February 6th
2009
3:57 PM
49 year old male started 4 years ago at 20mg and 10mg HCTZ. some results in lowering BP. 2 years ago MD upped it to 40mg because BP inching up. quit smoking 3 years ago, not one puff since. After MD upped mg the side affects have really kicked in. I experience all the side effects listed on this site with the exception of the cough which I started with but went away after a couple months. I have had stress tests, Holter monitor for heart arrhythmias, mri, blood work, stool samples, colonoscopy, and all sorts of other tests all coming saying I'm ok, yet I don't feel ok, I get progressively worse. After 4 weeks of 5 day a week exercising with weights and aerobics to get in shape to return to racquetball I have had it. I couldn't last 45 minutes my second day out. I felt like I was hit by a truck and it took a couple days to recover.
My MD attributes the issues to aging. I going for a second opinion and third if necessary. I am told by my MD that there are no studies showing these side affects for this medications. However I look at this web site and find it hard to believe that these doctors just haven't seen any evidence of what we are all suffering from. Why don't doctors really listen to patients. We are asked to listen to our own bodies and told we know our bodies better than anyone, yet when we bring up these issues we are treated like children.
No real answers, just questions
September 3th
2008
7:21 PM
Was previously on Micardis HCT; dr. switched to generic Lisinopril HCTZ 12.5 in 11/07 when I went on Medicare & was concerned about cost of Micardis. Since that time I've put on 10 lbs. and had increased pain/muscle fatigue and general lethargy. Unusual, as I've exercised 4-5 days per wk. (incl. aerobics/strength trng/flexibility.) for 20+ yrs. Also, frequently, have problems swallowing pills due to feeling of obstruction in esaphogus tube. In July '08 I awakened to slight numbness/tingling in lips and my lips then proceeded to the swell to the point of pain and my lips (in profile) protruded further than my nose. I received steroid injection and prescription for steroid pack. Diagnosis was possible allergic reaction to new cosmetic product. Today (9/3/08) I woke up with the same symptoms and again had to go to the dr.for a steroid injection & meds. Diagnosis this time (different dr.) was possible side effects of "blood pressure meds." Has anyone else experienced edema of the lips, wt. gain, and problems swallowing?
-- By laura65 | Reply | (8) replies | Private Message me
August 3th
2008
3:22 PM
I have been on Ortho-Tri Cyclen lo for about 5 years off an on. When I first started the pill I was fine but after being on it for about a year everything changed. Before I started the pill I was losing weight. I was 163lbs and I got down to about 142lbs which was great but since then I've been on constant weight gain, I've tried metabolite and aerobics, some diet changes and now I last weighed 187lbs, with a few drastic changes I think I've dropped about 3 lbs since then. My sex drive used to be fairly high now it doesn't exist, I'm moody and always have headaches. I get nauseous a lot. So as of today I'm just going to quit the pill and live with cramps.
-- By tiki1984 | Reply | Private Message me
July 13th
2008
2:15 PM
I've been on Abilify for over a year...first 10mg. I'd take it in the am, get the kids to school, then sleep....but not sound....like a stoned sleep...in and out while I watched tv on the couch...I guess like in the 70's....doing acid or something lol. I couldn't function all day til it wore off in the afternoon when it was time to pick them up. Then down to 5mg. Oh, I'm taking it for migraines, but I'm borderline bipolar II. I don't get manic. I just get depressed. So this ability has taken away all I like to do. No more crocheting for cancer patients or for baby gifts, no more craft shows, no more aerobics......no energy......period. I don't laugh. I've lost all my personality. All for what? To get rid of migraines? Oh, it made me gain weight, too. And it worsened my acne. I'M 43! I take Topamax, too, so btwn what I learned about the side effects from that and this....I'm done! My snap at the kids attitude and the hair falling out and the acne and weight gain are too much for me.....better find some new meds for depression and migraines.......anticonvulsants are out for me. I hope you all have better luck than I did with Abilify.
-- By robin43 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 15th
2008
5:03 PM
march 17, i was given a kenalog shot. it is now may 15th and I have had a been going through bad bad pain, weakness,cant carry a conversation. Around 21/2 weeks ago had a bad period. I haven't had one for three years. It lasted for 5 days. now I am going through severe PMS. I am post menopausal, now the kenalog messed my body up on my body and mental functions. I had a TIA 6 years ago. I can not take any HRT.. . I have been very dizzy,very weak, cant drive because my motor skills are not right. I taught aerobics for 24 years . so I was very fit. Im now 53 years old, had very little side effects from my TIA. this horrible shot has now has hampered all the hard work I have done to recover from my past illnesses. This shot has put my body into peri-menapose again..
