September 14th
2009
8:30 AM
I was prescribed Macrobid for a suspected bladder infection. After the first dose, I was so exhausted I could barely move. My kids were with me, and I basically passed out on the couch. I felt drugged, but did not know why and couldn't rationalize that it was from the medication. So, I took my second dose--which was a big mistake. The headache can best be described as a hatchet migraine, followed by vomiting and nausea, swollen throat and dizziness. I stopped the medication two days ago. The headache and most other symptoms disappeared within 24 hours after I stopped. THE WORST MEDICATION EVER. The lab came back that I didn't even have a UTI! But now I do--thanks to Macrobid! DO NOT TAKE MACROBID. The FDA should take it off the market.
-- By ahenslee | Reply | Private Message me
September 2th
2009
4:19 PM
Now it makes sense why doctors were so eager to prescribe Lipitor. Pfizer has been hit with a 2.3 billion penalty for illegal marketing promotions of 13 drugs that includes LIPITOR. They were awarding doctors free golf, massages, and resort junkets for "pushing" Lipitor, Viagra, Zoloft and 9 other drugs.
-- By innerpeacedesigns | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
August 19th
2009
10:32 PM
My neurologist put me on Prednisone for cluster migraines. I started with 80 mg for 2 days, 60 mg/2, 40mg/2,20mg/2. It was so effective at keeping the cluster attacks from coming. I was so thankful to finally have something to stop the attacks. I have suffered with CH for 20 years and other than pain medication to abort an attack I never had anything that worked as a preventative. After taking the prescribed dosage I stopped taking the Prednisone. My neurologist warned me that this drug can be very effective short term but I would not want to have prolonged use because of the side effects. Unfortunately, when I stopped taking it my cluster migraines came back full force. So I went back on taking 20 mg daily. That was a BIG mistake. At first I was euphoric, on a constant high. I had so much energy even though I would only get about 4 hours sleep because my mind was racing from 2:00 am into the early morning hours. I would wake up with night sweats and needing to urinate 3 times per night. My face got puffy, I had terrible heartburn, increased thirst and a decreased appetite. My family was watching me wizz around like the Tazmanian Devil wondering why I was acting so bizarre. I thought I was seeing things so amazingly clear! The worse part of all is the itchy, red rash that started on my elbows, then knee caps. It has now spread up and down both arms and legs. I went to see my GP and I told him that I have never had any skin rash like this before. Could it be the Prednisone causing it? He of course said it was unlikely because Prednisone is used to clear up skin problems. Now having stumbled on to this site I realize that it must be the Prednisone doing this to me. I am unfortunately going to have to suck up the pain of the migraines and let them run their course until they leave me for a few years. I'm so disappointed that Prednisone isn't going to be the cure after all.
-- By clusterhead | Reply | Private Message me
July 20th
2009
12:19 PM
I always had breakouts, but nothing too severe that a face wash and makeup couldn't handle. Then, about 2 months ago, it started to get really bad! I started breaking out along my jaw line, and neck. It slowly started to spread its way up my face. It was large, red, and very painful. My boyfriend notice that I wasn't my happy go lucky self anymore, due to the acne, and suggested I go to the Derm, his treat, since Im a waitress, with no insurance.
The Derm said I have a severe form of cystic acne, and prescribed me Doxycycline. I was so excited that I was gonna have my skin back, although not perfect, but better. I had formed what looked like bloodclots underneathe my skin, where Im guessing the cysts broken up. (pretty awful, right!)
First day I took it, no problem. I had picked it up after work, so its was later in the day, after of course, I ate. So, I figured the next morning, I would follow the directions to a "T" because I needed to have my skin back. BIG mistake!! DO NOT TAKE THIS ON AN EMPTY STOMACH! Wow!! What an awful feeling! I threw up for about 15 minutes. (not sure why they recommend you to do that anyway, your not supposed to take Tylenol on an empty stomach) But I felt much better, and continued my day.
