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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
I have been getting the depo shot for about 15 years. I have been told that once I reached 45 I was not going to be able get the shot anymore. I suffer from hormonal migraines and am afraid to go off. I have read all these post and I'm wondering if I should go off now. I'm 43 now my last shot was due a week ago. Thank you ladies have me a lot to think about
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
hi I’ve been on deposit for 10 years now. I’m 42 years old and my gynaecologist recommends I stop it . Since I’m not planning on having more kids and my youngest is 10. I have had no period whilst on it. It has been great but now it’s been one month since it was due and I never had it. I just got dark red almost brown spotting. I just want my period to come back as normal and will try the pill. The reason for going on depo was after my last child was born I had breakthrough bleeding which is having my periods twice a month. I have anxiety though to doctor says it’s got nothing to do with it and he is pretty much right. I think it’s a good thing to let nature take its course and would recommend woman of my age that to stop taking it as it may cause brittle bones in the future. Anyways good lick with it all
Avatar universal
Forgive me, I've been on depo for 27 years, yes 27. Didn't get my shot in February and honestly goingfreaking nuts without it, BUT a few other issues seem to be calming down. But feel like I'm about to lose my mind, really need a little help or just a friendly voice. Thanks
Helpful - 0
15033091 tn?1438019344
I'm glad that I've found this forum!
I have been on Depo for 9 years now and I'm now 36 so I think it may be time to stop as myself and my partner would like a child someday... Not right now! But I'm afraid that the length of time I've been on it may have a negative effect.

It has been wonderful not having a period for so long and I didn't have many side effects really. Maybe some weight gain and bouts of depression, but not sure if I can blame that on the Depo!!

Anyway, 3 months ago was my last injection, so let's see how this goes.
I am definitely worried about heavy bleeding and other side effects I'm reading about here...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 24 years old and was on depo for almost 10 years (started at 14) and got off of it June 2013. My doctor urged me to get off of it almost every visit after the first 5 years but it worked great for me until my mood changes became extremely noticeable, getting headaches ALL the time and sex drive was close to zero which my boyfriend hated of coarse. I switched to Seasonale which gives you a period every 3 months. It seems to be working good so far but im not sure if the depo is even out of my system yet considering I was on it for almost 10 years. Some say 3 months after last shot and some others say 2 years. Me and my boyfriend is strongly considering having a baby, so my question is....has anyone gotten pregnant right after stopping to forms of birth control or did it take a while?
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Ive been on depot on and off for 18 years,I've planned 3 children on it, the first time it took 5 months to get a period and 8 months total to become pregnant, every other time after...the time was less, hope this late comment helps lol
It took two year and three months I just had my daughter June,15 2017.. this shot is really scary I did for 10 years also.
Avatar universal
I have been on depo for 12 years (almost consistently). I am about to turn 28 years old. To be honest depo has worked wonderfully for me. I do not get a period which is ideal. The reason why I am on here is to get an idea about getting off. My most recent physical showed some irregularities and rapidness with my heart beat so I looking into depo as a possible cause. I am not on any other medications, rarely take over-the-counter, and am weaning myself off of regular coffee to decaf this week. Like I said before, I am just looking. Depo has been great otherwise.

Other symptoms listed by depo:

Weight gain- I currently am at a very healthy weight. My weight has fluctuated in the past but that is as I come and go into fitness and better eating. I am currently training hard for an event which may be the cause of the heart issue. I do not correlate depo with my weight changes.

Mood swings- I get emotional and cry on occasion, but for external reasons (school stress, boyfriend stress, etc). There is a strong family history of depression but I only experience "blue" moments about 3 times a year. I have a hard time correlating this to depo.

Lower abdominal cramps/spotting- I do get some cramping if I am getting close to my shot due date and some spotting if it is really close or over my due date.

Heart burn- I do get heart burn on occasion, but I believe this to be due to family history. My father has to get surgery to mediate his heart burn and my brother is also a sufferer. I do not believe depo is to blame for my heartburn.

