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Original poster

A bit of a roll Call - advers symptoms of depo provera

46 replies

Flossam · 25/03/2006 13:20

I really do believe that this drug (contraceptive injection) is nasty! I believe it made me depressed, suicidal and not a nice person to be around. I googled it earlier and found this website. \link{http://www.abcinternetmarketing.com/depo-provera/index.html\depo story site}

Now, I think a lot of this is a bit sensationalist and accruring every problem you have ever had to one drug in some cases. But it does appear that a few symptoms appear over and over again.

I plan to report this drug (am going to look into it now), but I wondered if we could have a head count of how many people on here feel they have had the same or similar problems? Most notably depression/mood swings, hair loss and headaches. Feel free to name change. I'm just wondering really if we could do something to try and get some kind of investigation into this. Can't bear the idea of more women going through these symptoms if it really is all due to depo. Sad

OP posts:
serenity · 25/03/2006 13:28

I tried it just before christmas 2003, after I had DD. I had headaches, dizzy spells, PMT like mood swings, permanent light bleeding, and nausea. I had a fun christmas Angry

Needless to say I didn't have the second injection. I think there was a thread at the time (just too late for me to have read prior to having the depo)

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 13:32

There has been a few I think serenity. Just wanted a collective! Smile

Sorry you didn't see them in time though. Sad

OP posts:
serenity · 25/03/2006 13:35

Not doing the classic MN 'why don't you do a search' honestly Grin

Thought I'd dig it out in case it was helpful with names etc, but archive search isn't working. Either that or I never actually existed and all my previous incarnations were a result of some kind of fevered nightmare........

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 13:49

SIDE-EFFECTS

Side-effects of progestogens include menstrual disturbances, premenstrual-like syndrome (including bloating, fluid retention, breast tenderness), weight gain, nausea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, drowsiness, depression; also skin reactions (including urticaria, pruritus, rash, and acne), hirsutism and alopecia. Jaundice and anaphylactoid reactions have also been reported.

From the BNF, generic for Mini pill as well.

So it is known, but it seems too prevelant IMO to be passable. Hmmm.

OP posts:
purpleturtle · 25/03/2006 13:57

I'm another one - I'm sure depo contributed to my need for ad's last year.

Miaou · 25/03/2006 14:12

I had depo injections quite a long time ago, 12 or 13 years ago, and developed painful breast cysts as a result. This happened after I had had about 4 injections. Didn't have another one and they went away but they were so painful that I had trouble sleeping at the time.

TearsBeforeBedtime · 25/03/2006 19:16

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, as I have 1)a history of depression and 2)became very depressed on the Progestogen only Pill.

I have 3 friends who tried it
1)thought it send her crazy
2)had spotting/bleeding constantly for over a year
3)thinks its wonderful.

as I understand it, any progestogen based contraception could in theory be a bit dodgy for anyone with a tendency towards depression.

popsycalindisguise · 25/03/2006 19:33

Before i opened this thread I was thining exactly the same opening line as tears before bedtime posted!

I had 2 injections of it. It made me totaly loopy and insane!Also, when I came off it (last injection jan 2000), it took me until december 2001 to conceive. Hate hate hate the damn thing

popsycalindisguise · 25/03/2006 19:35

it did stop my periods though.....but i agree that it is awful

beansprout · 25/03/2006 19:37

I didn't feel too bad when on it, but then again, I started using it just after ds was born and emotionally was all over the place so wouldn't know what to attribute to depo and what to circumstances. Came off it 2 months ago and no periods yet though. Am v concerned about the long delays that a lot of women have wrt their fertility returning. Am really annoyed that have only read about this stuff on here and there was never any mention from the GP or nurses who gave it to me. They were only concerned with establishing whether my periods had stopped or not. Angry

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 21:11

bumping?

OP posts:
jellyjelly · 25/03/2006 21:21

Had pmt, weight loss and got very confused on it but i blamed it on diffuclt circumstances rather than the depo but i didnt have another one. Periods fair time to come back

alittlebitshy · 25/03/2006 21:42

need to think... am on this now, and am wondering if things i put down to me being generally depressed, overeating... maybe are to do with this.

am only having 2 more done before ttc again (yay) so i guess i'll let you know more then Grin

expatinscotland · 25/03/2006 21:44

haven't had it myself, but a pal put on, get this!, 4 stone on it. she had her tubes tied and the weight fell off.

AggiePanther · 25/03/2006 22:09

I tried it for 6 months and gained over a stone, had hair loss and constant bleeding - then really really heavy bleeding when I stopped it.
Was really moody too but was also going out with a tosser at the time so not sure whether I can blame the moods on the injection iyswim

Calista · 25/03/2006 22:16

Hi Floss, I started a thread similar to this a while ago \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1366&threadid=144471&stamp=060302222754\here...}

Quite a lot of people mentioned feeling v. depressed etc. whilst on it, including myself.

I make a point of telling anyone I know who's thinking of going on it all the bad points. As someone else on the other thread said, it's the devil's stuff. I was horrified with what I found on all the support groups for it online.

puppy · 25/03/2006 23:08

I had two injections put a stone on with each one, after reading this I am almost certain it was the cause of the depression I had at a similar time to the injections.

threelittlebabies · 25/03/2006 23:55

yes to weight gain, mood swings etc. Also found each injection became increasingly more painful than the last, and just did not like it being in my system. HTH

DelGirl · 26/03/2006 00:02

I took dep for about 3 years. The only side effect I can remember (it was quite a long time ago) was no periods, which I thought was a pretty good side effect. Don't recall any weight gain but my weight is pretty up and down most of the time anyway. Interesting about the projesterone implication with depression though. When I was having iui I had to take projesterone for the 1st 12 weeks of pg and i'm now on AD's for pnd, though I am prone anyway.

essbee · 26/03/2006 00:07

There's another thread about this from a couple of years ago. I'll try to find it.

I also wouldn't touch it again.

essbee · 26/03/2006 00:12

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=15749\Found it!}

As I said then it hadn't occured to me the any of my symptoms were anything to do with this injection and they still might not have been, but I wont take the risk. Besides with a history now of depression I don't suppose it would be recommended.

serenity · 26/03/2006 13:06

How come you could find it, but when I searched under my old name nothing came up? It's a conspiracy I tell you! Grin

corblimeymadam · 26/03/2006 14:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

busybusybee · 26/03/2006 14:23

This is really interesting stuff as I had no idea about side effects of depo

A client of mine with downs syndrome has it. She experiences - thinning hair, bloated stomach, extreme mood swings, and bleeding on and off for several weeks.

I am definitely going to suggest she maybe doesnt have it anymore

spursmum · 26/03/2006 14:27

I was warned off it by my GP because of my history of depression and/or mood swings. I was looking for a more long term contraception and they suggested the implant as it was a slow release of hormones not a flood to last the 6 months.