Hello,
I don't know if I'm posting this correctly, but considering that all of the symptoms I've experienced from Depo Provera have made me inarguably depressed, I figured this thread would be the most relevant to my issue(s).
Basically I'm just trying to get some advice from anyone else that has ever been on Depo Provera. I have searched countless websites and forums, but I have not found one other person that has been in my situation, so I don't quite know what to expect. Also, I'm using this health forum because all of the other ones I found are outdated - this is the only one I found that has recent posts and replies.
So anyway, I got the Depo Provera shot on June 16th of this year. I was due to get it again on September 16th, but did not. So I've only had one shot. I had gotten it because my doctor recommended I find an alternative birth control method to oral contraceptives, since I was diagnosed with migraines preceeded by an aura in February (apparently the estrogen in some pills can greatly increase the risk of stroke with migraine sufferers). It all seemed great - I read the information pamphlet provided with the shot, and asked my doctor everything I could think of. Either these two (the doctor and the pamphlet) were blatantly lying to me, or both were horribly misinformed, because all I was warned about was "not having a period anymore".
Well it was the complete opposite of that. To this day I still have a heavy period. I had it since the day I got the shot in June, and it has not stopped once, not even for a day, or even an hour for that matter, up to this day. I've also gained weight while already being a healthy eater (I'm vegan) and a fairly active person. And since I started Depo I've been eating even healthier and lighter, as well as becoming very active. But the weight doesn't come off, and it fluctuates constantly on its own. I've always been a small person with a very small frame, so it's completely noticable when I gain weight. The only jeans I wear are too tight for comfort now, not to mention I'm now completely uncomfortable in my own skin - something I've never felt before. This side effect has become the biggest contributor to my depressed state. I feel so repulsive (not to mention I've acquired pimples on my chin now after having a clear face for a while from Proactiv, which doesn't work at all while on Depo). I basically live in sweatpants and tights now because it makes me too sad to put on my favorite clothes. I feel so frumpy and unattractive. And it's made me retreat into myself. I never want to go out and be seen anymore, not even for simple things like getting groceries or running other small errands.
My emotions have also been slammed into a horrible rollercoaster ride. I will cry, a lot, for no reason at all. I'm sad all of the time. And if I'm not sad, I'm frustrated or irritated or annoyed or pissed about something. Usually for no reason. One moment I'll be entirely fine, and the next I'll be the most horribly negative person to be around because of one tiny annoyance. And sometimes tiny little things that annoy me, that normally wouldn't, will ruin my whole day. Once I get sucked into a bad mood, I can't break it until I sleep it off. This never happened to me before. It's also taken a steady relationship with my boyfriend of years and put it on the rocks. I'm an emotional mess for no reason at all and for the weight gain, we NEVER have sex because I've been on my period for over three months, and I'm always uncomfortable, and snap at him easier. I've never been so horrible to be around. I used to be such a happy person. And the no-sex thing is driving me (as well as him, I'm sure) absolutely insane! Sex is so healthy for a relationship, especially for people that have been together for a long time. And the tension just builds and builds without it. I hate it! It makes me want to rip every hair out of my head one a time.
On top of that, I now get intense, sharp stomach pains if I don't eat for just a few hours. I have such a small appetite and used to be able to go for a long time without feeling the urge to eat. This was never a problem. Now it is. And it gets so bad that nothing helps, no natural remedies, no antacids, no medication at all - not even lying down. And I'm definitely not trying to eat more so that I don't get this pain - then I'll just gain more weight!
I've also had a feverish feeling, as well as hot flashes and intense cold sweats, for the past two months. I read that your body recognizes Depo as foreign, so the entire time it's in your system, your body is trying to fight it off. That explains the fever and whatnot, but is very scary news. If your body's natural reaction is to get rid of it, it can't be good. This has made me absolutely miserable, though. I am NEVER comfortable. Ever. I can't ever relax. I have a hard time sleeping. This is driving me absolutely crazy.
And if that isn't enough, I get migraines more frequently now! I was supposed to get this shot because of my migraines, and instead it just gives me more of them! All of the time! And I get all the lovely migraine side effects too - just worse now. I'll have vertigo spells for 5 to 10 minutes, as opposed to a few seconds. And I see auras all the time now, where as I only did every so often before I went on Depo.
Basically this has just ruined my life, and I'm hoping it's temporary, because I've read countless horror stories.
I just want to know, from anyone that's been on the shot or has known someone on the shot (that's somewhat relevant to my situation - having all of these side effects after only one dose and discontinuing the shot after one dose), when can I expect all of these foul side effects to cease? I fear there's no end in sight, and I'm scared. I feel like my period will never stop and I'll never look like, or feel like, the woman I used to be. I've become completely dysfunctional and depressed under all of this, and I really don't know when I can get my life back. It just makes it that much worse that I have to wait, because there's nothing I can do to counteract this evil drug. I've heard so many different stories about side effects getting so much worse after coming off depo, and now that I'm off of it, I don't know what to expect. Plus the fact that I don't know anyone else that only got one injection, I really don't know what I have to look forward to (or not to look forward to).
Please, any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. No one understands how bad this drug is unless they've been on it or know someone that has, so I can't talk to anyone about how I'm feeling and what I'm experiencing - no one gets it! I've been depressed for months and I'm tired of it. When can I expect to be myself again? I know it's different for everyone, but any advice would be helpful.
Thank you so so much.