Yesterday was my 5th day on the medicine, and I noticed that I was very "bitchy" ( my boyfriends exact words ) felt very irritated and moody. But, I can deal with it, its not that bad. Also, had a lump in my throat, but that went away in about 20 minutes. But, we went to the grocery store, and I noticed that my eyes were very dry, and would burn as if you were having a staring contest and would leave your eyes open without blinking. I also noticed that I felt a little dizzy, and my boyfriend said that I felt shaky. I have hypoglycemia, so I figured I was just hungry. But, Im pretty sure that its the medicine now, from those before me listed similar side effects.
Im hoping that I don't get other side effects like other people listed. That would make me stop taking it all together, and would send me marching back to the Derm, for another treatment.
I have noticed that in about a week, my cysts have reduced in size pretty good, and are healing pretty well. My bloodclots are all gone, and Im starting to feel like the beautiful woman I once was! It seems very promising, and I look forward to continuing my Doxycycline!
July 7th
2009
1:55 PM
I took Ativan for a couple of weeks straight and for six weeks or so on and off. I went from taking a 1 mg SL to 2 mg one night and it made me feel like a zombie so I cut back to the 1 the next night. Then I started getting heart palpitations so I asked a pharmacist and she told me that they can cause that and to cut back to 0.5 mg for the next three nights and get off it which I did. Two days after taking my last dose I ended up in emergency with withdrawal symptoms ranging from numbness to a tightening of a band around my head. A week later I thought that I could go back to taking just 0.5 mg a night. Big mistake as it put me right back to square one. I haven't taken one since thankfully and never will again. It is the worst drug in the universe imo.
-- By antibenzo | Reply | Private Message me
May 28th
2009
7:08 PM
i have been on yaz for 8 days and for 8days i have had my period i had cramps so bad i couldn't get out the bed for 2 days constant headaches leg cramps tired but can't sleep dizzy sick stomach very moody i would not recommend this pill to anyone at all it would be a big mistake to take this pill
-- By lashaunda10 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 5th
2009
8:33 PM
I have been getting kenalog injections for about 4 years now. I am 38 years old and have been in pre-mature menopause for about 3 years. I just received another shot last Monday and noticed I have been spotting a little bit. My pap came back normal. I have to get more blood work this week. I am growing more and more concerned that this whole "early" menopause may be from kenalog. I have been "freaking out" a little bit this past week because I haven't felt well either. I've never had a problem with weight gain until i started these injections and now I am over-weight and tired all the time. I'm starting to think that this whole kenalog shot is a big mistake.
-- By menopause38 | Reply | Private Message me
May 4th
2009
4:47 PM
My mother started on Avelox, along with a steroid nasal spray. After 3 days, she started having severe anxiety attacks, with hallucinations at night. We blamed the steroid spray, and continued with the Avelox. Big mistake. After 2 trips to the ER, which proved that her heart, lungs, and bloodwork were all OK, we investigated the Avelox, and immediately stopped the treatment. Benadryl seemed to quell the anxiety, and allowed her to sleep. The drug company downplays the side effect of anxiety, and hallucinations. Be on the lookout!!! This drug is dangerous!
-- By aggiele1 | Reply | Private Message me
April 9th
2009
2:46 PM
I had Mirena placed in August 2007. My daughter was born in February of '07 but I waited a while before deciding on what type of bc I would use. I never imagined all the crap I've been through was because of this IUD. I've wondered why after taking a shower, there's still an odor down there. I've wondered why the stupid little things most husbands do really enrages me. I've wondered why I have felt depressed...and now I know. Those are only just a few things that I haven't been able to explain since our daughter was born. I honestly don't know if I can blame the weight gain on the Mirena, but it's worth taking it out to see if a diet will actually work for me. I'm glad this forum is here and I wish I had found something like this before having the Mirena placed. I've also had a lot of yeast infections for no good reason which is why I decided to look up side effects of the Mirena and found that so many women have had all the issues that I've been having. I guess I just shouldn't have messed with mother nature. My husband and I still don't know if we're going to have anymore kids so I don't want to do anything permanent and I can not, for the life of me, remember to take a pill. So I guess it's going to have to be condoms for us until we decide no more and then we'll decide on something permanent. I'm sorry all of you ladies experienced these problems but I'm glad you have shared them because it definitely sheds some light on things for me. I will be making an appointment very soon to have mine removed. Thank you, ladies.
