Clarity symptoms and conditions

I know the side effects I read online show that mood and depression issues for this drug are supposed to be minimal ... less than 1%
... but mood issues seem more prominent on this med when I move up to the 16mg level. 8mg is almost tolerable.
Clarity and drive are also an issue when I move up to the 16mg.
Anyone else run into this?

I am trying to Zone Diet to see if there is any way to deal with hypertension outside of the pharmecutical approach.
Please help me find a solution to BP that does not put my emotions into a spin.

I took Lisinopril for approximately 7 months. My main symptoms were that I could not think clearly (it has been very difficult to perform my job) and I was tired all of the time. When I finally decided to stop taking it, the fog lifted from my eyes and I had more energy. I like to have a drink once in a while and I had noticed that one of the side effects of Lisinopril was that I no longer had any tolerance for alcohol (I know I'm not supposed to drink). Drinking one beer gave me the same sensation as if I had four beers. One Friday (I was going on vacation) I decided to skip my dose so that I could go out and drink and have fun like I'm used to doing. The next morning the clarity of my thinking and my level of energy was dramatically increased. This is how I found out by accident (you could say irresponsibility) that Lisinopril was dragging me down. I have not touched Lisinopril since and I am working with my doctor on finding an alternative.

I'm on week 3 of 150 mg of Wellbutrin.I switched to it from Effexor, which caused me to gain 40 pounds.The first week on Wellb I noticed increased energy, trouble staying asleep at night, mood improvement. Now in week 3, the sleep has improved, I've managed to quit smoking (works great for this), and I lost 5 pounds. On the downside, frequent urination, some stomach issues, mild headachey feeling, sensitivity to light, feeling overheated sometimes, and some return of depressive symptoms after initial burst of energy and motivation. What scares me the most though is reading about all the reports of hair loss on here. I have fine hair to begin with ad there is no way I can endure this side effect. So far I haven't noticed that effect, but I'm considering ditching this drug if that is a serous risk. From reading all the reports I'm wondering if there are more reports of hair loss from people on 300 mg or more than from people on 150 mg??

I have been taking Topamax for atypical trigeminal neuralgia for about five weeks - starting at 25mg and working my way up to 100mg each night. The first three or four days I was a bit headache, nothing unbearable but just kind of uncomfortable.

Right from the beginning I had this great side effect that I haven't read anyone else here mention - this feeling of clarity in my head, as though I've always had noisy background static that was now suddenly switched off. I just love it! I was not even aware of this noisy static that had apparently been going on in my head all my life until it had been switched off! And now I feel this wonderful sense of peace and calm. So I have no idea what that is all about, but I'm not complaining. I do remember once reading about generalized anxiety disorder and wondering if I perhaps suffered from a mild case of that (not a very severe case of it), if that is the case, that could perhaps explain the static-y background noise in my head - that is now thankfully gone after taking Topamax. So, I can happily say that I have a pleasant side effect from this drug (sounds like I'm one of the few from reading this forum!)

I'm not sure if it's a related side effect, but I feel more calm and more peaceful. Like it takes a lot to upset me. It's kind of funny, I'm watching my husband get all cranky and fired up about something and I'm just watching him and waiting for him to calm down, whereas once before I would have got hooked and gotten all cranky and fired up myself. Now I just don't get it and I'm thinking to myself "why's he getting so upset about this?" And he's looking at me all quizzically like "why aren't you getting all upset about this?" But it all just kind of slides right off... Interesting because some of the other posters are saying quite the opposite about feeling aggressive on Topamax...

Another really good side effect for me is being able to sleep really well at night, something I've never been able to do (I've always been a really erratic/light sleeper), I don't remember ever sleeping this soundly. I swear I now sleep with a big smile on my face : ) I'm just so happy to be sleeping soundly! And I actually think I might now be less sleepy during the day than before (so unlike other posters) which is likely to be because I'm sleeping better at night. Although if I'm having a lazy day at home, it is very easy to have a big daytime nap (but that’s not really that new for me!), and I definitely get very tired at bedtime, but otherwise my energy levels are quite okay, probably more than before Topamax, rather than less.

