Depo

[readytolose2008]

I started the depo shot today for birth control and 1 of the side effects is weight gain, is anyone else on it?? I really hope it doesnt effect me

[ValidRouge]

Re: Depo

I was on Depo for 13 years. Love the stuff. Love, love, love it!

However, it can make you gain weight because it inhibits the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrate.

6. Carbohydrate Metabolism

A decrease in glucose tolerance has been observed in some patients on DEPO-PROVERA CI treatment. The mechanism of this decrease is obscure. For this reason, diabetic patients should be carefully observed while receiving such therapy.

http://www.pfizer.com/files/products...traceptive.pdf

So, being on Atkins is the IDEAL diet (in my opinion) for you! Note, too, that fluid retention is a side effect as well. Drinking water, and only water, will probably help with that too.

2. Fluid Retention

Because progestational drugs may cause some degree of fluid retention, conditions that might be influenced by this condition, such as epilepsy, migraine, asthma, and cardiac or renal dysfunction, require careful observation

[PinkWoman]

Re: Depo

I have been on Depo for 5 years and at the beginning, I actually lost weight. I have not read the nomograph (sp? - document with teensy printing enclosed with the meds!) lateley. As I recall, it states that some people gain weight, and further on it states that a nearly equal percentage of people will lose! I love, love, love Depo, too!!!

[LCer09]

Re: Depo

I have a friend who was on it for several years with no weight issues. However... when she went OFF it (time came for her shot and she decided not to do it anymore), she gained over 20 pounds in a month without any big changes to her diet. It was staggering, and she was devistated for a while there. That's a LOT to gain in such a small amount of time. She pratically woke up one day and her clothes didn't fit! So be careful at the back end, when you're getting it out of your system.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Depo

Wow, LCer, that had to be scary for your friend!

I didn't have any problems like that, thank goodness. It took my cycle a good 10 months or so to get "regular" again.

[readytolose2008]

Re: Depo

sounds like i dont have much to worry about!!!!! I just cant remember to take pills and Im not ready for more kids right now..i have a 3 year old dd and a 4 month old ds

[adreliluc]

Re: Depo

I have a bunch of friends who did really well on depo with minimal weight gain. Some were really moody and one lost some of her hair but nothing horrible.

I didn't do so well... I only got 2 shots (over 6 months), gained 65 lbs and was unable to lose it for 4 1/2 years. I also did not have a period during that 4 1/2 years. For some reason it REALLY threw my hormones out of wack.
Looking back I don't know why I even got the 2nd shot because I gained like 45 lbs with the first shot. My doctor assured me it was ok but obviously it wasn't. lol

I'm sure you'll be fine, most people are! lol. But I personally hate the stuff.

Good luck!

[sweetz0625]

Re: Depo

I was on depo for 5 years and over the course of 5 years I gained 50 lbs which takes me to my highest weight. After I got off of it, only 5 lbs came off and the rest I had to work my butt off to get it off. I also NEVER had acne, even on the shot, but the moment I got off of it my face broke out horribly. I had to start using proactiv and ever since have not had another problem. One the hormones settled down I stopped using the proactiv. Anyways, I dont like depo it did a number on my body. But I guess everyone if different. Good luck