Attention span symptoms and conditions

I am soo glad I am not crazy. I am almost in tears, because I can not believe that so may women are experiencing this. I have had it for almost two years now and in the beginning I just had heavy cramps and a lot of bleeding. I was told every woman's body is different and this will take some time. I went back within 4 weeks to get it out and my doctor encouraged me it would get better. It did and I loved it. Never had a problem. Until recently, I went to the doctor thinking I was pregnant, I had ever symptom that a pregnant woman experiences and I they told me it was in my head. I am constantly tired, bloating, sick, dizziness, headaches (which they told me contributed to my sinus - then I started seeing an Allergist who kept me on Antibiotics. It got really bad they did an CAT scan on me and still nothing). I thought I was going to lose it, I had mood swings, memory loss, attention span, worst than my 5 year old and the list goes on. I am so hurt now, because I am no good with the pill (2 pregnancies from the missed pill) and loved the convenience of the Mirena, but my life is worth more than convenience.
Thank you ladies for sharing your story! But remember please go with your gut feeling. Now that I recall I went twice to get this removed, the doctors will tell you anything. They are new to this product also!!!

I've had Mirena since Jan. 2006. This is what's going on with me.

EXTREMELY bloated all the time, diagnosed as IBS. I’ve tried everything: herbs, teas, diet changes, prescription meds (currently on anti-depressant (for the IBS, not depression) and an anti-spasmatic pill), and non-prescription meds (currently taking beano before every meal and gas-x after the beano has not worked!)

Irritability

Tired all the time

Not motivated to do anything

Forgetful

Loss of concentration, I have the attention span of a 3 year old it seems!

Heart fluttering and dizziness like a panic attack. The doctor actually said it was panic attacks but I honestly don’t feel “panicked” when they happen.

Fluttering in abdomen as if there were a baby in there

Sometimes feel a pulling or stinging sensation in my uterus

Hubby can feel the strings and we think they are irritating his manhood

A lot of these symptoms seem like depression but all praise be to God, I have a wonderful life. I have the greatest husband and kids I could ever ask for. I love our life. I’m not unhappy at all. I didn’t consider that it may be the Mirena until my husband mentioned that he thought the strings were causing the irritation on his penis. I started googling Mirena to see if anyone else had this problem and came up with so many “other” symptoms of Mirena. I thought “WOW!! Maybe THAT’S my problem!” Maybe it’s time to make that appointment to get it out.

My husband started the Fentanyl 50mg last Wednesday. The first patch was OK, then changing it on Saturday, he sleeps - not just a light sleep - heavy sleep, dropping off at any moment. He decided he would rather not be on the patch than feel like he does. Too soon to have any other side affects, but doesn't even remember dropping off. He has recurrent head and neck cancer with severe headaches. He said he would rather take the Advil and take a chance for stomach ulcer than to get worse as time goes on. From the posts that I've read, he made the right decision.

Hi. My son just turned 5 years old. He has been on singulair since he was about 1 or 2 years of age. My sons is a VERY active child. He is anxious and cannot still still, he talks loudly, he cries continuously if I say no to something, runny nose, complains of headaches from time to time, complains of stomach aches from time to time, his energy level is extremely high, and his attention span is very short. As far as being suicidal, he is at a very young age and I'm not sure he understands what that means but if this is permanent, I would like to know if this will be a problem in the future. I have spoken with several different people about his behavior and some say he just needs a little more discipline and some agree that it is not normal. I have thought about speaking with the pediatrician about putting him on Riddlin (my spelling may be incorrect). I have heard that this is medication for children who is highly active or who has a higher level of energy. I know that children will be children and most are very active but I have been complaining for the last year or so about his behavior being more different than kids his age. Some say boys will be boys but I have been very concerned him being more active than he should. He has Too much energy. Just last week I was discussing with someone about taking him to a doctor to see if he has a type of disorder or psychological problem until I saw the news this morning on the early show. After reading some of these postings I feel very confident that his behavior is definitely associated with Singulair and it explains a lot. I can take him off of it but my only concern is whether it will have a long-term side effect. I have heard on the radio that Singulair is the best allergy medicine to prescribe but trust me, if you have to put up with what I put up with, it's not worth it. Sometimes I think I have the most badly behaved child in the world because he will never sit down or stop moving unless he is watching cartoons. But in saying all of this, I do not have a normal child. I think the problem is related to Singulair and I wish I had of known sooner.