Migraines/ head aches- I get headaches rarely, maybe 5 times a year, and rarely severe enough to even need Advil.

Currently my heart abnormality is my biggest concern, but I cannot yet fully attribute it to depo. I am not sure I want to go off of it just yet, but this posting has helped. Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i recently missed my depo shot due to some scheduling conflicts, i called to reschedule and they said i would have to wait two weeks and then pass a preg test. i agreed and then had to break the news to my husband that we couldn't have unprotected sex for the two weeks. you can imagine how well that went over. so we talked about it and decided i would consider not getting the shot and see what happens. I have been on the depo for almost 15 years. I also had many of the above listed symptoms, but asked multiple drs if they might be connected to the depo and was told no over and over again. I think the best thing has been missing this apt and coming across this website and postings. I know for sure now i am not going to get the depo shot again in a few weeks. i am looking forward to what is going to happen but kind of scared as well. the only thing i know is the depo shot and dont even remember not being on it since i have been getting it so long. thank you for all of the posts helping raise awareness on this issue!!
Helpful - 0
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.
Helpful - 0
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
Avatar universal
Hi
I have been on Depo since i was 19 years old. I am now 45! So that means i have been on it for more than 25 years! I have had two children and it took me 8 months to have a period before i conceived. I had another baby pretty soon as i was scared that if i went back on it i would take a long time to conceive again. I have had not a period in over 23 years and have experienced no problems with it - EXCEPT NOW - i have been trying to come off it before i hit the menopause and have real problems with the amount of pain i am in. The breast pain is so bad that i am in tears often and cannot let anyone come near me. The doc has taken advice from the family planning dept at the hosp and i can go on having it until i hit the menopause if i wish. I have never been offered a bone density scan or any other drug which could help me come off this horrible drug.




Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi , I had been on this Depo Shot since 2004 . I stooped taking the shot August 2012 , so yea 8yrs. I haven't had my AF yet, I'm going to start a Detox , I'm not trying to get pr-ego just want to get my body back to normal.Wen i started my first shot i was like 120lb max this past year i was weighing 156lb . I'm only 5.3 so this is allot. I currently weigh 140lb not sure if the depo was causing it .The weight started to creep up on the last two yrs. during the first 4yrs my normal wight was 133lb max  so just this  past yrs was wen I started gaining a lot more  weight.Also i was producing milk for not allot but i notice one day wen my nipples were really itchy and i decided to squeeze it and out of nowhere little drops of milk came out . I was scared. That's the reason I didn't continue with the shot . I have been  of the shot for one month now .so will see how it goes ....
oh and also not sure about being depress i thought that the way I was just not friendly .But will see ill keep u guys updated
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I realize that your post is from several years back. I am just wanting to put out there that I am so glad that I found other women that totally understand what I have gone through in the last 10 years. I have been on the depo for 13 years now and am 40 yrs old.  I started out with thinking this was the best thing ever!  Having twins I knew I would not remember the pill everyday and not having periods a bonus! I gained some weight but was able to excercise and eat better and that made a difference with the weight gain. It wasn't until several yrs into taking the depo did I start having mad rages, anxiety, severe depression, mood disorder, loss of concentration, just over all fogginess.  I really really truly just thought I was going crazy and also getting up in age.  Until reading all these forums did I realize that I wasn't the only one going through this and that it is the depo. I am now getting ready to go off the depo with the help of a new gyn. I say that because my old gyn just told me I could go off the depo with no problems or side effects. NOT! After hearing all these stories I was and am terrified of what is about to happen. So, after much research I found a gyn who is awesome. She is going to put me on a very low dose of b/c to help with some of the problems that can come with started your period after not having one for 13yrs. I know alot of ppl say way put more hormones in your body, but I rather be weaned off the just jump in the water also she is doing many test on me, like bone denisty, thyroid which I was dx with a high thyroid, and some other blood tests that are suppose to be done with on depo let alone being on it for so long.  I just wish I had known all this when I first got on depo which that dr didn't even give me a pamplet about it. Because, I just about lost my marriage, my mind and my whole self worth over this horrible ordeal of the depo shot. Since, you have been off of this for awhile please let me know that life does get better and any tips about getting off depo.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I realize that your post is from several years back. I am just wanting to put out there that I am so glad that I found other women that totally understand what I have gone through in the last 10 years. I have been on the depo for 13 years now and am 40 yrs old.  I started out with thinking this was the best thing ever!  Having twins I knew I would not remember the pill everyday and not having periods a bonus! I gained some weight but was able to excercise and eat better and that made a difference with the weight gain. It wasn't until several yrs into taking the depo did I start having mad rages, anxiety, severe depression, mood disorder, loss of concentration, just over all fogginess.  I really really truly just thought I was going crazy and also getting up in age.  Until reading all these forums did I realize that I wasn't the only one going through this and that it is the depo. I am now getting ready to go off the depo with the help of a new gyn. I say that because my old gyn just told me I could go off the depo with no problems or side effects. NOT! After hearing all these stories I was and am terrified of what is about to happen. So, after much research I found a gyn who is awesome. She is going to put me on a very low dose of b/c to help with some of the problems that can come with started your period after not having one for 13yrs. I know alot of ppl say way put more hormones in your body, but I rather be weaned off the just jump in the water also she is doing many test on me, like bone denisty, thyroid which I was dx with a high thyroid, and some other blood tests that are suppose to be done with on depo let alone being on it for so long.  I just wish I had known all this when I first got on depo which that dr didn't even give me a pamplet about it. Because, I just about lost my marriage, my mind and my whole self worth over this horrible ordeal of the depo shot. Since, you have been off of this for awhile please let me know that life does get better and any tips about getting off depo.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 25 and was on depo for 8 years. I have now been off of it for almost a year and haven't felt right for the past 9 months. It started with an inner ear infection but after that cleared up I still didn't feel myself, usually just kind off lightheaded or foggy feeling. My dr. Said to start my anxiety meds back up but it didn't change anything. I also had a thyroid test and full bloodwork done and everything came back fine. When my periods started back up they were a normal monthly cycle. 2 months ago I started having a cycle every 2 weeks then every other week. This past week I've had pain by my left ovary that spread to my back and I've been very lightheaded. I went to the dr. And they repeated bloodwork and did a regular and transvaginal ultrasound which all came back fine. I have an appointment with an OB in a few days but just wanted to know if anyone had symptoms like these?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,

Just wondering how long it took for the depo to wear off? I am struggling with the die off and want to speed things up, even considered having another shot as I was having it for endometreosis pain and I am really struggling with the aching, paranoia and vision problems. I can barely leave the house cos i feel so strange.

Any advice or help from anyone would be much appreciated.

Thanks alot.

mary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am thinking of going off the depo and have the same fears as you, I see you went off in 2009, how did it go? I am nervous. Any info you can give me will help greatly. Thank you so much.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been receiving Depo for the past 11 years, as my Dr's solution to dealing with an unplanned pregnancy that ended up being full term still born. Prior to the shot I had a severely light 3 day cycle every 2 months at best. I was advised that being so irregular, the shots were the best thing for me. I have never checked the side effects of it since I was put on it, and of course was assured it was absolutely safe.
Since beginning the shots, I have had a total immune shutdown. Muscular and nerve breakdown. I'm being treated for swelling in my brain that causes severe bleeding, and have had a global motility shutdown of my lower stomach and intestines, with a delay in esophageal function. Not being able to eat or digest properly I was put on a liquid diet and still gained 120lbs in 4 months- undiagnosed. 8 years spent in a diagnostic center, and still completely undiagnosed in regards to everything - just heavily medicated with a chemical cocktail to control the symptoms, and put on disability. The depression and anxiety I developed over the years was always attributed to the loss in the quality of my health.
Last year I spoke to my Dr about coming off of the Depo, as later in life my husband and I wanted to try for a family - and was advised I had been on it too long and had less then 5% chance of ever conceiving. I was also refused the option to switch to something else.  After 2 more shots that year, I decided to just no show my next appointment and boycott the shot.
That was the end of October. November I had what appeared to be a normal cycle, but at what should have been the end of it - it became increasingly worse. I called my Dr's multiple times, and was told not to worry about it. December came, and was worse then November. Still, no action from the Dr's. January came, and by the middle of the month I was having to change pads every 30 minutes, my breasts felt as though they had been mutilated, I couldn't eat or drink, and I was losing consciousness. I was finally hospitalized, and quickly discharged with direction to see my gynecologist first thing in the morning.  At this appointment I was lectured for missing my shot, advised I had no other options to resort to, and told the only way to stop the bleeding and other symptoms was to get another shot.  That was January of 2011, and as of today I am still on the shot with my next one due March 1 - and I so desperately want off of it.

