I'm 20 almst 21. I was on depo provera on and off for 2 years, I was supposed to take my last shot in May but, I decided not to go on with the depo so I didnt go. About couple months later I had my first panic attack and then the anxiety slowly creeped up on me. Since then I have been constrantly worrying, had intrusive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, aware of my thoughts too much, my visions been bugging me too.. but the symtoms always change and lately I been so scared I might develop any disorder such as schizophrenia, split personality, dissocitive disorder.. and past couple weeks i've also been feeling depersonalization. I'd jst like to know if these are all cause by anxiety. and if my anxiety will go away once the depo is all out of my system. i've been researching and numerous women have developed anxiety cause of it. its been so hard these past 5 mo. i jst want it all to go away. and be back to normal again. also read depo lasts in ur system for about a yr. does thatmean id be having anxiety until it goes awya? nd how do i knw my anxiety is caused by depo? and could be it GAD? I have seen a dr about it and she said the depo does cause anxiety and its a stronger dose so it can really take a while for it to get out of my system. btw my anixety has descreased since then and she said itll slowly go away. im jst worried.
Anxiety-DP cause by depo provera shot?
Question posted by katkat009 on 9 Dec 2011
Last updated on 6 July 2020 by Giorgia23
15 Answers
I’m on my 4th round of depo, I’ve been having the worst anxiety of my life, and it doesn’t go away even if I’m not necessarily worried. As well as this I have weird vision problems, I can’t focus and I have constant brain fog. I’ve experienced anxiety before so I believed it was just coming back again, however I’ve never had it 24/7 like I do now, I feel like there is something horrifically wrong with me all the time ever since I’ve been on the depo Provera so I’m deciding to quit it in hopes that I get back to how I used to be.
Do you still have anxiety and how long has it been? I got depo once and didn't renew it on 12-03-19 and this past friday I started experiencing so much more anxiety.
I was on the depo shot for two years before I started experiencing the same symptoms. Jan 2019 I went for my last depo shot and a couple days afterwards I felt really anxious and I couldn’t go to sleep and suddenly out of nowhere I had a panic attack. It was my first and hopefully my last panic attack; I’ve never had anxiety before. I was so scared I decided to stop getting the shot and I switched over to the birth control implant instead. Since then, I’ve had days where my anxiety kicks in, especially if I’m going on long road trips. There’s been a couple of days I had to go without sleep because of the insomnia that came with it. Makes me wish I never got on the depo shot to begin with. I just hope it’ll eventually fade away.
I’ve now been off of the depo shot for 8 months and it hasn’t gotten any better. Still experiencing dizziness and horrible vision issues. I’ve been to every doctor you could think of and got no answers. I finally decided to get an MRI and found a small benign tumor on my pituitary gland (hormone gland) that is making my prolactin levels high. The doctor said it still probably has nothing to do with the dizziness and vision problems but I’ll go with my gut and say that my prolactin being high is probably throwing off my other hormones causing imbalance therefore causing dizziness and vision problems. Get your prolactin levels checked ladies, it could be the answer you’ve been looking for and could possibly help with some symptoms.
hello ladies! omg u have no idea how much better i feel knowing im not crazy! im 20 and i got my first shot in june and 4 days later i had my first panic attack. im supposed to go back in august to get my next one but im definitely not. my vision has been affected significantly and i do not feel like myself at all. i started therapy and started seeing a psychiatrist and even got on a daily medicine but i recently stopped taking it because i didn’t notice a difference. i have anxiety 24/7, i cant drive anymore and i even had to quit my job. this is no way to live and im praying this goes away once the depo is out of my system!
What do you mean by your vision has been affected? Could you describe it? Mine has also been affected
My vision issues were like my eyes couldnt focus
like if i try to focus on something its super blurry. when i try to read words they kinda get a jumbled up.
Has any of the symptoms gotten any better for you? Have you experienced any dizziness yet?