-- By rose2 | Reply | Private Message me
May 11th
2008
3:25 PM
I was just placed on Cellecept last week- 500 Mg 4 times a day-
for my autoimmune muscular myopathy- I was a body builder 6 months ago- now I can barely make it across the Target parking lot.
I am sure the myopathy is Statin induced as I was on Lipitor-)rather than Prednisone as my doctor said less side effects.
He said I should see improvement in about 6 weeks- is any body taking Cellcept for autoimmune disease?
Thank you.
PS; So far- side effects seem to be weakness- more shakiness-
March 15th
2008
3:57 PM
Hi Ive been hypothyroid for about 12 years now. After i took radioactive iodine I was put on synthroid.125. Had blinding headaches constantly! Then after about 3 years I was put on levoxyl.125. Blood work sometimes comes back a little elevated but not much to say for the symptoms i am having still to this day.I am so tired i cant even go to the store. Symptoms are,
sever fatigued. headaches. muscle pain in chest and sternum. burning muscles, triggerpoints all over body. broken sleep .severe depression.Eye pain blurry vision lower back pain body feels like a punching bag.I could sleep for 12hrs and still be tired. These medicines have side effects that they are not telling us.I tried armour but it does not aggree with me. Im going to switch to either unithroid or leverthroid.If these do not work then i will try thyroler.Doctor wanted to give zoloft. Please I do not need bad medicine.
This all started when i had to take thyroid meds.Before diagnosis I was a fitness fanatic . I was doing aerobics heavy cardio, lifting weights etc. now i cant even ride my bike.The meds are no good doctors are a waste they think it is in your mind.Let them feel one day like this and see if they can function.I do not think they can.ill see what happens when i change my meds..fibromyalgia? no such thing Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when the doctors cant figure out what is wrong with you so they pawn off some atidepressives.
October 16th
2007
5:53 PM
I am in my second month of ADVAIR HFA 115/21 inhaler. Take two puffs twice a day. Great improvement in my lung capacity. I am 72 and enjoying senior aerobics twice a week, the treadmill, and senior tennis. Pulmonologist also wants me to take Xopenex, which I do about three times a week.
Tonight, I developed a vaginitis. The after-hours nurse and I think it's from these two steroids. I also wake up with leg cramps.
Any help to stop the cramping and the vaginitis.
For those with dry mouth, try Biotene products. They are marvelous. For sores in your mouth and on your tongue, get your doc to prescribe triamcinolone 0.1% paste. Fantastic.
-- By rae | Reply | Private Message me
September 11th
2007
10:39 PM
I was born without a thyroid gland so I can't compare the way I feel now to the way I would've felt with a thyroid. I've been on Synthroid my entire life (22 years), and I'm up to 112 mcg now. I am very skinny (5'5", 104 lbs) and feel constantly fatigued no matter how many hours I sleep, what I eat, and how much exercise I get. I periodically get pain in my hip joints, heart palpitations, and intense mood swings. My thoughts race but I have very little physical energy. I feel restless and gloomy almost all the time for absolutely no good reason. My doctor tells me I'm depressed but I honestly have no reason to be depressed and I wish she would see it as a symptom instead of a diagnosis. I graduated from a good college, I've got a job I like, I have friends, I enjoy life and my hobbies, yet I feel overwhelmingly sad. This does not seem like depression to me.
I find that after I do aerobics I get a tightness in my chest, which makes me worry about my heart, but again my doctor doesn't seem to think this is cause for concern. I have been irritable/fatigued for YEARS and I suspect I'll feel this way for the rest of my life. The worst of it started when I hit 16 years old and started the 112 mcg. My tests are always normal and it frustrates me that my doctor disregards my symptoms. I've tried other doctors, but they always send me away with my 'normal' test results. Can anybody help?
-- By lexlurgee | Reply | (18) replies | Private Message me
October 17th
2006
2:30 PM
on day 4 of a 5-day dose of 750mg....I experienced intense shoulder pain in both shoulders---later diagnosed as impingement syndrome for which I need to do physical therapy in hopes of getting back to normal again! Also, weakness and pain in my hands and upper thighs...I cannnot unscrew a jar or open a door without pain. I am normally very active --aerobics, swimming(up to a mile 3x weekly), step, and walking....I can do none of the above!...I told my doctor to add to my chart ---no Levoquin!....the cure for my flu has been worse than the flu!....they should remove from market and/or highlight the muscular problems associated with the drug.
