Coincidence symptoms and conditions

This is not a new side effect, but the same day I started taking Levaquin for sinusitis, I suspected something was wrong. Within hours, ears were roaring. First night, NO sleep, and that's WITH Ambien CR. Day 2.....depression! Immediate. This is in spite of having a severe depression under control for over a year. Sudden. I really started suspecting Levaquin then, but thought it was a coincidence. Took it this morning. Deep, dark depression. After reading these posts, I knew my suspicions were correct. The depression is getting better after 10-12 hours after the dose. This is really scary stuff. Really scary. Oh, yes, and I had the stomach pains, also. Told my husband it was just hurting like a bruise, not like indigestion or gas. I will report it to my doctor so they will no it's a "no-no" for me....in spite of all the websites that said how safe it was. Glad I found this website. Thank God.

On Sept. 2, 2009 I had a cortisone shot in my back for L4, L5, C1 disc problems. The shot was painful but brief and I went out of there with no particular symptoms. It was done in a hospital by a neurologist. On Sept. 4th I woke up and the whole room was spinning. I threw up and this continued for awhile. I could hardly stand and went to the hospital emergency room where I spent the next twelve hours getting all kinds of tests. My blood pressure was 185 over 110. Finally, they told me they could find nothing physically wrong and dismissed me with meclizine for dizziness. This is now Oct.27th and I had these vertigo symptoms for seven weeks! I was sent to an ear specialist and underwent vesicular therapy for benign position vertigo several times a week at a rehabilitation center. I had brain MRI and a neck MRA which showed nothing. Last Saturday I passed out for a few seconds. Every medical specialist insists that the Cortisone shot had nothing to do with all this but I am still undiagnosed. Yesterday (Oct. 26th) the dizziness ended (7 weeks). I don't know if it is gone for good. I cannot believe that it is just a coincidence that all this happened two days after the cortizone shot. Does this strike a bell with any of you?

My doctor pretty much forced this thing on me and made me feel like i would be stupid not to get it. I had found out I was pregnant about 2 weeks prior which is why I had reservations about getting this shot but my doctor assured me that it would not effect my baby in any way. Almost approximately a week later I miscarried. Coincidence or not?

For those of you who are ridiculing the ladies who are sharing their personal stories on here, shame on you. I'm GLAD you are happy with your Mirena and that you are not having problems with it. That does not change the fact that many women have suffered due to their Mirena and want women who are considering birth control options to be aware of the symptoms that the company and doctors deny.

I had absolutely no pain with placement of my Mirena 2 years ago, and removal was a breeze. I had no periods after the initial, short and light period I had after placement - which was AWESOME. However, I gained a lot of weight, I was incredibly moody, and had no energy or sex drive. It got worse with time to the point I was considering antidepressant medication. We decided we want to have another baby so I had it removed 4 days ago. AMAZING! My husband could tell that very afternoon that I felt good. I had energy to spare, my appetite was down and despite the stress of traveling 7 hours with a 6 and 2 year-old to visit family this weekend I was able to hold my temper in check and have a good time with my family. No one will convince me, or my husband, that Mirena - though it served its purpose well - only causes the side effects we're warned about in the pamphlet. There's too many of us complaining about the same things for it to be coincidence. For those of you who aren't experiencing these symptoms I am truly happy for you... but do not make the rest of us feel like whiners or like we're in the pocket of some other birth control company trying to scare women away from Mirena.

Is anyone experiencing confusion, trouble thinking, trouble concentrating, decreased cognitive function, mental sluggishness, trouble solving problems or situations which require logical thinking and sequencing, and memory loss? Would love to hear from anyone experiencing any these symptoms and if so, how long were you on the drug.
Thanks!

P.S. I just happened to visit the Alzheimers Association Sites Forum as I was interested in a connection between BP meds (particularly this crap) and guess what...you will not believe the those folks diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimers who have taken Lisinopril for years before diagnosis...Hmmm...any connection here...bet there is...? This crap has been around since the early 80's...wonder how many people now in there 70's were taking Lisinopril in their 50's and are now suffering dementia. This is not coincidence folks. These BP meds that cross the blood brain barrier are doing more harm than good. Can't understand why if this drug can cause depression, it can't be doing other things to the brain. It is...I tell you it is....get off this crap before you're sitting in a Nursing Home and don't know your ass from a hole in the ground.

Had Mirena coils for 10 years before having it removed 2 years ago as I was 52 and was told I didn't need it any more. Had always had acne while it was in place and that didn't clear up after having it removed. A few months ago, by chance, a 7cm tumor was found in my pelvis, which defied diagnosis by ultrasound, MRI and CT scans. My CA125 ovarian tumor markers were over double the normal rate. Gynae Oncologist told me I must have Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy and Infracolic Omentectomy. Had the op 3 weeks ago and am now recovering. Finally had histology report back last week and luckily it was a benign Fibrothecoma! Strangely, my acne disappeared with it and I reckon the tumor had been there for some time. Is this a coincidence? I can't convince myself it is and would urge users to be very vigilant.

at the most minor--occasional nausea and heat flashes for me

reading all these postings scared the hell out of me at first...

As I did, later on, all these people should heed their dermatologists' and doctors' opinion and advice before this website's and others' posts and personal comments (not to defile this respectable website), because they dance around various circumstantialities (percentages and likelyhoods, drug interactions with others, etc, etc). Whether they are of coincidence or not, I believe these people scroll through these posts and feel amazed that they aren't alone in terms of side effects and experiences regarding different drugs that other people have had too...
In conclusion--whether this makes sense or not--these comments and threads gather people together to, analytically speaking of course, scapegoat a placebo for any or all various "common side-effects"

I decided to google "nuvaring side effects" after putting two and two together today...

