Being on Depo Provera

I have been on Depo Provera since I was 16 years old, I am now 28. Depo Provera is a shot that you receive every 3 months, it is a shot of hormones that keeps your body from releasing an egg, and therefore most of the time stops your period. I did not have a period after I started the shot. When I got married my husband and I decided that I should go off of Depo Provera because according to research it could take up to a year to become pregnant. So we thought that would give us plenty of time to plan and get my body regular again. I have been off of it since August of 2008 and since then I have had my period five times. The first time I got my period the bleeding and the cramps were as bad as they were when I was a teenager. It lasted for a week. The second time I had my period was about three weeks later and it lasted for two weeks. The bleeding and cramps were twice as bad the first time. I spent days in bed with a hot towel on my stomach and even took some pains killers for the pain. I went through about six pads a day. I was so weak from the blood loss that I was always tired and fatigued. I have started my period about every three weeks and it lasts anywhere between seven days to two weeks. When I had my period for two weeks, I called the doctor to find out if that was normal. She told me that it was normal and that it could last six more months. I don’t know about you but I don’t know if I can take this for six more months. I just recently had a period that lasted for a week two days later I began spotting again with some painful cramps. I spotted for two days and then it stopped but I am still cramping which leads me to believe that it isn’t over yet. The reason that I went on Depo was because it had a high percentage of effectiveness. It was very easy and convenient because I only had to have an injection every three months. I am the kind of person that couldn’t really remember to take a pill at the same time every day. Plus the up side for me was not having a period; my periods were horrible when I was a teenager. There were times when I missed school because the cramps were so bad that I couldn’t move. So I was in heaven when I found out about Depo Provera and that there was a chance that I wouldn’t have a period. In a way I regret every getting on the shot, it did work, I never got pregnant, but now the effect of being on it so long, it makes my body feel so out of whack.  I have to worst periods, more than I did when I was younger, and now so much more often. I hope that these symptoms go away soon. I have also visited some forums that talk about this issue and a lot of women are having the same problem, not only that a lot of them have tried to get pregnant and have failed even after a year. They are very concerned that the effect of Depo Provera has lessened their chances of having children. I am also afraid of the same thing. My husband and I are not trying right now, but I am afraid that when we do start trying I may come up with the same result. If you are reading this and know what I am talking about or have any advice please feel free to leave me a comment.