Brains symptoms and conditions

I have been on Lisinopril 2.5mg for HBP for a few months now. Not thinking it had anything to do with anything, I started to develop severe muscle and joint pain in my hips all the way down to my feet. I was starting to think I had arthritis or RLS. The pain is really bad and I have taken ibuprofen and used muscle rubs without success. I went on vacation for a week and accidentally forgot to pack the med. Well I had no problems until when I came back and started back on it. The pain has gotten so severe that I called my MD. She recommended I stop taking it and see her in a week. I even ordered a tens unit and started taking potassium supplements. I see on some posts not to take the potassium so I will set that aside for now. As for the coughing, I am a smoker and cough and hack my brains out anyway. So I can't really say its making me cough. This pain though has kept me up at night and I toss and turn because of the pain. I hope now that I stopped taking the med these pains will subside soon.

I have been taking perocect 10's for the last 1yr or so and it is very bad when I don't have them I feel like crap. When taking just one it is like taking 3more 10 min later cause it does not work as well from when I first started taking them. When I run out I am looking for them everywhere and taking other pain meds to cover the withdrawals. Man it is so bad feeling like that the runny noise,sweating,being angry,shaking, throwing up,shiting my guts out etc. I have a chronic back problem and I'm only 24yrs old. I have a very supporting husband who is there for me when I'm withdrawing all the time and I love him for that cause if it was any other man they would of left me hanging. I advice anyone who starts this pain killer to only take it when needed cause the chemical in the pill will mess your who life up and you will have some serious problems for realist is true but how I'm going to stop I will take a week out of my life to go to the hospital for help. Also there is so many other medication that can make you sleep.(PEROCECT'S WILL MESS UP YOUR LIFE SO DON'T GO DOWN THAT ROAD, PLEASE TAKE THIS MESSAGE SERIOUS THEY ARE VERY BAD, DON'T COVER UP THE PAIN GET IT TAKING CARE OF AND IF THE DOCTOR GIVES THE PEROCECT'S TO YOU DON'T TAKE IT CAUSE THEY DON'T CARE IT IS NOT THEM PLEASE DON'T).

My 9 year old daughter got her first shot in Dec. 2008 and her second in Feb. and the last in June. We have have been to the doctor a lot of times due to headaches with the doctor's opinion being that it's "allergies". She is now on allergy shots with still no relief from the headaches. I listened to her pediatrician and got her the shots. I feel so bad now after reading all the problems others are having with this vaccine. She also has had a change in her attitude aggression,moodiness,cries often, and she says she's depressed. If anybody has any suggestions for us please let me know. I love my little girl and know I'm worried.

I started taking this garbage in May of 2009. I would go to the Dr and my BP would be 180/110. Let me say im still on Lisinopril BUT stopping tomorrow. Let me tell you my story.

35 year old male, diabetic and HBP. After years of not taking care of my self i went to the doc, i started taking Lisinopril. With in weeks i got a hacking cough and my BP was still crazy high. They up'ed my dose to 20MG and then hell started.

Constant blinding chest pain, strange electrical shocks in my back and head, went to ER and was admitted, they said i may have had a PAST hart attack Weeks of in and out of the hospital a 3 day stay in the cardiac ICU! Then i had a CT angiogram with dye and that reviled MY HART WAS FINE. I still had this horrible pain in the chest and legs and hands and my gut, electrical shocks and night mares and freak out for no reason at all. Problems with erections and slow hart beat. Unreal panic attack that i think i was about to die or GO insane. The past few days i have had intense pains in my upped back and gut. I went to have some blood work done to see how my new diet is doing. All the numbers were amazing, BUT my LIVER IS HURTING! Now i do not see a doctor for 5 day to review it all BUT i know this pill has mad my life hell for the past 2 months. MY LIVER WAS FINE BEFORE i took this pill.

I was able to make my diabetes VANISH with diet, i must try that with HBP. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PILL.

I received yet another email from someone who has had a recent MRI due to memory difficulties and the MRI indicated brain shrinkage. This drug is breaking the blood brain barrier, causes depression, and is shrinking the brain. I know of 3 people who began Lisinopril and over a period of less than 2 years, have had MRI and their brains indicate shrinkage. We are wondering why Alzheimers is becoming an epidemic. More people are being prescribed Blood Pressure medicines at earlier ages, particularly Ace Inhibitors because they are cheap and these drugs are pentrating the blood brain barrier and causing a drug induced brain damage that mimicks Alzheimer symptoms. It begins to appear as depression, so, they treat the depression with anti-depressants. They improve for a period of time and then the symptoms of memory loss, difficulty retaining, concentration issues, mental sluggishness begin to present again. The Doctors are in denial, not us who are posting these symptoms. The obvious is oblivious. You cannot take a healthy individual who never took anything more than an aspirin and within 17 month of taking this medication have depression, memory issues and brain shrinkage. I hope if there are any Doctors that read this site, they pay attention to their patients and watch those people on Ace Inhibitors who then follow a pattern of memory problems and depression. It's much more than depression. I bet if all those people who experience memory difficulties got and MRI, there brains would show shrinkage.

