Re: Side Effects of Depo Provera
From: Katie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Aug 18 11:59:25 2004
Dear Ladies;
I had the Depo shot two times, once in Jan 2003 and the follow up in
April 2003 and I gained 20 lbs just after the second shot (that was a
surprise!) I knew about potential weight gain but had never experienced
it on the pill so I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. The
shot changed my body like nothing else ever has and I warn everyone to
NOT take it.
During that time my body became allergic to metals and I couldn't wear
my wedding ring for 9 mos. because my whole hand would break out in a
rash, I had major crying episodes at virtually nothing (and I am not by
nature a person who sobs often). My husband had a hard time
understanding me, as did I.
Since being off the shot as of June 2003 I have now had 14 straight
months of menstrual cycles happening 8-10 days after each other. We are
trying to get pregnant but my fertility has not come back yet. That's
what we are most upset about because the months keep stretching on.
So please please please, whatever you do, don't get Depo, and tell all
your friends to not do it too. Go with the lightest amount of hormones
you can get because it alters everything. Better yet, visit CCLI and
learn how to track your cycles naturally - it is really just as
effective and doesn't mess you up. I have finally been able to take off
most of the weight and I can wear my ring again but I wish I would have
done more research on this method before I got the shot. My doctor
didn't tell me barely any of the side effects, just praised it for it's
ease and convenience. Well I'll tell you, 14 months and counting of 2-3
periods a month is NOT convenient!
At Sun, 22 Feb 2004, Jennifer wrote:
>
>I too had the Depo shot, one week after my son was born. I bled for 2
>years. I am not kidding, 2 years. I think this shot can help some
>women but there are MANY sites out there for the women that it harmed. I
>have the same opinion of the Provera that I have of the Lupron, and the
>maker of both can go....well, you get my point. :-)
>
> ~~Jennifer~~
>I read recipes the same way I read science fiction.
>I get to the end and think, "Well, that's not going to happen".
>
>At Sun, 22 Feb 2004, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>
>>Hi Rachel! I had the unfortunate experience of having a depo shot about
>>four years ago. I chose to try the depo method after getting headaches
>>from every possible type of birth control pill there was. After NINE
>>months, that awful shot was FINALLY out of my system.
>>
>>My doctor highly recommended the shot. He lauded it as a great method
>>of birth control if for nothing else than because I only had to worry
>>with it once every three months. I researched it (I thought) and read
>>about the possible weight gain (familiar with this from birth control
>>pills). I also read that there was a stunningly great side effect for
>>many women from that shot and that was a complete loss of periods! Hey!
>>I thought this is the thing for me!
>>
>>Within a week, I started bleeding. And bleeding. And bleeding. It
>>kept on and on and on. My husband started thinking that I was crazy and
>>just making this up so that I wouldn't have to worry with my "wifely"
>>duties. One month went by. Then two. Then three. Still bleeding.
>>Naturally at this point, I am adamant that I NOT get this shot again.
>>
>>I spoke to my doctor about it. He said that it was odd that I was
>>having this problem. He was a family practice guy (MY mistake) and
>>wasn't too familiar with ALL the effects of it. He told me to stick it
>>out and surely it would quit eventually. So I waited. And kept on
>>bleeding. And bleeding. And bleeding. Another month. Then two more.
>>Then three more. By now, I was very tired. I was so tired, in fact, I
>>was sure that I had become anemic.
>>
>>So, I return to my doctor. He happened to be away and I was treated to
>>a lovely visit to an intern who obviously needed work on his bedside
>>manner. When I explained to him that I had been bleeding EVERY day for
>>six months and felt that I was anemic, he merely sighed and grudgingly
>>allowed me a hematocrit. As it turned out, I was only one point below
>>what is considered the bottom end of normal so he brushed me off and
>>told me that that was no cause for my tiredness. Then he asked, "Are
>>you depressed?"
>>
>>Well, I have to tell you, I am generally a very nice and easy-going
>>person. But that question hit me like a brick in the face. I very
>>rudely told this not so pleasant doctor that when he grew boobs and bled
>>for six months straight, then he could talk to me about depression. He
>>looked a little sheepish and then suggested it could be a thyroid
>>problem. HA! It wasn't, of course.
>>
>>So, I went back home and waiting another month. Still bleeding. At the
>>end of that month, I gave up and scheduled an appointment with my
>>previous OB/Gyn in Atlanta who had delivered my first baby and got me
>>through a most difficult pregnancy. I got up at 3am to drive from
>>Savannah to Atlanta to make my appointment.
>>
>>As I was sitting in the waiting room, I picked up a magazine that,
>>interestingly enough, had an article about different methods of birth
>>control. Lo and behold, there is the depo-provera shot. Again, it was
>>lauded for its ease of use and comparable side effects to the pill. Then
>>my name was called to go back.
>>
>>Jeannette Queen, a godsend of a CNP, told me that what I was
>>experiencing was relatively normal. She said that had I continued on
>>with the shot, my symptoms probably would have gone away. Then she
>>prescribed me Premarin and more birth control pills. After two more
>>months, the bleeding finally stopped.
>>
>>I have since read articles about the shot that now talk about how some
>>women will have more problems that what all the ads state. Its just the
>>luck of the draw how you will react. I do find it terribly interesting
>>that I always seem to find out too little too late about some side
>>effects or contraindications on some of these birth control methods.
>>After I got pregnant with my first child while I was on Ortho-tricyclen,
>>I learned that antacids can counteract birth control pills. Oopsie.
>>
>>So in the end, I suppose my own nurse would say continue on with the
>>shot - that it will eventually right itself. However, I know how long
>>that nine months was and how awful I felt all the time. I would not
>>recommend that crazy thing to anybody. Good luck!!!
>>At Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Rachel wrote:
>>>
>>>I just had my first Depo shot over a week ago, and it is making me
>>>terribly sick! Unfortunutely my parents, (I'm only 17) and I believe it
>>>was a nurse I talked ot when I called the doctor don't beleive I feel
>>>this way from the shot. I'm feeling worse by the day! Way worse than
>>>before I had a lap and the shot. What side effects have you guys had on
>>>this? Will the side effects evetunually go away, should I contine to
>>>take it in 3 months when I need to get it again? Am I ever going to feel
>>>better instead of keep on feeling worse? Has this shot helped anyone?
>>>Man I got so many questions!
--
~Katie, Tacoma, WA
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