Yes I had dizziness. I had my last shot in March 2016 and although it's not as bad as it was I still have issues. They said it was all anxiety and panic attacks yet meds never helped all the symptoms. Certain meds would help the nausea but not other symptoms but nothing got rid of all symptoms. When this first started I literally thought I can't live like this it was horrible but now I am better but I still do have anxiety and panic attacks but I still have yet to have a normal period since being off the depo so i think mine is more hormones now than anything.
I remember when it started I had chest pains, nausea, dizziness, back pain, I was cold all time like so cold I was shaking, vision issues, foot and hands would get tingly. Palpations, throat issues like sometimes felt something was stuck in my throat, my breathing was off, migraines I know theres more but these were all everyday 24/7 I was constantly at doctor and had so many tests and no one could find anything wrong with me.
im just waiting for this depo to be completely out of my system so i can be me again.
I don’t know if you guys saw my new post but I found that my prolactin levels were super high caused by a pituitary tumor. Go check out my new comment and see if any of it could relate to you. I’ve had to take a leave of absence from work because the dizziness and vision problems got to me so badly. I’ve become severely depressed because I don’t know if any of this will ever go away. I’ve thought about getting back on the shot just to get rid of these symptoms but had to talk myself out of it several times.
Also how long did it take for the vision problems to go away? I’ve been dealing with mine for about 5 or 6 months straight now and can’t seem to get back to seeing normal
ive noticed my vision has improved drastically since i got of my medication
I got the Depo Shot only 1 time in 1995 when I was around 19 years old. I've never been the same since. After I got the shot I started getting really bad anxiety and panic attacks for no reason. I have never experienced anything like that before. I still get them to this day. Never know when its going to happen. It just creeps up on me.
But do you feel like your disconnected from yourself
Because I also have depression because no don't feel like myself anymore
I'm on anxiety medication and use it as needed. As soon as I feel it coming I take it and it calms me down a little.
Hey ... how are you doing now..I had the shot back in February 13 and about 3 week later I felt weird and had a panic attack..then after that I had bad anxiety , and depression... and now I feel disconnected from my mind and body it's a form of depersonalization its been hell has URS gone away and do or did feel like you lost yourself
I recently just got off of the depo in December and started having panic attacks and terrible anxiety but I also started feeling really detached from myself and felt depersonalized and like I wasn’t myself. I’ve been to countless doctors and they can’t find anything physically wrong with me so I honestly think it is from coming off of the shot. I don’t know if it gets better because I’m still going through it but I’m trying natural things to try to balance my hormones back to normal (vitex herb and natural progesterone cream)
Wow well apparently when I had my first pap smear bit didn't go well so they think I'm kinda traumatized... but I don't think so or don't really it's that at all ... about three weeks after I had the shot I started to feel weird
It’s 100% caused by the depo shot since we’re all basically going through all the exact same symptoms. Have you had any vision issues? (Dizziness or sensitivity to light) there are times that I feel like I’m on a drug (because of feeling depersonalization) I feel like I’m out of my body and I know you mentioned you felt that way also
Yes I've felt the same way this is my 4 month feeling like this ... my anxiety is low but my depression is still there it's like a feeling of being unsure if your normal again ... but I still feel not myself have headaches , vision problems
And do u basically feel like ur depersonalize all the time and you have days where u ask ur self am I still depersonalize?
It's been since 2015 for me and no anxiety has not went away. It is alot better than when it started.
Do you feel like your not yourself at all or feeling some type of depersonalization too
I do feel feel like I'm not myself in the way that I wont do things I use to like going out which I use to love meeting new people now I stay away from people.
Did you get the shot more than once
Twice
Does it feel like your disconnected from yourself mind and body like you feel like you lost yourself
Everything you described is exactly how I've been feeling. I was on the shot for 2 1/2 years and I seriously regret I ever started. My received my last shot September 5th and I feel terrible. The biggest thing is the vision changes that makes it hard for me to drive like my eyes won't focus and they seem to be extremely sensitive to light. Also the anxiety and feeling like I'm high or something like a body disconnect. I've been to the emergency room so many times and everything comes back normal except my platelets being high which puts me at risk for blood clots. It took me over 2 years and a gastroenterologist to make me realize my symptoms have been brought on from the shot. All the issues I have didn't start until after the shot but they gradually came on the more shots I got the more things became worse but I never associated with the shot. Because it started with heart palpitations so the focus has been their.