An allergist prescribed Singulair for my son when he was starting first grade for asthma/allergy prevention. The side affects were immediate. He became very explosive, angry, panicky and paranoid. Worst of all, he developed severe nightmares. We would be awakened at about 11:30 when he started yelling. He was terrified and could not fully awaken to come out of the nightmare. He dreamed he was being chased by meat-eating dinosaurs. It took a while for him to explain because his speech skills were delayed. About a week into this, I decided to take him off Singulair and was relieved to find the symptoms completely disappeared. I would not recommend this drug for children. Their brains are still developing. It would be like giving them meth!

Now that I have had mine removed and can think clearly again, I just realized that I had anxiety at work all year long and felt so overwhelmed with everything coming at me all the time, feeling like I had developed Adult ADD and scared I would lose my job because I couldn't keep up or kept screwing up little things with my foggy brain. WOW - it was this IUD messing up my body and my mind the whole time. Why won't doctors listen to us and hear our cry for help???

I have been on Cymbalta for about 6 months now and I have had to learn to live with at least 7 days a month of yeast infection symptoms. I know this is a side effect of Cymbalta, as I advocate against using medication whenever possible. I have only had this condition since starting this med, and over the counter creams and suppositories don't affect it or help at all.

Has anyone else had this? My doctor does not believe there is a link but I know this to be my truth.

My daughter is 5 years old and has been on Singulair for about 2 years now. I was at a loss concerning her behavior for the past 2 years. The anger, aggression, tics in her eyes and legs feeling tingling, unable to express herself, and truly not liking herself and thinking we don't like or love her. All this brought us to take her to therapy. And then all this information regarding side effects of Singulair come out. I brought this to her allergist and he like many others brushed it off. I think it is time the medical community looks very close at this drug concerning side effects with children. How many more parents have to come forward with all the same side effects for these educated doctors to realize there is a hugh psychological and neurological connection with this drug for some children. It has been two days now that my daughter stopped Singulair. Her nose is already starting to drip and her cough is back, but I would much rather deal with these side effects of allergies than watching her go though this mental anguish any longer. I have not seen any changes yet, but it had only been two days.

In 2006 at the age of 38 after 4 years on Yasmin I had a mini-stroke. I am writing a non-fiction memoir about my experience and am very interested in hearing from anyone who has had a bad experience with Yasmin (or indeed, any other hormonal contraceptive.) I invite you to have your story included in my book. I am particularly interested in incidences of blood clot and of course, stroke, plus any withdrawal symptoms experienced from the drug. Please email me at ****** including your full name, age, location, a brief gynecological history, and the main facts of your experience. Thanks!!

I went to an on-campus health center and was prescribed Biaxin for a sinus infection. I had never taken it before, but the doctor said that it was the best thing because I might be immune to other antibiotics. That made no sense to me, but I didn't really question it. I just wanted the infection cleared, so I ran to the pharmacy as soon as possible and got the medicine.

First day: Took Biaxin at 9 in the morning. In a hurry, I read the directions wrong and only took one pill. I did fine until 3 pm, when I read the directions and took another pill. I didn't notice any side effects, and nothing really happened. My boyfriend was complaining that I was being irritable though, which I hardly ever am, but I didn't really pay attention to him. I had some stomach pains, which really hurt, but I didn't mark them off as being caused by Biaxin.

Second day (yesterday): Took Biaxin at 9 am, 2 pills this time. I was unable to concentrate all day, but I thought it was probably just the congested head and stuffiness. I went to bed around 12, and could not fall asleep. I was having racing thoughts about stuff that wasn't even real... I felt like I was in another world, like I was a different person. I finally fell asleep around 1, but I kept waking up. I woke up at 3:30 am today, and that's when the real ridiculousness started. I seriously just started crying my eyes out for no reason at all. I am not at all an emotional person. I rarely cry, even when something typically cry-worthy happens. This spell went on for over an hour. I had no idea what was going on, so I looked up "Biaxin depression" on Google, and sure enough there are tons of cases of this happening. How is this drug still on the market?!?!

