Deprovera

When I first started this thread I was totally unprepared for the responses simply because of all the information I'd read about the shot.

I've found that the differences in reactions/symptoms compared to what the drug company offers has completely turned me off from ever getting the shot again. Which I'd already decided months ago.

My next line of attack will be a diaphram. Or when I get a job that offers insurance I'll get my tubes tied.

If there is anyone out there listening, talk to your doctor. Compare everything he/she has to say to everything you've read here and really weigh your decision. Question your doctor about discrepancies.

Question your doctor about everything.

HI:

Just wondering the longest anyone has been on the deprovera.

Does anyone know if swelling of the feet is normall -- been checked for Diebetis (boarder line). I've been on it since aproximately March/April of 2000 after having twins. in Februrary. I have them every 11 weeks aproximately because of the bleed thru.
Or if odours are possible to have happen.
I started reading this on Monday the 22 of March -- since then I have been having the bleed thru. -- So I am starting to think about going off as well.

Just wondering if the above could be answered then I can have a more of an idea as to if I really should.

I've never posted on any sites so I don't know how this all works.
Thanks.

lost in Canada ~ welcome to A2K. Please don't feel lost anymore.

I know of only one person who has been on Deprovera for any length of time and that is eight years. Her first reaction was constant spotting and I believe that lasted a year. Her second reaction was weight gain as well as swelling of her feet.....But remember, Deprovera is supposed to fool your body into thinking you're already pregnant so that you won't get pregnant. (It's not one hundred percent effective either.)

The odor you're experiencing could mean a number of things.

Said it before, will say it again ~ see your doctor. Make a list of questions before you go and don't settle for generic answers ~ make him/her work for their money.

Please let us know how you're doing!

Rae

I have no idea how this is going to work for me.
I am almost 18 years old. After I had my first son when I was sixteen my doctor put me on the patches because I wouldn't stop bleeding. I know that anyone that has had a child understands what I am talking about. About 6 months later, I could no longer afford the patch so I was taken off birth control. I recently have started dating another guy that I love but I don't want to get pregnant again so, I went to my doctor's and they put me on Depo.
Reading a lot of the side affects has freaked me out but at the same time I have always been the one to get most side affects of everything from medications to antidepressants. I recently got my first shot and I am now experiencing a type of period but not nearly as heavy as the ones I had before depo.. though I must say the day after I got the depo shot I was doubled over in pain with cramps so badly I didn't even want to move. Before I got this "kind of" period I had those cramps again. I am not sure what that means. Though my mother says that it just could be my body clearing out some things. Granted, I would love not to have another period after this..However, I got a little bit of clotting going on.. and it's not really bloody so I don't know. Mom says mucous.. I say time to freak out a little bit. I go to my doctors tomorrow afternoon (wish me luck) and I am going to ask her about it. I really hope there's nothing wrong.. and I hope to continue using the shot but I am kind of freaked about the whole clotting thing. Even if the periods aren't as bad. I don't need them for months on end and I really don't need the pain that comes with it.. So wish me luck and if you guys have had any experience with that please tell me... I would like not to freak out about my body going to war with me because of some type of birth control..
Thanks.
Lexi

Good Luck on your Dr.visit Lexi.
If you don't like the shot, just tell her you want to try something else.
My dr.wanted me to go on the shots too to stop me from ovualating because of persistent hemmorphagic cysts on ovary. Plus a fibroid on the uterus and adenomyosis. (spelling?)
we thought it was cervical cancer before she actually performed the surgery. Thank GOD it's not, but I go through such monthly cramping and very long,heavy periods because of these things I have.
In the course of my research on the depro shot, I found out how horrible this shot can be to certain woman. I simply did not want to take the risks. I'd rather suffer with my pain than go through what some woman have gone through.
I have wicked mood swings to begin with and I heard this shot makes it worst.
The fact you can't get it out of your body once you get the shot until three months later is such a risk.
I thought my dr.was going to be upset that I wasn't going to take the shot, but she was really great about it and said if I can deal with my troubles with out treating it with something, great! IF not, come back and we'll discuss treatment.
Do any of you ladies know of any thing else in place of the shot, that I could take? I smoke cigarettes and know that it's dangerous to mix the two. I already have my tubes tied and don't have to worry about conceiving. I just need it for blocking ovulation.
Any input would be great!
Let us know how your visit goes today Lexi.
Sincerely,
Linda S.

