Hello everyone..
I recently got off the depo shot.. My last shot was March 2010
I recently got off the depo shot.. My last shot was March 2010
Hello everyone..
I recently got off the depo shot.. My last shot was March 2010 after being on the depo for a good 8 years straight. I wanted to give my experience. I've read a lot of the post and I strongly believe that they have changed the depo shot. What a lot of you are experiencing. I didn't go through when i first started. I did not have rapid weight gain and my period stopped almost immediately.. with occational spotting along the years but no actual period. But I decided to get off to give my body a break and my physican has been telling me about the related bone density due to being on the shot. So this post is for the women that have been on as long as me or maybe longer or for anyone looking for a positve post because a lot of the women not all have experienced really bad side effects... So lets see its been 5 months now since my last shot. The first thing was i did have really tender sore breast, and didn't know why until i read a few of the post on here. I still have not had a period (can't say that i'm sad) I noticed that I get full really quick and im losing a few pounds (can't say that i'm sad). My body in fine. I didn't loose my hair or gain a lot of weight while on the shot. I have noticed that my hands and feet are really dry and peeling. Which I'm assuming is a side affect. But for the ladies curious about getting off that have been on 5 yrs or more. I wanted to shine a postive light on it. My sex drive is normal, no headaches, no body pain anywhere. I don't want children right now so me not having a period is a plus. Im assuming that it will find its way back eventually. I wouldn't recommend getting off and getting back on for you long time users. I probably wouldn't recommend it for any first time users due to the bone density I started the shot at 18 right after my son was born and am now 26. I hope this post helped someone and remember our bodies are different the same but different. My body is reacting differntly to gettin off when the next women might have different reactions....good luck
I recently got off the depo shot.. My last shot was March 2010 after being on the depo for a good 8 years straight. I wanted to give my experience. I've read a lot of the post and I strongly believe that they have changed the depo shot. What a lot of you are experiencing. I didn't go through when i first started. I did not have rapid weight gain and my period stopped almost immediately.. with occational spotting along the years but no actual period. But I decided to get off to give my body a break and my physican has been telling me about the related bone density due to being on the shot. So this post is for the women that have been on as long as me or maybe longer or for anyone looking for a positve post because a lot of the women not all have experienced really bad side effects... So lets see its been 5 months now since my last shot. The first thing was i did have really tender sore breast, and didn't know why until i read a few of the post on here. I still have not had a period (can't say that i'm sad) I noticed that I get full really quick and im losing a few pounds (can't say that i'm sad). My body in fine. I didn't loose my hair or gain a lot of weight while on the shot. I have noticed that my hands and feet are really dry and peeling. Which I'm assuming is a side affect. But for the ladies curious about getting off that have been on 5 yrs or more. I wanted to shine a postive light on it. My sex drive is normal, no headaches, no body pain anywhere. I don't want children right now so me not having a period is a plus. Im assuming that it will find its way back eventually. I wouldn't recommend getting off and getting back on for you long time users. I probably wouldn't recommend it for any first time users due to the bone density I started the shot at 18 right after my son was born and am now 26. I hope this post helped someone and remember our bodies are different the same but different. My body is reacting differntly to gettin off when the next women might have different reactions....good luck
Hello Everyone. I was suppose to get my last Depo shot in June 2010 but didn't, and ever since that day I have been bleeding. It's not like a normal period. I bleed maybe a hour a day and sometimes it's heavy and sometimes light. Most times it's just a rush of blood and it's done. I would like to know if this is normal or not. Is something wrong with me? Please help?
yes u just have to try and not put presser on them my hubbie was feeling like he couldn't please me so i've stopped asking and try to keep ot to myself its hard but at least i'm not putting him under presser . what a differents a few hornmones make lol started to buy some new clothes and making myself look good but you just have to be carefull i've had a few people ask if i'm having affair lol can't win either way lol keep plodding on i'm sure things will get better soon sunlitepie
I decided not to get my shot this past Aug. b/c my husband & I thought it would be a good time to try & have another baby. Ironically, it is exactly 4 years since my first shot. It has been exactly one month & I feel like HELL! All the symptoms everyone mentioned before (boobs HUGE, mine are actually pealing, stomach so bloated, cramping, nauseous...etc) & I was seriously thinking I was preggo until I came across this website. I have also experienced serious problems with my left knee-I wear a brace almost daily. After reading about all the bone density problems, I totally feel like I have that! It has made my heart so heavy reading all the women who have had problems coming off this shot & it breaks my heart to hear how long it takes for a period. I wanted to get pregnant next year, but it looks like it may not happen. I will add this site to my favorites & check on it now & then, but I think for now I'm not going to stress myself out by reading so many bad things. :'(
I have been on depo for just about 4 years, I am 48 now.