-- By liliansmom | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 5th
2009
2:27 AM
I had my 3 daughter in sept. 2007 and then the Mirena put in, in Nov. 2007. Ever since then I have had no sexual drive, irritable I fight with my husband everyday, high blood pressure, and OMG the abdominal cramping. The cramping keeps getting worse and worse every month that goes by. I should have known something like this would happen when I was laying on the table and the doctor had to look at the instructions on how to put it in. Yesterday I was in so much pain that I could not get off the couch and I was home alone with my 5, 4, & 1 year old. I was bawling I was in so much pain it was like I was in labor all over again, the only difference was I didn't have anything good for the pain. I was taking 3 Tylenol every 3-4 hours. I talked to my doctor 2 months ago about my problems and she said that we needed to think long and hard before we took it out. I still have it in right now and I'm still in a great deal of pain. I feel like a bad mother I got really hateful with my kids today and the worst part was I couldn't even get up to cook them anything to eat. I called my doctor and I have a appointment this morning. Hopefully they will take it out. I was just wondering if anybody has had these problems with the mirena. Also, when I try to have sex with my husband it hurts so bad that I actually start to cry. This has never happened before. Then I feel like I have let him down. If you could let me know if you have had any of these problems please write me and ******. I just want to know if I am losing my mind or not.
Thank you for reading this,
worriedmama
February 1th
2009
10:14 AM
I've recently had a staph infection on my right knee, and my regular dr. was closed so I decided to go to a nurse practitioner. She decided to give me samples of Avelox and actually had me take one of them in the office. Little did I know I was about to experience hell on earth!! After taking the first dose, I began to get extremely dizzy and disoriented but I slept well the first night. I thought I just felt bad from the staph infection and figured I would take another dose of the Avelox. Big mistake!!!! After that second dose I started having uncontrollable anxiety, depression, extreme confusion, and even became paranoid that I had some type of serious illness. I couldn't eat or function well at all and I have 3 small children to care for. When I tried to sleep I felt like I was passing out rather than falling asleep. I saw weird images in front of my eyes and jumped out of bed at 2:30 am panic-stricken. I found this site and saw what so many others have been through and was convinced it was the Avelox. But I've been off of it for 2 days and I still feel out of it, unable to think clearly, and have an odd detached feeling. I'm hoping this is not permanent damage. I just want to feel like my old self again! And I agree with so many others- Avelox should be taken off the market!! It is a horrible drug!!!!!
-- By mom23angels | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 23th
2009
9:28 AM
I'm reading everyone's symptoms from the Mirena IUD and now I wish I never had it inserted. I had and IUD in for almost 6 years and had to trade it in for a new one. Not sure if my former one was Mirena because I didn't have bad side effects like now. In December I had the Mirena inserted and it was a very painful insert for me this time around as well. I immediately felt heavy cramping and couldn't stand up from the table it hurt so bad. I kept telling my GYN that maybe it was inserted incorrectly and she looked at me like I had 3 heads. She gave me Advil and told me to let it settle in. Needless to say I had some cramping for the rest of the day. 2 weeks later I got my first period following the procedure. It was normal, lasted about 10 days (longer than usual) and then went away. Yesterday, out of nowhere and only 1 week after it stopped, I experienced extremely red and heavy bleeding and clotting the size of my fist. I almost thought I was having a miscarriage or something. It's crazy how much cramping followed. I have been feeling strange all week, getting bad pimples on my face, gained a lot of weight over the holidays without really going overboard on eating, sex has been a bit painful and leaving pain in my lower abdomen. I've NEVER bled this much in my life. Not even after giving birth to two kids via C-section. It's pretty scary. I'm wondering if I made a big mistake. Never had problems like this with the last IUD. Leaving messages for my doctor but should I be worried???
