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Howdy, I'm new though I did just post a rant reply to a older message.... :)

At any rate, I've just ceased Depo and begun the pill again about a week ago...

I was on Depo for about 6 1/2 years and I didn't have a period the entire time. So far, from what I've been reading on assorted Depo lists on the web, it may be a heck of a long time before I do... even though I've switched to the pill. Prior to Depo, I was on the pill for 6 years with no problems. ('Cept for the prob with remembering to take it...)

So... I was wondering if there are any other Depo users, past or present, out here?? Previous users who went to the pill, I'd be especially interested in what your experiences were...

I may rant occassionally about Depo - I've got a lot of steam to let off about it...

-Michelle :)

Current Mood: curious

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From:

urania.livejournal.com

sorry, i've never been on Depo, but from what I understood, that's one of the "normal" side effects, actually anticipated by many women--that they don't have a period. a lot of women complain, though, that the *opposite* happens on Depo--they bleed for months straight, instead of their bleeding stopping like they were told it might.

were you not told, then, that your bleeding might stop? curious about what else happened to you? (i'm on the Pill atm, had considered Depo briefly but have heard a large number of "horror stories" now and so have decided that since i like the Pill, no reason to try something else...)

From:

mpeace.livejournal.com

Heh, yes, I was told my periods would likely ceased. My reaction something along the lines "oh please, let that happen to me, I hate periods..." :)

However, what was I was also told is that the lining would not build up during that time - something which I've been questioning now as that seems to not be the case at all. My belly area has swelled up *huge* - I really do look like I'm pregnant and it's extremely frustrating. I was the kid that got made fun of for being skinny - now I feel like a blob.

The messages I've seen, it tends to be one or the other happening - no periods or periods that go on for months. But then again, prolly not too many people on those lists posting "I love my birth control" as people ususally aren't that into it - they only notice when it screws up. It just seems to be screwing up for a large number of people...

I was told I would gain weight - roughly 10 to 15 pounds. Again, no biggie I thought, I was kind of thin anyways so maybe that would flesh me out some curves... Instead I gained 40 pounds and the only curve I gained is round belly. And my weight gain began to increase rapidly these past two years - I put on about half of that extra 40 during that time.

Then we can through in: depression, anxiety, mood swings from hell between the two, paranoia, migraine headaches, muscle spasms so bad they prescribed daily muscle relaxers for me, joint pain so bad they prescribed 2400 of Ibrophren (sp?) per day, fatigue, monthly yeast infections, very sensitive breasts, and Fibromyalgia. I've also wondered lately if I'm diabetic now. (Depo alters the way your body reacts glucose and insulin.) I'll be checking that out sooner than later.

They tell you it may take 6 - 18 months for your period to return. I've run across people who've been waiting for over 4 years, others who went into early menopause (like around age 30), and people who have been trying to conveive for 6 years with no luck. So now I'm scared to death about that too. I was looking for effective birth control but I wasn't looking for permnant birth control...

My new gyn who but just put me back on the pill said she really can't even estimate when I may have a period next - but she doesn't think it will be anytime soon. Which is bummer for me, I was hoping when my periods began again, I'd drop some of this belly bloat because I do think it is my utuerus stuffed up with tissue... My belly is firm in way that does not strike me as normal fat.

So - I'd stick with the pill in your case... ;) After hearing what happened to me, I'll bet you are glad you did.

-Michelle :)

From:

urania.livejournal.com

*blink* 40 pounds and all in your abdomen? you have been getting bimanual internal exams, yes? cause the first thing that made me think of was the fact taht you can get *very* big ovarian tumors/masses (often benign) under odd circumstances... otherwise, i suppose it's possible you just got more-than-normal weight loss that centered in your abdomen, though that *is* really weird. i don't blame you for going off of it! that would drive me nuts.

From:

mpeace.livejournal.com

Oh yes, I actually had exams twice a year instead of the regular once per year.

And sadly, I'm not unusal. Seems common to build that weight in the belly area. Freakier is that I seem to be one of the people who did not gain as much weight as the others!!

-Michelle :P

From:

tempestmoon.livejournal.com

Some prisons use Depo for chemical castration of sex offenders.
~Pandora

PS-I had alot of the same symptoms you had on Depo.. I hated what it did to my body and mind.. Hope your body straightens itself out soon for you!
*Hugs*

From:

mpeace.livejournal.com

Heh, yeah, I just found that out recently. Along with the fact that most of the clinical trials were in thrid world countries...

How long were you on Depo? How long ago did you get off of it? What luck have you had with your symptoms since then? Did you do anything extra to help get rid of them faster?

I've been working out about 4 times per week - one hour of weight lifting followed by 30 -45 minutes of cardio each time. So far, nada. Well, actually, I'm really freaking strong now but my shape is like that of an apple. :P My boyfriend has even been doing ab exercises with me at home too. (He used to be a dancer, he's got a whole army of stuff I rotate through to help mix it up some.)

From:

melonaise.livejournal.com

Maybe you could sign up for a D&C to have your grrlparts cleaned out?

From:

mpeace.livejournal.com

I've thought about it but I think I'll go the pill route first and see what happens.

Any type of surgey scares me. :)

I need to have my wisdom teeth pulled and I'm shaking in my boots over that...

The thought of a D&C makes me almost feel faint. :P

From:

tempestmoon.livejournal.com

I had my one and only shot of Depo in August '96 and didn't have a period for over 9 months.
I gained about 50lbs in 3 months. Absolutly NO sex drive (which was very odd since we went from having sex everyday to hardly at all.) And my depression got to an all time low during that time as well. I know body image had something to do with it-but still.. I was an exotic dancer for 4+ years and had an awesome body. Its been 6 years and I still can't seem to loose all of the tummy I got from that frickin shot! It was almost as if my body would bloat in preperation for the upcoming period and with no period, there was no discharge of retained fluids. Every month, over and over-I kept getting bigger and bigger. But, like I said-the majority of my weight was in the initial 3 months. I'm still majorly curvy (which I don't mind so much) I just kinda wish I could get back to my previous size and not have to kill myself to get there.

I'm sorry I don't have any good news to pass your way..
Just keep working out and love yourself for being healthy-not for the way you look on the outside.
~Pandora