Clue symptoms and conditions

my daughter was 2 yrs old when she first started taking this med...now she is 4 yrs old and it works great for her asthma BUT she has sever mood swings, violent out bursts, screaming fits that last anywhere from 5 to 45 min she throws things, at her daycare she has a pregnant teacher that she goes after because "she has a baby in her belly" my daughter used to be the sweetest little girl now she has everyone walking on eggshells because any little thing sets her off. any clue on what to do?

I"m 54 and have been taking Lisinopril for 5 years.
Decided to stop now. My late Mom was a retired nurse and she use to make jokes about taking snake venom. But I didn't take it seriously until, I found out that Lisinopril was made out of Brazilian Pit viper venom..
Had problems sleeping, fatigue, muscles burning, tingling. aches with high pulse when ever I took this drug.
Figured it was something that i just would have to live with.
That God I finally decided to stop taking it and switch to natural herbs instead My health care practitioner is a retired Medical Doctor.
And he said natural herbs are better without the adverse side effects.

Thank you so much for your website. I cannot begin to tell you what this drug has done to ruin my life.

I had been on it for over 4 years on a misdiagnoses (Never should have been on it) and was told
“It was no worse than Tylenol.” Ok I thought as I was suffering from a few swollen joints every
now and then but was fine otherwise.

Then one day I was working and someone noticed my face was swelling. I looked in the mirror and
low and behold my face was rubbing my glasses. I asked my doctor and he said “it will go away soon.”
I am very athletic so I continued to run and work out as I slowly went from a 30” waist to a 50” inch waist!!
People at my office thought I was on a food binge like no other. My wife was stunned on how fast this
happened as was my family. Now the problem had gotten much worse. Constant body aches and swollen ankles.
After a year I went from jogging, to walking, to using a cane to using a walker…how sad my family felt
for me and no friends insight. my company then laid me off as I used the walls as a walker and simply could
“perform up to par.”

Next came the extremely high sugar, blood pressure, Glaucoma and I suddenly noticed I was having problems
seeing. Went to the eye doctor and was told I was getting cataracts but it would take a couple of years to form.
90 days later I could not drive and could barely see in both eyes, now I was almost blind.
Now 80lbs overweight almost blind with Glaucoma, high blood pressure, diabetes and cataracts. not to mention severe depression and mood swings that were unbearable, and yes still using a walker from severe muscle pain.

Well the time came where I lost my health insurance and was unemployed. I was out of Prednisone
one day and called my doctor. He said come in for $320.00. I said I didn’t have it and pleaded for them to call
in a 30 day supply, I was told that they “weren’t a charity” and “go to the emergency room” click!! My wonderful
doc was gone. Well I went to the emergency room the next day and was told “they don’t give refills.” I had been
off prednisone for a day and as some people know if you stop that high of dose for that long you may die from
adrenal crisis. So I stood in the emergency room for 12 hours waiting to go into this crisis! Finally a nurse convinced
a doctor to see me for 30 seconds, gave me a refill and a list of welfare clinics and booted me out the door. They
hated my appearance and hated me for no cash.

One day I decided to end this nonsense and tread everything I could from sources I hadn’t read that were very old
regarding what was wrong with me. I went on self imposed diet of 1000 calories a day and lost 60 lbs…yes!!
I stated weaning from the Prednisone and took a ton of supplements I had read about. I got down to 7.5mg every
other day. Yes, suffering tremendous total body aches, severe mood swings, dizziness, severe hunger and
confusion but I plowed though. By the way I don’t recommend this but I couldn’t get a refill for a prescription from anyone
because I ‘had made to much money.” So I turned to the Internet for everything. I bought 500 5mgs for $23.00 screw the doctors I don’t need their prescriptions. I am now totally off for 6 weeks I do have some bad stiffness, muscle aches and mood swings but after 4 years of pure hell I am truly thankful to be off this dangerous drug, it ruined my life.

So I went to a new Doctor finally and my diagnoses was a food allergy and simply had a small stint of bursitis a total mis- diagnoses from my first Doctor! Doctors aren’t gods so take it from me trust yourself first and do your research.

