for responding.  Would you mind if I PM you in a bit?  I am concerned because I have a predisposition to some things that are specifically listed as the most common side effects, especially depression. It really worries me and I want to push for another protocol but I don't know if this makes any sense or I am just crazy.    

Absolutely not, feel free to PM me if you would like.  

chrissyandpaul

I have been taking daily Lupron shots for 2 weeks for my IVF cycle. I inject 20 units per day and as of today I am downgrading to 5 units per day. I honestly had no real noticable side effects. The injection site does get a little itchy like PP said. And the only other side effect i noticed was a headache, which I took Tylenol for an it went away.

Good Luck and HTH!!!!

STL34

I have done one full lupron down regulation IVF cycle.  IVF #2 I did an antagonist cycle.  IVF #3 will be a lupron down regulation (long lupron) cycle.  I took lupron for two weeks in May before my cycle was cancelled and then 3 weeks in July before that cycle was cancelled.  I have once again been on lupron for 3+ weeks to see if we can finally get IVF #3 underway.  So, I have a bit of experience with Lupron in the IVF context.

I sometimes get an injection site reaction.  Most commonly I get a bruise but that is because I am on Lovenox as well.  I get some headaches and I have experienced the loopy side effect too.  I don't not have these constantly the entire time I am on Lupron and they tend to leave once I stop.  The only thing that I have had since my very first IVF cycle is that I have been thirstier than I used to be.  But, I can't say that is definitely a side effect of Lupron and well, drinking more water really can't hurt me.

For IVF #2, I did an antagonist protocol.  This is the other main protocol that is used by REs.  So, if you were to get them to agree to use a different protocol, this is the one they would likely use.  I had pretty much the same side effects on the antagonis (I used Ganirelix) as I did on Lupron.  I had more of an injection site reaction to Ganirelix than I ever have to Lupron.  I actually get stomach cramping and a general sick feeling when I use Ganirelix.  And, for me, the protocol didn't work as well.  My egg quality was definitely worse on that protocol.  But, again, the side effects went away after I stopped using the antagonist. 

You can ask your doctor why he chose this protocol for you, but they usually have a reason.  There are situations that a Lupron protocol would be better than some of the alternatives.  Additionally, I've found that the antagonists are more expensive than Lupron. 

cutebride73

Lupron wasn't bad for me at all.  I got maybe one headache.  I had night sweats a little, but nothing crazy.  The biggest side effect I had was being a little "foggy".  I could still do my job and everything, I was just a little absent minded.  Like I left the house one morning and forgot to put down the garage door.  Luckily, DH leaves for work after me and he put it down.  I was very careful after that and tried to double check myself on everything.  Nothing more serious than that though.  Best of luck.