Blog symptoms and conditions

thank you so much !i read your blog when my 79 year old dad was taking his first dose of avelox, 30 minutes later he went into a seizure i called 911 and they rushed him to emergency room.he is doing good now.it is a very bad drug.

I have been on Loestrin for 1 year and 4 months. This is my last month because I am changing to Ortho-TriCyclen. At first, I thought my symptoms were common: nausea, headaches, cramping, spotting. After the first 3 months, nothing changed. I began to notice that I was having 2 periods a month and that continued till this month where I am waiting on my period to start (I am 2 days late). After reading this blog, I noticed that I was experiencing other side effects and I didn't associate it with the pill. I have gained 15 pounds over the year, hungry all the time. Moody doesn't begin to describe it. I have thoughts every period of divorcing my husband, I'm miserable. I just figured I was going through a low point. My husband has noticed that I am not the same person he married. I was once very outgoing and energetic but now I just want to sleep and be alone. I hope that my slight depression is due to the pill and that changing it will help be bounce back.

I have been considering the Mirena on the advice of a GYN specialist due to my fibroids (heavy bleeding/clots-hugh). When the doctor describe it, it sounded like something I might consider. But I told him I wanted to do some research on my own and discuss with my husband. I am currently taking the Depo-shot which my insurance doesn't cover - reason for considering Mirena- anyway after reading this blog, I know I am not getting the Mirena, might as well stay with the Depo side effects similar. I think in the end I may opt for the ExAblate procedure. WOW what we women have to endure. But I thank God for this site.

I felt I should share my story, even though it is quite lengthy, since it is similar, and every story helps those who are still unsure.

I went on birth control at the age of 15. I tried several kinds, but all of them made me nauseous. I was on Mircette the longest, and seemed to be doing fine. Then around '03/'04 I started seeing a new ob-gyn, who told me that my problem was that I had a low tolerance for estrogen, and that was what was making me feel so nauseous. She said there was a new type of pill specifically for women like me called Yasmin that had very low doses of hormones. I was excited about starting the new pill, and did right away.

I continued taking Yasmin until about a year ago, when I switched to the generic of Yasmin, Ocella, due to the fact that my insurance didn't cover Yasmin and it was becoming expensive. On the Ocella, which I took for two months, I felt bloated like I had a basketball in my stomach, constipation, and other issues. I was told by the pharmacist that I was probably allergic to the additives that are sometimes in generic pills. So I decided to find out which birth control was covered under my prescription plan, call my gyno, and switch.

My gyno called in Loestrin Fe, but they filled it with the generic, Microgestin. I took this for approximately 3-4 months, and felt absolutely terrible, with panic attacks, crying, sleeping problems- the whole bit. So I thought that I should go back on Yasmin, no matter what the cost, and attempt to regulate again.

I went back on Yasmin six months ago, and though some of my symptoms have improved over how I felt on Microgestin, I am still a mess at times. I have moments when I am anxious and moments when I am absolutely joyful. I get really angry over little stuff, irritable and snappy. Then I get weepy and feel terrible about being snappy. Then I'm happy again. It's an emotional rollercoaster. I was never like this before- my moods were even, and I handled stress well. And I was always pretty happy-go-lucky.

Physically, I have ear fluttering/clogging/pressure/popping/pain. I'm getting fairly frequent migraines, which I never had before more than once a year. I, too, have numbness on the right side of my face in which it feels like my eyelid is swelling, neck stiffness and pain, and numbness of fingers and arm. I went to the ER a while back because I thought something was severely wrong due to symptoms of dizziness (vertigo) and right-sided numbness. I have severe TMJ and jaw pain, which I didn't have before, and allergies, which I also never had before. I have heart palipitations and sometimes random chest pain under or to the side of my breast. All of these symptoms have started to occur in the last six months after going back on Yasmin.

I went to an internist, who did blood tests, checking for thyroid issues and checking hormone levels. My thyroid was temporarily hyper, but my hormones were, according to the test, normal. But when the blood test was done, I wasn't experiencing any symptoms, so I'm not sure if it's accurate.

