Off-Label Lupron from Breast Cancer, On Label for Endometriosis. Prostate Cancer?

n two data collection studies performed by the Endometriosis Research Center, women were asked to share feedback about their experience with Lupron®. The results (both data collections were limited to Lupron® users only):

27.71% found Lupron® to be tolerable and helpful at symptom relief;
7.23% found Lupron® to be tolerable, but not helpful at symptom relief;
16.87% found Lupron® to be intolerable, but nonetheless helpful at symptom relief;
48.19%, almost half of the participants, indicated that Lupron® WAS INTOLERABLE AND NOT HELPFUL AT SYMPTOM RELIEF.

Because I am not concerned with relief of Endometriosis relief, I still read 16.87 + 48.19 = 65.06% = INTOLERABLE side-effects.

These impartial and unbiased results are strikingly different from the experiences propagated throughout the medical community and TAP's various websites.

In a second study, patients were asked for feedback regarding their POST-Lupron® experience. The results were even more startling:

21.67% did not suffer any lasting effects from Lupron®;
26.67% suffered lasting effects for up to 6 mos. after Lupron®;
10.00% suffered lasting effects for up to 1 year after Lupron®;
5.00% I suffered lasting effects for up to 2 years after Lupron therapy®;
6.67% suffered lasting effects for up to 3 years after Lupron therapy®;
6.67% suffered lasting effects for up to 4 years after Lupron therapy®;
23.33%, a staggering amount of participants, suffered lasting effects for UP TO 5 OR MORE YEARS after Lupron®.

"Effects" included but were not limited to seizures, cardiac problems, and fibromyalgia. Yet, these effects are largely unrecognized in the medical literature. Again, such effects continue to be ignored and invalidated by healthcare providers at large.

The Endometriosis Research Center strongly maintains: the long-term effects of Lupron® (and GnRH medications in general) is not known. The application of GnRH therapy to those women who have not been surgically diagnosed must stop. More research must be given to the long-term effects of GnRH therapy on a woman - and possibly her offspring. Indeed, GnRH medications have a place in Endometriosis treatment; however, caution must be exercised to avoid the cookie-cutter approach to therapy. What works for one patient will not work for another. Subjecting patients to potential negative effects that outweigh the benefits of treatment is unethical. Patient needs and the uniqueness of each case must be thoroughly considered before any therapies are offered.