No More Lupron Shots For Me - What?????

tlundy

Hello Sisters,

I have recently encountered a situation and wanted to see if anyone else has.  Since 2011 I have been getting Lupron injections every three months for hormone suppression since I was diagnosed at age 43 (coupled with Femara on a daily basis). My cancer center has discontinued administering Lupron for BC survivors and told me I need to find a Gyn that will give me the shot every three months (they now only administer Lupron to men with prostate cancer).  I have contacted five in my area and they all say no.  Have any of you had this happen to you and have any advice?  I really like and trust my onc and don't want to transfer to another cancer medical facility so am hoping someone has some advice or guidance.  Thanks for any feedback and warm wishes to all for good health!   

TectonicShift

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tlundy

The cancer center has opted out of the procedure because they are telling me that the insurance company will not reimburse.  When I called the insurance company, they said it is just a matter of them renegotiating the coverage fee.  I thought about the surgery too, but the surgery would be a one shot deal, while they see me every tthree months for an office visit to receive the injection so you'd think they would prefer to opt for the ongoing visits.  I feel like I'm in a bureacratic nightmare .

 

MmeJ

Hi, tlundy.

I had a total of one Lupron shot after active treatment, as I was diagnosed when pre-meno but chemo took care of that.  I declined further shots once I found out that I had about a 4% chance of my period coming back.  Overkill.

I'm not so much talking about me as telling you the framework of my experience - I remember that there were two options:  A once-a-month and once-every-three-months.  We live in different parts of the world, but the way things were set up where I am, I could get either shot at the cancer center, but if I wanted the once-a-month I could also get it at my OB/GYN.  Seems to me that if your gyn is in the same network as your cancer center, that should be administratively simple for you.  Maybe a cheaper co-pay, too, should you have one.

Bug the cancer center to tell you if and to whom they've referred other BC patients in the same situation as you.

Also, maybe if you're not yet "really" in menopause, perhaps you skip the Lupron and switch to Tamoxifen rather than an AI.  It's plenty evil, as are all the anti-hormonals, but it's cheap.

momica111

Hi, I have been treated with Lupron injections (monthly). I was told that it is only approved for two years since using the drug in breast cancer treatment is an "off label" use. I've had two oncs and they both would only prescribe the drug for two years. I was close to menopause and opted for the ovarian suppression instead of oophorectomy with an aromatase inhibitor (because I could not tolerate Tamoxifen and was still premenopausal). I just had my last of 24 monthly injections earlier this month and am hoping that I am in natural menopause. If you are off the Lupron I am wondering if you experienced any negative side effects as you came off the drug.