Anyone using the birth control shot?

[Meghan20]

I am not quite sure what its called, but I heard their is a shot you can get every 3 months? I was just wondering if any of you are using this method, or have used it?
What are your thoughts? Any bad side effects?

I have been on the pill for almost 20 years (started on it for I used to get HORRIBLE cramps) :eek:

Do you know if the shot can help with cramps as well?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, good or bad!
Thank you :cool:

[Fet]

Are you referring to Depo Provera? I had a horrible experience with it. It worked really well as birth control though, as I packed on 15 ugly pounds and I was a total bitch to anyone who came near me.

[Tina]

I haven't been on it but those that I know took it had horrible experinces as well. They had spotting all month, irregular periods when they did get them, they were moody.. .etc

[glittergal]

Other bad stuff about it:
Using it for 2 or more years may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

[andromeda]

I have used Depo Provera before-I just got something recently in the mail from a law office that is heading up a lawsuit against the manufacturer-it listed a BUNCH of frightening side effects (which explained some of the troubles i've had in the last few years too-join pain and some other stuff.) If I had known all of that back then I would have never used it.

They are also suing the makers of the Ortho Evra patch-they say it is directly responsible for at least 23 deaths.

[andromeda]

I found a link with some info on the lawsuit if you are interested:

http://www.monheit.com/Depo-Provera/index.asp

[smsmorris]

I'm not on it any more, but was for a couple of years and have known many other people on it. I loved it. I never had any side effects at all. But, I do know people that have had side effects, I think it just depends on the person. I don't know about the osteoporosis thing or the law suit, but I know I never had problems with it.

[sparkygirl]

I tried only once and nobody could come near me, i was so aggressive and that it is not me at all... so never more for me.

[Meghan20]

Wow! Thank you SO much for all the replies, I really appreciate it.
I would be a bitch too if I put ON 15 pounds, especially after its taken me so long to take OFF 15 pounds! :p

Think I will stick with the birth control pill, I do very well on that. I just hate taking a pill everyday, but thats ok.

Thanks again!!! :cool:

[Texasgirl]

I've been on it for 5 years and have had no problems. I just recently had a full body bone density scan and it was great, as I am very dedicated in my working out. But just like all b/c I'm sure everyone's body reacts differently to it. I've actually been able to get down to my lowest weight while on Depo so I guess it's different for everyone.

[K8T]

I've been onit for a few years as well and love it. I recently had a bone density scan which came back excellent so I'm sticking with it.

[peimom]

I only had one shot of Depo and I suffered so much. I had constant spotting some days full on bleeding.I had a week were I was always doubled over in pain from the cramps which closely resembled when I was in labor. I also ended up having a problem with a small patch of facial hair growth right under my chin that freaked me out so much I had to pay for electrolysis. Also I had a preexisting skin condition that I was not aware of the flared up full force. I had to see a dermotologist and as soon as he heard I had been on Depo he told me that is what aggrivated the skin condition.He said Depo is a dermotologists nightmare.Thank god it was able to be treated but I am left with horrible scars, and don't even get me started on the mood swings and bitchiness that also came along with this shot lol.I have had a few friends who went through some of the same problems I did.

[tintintgb]

DON'T DO IT!!!!! Although I have 2 friends who love it, my experience was horrible and I don't think it's worth the risk. I was on it about 5 years ago and I gained 20lbs - so fast that I bought jeans on a Wednesday and couldn't fit them by Saturday. I also cried ALL the time and had horrible spotting. I was on it for six months and it took a long time to get back to normal emotion wise. I now take my brith contol pill continously and don't have any of the side effects that I go from depo.

[Redrocks]

I'm using depo and actually quite like it. I love not having my period, and no PMS! The weight gain from depo happens because you eat too much, not from the drug itself. If you have control of your diet, it shouldn't be a problem.

[MissMona]

I've been using depo and recommend it. The first month, I was on my period the whole time, not enough to use a tampon, but a little more than spotting. But since then, no period, and no side effects! As far as the osteoporosis goes, before I took my first shot I was advised of the bone density risks and was told to take calcium supplements everyday. Fabulous form of birth control!