-- By jtfs792 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 18th
2009
12:50 AM
hi everyone i am B. I had mirena put in in march of 07, At first i thought it was a great idea. But then i started gaining weight it was like over night. 20 lbs and i cant get rid of it. Then i always have migraines. I try taking Tylenol and nothing works. I look four months pregnant and im not, i cant have sex one i don't feel like it anymore and two it hurts. I always want to sleep., i have bad pain in my uterus that just wont go away. I have always been a nice person and i am sooo mean now its unreal. I lose focus always very forgetful, and thats just some things, It was a big mistake to get this put in and im getting it token out this Friday coming up wish me luck and i will let you no what happens
-- By bsanders001 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 16th
2009
9:47 PM
I'd like to hear more clarification from the FDA and Merck on the following media statements:
"Merck believes that the data support the continued use of Singulair in appropriate patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis.”
But, the agency also noted that the trials were not designed to examine such behavior, and that the safety review will continue, probably for several more months."
If the trials were not designed to examine psychiatric events what good is the data and why would it take 9 months to rehash submitted data that does not contain appropriate information?
Another statement that needs clarification is, "Merck believes that the data support the continued use of Singulair in appropriate patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis.”
Why such careful wording as "appropriate patients"? That is to suggest that Singulair is "inappropriate" for some, perhaps many people.
Lastly, "We have finished our analyses of all the data the companies submitted," FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley told the Associated Press. "But that doesn't mean we have closed the book on suicidality."
My questions are were there any unsubmitted data and why would they leave the book open unless there were a legitimate reason to?
This is definitely not over and as well it should not be.
October 13th
2008
10:58 PM
Being a scientist, I am reluctant to say my symptoms are completely due to the statin (Crestor) that I've been on for 2.5 yrs. Started with a bulging/herniated disk in my lumbar region 4 months ago. Then increasing leg pain and major leg/foot cramping at night. Had my blood checked for electrolytes and CPK. Electrolytes were ok but elevated CPK (muscle breakdown enzyme). Doc took me off Crestor and now a month later, no cramping and much reduced leg pain. Am going in for a cholesterol check next week to see what the levels are. I wonder how much the Crestor played in my herniated disk. Certainly it has played a role in the leg pain and cramping as I no longer have it to the same degree. The FDA and surgeon general talk about putting everyone on statins. BIG MISTAKE!!!! Maybe CoQ helps, but I am done with statins.
-- By sparrowm | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
September 24th
2008
4:17 PM
I'm 34 and my children are 3 and 5 years old. I had my Mirena coil fitted on 12 Sept 2007, so have now had it just over a year. During that time, I've had bouts of intense abdominal pain, almost constant vaginal discharge, bleeding after exercise or sex and a curious sensation in the region of the uterus that feels like when a baby moves inside you. My doctor dismisses all my symptoms as being nothing at all to do with the coil, but having read the other posts on this site I'm not so sure....
I'm also constantly exhausted and get spots. I am a coward though, and having the coil fitted was so excruciatingly painful that I'm not sure I can face having it taken out so (relatively) soon. I'm off to see the female GP at my practice next week so it will be interesting to hear her take on things.
September 15th
2008
11:50 PM
It seems like almost everyone here has experienced a decrease in their sex drive, and I am not the exception. I switched to the Nuvaring just 4 weeks ago...BIG Mistake!!! The second week after being on it I experience a change in mood, I was extremely sensitive, angry for no reason, anxious, irritable, etc...My husband and I have been together for 8 years and rarely argue, this week was really bad...we fought all the time (I fought, he just took it). My sex drive was great before the NuvaRing, I wanted to have sex all the time! During the time I was on the NR, we only had sex 3 times and I was dry all 3 times...my sex drive was gone! Finally, I started getting these hard bumps on the side of my face by my ear and neck...really weird...they look bad and hurt. Needless to say, I'm off of the NuvaRing for good. On this site I learned about the dangerous blood clots, so I'm definitely never going back!!!
-- By floramar | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 10th
2008
10:07 AM
I take Simply Sleep once in a while just to help me fall asleep. I'm a 120-pound woman and one pill is usually enough. Last night, my mind was racing and I decided to take both pills. BIG MISTAKE! I had very weird sensations in my legs that still continue (it's now 11 AM, 12 hours after the dose). I guess it could be a form of Restless Legs Syndrome, but I've never had that before. These sensations (tingling, numbness, a desperate need to move) were enough to wake me up in the middle of the night and keep me awake, even though the rest of my body was tired. I'm dragging today -- a combination of no sleep and the residual effects of the sellping pills. My legs are still not right. They feel weak from the hip down when I'm sitting.
