Anxiety and depression symptoms and conditions

Hello. My fiance was on nuvaring for nearly 2 years and gradually began experiencing many of the side effects listed here. The last 6 months were the worst in that the mood swings, anxiety and depression seemed to get out of control. She recently stopped using the ring about 6 weeks ago but it seems like the symptoms are still persistent. Does anyone have any experience with coming off of the ring and whether or not it could take longer than 2 months to get back to normal?

I have been on Zoloft for about 8 months. I began taking it for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and eating issues. Since I have been on it, my eating issues have gotten a lot worse. I began binging, something I've never done before. I have racing thoughts and feel like I am just floating through life. My weight has gone from about 120 to 155. I am not happy, and am considering coming off of the medication. Has anyone else noticed they have not been able to control their eating while on Zoloft? However, my anxiety did subside.

I had Mirena put in 03/08 and since then I have experienced extreme fatigue, back pain, a weird lump on my sternum, cramping, and severe anxiety and depression like i feel like I am losing my mind sometimes! I had my very first anxiety attack a week ago when I cut my finger (I am an OR nurse folks i have seen people cut open). It really scared me i started sweating got dizzy blacked out and then when I came too i felt sick (all this over a little cut!). Needless to say this behavior is really unusual for me. I used to be very calm and happy now I am a freaking basket case! I am glad I found this site the Mirena is coming out!

I've been taking Adderall XR 30mg per day for two years. I've gained 20 pounds and feel terrible. My doctor keeps telling me he doesn't know why I'm gaining weight. That is making me feel even worse!!! Can anyone tell me what's going on??? I also take Wellburtin & Lexapro. Before I took any of these medications, I asked the doctor if I could gain weight from them. He told me that these particular drugs do not cause weight gain. The thing that's so frustrating is, I was put on these drugs for anxiety and depression (results of an abusive marriage). How can I begin to feel better about myself if I'm gaining lots of weight? That just kills it for me. Can anyone out there offer some advice? My doctor won't even let me take an appetite suppressant. I take Adderall in the A.M. If I want, I can go right back to bed and sleep again. I also get hunger pains about 2 hours later!!! Help!!

i was prescribed lexapro 10mgs a day for anxiety and depression following my hysterectomy and after having experienced bad side-effects of prozac 10mgs. my doctor increased it to 20 mgs for more anxiety symptom relief, but i felt horrible. i am back to 10 mgs a day, but i have occasional really bad eye twitching. could this be from the lexapro?

Hello all Yasmin Survivors.
I stopped taking Yasmin in July 2005 and three years on I am still re-building my life! I feel this pill and its side-effect stole some of my best years, I am 33.
My main side effects were extreme anxiety, agoraphobia, pounding heart, panic attacks, fear of doing anything (even going 10 minutes away from my own home). I was on it for 12 months and the side-effects started very gradually at about 5-6 months, I barely noticed them creeping up on me. It took me another 6 months of taking it to start to question whether Yasmin could be causing the extreme change in my personality. I think if I hadn't stopped I'd have had a major breakdown. I had lots of weird physical symptoms too including, bloating, passing urine all the time, leg cramps, dizziness, hair loss.
Anyway, all the extreme anxiety and stress caused by Yasmin left me with exhausted adrenal glands - which I'm now trying to re-build. Anyone feeling fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, inability to handle stress in the same way as you used to, PMS several months after stopping Yasmin should look into Adrenal Fatigue as a possible cause of their symptoms. It's hard to treat and can take a long time to recover - but there are lots of things you can do to help your body re-build. Visit ******(doctor Andrew W. website on Adrenal Fatigue) as a start to find out more about the condition and how to find out whether you are suffering from it.
It would be good to hear from more people re-building their lives after the impact of taking Yasmin on this site. Also, is anyone out there trying to put together a class action?
Sarah

20 pound weight gain in 4 years-ok maybe not all due to Mirena, but I am active and eat right. My mood swings were terrible since day one, but I thought it was just the stresses of life. Constant migraines-that no pain reliever cured-CAT scans discovered NADA. Anxiety and depression that I never experienced prior to insertion. Low energy and fatigue. Recurring BV-this is what helped me to decide to remove it. I loved the fact that I had no period-although it just isn't natural. Sex drive was ok, but no where near what it was.