If my Dr will not provide any support for me discontinuing the shot, are there ANY options that I possibly have? I live in an area that once you're lucky enough to have a Dr take you on as a patient, you can't just decide to go to someone else.
Helpful - 0
1966001 tn?1325563130
Dear Kimmie,
Could you give me some weight loss advice?  I was on Depo for about 2 yrs, then stopped it because I gained 50 pounds in 2 years, regardless of working out all the time and eating healthy (I even kept a food journal to control my calories!)  After stopping Depo, I took Yaz (which also contains progesterone) for about 4 months, but then stopped taking all hormonal B.C. altogether.  Now my hubby & I use alternate, non-hormonal methods, and I've been off Depo for over a year now.  My question for you is this:  is there ANY way to kick-start my weight loss?  Any legitimate supplements or "detox" things you know of that can help me start burning fat?  Thanks so much for your help, and I wish I had known about the horrible side effects of this drug before I began it!  
Sincerely,
Rachel L.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I myself am getting ready to go off of the shot. Unfortunately, I to have experienced serious problems in my marriage. It has almost cost me my marriage. I have been on it for 8 years. I have experienced every side effect listed, on every website except the bone density loss thankfully! I think the only thing that saved me besides the calcium supplements was the bad acid reflux I get and the amount of tums I eat! I am nervous myself as I am a week out from being due and am feeling horribly fatigued, anxious, angry, and the headache and cramps have started. It is going to be a long next couple of months. Steph
Helpful - 0
1943960 tn?1324057434
I have be on the depo shot since Aug of 2009, after i gave birth to my amzing little girl. I am only 21 years olds and have also been diagnosed with panic disorder and have been taking zoloft and lorazopam as needed, well...lately it seems like a month early of me getting my shot I get extremely agitated and i feel like i could cry and run away from myself all at the same time. this ***** because i honestly think that the depo is what triggered everything to come on. I was on normal bc pills, but I had to stop them due to the fact i was getting pains in my legs. The depo works wonders with keeping me from getting pregnant, but I don't have a sex drive either! I stay dry and it takes everything I have to have sex with my fiance, I just am not in the mood anymore.....also I just find it interesting about the side effects...also I do not want to end up losing all of my bone mass due to this. Just confused and I hate this. I am due to get my next shot at the end of jan 2012, but I dont know yet what I want to due because i keep going through these cycles!
Helpful - 0
1943960 tn?1324057434
I have be on the depo shot since Aug of 2009, after i gave birth to my amzing little girl. I am only 21 years olds and have also been diagnosed with panic disorder and have been taking zoloft and lorazopam as needed, well...lately it seems like a month early of me getting my shot I get extremely agitated and i feel like i could cry and run away from myself all at the same time. this ***** because i honestly think that the depo is what triggered everything to come on. I was on normal bc pills, but I had to stop them due to the fact i was getting pains in my legs. The depo works wonders with keeping me from getting pregnant, but I don't have a sex drive either! I stay dry and it takes everything I have to have sex with my fiance, I just am not in the mood anymore.....also I just find it interesting about the side effects...also I do not want to end up losing all of my bone mass due to this. Just confused and I hate this. I am due to get my next shot at the end of jan 2012, but I dont know yet what I want to due because i keep going through these cycles!
Helpful - 0
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