-- By fishbulb4f18 | Reply | Private Message me
July 25th
2008
3:40 PM
Started taking Zyrtec after following the advise of my pharmacist. BIG MISTAKE!! I have never had symptoms of depression before. After one week on the medicine it took everything in me just to make myself get out of bed. The last day I took the medicine I felt that there was nothing to live for and everyone would be better off if I was gone. Never before had I ever thought about suicide. Until then. It took about three days with no Zyrtec before I started feeling this "blackness" lift off of me.
-- By mikes1girl | Reply | Private Message me
July 18th
2008
6:33 AM
It took 3 years for me to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and for a year I tried levethyroxine. This was a total waste of time. I was so exhausted the kids kept missing school, I kept walking into things, couldn't remember anything so I asked my doctor to let me try armour thyroid. This has apparently T4 T3 T2 and T1 and the T2 is the one that helps your metabolism (weight).
The change is nothing short of miraculous...I know it may not work for everyone but it is worth trying. I also had very extreme mood swings and the doctors were considering manic depression, but the latest thinking with that is to take your TSH levels higher before considering drugs such as lithium. I have just moved to Reading and my new doctor thought my T3 levels too high so reduced my armour dosage by half .....BIG mistake. Ended up in bed for days, couldn't remember which day it was, and the mood swings
!!!!!!! screaming, tearing my hair in frustration, punching my boyfriend. I staggered, literally, in tears back to the doctor who reinstated my original dosage of 2 grains one day 3 the next etc. For me my TSH has to be 0.1,
T4 around 14 and T3 around 8 to 9; basically on the high side but my blood pressure stays low as does my body temp and I feel alive again. It is worth trying different variations synthetic T4 AND T3, and don't rule out armour thyroid if nothing else is working after 6 months of use.
June 19th
2008
7:26 PM
I started taking Doxy 100 mg July 2007 for the first time. At first I didn't link my side effects to the pills but after a break from taking it and started up again I finally out two and two together. First, it upset my stomach BIG time immediately after starting on it. I felt bloated and everything I ate upset my stomach--as the result of this I lost about eight pounds from just not eating anymore. I even went to see a GI doctor about my stomach problems! Who recommended I eat more fiber and get more exercise (I told her about all the meds I was on)! I also got sudden and very severe headaches, but the worst side effect of all is the extreme mood swings I had. I think I was going crazy and this almost ended my marriage...all of a sudden I developed low self esteem, constantly thinking I was worthless, fighting with my husband over the stupidest things and even contemplating suicide during the worst spells. I couldn't figure out why the sudden change- at first I thought it was the tough Chicago winter, since I am originally from a much warmer climate, because by this time I had been on doxy for about five months.
I was prescribed the medication to help clear up moderate acne on my back and my dermatologist gave me the prescription for a year, but never said come see me in a month, two months, etc to see how you;re doing. I am so glad that I stopped taking it in February 2008 --- my moods suddenly got better, I was myself again, I started eating again, my GI problems disappeared...and then...in April I started taking it again because with summer coming up again I wanted my acne to clear up- BIG MISTAKE! Within days of starting again my stomach started being upset all the time regardless of what I ate. After the first month I was feeling depressed again, hating myself and not knowing why--this is when i finally figured it out...and decided to stop...I'd rather have pimples on my back than feel the way this medication make me feel, which is pretty much miserable!
May 29th
2008
11:29 AM
I had Mirena inserted after my first child was born on April 28, 2008. It has been approximately a month and I have complaints. Some of which are cramps all day everyday which has me resorting to taking 1600mg of Ibuprofen a day, low sex drive, crying at anything and everything, and bleeding non-stop, heavy to spotting. To say the least, my relationship is suffering, because rather than having sex four times a week, it is barely once a week. I contacted my GYN today as to discuss the aforementioned side effects as to determine if this is normal. I admit to not doing my research prior to inserting Mirena as I assumed that it was the most effective and safe form of contraceptive. See, I have tried several different pills and it was not effective and the side effects were more then I could bare. I decided today to research Mirena and realized I might have made a big mistake...Will write again when or if I have the Mirena removed after consulting with my GYN.