My yearly exam with my gyno is coming up in November, and I'm going to discuss these things with her, but I'm afraid she'll look at me strange for thinking that these symptoms are related to Yasmin...

Ironically, the only time it seems that I'm feeling pretty good is when I have my period! Which I guess would be when I have no hormones in me whatsoever! I feel happier and my sex drive goes back up, and my moods even out.

I am now considering, after reading these posts with all of you that were kind enough to share your stories, going off of Yasmin for good. I'm not sure what, if anything, my gyno is going to recommend, but I was considering trying an IUD instead...

Where do i start? I've been on coumadin for 13 months for a huge clot in my left leg which leads up into my groin. I have experienced dizziness, lightheadedness, unable to concentrate, diarrhea, headaches,stomach pain ( when i was taking it at night before bed), hair loss was a biggy at first. I lost a lot of my hair! joint pain. These of course are all at times. Didn't always feel crappy, but a lot of the time. Especially when they changed my doses or I changed the times of the day I would take them. Any doctor or pharmacist I've asked about these side effects say they don't exist! ya right! ask someone who actually takes the stuff! Hope this blog helps someone else.

I wish I would have read these blogs before I decided to get the Mirena! I usually research everything but for some reason thought I didn't have to since my male obgyn said it was so great. I had it put in two weeks ago and am having it out this Thursday. Since it went in I have been bleeding, cramping severely enough to go to the ER, extreme faintness and dizziness, can't sit in any position without pain in pelvic area and it is not getting any better. I can't focus, work, sleep, nothing. I just want to feel normal again! I wish I would have researched before agreeing to do this! Not to mention the $250 I paid before seeing what insurance will cover and about 4 doctor visits and 1 er visit so far related to this! I'm not willing to ride it out any longer after reading other comments. I just hope it comes out easily!

I am also really glad I have found this website. I had my mirena placed in March 2006. I loved it, told all my friends thought it was a miracle. I have completely changed my mind. I have dizziness, headaches, joint pain and my PCP put on Lexapro for anxiety and mild depression in September 09.
I have a 3 and 4 year old, but am so fatigued at times I don't want to do anything but sit around. I can not lose any weight. I tried nutrisystem and
that didn't help. I am also having having a symptom that hasn't been mentioned on the site. I have done some research and noticed that the mirena can also cause blood vessels to constrict. In December 08 after having some (quite a few) drinks and smoking cigaretts at my husbands
Christmas Party the next morning my forearms and hands were a dusty blue color. I have had this happen one time since. A couple of times the bottoms of my feet were a purple/ bluish color looked as if they were badly bruised. After researching the cause of this, the only thing I can find is that the mirena can also cause constriction of the blood vessels. Has anyone else had this happen???? I had and echocardiogram done, that was fine all my blood work has come back normal. Am seeing a neurologist, he has me scheduled for a nerve condition test, but he thinks
I may need to see a vascular doctor.

I too have memory loss. It is humiliating not to recall events with friends and family and people I have been introduced to. I cannot conversations, movies and names of bands. I am 43 and have been taking this drug for seizures. The seizure disorder is gone due to the drug. I have gained weight, awaken with a severe headache on several occasions behind my right eye, feel tired and dizzy after an hour of taking the drug and blurred vision. I thought it was early onset of Alzheimer ( i forget how to spell it though I am in the medical field). My generalized Doctor and my Neurologist say this is not from the medication but from age and normal. The quality of life is not as I would like. I feel like I am missing out on my own life. Thank God I came across this blog! I have been researching this drug on the net and NOWHERE does it state this as a side effect. This is the only med I take.

Oddly enough, I am bawling crying while I am typing this blog. I am just off my period and I am still depressed and not thinking very clear. I even had to leave work the other day because I could not stop crying. I hate birth control.......it is so hard to find any birth control that side effects are not so outrageous. I feel better now reading these blogs. I thought something was really wrong with me.
This is my second month, and I don't think I will be using it again.

