Choices symptoms and conditions

I had Mirena in for two months - and it was hell. I had a non-stop period PMS cocktail, cramps, crazy mood swings, depression, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, etc. My doctor talked me into keeping it in for awhile. I wanted it out after the first week and instead of listening to me she just gave me a prescription for anti-depressants and told me that any side effects from the Mirena would go away eventually. After a few more weeks of torture I stopped listening to her and listened to my body. I've had the Mirena out since Tuesday (08/26/08) and I'm more depressed than I've ever been in my entire life. I don't know if the Mirena crash can happen since I had it in for only 2 months - but I wouldn't doubt it considering how strongly it affected me while I had it in. I had a baby in May and I think the Mirena messed with hormone levels that were already fluctuating post partum anyway. I'm hoping to achieve homeostasis before I go messing with my body anymore. I wonder if it would've been a better option to have had it put in much MUCH later after delivering a baby. Every woman is different and makes her own choices about which birth control works for her, but Mirena was hell for me and that's what I will be telling every woman I know.

I am so glad that I found this site. I have been crying to the point of hyperventilation off and on for about 6wks. I have had some relationship issues that are difficult but my reactions are 10x stronger than they should be and I just haven't been able to "pull out of it" I keep asking myself, "Why am I so upset" My emotions are so out of control. I will be calling the doctor in the morning. Oh Thank Goodness, I was really starting to worry about myself and I especially don't want to make bad choices because I am so upset. Whew!!

I've been on the NuvaRing for 4yrs on and off. I NEVER gained any weight from it, I do get moody but then again whenever your taking B/C expect that, your messing with your hormones! My sex drive is the same I still want it every night, but I can also say it's better actually because when I do have sex and if he does hit the Ring that's a plus to me..Maybe that's just me. I tried Depo I didn't gain any weight from it, my sex drive was the same but I did get my period for a full month sometimes..wasn't too happy about that...and then I got pregnant...I have a Depo baby!!! Next I used the patch I had many problems with the patch it would dry me out down in my happy place...my doctor (who is not my doctor anymore) gave me another patch to increase my juices lol ...I had to have a patch for my patch... next was the NuvaRing I never had a problem till this last ring I put in I got this yeast infection. I haven't changed my diet or soap that I wash with so I think maybe I got a defective NuvaRing this time(this is what I'm telling myself).. I decided to take it out clear up my infection and then put another one in and go from there...but I do like the Ring. Depo gave me my daughter, the patch was a hassle, the pill I can't remember to take that darn thing everyday, and to me next in line is the NuvaRing and so far It's been good too me except this last one I put in..if it's the Ring I'm just gonna really cry...And ladies we have to remember EVERYBODY'S BODY IS DIFFERENT!! You have to do your own studies and make your own choices. With most of your b/c contraceptives your going to gain weight I've haven't gain anything from the Pill-Depo-Patch- to the NuvaRing. It's always 99.9 percent effective. That .1 is my daughter so..some people get every single side effect in the book some people like me don't.. make your own mind up!

69 year old beautiful grandmother, Yes, I stopped taking ADVAIR... After taking advair for two years, I just put a stop to the weight gain, emotion mood swings, headaches, poor circulation in my legs and arms companied by pain. Now my Doctor has me going through test to re- evaluate my condition... I am keeping it real and listening to my body as I questioning my Doctor..
Lady D

I got the Mirena about 7 or 8 months ago. My Dr had a really hard time with insertion the point of having to dispose of the first Mirena. She asked me if anyone had ever told me my uterus was tilted back and to the left. Ummm no. Periods every two weeks, with major sharp, burning pain on my left side at waist level. When I feel the pain, the bleeding follows shortly. My husband says I am moodier than normal and has been telling me I should get it removed. Anyone got a ballpark figure on getting ones tubes tied? I took birth control pills for 20 years and then found out I have a blood clotting disorder and can't take them anymore. I do not want to be 40 and pregnant, but I feel like my choices are dwindling to nothing. I have always had headaches so I wouldn't notice that, but the moods are worse and I am snappy at people. I think I will call tomorrow and make an appt to have this taken out.......

I was prescribed generic Macrobida for UTI and developed pain in my legs and hips within a couple of days of starting it, then headache and feeling lousy, next severe constipation, then anxiety and sleeplessness (I was unable to sleep all night one night). The constipation, anxiety and sleeplessness were so severe and so unusual for me that I decided to look online to see if they might be related to the antibiotic since I hadn't changed anything else lately and found that other people have had the same problems and realized that the body aches, general malaise, and headache was probably related as well. My choices of antibiotic therapy are limited due to allergies and bacterial resistance issues so I will try to tough it out but wanted other people to be aware of some of the problems this medication has caused me.

