Are there side effects from stopping Lupron?

davick92

BRIEF HISTORY: In 2012 (age 43) - High grade, ER+, invasive breast cancer, stage 2. Had a mastectomy on the right. Chemo for 6 months, then started Tamoxifen. In 2018 - High grade, ER+ DCIS on the left, stage 0. Had mastectomy. Went off Tamoxifen and started Arimidex (Anastrozole) in March 2019. Periods returned several months later, even though my doc thought I was already through menopause. Doc added Lupron injections in February 2020. Had monthly injections for about a year. Last one was February 23, 2021. Doc said we will draw labs in May to see where hormone levels are at. It is now April 15, 2021 (I will be 52 in May). Still taking Arimidex. Almost 2 months after stopping Lupron and am very fatigued and have had lots of joint pain in hands and feet. Could this be because of stopping the Lupron? Or, should I consider it to be something else? It is also allergy season, so I am taking Claritin. And, I also am taking Pepcid AC for acid reflux.

BCat40

I think it's more likely that the pain you describe is the cumulative effect of the arimidex rather than stopping lupron, and then he amount of time it took you to get those sideeffects happened to coincide with stopping lupron. The pain is caused by estrogen deprivation—our musculoskeletal system needs estrogen! Stopping lupron wouldn't make estrogen deprivation worse.

davick92

Thanks for the info. I have been taking Arimidex for 2 years, and have had the joint pain and fatigue with it almost the entire time. But, it seemed to increase when I started getting Lupron a year ago. Then, it waned for awhile, but increased again once I stopped getting the Lupron shots. So, its hard to tell what is causing most of the pain and fatigue. Guess I will discuss it with my Onc. at my next visit.

Totallytubular

hi,

when I stopped lupron I actually seemed to feel lighter. I am sorry you are having pain.

some say that accupuncure is helpful. I had low mood, insomnia, hot flashes and other things.

yes, please reach out to your doctor and hope you feel better!

MB