Angioedema symptoms and conditions

Swollen ankles, weight gain, tired all the time, peeling skin/rashes, vision worsened, edema, depression, anxiety. All this but, it's not as bad as the side effects I had from lisinopril - that sent me to the hospital several times, constant abdominal pain. unnecessary surgery and final diagnosis of intestinal angioedema - diagnosed 11 months after I started taking it. I don't think my body can handle blood pressure meds. I'm going to go with diet and exercise and see if I can get off the pills completely.

I just took it today for the first time. I am taking it to stop my hives and it is working very well. I have had hives everyday for 1.5 months. Benadryl was working only so-so.

The Zyrtec makes me feel very calm and a little drowsy, but also very mellow and relaxed.

I am concerned about the poor reactions posted here. On the other hand, at this moment I have no hives, no angioedema and that makes me very happy.

Does anyone else find the Zyrtec to make them feel relaxed and happy?

I hope someone feels ok about this drug, or I maight have to stop it. Thanks for any comments.

I started taking Lisinopril for high blood pressure and 3 weeks after developed urinary tract symptoms (frequency, pressure, some discomfort, itching). The first time I went to the gynecologist to leave a urine sample, they prescribed me antibiotics, which I took for 7 days and still the symptoms continued (my urine had tested negative), so I went back and gave them another urine sample, it tested negative again, but had blood in it. They gave me a higher dose antibiotic for 3 days, the symptoms were still there. After that, there was nothing they could do, so they sent me to a Urologist.
By the time I got in to see the Urologist, a month and a half had gone by and I decide to quit taking the Lisinopril to clear my body of anything. I ended up getting a kidney scan, which was normal... and then a urinary tract scope procedure, which was normal.
After these procedures, I noticed that I started getting better and thought I might have just had "Acute urethral syndrome (also called noninfectious cystitis) causes symptoms that are similar to those of a bladder infection but that continue for longer periods. It is not an infection. No bacteria or other microorganisms are in the urine. The cause of acute urethral syndrome is difficult to determine. Possible causes include injury or irritation, allergies, stress, a disorder of the nerves, or problems with the immune system. You may be able to relieve symptoms of acute urethral syndrome by avoiding bubble baths and other irritants and not drinking citrus juices and caffeinated fluids."
So, I went back on Lisinopril, which was a few weeks after I quit taking it. After only 3 days, I started getting the frequency, discomfort and some itching... I could only figure out that Lisinopril had everything to do with my symptoms. This is still to be determined, but I feel like my urinary tract is feeling better every day now.

I started with Lisinopril and had severe isolated visceral angioedema. Thought I was going to die. The attacks felt worse than childbirth. Urine flow would totally stop and bladder would cramp. Bowels would not function. Over a 10 on the pain scale. Went off Lisinopril and 3 days later Dr. wanted me to start Benicar. Within 5 days I was in emergency room with visceral angioedema even worse than the Lisinopril. I have had CT scan, ultrasound, numerous blood and urine tests, PAP, colonoscopy and everything is negative. It has taken a full week for all symptoms to stop. I finally feel normal again after 2 months. I cannot take this family of drugs. And Dr.'s need to be more informed about this serious side effect. My Dr. never considered it could be the Lisinopril or the Benicar since I didn't exhibit any facial edema. More information about this rare, but serious side effect needs to be published.

I had been taking this for years and about three-four yrs ago they changed generic. I had horrible stomach and abdominal problems.Not diarrhea or constipation but pain swelling bloating and feeling a lump in ab. Went to cts, ultrasounds, 3 colonoscopies,endoscopy, pill camera,I went through 3 primary care doctors. Had emergency hosp.visits. Doctors.started getting to think I was crazy That made me depressed to the point I didn"t want to see anyone or go any where. Not one Dr. suggested it could be one of my meds. By accident over the Christmas holidays I ran out of my lisinopril hctz. within 3 days I felt normal again Swelling in ab stopped and most of pain.ever gonna get near that poison again.# months later Im doing a lot better I actually feel good .Its amazing I think it caused me a rare reaction called intestinal angioedema .That is basically hives on your insides. Could be dangerous if esophogeous is involved I lucked out.I did have wheezing and shortness in breathing .People Beware Its a dangerous drug.