Hi Everyone,

I myself have been a victim to Yaz. I've been feeling extreme anxiety and depression. Because of this, I have dedicated a support website for women who have or will start taking this medication. Please take a moment and post your comments on the website. Your stories are very important to other women! Take a moment to view ******, or you can email me with any questions or concerns, help at ******

I am 40 and have one child. I had the Mirena placed in January 2007 after having the copper IUD for 7 years prior. After the Mirena was placed I noticed my anxiety increasing significantly. I was short tempered and lacked the patience I once had. My dr. kept increasing my anxiety and depression meds. I finally got to the point of being tired of taking meds for everything and decided to get rid of the Mirena after a year. I am in the process of decreasing my anti-depressants and I have also lost weight. I started Weight Watcher's in January (2 weeks before the Mirena was removed) and since then have lost 20lbs. Now, I am still doing Weight Watcher's but got to my goal weight in 3 months and haven't counted points in over 3 months. So, I know that the Mirena was responsible for me retaining the weight. I work out 4-5 times per week and I am finally seeing some results.
I didn't have bleeding issues or sex drive issues, but definitely can tell that I feel soooo much better without that thing.

I don't have a side effect to report, but I have read all of your responses. Over all they are 95% negative. The only thing I am wondering, is WHY you chose Yaz to begin with.

I have been thinking about taking Yaz to help with my severe PMDD. If you don't know what that is, basically it's like the moodiness side of PMS times 10. I am euphorically happy normally, lol, kind of like how happy a cocker spaniel is when their family gets home... except I don't piddle on the floor. About 5 days before my period starts I go into a very deep depression, I bloat, I am irritable, and my entire life suffers. I cry (wail is more like it) for absolutely NO reason... blah blah blah. But once I am about 2 or 3 days into my cycle it all passes and I am back to chipper me.

Long story short, I heard Yaz is supposed to be amazing to help stabilize emotions in people like me. How many of you started Yaz just as birth control, or as an acne control? How many of you took it for PMDD and it STILL didn't help?

I have taken toprol for seven years. I never had any bad side effects and it controlled my blood pressure most of the time. However, I suffer from anxiety and depression and was recently put on Lexapro. My heart rate dropped into the 40's and I was exhausted all the time. Turns out Lexapro interacts with Toprol in that the drug (Toprol) does not break down in your system and keeps building up! Because the Lexapro was helping my anxiety I decided to lower the Toprol dosage. Down to 12.5 mg and still extremely low heart rate and fatigue. Decided to go off the Toprol and monitor my blood pressure, which has been amazingly good so far. Went off completely six days ago and it has been rough. Anxiety, insomnia, pounding heart, heart palpitations. This stuff is a real B*tch to get off from. Have talked to both the pharmacist and my doctor and both said to NOT start taking it again. There are plenty of newer medications out there. I also experienced weight gain when I first started taking it...I think because it slows your metabolism down. So now I am on xanax to counteract the Toprol until the Lexapro kicks in more. It it isn't one thing, it's another.