[missfitlissa]

I was on depo for about 2 years. At first it was great, but after the first year, instead of not having a period at all, I had it all the time and it was completely unpredictable. I didnt suffer any weight gain, but I did break out a bit... I ended up going off it and onto diane35 to help control my skin problems.

[lawstudent]

I was on Depo for a little over three years. I had no problems with it--I loved it. I gained (eating too much junk) and lost (working with Erik) on it.

[jaleena]

It's the only thing that's helped my cramps. I'm coming up on 3yrs on it, and it seems my body's gotten used to it or something...recently I've had occasional (no more than one day a month) spotting and mild cramping. But compared to how things were before the shot, it's amazing, the shot gave me my life back. I've lost weight on it (starvation and mega-cardio) and gained weight on it (heavy lifting and lots of (usually clean) food)...before the shot, I fought with my weight so much, and felt I had no control. I certainly had no control over 1/4 of my life, and that makes it even harder to do the right thing the other 3/4 of the time. My skin isn't the best, but it's been worse.


I'm wondering about the lawsuit...are they trying to get DepoProvera off the market, or just suing for damages?

[lawstudent]

These are two separate deals.

Patch: lawsuit seeking injunctive (withdrawal from the market) and punitive ($$$ damages) relief. The plaintiffs allege that the patch has been linked to increased risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart attacks in "traditional" patients (read: under 35, non-smoking women).

Depo: the FDA wants a black box warning (it's a heavy-duty warning highlighting a special problem) to warn women of the dangers of osteoporosis and the necessity of taking a calcium supplement. I checked this afternoon--no lawsuit yet. My guess is that it would be an injunctive/punitive deal too.

(Sorry about all the lawyer-speak. I can't help myself when I talk about lawsuits. :oops: )

[jaleena]

So if I'm afraid of life without the shot, I should find an online pharmacy and buy in bulk as a pre-emptive strike against an injunction?
Don't worry about the vocabulary...I've got a decent grasp on most of it, and I'm not afraid to ask about the rest ;)

[lawstudent]

I doubt you'd be able to get that in bulk--it's pretty heavily regulated. I wouldn't worry about it. A black-box warning will just make doctors tell women about needing to supplement with calcium to prevent osteoporosis. But remember, this is also a warning designed to cover the general population of women--most of whom don't lift heavy, use pp, or take supps. (But if you do want to sue--let me know. J/k :funny: )

Good for you. I forget to keep the language non-lawyer sometimes and a lot of people get upset with me. It's not that hard to ask. I won't make fun of you. :rolleyes:

[jaleena]

I'll sue if there's a straight-up ban, how about that? :p
I figure with my lifting and high dairy consumption, I'll take the osteoporosis risk...life is just so much better with the shot. Plus, I'm young...it's bad enough that I have three retirement accounts, I'm not going to be so foward-thinking as to sacrafice pre-menopausal comfort for post-menopausal bone density.

[tyquann]

My sister used to get this shot and experience spotting and several other bad side effects. She got pregnant while on this and the nurse explained AFTER she got pregnant that it sometimes loses its effect after being on for a long time. She was on for about 4 years.

[trinitylove]

i just got back from seeing my midwife and we discussed Depo Provera. I think it sounds great, because i was just on the pill form of the same drug. I had no major side effects either-spotting the first month was about it.
But, having the shot sounds great. :thumb:
I think you'll find extreme cases for and against any drug out there. I'm still contemplating Depo though. :shrug:

[accismus]

I was on Depo for almost 5 years and I LOVED IT! I had no period, no PMS, no weight gain, no side effects. However, 2 years ago my mom told me to get a bone density scan and I had significantly low bone density. I had to go off the shot :( and start the pill, which actually did make me gain weight. I was disappointed, but I'd rather not have osteoperosis.

[trinitylove]

so, i chickened out of the depo shot :sad:
i was reading about the side effects and a very common one was anxiety. well, considering i've had about 10 major panic attacks since the month of may and have xanax and valium on stand-by, just in case....
i don't think it would be a good idea. i'd probably have a panic attack just worrying if i'd get overly-anxious because of the shot!
:suicide:
i'm now considering the iud.....? we'll see...