Before the depo, life was hell. Every month I had cramps so bad I needed prescription pain relief to function. I bled so much I missed an average of two days of work a month. Those days were spent hitting the bathroom every hour or so to change both a super tampon and a super maxi pad. I knew things were crazy when one day I was reading the super tampon box and it said they should last 8 hours!!
My doc tried everything - pills, mirena, but nothing worked. She didn't want to go with depo bc I was already overweight and diabetic. Finally she relented, and I was period free!!! Pain free!! OMG it was amazing. When I got the shot I took a little extra insulin that week and it was fine. I also LOST 80 lbs!
Now I have a new doc and she did a bone density test, and I was too low so I had to stop the depo. I am hoping that I am well into menopause and my period never returns. Because if it does, all that stuff from before will come back - you know - swollen breasts, cramps, anemia which makes you cold and can cause shortness of breath, etc.
I haven't had any other side effects from stopping it, and don't expect to. I could rack up every ache and pain to it but that wouldn't be realistic.
I only wish there were something else that works as well. I guess I'll have to wait and see on my period.
Before the depo, life was hell. Every month I had cramps so bad I needed prescription pain relief to function. I bled so much I missed an average of two days of work a month. Those days were spent hitting the bathroom every hour or so to change both a super tampon and a super maxi pad. I knew things were crazy when one day I was reading the super tampon box and it said they should last 8 hours!!
My doc tried everything - pills, mirena, but nothing worked. She didn't want to go with depo bc I was already overweight and diabetic. Finally she relented, and I was period free!!! Pain free!! OMG it was amazing. When I got the shot I took a little extra insulin that week and it was fine. I also LOST 80 lbs!
Now I have a new doc and she did a bone density test, and I was too low so I had to stop the depo. I am hoping that I am well into menopause and my period never returns. Because if it does, all that stuff from before will come back - you know - swollen breasts, cramps, anemia which makes you cold and can cause shortness of breath, etc.
I haven't had any other side effects from stopping it, and don't expect to. I could rack up every ache and pain to it but that wouldn't be realistic.
I only wish there were something else that works as well. I guess I'll have to wait and see on my period.
I have now been to the doctor. My appointments have continuously been put off for one reason or another. The doctor told me not to be alarmed if I don't get pregnant until March of 2011. She also told me to start taking prenatal vitamins since we are trying to get pregnant. I suffer from irritability, bloating and cramps 1 to 2 weeks before I start my period. It actually came back regular last month. I constantly feel pregnant. I think that is my own mind playing tricks on my though. I haven't gained or lost any weight since I got off of the shot. I was a little concerned with my 6 mth. mark but to no avail. Well, that is all I have for now. I will continue to keep you posted with any new news or symptoms.
Hi all,
I had been on depo provera for about 14 years and am now into my second time of not having the injection, i am experiencing such bad problems now that i am off the injection, my breasts are really sore, i am feeling really sick and tired all the time, i am very irritable, and have bad pains in my stomach.
I actually feel like a druggie with withdrawall symptoms (i guess it feels like this), as my doctor said when you have put a drug into your body for 14 years and then stop you will get some sort of withdrawall symptoms.
I feel like sh*t and i am perimenopausal to boot so not sure what is going on with me symptoms or peri....., my doctor said i just have to ride it out and it could take a long long time. The first injection i missed seemed sort of okay so i went three steps forward and now i am going a few steps back.
I would never recommend anyone going on this injection if it makes you feel like this regardless of how long you are on it for use condoms :-)
Anyway i have a very very busy cake and cafe business in australia so havent got time for this, life goes on.
