I've been to many doctors who find it hard to believe I am still suffering from extreme side effects from Depo Provera, the birth control injection. I got the shot mid December, and since then my life has been reduced to the confines of my own home. I used to exercise 6-7 days a week and lived on my own. I had a personal trainer and a strict diet. My symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, tight, knotted and stiff muscles, constipation, etc. have taken away my freedom, independence, and will to live. I have been on the brink of suicide from the hopelessness. No doctor can help me in alleviating symptoms or determining when I will feel normal again. Does anyone, from personal experience or knowledge have any advice or answers? I desperately want my old life back, when I had all the energy and confidence in the world. I am 18, feel like I'm 80, and have not been able to enjoy life. I am 100% sure the symptoms are solely from the shot, as I had no side effects or health problems, not the slightest complaint prior to getting the injection.
How long do Depo side effects last?
Question posted by Sarabn123 on 2 April 2011
Last updated on 25 June 2022
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
38 Answers Page 2
This is EXACTLY my symptoms. I was on the Depo shot from the time I was 15-19 little to no problems.
I am 25 now and went back on the shot about a month ago. This is my first time back on it since I was 19. I am experiencing the same exact symptoms you described... My body feels weak and shaky, mood swings, depression, etc. I feel like a different person. I was extremely active, since getting the Dep shot it's a struggle to even get out of bed.
I had the dipo shot in may and didn't go back for my second shot as love changed and I got back with my boyfriend and decided in future we would like to try for a baby. I for the last week I have fallen into a weird state of depression and moods are all over the place. I have had lower abdominal pain and back and a upset stomach I have had sever itchiness and feel lathergic all the time. After reading all these posts I'm adiment this is why. I'm hating how I'm feeling as I'm in such a good place with my partner and it's ruining it things I should talk about and be resolved end up in a massively mountain. After what I have read I will never use this injection ever again
I have been on depot for 5 years and have no issues. For the past two weeks I have been having abdominal and back pain, along with nausea. Is it possible for side effects to start after such a long time?
Hello I am in the same situation , I had been on the depo for 3 years my last shot ran out October 2016, now July I still have not had any sign of a period , I've had no weight gain but recently every day I'm light headed and spacey feel really faint , constipation which lasted for 2 weeks straight , muscle aike , so many spots!!! Tired, no energy , doctors don't want to know at all I was there for about 2 minutes and they said it will come back eventually , just wondering if I can take anything to speeds things up , as my moods swings get me so down and I now over worry about everything and get so worked up about little things ,
HI Everyone. I actually got this shot with the hope that it would relieve me of my seizures as i suffer from catamenial epilepsy and my periods induce my seizures. However, i never thought i would say my seizures were less painful than all the symptoms this drug has given me which are daily dizziness, daily anxiety, daily nervousness. The only good thing that came from taking this drug is i now don't feel my epilepsy is one of the worst things out there. This is way worst. my question is after one and only one shot have any others experienced these symptoms go away? doesn't matter if its longer than three months but do they eventually go away and if so how long did it take for you? my make up is 170lbs 5'4 35 years old
I'm so glad I came across this. I was on the Depo for 4 years and recently came off in in November, since then I had been suffering with crippling anxiety, stomach pains, among other symptoms that you have all mentioned. My main concern is that I have had a constant period since November, some days it will be just spotting but it's been 6 months and it is still happening. Has anyone else experience prolonged bleeding?
Hi everyone, I feel your pain I'm 23 and have had the injection for 4 years. Whilst on the depo I was a completely different person and only realise it now I'm of it! I suffer from anxiety as it is the depo made me depressed and anxious on a daily basis! Since coming of the depo 5 months ago I've had non stop heavy periods! I come on for about 13 days then stop for a week then on again and I've had enough am thinking of going on the pill but am worried about side effects again or messing my body up any more. Any opinions on weather to try the pill? Or know how long my body will take till I'm back to normal having one period a month :(
Hi, like yourself I have been on the depo injection for a long time, with my last injection I suffered all the side effects, because of this I decided not to get my next injection which was due 26th February, About two weeks later my period arrived and lasted 8 days with a two day break and started again, how long did it take for your body to get back to normal? I know everyone will be different, every other time I’ve taken a break I’ve gone back to normal straight away!
I was put on estrogen patches for a couple weeks to counteract experiencing the side effect of bleeding the entire month of September 2016. I had to take antidepressants and was suicidal several times. I stopped the depo (last shot Dec '16) and am returning to my "normal." It was really upsetting for me to experience that because I am one of those people that almost never cries. I really enjoyed not bleeding after the month long episode, but didn't enjoy the mood, skin and weight changes. I hope it gets out of your system quickly. Good luck!
Why How r u Now? Dec 2016 ur last shot. How long after tht u feel 'normal' again?
My alarm clock went off at 5:30 am so that I can take my two dogs out for a walk... as I stood up the entire room was spinning and felt like my head was so heavy that I laid back down. This is the second day I am now dealing with actual dizziness from the depo shot.