Many x rays, stress tests, MRI, wearing heart monitors. I just never would have thought I would end up in a situation like this. This whole experience has tested me on every level. I just hope and pray to feel normal again one day
Hey I had only one shot as well I'm 21 I had it towards the end of February... I have anxiety depression and panic attacks now because of the shot... I don't feel like myself..feel like a different person... also after my first panic attack I have been experiencing depersonalization as well mainly now cuz my vision seems different my mind just doesn't feel right ... did yours go away or do u feel like your self again?
I also have panic attacks And depression along with anxiety for me it has eased up but I still have it everyday. I think after 3 yrs I've gotten use to. Hope you get better.
Hey I've been experiencing the same thing and I only had my first shot at the end of February and I've been feeling like this for almost a month now and this is u last month on the shot
Will I ever get better
I also got the depo shot in dec 2015 and within 5 days went to er thought I was having a heart attack. I have never suffered from anxiety before this and now its been almost 3 years and it hasnt stopped yet but it has eased up not as bad as it was in the beginning. Mine is 24/7 and it's a horrible way to live. Doctor who gave me the shot thinks its related to depo but my primary doctor doesn't.
If you're not using hormonal birth control, I suggest doing some research on Vitex. It works to gently rebalance your hormones, so, if your symptoms are caused by a hormonal imbalance, the Vitex may well help, within a month or two of using it. This helped me after Depo Provera.
It's a good way to find out if it is a hormonal imbalance from Depo that is causing your symptoms.
I can't rule out that it's a reaction to Depo in some other way, such as a reaction to its ingredients etc., but it's worth a try.
You can't use it with hormonal birth control, though. They both do different things & would work against each other, so your hormonal birth control may not work. The Vitex balances your hormones, whereas the hormonal birth control works to cause a deliberate imbalance, to prevent pregnancy.
I am now 40, but I had the exact symptoms on the DP shot, my daughter recently became sexually active. So I took her to get the shot, her choice. I already knew to watch for changes in her because of my experiences of panic attacks, severe mood swings, and aggression on the shot. But I thought there’s a possibility that the cause was something other than the DP shot. She had her first shot on February 2nd. This morning , February 26th, I had to pick her up from school because she freaked out and started crying at school and didn’t know why ? So in my opinion can the Dep O shot cause anxiety/mood disorders ? definitely! Because I have seen it with my own eyes and felt it with my own body . I KNOW IT CAN! Good news is it will go away once you get off of it just be careful of other hormonal birth control methods . My advice to anyone that has had something like this happen is to be aware of your body , moods, & mental health.
Please read and research until you find something that works for you . I spent my teenage years depressed , withdrawn and praying for death because of the birth control pill. I don’t want anyone else to suffer like I did, because there are other options. Please just remember no one knows your body and your mind like you do ! You are not crazy, you are not imagining things, we are putting man made chemicals into our bodies to trick it, so we don’t become pregnant ! There are going to be side effects. Everyone is different , just find what works for you!
Hi everyone, I just recently got my 2nd dose of the depo on Friday. That evening my everything changed. I literally start crying at the most random time, been snapping at people and been extremely depressed and suicidal thoughts. I don't know what's going on I feel insane I'm calling dr in morning to tell him what's going on. Has anyone. Ever felt like this. I. Have pcos and cysts that grow on top of this
Same ! At first I was taking the bc pill they threw my period off and made me emotional ... so I set an appointment for the Depo ahoy HORRIBLE CHOICE !!! I’ve been having anxiety everyday !!! I went to the ER they prescribed me Xanax then I went to my doctor to see if the Xanax was okay for me and my doctor ended up switching the Xanax to hydroxyzine. My doctor told me it def has to be the Depo shot I’ve never had anxiety/panicky attack’s in my life until the shot ! And some days my anxiety will last for hours !!! I’m tired of this and I recent got the shot like two weeks ago I just wanna be back normal . I feel like me and my boyfriend are falling out cause of this anxiety even though he’s there for me and deals with it :( I WANT OFF THIS SHOT ASAP
I started depo almost a year ago I’m supposed to be receiving my third treatment but I’m hesistant to go. I was feeling what you described exactly and I feel like the anxiety intensified when I first get the shot and right before I’m due for the next one. I’ve been having doubts about getting off depo since I can’t use an IUD and I’m forgetful so pills aren’t ideal but idk what to see. I’ve been experiencing suicidal thoughts, nightmares, intrusive and odd thoughts and overthinking beyond belief. When did your symptoms go away how long did it take? Did it get worse before it got better ?
