3 Random Images (took these back in march)

Paint Peels - Newfoundland Train Station

Train Side - Newfoundland Train Station

Metal Gear - Newfoundland Train Station

Formspring!

Ban Depo Provera

This is a non-artsy and definitely a more personal blog post, but one I feel is important and necessary to share.  If anyone finds this via a google search and reads about my side effects and experience, then that’s even better.  If not, I put this up at least for my own friends and family who may read my blog or peruse my art sites.

As a side note, I hope nobody thinks this is my cry for attention or looking for a pity party. I’m doing this to share with you guys so you don’t make the same mistake I did. I didn’t inform myself of all my options. I didn’t think to go beyond the word of a doctor and look for myself. I trusted them without making my own research an important factor in my decision. So I share this with you so you are informed. So don’t worry, I’m not dying! ;] I heart you all!

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If you’ve experienced side effects or issues with the shot:

Leave them here in a comment. Share this with your friends and tell them to comment as well. This information is rather embarassing to share with some of you, but I feel it’s important to get this information about my experiences out there. I can’t let other friends or friends-of-friends start injections of this medication without knowing all of the risks. I cannot let anyone I know start this drug therapy on an uninformed start like I did. Other than a few warnings from friends about them hearing negative things (or from some of you who had a bad period that lasted weeks) I didn’t know anyone who had experienced a full litany of issues. I’m an adult, and I’m 24. I know that for some people it’s embarassing to read what I talk about, and quite frankly it’s embarassing enough to type. I don’t really think some of this stuff is the most comfortable to discuss on the internet for all to see, but I wish someone had done that for me. Please be respectful and don’t go blabbing my private business everywhere, but rather take this as the health warning that it is. I didn’t share this with you so you could go chitty-chatting about my issues with health or relatonships. I did htis to help your health and safety. Please respect me and respect your own body and your friends’. Share this with someone you know so they do not make the same mistakes of taking this drug and being uneducated about all their options.

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Side Effects of Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection include:

weight gain, and other side effects such as irregular menstrual bleeding, amenorrhea, headache, nervousness, abdominal cramps, dizziness, weakness or fatigue, decreased sexual desire, leg cramps, nausea, vaginal discharge or irritation, breast swelling and tenderness, bloating, swelling of the hands or feet, backache, depression, insomnia, acne, pelvic pain, no hair growth or excessive hair loss, rash, hot flashes, and joint pain.

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What is a “black box” warning and why was it applied to Depo Provera?

The “black box” warning is the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) most stringent caution short of an outright ban. A “black box” warning is designed to inform healthcare providers and consumers about serious and imminent problems associated with use of a drug. Bone mineral density loss is an important concern, but not comparable to the types of side effects typically presented in a “black box” warning — adverse reactions that could cause imminent harm, injury, or death. FDA’s recent history of putting politics before science in its handling of reproductive health products and the Bush administration’s track record of attacks on family planning cannot help but raise questions about the reasons FDA chose to apply the “black box” warning to Depo Provera. I got this from http://rhtp.org/contraception/depoprovera/Default.asp#q6

