Aging process symptoms and conditions

I've been prescribed 100 mg. of Doxycycline Hyclate twice a day for 21 days for Lyme Disease. I was tested to rule that and rheumatoid arthritis out because of hand pain - and I don't know who was more surprised when I tested positive - my doctor or me. Any symptoms I had, including the hand pain, I attributed to the aging process (51/female).

Took the first pill in the later evening on a Friday and waited the 30 minutes before going to bed (instructions said not to lay down for 30 min.). I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible acid reflux, which I've never had. I found it difficult to time taking pill after not eating for 2 hours and waiting 1 hour afterward - never realized how often I ate small snacks. Same thing the next two nights - I also had heartburn, which is rare for me.

I realized it would be far easier if I took the pill immediately after rising and as soon as I came home from work. That has greatly reduced the heartburn and eliminated the acid reflux.

I am fully committed to taking the pill to have the best results in eliminating the bacteria from Lyme Disease, so I'm taking it exactly as prescribed on an empty stomach. This is causing some stomach upset and nausea, which is the worst in the hour after I take the pill while I wait until I can eat - especially in the last 15 minutes, when I feel on the verge of vomiting. I try to keep myself busy, but even without looking a clock, I can tell where I am in the hour. I am hopeful that by taking the meds on an empty stomach, I'll get maximum absorption - but it's been a struggle for me.

One other discovery I've made is that the nausea is less the rest of the day if I eat - and carbs seem to be what is most appealing. I'm far more easily nauseated during the entire day, some days more than others. I feel some fatigue, but nothing that is so severe I'm not able to function and go to work. I feel bloated and my stomach just vaguely hurts, so I'm trying to wear loose clothing.

I'm finding this drug therapy a bit difficult, as I felt pretty well beforehand. My doctor has recommended I give this my best effort, as it is the "go to" drug for Lyme Disease, but has said if I can't handle it, she will give me an alternative. I am trying to stick this out, partly out of determination and silly pride, but also because I am allergic to a lot of drugs and since I seem to be able to tolerate it, albeit with some discomfort, I figure I should suck it up. I have a little bit of the tingling, am occasionally feeling a little flushed - usually when I'm highly nauseated (which is a typical reaction for me), but nothing horribly bothersome.

I'm hoping I don't develop the sleeplessness, anxiety or depression that many of you have reported, as I feel terrible for you. That would become a deal breaker for me.

Unless it's my imagination, my hand pain is reducing and some achiness I just figured was normal has been lessening. If this was the result of Lyme Disease and I can get rid of that, this (hopefully) temporary discomfort will be worth it. Good luck to all.

Has anyone had side effects pop up after 3 years? Yes, you heard me. Three years. Hair falling out. Joint pain. "Foggy headedness." Chest discomfort. Gotta be that. Please share.

I have been on Lipitor for five weeks. I can't believe how awful I feel. I ache all over. I my arms and elbows are sore; I have had pins and needles in my hands; charley horse like spasms in my calves (mostly at night); sharp knife like pains in my upper thighs; even my teeth hurt. I am a 46 year old female – I can’t believe this. I have made an appointment with my doctor as I have to get off this drug. I have experienced some blurred vision and hearing impairment too. If I hadn’t of found this website – I truly would have thought I was a bit crazy….
I have never had any symptoms like this before and never thought of myself as an old lady - but that is what I feel like. It is unbelievable.
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My mother, 70 years old, been on Coumadin for 3 years (doctor said best to take since she suspected heart palpitations). Mother developed gradual memory loss, over the 3 year period, we didn't think anything wrong!! just a part of aging process!! Then one night she fell on the floor, stroke, we took her to hospital - done MRI and CTscan - result: severe brain bleeding. From that time - 4 months ago - she is now diagnosed with Dementia. I cant even describe how I feel about god damn Coumadin. Wish they never given it to her in the first place.

I am a 60 year old male. I have been on high dose Niacin for more than 12 years. 2 years ago I started taking the combination drug, Advicor. (Lipitor and Niacin) Up until this point, there were no side affects with the Niacin other than occasional flushing. Since starting on the Advicor I have noticed a gradual weakening of muscles, and occasional joint pain. I have recently increased my exercise, thinking this was part of the aging process. I have not worked out consistently for 2 years. I have not noticed much improvement in my conditioning in the past 3 weeks, and have in fact noticed my quadriceps feel as though there is a buildup of lactic acid. I also notice my heart rate does not climb very high before my perceived exertion is above 50%. I did a fitness evaluation today at the health club I go to. The trainer mentioned that he hears the same thing from a lot of people who are on Lipitor. He went on to say, there heart rate is usually 20 bpm lower when on the drug. I am going to be talking with my physician to see about getting off Advicor and going back to just the Niacin. I will increase my exercise and more closely watch my diet. I want to thank the folks who have posted.

began taking lisinopril in June. To my mindtheBP has not reduced significantly but I have developed a dry cough with accompanying mucus especially at night or when I lie down.On two occasions blood was in the mucus. This only occurred recently(last week). I am due for a doctor visit and certainly will brig this up with him.

I have been on Lisinopril for approx 5 years, during a routine year end blood work-up, I have developed a problems with my creatine levels 1.48 and Glom Filt Rate, Est 37. My physician had me do a 24 hr urine for further testing but insisted that I no longer take the Lisinopril. Several of the tests have come in and he advised me that I have only 50% blood flow to my kidneys. It appears to me that the Lisinopril has caused some kidney damage. I also have a great deal of muscle pain, but do to my age (55 years) I thought it was jus a part of the aging process. What do you think?

