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Implanon side effects?

• I am concerned about some things that have been going on with my body lately, and am hoping some people out there have dealt with the birth control Implanon before. I DO have a doctor's appointment set up for Friday morning, but due to having my concerned brushed off at another clinic, I would rather hear it from women who have actually USED Implanon as opposed to a doctor just trying to get me to keep the birth control. I am 29, married for the past few years, with a 3 year old son. Prior to meeting my husband, I had been on the depo shot for four years solid (without a period those four years) and had recently gotten off depo provera not too long before we started dating. My period had returned to normal by this time. I had gotten pregnant some time later, and it was a very complicated pregnancy that resulted in my son being born 13 weeks premature. Fearing another early delivery without proper financial backing, I got back on depo provera for a couple of years, again...not having a period during these two years. I decided I didnt want depo provera anymore because of side effects, and while still on depo, decided to get the Implanon in my arm last July. I was told that because I hadnt had a period during the two years of Depo use, it should continue to be the same with the Implanon. And it had been...until last month. After not having a period for more than two years (or even spotting for that matter), at the beginning of last month I noticed some brownish spotting. Of course it caught me by surprise, but it went away after a day and a half. The following week (Valentine's day), I started spotting again. This time it lasted 3 days. When I called Planned Parenthood (the clinic that gave me the Implanon), they said it should NOT be the Implanon causing the spotting because it has been too long since I had gotten it implanted. Breakthrough bleeding occurs within the first couple of months, not 8 months later. Also, when combined with other symptoms I am experiencing (unexplained weight gain, insomnia, low energy levels), the nurse on the phone suggested a thyroid problem. The nurse said I was able to get my blood levels drawn at Planned Parenthood, and to make an appointment. Well I managed to get the appointment set, but it wasnt until last week that they were able to see me. I had started bleeding again on March 9, had my appointment on the 14th. I was expecting to get my thyroid levels tested, have an ultrasound to check out my reproductive organs, etc...but was disappointed when they only did a run of the mill pap smear. They claimed they couldnt draw blood there because I was on Medicaid, and dismissed all of my concerns as being side effects of the Implanon. (Just the opposite of what the nurse on the phone said.) I inquired about having the Implanon removed if it was going to cause all of this, and brought up the fact that my marriage has been failing for a while so we arent even really having sex anymore. All she told me was that I didnt want to get pregnant in that situation and that I should leave the Implanon in. And that since Ive only been bleeding for 5 days at this point, it wasnt a problem. Well it's now day 12, and the bleeding has gotten heavier, as have the cramps. Nevermind the fact that prior to last month, I hadnt bled at all for over two years. Nevermind the fact that the cramps and back pain are severe. Nevermind the sleepless nights, 20 pounds of weight I put on over the past 3 months (unexplained), or the total lack of energy. Anyways, sorry that this is so long, but it's complicated and I am very confused. First it couldnt possibly be a problem with the Implanon, then everything is because of the Implanon. First they could draw my thyroid levels just to make sure, then they cant. First the combination of symptoms is a red flag, and now its fine. So while I am hoping to get REAL answers Friday from a regular ob-gyn, I'd like to ask women out there who have had experiences with Implanon what they think. Is the Implanon known to cause problems like this? Because everyone at Planned Parenthood swore it didnt have these side effects when I first got it.

• Answer:

  umm...idk?