Question:
Seeking those who have taken Depo Provera shots pre or post op

   — heidi G. (posted on April 1, 2003)


April 1, 2003
I started using Depo Provera in August 1999, 6 weeks after the birth of my child, based upon my doctor's recommendation. I was 32 years old, smoked and had a family history of blood clots, heart disease and breast cancer. She told me that there were few side effects. One was minor weight gain, and the other was loss of period or continued/"break through" bleeding. I did not notice anything at first with the exception of no period, and continued to get my injections. When I went in for my annual physical in Jan 2000, my doctor told me that my cholesterol level was high. Upon returning to my work and speaking with one of the Pharmacists that I worked with, she called the manufacturer. She was told that Depo Provera could raise your total cholesterol levels by around 46%, your LDL by around 43%, and decrease your HDL by around 25%. The weight gain could be 16% the first year, 17% the second and so on. They told her that it can take anywhere from 3 months to 33 months for it to completely wear off. I was shocked and angry. I decided to not get another shot. My periods came back in July of 2000, but would last from 2 to 10 days, and then spot for 1 to 2 weeks, come every 23 to 35 days. This has lasted for the last 2 years and has still not returned to normal. I never associated any of my other symptoms to Depo Provera until finding a website www.depo-users.com and reading about others and the problems they had. I found that site in May of this year, and as I was reading the stories, I started nodding and crying and realizing that it was not just me, that it was probably the drug. I was having headaches on a daily basis, I was angry and hostile, with high anxiety, I did not like to go anywhere alone, I would not leave the house unless it was with my husband or to go to work. I did not associate with many people at work; I was paranoid that my boss was out to get me. I was having memory problems, and still am. I had absolutely no sex drive, loss of lubrication, and problems getting excited. I started feeling funny, lightheadedness, fatigue/lethargy, constipation, angry, fearful, tearful, and depressed. I gained 60 pounds in 5 months, which I could not afford to gain. I went in to have tests done to check for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, Thyroid Disease, and Diabetes, because I was growing facial hair, and having excessive weight gain, all tests returned "Normal" and the doctors told me that there was "nothing wrong with you that a little diet and exercise wouldn't cure". Not once did they mention that the Depo Provera was possibly the cause. I started having lumps form on my face and cheeks, that would get large and never came to a head, but yet were red and sore. I was told by a doctor that they were probably fat pockets, but they were not sure, and recommended me to see a dermatologist. I did not go. I went in for a six-month cholesterol recheck after stopping the shot and my cholesterol was down 40 points. They congratulated me on the change in my diet and I told them that I had not changed anything with the exception of stopping Depo Provera. I would love to have Depo Provera taken off the market. This is a dangerous drug which is prescribed to girls as young as 12 years old. This drug makes your body think you are in menopause. Imagine what this drug is doing to those young girls, who are smart enough to know that they do not want children now, but would like to have them in the future. I do not know if I am going to be able to have anymore, I pray everyday that I will and God willing it will happen.
   — Missy C.

April 1, 2003
I have been on depo for four years now and I love it. It has not caused me to gain wait or hav complications. I do not have a period and I am so happy about that. I spot when it is time for a shot. Not sure what you wanted to know because you did not ask a specific question
   — Teena A.

April 1, 2003
I used to take the Depo shot too right after the birth of my child in aug of 97. I had to stop it due to the way it shot my BP thru the roof and I gained 15 lbs as well. Once I went off the shot , my Bp lowered and my weight dropped too. I loved the not having a period, but not the headaches from the high BP. I would not be adverse to trying it again after I lose the weight, but if there is even the remotest possibility that I would gain weight with it, then I wouldn't want to chance it. After going thru this surgery.
   — Beverly S.

