medroxyprogesterone?

hello everyone...
after having an endometrial biopsy done last month...i got the results this last week and there was no indication of cancer...that was GREAT news...
but now my gyn is wanting me to take medroxyprogesterone 10 mg for 10 days every month for the next 6 months!
has anyone else done this and if so what can i expect???
i had a vaginal ultrasound and the test concurred that i have fibroids and a small cyst on my left ovary...
i have severe cramping and my cycle is totally irregular...every 28 days one month...the next 18..and so on and so on...my periods are also lasting longer and i am flooding!
i have been dx'ed with fibromyalgia and i am starting to wonder if all my symptoms...fatigue...aching joints...incredible leg pain...depression...ect could be related to whatever is going on with my uterine problems???
any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated..!

~*sweetksrose

Hi sweetksrose,

First of all, here is a link to a website about medroxyprogesterone:

http://www.medroxyprogesterone.com/

As you probably already know, this drug is known by the common brand names of Provera, Depo-Provera, and others.

Although I never took this drug, I have read quite a few posts from other ladies here who did take Provera for awhile. Hopefully someone will be along soon who has had experience with this.

Meanwhile, to find other posts on this topic, use the "search" button above, do a Keyword search on medroxyprogesterone or Provera and you will get a list of threads that mention this keyword. This might help you find other gals who can share their experiences.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Beth

Hi

I also had very irregular periods. In May 1998 I had a long lasting period. At that time my PCP found a polyp on my cervix and fibroids. He sent me to a GYN.

The GYN put me on Provera and we took a wait and see approach to the fibroids.

I took the Provera for 10 days every month for 2 1/2 years to control my periods. It did it's job as far as the bleeding was concerned until Oct 2001, then I had a period that lasted for 44 days, heavy, clotting, flooding.

I had terrible mood swings while taking the Provera, they got progressively worse each month. I called it "drug enhanced PMS".

Everyone has different reactions to the same meds. It may not affect your moods the same way as it did me, and also only taking it for 6 months may prevent that.

Best wishes!

Hi sweetksrose I used depo-provera for about three years for birth control a while back.... I felt great on it! Never had any side effects, even lost a little bit of weight. In fact I gained weight after I went off of it. I guess everyone is different! Try to relax and not look for trouble, and maybe you won't have any!
s,
-Linda

Great news about the biopsy!

I was also put on the medroxyprogesterone twice in the last 5 years due to "break-through" bleeding. Not only a bad 10 day period but lighter bleeding through out the month. I saw no difference on this drug. It did not help me nor did I have any negative side effects.

I do know, that an enlarged uterus and fibroids can cause many other symtoms besides period pain and flooding. I've had some leg pain, thinking perhaps a nerve could be pressed on. And of course our flooding is going to make us very tired, that is why the iron tablets are so important. And who wouldn't have depression with all the above?

But...no one can say if all of our symtoms are uterine related. I understand that fibromyalgia is difficult and very symptomatic.
Certainly our fibroids and cysts complicate life, but it's very hard to say exactly what else they cause besides the very obvious. I
believe this is why some gals are dissapointed after surgery. They hoped all their other symtoms were caused from a problematic uterus, only to find out post surgery that some symtoms remained. There's no way to know for sure...that's why it is sometimes so difficult making surgery decisions.

I'm sorry that you are living with fibromyalgia and I hope this drug helps you and you can find some answers and much needed comfort soon.
s
Maralyn

thanks for all the information everyone....it has been greatly appreciated!!!!

i had failed to mention in my original post that i had taken depro provera...shot form for birth control for over 2 years...during that time i had no period at all...but my moodswings were bad just like mlweeman described...and i gained an enormous amount of weight...

it seemed that after i quit the shot...my periods gradually have become worse over time...till i am at the point i am at..
.
my understanding from the gyn was that he was prescribing it as a medication to flush my uterus...was that what it had been prescribed for in your cases?

he was more than willing to try a dnc or even do a hysterectomy...but i am not comfortable with that option at this point....they only offer the abdominal type of surgery...no laprascopy!

i already am suffering through a painful period...and i am not anxious to take a medication that can aggravate what i am already experiencing...

i dont mean to whine...i just want to feel better...i am so tired of feeling this way and would love to feel good like i once did!!!

~*sweetksrose

I was prescribed the Provera to control the bleeding and regulate my periods, taking it the 10 days a month beginning at a specific point in my cycle, it worked like bcp's, if you're familiar with how they work. Any weight I might have gained while I was taking it I don't attribute to it

Best wishes!

Hi again, as I mentioned, my doctor gave it to me to stop the break through bleeding.

You're not whining...we understand perfectly.

i have spent considerable time reading past posts over the last few days...pro's and con's!

i start the pill on the first and am quite nervous...but nothing tried ...nothing gained..right????

the one thing i do know for certain is that i want to feel "normal" again...i am so tired of being at the mercy of cramps, mood swings and overnight pads!

thanks to everyone...means alot to know you all understand!


~*sweetksrose

((sweetkrose)),
I was on the Depo-Provera shot for almost 2 yers, while it did stop my periods, I had terrible PMS symptoms& cramping that seemed to always be there. As I look back, thoses shots seemed to worsen everything for me as well when I discontinued it. In '99 I was put on various Hormones to try & control my non-stop bleeding, I also underwent 2 D & C's all to no avail...
Here is some more info on these drugs used for bleeding:

Benefits of GnRH analogs in fibroid treatment confirmed:
http://www.orgyn.com/news/2002/week_...f_gnrh_ana.asp

Learn about Menstrual Disorders: Information about Irregular bleeding:
http://www.menstrual-disorders.com/
http://www.womens-health.com/health_...yn_md_dub.html

The Presurgical Diagnosis of Diffuse Adenomyosis:
http://www.obgyn.net/eago/art04.htm

Progesterone - Its Uses and Effects:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/nmood11.htm

Adenomyosis - An Internal Uterine Endometriosis: http://www.wdxcyber.com/npain09.htm

Fibroids and Estrogen Therapy:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/nbleed14.htm

Treatment of Constant Vaginal Bleeding:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/nbleed15.htm

Progesterone:
http://webmd.lycos.com/encyclopedia/article/1689.52570
http://www.geocities.com/NoLinks/progest.htm

uterine bleeding:
http://www.gynalternatives.com/causes.htm
http://thefibroidplace.com/dub.htm
http://www.estronaut.com/a/dysfuncti...e_bleeding.htm

Progesterone for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76650

Oral contraceptives for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76693

Dilation and curettage (D and C) for dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa82541

Danazol for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76747

Uterine Bleeding : Article by Thomas H Scott, DO:
http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic170.htm

How Do I Know I have Fibroids? Symptoms and Diagnosis:
http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle....broid_symptoms

he other Hormones~DHEA, Pregnenolone, Testosterone:
http://www.howdyneighbor.com/menopaus/DHEAetc.htm

Testosterone and its functions:
http://www.geocities.com/NoLinks/test.htm


Good Luck I hope the Provera is able to relieve some of this! Pls keep us posted on how your doing...(((hugs)))