Withdrawal Symptoms from Depo??

Updated on December 07, 2010
H.H. asks from Wilkes Barre, PA
6 answers

I was on the depo shot for just under a year and had negative side effects the whole time. (i.e. loss of sex drive, fatigue, moodiness, lack of energy) I just want to make clear right away that I am not suffering from depression. I know some people like to say right away that it's depression. If I didn't think my situation was connected to the depo, I wouldn't be posting this. I stopped taking the depo shot at the end of august, when I was scheduled for a shot. After coming across some disturbing information that my doctor failed to inform me of the ANY of the possible negative side effects I could experience, getting advice from some of you on the topic and learning what other uses it has, I didn't go to my appointment and haven't gone back yet. My problem is I have been experiencing some things that are similar to the symptoms of pregnancy. I have also had a kind of fluttering, like a kick,in my abdomen every now and then, which really freaked me out. It prompted me to take a pregnancy test each time. I have taken at least four pregnancy tests and all were negative. I have been bleeding off and on for weeks with a couple days between. It's not heavy but a dark rust color, which I find strange. Bleeding or not, I have cramps all the time. I get naseous, dizzy and lightheaded. I feel bloated and achy. My lower back is constantly in pain. I have no appetite. All the foods I used to love are not appetizing to me. I have to force myself to eat. One of the most problematic things is that I am tired all the time. I mean, exhausted. I have no energy. Again, I AM NOT DEPRESSED. I recently tried to do some research to find out what may be going on and found a site where a ton of women have posted the same symptoms after stopping the depo.They called it "withdrawal symptoms". Some had them after only one shot. I took them for almost a year. I can't imagine what it has done to my body. Has anyone else been through this? I'm starting to wonder at this point if I'll ever feel normal again. Does anyone know how I can feel better? I'm going to make a doctor's appointment tomorrow because I'm concerned and outraged that none of this was brought to my attention before it was put into my body and I want answers. If anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I was on the depo shot years ago, so I don't know if my situation could help. I didn't experience any of the symptoms you had. In fact, it took over a year for my period to come back. The doctors even gave me a little pink pill that was supposed to bring it back, and it still took 6 months. You might want to go to an OB/GYN that can do an ultrasound (vaginal and abdomen) You could have a ruptured ovarian cyst. That could explain the pulling sensation... But- you want to make sure it's nothing serious like a tubal pregnancy, etc...

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!

T.M.

answers from Modesto on

A lot of your symptoms also sound like colitis. You might google that as well. Sorry I have no answers, but colitis just happened to my 84 yr old mil and that's why I'm saying your symptoms sound the same. She ended up in the hospital for a week at Thanksgiving.... so read up on it and see what you think.
You've been off of the depo shot since August, I would assume any withdrawals would already be past?

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, H.:

Look into getting a series of colonics. Look on line for colon
hydrotherapists in your area.

Good luck.
D.

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G.S.

answers from Allentown on

Since you discontinued your injections in August, and it is now December, I would encourage you to seek the opinion of a gynecologist. You need not return to the physician who encouraged you to take the injection. You can (and probably SHOULD) find a new one.

In my experience, the symptoms you list could be attributed to any number of other things, outside of side effects from the discontinuation from these injections. I would guess that it could take your body 6 months to a year to recover, but it's possible you could have symptoms that last you a lifetime, too. (I have not taken "depo" but was given a Lupron injection once well over a year ago, and I still have side effects from it.)

You're tired because you are constantly bleeding. Even if it's not a lot all at once, it's nearly non-stop. If nothing else, see your primary care doctor and get your iron levels (including ferritin) checked to look for anemia. That's at least a place to start. If nothing else, treating the anemia will give you some energy back.

The fluttering sensations can possibly be attributed to strange new gas, which could be the result of the growth of fibroid tumors on/around your uterus. It could also be the result of malignant tumor growth, though (which is a concern). Or - a result of endometriosis. Or PCOS. Or adenomyosis. Or endometrial cancer. Or a serious infection. This is also true of the bleeding, the nausea, the lightheadedness, the bloating, the aching, the back pain and the cramps. If fibroids are your problem, you have clearly reached a point that treatment of some kind would be beneficial. If these are the cause of your trouble, be advised that any physician who tells you your only option is hysterectomy (or says only hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization) is WRONG and is NOT the right doctor with whom to pursue treatment.

Please find a gynecologist who will help you discover the source of your discomfort -- and who hopefully will also help you find a solution. Sometimes it would be the most benefit to see a reproductive endocrinologist, as these gynecologic doctors specialize in problems of the reproductive region.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I've had a couple friends that used the shots and stopped for very much the same reasons you did. They all had a wealth of problems after going off of it as well. I don't remember details though.
I had depression brought on by the mini-pill. Once I went off of it I immediately started feeling better and after a couple months it was like I'd never been on them again. Progesterone is a depressant.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

I was on depo for a couple of years, but never experienced any troubles, on or off of it. I hope you get to the bottom of your troubles.

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