Period after Depo??

I know a lot of women have tried the shot for their form of BC. I personally, loved it. I had no negative side effects. I was on it for about a year and a half. However, I was due for my next shot in early August last year, and chose to stop it. I’ve had two periods since stopping; the second I have currently just started this morning. I’ve noticed that my periods are so much worse since stopping the shot than they were before when I was on the pill and regular, and when I wasn’t on any BC and they were irregular. My cramps knock the wind out of me, my flow is heavier than it’s ever been, and it’s such a dark red. I’m sure it’s because I went about a year and a half with no periods or bleeding whatsoever, so my body is trying to get rid of it all. But this is such hell! Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice as to how to deal with this? I don’t have insurance, but I am currently looking for a new OB/GYN (I’ve recently moved and am “shopping around” for a new doctor) to be seen and have a check up. Thanks in advance!