Case study symptoms and conditions

I LOVE MY IUD. For those of you thinking about an IUD, I wanted to post a positive case study. I am sure there are more, but those people don't bother posting. Before I got my IUD, I did extensive research, not just internet or industrial propaganda, but peer reviewed medical journal articles. I decided on the IUD because of efficacy and minimal hormones. The IUD releases a steady amount of progestin that equates to about 20% that of the mini-pill (what breast feeding women take). Even less than 10% of a low dose pill.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted 7 months ago after being on the pill for way too long. I had random cramps for a few months on and off, and had to readjust to being on my OWN cycle vs. the pill. I do get PMS every month, but I attribute that to my own body's cycle, not the IUD. I have not gained a single pound, am on a normal cycle, have minimal bleeding during my period and no spotting in between cycles. My partner and I are thrilled to have this option. Only you know your body, decide for yourself.

Alright. After observing my daughter for two full weeks after discontinuing Singulair, I have decided to share our story.

Our daughter started taking Singulair last August (2007) to relieve her allergy symptoms. I'd like to add she is an identical twin, whose sister did not need to take the medication, for she had mild allergy symptoms that were easily relieved by taking Allegra. So we clearly have a side-by-side case study where one twin took the Singulair and the other did not. About two weeks later we noticed changes in her behavior and thought it was due to the new school routine and changes, etc. Then she started not eating, and when she did eat, she ate very little. Both girls are in a select soccer league are physically active 4-5 times a week.

Long story short - she stopped eating, lost weight, stopped growing and is now 2.5 inches shorter and 15 lbs. lighter than her identical twin. They are fifth graders, I might add, so 15 lbs is ALOT of weight at their age. She was withdrawn, known to have deep depressive episodes, reacted adversely to everything and, in general, wasn't acting herself since last August. She was not enjoying life at all.

She is usually a quick-witted child, one with a sunny disposition and who interacts with others very well. She is joy packaged in a colorful bottle, ready to share her thoughts with you.

We took her to her pediatrician, a nutritionist, a psychologist and all said she was clearly depressed and that is what led to her changes in eating. No kidding, I thought. But why? What has happened that could have changed her so drastically?

I had never felt so far away from my child as I had with her during this time period. We are a close family and we pride ourselves on being able to freely express how we feel.

My dear mother-in-law saw that the FDA was probing the side-effects of Singulair with children and she mentioned it to me, because she knew that is what my daughter was taking was taking. I never thought about the connection, because I take Singulair. I will add I also take an antidepressant and have made an appointment with my doctor to discuss all of this.

After talking with our pharmacist and getting an exact date as to when she started taking it, I called her pediatrician and discussed it with him. We had not been to him since October, because we took her to everyone else (psychologist, etc), so he had not known exactly what was going on with her mental health. He did, however write in his notes (and told me when I called), "Discontinue Singulair if symptoms persist." Hmmmm. Exactly why I wasn't told this from the beginning, I don't know and am very bothered knowing he wrote that on her chart.

Well, after taking her off it two weeks ago she is now back to her happy, connecting and eating self. People (her father, twin, and I included) noticed a change in three days from stopping use of Singulair.

She has changed IMMENSELY since getting off the Singulair that it has been easy to pinpoint her taking that medication as the reason she has been absolutely miserable for the past SEVEN MONTHS. I thank God it wasn't longer and that she didn't suffer any longer than she already did, but it was a true hell to watch her go through what she did and to watch her decline and to not know (professionals included) what to do. Words diminish how we felt and how we feel now after having her back.

So there you have a side-by-side comparison. One identical twin thrived while NOT taking Singulair and the twin who did take it suffered terribly, physically and mentally, while she was taking it.

The allergy relief she experienced was clearly not worth the internal suffering she endured while taking Singulair. I wish we could turn back time and give her those seven months back.

After taking it for 6 days, Omeprazole caused me to suffer arthralgia. That translates to joint pain (knees, elbows, wrists, shoulders, neck, back), swelling (hands and feet), stiffness (all over), weakness (especially in the hands), and fatigue. I am having problems driving because it hurts to hold the steering wheel and exert enough pressure to turn the wheel, and overall I can barely move. I found a case study on the net that examined five other people who also got arthralgia, and the symptoms went away 10-18 days after stopping the drug. This is only my first day off Omeprazole, so I hope things will clear up for me quickly.