I am 45 and had the device inserted in June. Since then I have had an annoying constant red-brown discharge and my period three times. My menstrual cramps are definitely greatly lessened but what is freaking me out (apart from the discharge) is the anxiety I am experiencing for no reason. I am also feeling depressed. I am greatly concerned as being on the pill many years ago I had a mild stroke and my doctor assured me that the hormones ion the Mirena stay in the uterus. Why then the sudden anxiety attacks? I have always been a really laid-back person - I can only relate this sudden appearance of anxiety to the Mirena - it started about two weeks after I had it inserted.

I am now debating whether to ride it out - has anyone had the anxiety subside?

I have been taking LoEstrin 24FE for over a year now. I experience the spotting and normally have my period during the 2nd or 3rd week of taking the pills. I still have extremely bad cramping and I have constant back pain. My moods are crazy; and I mean crazy. I have attributed these symptoms to other things in my life, but after reading this blog, I am concerned that all of my symptoms are now related to this pill. I normally have a period for about 4 days, the 2nd day is quite heavy. I am a little nervous that I have been taking this pill for a year and never thought it could cause my issues that I have been having. I am scheduled to see my GYN in a few weeks. Suggestions?

i have been taking loestrin 24 for a week now. i started spotting today and i was worried until i read this blog and realized how many others were having the same side effects. i have taken the pill everyday around the same time, but the past couple of days i have taken them maybe an hour or so later than the previous times. i don't really like that if i take it just an hour late i get spotting, especially when the doctor never mentioned that. oh and i have been having terrible insomnia for the past five days, and one night had a terrible dream that i woke up crying from. i have also experienced some headaches, but didn't know they were associated with the pill until reading other womens experiences

Just found this blog. I was on 10 mg Lisinopril for a few weeks for moderate BP. After about 2 weeks I started getting muscle aches cramping at night in legs and arms. I am also in physical therapy for ankle tendinitis. Thought pains were from that but they did not go away and my arm pain continued through day. I never had arm cramps before. I told my Dr and they said they had not heard of this reaction to the med but said go off of it for 5 days and then back onto see what happens. I stayed off for 2 weeks. BP started to creep up again. I had in the meantime decided to start breathing meditation to see if I could go a more natural way. I have only done breathing techniques for a week so decided because BP was gong up would try taking 1/2 dose of Lisinopril one am at 5 mg. I was ok till later in evening, pretty wiped out. I thought that was no big deal. But when I got up next am and took another 5 mg, I had diarrhea and kept peeing all day. I am not on the diuretic version of this. It was like my kidneys went overdrive. I could hardly move my legs and arms, VERY weak muscles, very sleepy and the cramping was starting to come back , though not as severe as before. I also have palpation and pain in left chest, seeming more like nerves than heart though. I usually push my physical therapy and can do anything they say but could hardly do anything and therapist said quits and told me to call doctor asap. I left them message on their phone with symptoms and have not heard back from them today but I am not taking this med again in the am!

My husband had been on Actos for 4 years. A new Diabetic doctor said h needed to get off the Actos to loose weight. So she put him on Januvia.
He takes 1000mg twice daily and 100mg Januvia once a day. Since taking Januvia he wakes up complaining that he had slept wrong on his shoulder, then he complained that his hands and feet felt like he was developing arthritis. This has gone on for 6 months. 2 days ago he woke up with both his feet and his hands were swollen and painful. I started researching Januvia and found this blog. I can't thank all of you enough for the information. None of this side effects are published by Merck!! I took my husband off Januvia and within 12 hours (checking his sugar every 2 hours) his hands and feet were half as swollen. We are headed back to the doctor to reevaluate hi medication.

