QuestionMy niece suffers from endo. She is in her mid 30's, is in constant pain yet has no medical insurance. She was told about Lupron but unfortunately the shots cost @$2000.00 per series. What is a woman to do who has no medical coverage? I hate to think she will be forced to have a hysterectomy because she can't get early intervention services. You recommended she have expert surgeons, which I am grateful to read, but can you recommend any philathropic organizations that might be able to help her? Thank you for being avaliable for those of us who are ignorant to this painful dilemma. Tanya
AnswerDear Tanya, The Lupron shots are NOT what they are cracked up to be and it is advised and granted by the Food and Drug Admin. that the shot can only be taken for 6 months... At that time the endo pain will probably come back...
My daughter has been taking Depro-Provera injections (once every 3 months) for the past year and a half and no longer suffers from the PAIN of the endo.... Even with a hysterectomy, there is NO guarantee that all the endo tissue will be removed since endo tissue can and after does adhere to the intestines, bladder, pelvic wall etc and it is almost impossible to get rid of it all without a TEAM of surgeons once the surgery date is set...
Without insurance, the only possible help will be to go to a Teaching College Hospital (such as Emory University in Ga, or any other Medical College Hospital in a state where you live.. Often because they are funded by the Federal and State Governments, they work out a payment plan or sometimes the medical is free, both based on the ability of the patient to pay.....
Before going through surgery etc, I would suggest that she talk to her doctor about the Depro-Provera injections and try them for at least 2 three month trials to see if it will help.....
thank you, karen
