My Depo Story Lana aka Free Spirit ( Fully Recovered)

[FreeSpirit]

I want other women, men and couples to KNOW, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and I have provided this board as a medium for us to join together in informing the WORLD THAT CHANGES MUST BE MADE REGARDING THIS POISON PRODUCT AND IT’S DESTRUCTION OF THE FEMALE BODY.

If you need to reach me on a more confidential level feel free to contact me @ Depo@dawzz.com

I have had only ONE SHOT of Depo and the side effects continued for 15 months. I shutter to think what would have happened had I continued on with these shots of POISON. First of all let me share that I was generally a VERY healthy woman mentally, emotionally and physically with a very regular menstrual cycle. I decided to go on Depo as a method of birth control when it was suggested to me by a GP because of its LACK OF SIDE EFFECTS and convenience. From the onset of the first shot I began to experience headaches on a daily basis, advil became one of my best friends, but the headaches soon could be recognized as a day at the beach compared to what else began to take place. I was 36 years old and went from having high enough energy levels to work 10 or 12 hours a day to having to stop whatever I was doing in midday to have "NAP" (very often 2 or 3 hours) and still requiring a minimum of 8 hours sleep nightly to feel anywhere near refreshed enough to function the next day.
Then the real party started:

1. Frequent Urination (more often than a woman carrying a child)
2. Frequent bowel movements (to the point where I was check for IBS and Colitis)
3. Excruciating abdominal pain
4. Lower back pain (painful enough to wake me from sleep)
5. Acne
6. Complete Intolerance to Beef products (Since subsided)
7. Disorientation
8. Extreme Mood Swings (PMS WAS A PICNIC IN COMPARISON)
9. Outbursts of Rage
10. Feelings of Total Isolation
11. For the most part a recluse with the exception of absolute necessity
12. Anxiety attacks
13. Gallbladder attacks (never even had heartburn a day in my life pre Depo)
14. Digestive problems
15. Malabsorbption (the longest to heal)
16. Debilitating neck and shoulder pain

And as you can see it probably goes without saying the entire world thinks I am now a Hypochondriac and why wouldn't they? when a person who rarely even has a cold in 2 years all of a sudden has the above list of ailments.
I think the worst part of it all was you begin to question your own sanity and during the entire time I never even associated these problems for one minute with the Depo until the last week when my first period came back. I was disoriented to the point I had thought I lost 7 or 8 hours of the day. My very supportive husband pointed out I was probably experiencing some sort of hormonal change now that my period has returned and that maybe we should do some research on the Depo. When we started our research what we began to uncover from other women was HORRYFYING.
This drug that the professionals would claim has MINIMAL SIDE EFFECTS has affected every aspect of OUR lives. My self esteem was far from what it was pre Depo, my body felt like the body of a 60 year old and my mind felt like it had just awaken was some sort of dormant state. It's frightening to think what LONGTERM effects we are in for from the POISON injected into the body .
Kava kava has proved very effective in easing some of the stress and anxiety and the Valerian root (I will discuss herbs further in the appropriate topic) certainly enhanced my sleep patterns, each day I felt a little bit more of myself coming back and I gave thanks for finally seeing my period again. Something definitely needs to be done to inform more and more people of the DANGERS surrounding this drug. If this is the result of only 1 SHOT OF DEPO I cringe at the thought of what other women who have had much more longterm exposure MUST BE EXPERIENCING!!It is so HIGHLY recommended in the birth control world sales must be increasing HUGELY daily at the expense of women’s mental and physical health.
I am VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO REPORT TO THOSE OF YOU STILL SUFFERING that YES I have expereinced FULL RECOVERY after the 16 month ordeal. SO HAVE FAITH THERE DEFINATELY IS GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

This is definately a short version of the entire story, in total my recovery from Depo Provera took just over 15 MONTHS and YES, 15 months to recover from JUST ONE SHOT!!
The road was not a short one but RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE, if there is any way I can be of assistance to you on your HEALING JOURNEY do not hesitate to ask.

"Every life has a measure of pain and sorrow. Sometimes it is this that awakens us" --Buddha

LET THE HEALING BEGIN HERE!!