I'm still not sure yet if the frequency of my atypical trigeminal neuralgia is less as I usually only get it about once every ten - fourteen days. I think it has been less frequent but I will need to be on it a little bit longer to know if it's working for sure.

I had a scary experience one day after I'd been taking it for about a week or two where it felt like a water balloon had been popped in the back of my head and the water was running down the back of my head and neck. It was the creepiest experience and one that I didn't immediately attribute to the Topamax but after reading some of these posts made me think that maybe it was?

The tingling in my feet has been pretty bad, not just your regular pins and needles but really very uncomfortable/almost painful. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have it, I'm not sure if it was because I've been drinking more milk (I read that calcium could help) or taking potassium supplements. I'm also being mindful not to cross my legs or sit on my feet as I usually do. I've also been very constipated so I'm making sure I'm eating a lot of All Bran every day.

My biggest concern has been the cognitive side effects because I'm due to start my doctoral degree in a few months and need to be extra sharp. I have definitely not been feeling sharp! Again, yesterday was probably about the first day I started to feel a bit better with that side effect too. I've been taking folic acid supplements but I also took the advice of one of the other people who posted here who suggested taking the Topamax with food, so I take it with my dinner and maybe that's what's helping? I'm not sure, but I don't feel quite so dumb! One of the things I felt most ditzy with was time perception, I don't know whether other people experienced this also? Whether it was being aware of the day or the month I just couldn't work it out...

I'm also less hungry - loving that. Weight loss is very slow though (but all weight loss is good), maybe 2kg (4.5lb) in 5 weeks. I was on holiday for 3 of those weeks in my favorite food eating destination surrounded by all my favorite foods and I was pretty much uninterested - now that's a first. Normally I come back from this trip with an extra 5kg! If I wanted to I could still eat, but it definitely makes it easier to abstain, so I know I won’t have to worry about getting dangerously thin as some other posters have written about.

My side effects have definitely changed over time, I'll get something for a few days and then it will go. So I'm hoping that I'll continue to get the good ones and that the bad ones will go. Overall, I'm very satisfied so far with Topamax and seem to be tolerating it quite well, so fingers crossed that it continues to go well. Perhaps different people simply tolerate different medications differently. But from all the reading I've done on Topamax, here's a few tips I've picked up which seem to be helping me: I take it only at night (to help combat daytime tiredness), I supplement with a multivitamin, folic acid, potassium and make sure I'm getting enough calcium, I take my Topamax with dinner, I drink a lot of water, plus I don't take any other meds. I hope these may help some other people reading this and I wish you all the best of luck with your migraines/trigeminal neuralgia/epilepsy or whatever other nasty ailment has you taking Topamax. I’d also love to receive your replies to hear if any of you have experienced any of the same side effects as me.

I am 24 and used the NuvaRing for almost 3 years. As I finished up college at 21 and directly afterwards I was becoming more and more depressed, which I first attributed to the transition. It was while I was still in college that I also noticed a change in my ability to concentrate and remember. Focus and decision-making were abnormally difficult. My moodiness and depression increased over the next two years, my sensitivity to other's comments became more acute and I constantly felt at the edge of tears. I had little to no enthusiasm for even my favorite activities, no energy for sports/physical exercise, and no interest in sex with my partner. I required more sleep, always feeling tired when I woke up. I also began to have headaches, which had never been a trouble before.
I have been off the NuvaRing for about 3 weeks. Like some have posted earlier, I feel like a dark cloud has lifted and I can enjoy life again. Notable changes over the last couple of weeks have included:

1. Waking up naturally in the morning, almost 2 hrs earlier than before
2. Dramatic increase in ability to focus and remember (effectively study)
3. Happy mood and few to no self-deprecating thoughts
4. Increased energy
5. Enjoyment of flavors
6. General clarity of thought
7. Return of interest/enthusiasm, competitive spirit
8. Interest in sex
9. Decrease in headaches

I am absolutely thrilled to have identified the NuvaRing as the source of these issues and having eliminated it from my routine. I feel like I have my life back.

