I have had right abdominal pain for months (this is massive pain that vicoden will not touch). Have had every test in the book including two colonoscopies in the past six months. Everything is coming out normal. My dr is going to give me injections of Lupron, I guess to prove whether it is endo or not. No one has offered a laporoscopy unfortunately. According to my family dr, if the Lupron doesn't work, then I need to go back to the pain spec for more blocks. She says that the "trunk" has it's own nerve system and that my brain may have rewired itself to new pain paths.

I also have rectal bleeding during my periods which they can't explain through the colonoscopies.

My background is TOS and 5 bulging/herniated discs in my lumber.

I've been reading up on Lupron. I'm 47 so I don't mind early menopause.

Have any of you experienced Lupron?

Hi....

I have no experience with Lupron and I am a little younger than you ( 26 yrs old), but I do have experience with pelvic/abdomninal pain .

If you have not already done so, please ask to be referred to and seen by Gyn dr. They are the ones that have the best training to deal with endometriosis and other women's issue (vs just a family dr).

(btw--I have never heard of Lupron being being able to confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis)

About 18 mo ago, at age 24, I started having pelvic/abdominal pain, that for the longest time was basically blown off by my internal med drs. When I was FINALLY referred to a Gyn, she was able to figure out what was really happening; and after doing a few simple tests realized my "small" ovarian cysts that "shouldn't be causing pain" (according to my internal med dr) had grown very large AND endometriosis was suspected. A few months later my Gyn did Laporascopy and some other procedures, and the endometriosis was confirmed. I still battle with Endometriosis-- but at least now I know "for sure" what is causing the pain.

More recently, I was also diagnosed with a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis--- by a GYN, after many years of my regular doctors--- while very well intention, thought the symptoms were from a UTI or stress, or overactive bladder (Overactive bladder and IC can have some similiar symptoms) . My Gyn put me on a med that treats IC vs just overactive bladder and my IC issues have improved a lot.

My point is, you need to see the right specialists, so you can accurate diagnosis. Sometimes symptoms overlap and sometimes things presently differently than norm (for instance with my ovarian cysts they often press on my nerves and in addition to pain, i also have tingling --which can confuse people). Once you get an accurate diagnosis, then you can get the right treatments and that can make all the difference.

I know its tough and I can really empathize with you--- hang in there !

L2L

I've never heard of Lupron myself. When I was diagnosed with severe endo, I was 24/25 years old, and it was found during a laposcopy.

In fact, I was under the impression that endo could ONLY be found by laposcopy.

Best see a gyno for sure.

MJA,

Yes, I have had experience with Lupron. It was a one time-3 month injection PRIOR to a total hysterectomy to put me through artificial menopause and to try up any residual endo.

PLEASE, see an ob/gyn about a laparoscopy FIRST. Lupron is powerful stuff and I would not take it lightly. I agree with the other posters there may be no need for it so why put yourself through menopause. As the last poster said...see an ob/gyn before having this done by a GP.

(((hugs))) to you!

Doctors typically choose to use Lupron to help diagnose (or rule out endo). The endo symptoms are generally caused by hormonal changes throughout our menstrual cycle. Therefore, by suppressing the female hormones, the endo symptoms should slowly decrease during the shot treatment. If symptoms of pelvic misery aren't suppressed, then that rules out endometriosis as the cause.

I did take monthly shots of Lupron for 3 months. My monthly bloody misery abated in month 2. There are side effects of the medication: frequent night sweats, dry skin, hair loss/thinning. I think that there was another... I can't recall what it was, sorry! From there, I was to get a 3-month shot to get me more time.

Best wishes to you!
Shez

It's official. I had my three month shot. Keep your fingers crossed.

Don't think I didn't want your advice. Really I do. With all the meds I'm aready on (amitrypaline, lyrica, protonix, vicoden) I already had hot flashes and most of the rest.

Now I'm trying to think positive! As I said before, this has to work. I can't accept that this is just another chronic pain. It's too debilitating.

Don't feel any different pain wise. It's still pretty bad. Vomiting and diarrhea seem to be getting worse.

Sm still trying to stay positive.

MJA-TOS,

I feel for you, I really do.

I just wish your doctor had suggested a laparascopy first. I was reading the posts in the other thread as well. And, I too, was always told endo could only be confirmed by a lap. Anyway, I had endo in my teens and all the way up to age 45. And I was lasered out about every two to three years. Mine is a long story. Suffice to say my Reproductive Endocrinologist NEVER suggested Lupron through the years. It wasn't until a lot later on that she even suggested it and as I said, PRIOR to a hysterectomy. But only to dry up any residual endo prior to surgery and to help me get through surgical menopause without a hit by using add back therapy when done. I am sorry but I think it is bad practice to give someone an injection of Lupron without confirming a diagnosis of endo first and/or in light of a hysterectomy. You might want to read up about this practice. Lupron is powerful and your system will shut down over the 3 months. While I don't recall nausea and vomiting I did have horrible headaches and hot flashes that came every 10 minutes for 3 months.

I am sorry I don't mean to sound so abrupt; I just feel badly for you. And again, I wish a lap had been offered first. It would have been so much easier to confirm it and then have it lasered out (if there is endo) then to put yourself through so much misery. Hopefully, the 3 month shot will work IF there is endo.

Hang in there and remember it will take time; which is why they call it the 3 month shot.

It's been a week since my lupron. Last night I started bleeding. Now I'm having a bright red period as well as rectally. I thought this shot was supposed to stop your periods!!! The pain is horrendous and daily. Should I go to the ER for a shot. That's what I debate every night lately. God, I really need relief from this even if it's only for four hours. My dr made me promise her that I would call if I was sucidal. Who wouldn't be suicidal after all this pain. I feel so desparate at times.

I've had a good cry. Maybe my serotonin levels will be better tomorrow. I can't stand the thought of another weekend like this.

Sorry. Sobbing again.

Not sure if I updated all of you. We ditched the endo idea and went with diabetes. My pain was sooo bad last week I went to er for a shot. Found out my sugar was at 450. They gave me insulen for 36 hours and sent me home for a family dr update. I'm now taking glucophage 2000 mgs a day. Pain seems to be going down some. Thank goodness. I was getting suicidal with all that pain. I'm also taking blood pressure meds, an aspirin, and cholesterol meds. I hope I'm on to something and that this abdominal pain will go away.

I will not be taking another lupron shot. Yipee.