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Getting off of Depo Provera after 11 years - need advice

I have been on depo for 11 years. I would be due for my next shot on 9/27 but my Doctor has advised that I stop having it. She has been treating me for migraines and depression with Imitrex (when needed) and a daily dosage of Prozac of 10mg. The Imitrex thankfully, works, and the migraines have also been lessened by the Prozac. However, I continue to have nasty "low" days when I can barely function and have also experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia and panic attacks and or crying jags for no reason.

I have been reading a lot about the Depo side effects some women have had and they mirror mine. I've had a thyroid test and it was fine, so I don't think that I'm diabetic.

I have been trying to eat well and clense with milk thistle to try to hasten the exit of the Depo.  

At the beginning of this week,I developed a yeast infection and did the 1 day Monistat. It seemed to work after 3/4 of a day, but now the yeast infection is seeming like it's back. Ugh.

I'm wondering if there is more that I can do to get it out of me or something I should request of my Dr? I don't want to take more drugs for the panic/anxiety, but will if it's going to be a long haul to "detox" from this stuff. I'm assuming that the yeast infection may be due to the hormones trying to kick back in or the fact that I was working out in the hot sun all weekend and was definitely sweating (don't think I need to say more on that).

If anyone can shed some light, I'd appreciate it. I don't know why all of these nasty symptoms appeared over the last 2 years when I'd been on it so long.

TIA!
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Avatar universal
Are you sick of people telling us we are too emotional, too moody, too sensitive, bi-polar, and just plain psycho?GET OFF the DEPO! Holy crap. I was only on it for a year and half. I gained 20plus pounds. They told me I was depressed and put me on more pills. My back hurt so I was on pain pills. Then I had panic attacks so there was a pill for that. I cried like all the time and they told me it was stress and I should relax! I went to a massage therapist every week and a chiropractor. I finally found a new doctor cause I am 40 and thought I could not live my life like this anymore! First thing she said...get off Depo! I have gone cold turkey on all the meds and flushed them. I am working with a dietician to help me detox and get all these chemicals out of my system! I am 2 weeks past when I should have had my next quarterly shot. New Doc says its gonna take a while and be a rough road. Now I have gained a few more pounds as all the hormones are regulating. I hope my normal upbeat personality comes back. I lost my boyfriend due to the mood swings. I'm surprised i haven't lost my job to all the stuff I have forgotten. And I am soooo pissed that the medical professionals we pay to help take care of us, have been destroying our insides and emotional well being. At 40 I am using condoms and got a sex lecture from the Dr about remembering his erect membrane leaks, and don't let him in without his raincoat! I hope and pray this process will not last long and I can go back to feeling normal again. I have been telling all the women I know. Take back our health and well being. Lesson learned on being involved in our own healthcare.
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Avatar universal
Hmmm, I've been on Depo (or devils drug) for 20 years - yes I missed the tdon't stay on it for long memo as well. Mine is for endometriosis that I've had 5 ops for and up to 40 cyst layered each time.
I have mine every 11 weeks as the depression, pain , anxiety and paranoia at 11 weeks is to difficult at work. I've suffered 3 lots of pneumonia, a flu every year, irritable bowl, night leg cramps, several fractures, my bones are a jagered mess, I've osteo in hips and knees and waiting to see an Endo for a RA diagnosis I also have random full blown anaphylaxis to random drugs and foods!
I've been told I'm to switch to marina implant and have decided to come off Depo - it's week 13 since my last injection and wow I've not missed the pelvic pain of Endo!
I've been prepping for a year, lost 18kg, only eat whole foods and now take Spirulina and brewers yeast, I'm hoping this gets me through the other side affects!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just started doing research on this and came to your post.  I see it was back in 2011 and its 2014, wondering how you made out? I have been on the depo shot for 14 years, it was to treat endodemtreous.  I too was having tremendous pian and pressure.  I just had surgery on Wednesday to remove cysts and to ( after 14 years) make sure it is endodemtreous.  Well long story short it is not endodemtreous! I had " an infection in my tube for very long time, also numerous dried blood clots( that they thought was tumors and cysts). Needless to say they removed 1 ovary and tube on right side along with a cyst, did a dnc to clean blood clots.  Everything was sent for biopsy,  I will not get results until the 29th. Please let me know what you went through, as I had the same symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just started doing research on this and came to your post.  I see it was back in 2011 and its 2014, wondering how you made out? I have been on the depo shot for 14 years, it was to treat endodemtreous.  I too was having tremendous pian and pressure.  I just had surgery on Wednesday to remove cysts and to ( after 14 years) make sure it is endodemtreous.  Well long story short it is not endodemtreous! I had " an infection in my tube for very long time, also numerous dried blood clots( that they thought was tumors and cysts). Needless to say they removed 1 ovary and tube on right side along with a cyst, did a dnc to clean blood clots.  Everything was sent for biopsy,  I will not get results until the 29th. Please let me know what you went through, as I had the same symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi ive bein on the depo snice 14 im now 24 I have had all the symptoms and bad lows . my mum and sisters have big boobs and I don't im like an A could this be from going on depo at early age ? im comeing off the depo do you think my boobs may get bigger?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My name is Mary. I recently turned 27 & decided to get off the depo shot after 10 years. I'm curious on what to expect next. Do I need to be worried about anything? Brace myself for something? I'm just very clueless and just want to prepare myself for the worse if I need to.
Helpful - 0
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