My 13 year old son was on Singular for several years. I can't remember how long it's been since we took him off, but it's been better than 1 1/2 years. We began a nutrition product for our family and after hearing so many stories of people coming off meds, had the confidence to take him off. He'd been symptom free for a long time. Our family has experienced SO MANY wonderful health benefits from RELIVE products that I'd encourage anyone to check this out and see changes in their health. It makes so much sense to nourish cells so they can help the body combat challenges instead of throwing medication into our bodies every time we turn around. There certainly is a place for proper medication, but let's not always use it as a first resort. Stephen's grades have improved drastically, he has fewer mood swings, he's an all around happier child. I had attributed this to the nutrition but now wonder how the Singular may have factored in to his prior behavior. Please look at nutritional alternatives. Anyone is free to contact me if they'd like to talk more about what we've done. It's been life changing for our family in so many ways.

I forgot to mention that I have the attention span of a flea - no idea if it's connected to NuvaRing but I thought I would mention it. I also have been a total b*tch in general.

I just put it in this past Sunday and am thinking about taking it out today (Thursday) just to be done with it. I feel like crap anyway so why not. But I am wondering as someone else did whether I will get my period again in a couple days? At this point I don't think it matters.

My son will be 4 next month he was only on Singulair for a month and a half to control his asthma and it has been such a stressful and sad nightmare for me as his mom. He was always been a smart and sweet kid, really calm and had a great attention span now after Singulair I feel like someone took my son and I can't get him back. His behavior is sporadic he has no attention span he can't sit still he has had leg pain, no appetite, not even for his favorite foods. He is about to be kicked out from his preschool because he has shown heightened levels of aggression for no reason and I don't know what to do. The pediatrician tells me that he has been off it for 9 days and it should be out of his system I don't believe it and I'm wondering when my son will be normal again. I feel terrible disciplining him because I feel like its not his fault its this medication that I didn't want to give him in the first place and I regret trusting her because of what its done to my son. There has to be a way to issue some kind of warning or lawsuit against this company this medication is NOT FOR CHILDREN! Please don't give it to your children.

I'm a woman, about to turn 50.....and have been experimenting with the statins for about two months(not by choice either). I tried Zocor and had a stop that after 10 days because of massive hair loss. Once stopped....the hair loss stopped immediately. Just a ill more than a month later I started on Lipitor. All seemed to be going ok. NO hair loss. BUT.......mannnnn I don't sleep hardly at all. I'm tired beyond all belief......and its that bone deep OMG I'm sooooo exhausted type tired. I often times don't eat an evening meal after work because I seriously don't think I cant stand long enough to make anything. My legs feel as though they cannot move another inch. I have horrible cramps in my fingers.....the calf of both legs and now in my rib area. Ive had horrible horrible blurred vision.....my attention span is about as long as a gnat!!!!! I seem to have an all over bone deep body ache. It gets to the point that if MOVING A MUSCLE would save my life........Id have to die sitting still....I cant do it. The every day you wake up in the morning headache is way beyond OLD. I also notice I'm nauseous and or have a gut ache almost all the time. Its effectively killing my appetite so maybe I'll lose weight, but damn..is this the way to do it?

WHY wont the doctors believe that this damn drug is responsible?

My 2 year old son was prescribed Singulair for eczema yesterday and gave him his first dose last night. His bedtime is at 8 and since he is two years old and fights sleep, it normally takes him 30 to 60 minutes to actually fall asleep. He was still awake at 10:30. He couldn't seem to wind down. I knew it was from the Singulair immediately. I woke up this morning and got the prescription literature to see if this is even prescribed for eczema. It didn't say. So I got on Singulair's ...... and nothing about eczema. I then searched ...... and found this website and I am completely blown away by everyone's stories. I think I will take the 30 bucks for next months prescription and buy a humidifier for the apartment and use some Cetaphil lotion. He didn't have breakouts this summer due to the humidity, so I will just make my apartment humid. The doctor not only prescribed Singulair, but also Clarinex. The pharmacy had to order it and I was supposed to pick it up today, but I am going to search the side effects for it first. I will probably just save my money and see what I can do with home remedies.