I started depo almost a year ago I’m supposed to be receiving my third treatment but I’m hesistant to go. I was feeling what you described exactly and I feel like the anxiety intensified when I first get the shot and right before I’m due for the next one. I’ve been having doubts about getting off depo since I can’t use an IUD and I’m forgetful so pills aren’t ideal but idk what to see. I’ve been experiencing suicidal thoughts, nightmares, intrusive and odd thoughts and overthinking beyond belief. When did your symptoms go away how long did it take? Did it get worse before it got better ?
Hiya I started the injection October last year it has took away my period I only had three shots as I gained a lot of weight so decided to come off in May since coming off had lots of different anxiety attacks chest pain headaches? Been to doctors had full blood count and ecg as been worrying something seriously wrong all came back normal . Does the anxiety ever go? As I have a 2 year old I'm so worried all the time something seriously wrong? And why does it make our body feel like this
Also my anxiety attacks have changed in different stages ? I'm so scared I'm worrying myself I feel like no one understands when I tell them how I feel I feel like they think I'm over exaggerating ? How long does it take to get out of system I had my last jab in March was due it in May but didn't have it so its on the 3rd month no deposit in me?
Even the Manufacturer advises that it can take up to 18 months to regain your fertility after 1 Depo shot, so it shows how long it can affect you for. Even if your periods are regular, again, the Depo can still be in your body affecting you in other ways, so soon after stopping it.
If you're not using hormonal birth control, I suggest doing some research on Vitex. It works to gently rebalance your hormones, so, if your symptoms are caused by a hormonal imbalance, the Vitex may well help, within a month or two of using it.
Hi everyone iv been on the shot 2years now and stopped decided to not be on hormonal contraception see if it helped with my anxiety. But coming off this its been a month i feel nausea belly and back ache a very anxious my anxiety is worse. Does it get better. X
I feel the exact same way i was perfectly fine before this shot and once i got it ive been experiencing all of these side effects ur talking about i thought i was the only one
I think you should wait until the depo is completely out of your system and work on finding out what exactly is causing your anxiety. You could consider taking yoga classes to help you relax, also cut out all caffeine from your diet. Anxiety is very common nowadays in this stressful world but taking pills is not always the answer because they only manage and mask symptoms , they are not a cure, Stop worrying that you may have a psychiatric disorder. No psychiatric disorder can be proven scientifically by any blood or lab test. They are just theories which catergorise people instead of treating them as individuals.
When you feel anxious take deep breathes and sip a cup of cammomile tea. Focus on the positive things in your life and try to do something nice for yourself every day. Remember you are special and unique. You have the power to turn your life around . Psychiatrists are drugging more than half the planet and I personally think they do more harm than good. There are lots of alternative therapists such as homeopaths and herbalists. Also having a good friend to talk to can help. You know yourself best. Dont let it ruin your life.
thank you so much that helped a lot. my boyfriend's been helping me through out all this, i've been so thankful having him by my side. and I really don't wanna take any drugs for the anxiety, i'm afraid it would just mess me up more but thank you for advice, it's made me feel better.
I want to say ive also been on and off the depo shot and recently I just took the shot and started to have headaches and chest pain. December 24th 2011 is when I had my first panic attack im only 18 sooo scary so it stopped for a little while and came back it felt as if an elephant was sitting on my chest Ive went to several hospitals nothings wrong just anxiety they gave me xanax. That made it even worse. So im still wondering is it the depo shot...