-- By bmihallik | Reply | Private Message me
June 5th
2006
5:19 AM
I've just stopped taking Yasmin after about 8 months. Everything was ok for the first few months but then i started suffering from loss of balance and generally feeling 'not with it'. Also suffered mood swings, crying one minute and flipping out another. For some reason i seemed to have put on weight round my middle? I do aerobics 3 times a week and watch what i eat so i dont think it's anything i'm doing. Has anyone else had this happen to them. My weight has gone up about 8lbs. Have made decision not to take Yasmin for a while and see what happens. Have armed myself with a jar of Agnus Castus and St John's Wort to help my body. Will be using cap for contraception as i have used it before. Well here goes!!
-- By whitewitch | Reply | Private Message me
May 6th
2006
8:48 PM
I was prescribed Lipitor last Oct (2005), and in a short time was experiencing such leg pain and mental "fog" that I was in the doctor's office complaining about it every month. I was at first attributing it to stress at work and home, but when my normal daily exercise routine was so severely curtailed because of the pain, I had to start looking at other things. I had once been able to ride my bike and do aerobics, kick-boxing, and other more strenuous activities without tiring or having such muscle pain that I was unable to move, but now pain and fatigue are just parts of my life --- and I'm only 47! My doctor took me off the LIpitor when I finally complained LOUDLY about my leg pain, but was told it might be months before it was completely out of my system. I've since become worried that the damage this prescription has done might be permanent! I so want to get back to my old self! Does anyone know if this is something that will never go away?
-- By clcannam19 | Reply | Private Message me
March 27th
2006
5:09 AM
HAVE BEEN ON aDVAIR, sPIRIVA AND aLBUTEROL FOR 3 YRS NOW. have gained 40 lbs, exercise 5 times a week, walk,swim,aerobics.. no weight loss.. also diet. have shortness of breath all the time no matter what i do. chest pains, body itches everywhere all the time. doctors keep writing prescriptions and have no answers, so i ignore the new prescriptions and am now my own doctor. AFTER READING all of this, i just THREW out my Advair. the weight i gained is all in my stomach and i look like an old pregnant lady.. what a mess. i'm waiting for a Class Action Suit and it should be soon.. someone is going to pay for all of this. those doctors getting paid for writing RX's for money and gifts st our expense could go on forever. should be tarred and feathered.
-- By angie620 | Reply | Private Message me
March 8th
2006
6:41 PM
Same with ticklish throat and hacking cough two or three times daily, drainage of sinuses--worse at night. Turned into bronchiatis with low fever. Cough stopped when discontinued all blood pressure medicine. Also tried beta blocker and added this ace again. Same thing happened. Drs think I am making it up because cough is suppose to be dry. Now on web dry cough means no yellow or brown, or green mucous, clear mucuous is still considered dry cough. Unbelievable. Drs. think dry cough means dry- like clearing throat. Norvasc is only thing with least effects. Even better with water pill especially if you have sinus drainage and allergy. It actually drys sinuses while you sleep. Acts like antihistamine. No doctor figured that one out. Going to neuprologist now. He is at least checking out all kidney and adrenal functions. Suspects genetically passed down chronic High blood pressure since young age. I am not overweight and I am very active, walking, yoga,hiking and aerobics all year long. More active at 60 than 30. Blood pressure was always since I can remember in 130's over 85 range. Never 120 over 70 range even as child. At that time 130's over 80's was normal. They are dropping the standards on everything, including weight and cholesteral. None of the medicines brings my bp to the standard. When it gets to low, body automatically forces it back up. My energy is only high when the bp is over 135. I would be happy if it would stay in the 140's/ 80's or 90's. Ace will not drop it that low. Only beta blocker drops the bottom below to 70, but top stays 150. Pulse goes to 40. Really tired.
-- By carolynruth | Reply | Private Message me
September 11th
2005
5:59 AM
I was prescribed Fluoxetine for my PMS. I started at 20 mgs and I had horrible stomache aches and couldn't sleep. Then, they put me on 10 mgs, and the stomache ache stopped but I have absolutely no sex drive and I'm tired all the time. I have gained steadily in spite of doing aerobics every day and eating small meals. I can't seem to lose weight. I was 118 lbs when I started taking Fluoxetine, now I'm 131 lbs! I'm quitting today to see if it makes a difference. When I get my period, I'm still nervous and can't sleep, so I don't think it's doing it's job in helping me. I also have a lot of trouble concentraiting and am forgetting important appointments for my daughter. I feel like I have alzheimers and I'm only 40!