I am simply astonished by what I am reading my 8yr old son has been taking singulair off and on for about a year he too would complain about his legs hurting to the point where I would be in tears just watching him. Most recently we started him on meds for add/adhd i noticed the days when he would not take the singulair he would do wonderful in school,however when he took the singulair he would have low attention span, disruptiveness,etc. now after reading this post I'm wondering if he really has add or if it was the singulair. --Thanks lgbeaumont

My 4 year old son was placed on Singulair right before his 2nd birthday. 3 weeks ago I had scheduled him an appointment with his doctor to talk with him about my son's behaviour (excessive anxiety, aggression, terrible sleeping patterns, aggitation, reduced attention span, etc) thinking it was going to be something along the lines of ADD. Right before his appointment I found this board and another in which parents have voiced their own experiences of having their child on Singulair. Needless to say, I switched his appt to his allergist and pulled him off the Singulair. It's been 2 1/2 weeks, and he has become a different child at home. He is sleeping better, the nightmares have disappeared, his tantrums have become almost non-existant, his concentration and ability to retain information from scholastic has improved, and those constant complaints of leg pains are gone. Doctors really need to be warning parents about these side effects, especially when putting very young children on this medication. We thought it was the terrible twos that carried over into the three's then four's. Apparently it wasn't........

My daughter is 5 years old and has been on singulair for 1 week. i have already noticed a dramatic change in her behavior. she has become irritable, mean, nasty, and emotional. she has had me in tears on a daily basis. she has turned into a monster. we will be calling the doctor in the morning!

I started taking Topamax Jan 07 while weaning off of Dilantin (for seizures) after brain tumor removal. Been having tingling in fingers and lips and I'm not yet up to full dosage (100 m.g. 2 x day). Memory Loss, about 20-30 minute attention span. After reaching and maintaining the maximum dosage I may report changes.

I have been on and off all different types of BCP for the past 13 years due to endometriosis. I started taking Yasmin six months ago. At first, I thought that I had found a miracle drug, I was not having as many PMS symptoms and my cramps were not anything to complain about. About 3months ago my joints really started to bother me, I had severe muscle fatigue, night sweats, insomnia, extreme hair loss, absolutly no sex drive, no attention span,memory loss, and kidney stones.I went to doctors (endocrinologist,reumitoid specialist,oncologist). They did tons of blood work, they found that my symptoms were due to Yasmin. Yasmin has thrown off my hormones, and my thyroid is all over the place. Yasmin should be taken off the market .

I just started taking this two days ago. Unlike many of you I am taking this for nerve damage in my leg instead of migraines. I have previously taken Neurontin and Lyrica and had to discontinue because I am apparently very sensitive to this kind of medication. I am only taking FIFTEEN mg (the pharmacy had to special order it for me) and only right before I go to bed, but I am OUT of it. I am very, very tired, nauseous, and just not all there. I have no attention span whatsoever (it just took me like, thirty seconds to think of the phrase 'attention span'). I just called the pharmacy to ask them if these side effects last, or disappear as your body gets used to the meds. They told me to give it a couple of weeks if I can. I'd like to give it a chance- but I'm supposed to increase to three times a day, and I don't think THAT'S gonna happen anytime soon.

