Acceptable symptoms and conditions

I think maybe you all need to consider - The side affects you mention could be because you are a woman!! The following side affects that women search for and try to find answers for are all typical symptoms that I have had all my life as a woman. Whether on birth control, off birth control, pregnant or not. My life circumstance, relationship, age all make a difference. At any given time I could blame these symptoms on "birth control" but I don't think it is that simple.
-anxiety/mood swings/erratic behaviour
-headaches
-weight gain
-cramps, water retention, swelling etc.
Anyway, I suggest you all try to be reasonable and consider other possible causes of your symptoms? Exercise, eating right, relaxation, relationship building, all of these things can eleviate MOST of these symptoms. By the way, been on Aviane and switched to Yasmin, no difference, sex drive is actually increased, feel good not symptoms if anything , better now and had serious cystic acne and is now gone.

62 yo female. I have been on 20mg Lipitor for a few years and the doctor ignored my complaints of thigh pain when I wake up in the mornings. When last tested my cholesteral level was still higher than she thought acceptable so the dose was increased to 40mg. I lasted on that for about 3 weeks. Unbearable pain all day rather than just in the mornings. I am back on 20mg but only taking one every second day. I am feeling so much better - less pain and much more energy (which I never associated with the meds). I am wondering if anyone else has experienced a problem with urine output. I have had this problem for a few years and after reading doing some internet research last night I am now wondering if that is also a result of taking Lipitor. I am very close to ceasing the Lipitor altogether as I think the cure may be worse than the disease!!

I am totally shocked at what I have learned about Lipitor. My physician prescribed 10mg for me over 4 years ago. No major problems until recently. Severe neck/shoulder pain for about 3 months. Dr said it was a pulled muscle. Gave me Skelaxin. No help. Went to Chiropractor--yanked, cracked, beat, etc--no help. In the past 2 weeks or so I have developed pain in my hips, back and legs. Blamed it on being 52 years old. As I read some of the experiences on here I could relate to each one. I also have gained about 30 pounds in the past 4 years, short term memory is terrible. NO ENERGY> 3 years ago-Dr started me on Wellbutrin for depression, then added Zoloft. I am to the point now I want to get off of all this and see how I could really feel. Not sure about withdrawals. Any comments on stopping the meds?

Well, Ladies I've taken Yaz for almost three years and what I am now figuring out is it's makes me photosensitive. I get sun-poisoning! Even when it's only for a few minutes here and there. Also, has anyone noticed when they get in the sun your upper lip turns darker? That's the Yaz, too.

I began Lipitor shortly after a mild heart attack 20 months ago. Initially the ere were no side effects and I resumed normal physical activity gradually. After 8 months, I was able to get back to running 8 - 10 kms. per day. HOWEVER, about 5 months ago, I began experienceing tingling in my feet and lower limbs, primarily on the right side. Cholesterol levels were acceptable but bounced around a bit. I also found that I couldn't run as far or as fast - in fact, had to cut the distance down to less than half. The tingling has increased and runs from hip to toes. The toes are becoming increasingly numb. I have also developed a debilitating ache in my right gluteous. It's so painful that sleeping only on my back decreases the discomfort. Any other position is impossible. Sitting is painful and exacerbates the pain. It takes nearly an hour each morning before I am able to move about with bearable pain. The doctor had increased my dosage to 40 mg three weeks ago just prior to the increase in the intensity of these symptoms. I've taken myself off this drug because my quality of life has suffered dramatically. My fear is that these symptoms may not disappear but may be permanent.

I had a kenalog injection in my wrist and now I have fatty atrophy and no pigmentation in the area of the shot. I did a little legal research out of curiosity and found one case similar to my situation. The case was in Ohio in the late 1980's. The patient lost the case mainly because of the following: "The testimony of Dr. Bok's expert -- Dr. Denka -- if believed by the jury certainly supported the verdict reached by the jury. In response tot he hypothetical question quoted above, Dr. Denka stated that in his opinion 'Dr. Bok did not deviate at all from the standard medical practice in the ordering of the injection of Kenalog, 40 milligrams intramuscularly' (Tr. at 346), nor in the manner of injection, i.e., a one-inch needle. (Tr. at 355). Dr. Denka also testified that he did not think Dr. Bok 'deviated from an acceptable medical standard in not forewarning Mrs. Mercer of ', because it's not practical to tell patients all of the possible side effects of Kenalog, especially where the side effects are not likely to happen. (Tr. at 357-58). And finally, Dr. Denka testified that the atrophy would have eventually filled in and healed itself without treatment. (Tr. at 353), which is consistent with Dr. Bok's advice to leave the atrophy alone. (Tr. at 100)." This is just one case, but it doesn't bode well for those in Ohio who want to sue for this. This was just a quick search I did---there might be more cases out there.

Where to start? During a 7 day seige, the following "acceptable" side affects began to show up: tendonitis in the Achilles; cramps in the calves; soreness in the thighs and glutes; joint stiffness in knees; neck and arm pain; personality changes; and finally acne-like sores on the forehead. I was supposed to have 14 days of treatment, but didn't. I threw the medicine away, looked into homepathic remedies and finally cleared up the problem on my own. I'm sure this works for some...but not me. After stopping, all side affects disappeared except stiffness in my right calf. That lingered for about a month and then finally got better. I'll never knowingly take this stuff again.

Ok! I've been on this pill for 4 days now and I feel like I"m breathing fire. I finally got some rest after an entire day of migraine severe bitchiness, and now am happy I finally get to toss this freakin pack. (The fire breathing feeling comes from feeling HEAT all day, especially the throat area). For all you ladies that this pill worked wonders for, I'm glad it's all working out for you. I just happen to not be one of them.

The worst is trying to explain to your boyfriend, "i'm so lethargic, I feel down, I got enough sleep and I still can't seem to get out of bed, I think it may be the pills I'm taking" and being made to feel like it was all in your mind. Thanks to all the women on this board who posted, otherwise I wouldnt' have known. Thank you!!

Another symptom I experienced after 4 short days was blurry vision, and dizziness. And a whole heck of a lot of gas, which was kinda enjoyable. but the others are not acceptable.

the point of this is, the last few days were mental hell. I'm gonna take care of my body & make him wear condoms if he has to.

I have been on Yasmin for over a year. At first I thought it was a wonder drug. For the first six months there weren't any cramps...no bloating. Since then I seem to gain weight at the drop of a hat although my diet and exercise hasn't changed. Also, as I near the end of my pack every month, I seem to develop an itching comparable to a yeast infection except its external and not a yeast infection. I know this because I work in a medical lab and can test myself. It only happens at the end of each pill pack, but is not an acceptable side effect. I finish my last pill this week and am going to have my doctor switch me to a different pill. Am glad you had this site. Now I know that it isn't just me having problems with this wonder drug!