Hope this helps some of you, feel free to ask me questions about it and by the way i hardly ever got my period on the injection and still dont, because i am perimen... i probably wont anymore yippppeeeee
Tina :-)
I had been on depo provera for about 14 years and am now into my second time of not having the injection, i am experiencing such bad problems now that i am off the injection, my breasts are really sore, i am feeling really sick and tired all the time, i am very irritable, and have bad pains in my stomach.
I actually feel like a druggie with withdrawall symptoms (i guess it feels like this), as my doctor said when you have put a drug into your body for 14 years and then stop you will get some sort of withdrawall symptoms.
I feel like sh*t and i am perimenopausal to boot so not sure what is going on with me symptoms or peri....., my doctor said i just have to ride it out and it could take a long long time. The first injection i missed seemed sort of okay so i went three steps forward and now i am going a few steps back.
I would never recommend anyone going on this injection if it makes you feel like this regardless of how long you are on it for use condoms :-)
Anyway i have a very very busy cake and cafe business in australia so havent got time for this, life goes on.
Hope this helps some of you, feel free to ask me questions about it and by the way i hardly ever got my period on the injection and still dont, because i am perimen... i probably wont anymore yippppeeeee
Tina :-)
I was on the shot for about 2 and 1/2 years, and skipped my shot that was due late September 2010 since I want to give my body a break. Starting around last week my breasts started getting sore, I've been extremely gassy/nauseous(more than usual, I'm pretty gassy), and I noticed that I had gained 2 pounds (I'm only 116 now, 2 pounds is a lot for me). I was afraid of being pregnant even with it being so soon after going off the shot and my fiance and I using protection. I'm so glad I found this whole set of threads, I feel much more relieved, though I really hope my breasts don't swell too much since I already have trouble finding bras (34D). My period has yet to return, though I have had the slight discomfort that I normally associate with starting my period. My only real other problem (since my fiance and I don't want kids) is hoping that my nausea doesn't get worse since I have emetophobia (fear of nausea/throwing up or seeing someone else do it) :-(
Hi Ladies,
I am soon to be 45 (Jan '11) and was on the shot for 10 years. While I was never regurlar with my periods during my teens, 20's 30's, I switched from the pill to the shot at age 35. I had very limited problems while on the shot. During the first 3 or 4 years I would occasionnally have a period that would last several weeks, then I would go for a couple of years and no period. My dr. said that it was nothing to worry about, that my body had to "cleanse" itself. As for weight gain I have always been overweight and been up and down on that. I have always had a HEALTHY sex drive so no issues there. As i started approaching 45 I thought I should go off the depo so my body could adjust as I enter menopause. Also I was concerned with bone density issues as reported with long term use. I stopped getting my shot in Sept '10.
Since then, I have had two very light periods that last about 6 days. On the positive side I have lost 20 lbs and my sex drive has even INCREASED! :-D
On the NEGATIVE side, I have been having severe migraines at least once a week...some times more. Also, I am in constant pain through out my entire body. It's like every muscle and joint hurts. While I have not had any issues with breast tenderness, my back, arms, legs, hips, neck, wrists, elbows, knees, etc constantly hurt. Nothing I take either OTC or RX will relieve the pain. The pain started in Nov. Since I have been unemployed for 2yrs and I don't have health insurance I cannot afford to go to a Dr.
I have not been able to find any "official" information from the FDA or the maker of Depo regarding any issues relating to the effects of going OFF the shot. I thought maybe this was all in my head until I found this site.
Is anyone aware of any resources or support groups that are addressing these issues? I am at a total loss here.
I am soon to be 45 (Jan '11) and was on the shot for 10 years. While I was never regurlar with my periods during my teens, 20's 30's, I switched from the pill to the shot at age 35. I had very limited problems while on the shot. During the first 3 or 4 years I would occasionnally have a period that would last several weeks, then I would go for a couple of years and no period. My dr. said that it was nothing to worry about, that my body had to "cleanse" itself. As for weight gain I have always been overweight and been up and down on that. I have always had a HEALTHY sex drive so no issues there. As i started approaching 45 I thought I should go off the depo so my body could adjust as I enter menopause. Also I was concerned with bone density issues as reported with long term use. I stopped getting my shot in Sept '10.