I was feeling totally out of it, but I had enough coherence to head to the emergency room. I was crying my brains out while walking across campus to my car. For some reason I called my boyfriend, thinking that was smart. I couldn't even talk to him because I was crying so much. He was really confused I'm sure. I got to the ER around 5 am. I couldn't even talk to the receptionist without crying. I don't think I was even understandable. She felt really bad for me though, and when I couldn't find my health insurance card, she said not to worry about it. I only had to pay a ten dollar copay. I was the only patient there, so I got in right away. The doctor was really surprised when I told him about the Biaxin/depression ordeal, so he randomly pulled out his iPhone and looked it up. Weird, but hey... whatever. So he started talking all of this medical stuff, and was really amazed when I knew the name of the bacteria that Biaxin was supposed to kill that I had (plus of looking things up online). He didn't really question anything, probably because I was sobbing randomly... He gave me a prescription for my Augmentin, so maybe that won't be as horrible as this awful Biaxin. Doctors need to know about these very serious side effects. I went to Walgreen's to get my prescription filled, but the system was down, and they couldn't do anything. So, of course I started crying again. I didn't lash out on anyone. I just started flowing randomly. I am still crying at strange intervals...

So, I hope this was long enough to get my point across. Anyone who is prescribed Biaxin, please be aware of the depression you may face, and the severe stomach aches. I have never had any reaction to an antibiotic before, and I have definitely taken my fair share of them. Nothing like this has ever happened. Please take with caution.

hair loss, memory loss, weight loss, confusion, hand shaking

Just got prescribed Bactrim today for a URI. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am very sensitive to ANY medications anyway. THANK GOD I had the brains enough to be cautious and only take a 1/2 of a tablet (I am the butt of many jokes in my family because I am almost medication-phobic due to side effects) but I just took a 1/2 a tablet and 11 hours after taking it, I have a swollen face, eyelids, etc., a bloodshot eye, nasal passages are swollen completely shut, have heart palpitations, and my urine is BROWN. Yes, BROWN. OMG I am not taking another pill, it should be removed from the market. You all know that SOME day, we'll be seeing some attorney commercial on TV asking for people that have been injured/death from side effects of this drug......unbelievable doctors are still prescribing this as I believe they've got to be getting complaints about it all the time. I had a friend that worked for a doctor and she told me that SOME doctors push certain drugs to their patients based on the good "perks" the drug reps give their office (lunches for staff, vacations for doctors, etc) shouldn't be that way but is for compensation for prescribing their drugs more than a competitors. Sad. Pray for me no long-term damage has been done.

Why the brain function is impaired due to Singulair????? Maybe.

Here is the last chapter in a theoretical reason why Singulair affects brain function thus causing anxiety, depression, agitation, aggression, ADD/ADHD, and in extreme situations maybe seizures. I presented the study of the Chinese researchers that show a direct link between the cysLT1 receptor and the astrocyte in the brain. We don't really know how the cysLT1 receptor interacts with receptors that control astrocytes under all circumstances. We just know that there is an important link.

So last night, I had a dream about astrocytes. I don't really have anything to do but sit on an island, look at the Caribbean and fish so mental stimulation is actually welcome.

The last part of the "chain reaction" is probably the astrocytes role in glyconeogenesis. In other words, when the brain does not get proper nutrition, it sends signals to the liver to do something about the problem. The liver in turn releases glycogen which is turned into glucose to be released into the blood stream. A very unhappy brain becomes a very relieved brain. Obviously, we can't be eating all day long to keep our blood sugar up so the liver has to store energy and release it at the correct time.

Here is a diagram of that. Astrocytes are the only cell that produce the proper chemicals for this process to happen.

http://www.nature.com/jcbfm/journal/v27/n2/fig_tab/9600343f5.html
FIGURE
Quote: All credit to the authors, of course.