My prayers to all who suffer from this drug. Damn the incompetent doctors who wrongly prescribe it!

Dan

PS Does anyone know how long these severe body aches last after completely stopping. Its been 6 weeks and its just a little better. My doctor told me to fight it out or get back on pred. NO WAY!!

Here are some more side effects that I encountered during my ordeal with Lipitor. A week after I started the medication, I started experiencing blurry and decreased vision, this used to go away and come back sometimes, I could swear I always had 20/20 although I never went to eye doctor, but I never needed glasses all my life, if fact any type of glasses will blurry my vision and make me dizzy. I had my first eyes exam a couple days after I discontinued Lipitor, guess what? I have 20/20 vision.
More details about the back and right arm pain, not only the pain was unbearable, I felt my muscles sagging and they did not have any strength, this thing sucked the life out of my muscles, it made me very tired and easily irritable. My fist victim was my little baby ( my beautiful 4 year old), her daddy couldn’t hold her anymore, I even avoided staying close to her, because anyone who touches that right arm will make it feel like another deep stab to the arm deep into the bone. I have never experienced pain like this. I knew about toothache when I had a cavity at 23, but it was fixed and went away, I even experienced the pain of a broken arm at 16, but this thing was something else. The other victim is my wife, I stopped doing stuff, I used to be a very active dude, I do stuff on weekends with family and even every day after work ( you name it, park, boating, swimming pool, malls etc..). It felt like I was dying one piece at a time, going down the tubes fast with no clue of what was wrong with me.

I was prescribed Bactrim for 10 days. On about the 7th/8th days, I noticed my lymph nodes under my jaw were becoming very painful and swollen. By the next night my lymph nodes continued to become more swollen and painful under my jaw and spread all along under my jaw and in my neck (I looked like I had two chins!). I also then developed a fever of 102, chills, severe headache and ached all over (oh yeah, my heart was racing for days). The fever and chills made me absolutely miserable! I could barely get out of bed or off the couch for almost 4 days. The next morning after fever, chills, headache, I woke up with a red, splotchy, sunburn-like rash from my neck to my ankles, which got itchier and more painful in the next two days. My MD said the rash was a reaction to Bactrim but did not seem to know what the other symptoms were from so ordered blood tests and told me he was "concerned" for me (I was freaking out)! The bloodwork came back negative (thank God). He still didn't seem to put the other symptoms with the rash and Bactrim. I then started to research Bactrim allergies/side effects online and found this website. I found that others had experienced some of the same horrible side effects as I had. It was pretty scary until I realized this was all apparently related to Bactrim, as my MD apparently had no clue. Other's experiences helped validate what I was experiencing so thanks to you all who shared your Bactrim horror stories! I started feeling a little better 48 hours after the last Bactrim dose and at about 72 hours, I pretty much felt back to normal. No more Sulfa for me!

I've been on synthroid now for about a year. My dosage is VERY little (0.075). My doctor keeps running blood tests every 3 months and assures me I am within the "lower-end" of the norm, but I still feel tired, sleep deprived, wake up with night-sweats and I keep gaining weight...

I am only 24 and have just been told that I need to take this medication for the rest of my life, it\s pretty depressing. I keep asking if there are other ways to lose weight and feel more energized. He tells me that I need to keep taking this medication and has put me on a "sleep hygeine" routine where I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Does this "disease" mean I will always be overweight and tired for the rest of my life? I would like to know if someone else with more experience with this medication can give any sort of advice? Feeling a little hopeless about it and not really interested in complaining to my doctor anymore.

Thanks:)

I have had so many shots of
Corticosteroids/NSAIDS/Steroids:

Triamcinolone Acetonide, Kenalog, Depo-Mardol, Lidocaine, Marvaine, Toradol, Epinephrine, Bextra, Xylocaine, Isovue.......on and on and now I do not walk hardly anymore.

