I started getting Depo-Provera shots in March, as I just had a baby in January and I want to put some distance between this one and my next. I had my first menstrual cycle after my son in April. I'm emotionally all over the place. My first shot was in mid-March and I wasn't due for my next one until May 20-June 17. I just got my next one on Saturday and the nausea has been worse and the fatigue has been worse.
I've also taken 4 pregnancy tests since my son was born, the 4th being at the date of my last shot. They were all hospital grade tests, not home tests, and they all came back negative. When I see these, and hear the explanation my doctor gave me (You'll always feel pregnant after you've had your first one), I must admit I'm a little disappointed. I just know that something isn't right. I FEEL pregnant even though all these tests are saying I'm not. My husband even thinks I am (he told me I was pregnant before and turned out to be right). I just don't know what to do. I need some answers that will put my mind at ease and hopefully get my headaches to go away.
I don't take aspirin as a personal rule but my headaches start when I get up and don't go away sometimes for a couple days on end.
My symptoms include:
Gas
Bloating
Headaches
Constipation
HUGE appetite
Nauseous (even with water)
Emotional roller-coaster
Fatigue
Please help me!
Please get off the depo! I know more than one woman personally that gained 100+ lbs and weren't able to have any more children :( They would tell you that it destroyed their lives...
Those are pretty common Depo side effects. That stuff WRECKED my body and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
First, I was on the depo for about a year because it was the birth control of convenience for me... Until I actually paid attention to what the side effects were and realized that it was horrible for me. Plus it takes a LONG time to get pregnant after coming off of the depo. So when you do decide to come off of the depo it's not something that you can just come off of and get pregnant. You have to come off of it, wait 6 months to a year, and then you MIGHT get pregnant. I know that it's really convenient and that part of it is awesome, but I suggest considering a different type of birth control.
Secondly, while I was on the depo shot I CONSTANTLY felt pregnant. Look through my previous questions. I must have at least ten 'I'm on the depo shot but think I'm pregnant' type of questions. It drove me crazy! Lol
all of your symptoms seem normal to me. I was on the depo shot (3 doses, so 9 months total). Between the 1st and 2nd shot I gained 40 pounds. I went from a size 5 to a size 10 and ended up with ugly stretch marks all over my legs! I was moody. My emotions were ALL over the place. I would cry, freak out, be happy, it was awful! I had my period the entire time. I literally spotted daily and had cramps the whole time. Once I did get off the shot it took me an entire YEAR to get my period back to a regular schedule. That whole year I was as dry as can be. The only thing that got it back again was going on the pill for 4 months. Also sex was very painful. I was as dry as could be.
I was finally told (by a new obgyn) that the depo shot is for people who are done having kids and should not be giving to someone who was just married at 21 and wanted kids in the future. Very bad birth control option. Once I was done and off the pill and had my period back, I never used bc again. We did the counting method and planned out our 2 kids and got them on the first and 2nd try. My husband now had a vascetomy, so I still don't ever have to worry about bc.
I would see about another type of bc. The depo shot is not good
These are side effects of the depo shot. I used it years ago, and although I am sure they have improved it some, I gained a ton of weight and had many of the symptoms above. I also had a constant period, to the point where I was put on the pill while I was still on depo to try to regulate my period, which kind of defeated the purpose of being on the depo to begin with. I have had many types of birth control, and this one was the worst. I would go off of it, and see if your symptoms get better.
I have to chuckle. I've never been pregnant and have had all of those symptoms at once. You've had a baby and are taking hormone shots. Know that your hormones are all messed up.
I suggest that you stop worrying about being pregnant. Accept that you're not. This will take away some of the stress.
Deal with the symptoms, one by one. Take simethicone for the gas and bloating. Take probiotics for improved overall health. They will help with the gas, bloating, constipation. Take ibuprofen or some other OTC for the headaches. Take it every 4-6 hours until you get the headaches under control Then take it at the very beginning of feeling like a headache is coming on. Take --------- can't think of the name, for constipation. Eat small amounts close together for the nausea. Munching on crackers all day has helped me. Be kind to yourself. Rest as much as you can. Talk with the doctor about trying an anti depressant for the emotional roller coaster.
My daughter used depo and now refuses it, saying she felt miserable on it. You're stuck with it for now. Hopefully your body will adjust and you'll feel OK again. It works for some women. At any rate, you're stuck with it now for another 3 months. Consider a different form of birth control for later.
It truly sounds like you need to do something else. I suggest you try Nuva Ring. It comes in the mail and goes in the fridge. When your bleeding cycle is over you insert the ring in your vagina. It stays the full 3 weeks. Although you can take it out for a while if it's uncomfortable during intercourse. It goes back in when you're done. I know several people who have used it completely successfully and have had no side effects at all.
Each person has to find what works for them. But there are many other forms of BC.