I was on Orthocept pills for 10 years with no problems. Short, light periods, no PMS. I can have a temper, but it was when I was younger and in the middle of a fight. That being said...I gave birth to twin daughters in November 2005. 9 months later, I stopped breastfeeding and had to go back on birth control. My old pill didn't work and neither did 3 others (included Yaz). I bled almost the entire month. I was crabby and irritable, but mostly frustrated. It was a horrible 1 1/2 years. 6 months ago I was put on Nuvaring because it should produce no side effects for the most part. Besides heavy discharge (which I could live with if I wasn't bleeding all month), I had heavier periods. I also noticed I was starting to get some nasty PMS, which I've NEVER had in my entire life. I was moody and irritable and cried even more easily than normal. Lately, I've been lashing out at my sweet girls and yelling at them. At first I thought it was because they are going through the difficult "2's" and mealtime is a struggle. I thought, they are more challenging so my patience is worn a little thinner. My husband has a different story. We've both noticed nasty mood swings and it's gotten to the point in the past month that I feel bi-polar. I really feel out of control. My doc said to go off it for a few months to see how I am. This is my "period" week and all of a sudden I've had a little period. I haven't been able to get my hormones under control since giving birth and it's frustrating. My husband wants his wife back and I don't want my girls to remember me yelling and crying for no reason. THAT'S enough to make anyone depressed on their own. I'm not sure what we are going to do for birth control at this point (condoms I guess...which is no fun when you are used to not using them). I will see what happens. I hope it's not the Nuvaring, but after seeing these posts, I feel a little better knowing I may be able to get rid of some of my craziness over the next few months as my body goes back to "normal". Good luck to the rest of you as well. I love being a woman, but boy, we get the short end of the stick sometimes!

Hi all,
This is my third posting. I've been off of Yaz for two weeks and wanted to let you all know that I'm feeling pretty great. Headaches are gone, dizziness has mostly dissipated, mood is fantastic. Anxiety has diminished, heart palpitations are gone, and sex drive is back to where it should be. I'm having some joint aches and pains but it's hard to say if that's from the pill or just general wear and tear from working out. But I'm very optimistic! Best of luck to you all. My advice is if this pill works for you, great, stay on it. But if it's making you miserable, you have choices, and you should go off and try something new. Like my doctor said, there are tons of birth control pills out there, and you just want to find one that works for you and makes you happy. And if your doctor isn't telling you this, find a new doctor!
Good luck! I'm going back to orthocyclen next cycle.

I started taking Topamax 3 weeks ago, 25mg for the first week then up to 75mg starting week 2. I am also on Effexor,150mg 1 per day.. I feel good and have had a loss of appetite. My thinking is a little fogged and I must concentrate a bit harder. I started taking this as a pain medication and it works. I am also overweight and know for a fact I've lost. I find myself eating better choices and much smaller portions. My moods are good and I like this medication. Thanks for letting me share ! (:

Laurie

I am a 31 year old mother of 3 boys. I had my Mirena inserted in June 2006 at my Dr's suggestion to trying a "worry free" birthcontrol. I had it inserted while on my cycle & it hurt pretty bad. I almost passed out & it took the Dr almost 30 mins to do the procedure because I wasn't dilating. I cramped for a couple days afterwards and then that was it............the beginning of the worst decision I ever made for my body! Since I've had my Mirena in, I've been back to the OB/GYN 4 times with pain & complications. I also have not had a period or any bleeding at all since insertation. About 1 month post insertation I had to go to the ER because I developed a Cyst on my Ovary that had ruptured. A pain VERY simular to labor! I visited the GYN Dr again at about 6 months after insertation to make sure it was in place & because of pain and back aches/cramps & I had developed more cysts on my ovaries. The Dr said that 20% of women who have the Mirena develop these Cysts. Shortly after that visit another one ruptured. At 9 months after insertation, I began experiencing pain with intercourse, still was cramping, having headaches and I went back to the Dr. The Doc said everything "looked" fine. But I was NOT fine......I had started gaining weight slowly about 2 months after insertation & have not STOPPED! My GYN Dr keeps saying that it's all in my head & can't find cause to my issues,his Diagnosis... Pelvic pain & Over Eating.

Today, I have had my Mirena in for almost 2 years and here's what I have been experiencing:

ME----------------------------------------------
Weight Gain---60lbs to date
Daily back aches---Constantly taking Ibuprofen & Tylenol
Depression---Family Dr gave me Prozac last month
Anxiety---Family Dr gave me Xanax last month too.
"Feel Like I losing my Mind" feeling
Ovarian Cysts---was given Naproxen by OB Dr
Enlarged Breasts--went from a C cup to a DD cup (1st side effect I noticed)
Acne---developed on my back
Headaches---Lots of them!
Night Sweats/Excessive Sweating
Hot Flashes
Mood Swings---(Bad!)
Dizziness

HUSBAND-------------------------------------
Says "That D*mn thing is Sticking me" & he's always "sore"

Due to Insurance issues I was not able to have it removed. My employer at that time did not cover BC. My family DR has been my Best Friend lately and Tells me to have it removed. He feels that it is what is causing all my problems and that suggestion was also recommended by the ER DR. I saw last month with my Anxiety attack.

I recently became eligable for Ins through my new employer & call my Dr yesterday to have it removed and to go back on the pill. I made my Appt for April 22nd.