I was prescribed Topamax on 10/22/08. Since then, I have lost 25 lbs and am now down to 91 lbs. I am only taking 50mg at night. However, I had a horrible adjustment phase. That has scared me from getting off of this and trying something new. What if that doesn’t work and I have to go back on this. Going thru that phase again is not an option.

I had zero energy, I often nodded off at my desk. I had a very blank feeling, no emotions. No suicidal thoughts, no happy thoughts… I just existed. I did become snappy with some of my co-workers and said things that were so out of character for me. I found another message board that explained so much. I knew I wasn't going insane, it gave me some clarity. When I sent it to them, they understood. I don’t stay focused, I get very flustered when trying to have a conversation & the words that I want to say won’t come out. I feel stupid.

I had tingles in my feet, fingers & face. Shortness of breath, high anxiety, trouble sleeping. During the months of November & December my weight really dropped. There wasn’t a day that 2 people did not comment on how skinny I was getting. So that added to my stress. Mid-January I weighed 97, I went to my doctor when I got to 91. I have little interest in food. I usually order a variety of stuff that way I will have a few bites of something, then a few bites of something else.

When people comment about taking this for weight loss or for migraines, I tell them that it isn’t worth it. I suggest that they do research and really think about if their life can handle being forgetful & stupid. Had I done research on this before taking it, I am not so sure I would have. Although, you always think… “It won’t happen to me.” I am wanting to go back to school in the fall and know that I can’t be on this when I do. I need to know what I learn.

I was prescribed Leavaquin for pneumonia - 500mgs for 5 days. Have taken it in the past for pneumonia with no observable side effect except the dry mouth. However, this time, I have nausea, diarrhea, excruciating pains in my feet going up to both knees, (despite using lidocaine patches for neuropathy) insomnia, headache, stuffed up nose 3 hours after ingesting it. Additionally, I feel "down", lethargic, lack of clarity in thinking. I am stopping the Levaquin today, the last day. Thanks be to God for this website. I can see that others are suffering the same side effects.

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one that feels like I am in a "fog". I just associated that with normal motherhood stress, lack of sleep, full time job, and a husband who works several nights out of the week, leaving me to do most things on my own. I am normally a very active, get things done, kinda person, but lately I have felt like I didn't know if I was coming or going...and completely forgetting my train of thoughts and what I was working on. It's the weirdest thing. I have never felt this way before. On top of this, it seems as if I am bleeding every other week. My husband is completely frustrated! I tell him "How would you like it if your were bleeding all the time and had no control over when it happens?" It's hard on me too! I have had Mirena for almost a year now, but I am SO ready to be done with this "thing". Can someone explain to me why my head feels so "foggy" all the time???

I'm taking Wellbutrin and Lamictal (150 mg for both) for at least 5 months now, as a mood stabilizer. Like many people have said on here don't let these bad reviews scare you away from trying it, at the very worst you will take it and not like it so you can stop. But for me it was amazing how it stabilized my moods. I didn't expect it to be so noticeable. I had tried Topamax right before but it was terrible for me- it made me sooo out of it and I had a very hard time talking (finding the right words, pausing in sentences frequently) Lamictal didn't do that to me. I have started to get acne on my jawline like many others have posted, I didn't think it would be related but I've NEVER had acne on my jaw and cheeks they are really tiny bumps of acne, but a lot of them. The reason I started to look at this site for people's side effects was now I have terrible neck soreness and stiffness. I mean BAD. It's slowly working it's way to the middle of my neck as the day goes on and feels like it's going down the middle of my back as well. Very weird, I haven't exercised or done anything in the past 4 or 5 days that would have pulled a muscle, so make what you will out of it but I'm going to stop taking this drug. It's unfortunate because I really did like it and am worried how my moods will be after stopping it. But TRY IT, it has been at least 5 months of me being more stable so that alone is worth the clarity. Also, I'm a woman with usually heavy periods but didn't have that side effect with this drug and I lost weight didn't gain any with this one either, but I'm sure that had a lot to do with the Wellbutrin which is notorious for weight loss rather than weight gain. Also, if you start to feel good at a low dose as I did DON'T INCREASE IT! I hate hearing people say their doctor's wanted to get them to the "therapeutic dose" even when they felt good, your more likely to have neg. side effects if you go higher than you need. Everyone is different in how their body metabolizes the medicines. Do your research and hold your ground, make sure you have a doctor that will listen to you, that's key.

