Another Depo question

[dux_femina_facti]

I went in for my post-partum checkup yesterday and had to choose a BC method. Both the nurse and doc recommended Depo since I'm nursing, so I took the injection. I know I should have done this reading ahead of time, but now doing some research on the drug, there are so many negative potential side effects, including depression, migraines, and weight gain. Has anyone on this med experienced any side effects? All I can really find online are 'horror stories' and I really want to know what other women have actually experienced.

Thanks so much for any information!

[DanielleG]

I have been on depo for about 3 years and LOVE it! My mild depression predates the depo, and I can definitely say the depo hasn't made it worse. I also haven't gained any weight. (I believe the literature says average weight gain is about 5 pounds over one year; easy enough to deal with - before I was OP, my weight fluctuated that much week to week.)

Plus, almost NO room for error (I had difficulty with the pill when my life was on an erratic schedule) and NO periods! (including no cramps, no bloating, no pms, no monthly weight fluctuations, and no cyclical moodiness)

The quarterly injections can be inconvenient (I sometimes have to wait in the stupid doctor's office for an hour, just so they can give me a shot!) but it's so much less inconvenient than an unplanned pregnancy.

Obviously, you're stuck with it for at least 3 months. If you become depressed, do consider the possibility that it is post-partum depression and not depo-induced (although of course it could be either).

Wow, I don't get to give my pro-depo rant too often. I'm sure there are horror stories, and I'm sure there are people for whom depo has considerable side effects, but I am a believer.

Good luck!
DG

[dux_femina_facti]

Thank you! I needed to hear that I'm not necessarily doomed to a bad outcome. There's so much bad press out there that I'll be hard-pressed to take a second shot, but it's good to hear that my life could remain normal. :)

[Paris Madeleine]

I was on Depo Provera for six months three years ago and I used to administer it at the clinic I worked at. The majority of women I came into contact with HATEd it and I did not care for it either, but some women (like Danielle and a colleague of mine) have great experiences with it. YMM truly V. Do the research, try it out and then decide if you'd like to try something else or keep on with it.

[Kathy T]

I have received the depo shot for 3 or 4 years and I LOVE it. I haven't had a period in all that time. My sister got it and she had continued spotting and had to go off of it. My daughter (15years) is on it to help for cramping. Poor thing would litterly be in a fetal position at least one full day with cramps before depo. I think that each woman reacts differently to it and therefore has different experiances with it.
Well that is my two cents worth.



Kathy T.

[mzlizzy]

Hello,
i also love it for the convienence. I did experience wt gain from it. But that was before I was OP. WW got it off and kept it off for me. I guess it all depends on the individual. I've been on it for 7yrs and no major side effects for me.

Take care
Lizzy

[dux_femina_facti]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! I was panicked after reading some of the websites associated with the drug and needed some real-life input so I don't psyche myself out. I really appreciate your willingness to tell about what's a pretty private issue in general.

Thanks!

[gizmo]

I too have been on Depo for about 4 years now and love it!! No weight gain, in fact I've lost 65 lbs since I went on it (following WW of course)... the convenience and not having the periods any more is well worth it in my opinion...

I'm also, or should be, in menopause now but because of these shots, I'm not experiencing any of the symptoms... another plus!

My gyno said I could safely stay on it til I'm 65 and that's still 16 years away!!

For me, Depo has been a wonderful product!

Dee

[Suzanne B]

I'm one of those that had a bad reaction to depo. The Dr's office didn't keep me around to make sure I didn't have a reaction to it. By the time I had walked out to the car after getting the shot the palms of my hands and soles of my feet were itching so badly I wanted to peel them off to make it go away. 15 minutes later on my drive home I started crying uncontrolably. I couldn't even drive so I stopped my my mothers house until things settled down. I was shaking, crying, itching, hot and cold and feeling in a total panic. I only got 1 shot. I started spotting soon after getting the shot and spotted everyday for 9 months with no periods. When my cycle did return it was erratic. It took over a year after TOM returned before I got pregnant. We tried for over a year and I finally got pregnant almost 2 years after getting the shot and we didn't use any BC during those 2 years other than that 1 shot.

[crystalfly]

The first time I tried Depo, I hated it. I was a minor, so I had to go to some quack doctor to get it. You know how usually in a month, you have your period for a week, then you have three weeks without one. I did the exact opposite for all three months. I bled for three weeks (not spotting, either--it was more than that!) and had a week period-free.

That's what made me switch to the pill. But a few years later, I tried Depo again and never had any problems. I absolutely loved it.

Eventually, I came to the realization that I just don't like putting extra chemicals in my body. So DH and I have been using jimmy hats for the past, I'd say three or four years. We use one every single time. No exceptions. No accidents or incidents. And no offspring. :D

[kidlets2]

I've been on depo for 4 years now and love it! Just like most everyone else said, no periods, no worries. It works for me because I know I'm done having children. I had a chance with my last to tie things up since it was a planned C-section, but I was only 22 at the time and didn't want to make a decision like that so young.

The one thing I heard about on the news and confirmed with my doctor, is that prolonged use can result in a better chance of osteroperois (sp?). She said I could continue with the shot until my DH and I could make a decision about surgery.

I also remember from my first shot that they said it takes 18 months after your last shot for all the chemicals to leave your body and you should not try to have children until after the 18 mos because of possible birth defects.

Just my 2 cents....

[happyhedgehogs]

I first went on Depo when I got married, and I hated it. I had a light period all the time, beginning during my honeymoon (!!!) and continuing for about 6 months. (This from only one shot!) I felt terrible all the time.

After having my first child, I went back on Depo for a year or so. It went much better that time, and I ended up not having periods at all. This was before I was OP, and my weight was going up all the time anyway, so I don't know how much to attribute to the medicine.

After my second child, I didn't return to Depo, since I wanted a semi-permanent fix. I chose an IUD instead, and this is my favorite of all the methods we've used! No bother for several years, no shots, and no period!

I do have a friend with osteoporosis whose doctor blames it on the Depo. She is only in her 40s but was on Depo for several years. She suggests that women on the drug should try to get extra calcium every day, and should request bone density scans early, based on their increased risk.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

-Bonnie