I started the DP shot 6 weeks after my son was born and have been completely miserable ever since. I never went back for my fourth injection because my body and hormones became so sick that I was afraid to pollute it with anything. Now looking back I know it was the shot. I have experienced some of the most horrible side effects. First I gained so much weight then I got so sick with being dizzy or nausious all the time that I even had to call 911 because I didn't know what was happening. I started getting chest pains after the second shot that has caused me the most pain and frustration. I have been to many, many doctors because of the pain and constant bleeding for the last 2 years and still no answers. I am so afraid that this shot has destroyed any chance for me to feel like the normal healthy 23 year old I should be. I wish I knew if any other women have experienced severe chest pains and constant bleeding like I have. Please e-mail me at butrflz12@aol.com if you have any symptoms like me.

I won't warn anyone off of Depo-Provera, because it took care of my irregular cycles (no more periods, actually, which was fine with me, considering that I was always caught by surprise) and it also cleared up my acne (wasn't bad to begin with, but now I have only the occasional blemish). But the real problems have been my mood swings. I'm not excessively violent, where I wasn't before. And I am also prone to crying jags for absolutely no reason at all. I also gained a little bit of weight. I now get full-on migraines, where they were just headaches before. And my sex drive is non-existent! It's frustrating to be 19 years old and to have absolutely none of the desires that were running rampant a year ago. The shot was good and convenient and worry-free, but the side effects having been effecting every part of my emotional life.

I am curious if anyone out there has had problems breast feeding because of Depo Provera. I recieve my first Depo shot two weeks after my daughter was born. This was before I discovered that I was not producing enough milk for my baby and she was loosing weight. I've been struggling with my breastmilk supply ever since then. The shot wears off in three weeks and I definately won't be getting another one. I just hope that one the Depo is out of my system I will finally have enough breastmilk. My OB is skepticle that the Depo is the cause of the problem, but what I don't know what else it could be. Am I the only one out there who has experienced this?
Please e-mail me at tddali@sprynet.com

I guess I am in the minority. I have been on Depo since June of '94. I would agree that in the beginning, your body seems to be going through a thousand adjustments. At first, I would have periods that would consist of heavy bleeding for two weeks. I never experienced headaches. I did experience a slight weight gain but it was controllable. Maybe 5 - 10lbs. But after two or three injections, my body responded very well. I no longer had periods which was a plus. And all other side effects disappeared. My advice to anyone considering this method is to research. Talk to your physician. Decide if you are willing to take the risk of the side effects. I know everyone here seems to be opposed but from my stand point, it's a great product. It's not made for everyone but if you fall into the minority category like me then it's wonderful. My only concern at this point in time would be the effects on me when my fiancé and I decide to start a family. The research as is seems to be around 6 - 12 months. But my physician prepared me for 18 months with the length of time that I have been on the shot which would be five years this June.

I have been on a roller coaster for about two years. I started taking depo about three years ago. I really thought it was great at first. About a year into it I noticed some problems and really didn't associate them with the drug. Well,now I have had surgery for "reoccuring endometriosis" that wasn't there, been told I have developed damage in the atrium of my heart, been told that since it wasn't the endometriosis that was causing me to be sick as a dog, it must be my sugar level. We went from this to possible meneire's disease and on to alternate migranes. I didn't know there were so many things that could happen to a person. Each of these well respected doctors that I have seen was aware of my being on the shot. One had me get off the shot for one three month period because I was being tested. Boy have I been tested. I had never really been that sick before this. My immune system is horrid now. I pick up every sickness that comes along. It has been 11 months since my last shot and I have not had a period yet. I can't seem to get past the nausea and dizziness. Some days are good , others, not so good. I had to give up my teaching postion in January of this year. I stay sick too much to work. I thought it would make everrything better to come home. Sometimes I want throw my hands up. I don't know exactly what will happen next. For those of you who read these things like I do, for similar symptoms; I should note that I have experienced the weight gain, nausea, dizziness, vomitting, blurrred vision, ringing in my ears, and complete loss of period. Keep me in your prayers. I will do the same for all of you.

I have received two doses of depo and don't plan on showing for my third dose. I have been an absolute basketcase. I had chalked it up to some weird side effect from having my son. But I now believe that it might have something to do with the depo. Furthermore, I lost around 40 pounds within six weeks of giving birth to my son (he was born five months ago). Then I got my first depo shot. I don't know if the weight gain has to do only with the depo (the other ladies' comments here reflect around a 20 pound gain) but I swear I put that 40 back on plus some! I can't figure it out as I'm not doing anything differently than I was those first six weeks, except maybe moving MORE as my son is much more active now. The only thing I can think of is the depo. I'm going to get off of it, give it about six months, and see what happens. It's pretty disappointing too because I loved not having a period and this method is so very convenient and economical.

I started DP in October of 1997. At first I thought it was the best thing in the world, I didn't have to worry about taking pills or having my period. I liked it so much that i talked my best friend into taking it as well. As time went on I noticed I was gaining weight but thought it was just me not being active. Then in September 1998 I really started to gain. I had my last injection in January. The damage that DP did to my body cannot be reversed. I have stretch marks all over my body, so bad that my boyfriend thought that someone had beat me up. I have gained approximately 70 lbs. After I stopped taking it I started to find out what it is that DP actually does to your body. A book I read told me that DP tricks your body into going into menopause. Had I known this at the beginning I never would have gone on it. In addition it is going to take a long time before my body gets back to the way it was. I now tell everyone I know to stay away from this drug! It may be great at first but it isn't worth the damage that it does

I have been on Depo for 7 years and I have experienced major side affects, possibly the worst. I have been dealing with the constant weight gain, serious depression and great deals of hair loss. At first I jumped at the opportunity to have no peroids, but that was my worst mistake. I haven't had a normal menstrual cycle in 7 years and I feel absolutely horrible. I have recently switched to the pill in hopes that my body will return to its normal self, whatever that may be. Depo is not a safe product and due to the serious side affects I think that Depo should be removed from the market. It is more
of a harm than a help.

I had my first injection March of 98 and my last in Sept. of 98. I still have not stopped bleeding and I recently have been having heavy cramps daily and some heavy clotting. I did not gain wait, but I did lose my sex drive, had headaches and became very moody. I strongly advise anyone against the injections.

I have been on depo for almost one year now. And I will NEVER take the shot again! I've gained approximately 25 pounds within 9 months - I weigh as much now as I did when I was 4 1/2 months pregnant with my daughter! I have become very depressed and irratate easily. When I spoke with my doctor about this, he told me to take St. John's Wort because I have a mild case of depression. Of all people in the world, I am NOT a depressed person! It wasn't until I started doing internet research that I found out that I'm not the only person that this is happening to. I just want to get back to my
old self - and fast!!!!!!!

I was really surprised to read all of these comments. I only found one positive one. I have been on the shot for about 8 months. I haven't noticed many side effects. I have only gained 4 pounds and that's probably just because i eat like a pig:) I stopped having periods almost right away. I had a really heavy one about a month after my first injection that lasted for 2 weeks. Now i only spot when it's almost time for my next shot. I have had a problem with headaches recently. I get a really bad one about twice a week. I really haven't had a bad experience. I guess it just depends on the person. So, don't be scared away by all of these comments. Three of my friends are also on the depo shot and they have only had a slight weight gain as a side effect. If it works out, it really is convenient!!