I wanted to let all the women who are currently experiencing the horrible side effects of Mirena know that all your symptoms will disappear within one week of having the device removed! I had been off of birth control for 8 years as my body could not tolerate the artificial hormones. My Gyno was excited to tell me all about Mirena, a birth control method that would work with limited "localized" progesterone. I was concerned about taking any hormones, but my Gyno, who I really liked, assured me that I had no reason to be concerned. The procedure was easy enough, with only mild cramping for a couple of days, I was initially excited. Three days later, the emotional side effects began. I had extreme anxiety and depression, my insomnia was so bad I went days without sleeping. At 29 years old, I had never experienced any of these symptoms before, and they came on so abruptly, despite the fact that I had no reason to be feeling this way, on paper my life couldn't be better. At its worst, I had no energy for living and felt as though I couldn't live another day. My boyfriend was so concerned about my total transformation and "dead eyes" that he started doing research and found thousands of posts about the horrors of Mirena. I contacted my GYNO and she told me that there was absolutely no connection and that I should look to go on Lexapro. WHAT! I went from a very even tempered, happy women with no history of emotional distress to a nightmare within 4 days and you want to prescribe me a psychiatric drug over the phone. I declined the 'script and demanded an appointment to have it removed, despite her assertion that it would be a waste of money as Mirena wasn't causing my symptoms. I had it taken out and within one week, I was back to myself 100%!!!! To all the women on this board, don't wait to take it out, whatever you paid for it isn't worth the price you pay for it emotionally and physically. I am sure my former GYNO thinks it was psychosomatic, but I know the truth. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

This is my 4th day off effexor. For the past 3 nights, I have been almost asleep...when I am awakened by a 'shortness and uneven breathing'. This happened constantly..every time I would almost nod off...i would be awakened with a jolt as if I couldn't breathe. Last night this went on for a few hours, but I finally got some sleep. Has anyone else experienced this? I was on effexor for 8 months...the dr. increasing it gradually up to 300mg. per day. I have weaned off slowly, until 4 days ago, going from 75 to none. It has been 4 days of hell...with evil sick dreams, brain buzzing, migraine type issues, etc. I have never experienced anything like it. I would suggest anyone considering taking this drug...DON'T!!! I was on prozac for 14 years before this, and the symptoms were minimal. But i became immune to it. I have chosen to be none medicated from now on. I will deal with my anxiety and depression with exercise, and by the grace of God. Please Help if you have any suggestions to get me past the next few days...How long can I expect this awful withdrawal..I feel so sick it's almost to weird to describe. I heard taking benadryl helps. I have taken a few...but don't feel too different.
Looking forward to your help..Thanks in advance.

I started to use toprol the generic type 3 weeks ago, I have the worst panic attacks, anxiety and depression ever, I never had depression in my life before, this medication took my pleasure of life away from me. I am getting off this horrible medication, started with 50, now I am on 25 (symptoms better), in two days I will be down to 12.5, then seven and is bye, bye. I read is not good to go cold turkey on this medication.

I went on Paxil for 7 months. It worked great and took away my anxiety but I was engaging in dangerous behaviors--casual sex with multiple partners, drug and alcohol use and neglecting my job and relationships. I had a pretty good withdrawal. Had some head zaps, got a really nasty sinus infection and fever and experienced mania and rage for the first two weeks. I'd say it takes a good year for your body to come back to stabilization. ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION are survival mechanisms that your body uses to tell you that something is wrong in your life. It's a warning sign that something needs to change--you are on the wrong path. Once I started addressing my life issues, the anxiety slowly disappeared. The thing is that people are lazy. They don't want to change how the eat, their exercise, their jobs, their life, and the way that they view the world. This is the hard way. The pill is the easy way, but ironically the hardest way in the long run. Our modern world makes us sick. My advice--get off the couch, eat some vegetables and get moving. Meditation is a GREAT way to get the same effect as the SSRIs. Until you try all that and still haven't gotten anywhere, stay off the drugs.

HI,

As with many others I found singulair to be a miracle with asthma. No more rescue inhalers. I am not sure which of my current meds is causing the very vivid, often gruesome dreaming I have been having as THREE of them show this as a side effect. I am referring to Cymbalta, Xanax and Singulair. It may be that the combination of the three is just too much and is causing brain toxicity of some sort. I started cutting down the cymbalta, and also the Xanax days ago. I found myself still waking up remembering vivid dreams that I would rather forget. I remember them all like they just happened in living color and detail, days and weeks later. At first I thought it was interesting, but now I just want to FORGET THEM, anyone have ideas???? Help!!! ( I also developed depression and anxiety after being on singulair for several years which is how I ended up with the two additional meds.

