Stopping Lupron

kcat2013

So I did my 3 years of ovarian suppression that my MO ordered and I recently stopped getting the Lupron shots. I'm 2.5 weeks past when I would have normally had my shot. I'm wondering when my periods might come back? My gynecologist is fairly sure they will since I'm only 38 (my MO also told me this when I started the shots 3 years ago). I started feeling nauseous this week, like hormonal nausea I used to get with my period or with morning sickness so I'm wondering if my body is trying to figure out what's going on. Anyway, anyone have experience to share about what one's body might do as it adjusts to stopping ovarian suppression?

MeToo14

I'm interested in this too. I'm sorry I can't offer any advice but I've been thinking about coming of zoladex, same as Lupron. I've been on it for two years and would like to try and have a baby if that's even possible. Good luck I hope it's a smooth transition.

kcat2013

Metoo, judging from the lack of responses thus far I assume there are not a lot of us that have stopped ovarian suppression--particularly in our 30s. I'll try to update this thread as time goes and I see what happens with my body.

stephincanada

I took two, thirty day, cycles of Lupron (the purpose was to stop bleeding that was induced by chemo). I got my period about 2.5 months after it would have been time for my third shot. Before my period resumed, I felt very nauseous, reminiscent of the nausea I experienced while pregnant. So, kcat2013, I think your hormonal system is springing back to life. I am 46.

kcat2013

Thank you Stephincanada. It's good to know that it took 2.5 months for your period to return even after just 2 shots. My nausea definitely resembles pregnancy nausea. Had to think about that and try to figure out why!!

Falconer

I've been on Lupron for almost a year, and have tossed around the idea of going on Tamoxifen w my MO. Thanks for asking this question as I've been wondering what will happen when I stop. Does OS really go out of ones system that quickly?

maryny16

So sorry to hear about your side-effects.

I stopped Lupron and Arimidex in June/July b/c the side effects were too debilitating. I was constantly dizzy, severe joint pain, balance issues, had insomnia and the hot flashes so severe I couldn't sleep -- I went of everything for a month, got my period after 6-7 weeks and started taking Tamoxifen which has been WORLDS more tolerable for me.Feel normal for the first time in a year. Still have minor hot flashes but nothing compared to before. Hope that helps

kcat2013

Falconer, my gynecologist told me that when used in fertility treatments the doses of Lupron are much smaller than what is used in cancer treatment. With the fertility treatment, ovulation and subsequent menstruation follow very quickly after stopping the drug. But the "massive amount" (doctor's words) of Lupron used in cancer treatment your body can take a lot longer to recover--or sometimes it doesn't. She basically told me it was a wait and see thing unfortunately. Blah.

Mary, thanks for chiming in! How quickly did your hot flashes go away?? Mine are still going strong along with night sweats--it really affects my sleep too. I'm already on Tamoxifen and I know that can cause hot flashes but I'm hoping the Lupron made them worse and they'll lighten up over time now.

kcat2013

I'm coming back to update my post, in case it's useful to someone else. My period returned approximately 6 months after my last Lupron injection. It was a doozy and I guess I paid for the 4+ years of no periods! Not sure yet if my cycles will be regular going forward or not, time will tell.

Falconer

Kcat, thanks. I did stop Lupron at the end of November and started Tamoxifen in January. So far no periods. But I read on some Tam posts that some women don't get periods while taking Tamoxifen. I'm ten years older than you so maybe I got pushed into menopause which would be fine by me!