I have used Depo Proera on and off now for about 8 years. I began due to Endometriosis and it was a perfect solution to cease menstration and try to reduce the severity and pain. NOTHING ELSE HAD WORKED! (Even steriods and i had been diagnosed at twelve so i had many years of experiements). I stopped having the injection to conceive our children (and was very fortunate - it only took about a year). Now, due to painful menstration AND wanting adequate contraception, i commenced the injections once again. I have now been experiencing several side effects including headaches - everyday, joint pain, and i began menstrating again etc etc. Sick of whinging. So now i have stopped them for about two months. In that time i have been menstrating every week. One week off, one week on etc.
Have you experienced this? Any suggestions? Doc is at a loss and i feel like im back to square one. Any sites you can suggest? It would be most welcomed.
2007-10-07 12:17:59 · 10 answers · asked by kelstar 5 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I had significant problems as a result of depo injections, mostly related to regaining fertility - 18 months from date of last shot, I still hadn't started cycling again. From there, it took 3 rounds of assorted medications to induce my cycle, and overall, about 4 years to conceive. However, that doesn't seem to be what you are looking for.
Other problems I had related to the depo were muscle cramps and joint pain. The joint pain was so severe at times that I was forced to use elevators instead of stairs, and I couldn't grip a bottle/jar top to twist it open. In addition, I had some gall bladder problems that were attributed to the depo.
Interestingly, I only had these problems the 2nd time I used depo. I was on it before my first child, loved it, had no issues conceiving after, and went on it again after my 1st. The 2nd time around brought on all my trouble.
If the depo was working for you, maybe Mirena's IUD would too? Theres a site here (http://www.endo-resolved.com/treatment.html) that indicates there has been some success with this.
Good luck to you.
2007-10-07 12:28:39 · answer #1 · answered by Snoopy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some of the side effects of DepoProvera include weight gain and irregular bleeding and headaches/migraines, depression, seizures. See rxlist.com about Depo Provera.
You can also google Depo Provera side effects and get a whole list of sites about this drug. I prescribed this drug for many of my patients wanting birth control and unable to take the birth control pills. I saw so many patients have huge weight gains and problems that I just stopped prescribing it except in the case of a mentally retarded girl who could only get the shot, in case she would be molested in a confined health care facility for MR.
It sounds like your body is not reacting well to the DepoProvera, but also you might ask your doctor to do an endometrial biopxy as your bleeding may be pathology in the uterus and have nothing to do with the Depo Provera. After an endometrial biopsy, you could safely take birth control pills such as Seasonale, for good birth control and loss of periods except q 3 months. Depo Provera does have a secondary osteoporosis risk. Not sure if your joint pain is related to the Depo Provera or not. You might just have an infection in the uterus or cervix that has gone to the joints.
A round of Cipro or other strong antibiotic might help.
I do not have enough information on your history to really give you any more advice, like, when you had your baby, how old you are, etc. Do not be lulled into thinking the bleeding is coming from the uterus and is caused by Depo Provera. It could be something totally different and needs a work-up for hypermenorrhea. If the pathology report of the endometrial biopsy comes out progestational effect, then the Depo Provera was causing the bleeding. Could be you have a small, very small remnant of placenta left behind that bleeds on its own accord. Have seen this happen after pregnancy is over with.
The Depo Provera may cause you to bleed off and on until its effects are out of your system, and for each patient, it is different. I would consider giving you a round of antibiotics and Seasonale to try and regulate you.
You might want to show this response to your doc, ok?
2007-10-07 12:41:13 · answer #2 · answered by sweetstlouiswoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The depo shot be leave it or not is the WORST thing you can do for endo. for anything as that fact! I used the depo shot for 4 years to help with my pcod. I didn't know until I saw a specialist that it was the worst method of birth control know en to woman kind on top of the side effects that you mentioned I sky rocketed from 135lbs to 237 lbs! outch. I suggest that you find a specialist in your area and GO ASAP!!!!!!! As a result of the depo shot and finding out that I DONT have pcod I am still unable to have children 4 years later :( because it messed my body up so bad!
2007-10-07 12:43:50 · answer #3 · answered by bonnie k 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I was a hormonal basket case on Depo and bled for 3 months straight and never got a second shot. After a while, it'll be out of your system and you'll go back to normal. Tubal ligation will take care of the contraception if you're done having kids, but I can't tell you what to do about the pain.
2007-10-07 12:24:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
problems depo provera injections
2016-02-02 09:37:37 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used Depo Provera for three years and never ever experienced any side effects like that, just a little weight gain. It is very unfortunate that your doctor is unable to help you. Ever think of getting a second opinion? Best of luck to you. Don't give up!
2007-10-07 12:20:49 · answer #6 · answered by ♥New Mommy♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depo caused me to bleed (not very heavly) for the entire 13 weeks that it was effective. And i've taken the shot twice. Sooo after 26 weeks of bleeding I was done. On top of that I also got headaches and gained about 10 pounds.
2007-10-07 12:21:57 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I knew a girl who took the shots and it caused her to gain weight at an alraming rate as well as bleed constantly and lose her hair. Every medication has its side effects just some effect people worse than others. My cousin has endometriosis and had to end up having a hysterectomy. She hasn't had any problems since.
2007-10-07 12:26:05 · answer #8 · answered by MJ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I experienced similar side effects, which made me stop the injections. I know there are several surgical treatments for endo. that you should consider. Sorry I can't help more. Good luck.
2007-10-07 12:23:31 · answer #9 · answered by frustratedB 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a LOT of horrible health issues that a LOT of women suffer from because of the shot.
Check out http://www.rateitall.com/t-330-birth-control-methods.aspx and please google "depo provera lawsuit" for more reviews.
I was on it for four years and I'm so glad I'm off of it.
2007-10-07 12:43:09 · answer #10 · answered by Terri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