I am posting this because I feel so strongly about warning young ladies of the side effects of mirena. I am a mom with 3 small children and wanted an easy birth control. I had the mirena for 2 1/2 years. The first few months were okay but then I started to notice no sex drive, I slowly gained 15-20 pounds even exercise and diet change would not slow down, and i was very irritable. My poor family! I also started having what my primary care doctor diagnosed as anxiety attacks. I didn't even know what one was until I began to have them. I would get a hot flash, my heart would start pounding and I would start breathing fast. I felt like I would pass out and I had no idea where it was coming from. I had to get up and walk out of appointments, and even church. I then googled mirena side effects to find many others had the same experience. My doctor told me he didn't think my symptoms were related to the mirena. I know myself and I know when something is wrong.
I had it removed 3 months ago and I am only now more convinced the feelings I was having were caused by mirena. Slowly, I can feel my body return to normal and have lost 5 pounds. I hope this blog is helpful.
If you are having life altering side effects like I did, insist that your doctor remove it. Birth control does not have to be at the cost of your sanity!!

I started Lisinopril a 6 weeks ago at the suggestion of my Internist. The blood pressure medicine I was on (for 5 years) was too strong and causing me to have episodes of dizziness and hypotension. Since starting Lisinopril I have suffered with a severe hacking cough that is especially troublesome at night. It wakes me up almost every night and I wind up sleeping in an upright position on my lazy boy and taking strong cough medicine to suppress it. Since I am an RN, I attributed this to climate, my job (with children), and generalized stress of graduate school/work/family. I have a call into my Internist and will stop Lisinopril immediately. Thank you for this blog.

Sign the petition demanding the facts about Mirena!

There's a petition on another website to try to get 25,000 signatures to demand that the manufacturer of Mirena release complete information and accurate statistics about side effects. The website is for hair loss, but the petition is about Mirena, not just about hair loss. This forum may not let me post a link, but the website is the Women's Hair Loss Project. Or try Googling "Bad Mirena" (the title of the blog is "Bad Mirena, Bad!" and the petition is at the end). I think you have to register before you are allowed to sign the petition -- it took about 24hrs for me to be able to do it.

Also about hair loss: have you told your hairdresser what you've figured out about your hair loss? Would you talk to a group of hairdressing students about it? I'm going to do just that. When women's hair starts falling out for no obvious reason, hairdressers have to be taught not to try to fob us off with "Use a protein pack" or "It's the menopause" !!

I thought I was going crazy. I am engaged and so happy to be getting married! But since I started NuvaRing in November, lots of these symptoms listed in this blog have crept up on me. I too thought this was the most wonderful birth control... Put it in, take it out. So easy! But the past 2 months, I started having serious break through bleeding. To the extent I need to wear a tampon with it. I immediately figured it had to be because of the nuvaring, because in 31 years, I've NEVER had this. Well, the stupid ring fell out some how the beginning of this week. And I had kindof decided to change to a different method of birth control and just forget about it after that. So that whole bleeding, falling out episode led me to do a bit more research on the ring, rather than just reading their website. I came across this blog. I now looking back realize that I have been experiencing depression, crying, anger, all the emotional related side effects. I dismissed it as just extreme stress. Now, I realize that I think it was the ring because prior to getting on it in Nov. I wasn't feeling like that. I'm also an avid exerciser, gym lover, runner, biker... Not since November. I've just wanted to go to sleep. I just want to sit on the couch. Going to the gym is so hard! I gained about 8 lbs since Nov. too. I thought it was me going crazy. Now I've stopped the NuvaRing. Hopefully I can get back to my happy go-lucky self. Can anyone tell me how long it took them to feel better? If you had breakthrough bleeding, did it stop after you were off the ring? How long did that take?