I am married, no sex whatsoever! I stayed away from my husband for 3 years almost, living at my apartment. I just moved out by Eviction March 2, 2008. I did not pay rent for one year. I applied for disability since 1995. Won ALJ decision September 2006. I appealed the case being opened back to 1995. I wanted it go go back futher. Just appealed it again in 2008.

Okay, I am a simpleton out here needing a HERO to Take A Stand and Advocate for me.

I do not live with my husband. I live at his mother's home so that he comes and takes cares of us at the same time. She is 90 now. Can you imagine this? I have been reduced to a cripple.

I am a prisoner laid to rest by the BIG DRUG COMPANIES MISLEADING ME, IN NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE DISEASES THAT WOULD ATTACK ME IN THE ONLY LIFE THAT I HAVE.

I wonder if my hip bones have collasped. I have terrible bone pain.

I waddle like a duck, side to side with extreme pain until I freeze up and fall, but mostly, I live with a cane at my side when going out and about.

I now need a wheelchair.

From 1980's, 1990's and now all the way to 2008. I have all medicals.

It was not until 2003-2004 that my life took a turn for the worse.

Hips pain, arms pain, shoulders pain, pain in the Thorasic area to the tail bone area, right groin pain/pubic area pain/gentials, stomach sores/cut out, pain on the scalp, calves feel hard in side/stiff at all times, hamstrings are short,open sores have been on my face, arms and neck lasting for 4-6 mths, low back pain....all of me has been injected with the above crap.

I was doing quite well in life until 2004 when this Orthopedic doctor had shot my left shoulder 3 times.

After this June 2004 event above, and by September 2004 I had walking problems, blamed only on Fibromyalgia, DX 1989.

They took one blood test for Polyrheumatica.

I was fed 20 something meds in 2004.

By 2005 I was devestated in life, health and even wanting to be alive. For one full year I lived on the pot, using Lidocaine up the butt 3-4 times a day for the pain.

Now, looking back at this part, no wonder I had extreme skin blisters, hives, rashes, extreme sweating....this Lidocaine for rectum pain was harming me and no one took me off of it. I finally had my pharmacy tell me this was so wrong to be using 134.00 a month for over one year for pain. I stopped!!!! he seemed to say that I was being harmed.

Suddenly, at my clinic, all of my primary doctors began to do trigger point injections weekly, monthly and for 4 years for my Fibromyalgia comlaint. DX in 1989.

Many NSAIDS for one year, 2003-2004.

In 2003 I had a new denture and a few teeth extracted so that I smiled great when got married April 2003.

By August 2003 I was off the State HMO, had housing city of salem voucher for 5 years at my apartment and was planning to move out and be at my husband's home, but...by September 2003 I was already in some medical exams, new meds and was being normal to a point.

By late 2003 to mid-2004 I was feeling strange about my health. I felt as if I was being sucked dry of any fluids, weird to say, but it felt as if...hard to explain.

I was dizzy, vertigo, some balance problems and like itching, sweating and extreme fatigue. I felt like i was melting. My muscles felt like jello. I had no ability to stay upward on my spine.

I did complain to my dentist and doctors that I was feeling numb on my face and gums by may 2003.

After 2 years, leaving room for a possible lawsuit on the dentist/OS, I filed, had one deposition and my lawyer walked.

I had laughing gas for teeth extractions/numbing shots.

I thought that GAS/SHOTS was to be blamed, maybe the tools they used, or the water and I worked this case to the bitter end, sad to say, that a Lawyer Walked On Me.

By 2004 I did not know what hit me with my health issues..dentists/new meds/new marriage/new doctors involved.

I was in a drug stupor, taking almost 30 drugs from this clinic in 2004.

Prescribed and the samples of Vioxx, Mobic, Celebrex and Bextra.

I had so many Toradol shots to my spine and hips at this clinic and thought they had crippled me.

This doctor humiliated me.

Told me that I was a nut.

I now needed long term counseling with all of the body ailments they all told me. My primary doctor told me many times that NONE OF THE SPECIALIST NEEDED OR WANTED TO SEE ME FOR ANYTHING.