Since then, I have had two very light periods that last about 6 days. On the positive side I have lost 20 lbs and my sex drive has even INCREASED! :-D
On the NEGATIVE side, I have been having severe migraines at least once a week...some times more. Also, I am in constant pain through out my entire body. It's like every muscle and joint hurts. While I have not had any issues with breast tenderness, my back, arms, legs, hips, neck, wrists, elbows, knees, etc constantly hurt. Nothing I take either OTC or RX will relieve the pain. The pain started in Nov. Since I have been unemployed for 2yrs and I don't have health insurance I cannot afford to go to a Dr.
I have not been able to find any "official" information from the FDA or the maker of Depo regarding any issues relating to the effects of going OFF the shot. I thought maybe this was all in my head until I found this site.
Is anyone aware of any resources or support groups that are addressing these issues? I am at a total loss here.
This is my story and I'll keep you updated...
After my second child was born in Jan. '10, I decided that I would finally go on birth control. Since I was breast feeding my OB/GYN told me that the safest form of BC was the Depo shot or the Depo in pill form. Taking the easy way out and less to remember, I decided to get the Depo shot.
On March 24th I received my 1st shot. Everything seemed normal. I had 1 normal period within the first 3 months of my shot.
On June 23rd I had my 2nd shot. I was still breast feeding at this time. On July 24th I decided to stop breast feeding and on the 25th I got my period. Thinking it was no big deal I went on with my every day events.
My period then lasted just shy of 2 1/2 months. After 1 month of bleeding constantly I finally called my OB/GYN. She said it was normal and unless I was filling a pad every hour, not to worry about it. I wasn't cramping, out of the normal and one week I would spot and the other would be like a normal period. I didn’t see that there was an issue since I had stopped breast feeding I just figured that my hormone balance was a little messed up. I was due for my 3rd shot in Sept. and my Dr. insured me that my period would probably stop after my 3rd shot like most women do.
On Sept. 15th I received my 3rd shot...still bleeding. I called my Dr. again to make sure everything was ok. She once again said that if I wasn't filling up a pad every hour then I had nothing to worry about.
On Sept. 30th I was having major cramping to the point I couldn't move. I called my Dr. once again and told her my symptoms, cramping mostly and still bleeding. The bleeding increased but I wasn't filling a pad every hour. They wanted me to go get an ultrasound done on my reproductive system.
On Oct. 6th I got the ultrasound done and everything came back normal. My Dr. had me come in and she prescribed me with and estrogen base birth control. She said that I was the rare one that the shot didn't work because after my 3rd shot my period should be gone completely. So I took the new BC and within 3 to 4 days my period stopped along with the cramping. YEAH!! But I still new the depo shot was still in my system. My Dr. gave me a prescription for 6 months worth of the new BC. I thought that if this shot could do all of this that I didn't want anything to do with ANY kind of BC. So after my first cycle of the new BC, I decided not to take any BC. For the remaining time the Depo was in my system, after taking the new BC, I did not have my period.
I was supposed to get my 4th shot on Dec. 1st which my Dr. told me not to. I had NO problem with that!! HOWEVER...
On Dec. 4th I started my period. Thinking everything would go back to being normal I once again went on with my normal everyday tasks. Today is Jan. 10, 2011 and I am still on my period. One week I'll have really bad cramps with heavy bleeding and the next more like spotting.
I have scheduled a Dr. Appt NOT with my OB/GYN but with my PCP. She is a great Dr. and looks to try natural ways first. I go see her tomorrow to talk about my options and see what natural ways to regulate my hormones and body.
I have also spoken with a close friend of mine who deals in natural hormone replacement. She is an Independent Sales Consultant for a company called ARBONNE. She has done her research and spoke with many women over the years on BC, hysterectomies, and hormone replacements.
Her story short and simple...
She had a hysterectomy done and her Dr. put her on a hormone replacement. Her Dr. were putting her on Premarin (She) not knowing it is Horse Estrogen Derived from Horse Urine; she took the pills as directed. After about a month or two she realized that she wasn't right. She started to research and came across Arbonne. Ever since she has been able to educate women on WHAT DOCTORS DON'T TELL YOU. Which is a book written by Lynne Mctaggart.
I have ordered a natural hormone replacement (PROLIEF) with my friend through Arbonne.
Starting this week I am kicking off my new Green smoothie Revolution Diet. This is also a book that gives recipes and talks about how our bodies are getting use to processed foods and our digestive systems hardly work. Interesting book.