Our 3 1/2 year old son has been in the ER or hospitalized for respiratory illnesses complicated by asthma since he was 7 months old at least every 6 months. Last October, his doctor prescribed Singulair and a miracle occurred. He rarely required albuterol (which has interesting side-effects of its own). Last May, we came to a mile-stone. One of the side-effects of Singulair as noted on the prescription pamphlets are ear infections. Our son experienced his first of four ear infections in his life. During the summer, our early talker began to stutter severly. Always cheerful, peaceful, and amiable, he began to display extreme aggression, including hitting, complaints of feeling angry and sad, and destructive use of his toys, which he always cared for in the past. Anxiety began to plague this little boy, to the extent of dramatic displays of hyterical tears over being away from my husband and I, even when he was with his best bud, his grandmother. A child who loved to read and play quietly for hours could no longer stand his old activities and his attention span dramatically dropped.
With the observations and suggestions of family and friends, my husband and I began to monitor and look for what we may be doing differently to bring about such frightening changes in our precious son., to no avail. We ceased to use of Alburtol in August, with no noted changes. Two weeks ago,
our little guy came down with a cold. Having used aromatherapy for ourselves for years and considering our boy's age, we decided to try Citrus limon (lemon) and Eucalyptus radiata. We ceased the use of Singulair for the durations, for fear of contraindications. To our absolute amazement, our son began to return to us. He went back to his favorite activities with the attention span before the onset of the symtoms discussed above. His stuttering decreaased by 90% and he no longer expressed sadness and anger, but spoke of smiles and laughter. The aggression seemed to us to cut itself by half. At the end of the cold, we resumed the Singulair and within 12 hours, he began to stutter severly, began to pound on his toys and to continually express sadness and crying. On Nov 4, we discovered this website (thank you !!!!!) and we were in his pediatrician's office on Saturday morning to discuss removing M. from Singulair. He has been off the medicine, except for one dose last Wednesday for two weeks now. The stuttering is 90% gone, he can now be comforted and redirected if my husband or I are out of the room, he expresses a desire to socialize, and his aggressive behavior towards others and his play has decreased by approx 75%.
Just a couple of additional thoughts:
1. Has anyone done any medical research in regards to dosage of this medication and the young? Surely 6 months of blissful relief from asthma and ER visits is worthy of attention, but does the dosage need to be more closely monitored and considered for the young? Too bad I am not a research scientist.
2. If you are considering trying aromatherapy for the first time, may I suggest that you be sure to consult with an Advanced Clinical Aromatherapist. Our FDA does not yet monitor the quality of Essential oils used in our country, nor does our gov't set guidelines for training aromatherapists. The Adv Clinical Aromatherapist we consult with is trained out of Europe where these oils are used medicinally, as prescribed by physicians. For more information, please refer to The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy at www. NAHA.org or email them at INFO@NAHA.org

My son, 3 1/2 years, began taking singulair at approximately 2 1/2 years for asthma prevention. He seemed to handle the
medication well for about 1/2 a year. We then noted his first (of four) earaches and infections that he had ever had in his life. His temperment slowly began to change to being more anxious, he began to become aggressive, which he hadn't shown signs of before the medication, and his attention span has markedly decreased. For a week and a half, now, we have intentionally decreased his medication to twice a week, and note significant changes in his behavior. We will be speaking with his physician, today.

Background - 26 yr old female, debilitating agoraphobia/social phobia - tendency towards obsessive compulsive behaviours on alternating days 100mg/50mg been on for about 10 months. originally on effexor xr, but had a nasty allergic reaction.

Good things:

able to sleep better than i have in years
no more tears! (usually anyway)
able to leave my 'safe places' without having a freak out
no weight gain... actually i've lost weight (thanks Dr Atkins!)
able to interract with other humans again

Bad things:

attention span of a goldfish (constant brain fog)
diarrhoea to begin with (gone now)
very easy brusing
bizarre vivid dreams (although better than prev nightmares)
constantly fatigued - especially at my desk job
missed dose = mild electric jolts through system AWFUL!!
sex drive killer :(

I would go the Zoloft over my old life anyday, even with the side effects. I am planning to study next year so want to drop the dose so I can actually concentrate instead of re-reading stuff over and over but am a jot worried about the getting off. I feel as though I've 'dumbed down' alot as I just can't concentrate.

I'm taking alternating 50mg 1 day/100mg next. I was prescribed this for debilitating social phobia/agoraphobia (with a tendency towards obsessive compulsive behaviour) - which resulted in mild depression, so essentially it's been prescribed for anxiety.

I also have been having VERY weird vivid dreams (although that makes a great change from not enough sleep and constant nightmares). I have also found that I'm extremely lethargic.

No weight gain, and I've found it has helped me alot with respect to allowing me to leave my 'safe places' - (I'm getting past the letterbox now!!) as I feel much more relaxed most of the time.

If I forget a dose after a while I feel as though I'm putting my finger in an electric socket and getting a mild electric current running through every few minutes. It's really awful.

My attention span has also dropped to that of a goldfish. I can't concentrate on anything for any length of time - which is rather unfortunate as I having a 'thinking' job, not a 'doing' job. It's like I'm constantly tired and hung over.

9 year old daughter has suddenly become aggressive at school since starting 6 weeks ago. Teacher states "she acts like a completely different child".
Huge drop in grades (straight A's to C's)
Attention span significantly decreased (per teacher)
I see that other sites mention "agitation, aggression and depression" as side effects that have been observed. I don't think her asthma was that bad to begin with,