Nothing was hardly affecting me when I got married April 2003. I was a knock out!

The Gastro doctor had me on his 3 drugs also, including that daily Lidocaine up my butt. He did the endoscopy and colonscopy, bloodwork and he said I had Atrophic Mucosa.

He was in direct conflict with my Neurologist who did his own work and he claimed that I was Gluten sensitive, a Celiac now. He gave B12 shots and Folic Acid on top of all the other crap that I was taking.

The Hospital did a spinal tap and may tests.

The pain specialist did his epidurals 2 times.

I have had every NSAID they prescribed me.

I had sleeping pills.

I had anti-depressants.

I had Vicodin to Percacets and then they tried to get me on Methadone. One week on that crap was all.

I notice that Depo-Medrol, Marcaine, Lidocaine was mostly used thru out my life.

The pain specialist above that I used in 2006, also shot me with the epidurals 2 times before 2006, and the O.H.S.U. also shot me with all the above when they DX me with Fibromyalgia 1989.

Then many Toradol and Kenalog shots.

I live with daily diarrhea since 2005-2008.

My legs are always red every day with any walking, sleeping, sitting, balance is off, waddling gait.

My feet pain is as if I walk on glass or rocks....sharp pain now for 4 months.

Arachnoiditis fits me well. I have spoken with the doctor/expert that can test me.

I have been searching since early 2004.

I have no way to know who or what to blame.

I even thought that the MRI's Contrast Agents harmed me starting from the past to now.

I left the clinic that stole my life from me and now have a new doctor at Kaiser Permanente.

I am scared of all doctors now.

I have 4-5 meds right now.

Not one doctor or specialist will DX me. I have a thought below...

I fought the medical community WORLD WIDE back in 2002-2003 with the President Dr. Richard Willner, of Retired Association of Physcians and Surgeons. My two other sisters were in this heated debate.

I was told to expect danger at any time after this online 30 page cruel attack by the doctors on my wrongful death of my mother by her doctors/nursing home/hospital.

I proved this case.

The lawyer in Portland, Or. Judy Snyder told me I did extremely well proving this death was murder...but the Medical Consultant who did the summary of this death was hushed up!!! Later on, after another summary by Medical Consultant, she told me that we would be lucky to get $10,000 for a Nusiance Claim. I tried to get one Lawyer before the statues ran, but no luck. I heard that the Elder Abuse Statues ran for 7 years and to try for that. Oh well, I tried.

Joanie K.

I'm not sure if this is a "new " side effect but I too get "hot flashes" ,Ya right more like being on fire! And I also have this pins and needles feeling over my entire body, it kinda washes over my body usually starting at my feet. The nausea is unbelievable. At first when this started to happen , it was about 3 months after I started taking the methadone when I stopped taking over 800mgs of morphine a day to keep the pain at bay,. Then I was taking 250 mgs of methadone. My doctor didn't have a clue what this was because it started so late. However now that I'm almost off of this crap I am in more pain than I care to deal with, so I'm not sure if the depression I feel is from the methadone or just me being frustrated over this.

I'm glad my friend sent this link to me. My son was diagnosed with asthma almost two years ago. He was put on Singular and albuterol inhalers. He stayed with that for about a year. We didn't at the time have any health coverage and could no longer afford the Singular. We started giving him Zyrtec about three months ago. My son, he's 7, started going into these rages about this time last year and we had no clue as to why. We chalked it up to his age and being a boy. The raging has now stopped but he's still combative and lashes out easily physically. He's never been one to act violently before he was diagnosed with asthma. I'm now wondering if this is due to the medicine. After reading these posts we'll be taking him off the Zyrtec and trying something new.