53 year old, otherwise healthy Type1 diabetic. HCA1 scores are typically 6.5-6.7. I lead an active, athletic lifestyle, with no circulation issues. Prior to Lisinopril, I have never experienced allergic responses to meds, hives or any similar issues. I have never experienced blood pressure issues; but Doc suggested Lisinopril for preventative maintenance, protecting kidneys. I took Lisinopril 5 mg. once daily, for almost 5 months without issues. In the middle of month 5, Urticaria appeared around mid-calf area, accompanied by a nerve-racking itch. In the next 2 weeks, itching started in hairline of scalp, moving spreading all the way down to ankles. I was almost 2 weeks into an elimination diet before discovering on a blog that urticaria was a possible side effect of Lisinopril. Discontinued Lisinopril 1.5 weeks ago, several days after starting 30mg Cetirizine & 30mg Loratadine . Itching is still present; but all urticaria have subsided, save for scalp. Menthol has been the only effective comfort for the itching.
Prior to taking Lisinopril, my only urticaria experience originated from exposure to poison ivy. I am convinced Lisinopril is the root cause.

I have an appt with my GYN tomorrow, and I am going to try to convince him to remove Mirena right away. I fear that he will do everything to convince me to keep it... Another thing is that I horribly afraid of pain, and found Mirena insertion EXTREMELY painful, so I am full of fear for its removal. I will load myself with Ibuprofen before going.
Anyway... After reading this blog, I at least want to give it a shot and compare how I feel with and without Mirena. However, If I decide to have it again, I will go for inaertion ONLY under anesthesia.

Thank you all for posting your stories about Mirena. I've had the Mirena IUD for almost 2 years. I have had a number of side effects from my Mirena that I did not realise until I read this blog and thought about when it started. The worst is the decreased libido, especially because I am a newly wed. I also have extreme migranes and cramping a couple of times a month. I have spotting and heavy bleeding at least twice a month for a week at a time. My sleeping has suffered, it takes me much longer to go to sleep and I wake up periodically through the night. I am getting a lot of acne. I'm 26 and have never had any children. I am going to get it removed soon but the benefit is that it is one of the least expensive contraceptive devices over the long term. There may not have been much testing during development about the level of hormones and the location of dispersal. I think the Mirena IUD needs redevelopment, it's a great idea but it looks like I'm not alone in the intense side effects.

I have been really stressed out about the behavior of my 5 year old son. He is having uncontrollable tantrums, crying spells, aggressive behavior towards me, his dad and his 2 year old brother. He does fine at school according to the teacher. So I thought it was our structure at home. We has a very well kept schedule that we don't change very much even on the weekends. So in the last month it has gotten worse including bed wetting, restlessness, and crying episodes for 20 minutes.
My sister told me about a news piece that she saw about negative side effects of Singulair in children. So here I am on this blog. I have now had an AHA moment. This is the problem. I will be calling the pediatrician TODAY. Now I know what's going on. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences. I will post again with an update.

I am 62 years old and I was taking Lipitor 10 mg for the last 5 years in New York. When I moved to California the new doctor switched to Lipitor 20mg and I started to have strange side effects. After a pause of two days, I restarted and the symptoms were worse: my muscle in the upper arms, and my calves were hurting and week, my back ached, my head was empty nad I felt dizzy all the time.
I stopped two days ago and today I had blood in my urine. What's happening? should I go on any medication at all to lower my cholesterol? My new test was: 179 Cholesterol
HDL 71
LDL 95
I am too scared to start any other drugs like Crstor or Niaspan as I was recommended.
Please advise,

i think all you people are just mental cases, this is all of your minds ways to try to rationalize being insane. Panic attacks on an antibiotic!! Come on, really do u all think its the dox?? Even the doctors don't believe u. Funny that its not on any of the common or less common side effects anywhere on the internet!!!

All this just blows me away-I have been on Toprol XL 100 (currently 51 High blood pressure-hypertension) for maybe 4 or 5 years and have no sex drive, shoulders have begun to ache like they are broken or dislocated(daily), can't sleep at times, ringing in ears has gotten worse over the years, beginning to be tired earlier in the evening. 100 seems to be more than anyone on this blog so I must have it bad. My pharmacist alerted me to this drug not being made anymore so there is a subsitute, not sure what but I will get the call on that shortly. I have a doctor's appointment on 3/31, I think I am going to get something changed. Bad thing is this was the 3rd heart med I took that worked for me.