"It Is My Hope That WE ALL Achieve Wellness"

[Guest]

I am in almost the exact same place as you. I had one shot and most of the symptoms you've mentioned (and others you haven't). I'd become an emotional, irrational mess of a person. I just wanted to die.

My shot was over a year ago, and although I no longer am contemplating suicide, I spent most of the past year doing just that. I lost my job, relationship and peace of mind to Depo. I am lucky to have what's left of my life.

The funny thing is that the doctor refused to prescribe the pill...it posed a "health risk".

[Guest]

I have used depo for 3 1/2 years. In two months my next depo is due and I have decided to stop taking it. I have bad headaches and now I've been dizzy and can't turn very fast or the world starts to spin and I can't stop it. I called a doctor about it and they said it's probably a inter ear infection and all they can do is run very expensive test. I don't think it is a inter ear infection because I've been dizzy off and on for about 1 year now, but until I read some other stories about the side effects of depo I didn't think my problems had anything to do with depo now I do. I also am very moody, and nervous a lot. I'm only 23 years old and I feel way older. I have a 3 1/2 year old and have a hard time keeping up with her. My husband and I have read several articles about depo and have decided it would be best to stop taking it and use no birth control at all. I hope everyone who is having problems on depo will consider getting help.

[Guest]

I would like to share my experience with Depo-provera.
I received a shot of depo-provera, which I'm sure was
the main cause of my depression. This side effect
was not explained to me by my doctor. Much
later, I read through the microscopic print in the tiny
informational booklet that said it could cause or make
depression worse. At the time, I thought this drug
was the best thing since sliced bread. Menstruation is
of course natural and healthy and post-menopausal
women may take estrogen pills to continue receiving it.
Later, my friend who was living in another province at
the time, told me that she took the shot and received
panic attacks and became
completely paranoid and irrational. She refused to step
foot into a car. Not the wild and adventurous friend I
knew.
After suffering from severe insomnia for 5 weeks (which
almost always accompanies the disease) I finally asked
someone what might be wrong. It never even occurred to
me that I might be depressed. I am strong and fearless
and one of the most positive and optimistic people I
know. I only had the severe depression for about 3 months
and I tell you I can't imagine how some live with it for
years.

[Guest]

Lana,
Thank you for letting me share my story with you. I really don't know what
to do. I've suffered all these symptoms and I've finally come to the
conclusion about what is causing all this "disaster" in my life.
I am 21 years old. I started the depo shot in September 1997 and took my
last one in April 1998. I stopped the shot because in June 1998 while on my
way to Florida (from KY) I started my "period". I had not had a period in
such a long time that I thought the fact that it was very heavy was normal.
I was soaking through pads and tampons as fast as I could change. Sorry to
be graphical. I had such "cramps" that even pain killers would not help.
My mom even tried a sleeping pill to help me relax. I still was cramped
over in pain. My mom ended up taking me to the hospital after two days of
me screaming and still bleeding nonstop. They told me that it was probably
a cyst from my ovary or that it could be a miscarriage. The doctor told me
that it was probably a cyst since I was on birth control. We left after he
"cleaned me out" and came home early. I went to my gyn and he immediately
sent me to the hospital. I had lost so much blood that before surgery (A
D&C) I had to be given two pints of blood. I had blood up in my chest and
all over my body that was trying to get out.
I never took another shot, but started the pill. Ever since getting off the
depo shot, I've had the following symptoms:
-Painful sex (Surgery in 2000 could not find anything)
-Inability to have enough lubrication
-Very frequent urination (I can go two or three times an hour) Dialation
of my bladder didn't really help
-Anxiety attacks (Serafem/Prozac prescribed)
-Very bad crying fits (Like I can't control myself)
-Breast discharge since stopping the shot It started off as little to
none but now I have to have surgery 4-2-02 because my duct is very enlarged.
Also, my breasts are lumpy and very tender
-My biggest concern is the fact that my husband and I have been trying
for 12 months to conceive and are not having any luck.
-Nervousness (My fingernails are awful looking)
-Also, my stomach gets upset very easily
I hope that I don't sound silly. My husband and I struggle almost everyday
from these symptoms. I also realize that I stopped the shot a long time
ago, but I've been off the pill now for a year, and all my symptoms are
still here, from right after the shot. If you have any advice, please
e-mail me if you have any time. It's all coming together it seems, as I get
ready and do research on the surgery that I'm fixing to have. I have pushed
several friends away from the shot and I hope one day it becomes illegal.
Thank you,