My BP had been slightly elevated for over a year and my doctor felt it was time for medication. He started me on 25mgs and continued to increase it till I reached 100mgs. I started having anxiety attacks, lightheadedness, dizziness and finally ended up so sick that I was in bed for three days. It was the toprol. I was only on toprol for 3months but found out that trying to come off the drug was the hardest thing I have done. I never had BP spikes before but at the end of the first 24 hrs. without Toprol my BP was hitting 200/104. I went to ER. Matter of fact, the spikes continued and I was in and out of ER until I was finally admitted for tests. The spikes were also accompanied by flushing, rapid pulse(122 beats per minute), lightheadedness and diarrhea.Many times I thought I was having a heart attack. I have seen two cardiologists, an internist and now an endocrinologist for these "BP spikes". All tests come back normal. No matter what the new medication is, nor how low my BP might stay for up to three days....the episodes still happen. My BP can go from a normal range too 200 systolic in a matter of less than 1/2 hr..........Has anyone else had spikes in their BP when coming off toprol. It has been 11 months since stopping this awful drug and I still I no answers....but I have a pile of medical bills.

Hi! I can't believe this all....I am reading your stories... I am on YASMIN for 14 days. I have two little children and I choose birth control again after almost 5 years. So I thought all my side effects are because my body needs a chance to get use to IT and I am over reacting, etc... Well NO, I am NOT!!!
Headache, mood swings, itchy skin, breast tenderness, got my period 4th day after my first pill (my doctor said it's the "breakthrough period") dizziness and feeling very nervous and sad, etc.....
My doctor said to stay on it, that my body will adjust to it...well, I am NOT!!! My body it totally resisting IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But now, I am stuck with 4 month worse supply....any idea where to sell it?
thank you

Strange but for me as well....(I am on my fourth pack...just finished it yesterday) Four weeks ago almost (May 2nd) I got pain in my back around my kidney as well....I am calling the doctor this morning because this weekend I was barely able to move my back hurt so bad! I don't have any other side effects of a kidney infection so then I started to think.....maybe it is my birth control and wah la....apparently....I have also had the other symptoms such as my breast enlarging (wasn't going to complain about that!) but the tenderness is miserable and I also have had the weight gain ( i got a trainer for Christmas and started working out with him right when I started these pills and kept gaining weight! I still am...It is very frustrating but at least I know why now!) and I am very moody and tired! Thank god for postings! Good luck girls and hope everyone finds a pill that works for them! I sure hope I can!!

Hi,
I have been on Yasmin for nearly two years and have noticed a change but had no clue what was causing it. I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, migraines (1-3 per week), as well as sudden and uncontrollable diarrhea. I did have a short period of time recently where I was off the pill all together and all of the side effects I previously mentioned subsided for that time, and resumed as soon as restarted. I have since quit taking Yasmin and want to let everyone know that its just a pain... literally!

Is this a clue,I have an older son that was born with a birth defect,we live in a city that prides itself on its health care,when i would take him to the mylo clinic,we would see orthopedics, neuron surgery,nutritionists ,neurologists etc everything we needed, now my youngest son,with allergies and asthma,when we would go to clinic also available were behavior specialists and sleep disorder doctors hmmmmm

Hi, njcukett posted 2 days ago asking if anyone is still having abdominal pain after being off singuliar awhile.My 7 yr.old (on singuliar at least 3 yrs.) is still having pain.She also had bladder issues for the past 2 yrs.(Frequent dripping and urgency to void).This went unexplained by doctors.Over the past 6 weeks since she stopped taking singuliar,I have noticed a complete change in her stools.While on singuliar they had become grayish in color.She would have 2-3 of these movements a day.The color of her stools are now normal,but the lower abdominal pain is still present.So I am wondering if the pain is coming from the bladder, not the stomach.I am going in(without my daughter) to discuss this with her pediatrician next week.Singuliar also made her very anxious,do not want to add to that,by discussing this in front of her.For the people having abdominal pain,did the stools change while on singuliar compared to when off?Just curious.

