QuestionThanks for your reply. Just wanted to let you know...I did have a complete hysterectomy, I did have both a GYN and a gastroenterologist there, and did have part of my colon removed. I also think both my doctors were among the best. I wish I were still living in the state I were then. There is just no guarantee!
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Followup To
Question -
After proving that I have remaining and/or growing endometriosis via a cat scan in ER, I have been advised to get a referral to a GYN and to expect to be put on Lupron. This brings up several questions but first..I recently quit taking my prescribed estrogen and was trying Phyto-Estrogen(by Soloray). I did this because I love the outdoors..but hate the skin spots and figured it was worth a shot. With this, I have been able to go out with sunscreen but not have to completely avoid the sun. My mood had seemed to be in higher spirits, less depressed, although the hot flashes have sky rocketed.
With Lupron, am I going to get these spots back and what other side effects should I expect. How long will I take this and is this the only/best solution. If this is temporary, what's nest?
Thanks for anything you can tell me. As I know you are not a doctor, I am currently waiting for a return call from a possible GYN.
Answer -
Dear Cathy, You did not say if you have a COMPLETE/TOTAL hysterectomy or not... Getting rid of the ovaries is the main way to shut down endometriosis, but often is the case, that the endo tissue has already invaded the pelvic area, bladder, kidneys, colon etc and that allmost makes it impossible to get rid of.... Often doctors can do more laproscopic surgery to remove as much endo tissue as they can, but if not all endo tissue is removed, it will continue to grow....
As for Lupron, if you can handle the side-effects, then go for it, however, it is not recommended to be taken more than 6 months and you better have GOOD insurance because it costs around $475.00 per injection monthly... Also, even after these injections, there is NO GUARANTEE that your symptoms will not return.... I really can't tell you what is next, because my daughter has not even gotten to the historectomy stage because her doctor says she is too young... But, I have already decided that when he says it is time, I will make sure that a gastroenterologist, a urologist plus the GYN surgeon are there, because I want to make sure that her colon and bladder and kidneys are also scrapped or ridden from this endo tissue and also make sure that her pelvic area is ridden of this tissue....
Please go to the search engine YAHOO and type in the search word
Lupron
Then read all about this medication before getting the injection.... My daughter's insurance paid all but $20.00 of her Lupron, was set for an appointment with the doctor to get the injection "UNTIL" she read about all of the side-effects, the NO guarantee symptoms would go away, and that it could only be taken for 6 months....
Thank you, karen
AnswerDear Cathy, You are welcome and like you said, there is no guarantee.... Endometriosis is so very hard to get rid of and spreads even when the ovulation is stopped whether it be by hysterectomy or injection.... The only way to get rid of the endo permanently is to get rid of ALL the endo tissue, which as you can see is almost impossible....
I hate this condition because women like you and my daughter will suffer with this for the rest of your lives and it will cause major medical problems in the end....
Thank you, karen