-- By ktldaw | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 14th
2008
10:38 AM
Hi everyone,
Had my Mirena out yesterday. Funny how insurance does not cover removal. Are they in on it too??? Absolutely no pain at all. Compared to when it went in, it was a breeze. The only thing the doctor would say about my side effects is that the hormone in the Mirena has been known to cause depressions, but she just looked at me funny when I mentioned all my other symptoms.
My first feeling after having it out was that I didn't feel like I was holding something in, of course, I never noticed that I had a "holding in" feeling, but could feel the difference the minute I got it out. I still have the headache and some dizziness, but not as much as yesterday it seems. It could be that I'm so happy to have this thing out that I'm just feeling better!!!! LOL AND, my skin seems to look better already. Yesterday morning, I was looking at my face up close, and started crying just because it looked awful. It was all just blah, no shine, splotchy, BUT TODAY, I swear it has an even coloring to it. I put on make up for the first time in months because my skin actually looked great!!!
Only had a little bleeding yesterday after removal, and so far none today. I always had a heavy period while on the Mirena so not sure what to expect with it out. I'm just glad the demon thing is gone!!!!!!
-- By thomscollins | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 20th
2008
6:27 PM
Has anyone had the Mirena taken out and immediately replaced with the copper IUD? I'm having this procedure done on May 20, 2008 and I'm really scared that doing this will further hinder my weight loss effort. I've had the MIrena for a little over 2 years, and like many many women I only have very recently started to connect Mirena with side effects I never imagined. It was inserted Feb. 2006, and immediately I turned into a horrible, moody, extremely emotional basketcase. I never even thought twice about the Mirena being responsible. My husband and I thought I was postpartum depressed. I lost everything, meaning my husband, my home, my life, and my mind within 3 months of insertion. I had already had one child, and after she was born I had PPD, but not to the extent of attempting to kill my husband and turning his mother in to Social Security. This was a horrible time in my life and I wish I had known that it wasn't just postpartum behavior. Recently I've noticed the increase in my weight....a problem I never had before and I don't like it. My skin is a big oily blemish nightmare, also a problem I never had before. I'm always nauseated, I am depressed still and now summer time has become dreaded because I can't stand to look at myself and it's too hot to cover all the way up. I'm terrified of removal because I have read many stories saying that you go through a worse emotional roller coaster to get the hormones out of your body, but I suppose I've done it once, I can do it again. If anyone has had the Mirena removed and replaced with the copper one, can you please tell me what to expect??
-- By shortmomof2 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
Mirena (13) Doxycycline Hyclate (4) Yasmin (3) Avelox (2) Lipitor (2) Kenalog (1) PredniSONE (1) Effexor (1) NuvaRing (1) Simply Sleep (1) Ativan (1) Yaz (1) Macrobid (1) Lamictal (1) Zyrtec (1) Synthroid (1) Singulair (1)
October 14th
2009
10:47 PM
I just turned 35 and I have been on YASMIN - not YAZ, since I was 28. I have had no problems whatsoever. My only regret is that my OB/GYN started giving out YAZ samples and had none of YASMIN. I took YAZ one month, thinking they were identical products - Big mistake. I felt horrible after taking it just that one month. I told my doctor to change my Rx back to Yasmin and have been happy ever since. Periods are only 3 days and light. Only side effect is that when I am on the sugar pills, I end up getting migraines, but that is because of the steroid withdrawal. I feel these two products have nothing in common...I totally agree that YAZ is a horrible drug, but Yasmin has been around a lot longer and fortunately, I have not had any problems. Like with every drug though, not everything works the same for everyone. Every drug out today has some type of side effect...it is a risk with every drug taken...even with Tylenol and aspirin. I like the way I feel now much better than when I was not taking the Yasmin, so it is a good thing for me....but, to each his own.
-- By kris35 | Reply | Private Message me