Energy metabolism in astrocytes: high rate of oxidative metabolism and spatiotemporal dependence on glycolysis/glycogenolysis
Leif Hertz, Liang Peng and Gerald A Dienel

BACK TO ARTICLEFigure 5.
Next figure | Previous figure | Figure and tables index

Glucose utilization pathways that provide or consume ATP. (A) Schematic of key aspects of the glycolytic pathway of glucose utilization for energy metabolism and major branch points that can divert carbon for other uses, including NADPH generation, storage of glucosyl units in glycogen, neuromodulator, and amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis. The most important reactions for generation of energy are glycolysis (pyruvate/lactate formation from glucose), shown in light brown and occurring in all cell types, and glycogenolysis (pyruvate/lactate formation from glycogen), shown in light green, which occurs only in astrocytes, due to the astrocyte-specific expression of the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase, which releases a glucosyl unit from glycogen as G1P. The energetically most important biosynthetic reactions are synthesis of glycogen from glucose (glycogenesis) shown in brown and green and from pyruvate/lactate (gluconeogenesis) shown in pink, brown, and green. Gluconeogenesis is also astrocyte-specific, because only astrocytes express fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase, which generates F6P from fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate (F1, 6P) and PC, which generates oxaloacetate (OAA) from pyruvate. The latter reaction is followed by formation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) by decarboxylation of OAA; this sequence is necessary to form PEP from pyruvate, an energetically unfavorable reaction. Biosynthesis of serine/glycine (shown in olive) is also an astrocyte-specific process due to preferential expression of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Yamasaki et al., 2001). Both neurons and astrocytes form alanine and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), the latter in the pentose shunt pathway (upper left corner), linked to NADPH production needed for operation of glutathione peroxidase and oxidation of monoamine transmitters. The MAS, indicated by red, transfers malate formed in the cytosol from oxaloacetate during conversion of NADH to NAD+ into mitochondria. PDH-mediated formation of acetyl CoA, which is also shown in red, initiates oxidative degradation of pyruvate in the mitochondria. Red and blue text for ATP indicates energy production and utilization, respectively. (B) Major reactions and net ATP yields or net ATP consumption of major pathways derived from the glycolytic pathway are indicated in color-coded boxes that correspond to the color-coded pathways in panel A. For simplicity, the scheme indicates the energy yields (ATP) and NAD(P)H production or utilization based on metabolism of 1 glucose to form one ribulose-5-P, two lactate/pyruvate, or 2 serine; a similar representation illustrates the energy and cofactors required for gluconeogenic conversion of two moles of lactate into one free (G6P) or glycogen-bound glucosyl unit. Glc, glucose; P, phosphate; G6P, glucose-6-P; 6PG, 6-P-gluconate; R5P, ribulose-5-P; GSH, reduced form of glutathione; GSSG, oxidized form of glutathione; F6P, fructose-6-P; F1, 6-P, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate; GAP, glyceraldehyde-3-P; DHAP, dihydroxyacetone-P; 3PG, 3-P-glycerate; 2PG, 2-P-glycerate; PEP, phosphoenolpyruvate; Pyr, pyruvate; Lac, lactate; Ala, alanine; OAA, oxaloacetate; 3P-HyPyr, 3-P-hydoxypyruvate; Glu, glutamate; KG, -ketoglutarate; 3P-L-Ser, 3P-L-serine; L-ser, L-serine; D-ser, D-serine; Gly, glycine; C1, one carbon fragment used for methyl donor reactions.

This is quite interesting because should the connection between the cysLT1 receptor and astrocyte be established and explained, it shows that there is a very direct link between the immune system and metabolism. That should be intuitive because when we get seriously sick, then we are laying in bed and the body should try to conserve energy so that we don't just waste away.

So what happens if we cause changes in the cysLT1 receptor to cause the astrocytes to believe that we are sick, the normal connection between the brain and glyconeogenesis then doesn't exist. We would have to be causing some kind of periods of extreme stress on the brain because we are out moving around and doing not home sick in bed.

Maybe we should award the Chinese researchers the nobel prize? Maybe they established the connection between the immune system and metabolism? Is there also a link between the immune system of some individuals and depression? Some how, this makes perfect sense. So we have to find out and help as many people as we can.

I think that it is time to call the lawyer-biochemists to find out if this can be proven to be true and if Merck knew or not.

One of the most important questions we should be asking as parents is:

How does Singulair - a leukotriene receptor antagonist (blocks the receptors) affect the normal function of the mast cell?

The mast cell is the FRONT LINE DEFENSE against invading micro-organisms. When Singulair was invented, there was limited knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which the mast cell performed it's function. In my opinion, the focus was very narrow - those interested zeroed in on how the leukotriene receptor performed a role in the cause of asthma attacks and how ashma attacks could be prevented. Well, that's good preventing asthma attacks. But what happens to the mast cell if that receptor is blocked on a long term basis. I am not suggesting that blocking the receptor is bad but what if the long term effect is different than what we are are lead to believe-which is this is a safe medication with no known long term effects. What if the leukotriene receptor was just blocked short term a week or two to allow the body to clean up the mess from the last attack?