BUT.......................................they called me today & told me that before I can have it removed I have to come in for a "Consultation" with my OB/GYN DR and explain to him WHY I want to have it removed, so we can "TALK". ARE YOU SERIOUS??? I explained why, all that I've been through, the weight gain, the past visits to them should be reason enough. I was told that I'm the "ONLY" patient who has had/mentioned these problems and if my Family Doc had any test or any records that support why I should have it removed I should bring it with me. I'M SHOCKED at their answers and you better believe My hubby & I are going to that "TALK with the Doc" next Wednesday! I Will have it removed on the 22nd!

I've done alot of research on my Mirena lately & I wanted to tell my story about my "Mirena Struggle". I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has experienced these side effects and that I wasn't really losing my mind. I hope that after removal, I can get my life back and my health back in order. I wish you all the best in your decisions and I will keep you posted on my "recovery".

My daughter is 5 years old and has been on Singulair for the past 2 1/2 years for severe asthma. THANKFULLY, she has never experienced any of the side effects that your children or any of you have listed. She has never had any problems with it and we learned last year that it is something that she needs in order to keep her asthma under control. Last September, we decided to take her off the Singulair since she had not had an asthma flair up in almost a year and she was hospitalized 1 week later for a severe asthma attack. The reason why I am sharing this information is to let people know that these side effects do not happen to all of the patients that take this medicine BUT I DO AGREE THAT INFORMATION ON THESE DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS NEEDS TO BE SHARED WITH THE POPULATION THAT TAKES THIS MEDICATION! I want to thank everyone for sharing their stories of their experiences with this drug. I appreciate the information that I would probably never hear from a doctor or drug company, even though it is the most ETHICAL thing to do, especially when it has such a negative effect in children! Now I know what could possibly happen in my child and I will be more attentive and I know what to look for. I will be making an appointment with her doctor to see if there are other choices of medications that could keep her asthma under control and has less psychological side effects.

My son has been on Singulair for asthma for a year and we have seen his behavior get worse and worse. He has gone from a happy, well mannered, polite, sweet little boy to a child who has violent outbursts, is volatile, unpredictable with other children and is fearful of everything! We have talked and talked to his MD, we have been told to redirect him, give him more control by giving him more choices, engage him in more activities, less activities, and on and on. NOTHING has worked and we feel SO STUPID! We never thought to look at his medications. I saw his MD as a child and still see him now (he is a family MD) and he has seen my son since the day he was born, we trusted him with his medications. We have stopped his medication and are hoping everything will return to the little boy we knew his first 3 years of life.

* * DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICATION TO YOUR CHILD! * *

The FDA needs to recall this medication! It breaks our hearts to think about how much heartache my son has been through when it was possibly a medication that caused such a drastic, dramatic and complete change in his behavior. We read this tonight after hearing the suicidal thought warning for adults and it was reading our life. We hope he gets better over the next few weeks. How can this happen???????

HI my name is Jennifer, I am 27 years old, I went for my annual check-up on January 9 and I was telling my doctor that I was having headaches and feeling nausea a week before my periods and so she changed me to Loestrin 24 which I hate and yesterday was my last pill Thank God, and so now they switched me to Yaz which I start on Sunday and I am so scared of taking it because I have read so many things about women having horrible side effects such as blood clots in the lungs, acne, weight gain, vision loss and other side effects, I have gotten to the point that I want to call my doc again and get back on ortho tri cyclen but I have not even started Yaz I do not want to seem crazy! Can someone help me cause I am already freaking out and I have not started taking them yet please help!
Jennifer

I was given 20 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for a rash and joint pain.
The pain went away and I felt great the rash got a little better. Two days ago I took my last pill. I woke up that night and my knees gave out. By morning I was great! Next night I woke with knee problem again had to slide down the stairs to the living room. I got to wondering if the knee thing could be associated with the Prednisone. I got on line and read all this terrible stuff. I am so Horrified! Today I am in pain like my body is bruised and my face is swollen a little. I have acid reflux as well. Non of this is typical for me. My knee thing is ok again, but I am just appalled! I have no MED insurance. I hope this isn't the beginning of worse things I am not taking that drug now. The Dr. didn't say I needed to taper...

I hope I have not damaged myself by taking this drug! My heart goes out to all of you! My question is - Why are the Dr.'s prescribing this terrible drug?

I am a 47 year old female recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I started it 10 days ago and after 3 days I started had a tickle in my throat which made me have coughing, hacking and gagging to the point of vomiting. I can't sleep at night and during my work day which is constantly talking to people I have to excuse my self to have my "coughing fit". My head of course is pounding from coughing constantly. I saw the Dr. last week and she thinks I have a virus of some sort. After reading all of these side effects of everyone who has experienced similar symptoms I am 100% sure it is the Lisinopril. If I were truly sick the cough would have gotten better or worse at this point but it has stayed the same. I am so upset all the time about this that my blood pressure has probably increased! The cough has gotten so annoying that I stayed home from work today and I decided to stop the medication. I would almost rather die(drastic!) than deal with this horrible cough!