[snflwer]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted you to know that I have been fortunate enough to find these websites after my second shot, and this is, supposedly, my last month. I got a detox kit at the health food store for liver, intestines, and kidneys, and will try anything to get this poison out of my body. I really encourage you all to do the same. Go to your local health food store and talk to the people there, even if it doesn't work for Depo, it's good for you anyways. I'm keeping my fingers crossed:)

[FreeSpirit]

Hi Snflower,

Thanks for the suggestions, we are quite fortunate out here in BC with the access we have.
Keep us posted onyour progress.

[Jessica]

I am 32 years old and have been married for 10 months. We have no children and no plans for any.

I was on depo from August 97-August 99 and from February 2001-October 2001.

From August 99-February 2001 when I was NOT on it, I was working out 3-4 days per week and was quite healthy. During my first round on the shot and the time when I wasn't on it, I don't remember anything out of the norm regarding my health except gaining a few pounds and a few headaches every now and then.

Ok I got back on Feb 01. Since about May 2001, I began having daily headaches. I should also note that once we got married in June 2001, I was not working out as much for lack of time so I think the headaches were more noticeable after I quit exercising. In the fall 2001 I began experiencing memory loss, joint pains, lethargy, lack of sex drive, and other things I'd never had before. My husband noticed the changes in me and begged me to get off the Depo. I finally had my last shot on October 3, 2001. I did not renew in December.

The headaches for the most part, subsided but I still get them just not as bad. I am still somewhat lethargic at times, I've gained 25 pounds I cannot seem to get rid of, my sex drive has not returned, and I still suffer the other side effectssuch as breast pain (like someone's stabbing you with a knife!), some feelings of sadness, lethargy and now....add to that something new---anxiety!! Now, I am now experiencing bouts of "feelings of anxiety". I get the feeling that I am becoming anxious. I get it in the morning and sometimes in the afternoons. Is this a hormone thing? Is this caused by depo?

Two weeks ago I got my first period since not renewing my shot, so at least that has come back. I KNEW it was coming because I went through a big bad bout of emotional outbursts that week.

I am blaming all this crap on Depo because I have been wondering what's wrong with me and I read so many stories by women who have been through this too. I am due to see my physician end of next week and am going to tell her everything. I just can't believe one drug could cause all this.

Sometimes I wonder if just everyday life stress is doing this to me, but too many women are having the same problems for me to just throw out the idea that Depo might be doing it.

That's my story. Is this NORMAL for Depo? Look at my side effects.....anxiety, breast pain, sadness....

My husband has been great and by my side the whole way through this and we really want me to get back to my old self!


Please help me!!!

[FreeSpirit]

Hi Jessica,

I'm sorry sorry to hear yet another woman has fallen victim to the Depo Provera Poison.
First let me assure you as you have been reading YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!.
One really good sign is that your menses has already returned so it appears you are surely on a postive path to healing .

I was also glad to read that your headaches have subsided so qucikly as well. With regard to the weight gain that road is a little longer as the weight gain is not a typical type of weight gain ( a result of synthetic hormone imbalance) however it is very possbile particularly since you appear to be fitness minded to begin with. The weight loss will likely require some nutrional changes ( if this is of interest to you, I have also received numerous other e-mails so I will begin posting some suggestions under nutriton this weekend).
With regard to the anxiety read under this section http://mwd.dawzz.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=3
for supplements that may be of value to you and if you have questions feel free to post them in that section.

For me personally I used Kava Kava and Valerian for the anxiety, other women find the 5HTP and St Johns Wort effective.
**Do not take kava kava if you are using anoy other pharmaceuticals.
For me personally one of the biggest steps on my path to healing was to find out I WAS NOT ALONE, once this occured I began to have discussions with other women ( on boards like this) and from there the more knowledge I gained the more attune I became with the messages of my body. My path to healing was successful and it is my hope that we all achieve wellness.
Also read this article titled Hormone Shock to gain a braoder perspective of what or body experiences.
http://mwd.dawzz.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=2

Thank You for posting your story Jessica and I am confident we can all achieve wellness together.