Dr. Visit Conclusion
Well ladies, I went to the doctor to explain what was going on with my period and things and how the shot was working. She said that everything that I was experiencing was normal and that sometimes when your body is clearing itself like the shot makes your body do to prepare for not having your period or when you are pregnant sometimes it has some kind of discharge that kind of clots together and that is what was happening with me. Now, since last night it hasn't happened and while I am still on my period my cramps and things have discountinued. Which makes me a happy girl. I am hoping that this is ok with me. I am going to see how the next two months go before I decide if this is right for me still though. Because I have heard of elongated periods and I don't want this to happen. But if this one tapers off when it is supposed to.. then I will probably be more comfortable. My doctor still wants me in for a pap smear and this is why I was kind of happy to be having my period... She said she could still do it while I was on my period.. I was like WHAT?!?!? I DON'T think so! LOL So, I am going in for that because they found out I haven't had one since last year... so... yeh eww. Oh well, I will do what I need to do..

Lexi

Hi, I got my first shot of Deprovera in January. I am due for my next shot at the end of this month (May). Now seeing how this was my first time getting the shot, the doctor told me that I may have one more period so my body gets used to not having one. So I just got over that period. But I had sex while on my period. I was wondering if any of you knew if I could still get pregnant even though I got the shot. Please, if any one knows, I would be so thankful.

Sincerely,
Jessi

The shot (I'm assuming you mean depo provera and not the birth control shot) works the second you get it.

I'll ditto that. Takes effect immediately.

Ok thank you. I was just worried because on all other forms of birth control, you are not supposed to have sex while on your period because you aren't protected. Thank you so very much!

~Jessi~

depo
I started the shot because I have a high fertility rate in my family and being 18 and a career girl I dont want to get pregnant anytime soon.
I wanted to find out if anyone knew about the long term side effects I am also a smoker and I heard that you are suseptible to dvt. cheers if u can help

Re: depo
i started the shot today again i was on it for 5 years and the only side effect i had was weight gain in the last year i was on it. i also learned today that the shot drains your calcium and its a good idea to take a calcium vitamin

After I had my baby, I spent a lot of time pondering birth control choices. I almost opted for a tubal ligation, but instead tried an IUD.

I love my IUD. A bit of spotting and cramping in the first few months, that's all. No hormones, lasts for 10 yrs.

My advice is, if you are considering Depo, ask your dr. about an IUD and see if it might work for you.

They only give IUDs to women who've had children, bromeliad. Don't ask me why...I'm no doctor, but I'm sure there's a good reason.

depending on what IUD you get some do have hormones... some don't but they usually do only give them to women who have had kids. I think it is because the cervex is different after you have had kids... more easily dialated for the insertion of the IUD.

It may also be the increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can leave you sterile. It isn't for everyone, but a lot of people don't even consider IUD as an option because of the bad reputation caused by the Dalkon shield, and also the use of unsterilized IUDs in 3rd world countries.

Paragard is what I have.

A dr. can tell you if PID is a potential problem.

http://www.paragard.com/index.html

depo
I want to warn anyone who is on depo or thinking about it of my current situation. I was on depo for 2 yrs, went off it in Nov 2002 so my husband and I could have another child. Still not pregnant! I have been going to a fertility specialist twice a month and he says that it is because of depo that I am not ovulating. I DO NOT RECOMMEND DEPO TO ANYONE. I hope I helped some one today

Re: depo

yes, i have experienced hair loss with depo. the worst was in the shower after i had washed my hair. i have been off depo for about 7 months and still experience the hair loss but no where as bad as it had been.

Re: Deprovera
I have been on deprovera for over 2 years and I love it. the only side effect I have had in no menstrual cycle (which I love) and a decrease in sexual appetite. I wish this could be fixed but it is one side effect. My husband hates it though:)

I was on the shot for 3 years, only bad effect of it was loss of hair, some mood swings and less desire for sex. Good thing about being on it, I had no periods.
It has its pros and cons for every women-but from my experience if you plan to have children in the near future a least get off the shot a YEAR in advance before planning a child. Currently I'm in a dilemma and had been off the shot for 8 months and still no luck in pregnancy. I've had at least 2 periods but still no luck. I do plan to go to my doctor to look further into this issue.
To "Rae's Quote" the depo is good if you don't want kids any time soon-bad if you would like to have some soon b/c the time frame doctors say it takes to conceive is different for everyone. Enjoy not have a period while it last-but to me its not worth it.