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My Personal Experiences

I made a visit to Planned Parenthood seeking birth control. I wanted birth control for safer sex, and to assist me with painful cramping, headaches, and nausea during my period. When filling out the medical forms I noted that I had headaches. I was given an entire sheet to fill out relating to headaches and migraines, so I noted that I previously had migraine pain with aura. I explained to the doctors I had migraines from an anti-depressant that I am no longer on. I had never had migraines previous to that medication. No matter what I said, the doctor refused to give me any form of birth control with combined hormones. He explained this was because of the migraine issue, citing recent stroke-victim cases against pill/patch/implant birth control. No matter what I did to explain that the migraines with aura were related to a medication I no longer take, they refused me pretty much everything but depo. They basically told me it’s this shot or nothing. He seemed very hesitant and reluctant to mention depo,but then assured me that I would be fine and that side effects are minimal. He lured me in with talks of not having a period, no weight gain, and assured me it’s 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. I was given little to no time to think about my answer and felt very pressured. I agreed to the shot and starting that day my life has been hell. I’ve experienced back pain, bloating, joint pain, my boobs hurt, sometimes I wake up feeling very nauseous, irregular menstrual bleeding/spotting, hot flashes, rash, intense anxiety and depression, abdominal pain due to excessive gas, insomnia, loss of sexual desire, 10 pounds weight gain, pelvic pain, and for the first two months I had daily headaches. I went in to PP to consult with a nurse about these side effects. The headaches frustrated me. The depression reached a ridiculous point (I barely contained an outburst of crying at work from not being able to close a friggin pop-up ad.) I met with the nurse and explained that I’m depressed, exhausted, and feeling rather sick. She urged me to evaluate my situation at home. My family had been having some financial issues and my boyfriend had recently moved in with us. She says that was the cause of my issues, not the medication and told me to give the shot a second chance. I then informed her I had my period for three weeks straight about 2 weeks after the first injection. She said this was normal. I told her I then had another period 2 weeks after that. She said this is my body adjusting to the medication. She told me there’s not many options for me…it’s this or nothing. So I went home and waited for the second round of shots. I am now on my second injection as of one month ago. I will not be going back for any more. This medicine is ruining my sexual relationship with my boyfriend. This medicine is causing me to have severe bouts of uncontrollable depression and anxiety. This medicine is giving me intense backaches and joint pain. The past week I have begun spotting as I did when I first got my period in middle school…and the first day of that I began having a ridiculously itchy skin rash. I can’t imagine what this ridiculous medication is doing to my insides nevermind the longterm. I would never recommend this shot to anyone I know. I will not be returning to Planned Parenthood for another shot. In fact, I am considering returning to my regular Dr and paying her premiums out of pocket (I do not have health insurance right now) just so that I can return to my former birth control pill. I am infuriated that this medicine is still continued, and even angrier at Planned Parenthood for making it seem like I have no other options for birth control. I am discontinuing my use of this medication and getting my life back. I was not informed of these issues, felt pressured to make a split-second decision by my doctor, and when I confronted them about side effects they suggested I shrug it off. They said it was due to “stress at home.” I know now that this is complete and utter horseshit and I am absolutely appalled that planned parenthood did not provide me all the tools necessary to make my decision about my own body. I did not receive the full insert of side effects or warnings from the medical company that usualy comes in the box. Instead I received photocopied instructions and a list of minor issues and side effects from PP themselves that they typed. My boyfriend and I both researched the drug after I came home and foudn a lot more negative side effects than they listed in the photocopy. I’m pissed and I’m having health problems and I do not have health insurance. I don’t want other people having to go through this shit. It’s ridiculous. There isn’t one day since taking it that this medication hasn’t become an issue in my daily routine. FUCK this medication. FUCK the government for still letting it be marketed. FUCK planned parenthood for withholding information from me about my own health and safety. I’m pissed. So I share this personal information with you in hopes that you’ll share it with the men and women in your lives and urge them to think twice about starting this drug.

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Talk to your doctor. Talk to your friends.  Be educated about your options.

Salutations!

Welcome to the blog!

Allow me to introduce myself:  My name is Ellen and I’m from New Jersey.  I enjoy photography, painting, making jewelry, designing, drawing, singing, dancing, cooking, and baking. In short, if it’s creative I love it!  I enjoy sharing this love with others in hope that it inspires them to be joyful and creative in their own way.  I have size 11 feet, blue eyes, and brown hair.  I like looking at furniture in Ikea, collecting plush Stitch dolls, bubble baths, and glitter.  I’m partial to the colours hot pink, aquamarine, and chartreuse.  I hate using the letter Z in words like amazing or magazine and often replace them with s’s.  I’m currently shacking up with a magician who is an absolute ace with a deck of cards (no pun intended.)  It’s my hope and wish that this blog will inspire millions upon billions of readers to go out and fill the world with cookies, cupcakes, glitter, and smiles.  Perhaps that is too lofty an idea, but hey…a girl can dream!