Bipolar Disorder Forum - Bipolar- Is Depo Provera & Low Estrogen causing Symptoms ?

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Q: Bipolar- Is Depo Provera & Low Estrogen causing Symptoms ?

asked by: brandi_carpenter on October 5th, 2007

New User

I am bipolar rapid cycler, diagnosed Feb 2004. Before I was diagnosed, I started taking depo provera as a birth control method. I have been on depo provera for about 5 years. I take lamotrigine(mood stabilizer) 300mg, seroquel (anti-psychotic and used to treat bipolar) 200mg, wellbutrin (anti-depressant) 450mg, clonazepam (anti-anxiety, helps with insomnia) 2mg.

I met my boyfriend, and he wants children, something I never wanted. My boyfriend changed my mind, and I am grateful...or am I?

I was supposed to get my shot of depo a month ago and I didn't because we decided (along with a specialist) to come off of depo. So I have been 4 months without the shot.

I have never been so moody in my entire life, even before I went on bipolar medication.

I have been very depressed, impulsive, angry all the time it seems, putting a lot of blame on my poor boyfriend (who is very supportive). I have been crying for no reason, or crying about something stupid. It seems I am out of it emotionally.

So my question is, what is causing this?? Is it the depo and lack of estrogen, or my bipolar disorder getting worse?

What I have done so far, is tried to keep track of my moods, and I have also contacted both specialists (psychiatrist and gynecologist) regarding the matter.

Please let me know if you have any ideas or advice.

Thank you

-Brandi
London Ontario Canada

Replies(5)

MandMs

replied on October 24th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hi!

Have you been advised by your doctor to stop taking clonazepam, lamotrigine, antipsychotic drugs if you are planning pregnancy (teratogenic risk)?
Do you know that some antipsychotic drugs can reduce the chances of conception (do you have regular periods)?
Are you aware of all side effects of depo-provera?
Some women are experiencing psychiatric issues after years of using this contraception (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder)
Have you talk with your gynecologist about time needed for hormones to leave your blood system after you had got off the depo?

abnrmlmind

replied on October 24th, 2007

Experienced User

i have bipolar rapid cycle also. its common in females more than males. i believe if you become pregnant i think you have to stop all your medication. also depending on your age i dont think your estrogen levels would be "low". which im not certain. another problem you might run into is addiction to clonazepam. some have withdrawl symptoms as far as seizures, especially if youve been taking it for a extended period of time. i would think that you should probably plan this out really well so you can be ready for whatever might come up.

72akhtarns

replied on October 27th, 2007

New User

My bipolar dispolar disoder was diagnosed in 2006. It's signs were revealed at that time when my ex divorced me after than 3 months of me married. In 2003 I had gone to a psychiatrist but he had revealed the diagnosis. I am more manic than depressed and sexually overcharged at times.

MandMs

replied on October 29th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hi 72akhtarns!

How often you are experiencing episodes of mania and depression?
Do you take therapy for your bipolar disorder?
Do you find medicines helpful?

Blksmokincummins

replied on November 9th, 2007

New User

Depo Caused Bipolar?

i started on depo shot when i was 16, that was followed by unexplained depression, which cycled into mania, then rapid cycles and a lot of "mixed" states. the bipolar wasn;t discovered until 2 weeks ago following a total mental breakdown. the depo caused my first depression, of this i am sure, and from there the bipolar...

going by your dates of deop starting and bipolar diagnosis, i wonder if that's not what happened to you as well. it's just a thought really... but something lingers in my mind and tells me that's where my illness came from...

pls email if you want to chat more.

blksmokincummins@hotmail.com

~t

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