With the 3 steps I'm taking I'll keep you updated and see how it goes. I am optimistic that PROLIEF will work along with changing my diet. I may even try a Detox tea.
<Amanda>
After my second child was born in Jan. '10, I decided that I would finally go on birth control. Since I was breast feeding my OB/GYN told me that the safest form of BC was the Depo shot or the Depo in pill form. Taking the easy way out and less to remember, I decided to get the Depo shot.
On March 24th I received my 1st shot. Everything seemed normal. I had 1 normal period within the first 3 months of my shot.
On June 23rd I had my 2nd shot. I was still breast feeding at this time. On July 24th I decided to stop breast feeding and on the 25th I got my period. Thinking it was no big deal I went on with my every day events.
My period then lasted just shy of 2 1/2 months. After 1 month of bleeding constantly I finally called my OB/GYN. She said it was normal and unless I was filling a pad every hour, not to worry about it. I wasn't cramping, out of the normal and one week I would spot and the other would be like a normal period. I didn’t see that there was an issue since I had stopped breast feeding I just figured that my hormone balance was a little messed up. I was due for my 3rd shot in Sept. and my Dr. insured me that my period would probably stop after my 3rd shot like most women do.
On Sept. 15th I received my 3rd shot...still bleeding. I called my Dr. again to make sure everything was ok. She once again said that if I wasn't filling up a pad every hour then I had nothing to worry about.
On Sept. 30th I was having major cramping to the point I couldn't move. I called my Dr. once again and told her my symptoms, cramping mostly and still bleeding. The bleeding increased but I wasn't filling a pad every hour. They wanted me to go get an ultrasound done on my reproductive system.
On Oct. 6th I got the ultrasound done and everything came back normal. My Dr. had me come in and she prescribed me with and estrogen base birth control. She said that I was the rare one that the shot didn't work because after my 3rd shot my period should be gone completely. So I took the new BC and within 3 to 4 days my period stopped along with the cramping. YEAH!! But I still new the depo shot was still in my system. My Dr. gave me a prescription for 6 months worth of the new BC. I thought that if this shot could do all of this that I didn't want anything to do with ANY kind of BC. So after my first cycle of the new BC, I decided not to take any BC. For the remaining time the Depo was in my system, after taking the new BC, I did not have my period.
I was supposed to get my 4th shot on Dec. 1st which my Dr. told me not to. I had NO problem with that!! HOWEVER...
On Dec. 4th I started my period. Thinking everything would go back to being normal I once again went on with my normal everyday tasks. Today is Jan. 10, 2011 and I am still on my period. One week I'll have really bad cramps with heavy bleeding and the next more like spotting.
I have scheduled a Dr. Appt NOT with my OB/GYN but with my PCP. She is a great Dr. and looks to try natural ways first. I go see her tomorrow to talk about my options and see what natural ways to regulate my hormones and body.
I have also spoken with a close friend of mine who deals in natural hormone replacement. She is an Independent Sales Consultant for a company called ARBONNE. She has done her research and spoke with many women over the years on BC, hysterectomies, and hormone replacements.
Her story short and simple...
She had a hysterectomy done and her Dr. put her on a hormone replacement. Her Dr. were putting her on Premarin (She) not knowing it is Horse Estrogen Derived from Horse Urine; she took the pills as directed. After about a month or two she realized that she wasn't right. She started to research and came across Arbonne. Ever since she has been able to educate women on WHAT DOCTORS DON'T TELL YOU. Which is a book written by Lynne Mctaggart.
I have ordered a natural hormone replacement (PROLIEF) with my friend through Arbonne.
Starting this week I am kicking off my new Green smoothie Revolution Diet. This is also a book that gives recipes and talks about how our bodies are getting use to processed foods and our digestive systems hardly work. Interesting book.
With the 3 steps I'm taking I'll keep you updated and see how it goes. I am optimistic that PROLIEF will work along with changing my diet. I may even try a Detox tea.
<Amanda>
Hello,
Update...
I saw my PCP who took blood for hormone and iron tests. I just received the call today that everything was normal. But I don't feel normal. I am guessing it could be that my body is going through withdraws. I'm not sure what to do now. My Dr. said that she wants to try me on Loestrin24 which is an estrogen base BC. She doesn't know if this is going to work but she thinks it will.