I have been taking Vytorin for approximately 8 months. I noticed that my knees were weak and I had cramps not only in my thighs but also my hands. I can hardly stand up from a sitting position. I thought it was because of the normal aging process. I am a Nurse and started to look at the medications I was taking. I decided that Vytorin could be the culprit. So 1 week ago I stopped taking it. I see some improvement in my knees and cramps. I did have problems with Lipitor in the past. I will not take any more Statin drugs. It is ridiculous to have such side effects from a drug that collegiately is suppose to help you. My cholesterol is around 200. I will seek other avenues to lower my cholesterol.

Hi everyone. Just got my mirena removed today. I was taken off birth control pills about 8 years ago due to a tumor in my liver from years of taking BCPs; ex-husband had a V, so bc wasn't an issue. I started perimenopausal symptoms around age 38 (I'm now 45), but they weren't severe and I was as regular as clockwork. About two years ago, I started bleeding very heavily with a lot of clotting for about 9 days at a time, and started every third week, which meant I only had 1 clean week/month. Yuck. My doctors agreed that the discomfort of increased bleeding outweighed the risk of the liver business. I started taking a low-dose progesterone pill. I stopped after just two weeks - I felt horrible. My body knows when something's not right. Then I went on the same estrogen-loaded pill I'd taken for 20 some years. It was great the first few months, and then the headaches began...very intense pain about 4 days before my period. It took me months to figure out they were related to the onset of my period. We agreed the pill wasn't for me. My gyn then suggested the mirena, so I had it inserted in October 2007. I went back to having regular periods, but the spotting increased both before and after my 5 day periods (back to 9-day periods, including spotting), but at least the clotting had decreased. Then a couple months later, I started having headaches, backaches, weight gain, and was feeling very blue. I'm at an incredible time in my life...it just doesn't make sense to be feeling down. The last straw was that my hands and feet started to swell up like crazy. Like some others here, I began to feel like an old (really old) lady! And I am heavier than I've ever been...including when I was pregnant! I went to a ladies' boot camp for five weeks in January, ate a healthy diet, and could not lose weight to save my life. In fact, I think I gained weight! I don't like experiencing the normal aging process, hot flashes, moodiness, etc., but at least those things are a natural part of aging. I'm done with all this hormone business for a while. My gyn has now mentioned Novasure (endometrial ablation). I'm too gun-shy to even think about burning my insides permanently for now, so just going natural for a while. I'll check back to let you know if my condition improves. Thanks for posting everyone!

I have been taking Omeprazole since December 2007 now so 2 and a half months.

I had the dose increased to 40mg 3 weeks ago as 20mg wasn't curing the burning in my throat.

For a few weeks now i have had increasing vertigo/dizziness and palpitations. I only linked the 2 to the medication just yesterday, googled it just now and confirmed my suspicions to the Omeprazole.

Other feeling i have had since taking this medication...

Severe dizziness
vertigo
palpitations
headaches/migraines
weakness
fatigue
sweating
nausea
bloating
stomach cramps
visual problems
intolerance to bright lights
aching joints
chest pain

Now my question to myself is do i come off the tablets and endure the misery of my acid reflux? surely there must be something else we can take for our stomach problems that don't cause these awful side effects.
Anyone tried anything else that worked and didn't make them unwell?

I can't really say I have anything new to report. I had been taking Lovastatin for maybe a couple of years, first 20 mgs, then 40. I don't remember having any problem with that. Then about 4 months ago my Dr. switched me to Zocor, 80 mgs because my cholesterol was 240. First I started having numbness in my feet and legs, cramps in my feet and Charlie horses at night in my legs. I mentioned it to my Dr. but he just seemed to feel it's part of the aging process and not to worry. Then my knee started hurting so bad I couldn't bend it and could hardly get up and down the stairs. I went in and they said I had arthritis and gave me Nabumetone and Vicodin which I didn't want to take because of the side effects. I finally gave in because the pain was getting worse. I was supposed to take two pills bit I only took one and I only took the Vicodin if I just couldn't stand it any longer. I took the drug for about 3 weeks and I wasn't getting any better. In fact my other leg started hurting, and my elbow and two or three times my lower jaw felt numb and I thought, Oh my God, I'm having a stroke. Anyway by some miracle I found this web site and see that many others are suffering the same symptoms that I'm having. What is wrong with the doctors? I am trusting my Dr. with my life. I'm sure he's heard similar complaints before about these drugs, but he acts like it's no big deal. I told him I don't want to take this anymore and he said well sometimes people do get some muscle pain but you can take a over the counter medication, not sure of the name, CO-2, something like that.
I'm wondering what's happened to the Dr's integrity? Why do they keep pushing these drugs when they know they are harmful? I guess I have to look for another Dr. My Dr. is with Kaiser. I guess they all pedal the same poison. So sad that we are controlled by the drug companies for profit. They are killing us. Look what happened with the HRT drugs. Meanwhile I'm afraid to quit this drug cold turkey since I was on such a high dose so I'm cutting the pills in half, 40 mgs, and then in about 2 weeks I will go to 20 and hopefully by then I will have selected something natural and safe. I am 67 years old. Before this I was active and I used to walk my dog a mile everyday. I can no longer do that. Right now my leg hurts so bad I don't want to take another pill but I'm scared if I quit cold turkey something terrible will happen. It's a holiday...

Female 67. I have been taking Lipitor for about two years. I began to notice that I was getting out of breath and fatigued after short walks and usual chores. I began to have muscle pain and joint aches. All along I thought this was just part of the aging process. As the weeks progressed, the pain became severe and the fatigue and weakness was unbarrable. I was in bed much of the time. I told the Doc my symptoms, at which time he did the blood tests, which were normal. He said he thought it was depression. I happened to see a clip on the side effects of Statins, and the light went on! I stopped taking Lipitor, and in a week I felt remarkably better. I am hoping as the weeks go by, I continue to improve. I thought I was headed for a Nursing Home. I feel like I have my life back again.