I seriously question what is going on with all of these infections. Are they related to crippling the mast cell? Parents should be allowed to question. If Merck doesn't want to answer questions regarding what happens to the mast cell (including are the numbers of mast cell decreased on Singulair), then something really BIG is missing. If by any chance (unknown at the moment) that the mast cell is significantly changed and therapy by montelukast is proper on a short but not long term basis, so freakin' what if Singulair is not a huge money maker any more.

Parents deserve every answer possible when decisions regarding their child's growth and development is on the line. I hope that we get some answers.

Of course, what was there in 2002 were new questions-not necessarily answers about the mast cell. Did anybody apply this to Singulair studies?
May 2002

From Journal of Clinical Investigation

Pattern recognition receptors on mast cells
The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) fit the definition of pattern-recognition molecules, which were originally postulated to allow the innate immune system to detect the 'molecular signatures' of various infectious agents. Although the innate immune system has no memory, it shows a degree of specificity, in part because the various TLRs recognize different sets of pathogen-associated molecules. Dermal mast cells are usually associated, not with the innate immune system, but with atopic dermatitis, but Supajatura et al. have found that these cells also express TLRs. They report here that TLR4, which binds the gram-negative product lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and TLR2, which binds peptidoglycan (PGN) from gram-positive organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, induce distinct mast cell responses. Staphylococcus is known to exacerbate allergic dermatitis, but it has generally been thought to act by inducing antibacterial IgE's, which trigger mast cell degranulation by stimulating the IgE receptor. Interestingly, the authors show that the interaction between PGN and TLR2 can provoke mast cell degranulation directly, sidestepping the need for IgE receptor engagement.

I was just asked by Dr. ???, if these European reports lead to change in product information in these countries. I did post that I thought that we should try to find that out. I don't have access to that information. But I do see that the Netherlands did require that depression be added to the product information. It doesn't say the date but Merck agreed.

Artie wanted to tell us about the blood brain barrier. Where are you Artie?

The report says:

In three of the cases a positive dechallenge was seen.The fact that the patients (except for one) did not suffer from depressive symptoms before they started montelukast, the short latency, and recovery after withdrawal of the drug all strengthen our hypothesis that depressive symptoms are an ADR related to the use of montelukast. According to the Marketing Authorisation Holder of montelukast, depression will be added to the product information.

Mechanism: The mechanism of montelukast-induced depressive symptoms is unknown. However, montelukast has earlier been associated with adverse drug reactions such as abnormal dreaming, nightmares, hallucinations, agitation with aggressive behavior, irritability and restlessness, which suggests that montelukast can penetrate the blood brain barrier and exert an effect in the brain .

From the Netherlands 2006.

This is the html version of the file http://www.lareb.nl/documents/kwb_2006_4_montel.pdf.

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Nederlands Bijwerkingen Centrum LarebMei 2007Montelukast and depressive symptomsIntroductionMontelukast (Singulair®)is a leukotriene receptor antagonist available on the Dutchmarket since 1998. It is indicated for the treatment ofasthma as combination therapy forpatients with light to moderate forms of chronic asthma which cannot be adequately controlledby inhalation corticosteroids and short-acting ß-agonists. For asthma patients for whommontelukast is indicated as asthma treatment it can also relieve symptoms of seasonal allergicrhinitis. Montelukast is also indicated in asthma prevention, if exercise-inducedbronchoconstriction is the main factor

Reports On September 20, 2006 the database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb contained four reports of depressive reactions associated with theuse of montelukast.Patient A is a female aged 55 who used montelukast 10 mg once daily for asthma associated with COPD. Concomitant medication included ipratropiumbromideinhalation, salmeterol inhalation, fluticasone inhalation, acetylcysteine, budesonide nose spray and desloratadine. Two weeks after montelukast therapy was initiated the patient experienced nightmares, a depressive symptoms, fatigue and increased dyspnoea. When montelukast was withdrawn, the first three symptoms resolved. It is not known if the dyspnoea resolved. The reporting pneumonologist stated that the increased dyspnoea also could be a sign of progressing COPD. Patient B, reported by a pneumonologist, is a female aged 39 who used montelukast 10 mg once daily for asthma. Concomitant medication included salmeterol/fluticasone inhalation, mebeverine and psyllium seed. One week afterstarting montelukast treatment the patient experienced chest discomfort, malaise,depressive symptoms and dizziness. Montelukast was withdrawn, patient outcomeis unknown. Patient C, reported by a pharmacist, is a male aged 46 who used montelukast 10mg once daily for asthma. Concomitant medication included omeprazole,salbutamol inhalation and budesonide/formoterol inhalation. Six days after starting montelukast treatment the patient got in a depressed state. The patient continued to use montelukast for four weeks but the depression did not resolve. When montelukast was withdrawn, the patient recovered. Patient D, reported by a pharmacist, is a female aged 59 who used montelukast 10mg once daily for mild to moderate asthma. Concomitant medication included mometasone nose spray, salmeterol/fluticason inhalation, oxazepam and paroxetine. Three days after starting treatment with montelukast the patient experienced insomnia and aggravation of her depression. When montelukast was withdrawn the symptoms resolved.

