Tales of Implanon: Real Life Experiences

[handsofblue]

Hello

I'm due to get Implanon put into my arm next Friday and am concerned about what to expect.  I know a lot of women have suffered with major mood swings, depression and anxiety with many saying they had no history of these before.  I've never taken a progestin-only contraceptive and worry that this may also affect me in the same way.  

I'm currently on Yasmin, which many seem to think is an evil pill, but I've had absolutely no problems with it whatsoever.  Regular, light periods that are ALWAYS bang on time (so much so that I start to worry if I'm even four hours out).  

Anyways, I'd like to hear from anyone who has had the implant, both good and bad, and also what your experiences were during the first few months.  Possibly need to hear more of the good as there's already a lot of bad out there!

Thanks in advance to any that reply.

[celq6706]

ma1860 I'm so sorry for your loss...that is so horrible to hear I was thinking about trying implanon because I have the mirena iud and was thinking about switching but after reading about your daughter I think I'm going to reconsider...thanks for the post I would be like you and scream it from the roof tops

[ma1860]

My daughter suffered every imaginable side effect of IMPLANON anxiety, panic attacks, severe depression, heavy bleeding and worst of all suicidal thoughts. During one of her particularly bad bout of depression, in moment of my not being at home with her, she took her life. She never had any kind of attacks or severe depression before she got the implant. If you have it and you THINK it is ok for you, think again. it is doing something inside your body that is unnatural and eventually you will pay the price one way or another. It should be banned and taken off the market. These pharmaceutical  companies know exactly what the drug is capable of doing, but their m,ain concern is in making BILLIONS of dollars on your misery and possible death. think about  it.

[enid124]

I have had the implanon in my arm for a year and a half, and I was having issues with it, such as it messing with my cycle and different kinds of effects not mentioned. I went to my Dr who has tried taking it out twice now, and I have to go see a specialist because the rod is stuck. Yes stuck in my arm. :/ it tends to move from where the Dr puts it in. Wish that was in the brochure!

[crsrrt]

I've had the implant Implanon for three months and had one random heavy spotting period for about two weeks and no other problems... until now. The last two weeks I have had pretty severe anxiety and felt like I was going crazy. I didn't even think about the fact that the only thing that has really changed was getting the implanon. I have felt overwhelmed over things that are totally silly and I'm so glad I looked on this website and saw a bunch of people posting that they had similar symptoms from it. I felt like I was going INSANE. I have been getting either emotionally numb or having full on panic attacks when I start feeling upset at all. It's totally crazy and not something I would wish on anyone! I'm getting it taken out as soon as possible. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. I would definately recommend you try something easier to remove or stop taking if you start having reactions to it.

[myenzoorka]

PCOS = Polycystic Ovary (or Ovarian) Syndrome.  A simple way to put it is it's like going through menopause very early.  It increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure - much like menopause.  It can cause balding, growth of excessive body/facial hair, infertility, weight gain that can be very difficult to control, skin tags, cramping during ovulation, irregular periods and sometimes disappearance of them all together (which really isn't that bad unless you want to conceive at some point), insulin resistance (which is what leads to the diabetes), and plenty more.  Basically, instead of releasing an egg each month, it becomes a cyst.  It wreaks a lot of havoc on your system.

Sorry for mistaking Implanon for Jadelle... though I know I've heard/read somewhere that Implanon is basically the same as Norplant as well.  But... who knows?  Hopefully, you can get more information that will help you be certain of whatever decision you make. :)

[handsofblue]

Sorry to hear about your experience and I'm definitely sorry to hear of your miscarriage.  I believe they changed the name to Jadelle.  I'm seriously reconsidering the implant because I don't want to have to deal with such irregular bleeding or the severe moods that a lot of women experience.  I also do not want to gain much more weight, otherwise I'll have to get new clothes which I seriously cannot afford!  

What is PCOS?

[myenzoorka]

I can only tell you bad, sorry.  I got the implant when it was known as Norplant, but they changed the name after a major class action lawsuit.  

I gained 30 pounds in the first month.  I had acne (or later described to me as boils) so bad that my entire face was bright red all the time - I had never had more than the occasional pimple before that.  They would explode at the slightest brush against any fabric, my hand, etc.  I would have no periods for 9 months, then bleed heavily for 3-4 months straight.  I had a painful miscarriage before I even knew I was pregnant - since I had no periods, I had no way of suspecting pregnancy.  I now have PCOS (which I didn't before that and have no history in my family of it), so I tend to believe the Norplant caused it.  Nothing I did fixed any of my side effects.  So, now I am left with a badly scarred face, a scar on my arm, and PCOS (and its symptoms).  I know these things don't happen to everyone, but I can't help but say my piece as I would STRONGLY recommend against Implanon!!!  That is merely my opinion.  If you choose to still get it, I wish you the best of luck!