terrible ab swelling bloat and pain swelling in different part of body but every thing seems to be on left side.Feel compression of all inside organs in abdomen.making wheezing and breathing not right.Depression - my Prozac didn,t seem to work any more now that I look back on it. I started taking lisinopril about 8 yrs ago.Lately started with headache but that went away as soon as i stopped drug. Luckily over the holidays I ran out of pills and stopped taking and about on the second day (three days after one of my emergency visits where they never find nothing even though I feel like I am dying.) I felt like my old self again .I felt normal. I was so happy Yet so mad at doctors. For getting treated like I was crazy after awhile.I found out about intestinal angioedema fro my pharmacist when on a whim asked about lisinopril .My stomach area is all still sore but not all swelled up .Oh I also had urinary problems Which I still Have off and on But I take Flomax even though i am female. Im going to get bladder scope next week and I know it has to do with compression for so long from angioedema from the lisinopril.

Oh My Gosh - as I sit here with abdominal cramps typing my experience - I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started taking Lisinopril in late April 2008. On May 2 I had severe abdominal cramps and massive vomiting for 8 hours. Finally got myself to ER after I sent my family on to our vacation (I joined 2 days later). The ER attributed it to food poisoning. Lo and behold, I had another "attack" on May 9th. Back to ER I went (my husband witnessed my attack and insisted I go). They took X-rays and MRI - found intestinal inflammation but didn't know why. My internest send me to gastro dr. Third attack hit on June 5th and gastro doctor sent me to major hospital ER. They, too, did MRI & blood work. Looked at gall bladder, pancreas, stomach, intestines, etc. They found intestinal inflammation. Gastro Dr. took more blood and did more test (CT, MRI, Colonoscopy, Endoscopy). He couldn't find anything so he sent me to rheumatologist. She did add'l blood work and genetic testing. She though I had an auto-immune disorder - like Mediterranean Familial Fever! Please...! But all her tests came back negative. She too had no answers, only treatment for symptoms - Colchicine and Prednisone. Yuk. After having my 8th debilitating attack yesterday (since May), I've had enough. I went to the Web and found this wonderful site - along with some others with helpful info. I don't have confirmation that the lisinopril is causing this - but it sure sounds like it. I am a 49 yr old female and I've had no "life changing" events in my life (except for this nastiness) and have been on no other meds. I find it interesting that out of all the doctors I've seen - and all knew of the lisinopril - that none suspected this as a side effect.

My mother was given this drug, Lisinopril, because the doctor decided she had high blood pressure after she went in for a bladder infection (she's had these all her life, every now & then). The doctor also prescribed Nitrofur (please avoid THAT one like the plague - she was on the couch for a week in stomach agony). We didn't put 2 and 2 together on what was really going on until yesterday. She was on Lisinpril for 3 months and every 2-3 weeks had an episode of extreme stomach spasms, bloating and fatigue. These episodes have lasted 3-5 days each, keeping her on the couch in agony. I researched the internet and found out that Lisinopril is made from SNAKE VENOM, can you believe? Turns out lots of people have reactions from this, including coughing. There was one woman who had the exact same things as my mom and wouldn't you know it, stopped using Lisinopril and the episodes went away. Turns out this is an allergic reaction, something they say is rare, BUT I think it depends how long you take it and how sensitive you are. So my mom immediately stopped taking it. What's happening inside is something they call gastrointestinal angioedema (in layman's terms, internal hives). If you experience coughing, the hives are in your throat. If you experience the stomach pains, the hives are all in your intestinal tract and very possible more areas internally. So then I looked up and found an excerpt from "One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" on Google and found the author had experienced something similar, using ayervedic (indian) herbs to fix the problem. I couldn't find where to buy ayervedic herbs, calling Whole Foods Market with no success. Well, all over the world there are healing herbs that do similar things. So I did find 2 that would work. Marshmallow (the herb, not the campfire kind) will help relieve swelling internally. There is another herb called Goldenseal (don't use it if you have very high blood pressure as it can cause a spike) that has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Anyway, now you know what is going on inside - hives you can't see from snake venom. Take that to the doctors and see what they say. Maybe your just better off like we are to research yourself and find a natural answer from nature. I hope this can help others avoid the hell we've been through.

