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Post by jessabug on Jul 25, 2011 14:59:06 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I've searched the boards for this but didn't really find anything specific to what I'm wondering about... plenty of stuff on drug treatment, and BCP's after surgery, but didn't find anything about this: As some of you know, I had a lap about a month ago and the OBGYN removed some endo but I don't really know the details because of my unique situation (it was an emergency on vacation, he wasn't my gyno, not even in the same state I live in). My mom talked to her friend yesterday, who is an OBGYN, and she said that based on what my mom told her, I should have been put on Lupron or some other drug therapy for 3-6 months after my surgery. I'm confused by this, because I thought drug therapy was used as treatment for current endo, not as a preventative measure. So I guess my question to you all is, is drug therapy ever used as a post-op precautionary to prevent endo recurrence? My mom's friend said that her reasoning for this is because risking the need for another surgery increases my risk of infertility... perhaps this is because the endo was all over my ovaries?? I'm hoping that maybe I just misunderstood her or something, because I really really don't like the idea of hormone treatment.. but I hate the idea of infertility even more!
I don't know.. do any of you think this is weird? I'm new to the endo world but I was under the impression that drug therapy/surgery was an either/or thing...
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Post by hellsbells on Jul 25, 2011 15:26:27 GMT -5
I don't think it's weird. It's horses for courses, depends on the extent and location of the endo, depends on the surgeon. It is quite usual to get the treatment too though - I was put on 6 months of Provera after my lap. You'll know more once you go through the report with your new doc.
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Post by jessabug on Jul 25, 2011 15:38:15 GMT -5
Okay, that's a relief! I was really confused because my best friend and roommate, who is also an endo girl, has had 2 laps and 6 months of lupron and she was very surprised by that doctor's recommendation. I have my appointment in an hour, I'm actually kind of excited to finally tie these loose ends up and get a handle on what the heck is going on! I'm a little upset with my left ovary right now, because for the past several days she's been pretty fickle I'm crossing my fingers that the first surgeon got it all and that it's just healing pains!
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Post by hellsbells on Jul 25, 2011 15:47:55 GMT -5
If your left ovary is being that annoying and fickle, it's bound to be male!!!!!!! Even if you did have a course of hormones, you could have horrible side effects and still have it come back. I'll be in bed by the time you get back but I'll check in tomorrow!
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Post by jessabug on Jul 25, 2011 15:54:56 GMT -5
Hahaha.. no kidding! Well that would suck... hopefully this OBGYN will have a solution. I'm a little nervous though, because she doesn't seem to have much experience with endo (based on her profile on the hospital website), but I couldn't get in to see anyone else. With any luck, she'll be nice and open minded and interested in learning! Sleep well!
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Post by pretty on Jul 25, 2011 17:11:32 GMT -5
Hey Jessa.... take what she says with a grain of salt. Ask her straight out if she knows a doc who is MORE experienced with endo that you could be referred to. Make it very clear that while you appreciate her care, you ONLY want to see the MOST experienced, most highly skilled, endo specialist. You are not a guinea pig. Some docs will not refer, but the honest ones will do. Also if you have ANY doubts about her skills or ideas, get a second (and third, and fourth) opinion. Don't stick with a doc just because your mom liked them, or your friend had a baby delivered by her, or whatever. Endo is WAY MORE COMPLICATED than routine gynecological stuff, so get your money's worth, and don't accept any treatment you haven't fully researched. Especially if they come at you with a shot... hormone treatments need to be understood fully before you accept them... OK end of lecture lol....
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Post by Karen on Jul 25, 2011 18:10:49 GMT -5
Jumping in a bit late, but some women are given hormones or Lupron post-lap to try to keep things at bay. For some, it works. For others, it doesn't. I may have my numbers off a bit but one of our beloved mods was on GrNH for a while after her lap and when she had a lap 18 months later, well, her endo had progressed. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't let anyone tell you it's a cure. NOTHING is foolproof.
Oh, and there are some studies out there that show that GrNH drugs aren't any more effective than hormonal birth control. There's all sorts of conflicting info out there, but just something else to consider.
I hope you get some answers today about your lap!
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Post by 1234 on Jul 25, 2011 20:43:22 GMT -5
my doctor wanted to put me on lupron and other similar drugs after my lap. I researched and really didn't like any of the drugs and said no. Not to influence your decision, but just to tell you!
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Post by jessabug on Jul 26, 2011 14:36:12 GMT -5
Yeah I've done some research, AND reviewed the thread we've got on it (and zoladex, and the others) and I say nooooooo thank you. I'll go to a specialist for an opinion before I'll let an obgyn I hardly know force feed that crapola to me. Thanks but no thanks!
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Post by hellsbells on Jul 26, 2011 15:34:39 GMT -5
:-)
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