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Nederlands Bijwerkingen Centrum LarebMei 2007 Other sources of information drugs are known to cause depressive symptoms. However montelukasthas not been associated with depressive symptoms earlier . A Medline searchbased on the MeSH terms montelukast, leukotriens, depressive disorder and mood disorders did not yield any relevant publication. DatabasesOn September 20, 2006 the database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb contained four reports of depression associated with the use ofmontelukast (ROR 2.1 95% CI 0.8 - 5.7). The same day the database of the WHO contained 3466 reports on montelukast, 43 of these concerned depression (ROR1.2 95% CI 0.9 – 1.6)MechanismThe mechanism of montelukast-induced depressive symptoms is unknown.However montelukast has earlier been associated with adverse drug reactions such as abnormal dreaming, nightmares, hallucinations, agitation with aggressive behavior, irritability and restlessness, which suggests that montelukast can penetrate the blood brain barrier and exert an effect in the brain .Discussion and conclusionLareb received four reports of depressive symptoms in patients using montelukast.Possible confounding includes that asthma itself has been associated with the development of depression . Inhalated corticosteroids can also exert effects onthe central nervous system. Fluticason in combination with salmeterol which isused by patients A, B and D, is associated with hyperactivity and irritability where as budesonide, which is used by patient C also has been associated with depression . The latency of montelukast-induced depressive symptoms variesfrom 3-14 days. In three of the cases a positive dechallenge was seen.The fact that the patients (except for one) did not suffer from depressive symptomsbefore they started montelukast, the short latency, and recovery after withdrawal ofthe drug all strengthen our hypothesis that depressive symptoms are an ADRrelated to the use of montelukast. According to the Marketing Authorisation Holderof montelukast, depression will be added to the product information.

My son is 21 month old and he's been taking singulair for two months now, and I can notice that after he started taking it he is having nightmares. Every night he starts crying while sleeping without any reason. So I am wondering could it be possible that these happens because of singulair just in 2 months or there is something else. Doctor told us to continue giving singulair for 6 months, Shall I stop giving it or not?

I just got a very condescending private message from a doctor on this site who said that while my articles from Europe are very helpful that I don't know what I am talking about and that I could mislead the public. Then I see how many parents and patients got a condescending attitude from their own doctors.

Well the public has been mislead but it is not my fault. I don't see any experts in this field stepping up to the plate to acknowledge that these side effects exist, have been reported by authorities in other countries, and that these experts are interested in learning why they are happening. This is an extremely widely prescribed medication that involves the lives of millions.

Merck's research director was quoted as saying that they know of no mechanisms by which these side effects could be related to psychiatric adverse drug reactions. That was a flat out LIE. So what if I quoted you a research article from China that was very complicated and yes, could possibly be misinterpreted by somebody? I just needed to give you an example. The only expert so far that had the guts to give you a truthful statement was Dr. J. Douglas Bremner. Thankfully, he corrected a misunderstanding about saying that it was "unclear."

I hope that we will all hang in there and something will be said by somebody, anybody on this site that will make the FDA listen and investigate Singulair (montelukast) all the way back to the very original studies done in test tubes not on people. And, then take a new look at it from the standpoint of what we now know about human genetics. I guess I will keep repeating myself about one size does not fit all.

I would also PRAY that all clinical studies on Singulair (montelukast) would be suspended until the FDA decides why these side effects occur. And that they would issue a statement to doctors to make conservative decisions regarding treatment with Singulair until the results of the investigation have been reported.

I hope that nobody thinks that I am trying to mislead anyone. The answers are either unknown or being hidden by Merck. How would I know the answers? I don't work for Merck. How many other people are out there trying to translate articles in foreign languages to see what's going on? American doctors are calling Merck and being assured that there is nothing to these claims.

I wonder how many experts there are that just don't want to be another Jeffrey Wigand or don't know what is wrong?