I have been on Lamictal for about five months for bipolar II. I has been increased slowly over these months and I am now up to 300 mg a day. I have a tendency to sometimes forget things but remembering numbers has never been a problem for me. In fact I can look at someone's tag number driving down the road and remember it for days. Phone numbers of people I have known for 20 years would stick and I wouldn't even have to call them on a regular basis to know the number. However, recently while trying to use my bank debit card at the store I was asked to enter my PIN number and totally could not remember. I tried it several times but it never came to me. I felt like a fool!. At this time, that was three days ago and I still cannot remember it!

This is very, very distressing to me. I feel like something has been wiped clean and that I will never get it back.

My Lamictal dose has been increased in the last couple of weeks and I thought maybe Lamictal or one of my other meds could be making this happen so I started researching and found this site where other people were complaining of memory loss while on Lamictal.

Headaches are another common side effect for me while on this med. It has really helped me emotionally and I need to know if the memory loss is just going to be a temporary thing and it will get back to normal or if I will be forgetting more and more over time. PLEASE HELP!!!

had most of the side effects that are mentioned to a greater or lesser degree.I have been taking 80mg for 1 to 2 years off and on, The quality of life decreases for the taker especially with the loss of clarity of thought, aches and pains i can put up with but as i am a teacher i feel that at times lately my speed of though is massively impaired and that is frightening. I am told by my friend in the USA that statins are banned overthere so why are we being experimented upon here? question your doctor and do not accept a carte-blanche answer this is not the holy grail that it is supposed to be....

I started taking Lamictal about six weeks ago for epilepsy. Now keep in mind, I was on Dilantin which worked great for 17 years and then suddenly stopped working. I have been in medication hell since then. First Topamax made me dumb as a rock. I would space out all the time. Worst drug ever. Then Keppra which was better in that my memory/ability to speak came back but I had these intense ups and down. I had rages constantly. Now I'm on Lamictal. So far, it's better than the Topamax and the Keppra, however the dreams are very intense as are the night sweats. I'm also experiencing much hair loss. Fortunately I have a full head of hair but I'm afraid I will eventually lose it all.

EVERYBODY REPLY TO THIS Let's see exactly how many women have had negative side affects from Yasmin. Just reply with the sideaffects. I see lots of posts and was wondering how many women are out there sharing similar problems. So me.... migraines, extremely horrible mood swings all from taking yasmin for 8-9 days next..........? lol

Just one question I have been on this stuff at the beginning dose for less than a week. My eyes hurt, my head is about to explode, I am sick as a dog, I lost 5 pounds, I can't eat, constipated, can't sleep, can't function, ringing in my ears, and the ADD is unbelievable. I am a medical transcriptionist I kind of need to be able to work, no work, no pay. Topamax is going bye-bye for sure but how long till the side effects go away?

I started taking Effexor 75 mg in 2003 because of stomach problems- my doctor thought I maybe was experincing stress, so he prescribed it and Prontonix. The Prontonix worked great, but the Effexor- I never should have gone on it, as I wasn't depressed until AFTER I started taking it. Either I was depressed, or I was a zombie. My life was like a nightmare that I didn't even realize I was in until after I stopped taking it cold turkey in September of 2006. Everytime I used to miss doses, I would have this horrible dizzy feeling, but then I would make sure I got it ASAP so that the feeling would go away. When I wasn't able to get the drug due to a change in my insurance deductible, I came very close to losing my mind. My job suffered, the repercussions still in existence and I almost lost my marriage of 5 years before we even celebrated our 5th Anniversary, but then once the withdrawal symptons finally stopped about 60 days later, I now have a clarity on life that I never had before. My husband said that he finally had his wife back. I promise to never ever go on another drug that is an anti-depressive for any reason.

A lot of gas, strange yellow stools, very dry skin and the allergies that I have are even worse (sort of like my immune system is in over-drive).