Got mine out on May 13th. I've experienced anxiety and depression a couple different times since then, but have gotten through it one minute at a time, literally!!! I just keep thinking that once this feeling is over, I'll feel better. But I've noticed that some of you had acne on different body areas while on Mirena. Well, I never had that problem until now, after it's out. I now have broken out on the back of my arms, and my face is going through a big change also. I have used moisturizer every night for a year as a regular nightly ritual, but now, I have spots that have become so dry that it almost looks like a break out. All I know is that I can't wait until these side effects are over. I want to be back to normal so, so bad. I'm 12 days closer to that, thank goodness!!!

I've had 4 back to back sinus infections - doctor prescribed avelox for #3 and #4.

I had severe anxiety and depression on Day 7 with the avelox, thought it was the singulair, stopped taking the singulair.

On #4 sinus infection dr prescribed the avelox for 14 days, on day 7 i was severely depressed and anxiety ridden and severe thoughts of killing myself, then looked up avelox and saw the side effects.

Doctor prescribed cipro saying it was not a quinone - same effects, even worse anxiety and depression.

I'm off the avelox and the cipro, now waiting to go to an ent in two weeks and on self prescribed zithromax to get over the sinus infection because the doctor won't prescribe anything

Hi ladies,

I have had Mirena out for a week. I feel better. "Nyrek" posted yesterday about Bayer and the information on their website. here is the web address: ******
Scroll down and look for Mirena. Hit the first PDF for Product Monograph. She is absolutely right!
Quite upsetting to know that within 2 YEARS I may be able to get pregnant! I don't have that much time to spare. My little girl will be turning 5 at the end of May. It is now or never. I hope that I was able to get rid of much of the hormone from my body. I have been feeling way better. No crazy fatigue. Nothing. Some nausea (my period) and some joint pain but I had those before Mirena. Not as severe now. i have Fibromyalgia. Hopefully that goes away too.
There is a huge difference now compared to before. My body has been adjusting and coming back to its normal state. It is amazing! I am really ticked to have read that the hormone enters the bloodstream in 15 min. I thought it was a localized thing. It explains the extreme bloating and weight gain those weeks after insertion. Plus acne. Then I lost weight once the anxiety and depression set in. No wonder we are all messed up! Not cool at all!
If you all need my account for that class action suit, let me know. They make this thing out to be so wonderful when all it does is make you a walking wreck. Absolutely scary. It does work against pregnancy but at what cost?
One side effect that always got me was that I felt these spasms in my uterus, much like the ones I got when I was near the end of my pregnancy. It was crazy! At times I thought the thing had failed and I was truly pregnant. Anyone else had these weird spasms or cramping up? I still urinate a lot. Still feel some pressure down there but not like before. I still think it is my period as I'm at the end of the cycle. I have this bad feeling that although they say the hormones leave at half life, each woman reacts differently. While I felt relief on Day 1 of removal, others have taken longer. Just how long does it truly take? Especially when it has wreaked so much havoc in our bodies? I hope it does not affect my ability to conceive. That is definitely not nice!
Well, if anyone could let me know about the weird spasms, i would appreciate it! If any of you have had a baby after Mirena, how long did it take you to conceive???
As always, Good Luck, Ladies!

My daughter has been off Singulair since March 29th. In my previous posting I explained that she had taken it for 2 years and last December started to experience stomach pain, and she became very anxious, agitated, and obsessive compulsive. We had every test possible and her anxiety only grew worse as the weeks went on. In February she was admitted for panic attacks and was given Paxil and Risperdal. When we stopped Singulair we noticed definite changes with her mood swings, personality, and affection. We saw a side of her that over time we forgot existed. She is so much better, but still on the medicines from her hospitalization. We have an appointment to discuss reducing these meds. But has SINGULAIR been out of her system long enough? She endured so much emotional stress that I know just stopping the Singulair will not be the cure all. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