It has been two weeks now that i was administered the shot thinking it was the best solution... I was way wrong and it's effecting my life big time.
A few hrs after I was given the shot my menstrual cycle stopped followed by cramping which kept me in the apartment the entire weekend. That Monday I was dealing with severe cramping that I ended up leaving work early and in bed until Thursday morning (the nurses at the ob-gyn stated that it's the side effects). Today is now Easter Sunday and I'm in my bed in tears because I feel paralyzed.
Although I did my research prior to getting the shot I really wish that I never got it and just allowed my body to deal with my menstrual cycle the way I've been dealing with it since I was 12. I'm 35 and never felt so miserable in my life until now. I pray it doesn't go that route of depression but I feel like I'm losing my independence.
For those who mentioned about eating yes I feel your pain. If I don't force myself to eat fiber intake food I refuse to eat. Going to the rest room does make such a difference but if I'm ever constipated and bloated that pain is real.
I have major cabin fever being indoors this much and living in sunny California where you want to go out and let the sun hit your face it's depressing when you are stuck indoors.
I hope that whomever is interested in wanting the shot will read this prior as I mistakenly didn't do so and dealing with the repercussions. And did I mention the hot / cold flashes??? Yeah those aren't pretty but would have preferred them at this time over these dizzy spells.
I hope everyone gets better in due time.
I feel the exact same way. The first two weeks I thought it was the best drug ever. Now my head is spinning, I am nauseous, nervous and having hot flashes. I don't want to eat. I don't want to do anything. Are you feeling better now?
As of today I still have the hot/cold flashes, mood swings, and recently social anxiety (probably based on the mood swings).
For the past several weeks all I want to do is come home and sleep and that has never been my thing.
This has been a lesson learned to never get this shot again. I hope to be back to my happy / normal self soon :)
I hope you get better soon!
how are you now? I'm going through the same thing right now and I regret taking that shot
Hey all,
I got my first Depo shot in November (about five months ago) and got the second one, against better judgment, in February. This shot has had insane side effects on me - I have gained 30 pounds (no change in diet/exercise), I am tired constantly no matter how much I sleep, I have had severe nausea and vomiting, especially around the time that I needed another shot... it has been completely terrible. All I want to do is sleep all the time. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anyone - it's not worth the risk of these side effects! Just take the pill or get an IUD (I'll be getting Skyla in May). I'm hoping these side effects will go away quickly. Wishing you ladies all the best.
hey how are you now?
Not good! Still gaining weight, still wanting to sleep aaaall day... I need this stuff to be out of my body! I had my last shot in February and will never do it again. Hopefully it clears out of me soon and I start losing this weight and having my energy back.
Mine was march. I really hope this w b over soon. Never take that again!☹️☹️
Hi. I got my first depo shot three weeks ago. The first two weeks I felt anxious and now I am experiencing severe headaches, nausea and dizziness. How long will it last?
Just look at comments and I see a lot of them are quite old but just wondering if anyone has got any better now? I have been gettting nausea every so often for around 3 years. It gets really bad once a month and every so often it gets so bad I cant get out of bed. Ive tried absolutely everything food, cutting out smoking everything ive had endoscopys and scans but they cant find anything. Im starting to think it could maybe the injection after reading all these comments. For today example im in so much pain and feel so sick and light headed - im due the injection again next month. Does anyone think it sounds familiar?
You really shouldn't be having these symptoms this far into the game. These are normal after the first shot but eventually they should disappear.
My experience with depo has been really good. I have been on it for 3 years now. I was afraid of the weight gain but the nurse said most women gain up to 5 pounds (she lied). I started the shot at 135 pounds and now weigh 165. I actually eat less now than I did 3 years ago but yet here I am, looking bloated everyday because I have a thin frame and being slightly overweight now, my belly always looks bloated. However, that could be due to my IBS-C and acid reflux disease. Also, I have overactive bladder which I've been told can give you lower abdominal bloat. So, who knows? I have tried to lose weight but it just seems near impossible.
I'd say other than weight gain everything has been alright. I see this question was posted 5 years ago so I hope by now you are doing much better whether you're on the shot still or not.
Oh my goodness I know Exactly how you feel. Sorry your going through all of this. I created an account just to let you know your not alone, because I to have not been the same since the depo shot. That shot ages some women. That shot can really mess you up, it made me feel extremely fatigue to a point I felt mentally sluggish and my memory is not as good as it use to be, and the depo shot made me have anxiety attacks too. I gain a lot of weight too because it slowed my metabolism completely down, I use to be able to eat anything and not gain a pound now if I just eat a tootsie roll I then gain a pound smh, and it mess up your skin too. Its just horrible and need to be banned! I really feel all the women that had horrible side effects with this shot should get together and create a law suite against this crap.