Both my 19 year old daughter and my 30 year old step daughter were put on Yasmin. Both began having heart problems. The eldest had heart palpitations, a racing heart and dizziness. The doctor discovered that her potassium level had shot up and her magnesium was down. They put her on magnesium to help control the racing heart. It helped, but then she became pregnant and had to lower the dose. The 19 year old has had the worst side effects. She was fine on ortho tricyclene, but when her doctor switched her to Yasmin her blood pressure shot up to 170/118. She began having chest pain. We pulled her off the Yasmin, but she has continued to have uncontrollably high blood pressure. The doctor ran several tests and has found no underlying cause as of this writing. She began taking 5 mg. of Norvasc, but was increased to 10 mg. to manage the high blood pressure.

OMG. Started taking Avelox and a cough pill at the same time. Thought the shakes were from being tired from not sleeping since I've had a sinus infection and coughing all night. Wondered if it was just in my mind. Went to the doctor. Told me to stop taking the cough pill. Sent me to the hospital for EKG. Called back and wants me to go to a heart specialist a.s.a.p for changes noticed since last EKG. Scared me badly. I'm only 42. Looked this up on the internet. Told pharmacist about problems. He said he never had anyone have any of my symptoms. Said to stop taking Avelox and drink a lot of water to help flush it out. Won't get out of my body for over 24 hours. Don't think our emergency room would have any clue how to help me since it isn't an allergic reaction just a side effect. Evidently most people who had trouble with this horrible drug have survived to write about it which gives me hope that I will too.

I've been on Synthroid for 8 months after gaining 10 pounds in two months. The symptoms started to appear when my Mom was very ill. Doctor said it was caused by stress and started me on 25 mcg of Synthroid. My reading at that time was 5.56. I had blood work done every 4 weeks,and the numbers are going down (1.8 last reading), but so is the quantity of my hair, which I see all over my white tile. My weight hasn't budged even though I am dieting. My doctor upped me to 100 mcgs. My blood work is not good - low white count, low lymphocytes, borderline anemic. Mom died, and I didn't get any better. I feel sick all the time and it's difficult for my husband to understand how bad I feel. I've tried to get my doctor to prescrive Armour, but he doesn't even return my phone calls. When I see him in the office, he keeps telling me it takes time. I hate living this way and want to stop the pills completely.

Have any of you seen this site: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20829&name=SINGULAIR - the side effects we all recently began discussing is documented from users and parents of users as far back as seven years ago!
Why is it that the FDA just became concerned and Merck had no clue of these reports?? Interesting and distressing wouldn't you say?

I would like other people's opinion of Merck's study about using Singulair (montelukast) on neo-nates - premature babies. This absolutely freaks me out.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00492102?intr=%22Montelukast%22&rank=7

I know that many here would like the FDA to take a very serious took at the problem. I personally don't see how a review of their data is going to make any difference at all. But, if there are experts who can propose a model of the pathways of cell signalling that include the possibility that these symptoms can occur (and under what circumstance), then maybe the problem will look like something much more than statistics.

This is not my field. But I tried to follow the possible pathways to see if I could identify a possible area of concern. Then I looked for someone who had written in the area and read their abstract. A place to start may be to get an opinion from those who know something about "normal homeostasis of the mast cell." Singular blocks the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 which is a site on the outer membrane of the mast cell (other cells also). The mast cell which is produced in the bone marrow is released in a immature state and matures after it arrives at it's destination. The mast cell does not become active unless it's receptor sites come in contact with the activating agent. So, what happens when a receptor site on the mast cell is suppressed by Singular, a receptor antagonist.

You see, I don't have a clue what the signals are that tell the bone marrow to make mast cells (or what the signals are that tell them where to go after they are made in the bone marrow). Does Singular interfere with something that tells the bone marrow what to do? If Singular does interfere with that process, then what is happening and what period of time does it take to happen? Could we wonder whether Singular is interfering with the NUMBER of mast cells that are produced over time? And, of course, maybe there is some OTHER kind of explanation for why the adverse drug reactions are happening. But, at this level, I got lost and can't go any further.

Maybe this group would be interested in the Singulair problems or could suggest somebody else?

http://www.edata-center.com/journals/2ff21abf44b19838,0a1257122f661a7e,0d8ee7116ef23452.html

I apologize if this lead doesn't produce any results but at least it could be a place to start.

