..I had my first, one and only shot in September, but I hated it (severe emotional disturbance/moodiness/depression that wasn't there before), so I never had another. It's now May, eight months later, and I haven't so much as spotted since getting the shot, let alone had a period. Does this sound okay? I was hesitant to get the shot at all due to issues like rough PMS (was afraid I would be in perpetual PMS), chronic migraine, cystic acne, and weight gain on mini pill, but my GYN convinced me to try it since I needed something due to the prophylactic migraine meds I take, and many other methods of BC are contraindicated for me. I never missed a period before in my life or was irregular unless pregnant. I was confirmed not to be pregnant. So, is it normal with Depo for menses to stop totally for eight months in a 34 year old from just one shot?
Depo-Provera - One shot only and periods are still missing?
Question posted by Hickory51015 on 11 May 2015
Last updated on 11 July 2018 by rubyzkorner
Answers
This is my second time on Depo. The first was back in 2006-2007. In Nov 2006 I had my first shot. I spotted for 3 months straight. In Feb 2007 I went in and spoke to my doctor who told me that most likely a second shot would stop the spotting. It worked. No period/spotting for 18 months. Only had the 2 shots back then. This time I got my first shot in May. Same thing continuous spotting. I'm hoping the second shot will take care of that again. I've been told it can take up to 2 years for your system to return to normal (if you decide to try to conceive). Good luck
I don't have an answer to your question but I was wondering when the emotional symptoms you experienced went away? I had my first Depo shot on March 2, 2015 (so a little over 2 months ago) and it has turned my life upside down. I have been experiencing severe depression and anxiety, night sweets, nightmares, no sex drive, hot flashes. I have lost 10 lbs and did not have the weight to lose. I'm weak, exhausted and an emotional wreck. I have also been bleeding for 46 days straight. My doctor said these negative side effects would go away after 3 months but they do not feel like they are getting better.
I would greatly appreciate your feedback. I haven't found anyone else that has had this same experience.
My doctor told me that since the drug is in your system for a full year I could be bleeding for that long... So maybe it is "normal"!!! If you ask me nothing is normal about this drug. Every single day I wish I could go back in time and make a different decision than I made that day.
I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. You actually gave me some insight by letting me know your doctor said even one shot can last up to a year. (And if that's the case, it makes no sense side effects would only last 3 months??) I actually started feeling suicidal in the weeks after the shot and went on an antidepressant because of how bad I felt. I had horrible thoughts like how easier it would be to just get cancer or get in a car accident and be dead. At least every hour I was thinking how death would be so nice. That was not me!!! It was terrible. I also had the anxiety and no sex drive.
I went on nortriptylene because I could still take my migraine meds while on it, and with SSRIs I can't. I improved from it and stopped thinking about dying but didn't return to normal. After about a month, I felt like I was getting worse again so increased my dose. That helped too, but again, not back to normal. I knew it was just the medication taking away the bad thoughts. Now at eight months out, I feel nothing like I did in those awful, dark, ready-to-die days soon after the shot. But about five months after the shot is when I think I turned the corner. It wasn't overnight, but I started having more days where I was productive again and smiling easier. Gradually I just became myself again. So about 4-5 months for me.
If you think you need something to help you get over this hump, don't be afraid to ask. I, unfortunately, gained weight from the antidepressant (or eating too much while on it anyway) and didn't need to gain any, but it really helped me. I was never so low before, and it all started after the shot with absolutely nothing else in my life changing, so even my doctor agreed it made sense that is what caused this change in me. I regret it so bad too. I was so hesitant to get it because I knew it would be in me and I couldn't stop it like you can with a pill, but I didn't trust my instincts.
Do what you can and get support where you can to get through this part of it, because the "you" that you remember will reappear again once this awful medicine is gone from your body. Tell yourself every day it is just the shot doing this, and it WILL wear off. I know it works for some people, but for me it was a nightmare. Hang in there! You will come out on the other side!
Wow. Thank you so much for you're response. I am so sorry that you had to go through that as well.
My doctor gave me zoloft but so far I have chosen not to take it. I just don't want to take a medication with a long list of side effects to deal with the awful side effects I'm experiencing from another medication. I go back and forth about it in my head constantly and have the zoloft pamphlet in my wallet and I read through it almost every day and get all worked up over it. I read the labels on absolutely everything now and don't want to have to take any drug ever again.
Time has been moving agonizingly slow. I've been counting down the days to the three month anniversary of when I got the shot. Literally marking them off on my calendar. Like June 2nd will be some magic day where I wake up not feeling like a living corps and my world is back to normal but my gut tells me that these symptoms are not going away. I'm just spiraling down a dark hole. I'm going to reconsider taking the zoloft and find a therapist to talk to.
Thank you again. It is awful that anyone has to go through this but it is nice to know that I am not alone. I have only shared what I'm going through with a few people and I know they love and support me and mean well but sometimes I feel like they just don't understand, they don't believe me, or they just think I should suck it up and handle it better, stop obsessing, think positive thoughts and it will all get better.
You're welcome. I didn't tell many people either. This is the bluntest I have been about it, I suppose because of the anonymity it gives. Just the fact it has to do with birth control already makes it somewhat taboo. And depression is such a taboo subject too for whatever reason.
In addition to my migraine issues, I also went on the nortriptylene (as opposed to an SSRI) because it's a very old antidepressant, and I like things that have been around for a long time because I find comfort in the decades of being able to learn their side effects, but when my mother died unexpectedly several years ago, I did a short course of Zoloft during my greatest period of grief (different than depression though), and it did help me. I didn't find the side effects too bad, except that maybe I didn't feel any emotions, including happiness, though it did stop me from feeling so much sadness too. I did have a hard time weaning from it though. I had brain zaps.
So if you do decide to take it, plan to wean off slowly. They are powerful drugs though, so I understand your hesitancy. Maybe you could read a little about Elavil and Pamelor and see if they might suit you better than the newer SSRIs?
I felt the same way about the three month thing and was disappointed it took longer, but I hope it helps you to know there's a light ahead. I'm glad we were able to find each other!
Related topics
depo-provera, provera, amenorrhea, contraception, period, missed period, depo-provera contraceptive
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