I know that I am ranting but somebody should do it.

My daughter, now 7 years old, took Singulair (4mg crystals) every evening from 12/29/2004-4/3/2008 (with 5 days off in 2/2008 ONLY). She developed significant mood disturbance/mood swings, sleep disturbance/frightening dreams and anxiety/unexplainable fears during this time, which we have now attributed to the drug, Singulair - the ONLY MEDICATION SHE WAS TAKING besides occasional antihistamines (which caused no problem). The drug Singulair clearly caused significant psychiatric symptoms in my daughter which are strikingly similar to symptoms now being attributed to the drug by MANY parents across the country. I suspected Singulair of negatively affecting my daughter and talked to her allergist about taking her off it in 2/2008 (before any news broke about links between Singulair and suicidal thoughts/behavior). The effects of Singulair on the brains of children are NOT UNDERSTOOD and/or NOT reported. I believe that this is a dangerous drug. It has been very difficult to connect the use of this asthma/allergy drug to behavior/mood issues in young children for two reasons. First, improperly trained physicians confuse drug "side effects" with normal child development (a "phase") or psychiatric illness. Second, Singulair has been heavily marketed as "SAFE" (to the medical community and directly to patients and their parents) and therefore has not been suspected when these serious psychiatric disturbances are reported to doctors. Pediatricians and allergists have said for years, "It couldn't be the Singulair" because that is the impression SOLD to them by Merck.

I think that I can get my head around certain things and try to explain to you that medications do not work for all people or affect all people the same way. Well, that sounds simple enough to say - DUH. But, it is actually quite complicated chemically. Human beings are not chemically the same because we have variations in our genes. Would you be surprised to learn that about 60% of adverse drug reactions involve certain chemicals (in some cases enzymes) that we already know what these chemicals or enzymes are and what the variants are among populations groups? Some times we can predict who would have an adverse reaction to what medications if we knew what gene subgroup the patient was part of. We could also predict whether the patient would metabolize a drug at the same speed as others or not. Metabolize means utilize the drug and then discard the by-products--mostly the liver is the recycling center of chemical waste. Anything that the liver cannot re-use, the kidneys gets rid of in the urine. Speed of metabolism is a very important thing because people who are slow metabolizers might actually experience over-dose. There are other differences caused by genes that can cause different reactions according to the individual person.

I am interesting in following this site because I am wondering if the concept is flawed meaning that other parts of the body were ignored at the expense of controlling asthma and allergies of the nasal passages and lungs. OR - is there just a problem that relates to genetic differences in something such as enzymes and certain populations groups do just fine on Singulair with no problems and other people have some awful problems?

This isn't my area. But, sadly, if I can spend two weeks looking at this and come up with at least a road map of what I am looking for to answer some important questions then people who do this for Merck already know the answers. Why do I say that? Because, the adverse side effects (major categories) correspond to important areas of leukotriene receptor location and activity. Maybe not necessarily this receptor but part of a chemical process that involves this receptor.

The bottom line is that Singulair is the wrong medication for anyone that has adverse reactions. OR, there is a problem regarding the dosage that involves how fast the patient metabolizes the medication. Considering that there is a link to psychiatric adverse drugs reactions in Singulair and some medications for depression are linked to differences in metabolism due to enzymes, then there could be possibly something important to be learned from Singulair adverse drug reactions.

The biggest problem is that pharmaceutical companies are not properly communicating with the doctors who prescribe their medications. Why not communicate to doctors to look out for side effects and be aware that there are gene variations among people that are directly linked to how the patient might respond to the medication?

What happens if the patient belongs to the gene group that will have problems? If the pharm company does not tell the doctor to be on the alert, then the doctor tells the patient that it is not the drug that is causing the problem. Then the gene groups with the problems, go on the war path.

Update: Our son has been off of singulair since the 28th of March.....he had experienced most of complaints and ailments that affect other children. Since then, he is still tough to get to sleep - probably a 3 year old thing - but is better that before. He is also sleeping much more soundly and waking on the right side of the bed. He is still complaining of the leg cramps and sometimes still limping around for a while, and also complaining of stomach aches... I suspect those too should disappear after some time, however, he is no longer complaining that the lights and sun hurt his eyes. It is as though a major fog has been lifted - he is listening to us more the first time we speak rather than having to fight over things such as cleaning, or behaving. He is not as physical with us or his brother as before. And, the most important thing....he seems truly HAPPY - he has been napping all week at day care, and is proud of his accomplishment! He is focused in Karate class - listens to his Sir - engages in the activity with the other children - is more vocal and energetic....and once again PROUD! His Karate teacher - Sir - noticed an immediate difference in our beloved son - he was so surprised that Singulair is to blame - he said that our son is a complete different child without a trace of the drugged, insecure, and quiet boy he knew a week ago.
This Saturday our little boy will be testing for his yellow belt and he is so excited that he can hardly contain his HAPPINESS!!!!!