I am so happy to read all these posts on here. I thought I was completely losing my mind and was the only one feeling this way. I was on Seasonal for awhile and hated it but was soo scared to change for some reason. When I finally decided to tell my doctor that I hated it and wanted to change, he put me on Loestrin. I have been on this for probably a year and a half now. I never get my period which in the beginning, I freaked out about. Every time I go to the doctor, I ask him if this is ok and he says its fine. In the last couple months I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression that are somewhat unexplainable. I am thinking now this must be a side effect of the medicine because I have never been like this in my life. I just celebrated my one year anniversary with my husband and even he has pointed out that I am not myself lately. I am a little nervous to switch though because I have gotten so completely used to not having a period so I don't know what to do! Have a doctors appointment coming up so will probably discuss with him. Other side effects I had from this is just some exaggerated PMS symptoms around the time of my "period" such as moodiness, fatigue and headaches. That stuff is manageable, especially since there is no actual period to deal with. Just nervous about the overall anxiety and depression I feel that I can't explain. Thanks again for posting your stories, it makes me feel like I am not alone!

I have been using Yasmin for over 3 years now. I did suffer from tiredness and nausea with everything else that I have tried before Yasmin. However, after reading several comments on this forum, I have to say that I too suffer from anxiety and depression. Although I wouldn't call it severe, its enough to take its toll on me. It makes me extremely paranoid in the sense that I worry over the silliest things and elaborate on every little problem thinking that everything is going to be worse. Basically my mind races over problems all day and I have been feeling like I am losing my rationalization. I did seek help from my psychiatrist and was put on a mild antidepressants and although they provide immediate relief and give my mind a little rest, I didn't benefit from any long term solution that he said the medicine would provide.
I have been quite annoyed at myself really for not being in control of my feelings because the person I know I am, has done an okay job at it before. Something is definitely screwing up my emotions and that could very well be Yasmin since I have tried every other solution. So I am going to give Yasminelle a go as of today and see if the lower dose improves things and if not I will definitely be looking at alternative birth control methods because I am honestly fed up of feeling like I have no control over my own emotions.