When I first started taking Lamictal, I experienced A LOT of hypomania/mania and irritablity. I occasionally do have problems staying asleep if I do not take Benadryl along with it at night. For some reason I have started chewing the insides of my mouth - no, no sores there and this was a mild habit before the Lamictal that has gotten worse.

All of this being said? This drug is fantastic. I am experiencing a sense of balance and clarity that I haven't had in 25 or 30 years. It's like I don't have any mental health problems at all - I feel normal and it's wonderful. It does, however, take a long long time to ramp up to an effective dosage - hold out, it's worth it!

Here is the deal, everyone has a pre-disposition to certain health related issues, and you can thank your ancestors for that. As it relates to hypertension, I would recommend staying away from Lisinopril. It may be effective in lowering your blood pressure, but it is very effective in making you cough, anxious, depressed, etc. etc. One must evaluate the trade-off in quality of life. First and foremost, the medical profession loves to suggest that low blood pressure is more important than being happy, cough free and erect. My philosophy is live each day as it is your last, help the less fortunate, and think positive. That will help to keep your blood pressure in check, even if your genes tell you otherwise. Prior to going on Lisnopril, my BP was 150 over 100, I am 40 years old, eat well, exercise, and try not to indulge in excess. After taking Lisinopril, it lowered my pressure to 110/85, but I felt like crap. After quiting the drug 1month ago, my BP has gone up to 130/90, but I don't care...I feel like I am myself again. Whether I live to be 41 or 80 doesn;'t matter to me at this point, especially worrying about blood pressure. I am happy and helping others, and that is what counts. My advice is to live strong, deal with your genetic predisposition, and don't worry about your blood pressure as there is no clinical evidence that you will crash and burn anytime soon.

I'm a 54 year old woman and have been on 50 mg Toprol for 1 year. It's done great things to drop my blood pressure down to normal range. But I've experienced weight gain, muscle aches, aching feet, tiredness, lack of clarity when thinking, hot flashes, occasional nausea and occasional dizziness/light-headedness. I'm also on a mild dose of xanax which helps with nervousness which I guess is also associated with Toprol. My sex drive still remains strong though.

I just finished 14 days of 750mg of Levaquin. I have not found anyone who has taken this size of a dose. I am having the joint aches and pains. This morning I had difficulty breathing because my back and ribs hurt so much that to expand my lungs hurts. My husband is a physican assistant and he is feeling riddled with guilt. He and I both feel as if the drug company had done its part to not make the severity of these side affects known. These horrible side affects are listed as "less common or rare." That leads one to believe that very few people will have these problems. I just mentioned to someone yesterday how I felt worse since taking this medicine than I did before. They immediately said, "You aren't taking Levaquin are you?" There husband a healthy 30 something year old accountant had the same problems I am having. His gastrointestinal doctor said Levaquin is poison and he would have never put him on it. He told him to stop it immediately. Obviously some doctors are aware and admitting the problems this medicine causes. I am trying to be hopeful this morning after reading all of the posts that are echoing how I am feeling right now. I am afraid! For those of you who have gotten better many of us would benefit from knowing that these side affects are temporary and will pass. Thanks to all who have posted and provided clarity about this medicine.

I have recently been on this website to find out side effects of Levaguin. The reason for my interest was the side effect that I experienced. I was given Levaquin, 250mg a day for prostate problems and on the 12th day of a 14 day prescription I started to have blurry vision in my left eye. I quit taking the drug but the blurriness never ended. I had just been to an eye doctor for a new eye glass prescription only three weeks prior to me taking this drug and had correctable 20/20 vision, in both eyes. It has been over three weeks and my left eye never returned to clarity. I went and saw a different eye doctor and he said that I developed cataracts in my left eye and that I would have to have surgery if I wanted to get my vision back to 20/20. I'm only 54 and I can't believe this happened to me. I mean how does cataracts develope in just three weeks? So I printed nine months of these posts and counted 14 other reported cases of eye problems and one mention of cataracts. But has this really happened to someone else? I wish to contact anyone else that has had similar problems. Can anyone advise?