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?

i am a 42-year old woman diagnosed with chronic angioedema and it has become life threatening. the doctors say that it's idiopathic--can't tell what's causing it--and don't seem to know how to treat it (or me for that matter--my primary care doctor no longer wants to treat me, wasn't even kind enough to refer me out, the allergist most condescendingly said that in 20 years he's never seen or heard of someone so affected, and my dentist won't touch me because of my allergy to lidocaine.) i've been living with a daily minimum of 75 mg. of benadryl for the last four years but sometimes i've got to up that dosage to round-the-clock so some days as high as 450 mg. i'm allergic to meat protein, sea food, dairy, sodium and most spices, and certain fruits and vegetables. about 3 weeks ago i had a vegan meal at an indian restaurant and the spices accelerated my condition so on the drive back from the eatery my throat began to close and swallowing and breathing became difficult. i have had about 8 such episodes since then and twice have had to call 911 for emergency treatment to get things under control. on my first visit to the er about 2 weeks ago, in addition to the shot of epinephrine, i was given an iv in which they put a shot of benadryl and a shot of some sort of steroid. the doctor gave me a script for prednisone which was on a sliding scale (low dosage, one week.) i ended back up in the er about 4 days later and was given the benadryl and same steroid (think it started with an "s") again, and pepcid (doctor said it was for g-i and would help to limit the histamine being released into my system. since then, i have gotten the swollen belly side effect which i believe is from the prednisone (the angioedema causes blood vessels to swell beneath the skin but i don't think any swelling of this magnitude can be attributed to that). i have yet to find out if this swelling can be reversed with treatment or will go away of it's own accord. i've tried reading up on the reversal of the side effects but just hear more about how horrific they are--you all are truly in my prayers, keep your heads up!!!--so if anyone has experienced the dissipation of the side effects, please let me know and how soon after discontinuing the drug i can expect this disfigurement to go away. i too am dealing with depression for which i am prescribed but i dare not take the meds--far more too many side effect which with to deal and like some others here, i have no support system. i am the mother of the most wonderful 10-year old girl -- she is my heart and my world--but i dare not have her live with me because of this life threatening/altering/controlling condition.

sharing and hoping for good feedback.

blessings.

-vanessa w.

Here is the best example of what is wrong with our medical system. Look what the Italian doctors do when a patient developed a skin rash after taking Singulair. It seems like they have a procedure to follow. If the case then meets the standards for a drug reaction, they write about it so that others will know. If you look at examples on this board, if somebody gets a skin rash from Singulair the doctor gives them prednisone because they never heard of adverse reactions to Singulair.

1: Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Jun;38(6):999-1001. Epub 2004 Apr 27. Links
Montelukast-induced generalized urticaria.Minciullo PL, Saija A, Bonanno D, Ferlazzo E, Gangemi S.
Department of Human Pathology, Division and School of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of generalized urticaria induced by montelukast treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old man with allergic rhinitis and moderate persistent asthma developed generalized urticaria 5 days after the initiation of montelukast and inhaled fluticasone. Symptoms disappeared within one day after suspension of both drugs. Two months later, after the resumption of montelukast and fluticasone, the patient developed generalized urticaria and eyelid angioedema, which were successfully treated with intravenous betamethasone, achieving complete remission within hours. After 2 days, the patient resumed inhaled fluticasone only and continued this therapy for several months without any adverse reaction. DISCUSSION: We attributed the adverse reaction to montelukast because of the temporal relationship between use of montelukast and urticaria, the absence of other identified causative factors and other explanations for allergic reactions, and the positive dechallenge and rechallenge. The Naranjo probability scale showed a probable relationship between skin manifestations and montelukast treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antileukotrienes is increasing in asthma therapy. In cases of generalized urticaria in asthmatic patients undergoing montelukast therapy, physicians should be aware of a potential adverse reaction to this drug.