Sinus infection and chest congestion: doctor knew I was on HCTZ, a diuretic, as well as Zyrtec and Nasonex. The HCTZ I now known is an agent that should have triggered a modification of the treatment protocol. First night on the 400 mg Avelox, during conversation at the supper table, a black cloud of depression suddenly descended upon me like a curtain. Then I became extremely irritable and short-tempered. (Hard to blame on a drug, except that this came out of the blue right when I was feeling mentally and emotionally happy and relaxed, enjoying my husband's companionship. No reason for depression, irritability and short temper, especially to such an uncharacteristic degree. This was severe!) No sleep whatsoever that night due to shivering without getting warm, feeling like my whole body was crawling, feeling terrible frustration and anxiety and depression. Had taken the Avelox with my supper. Second night: unable to breathe through nose at all. Nasal passages so dry they hurt. I decided to abandon Nasonex and Zyrtic but never thought about stopping the HCTZ (the info insert from the drugstore never mentioned that). Insomnia and feeling electrified. Again, the feeling of total body crawling and restlessness. Irritable to the max. Frustration. Wound up sitting up most of the night to avoid waking loved one with my tossing and turning and misery. Third night, I took the Avelox early, at 5 p.m. Had been having to turn on the shower and steam up the bathroom to moisturize my nasal passages enough to bear the painful dryness. Also began using Ocean Mist to ease the pain. Despite the dryness, my nose was still too stopped up to breathe. Heavy sinus congestion and pain not any improved yet. Dozed some that night but a phone call came at midnight for my husband and after that I was wired awake again. I am desperate for rest. This is the fourth day and finally I'm coughing less and the congestion is coming up. But my sinuses are harder than ever to empty. Mucus extremely thick and sticky (sorry for the graphic quality of this post). One very severe side effect is that I am now incontinent. I never make it to the bathroom in time to urinate and so am wearing pads. Having to change them every time my bladder begins to fill. Leaking, dribbling and now gushing urine without any control whatsoever. I have just read the full prescribing info and wonder why on earth was I not given a safe antibiotic (I realize everything has some risks and side effects, but why was I exposed in this way to such a dangerous drug without a life-threatening disease to require its use?) This is an outrage. Now I"m stuck finishing the script or else my infection will be back worse than ever and then I'll be given yet another bad drug. I have only one clue to this question: I was asked what my Insurance company was just before the script was written. I cannot help wondering: what if I'd had no insurance, or another insurance? Would I then have been given a less-expensive and much safer, even safe drug? If you are ever asked just before the script is written what your insurance company is, ASK WHY THEY NEED TO KNOW. They will probably tell you it's so they can pick a Preferred drug. That would be a bogus answer, because after I told them what my insurance company was, they never went and looked for a list of preferred drugs! They simply swiftly wrote for Avelox! I was never told any of the bad effects. Now I fear getting the colitis, the tendonitis (no one told me not to exercise!). I even fear permanent incontinence. I also think that this depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and the horrible restlessness and whole body crawling sensation could be lasting and that really makes me feel very depressed. My husband has had to suffer with days and nights of my irritability and temper -- and he has cancer and I never wanted to ever be cross or complaining or to worry or burden him. This medicine is not worth it. THere are safer better options. DEMAND BETTER OPTIONS. I also wonder if the HCTC or Zyrtec or Nasonex taken on the same days could have damaged my kidneys or liver. I really think that antibiotic resistance is the ultimate bad side effect of this drug. What could be worse? Why is this being used for garden-variety sinus infections? Why is it not an option only for those who must have it or probably die of some life-threatening illness? This medicine needs more than a black box. This medicine should be available only to doctors treating patients who are in danger of dying of an illness. I have had doctors give me black box medicines before and I was spineless enough (and ill enough with severe, recurrent sinus infection) that I took the medicine. But from now on, never again. There are still better options and I deserve the safer options just as much as the next person -- no matter what my insurance coverage is! Doctors don't hesitate to use black box medicines anymore. Why do they hesitate so long to prescribe medicines without black boxes? They say it's because of the new resistance to antibiotics and the super bugs. Well now I'm susceptible to super bugs PLUS all these other severe side effects have to be endured. If anything else goes wrong, I'll come back and add another post. Meanwhile, I'm praying for each of you to make a full and speedy recovery.

I've never written on a blog in my life, and now that I've just read this, my stomach is doing flip flops and my blood is runnung cold. I have an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter. They have both been on singulair for quite a few years. My son has been on ADHD meds now since about a year and a half after starting Singulair because we tried to avoid them. Every few weeks he tells me he has this empty feeling inside him that makes him really sad and he doesn't know what it is. It just feels empty. I'll usually read with him or play a game or walk our dog with him to help him feel better.
As for my daughter, she exhibits all of the symptoms I have read about. She talks about life being terrible( trust me, she has it pretty good), she has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, OCD and Tourette Syndrome. Every psychiatric medication we have tried has made her worse. She was always a confident, outgoing little girl, and then she just changed. She's had stomach aches, which the docs always thought were in her head. She gets headaches. She is extremely sensitive, won't let me even brush her hair or touch her. She has extreme mood swings and gets upset over the most miniscule things, then writes about them, even saying she realizes her anger was too much for what the situation was! I will stop Singulair immediately and see what happens. What a miracle it would be if all of their symptoms disappeared.

My daughter took singulair for a number of years because she was asthmatic and the doctor recommended that she takes one each a day. At 13 she started acting differently and I thought it was just growing up and being a rebellious teenager. I later found track mark on her arms and she was hospitalized under suicide watch. She was not allowed in school until she had numerous therapy sessions. On top of everything she was giving topamax to control her anxiety and depression and now missed so much school that she has graduate a year later.