It's not your fault...

How did the Depo-Provera Shot affect your life?
I'm looking for stories similar to mine and advice on how to deal with the side effects.

My Story:
Birth Control Used: Depo Provera Shot
Length of Use: 1 and a 1/2 years
Side Effects:

• Heavy, continuous bleeding
  (I feel like I've been on my period almost non-stop for the entire time I've used it)
• Depression
• Mood Swings
• Bleeding after sex
• Weight Gain
• Decreased interest in sex

For the entire year and a half I was on the Depo-Provera shot, I had continous spotting and heavy bleeding. My gynecologist kept reassuring me that after a year, my period would straighten out, and disappear or have a lighter flow. Oh, how wrong he was. After my 3rd shot, I bled non-stop for a month straight and it was heavy bleeding. I was stressed at the time, since I had just started my first semester of college, so I continued taking the shot. I also wanted to try it for a year, because let's face it, no period! To me, that sounds wonderful! 

Well, I continued to take it for another 6 months and the same results continued. I want to continue using birth control, but after lots of debate, I realize that I just can't do this shot anymore. I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster, and obviously, I'd rather know when I'm going to have a period than never knowing.

So, a week ago, I was supposed to go in for my next injection, and I didn't. I'm still having my period, bad cramps, and right now, I feel bitchy and tired, like I'm PMS'ing, except I'm already on my period. I'm also feeling tired and once again, on an emotional rollercoaster. 

I'm going to see a new gynecologist, but it won't be for another 2 weeks, so:

Here's what I was wondering:
>Has any one else experienced a similar situation to mine?
>How long did it take you to go back to a normal period after discontinuing the shot?
>If you did have decrease in sex drive, when did it return?

Thank you for the answers!
...and to those considering the Depo Shot, please read:

Be sure to talk to several gynecologists and brush up on your research of the shot before you start taking. My gynecologist did not tell me about the loss of calcium or bone loss AND assured me that bleeding continuously for a year was normal and would straighten out. I feel like their office was unprofessional and was just trying to sell a product. Be aware of all of the side effects, and know that every person has a different reaction to it. I always joke that it worked as a b.c. for me because I'm not interested in sex, and have continuous bleeding, so even if I did want it, I won't anyways. To end, know what you're getting yourself into, and seriously consider other options before the Depo shot.