PMID: 15113985

I am 40-years-old and took Singulair for about two months. I first took it for about two weeks and got horrible symptoms and then stopped for a week and then tried it again for about a month. Never again will I put Singulair into my body. My symptoms were chronic and severe muscle cramps and twitching, restless legs, body aches, numbness, tingling, hair loss, weight gain, and skin changes (urticaria and angioedema). I also used to suffer from menorrhagia to where now I barely get a cycle. I cannot blame Singulair for the headaches/migraines because I have been a headache/migraine suffering for many years.

When I first stopped taking Singulair the symptoms calm down. But since then they have come back with a vengence. I have been to several specialty doctors (family doctor first, endocrinologist, neurologist, allergist and rheumatologist). Now please let me defend myself by saying I see my family doctor and gynecologist yearly for a physical and also when I am sick and I have always been basically a very healthy, and slender woman with thick hair. I was on no other medications other than ibuprofen and acetaminophen for the headaches/migraines. What they have found so far is that I have secondary autoimmune hypothyroidism (only my TPO antibody and thryoglobulin are extremely elevated, but my TSH, T3 and T4 are completely normal), and allergies to everything outside (no food or pet allergies) and idiopathic lupus (because my skin has developed urticaria and angioedema).

I am going for an EMG and MRI of the brain in one week because they are trying to rule out MS. They have been saying that my symptoms look like MS or lupus. They have ruled out lupus because my blood tests do not show lupus only my skin is acting like lupus. My allergist put me on doxepin for my skin and twitching symptoms. This medication has helped my skin and slowed down the twitching.

I am not trying to blame Singulair, but it is very strange that I was a basically healthy person with some outdoor allergies and mild asthma. I would get pneumonia once a year also (always around the holidays). Now, I feel like crap since taking Singulair. My legs are the worst of all the symptoms along with the constant twitch under my right eye. This can drive a person insane, especially when you are trying to relax and your body cannot.

Thanks for listening,
Carrie

I got serum sickness from Clindamycin. I had enormous hives everywhere, along with angioedema, fever, joint pain, and intense itching/burning. I had to take Prednisone for 10 days and, just to add insult to injury, later developed both thrush and a yeast infection.

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS!!!!!

Started taking lisonipril about 3 months ago...first month was like everyone on here has said...dizzy, palpations, chest pains, excessive tiredness....but doctor told me it was helping my blood pressure so hang in there.

In the last 2 weeks I have had severe swelling of the eyes, back of the head...diagnosis....angioedema caused by the lisinopril (ACE inhibitor). My stomach feels absolutely horrible..I feel like vommiting most days. I not someone that has been to the doctor more than 5 times in my life ...now 37, I have been about 8 times since lisinopril.

STAY AWAY!!!!

NO MORE LISONOPRIL FOR ME!!!!

nashvillecop

I've been taking Lisinopril for 5 years for moderate hypertension. I'm now 40 years old.

Given the side effects of the drug and my high / normal pressure (typically 140/90 or less without the drug), I decided to quit the drug and try to lose weight (among other things).

Seven days after going off, I am experiencing angioedema - hives with sub-tissue swelling - including last night my bottom lip becoming 4X it's normal size.

I found a source that showed 1 in 100 users of these types of drugs experience angioedema, but I've found nothing that suggests those who quit using it have to go through this.

Anyone had a similar experience?

I feel like my heart flutters on it and the first time I took it, I couldn't sleep for 2 days. I am giving it another try due to cedar fever.

I found this information from another site.