I been off the depo shot since December of 2012 and Im STILL trying to get myself all the way back to normal, some doctors try to make it seem like the depo shot side effects cant last that long in your body, yeah right the depo shot can Still effect your body if your hormones are now imbalance by it. They dont tell people that, actually they dont tell people ALL the depo shot side effects period which is not right. Anyways the depo shot have imbalance my hormones, and when your hormomes are imbalance it can cause you to have More problems. I now have an appointment to get my hormone levels tested because there totally imbalance now from that dumb shot. So you might want to get your hormones tested too because there probably totally imbalance. Get as much blood work done as possible to make sure everything is balance with you and take some vitamins too, eat healthy, drink plenty of water, get plenty of sleep and get back to exercising. Well I hope your feeling better. If I find out anything else that will be helpful I will definitely let you know.
Hello Sarabn123,
I had one shot of Depo Provera 1.5 years ago and it has had the same bad effects on me all around. It's been horrible. I've had to get on antidepressant Celexa which has helped some and antianxiety because it's still hard for me to sleep. It's made everything in my life more difficult.
One thing that has helped me deal with symptoms of the shot has been Estrodiol Rx. It's prescription Estrogen , but it helps a lot. It balances the high dose of progesterone. Progesterone is a steroid and so it's stored in fat. My OBGYN told me last I saw him that losing fat I gained after the shot ( pounds worth) will get the progesterone from the shot out of my system quicker.
He also told me it can take a few years to feel normal again. A lot of doctors aren't taught in medical school how horrific this drug can be. My husband has learned because of me and he now warns women about it.
My recommendation to you would be to take an antidepressant in low dose so you won't get anxiety , like Celexa 10 mg. And take twice a day , 2 mg of Estrodiol. Also some kind of antianxiety if you're having that like I still am. Tell a doctor your symptoms and get the help you need while you're going through this. You'll get through it just keep pressing forward and get yourself help.
I hope this helps. I'm so sorry I do understand.
H.
I am so happy to have found your comment!!! At least now I feel like I have a reason as to why I feel like I'm going crazy! I had my last depo shot back in September after being on it for roughly 6 years. I had a tubal ligation in November so no longer needed it. Since January I have gone through complete hell to the point that I wasn't suicidal but wanted to die just so I wouldn't have to go through these symptoms. My favorite thing to do was go shopping and now my anxiety is so bad I can't go into a store. I have been put on celexa with a gradually increasing dose starting at 5mg and working my way up to 20mg (I'm at 10mg right now) I also have a Rx for Ativan 1mg sublingual to take when needed-I had no idea that my problems could be from the depo withdrawal so I never thought to mention it to the doc and didn't even think of the estradiol! Like everyone else I just want my life back!
I told my doctor of my symptoms, stress, dizziness, headaches, my back hurting, anxiety, depression, lack of sexual desire, always crying, every little comment makes me moody. She did blood work for my dizziness, she found my sugar level is at the borderline of being diabetic. I read stress can mess your sugar levels. I think is the depo shot but my doctor don't belive it. And to top it off I'm tired of spotting. Only one shot I've taken and no more. I hate this feelings every day specially cuz I have two children I can't enjoy like before.
Hi there... how are things going for you now?
Going through the same!!! Have you gotten any better now?
Hey there Sarabn123. I'm experimenting similar symptoms like your's, such as: dizziness, fatigue and for me also severe headaches and nausea. I had chest pain but it went away. I have insomnia and all of these symptoms happen when i took the provera pills for five days. I'm wondering how long did your symptoms last? I only took five pills of the provera medicine and its been two weeks since i stopped it and i feel terrible still. I'm 18 years old and my life has become a nightmare too. Anyone out there who has been through my similar situation with the pills, can tell me, how long did the symptoms went away. Th reason why i took the provera pills was because i have not seen my period in a while now. Sarabn, i know it's been five years now since you posted this, i hope your life is better now.
Hi. Ive been taking 50mg provera tablet daily since march 2016. How many mg did you take?
I just got the first shot a few days ago, and started getting all of these symptoms as well. For what's it's worth, im concluding that such symptoms are the results of vitamin deficiency and unbalanced hormones caused by depo.
Depo causes calcium and vitamin D deficiency, and vitamin D in particular is something your body needs to combat fatigue, dizziness, nausea, etc. If you take depo, you MUST shift your diet and nurient intake accordingly to alleviate such symptoms. I'm going to ask my doctor ASAP just how many supplements I need to replenish the D3 levels, but as far as I can tell, nutrient deficiency accounts for most of these symptoms (or at least plays a part in creating them). The best solution is checking bloodwork and responding accordingly.
Im taking the provera tablets. I find if i take any vitamin i start bleeding and have very large clots. I started this to stop my periods because my last period in march i had a hemorrhage. So my gyno prescribed me provera tablets to stop my period. Ive been having my period everyday. Last for an hr or 2 of heavy bleeding and clots. Then it stops and starts again the next day. Cant go anywhere. And the hair loss!!! Im becoming bald on the right side of the scalp.
Going through the same have you gotten any better ? Please help
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depo-provera, provera, birth control, side effect, injection, doctor
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