After a meeting with my doctor I left feeling completely overwhelmed. He expressed the importance of a medically induced menopause with the commonly prescribed drug, Lupron. He stated my endometriosis is so severe that I need to be treating it as aggressively as someone would be treating cancer.
Lupron is the drug most commonly injected into women with Endometriosis. It was developed for treating men with prostate cancer and is basically a chemotherapy drug. It works by stopping your pituitary gland from producing estrogen. Women typically receive a 3 month treatment but it does sometimes lead into a 6 month span. Lupron treatment should never exceed 6 months as it's considered unsafe after that amount of time. Lupron should not be given for more than two treatments (two induced menopauses) in a lifetime. The night before my appointment I researched Lupron and what I found was shocking. Lupron has killed over 1,100 people since 2009 and left a lot of women with seemingly permanent, debilitating damage. The most prominent side effect is bone density loss, in which some women lose 80% of bone density in one round of Lupron. The other side effects range from ovarian failure to neurological effects and heart issues. On the lesser side of the drugs negative side effects women experience severe mood swings as well as typical menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. Some women have been reported to be so incredibly depressed that they have difficulty getting out of bed and some commit suicide. The amount of negative articles, blog posts and even support groups for people who were harmed by Lupron were mind blowing. The thing about Lupron is that it's not a cure for endometriosis. There is no "cure" for it. It is a 50/50 chance that after the Lupron injections there is any relief from symptoms and typically the disease carries on at the same level of intensity as it had before. What I have found is the modern medicine way of treating endometriosis tends to only aggravate it and offers little to no relief in the long run. Why are women even taking Lupron if it shown to be extremely ineffective and it has the capability of causing such damage? I think it stems from a massive fear of forever suffering. The doctors say it is the only thing that can help. From their standpoint and expertise, it certainly is. The idea of being in pain, having irreparable damage done to their womanhood, having no chances of ever giving life, having multiple surgeries and all the other things that accompany Endometriosis are enough to go for anything that can offer relief. Most women aren't aware of other options they have. I am trying to figure out something different for myself. A treatment plan based on nutrition, management through herbs and other natural methods to help my body and immune system become healthier and better able to manage the disease on it's own. Luckily I have a really cool, resourceful and supportive family. My brothers have a huge network of natural healers and herbalists. I don't want to keep it all to myself though! I would love to share any information I have with anyone who has Endometriosis and especially those who are local, that I can share contact information for the people I am working with. Endometriosis can be really confusing. When I think of the entire body and how it works together and how different organs can contribute to the whole picture it makes much more sense. One of the things that has brought my mind the most relief is realizing it is not an issue confined to my uterus and ovaries. It is an issue that a lot of different organs, once strengthened and functioning at their fullest capability can help to lessen the damage and one day be supportive in such a way as to relieve all of, or most of my symptoms. The only thing I have found is that using a system of treatment in this way is the only thing that has given women permanent relief. I have a really good feeling that I am on the right track.
1 Comment
|
WARNING:
Usage of tasteful profanity which you might not consider tasteful. Some stories are vulgar. Colorful language and descriptions included. Reading these stories may cause you to become offended, appalled and uneasy. You have been warned. Read with caution. Categories
All
Archives
September 2017
|