Post-Marketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing use: hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, pruritus, urticaria, and very rarely, hepatic eosinophilic infiltration); dream abnormalities and hallucinations, drowsiness, irritability, agitation including aggressive behavior, restlessness, insomnia, paraesthesia/hypoesthesia, and very rarely seizures; arthralgia, myalgia including muscle cramps; increased bleeding tendency, bruising; palpitations; edema; nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and very rarely pancreatitis. Rare cases of cholestatic hepatitis, hepatocellular liver-injury, and mixed-pattern liver injury have been reported in patients treated with SINGULAIR. Most of these occurred in combination with other confounding factors, such as use of other medications, or when SINGULAIR was administered to patients who had underlying potential for liver disease such as alcohol use or other forms of hepatitis

It looks like it has many side effects.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR ALLERGIES!

My mother, who is 86, was switched from hydrochlorothiazide to lisinopril on October 6. On October 15, her tongue started to swell. The pill's information said if this happened, to go to hospital immediately, so we did. She could have stopped breathing if the tongue had swelled much more! Her lips also swelled. This condition is called angioedema and can also affect the intestinal tract. She got Benadryl, but as of today, October 20, although the swelling has decreased, it is not gone. Now she is back on hctz.

taking 50 mg prednisone since yesterday - 2 doses only so far. very flushed face and neck, hot from the inside. They are treating angioedema, possibly underlying lupus.

well this is the exhaustive list of the possible side effects triggered by montelukast sodium given in the leaflet of this medicine....i am so grateful to the distributors of this medicine in my country for keeping the users of this medicine informed. I am stating the side effects as it is for every ones notice here

1. Body as whole: asthenia, fatigue, malaise, oedema, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, rash and one isolated report of hepatic eosinophilic infiltration.
2. Digestive system: thirst(pediatric patients), abdominal pain.
3. Nervous system/psychiatric: headache, dizziness, dream abnormalities including nightmares, hallucinations, drowsiness, insomnia, paraesthesia/hypesthesia, irritability, agitation including aggressive behaviour, restlessness, seizure.
4. Musculo skeletal disorders: arthralgia, myalgia including muscle cramps.
5. Hepato biliary disorders: elevated levels of serum transaminases(ALT,AST), cholestatic hepatitis.
6. Digestive system disorders: diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting.
7. Cardiovascular disorders: increased bleeding tendency, bruising, palpitations. Very rare cases of Churg-Strauss Syndrome CSS have been reported during montelukast treatment in asthmatic patients.
8. Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity: No evidence of this have been reported in montelukast treatment.
9. Pregnancy and lactation: no evidence of tratogenicity and there is no suffiecient prove for the excretion of the montelukast in the human milk as many drugs are excreted in the human milk.

I am a 63 year old female whose Dr. insisted I begin taking the drug after several OV's during which a 149/85 BP reading was noted. I declined the drug several times as the elevated BP readings were unusual as I am thin, exercise regularly and have a very healthy diet routine. I have experienced almost every one of the adverse side effects posted on this bulletin board including gagging cough, fatigue, hives and swelling of the tongue, lips, throat and hives. I am experiencing urticaria and angioedema. Beware of this drug!
I was on the drug from August, 2004 until my last pill Feb. 9, 2005. My symptoms have caused a major disruption in my life including: working(I have missed only 2 1/2 days from work but I am uncomfortable part of each day at work) exercising, eating, bathing, sleeping and simply being comfortable with my body. The cough no longer awakens me at night, just the hives. I hope the hives and swelling will end soon. Even with the above symptoms my Dr. did not want me to stop taking the drug. He gave me two new RX's, Zyrtec for the hives and Zantac- just in case acid reflux was causing the irritation in my throat. My thanks to everyone for their input. I think you may have saved my future good health. This drug should be off the market.

Anaphylactic reaction, blood pressure dropped to 70/40, flushing, generalized hives/angioedema, tightness in throat, diaphoresis, palpitations, and lightheadedness(even near syncope) and hypotension. Alterations in the kinin metabolism pathway due to the ace inhibitor