Brand New Member

[twilight-ashes.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm new.

I'm not sure if this has been asked before, so I'm going for it (yes, I scanned the memories, but I'm hoping for some new advise).

I have been on Depo for the last four years and I absolutely love it. However, seeing as how the long term side effects are relatively unknown (and a few of my friends have been mentioning that their doctors say bone loss as a side effect, and mine are still more than happy to keep sticking me with the needle instead of talking to me about risks), I think I'm going to give it a break for a while. I WILL be talking to my doctor about my options, but I like hearing opinions from people (keeping in mind that everyone is different).

I did not go on Depo for birth control, for me that was a pleasant little bonus. I went on it to get rid of the bleeding and to stop my cramps.


My cramps are horrible. We're talking crippling. The pain is so bad I pass out. When these cramps come, I get overheated, pass out, wake up after a few seconds, vomit and am hit with a wave of diarrhea (for those that haven't been through it, sitting on the toilet with a bucket in front of you is NOT a good time). The pain comes from out of nowhere and by the time I feel it it's too late to take pain killers because they'll come right back up before they have a chance to dissolve. Thankfully, these kind of cramps have not happened while I've been driving, but that's a big concern of mine.

Secondly, the bleed is too much for me. 5-7 days of HEAVY bleeding (we're talking maximum absorbant tampons plus panty liners to catch any excess for the whole bleed).

I started my cycle when I was 11, lived with the bleed and the pain until I turned 18 and went on Depo. My doctors don't seem to care much about the pain ("use a heating pad". That just makes things worse), or my concern for bleeding what I think is too heavy for the whole week.

One of my teachers suggested going to a nutritionist to see if there's some kind of supplement I can take to ease the pain of the cramps, I haven't done that yet, but it is an option.

Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to Depo?

How about and suggestions for easing cramps or blood flow?

And about Depo in general... I've been on it for four years now, and my doctors are concerned about long term effects. How long is "too long" to stay on the shot?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or sympathies!

Comments

[arwen-ravena.livejournal.com]

I have that type of pain every month & the other symptoms are occasional (like every 3 mos) only difference is that I hallucinate too sometimes. I bleed that heavy with large clots. I wear the maximum tampon you can get & a super pad & I soak both in under 2 hours for the first 4 days, the next 2, it slows down to where I can wear a lower absorbancy pad & I can go for about 4-6 hours in between. The last day is all brown or it just stops abruptly. This is light compared to how it was when I started mine at the age of 12. I agree that sitting on the toilet with a bucket or a garbage can is not the highlight of my day - any day.

Feverfew for a few days before your period, avoiding salt & caffiene as well should ease it a little bit pain-wise & during the flow, pennyroyal tea or scullcap works to alleviate them even more. If all else fails, I find that "more than the recommended dosage" of Pamprin works too. (like 3-4)

As for alternatives to Depo & easing blood flow, I have none except maybe the pill if you don't want something as "permanant" as an IUD if that's even an option for you. The pill was never really too much of an option for me b/c they all made me a little...um...crazy? (I went through many brands & I just can't do the messing with my hormones thing). Seeing as how the Depo works for you though, I don't think you'd have the same problem. Good luck!