-- By poppy300 | Reply | Private Message me
November 19th
2004
8:21 AM
**Sorry about my previous post. I cut and paste from Word and it changes some of the characters for some reason and makes it hard to read. Here is the corrected version.**
I started taking Advair 250/50 (I started out with a higher dose for 2 or 3 weeks) on October 9, 2004 after a weekend stay at the hospital. Before this time, I was not taking any medication except for my Albuterol inhaler, which I took mostly at night. I often have a worse time with asthma during the winter, but a visit to the emergency room has only happened 3 times in my life.
Anyway, after leaving the hospital, I noticed right away that my eyesight was blurry. My husband joked that it was because I was used to the close walls in the hospital and that I wasn't used to seeing far away. Well, I thought nothing more of it until I found this website. I am still not seeing as well and today (11-19-04) I stepped on the scale and noticed that I had gained 10 pounds. :( I weighed 120 before the hospital ( I am 31 years old and 5'2). I am not happy.
I have not wheezed even a squeak since taking Advair and have not touched the Albuterol. Is it worth it?
I have also had a few minor headaches, my face broke out once, I had one night where I couldn't sleep because of intense heartburn (I have never experienced this before!), and my stomach seems puffy.
Like someone else said, I think I will stop taking it when winter is over. I really love being able to do aerobics and not having to take my Albuterol. I don't wheeze at all after exercise now, but what exactly is the point of exercising if I am gaining weight?? :p
******
-- By littljen | Reply | Private Message me
May 30th
2004
9:13 PM
Side Affects :
Long hours of sleeping. Always early nights sometimes 7pm
excessive weight gain.
Appetite increased to eat carbohydrate foods.
Totally disappointed with the medication. Been on it for nearly 5 years. Am going off medication this week. (was on such a low dose, down to 100 gm.)
Feeling a bit sleepless - I was told it wasn't addictive medication however now that I'm off the medication I have had sleepless nights.
Active efforts/Improvements since going off.
Have now increased excercise 40minute walks at least 3 times a week. And swimming and sometimes aerobics.
Also increased salad intake
Concerned because the Dr "encouraged seroquel medication" over a previous medication that was causing lactation. Felt that Dr was just marketing medications pushed by giant pharmaceutical companies. Disappointed and Concerned.
Totally upset over this felt psycho therapy would help constantly concerned with this medication dropped from 300 gm to 100 gm. This still didn't help with side affects.
-- By ebutters | Reply | Private Message me
Advair HFA (3) Lisinopril (3) Synthroid (1) Abilify (1) Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (1) Prozac (1) Yasmin (1) Levaquin (1) Levoxyl (1) Kenalog (1) Mirena (1) Seroquel (1) Lipitor (1) CellCept (1)
February 19th
2009
12:57 AM
I've had my mirena in for 4 years now..and can relate to some of the symptoms mentioned. It never occurred to me before that mirena may be the cause. I'm extremely exhausted all the time. I'm a mother of 3 and I maintain a very healthy lifestyle. I go to the gym at least 4 times a week and eat all the right foods. Instead of my workout leaving me refreshed(as should) it nearly takes everything out of me. The rest of the day is a total struggle. Its like ive used up all the energy available to me. I turned 33 less than 2 months ago. I taught of aerobics prior to the birth of my 4 year old son. I had my mirena inserted at my 6 wk checkup. I lost my motivation to continue my workout habits..yet still maintained an active lifestyle without the intensity until 6 months ago. I was 112 lbs @ 5'1 when I got pregnant with my son. I was 144lbs when I delivered. I was down to 120 at my 6 week checkup...and still haven't budge from there! (after the mirena). I'm bloated all the time. As others have said...looking like they're 3 months pregnant...thats me! I've also have swelling in my hands and feet randomly. (mostly my hands) My periods are light..spotting mostly and come approx every 3 weeks. My breast become extremely tender a week prior to. Sleeping is not a problem here...I'm practically out before my head hits the pillow. I often have trouble focusing and feel lightheaded. I also hope to have another child next year some time being that I am remarried and my husband doesn't have any children of his own. After reading some of these stories I'm wondering if that will be possible. In the past...my husband had often complained of feeling scaping during intercourse...yet hasn't felt it in quite some time. I wonder if that's good or bad? I hope I don't have to get mine surgically removed! I'm scared now! If anyone can relate to me...please comment.
-- By jo2314 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me