I have Mittleschmerz (ovulation pain). Started about 8 years ago and happens every month now. It starts out for me feeling like a bladder infection (tingy feeling in bladder) and becomes a full blown pain that in my lower abdomen. My OBGYN suggested birth control many times (I've had a tubal) and I have said no. Don't like drugs (very sensitive to them). Finally have suffering long enough, I said yet to Depo Provera. I received my first shot on April 13th. By May 1st I was starting my period early. I first noticed that I was mad all the time and then flew into a fit of rage during an average argument with my husband. I then noticed that I was thinking about wanted to die. I didn't want to live another day. This is not me! I have never been this person! I also experienced heavy chest while sitting still and heart racing. When I went to doctor, my normally low blood pressure was very high.
Not sure why I am reacting this way to the Depo Provera, but doctor has said wait it out and she would recommend getting one more shot to give my body a chance to get used to it. I will not be getting that next shot and I hope these reactions go away quickly. One more thing, I had blood work done around this same time and my Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 was extremely low so they have prescribed a pill once a week for the D and a shot for the B12. More man made drugs going in? However, could this be the reason for my bad reaction to the Depo? Don't know. My vote is no more drugs. We need to be eatting right, exercising and sleeping right and holistically considering our options. This is wisdom I don't yet live by, but I want to change that. Good luck to all!
Reading about all of the other women that are having major side effects after coming off the depo shot makes me so angry!! I am 26 and after having my son my doc wanted to put me on the depo shot. I only had one shot and decided that I did not like the way that it made me feel! my symptoms started about 4 months later with a migraine headache one day... couldn't get out of bed! the next day I woke up with light headache, I was really nauseous and had a very upset stomach( I just thought I had the flu) The symptoms kept coming and going.. every one started asking if I was pregnant... I have taken several test(all negative)...
I am going on a month and a half of this and now new symptoms!! I am nauseous(like morning sickness on steroids)major panic attacks and my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest, I am also having hot flashes- not to mention the weight gain of about 15 lbs!! I feel like I am pregnant, have PMS and going though menopause all at the same time!! I feel like I cant even leave the house!! I am so upset that I ever got the depo shot... I am sorry for all of you other women out there who feel the same as I do... But it does make me feel better that its not just me!
I was wondering has your anxiety gotten any better? I have been a victim of that side effect after taking the depo shot. It has been the worst 4 months of my life, but it is decreasing sometimes I do get real anxious over stupid things even being at home or visitin a friend. I went to see a therapist and did not take any medication because I think that will only make it worse. I just hope I get back to normal and not even think about it. But how is your life now since lastyear? Have you improved and what have you done to do so?
The problem is that Depo is a progesterone only treatment. If you have high estrogen in comparison to progesterone, it will work well, that is if the dise is proper. If you don't, or you suddenly stop it or do not take it regularly, these symptoms will arise. I have experienced estrogen dominance due to low progesterone and had the same exact symptoms. An issue arises not so much with the highs and lows but with an imbalance between the two. So... knowing your body and what it needs is crucial. At no time should any hormones be stopped abruptly. Within a few months the body will balance itself out. If symptoms do not ease over time, it may be an indication that the body needs something. I suffered low estrogen and was put on meds for it which worked great for two years. Then I turned 40 and my body went into peri which kicked up a phase of high estrogen ( which happens often in early perimenopause). Symptoms returned with a vengeance.
Sadly top pro hormonal doc doubled my doseage instead of taking me off it and I suffered severely for a year before I figured out what was going in. Took 1 1/2 years to get off that high a dose ( each time I lowered it would cause a temporary imbalance) but in the end, I fully recovered. 4 years later it returned and I knew exactly what it was and ran to doc for progesterone. It was confirmed, not by a blood test which still had me reading relatively low estrogen but by the development of Endometrial Hyperplasia. My estrogen may have been noal but my body stopped making prohesterone. So... do not discount a med, rather know your own body. Incidentally, a good way of knowing if you have ED is to see if your symptoms, particularly anxiety get worse AFTER your period when Estrogen is on the rise. This can also happen when you suddenly stop taking progesterone. And, never let anyone tell you it's all in your head!!!
Related topics
depo-provera, provera, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
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