April 1, 2003
I used Depo for 5 years pre op. I never had a period and had no other side effects. I did gain weight during this time, and I wish I could blame it on Depo, but I was the one doing all of the eating. I am now 7 months post op. I am still on Depo and have lost 94 pounds. I don't think it is affecting my post op weight loss. I have had random spotting since the surgery. I think it is hormone related. Like everything else, everyone responds to this drug differently. There are some people who have had a lot of problems and some who have had none. Unfortunately, this is true of all hormone birth control options. I will not be having any more children, so the long term reproductive effects are not a concern to me. You should have a long discussion with your OB about your particular situation before you make any birth control decision.
   — Amber L.

April 1, 2003
Missy, were you on another B/C product at the time when they were checking you for PCOS? Did you see an Endo?
   — Karen R.

April 1, 2003
I'm pre-op and have been on Depo for 15 months. I have only had one period and it was light. I contribute no other problems to the shot. I have lost 54lbs in that time. Just remember everyone reacts differently to every drug that is out there.
   — Sarahlicious

April 1, 2003
I'm preop.......One of the side effects of the depo can be light constant bleeding.Unfortunately that was my experience with it.So no more depo shots for me.
   — jennifer A.

April 1, 2003
I took Depo shots for a little over 8 years until my hysterectomy last Nov. This was the best thing i ever did. No periods and no PMS. The biggest drawback was the difficulty losing weight. Depo made it hard for me to lose weight.
   — Wendy S.

April 2, 2003
Hi Heidi, I took Depo for 8 yrs. and I loved it. No period and no PMS. However, in 11 months I gained 56 lbs and nothing I did would shed the weight. I was advised by my Dr. that even with the surgery there was a chance I would still have difficulty losing the weight. So, I made the choice that for me I needed to go off the Depo shot. I truly was torn. I especially hate the period and I am Cybil! But, I have lost the weight I needed to lose. I didn't want to go thru everything for the risk of my body not being able to change because of the shot. Please realize this was right for me and may not be right for you. Good luck in whatever your decision. I truly liked the drug!(I miss it)
   — Linda M.

April 2, 2003
I started Depo a month or two before surgery and continued it for a year after. It was wonderful with the added benefit of about one period in a year. (great for not adding to the low iron problem) I got back on the pill because I do believe it affected my sex drive.
   — cindy Q.

April 3, 2003
about nine years ago, after I was newly married, I decided to try depo. I had the injections every three months for about 2 years, and within that time, I gained about 70 pounds(From the day of marriage to when I had gastric bypass, I had gained 150 pounds...). Granted, I have/had pcos,which contributed as well, but I feel that the depo really contributed to the weight gain as well. I personally would never go back on it again, ever.
   — twenc

April 3, 2003
Add me to the list that loves Depo! I've been on it 5 years and have no complications that I can attribute to it. I was MO before I went on it, and will deal with weightloss difficulty. My quality of life (ie, no periods, no cramps) is so worth it, and I don't plan to have kids. Now, my sister went the opposite way and never stopped bleeding, so Your Mileage May Vary.
   — Jeanie

April 3, 2003
NO DEPO! I was on it for a little over 3 yrs. I went from 130 to 150 on it in almost 2 months. Being that I have battled my weight all my life, this shot killed my diet. Granted they say the max weight gain on it is 10 lbs.. it has to be a personal descision. Not to mention that a friend on mine was on it and it does rob your body of bone building calcium! She now has a farcture in her Tibula of her calf. I recomend no on the deop shot!
   — kellyparrett

April 3, 2003
I've been on depo for almost 6 years now, I'm seven months post-op, and have lost 108 pounds! Yes, I gained weight before surgery, however, I was already MO, so I don't blame the shot for the weight gain. By getting the shot, I got rid of my period,(not so much as a tiny spot since surgery either), and I no longer get painful cysts that pop on my ovaries. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!! Of course, I got pregnant on the pill, so I'm kind of predjudice!!
   — Terri Z.

April 6, 2003
This is my second go round with Depo. Weight gain with both :o( If you carefully read the patient information it says that the weight gain is ongoing. In fact, I think the pamphlet info goes out 4 years. It is good for what it does, but I could do without the weight gain.
   — 2doOrnot2do




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