Hello - I have had basically the same experience with Depo as you. I loved it. I wsa on it for almost 8 years. However, when I went to get my shot the last time it was with a new doc. She happen to ask me how long I have been on it. I said "hmmm..maybe 8 years" and she said "Ok, well it's time to switch becuase there have been some new studies about Depo depleting your bone density". I said "Wow, well that was nice while it lasted". Anywho, that was about 8 monthes ago. On St. Patricks day (3/17/06) I went out dancing and my ankles, knees and hips started hurting really bad. I thought damn I am out of shape. That was 3 weeks ago and the pain has not gone away. I have scheduled an appt with my Othopedic to check out my joints have a bone density test. I have been a athlete all my life (all 25 years of it) and the thought of have osteoporis and arthritus at this age scared the death out of me. So do me a favor and ask your doctor about the bone density side effects next time you see them.
Sincerely, Cruz