I was on Paxil for 9yrs, but have been off it now for 8yrs. It was prescribed by my family Dr for extreme PMS. At the time, it was a new drug just on the market, and there were no boards like this to describe any side effects.
After I was on it for several years, I tried to come off it. But the side effects were so bad, every time I tried, I decided to stay on it. I realized I couldn't stay on it any longer when it was affecting everything in my life. Paxil was making me so exhausted I was sleeping up to 20 hours a day. It almost ruined my life. Because I couldn't get to work, I lost my job and was out of work for 2 years while I was trying to come off Paxil. Of course my Dr refused to believe I was going through withdrawl, because he said Paxil was not addictive. We all know now that is incorrect. I had to slowly wean myself off it 1/4 of a tablet at a time over several month, and I still had horrible, very scarry withdrawl symptoms. I suffered from vertigo, tremors, tingling throughout my body, numbness in my hands, feet and legs, brain shocks, vomiting, dizziness, slurred speach, memory loss, heart palpitations and the hallucinations were the worst. I became easily aggitated by everything, unable to stand up without losing my balance. I was seeing floating black waves across my vision when my eyes were open. I can say it was hell, and I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer through it. I'm writing this to warn others that if you are on it for a long time, and then come of it, some of the withdrawl effects never go away. So be very careful how long you stay on it. To this day, 8yrs later, I still get numbness and tingling in my legs and feet. I still get brain shocks every so often. I still get short-term memory loss. The worst part is Paxil ruined my digestive system. Before I was on it I had no problems, now there are only certain foods I can eat. Paxil effects the serotonin levels in your brain, but it also effects the serotonin levels in your stomach and intestines. I went through several thousand dollars worth of health tests only to discover it was caused by all my years on Paxil. So please be careful and only stay on this drug as long as need be. It may have a negative affect on the rest of your life.

I have been scheduled for an overnite sleep test at the hospital and was told I'd have to be off of Paxil for 3 weeks prior to the test. I tapered it down myself (now I know better) in what I thought was a reasonable period of 2 weeks. After reading all of the comments here I now know that I should have done this over months not days. I've been experiencing the "brain jolts" accompanied by the rapid distortion of vision for years and just assumed that it was another weird MS related symptom. Now I'm wondering if Paxil may have played a part in this all this time.
This morning I felt so much better about myself after reading all of the comments here. I was saying yes to all of the symptoms I've been having including dizzyness, extremes in emotions, nausea, less appetite, cold sweats, hot flashes, inability to concentrate, some paranoia, slurred speech, tinnitus, disorganized thoughts and disorganized physical space. I had no idea that Paxil was the cause of all of this. Not one clue.
Along with having less appetite I've noticed a change in tastes/flavors. I can taste really salty or really sweet and anything in the middle has almost no flavor. I also get a craving for something and finally make it, eat a bite and throw the rest away. The other thing going along with the LOUD tinnitus is that all sounds seem amplified. I don't know if anyone else has experienced these things. Thanks to all who have written because if not for this I would have continued to think I was losing my sanity.
I am supposed to go back on Paxil after the sleep test but have absolutely no intention of putting myself through this again. I haven't been able to work do to the crying at ever "Kodak moment" and really can't afford to miss this kind of time again. If only the doctor had told me what the withdrawal could be like at the time of prescribing it!

I took Chantix for about a month. It lessened my cravings to smoke, but I started getting heart palpitations really bad. I ended up in the ER one day and the Dr. told me that he had never seen that side effect. He looked up the side effects in his palm pilot, and found that it was the very last side effect in the list. I decided to get off Chantix to see if that would help. Well now I'm going to be on Toprol for the rest of my life. They won't say for certain whether it was the Chanitix that caused it or not. Coincidence? I'm not sure. All I know, is that my heart was completely fine before it, and now if I am an hour late taking the Toprol my heart goes insane. My cardiologist has no clue what happened (I've been to two). I'm only 33 years old, and taking this medication for the rest of my life.
Has anyone experienced heart palpitations after starting Chantix?

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?