I honestly don't want to go on any more medication seeing how medication got me into this whole mess. I am going to try the more natural way and go on the Arbonne progestron cream. I'll keep you updated weekly to let you know if there is any change.
~Amanda~
Update...
I saw my PCP who took blood for hormone and iron tests. I just received the call today that everything was normal. But I don't feel normal. I am guessing it could be that my body is going through withdraws. I'm not sure what to do now. My Dr. said that she wants to try me on Loestrin24 which is an estrogen base BC. She doesn't know if this is going to work but she thinks it will.
I honestly don't want to go on any more medication seeing how medication got me into this whole mess. I am going to try the more natural way and go on the Arbonne progestron cream. I'll keep you updated weekly to let you know if there is any change.
~Amanda~
Hello to all you women on this site, well its been three months of hell since i have been off depo injections, since then i have been so sick with stomach problems, bowel problems, pains here and there (definitely withdrawal symptoms), been in hospital a few times, it came to a head the other night when i had such excruciating pain i couldnt stand up and was in hospital overnight for them to observe me, that was on the sunday guess what on the monday i GOT MY PERIOD, wow talk about letting the flood gates open, it was like a plug there making me so sick till i started bleeding (now remember i havent had a proper period for 15 yes 15 years), anyway i am still bleeding quite heavily still 5 days later but i feel so much better, now i know that sounds silly but the pains have gone, the moods have gone and i think that is all that was wrong with me after so long.
I am about to have a blood test to see how the old hormones are and whether i am peri menopausal or not.
To you bubbles yes i had shocking withdrawals and i feel the same about medication now and dont want to be on anything anymore, must tell you though all my female friends couldnt stop laughing and my daughters when i told them i got my period for the first time in 15 years so never say never, hope you are all doing okay on this sight, will let you know how the blood test goes wow my poor body was screaming let me out let me out.
Cheers
Tina
I am about to have a blood test to see how the old hormones are and whether i am peri menopausal or not.
To you bubbles yes i had shocking withdrawals and i feel the same about medication now and dont want to be on anything anymore, must tell you though all my female friends couldnt stop laughing and my daughters when i told them i got my period for the first time in 15 years so never say never, hope you are all doing okay on this sight, will let you know how the blood test goes wow my poor body was screaming let me out let me out.
Cheers
Tina
Update...
So I've been on Prolief for a week and a day and hitting it hard. Taking 1 pump in the morning and 1 pump before I go to bed.
No major changes. Although I though about my husband and my libido came back a little. I actually got turned on for a very very short time. It only last a couple seconds. Normally I couldn't give a c**p but it was nice while it lasted. I haven't felt like that since I first found out I was pregnant with our second son.
Diet is going ok. I've not been really strict on it. My fault.
I'm still not on any BC!!
I will update you in two weeks.
I hope all is well.
~Amanda~
So I've been on Prolief for a week and a day and hitting it hard. Taking 1 pump in the morning and 1 pump before I go to bed.
No major changes. Although I though about my husband and my libido came back a little. I actually got turned on for a very very short time. It only last a couple seconds. Normally I couldn't give a c**p but it was nice while it lasted. I haven't felt like that since I first found out I was pregnant with our second son.
Diet is going ok. I've not been really strict on it. My fault.
I'm still not on any BC!!
I will update you in two weeks.
I hope all is well.
~Amanda~
How is it so many women have the money to get the depo shots every 12 weeks, the money for annual gyn exams, but when things go wrong and they supposedly feel so very sick they have no insurance and poor me can't get to the doc.
That's utterly ridiculous.
Your hormones affect your entire body, do a little reading, educate yourselves on your own body. Any change is going to have some impact, some positive, some negative.
It is pitiful how little women know about their own bodies.
I was on depo for 5 years, went off for 6 months (with no ill effects) and went back on again. It does what I need it to do, stop the unnecessary periods that I suffered greatly with for years.
That's utterly ridiculous.
Your hormones affect your entire body, do a little reading, educate yourselves on your own body. Any change is going to have some impact, some positive, some negative.
It is pitiful how little women know about their own bodies.
I was on depo for 5 years, went off for 6 months (with no ill effects) and went back on again. It does what I need it to do, stop the unnecessary periods that I suffered greatly with for years.