One last thought though.....I am extremely worried of any lasting mental or physical implications this drug could have on him - what does the future hold for our son - could this drugs nasty side effects cause some crazy long term side effect we have yet to see???

I kind of think CNN and the FDA are intellegent enough to figure out that they should NOT get information off this website. What makes everyone think all these posts are real? First you have to weed out the pranksters who post here for fun, then you have to weed out the competitors to Merck who post here to bust chops, and then you have to weed out the ones who really have a psychiatric condition and get their jollies by posting made up stories.....shall I go on? This is the INTERNET people!!! Anyone with one, two or ten verifyable emails can sign up (I have 11 email addresses myself). I have been intrigued to see the same people posting under multiple user names. Then you go to the other boards and see them there. If you really study these messages you can figure them out. So my point is, NOT ALL THESES STORIES ARE REAL. I think I would be generous in saying 25% of these posts are legit. I would hope that no government agency or news agency is going to risk their reputation on a public forum message board.

I like to live my life with facts, not speculation and drama. My child is on Singulair and doing fantastic. I remember the trips to the ER when I did not know if my child would live or die. Of course when I saw this report, it caused me some concern so I did some research on my own. Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of violent death in New York State, the United States and the world? In 2002 in New York State there were 1,292 suicides which exceeded homicides by 32%. The statistics show that 1 in 10 teenagers plans to commit suicide. The National Center for Health reports a 10% suicide rate in kids 15-24 years of age and 4 male suicides for every female suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old.

So now we have 1 child in New York that has committed suicide that just happened to be on Singulair, and it is Singulairs fault? Show me the proof. All I see is one distraught mom who is trying to find blame for her son’s tragic death. Is there only half the story being told, a trend I have noticed in journalism these days. Let’s face it, life happens. I am NOT on Singulair and I have had melt downs, thrown things across the room, been depressed over things, cried, and even for the past week have been having some crazy dreams. I remember as a child putting notes on my room door telling my parents how much I hated them. I remember as a teenager thinking my life would be better if I were dead. I remember my child being cranky and fussy before she was on Singulair, gee maybe she was teething. The term “terrible twos” has been around a lot longer that Singulair. Let’s face it, we have turned into a society of people who always want something to blame. I think it is time people start taking responsibility for themselves and accept the fact that sometimes life just happens. Take accountability for your own lives, and stop trying to blame everything and anything.

I also live my life by reading internet blogs with a grain of salt. These blogs are public forums and places where anyone and everyone can post. How do you know that all these posts are real? Remember the day when kids made prank phone calls for fun? Now they have the internet and can post pranks on these blogs. How do you know that a competitor to Singulair is not posting in order to fuel the feeding frenzy? How about a registered sex offender or a felon in prison? There are a lot of “sick” people in the world and yes, they have access to the internet too. If you are hanging on every single one of these posts as being true and real then I feel sorry for you. The internet provides anonymity and it is easy to create a fictitious identity and a fictitious story. That is probably why if you do a search for “internet safety” you get 15,700,000 hits.

Until I see proof, I am not going to take my child off Singulair. The CDC reports that in 2002 there were 1.9 million visits to the ER for asthma and 4,261 asthma deaths. If I did stop my child’s Singulair, and she died in the ER from as asthma attack, whose head does that fall on? The media?

I am a 55 year old male. I have been on 40mg of Lipitor for 2 years after having a stent put into my heart. About 6 years ago I was on 20mg ov Lescol for a year but I stopped taking it because my knees became very weak and I could not walk up stairs without holding on. I am now experiencing severe lower back pain down into my left buttock, leg muscle and knee weakness, and I also have mild depression or a lack of motivation may be a better term. I am going to stop taking the statins and see if I have any improvement. Several years ago, when I stopped taking Lescol, my knee weakness and pain did not improve. Through research on the internet I discovered that some symptoms do not improve by stopping the medication. My goal now is to ensure it does not get any worse.

Asmanex works great for me before the doctor put me on Asmanex and Singulair i was having attacks left and right which sent me to the hospital them ambulance rides are costly its been over two years now since i made a trip to da hospital thanks to this medication.if theres any side effects they must be to mild to notice.