I just had my first Lupron injection three weeks ago and have to get my second one next week. I have not been able to sleep more than three hours a night since I started taking this injection. I have not had any hot flashes, but I just stay awake at night. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do about it?

Dana

Lupron works by lowering your ovary's production of estrogen. The low level of estrogen has many effects in the body; one is interference with normal levels of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep patterns. It is during REM sleep that you dream and your mental energy is refreshed. Unfortunately, when the estrogen level is suppressed, restful sleep diminishes.

The use of "add-back" therapy, which uses a combined low dose of estrogen and progesterone, can restore the normal sleep pattern and reduce the Lupron side effects. Add-back therapy does not interfere with the effectiveness of Lupron as an endometriosis treatment. However, when Lupron is administered to shrink fibroid tumors of the uterus, add-back therapy may reduce the degree of tumor shrinkage.