Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 7/18/2009

Question
I am a 40 year old woman that all of sudden started having lower back pain and pain on my sides and in my pelvic region last November ( 2008) after I got 1 injection of Depo.  I got the depo shot in August for birth control after I had my third baby.  My pain only starts at night after I have been asleep for about 4-5 hours.  After that I can't lay in the bed anymore the pain is unbearable. No matter what position I am in back or on my sides. I have to stand or sit up for about an hour for my pain to reside. My pain is 90% gone by the time the afternoon arrives.  I have also gained about 20 pounds since I have had the baby.  I am 5"6 and wiegh 220lbs.  I have not had a history of back pain or had back pain in my family.  I have been to the doctor, had physical therapy, gotten a new orthpedic bed but none of that seens to help.  I have been to the chiropractor as well.  My question is could the depo be causing my back pain?

Answer
Alicia,

Any question regarding potential side effects of drugs should be directed to the medical physician who has prescribed those drugs to you.

In general, however, according to a pharmacological reference, relatively rare but potential side effects of depo provera include weight changes, backache, and pelvic pain (Van Deijk WA, Biljham GH, Mellink WAM, Meulenberg PMM. Influence of aminoglutethimide on plasma levels of medroxyprogesterone acetate: its correlation with serum cortisol. Cancer Treatment Reports. 1985; 69:1, 85-90). However, you do need to discuss your symptoms with your medical physician.

If you have had unsuccessful conservative (that is, non-surgical) back therapy, an MRI scan of your lower back might be helpful in further evaluation to determine if your symptoms are mechanical in nature or due to some other cause.

I hope that this helps to answer your question.