Due to some complications, I switched from OrthoTriCyclen Lo to NuvaRing about 5 months ago. Having been on OrthLo for so many years (about 4, and Ortho regular for about 5 years), my uterline lining was shedding, which in turn caused bleeding in between my periods. I had heard good things about NR, so I asked about switching to that. First month seemed good... then I started noticing changes in my body and emotional state of mind.
Started with nausea, then I ran the gamut - headaches, back pain, fatigue, mood swings, LOSS OF SEX DRIVE & WEIGHT LOSS (the worst two).

Being that I am generally a pretty stable 27 year old woman, all of these little things stood out but I couldn't figure out what was going on. The weight gain got me good... I gained about 8 lbs - which is A LOT for me. I work out 6 days a week and have a very healthy diet - nothing had changed except my birth control, i.e. the ring. I even started up'ing my cardio 30 more minutes a day to get back to normal, but to no avail. Traumatizing. And the no yearning for sex thing is horrible too... my poor fiance.

While there is no way to tell for sure that NR is the cause of all these side effects, it only seems rationale. It would be too much of a coincidence that so many of us women have these neg effects - all similar.

After reading most of these reviews, I got on the phone and called my gyno. Plan is to stay off everything for one full period (plus the withdrawal period), then to switch back to an oral contraceptive. Just have to use condoms in the meantime - small price to pay to avoid all the nasty sides effects.

NR has already been removed. Thank you all for sharing... this made me want to share, as well.

Well let's see.... any time we have sex he feels the strings. I seriously keep thinking I'm pregnant bc of the fluttering in my stomach and fatigue. And I keep having random "spotting" and now I am starting to get cramps everyday all day and I have never been a cramper! I have depression too, over stuff that never bothered me before! My husband works 10 hrs every night from 4 pm to 230 am and he is the one that has to get up at 730 am to take care of our daughter! My wedding is in 2 months and I cannot afford to gain weight! My cousin has it and she is doing wonderful on it! Already lost a lot of weight and seems happy! Why can't that be us?!

And also to the people that are being cruel and what not...sometimes these symptoms are in your head but I don't think it is a coincidence that 3000 women all have pretty much the same "mental" symptoms.

I am not saying I won't recommend it bc it is really nice to not have to remember to take your pill or change your patch or whatever but just beware of possible side effects.

I am 29 years old and started taking Yasmin in January 2009....by month 2 I had severe pain in the nail bed of both hands....I kept hoping it would just go away...then 2 weeks later both hands hurt not just the nails...I started having to take advil just to get through the day...I figured it was the side effects of Yasmin b/c it was the only change in my lifestyle...I kept taking it thinking perhaps it was just my body trying to adjust....a couple weeks later my arms started to hurt....long story short, I stopped taking the pill in June 2009 and had to fly to my mother's house for help b/c I had gotten to the point that I was barely mobile and everything hurt...I felt like I was in an 80 year old's body....I had severe joint and muscle pains everywhere and I starting looking like Professor Klump, my hands and feet where so swollen I couldn't do anything (even picking up a pillow to make the bed hurt)...I asked my doctor if it could be the Yaz and he insisted no....I was told that it looks like I have arthritis...but I stuck to my guns and said that it was way too much of a coincidence that my health started deteriorating around the start of Yasmin.....my doctor decided that he could help me detox my body to get rid of any Yaz left in there and to see how I felt after....he did put me on celebrex (arthritis med) to relieve the inflammation and pain...I am also taking a diuretic to flush out my system...I am on day 2 and already feel better...I'm not sure if it's b/c of the celebrex or the detox, but I will know in 2 weeks when I finish all the meds.....after reading all these stories I feel a bit of relief...I'm not crazy, these symptoms really could be b/c of the Yaz!!

I find it extremely annoying and offensive that people have the nerve to comment things like: You are all complaining or whining, read the side affects before you use it. why do any of you think that you are more educated or better than any of us? of course we all knew the side affects but people react to medicines (etc) differently. i find it very hard to believe that all of these symptoms are coincidence. 99% of us have given birth and raised children which is the hardest, most challenging, emotional roller coaster and im sure we are all able to deal with a headache now and then and mild cramps but that is not the case with us. its a problem when you wake up every morning with migraines and back pains. it is also a problem when women are so depressed and tired that they aren't able to take care of their children and husband. we all have one thing in common. We are suffering from these side affects. I appreciate everyone who has opened up and told their experience and i will not let someone comment about any of us and tell us we are making this up in our heads or that we are whining. if you feel any of those no one is making you read these stories.. so GET LOST!!!
for those of you that have had a great experience with Mirena why are you even on this site?? you are no help to those who actually need help and those that are suffering.
bottom line is no one is right or wrong but this forum is made for those who want help not someone adding their input to make us feel even worse.

I've posted earlier (June 21). I had mine inserted in March 09 and it has been a nightmare. Prior to its insertion my gynecologist wrote down the word Mirena on a post-it note and suggested that if I had questions I could look for more information on the Internet, but that I should only consult "official" sites (drug companies, National Health Service, and the like).That's exactly what I did. The implication was that the various forums (like this) were full of rantings from lunatic, hysterical women who claim there are side effects when, in fact, there are none.

So my subsequent depression, weight gain, no libido, pain, hair loss, erratic bleeding, etc., are a complete coincidence!

I wish I had instead researched sites (like this) overflowing with the rantings of those "lunatic, hysterical women" (which I did after getting all of those "coincidental" side effects). Had I done that I would have read the truth instead of drug company rhetoric and not had the thing put in.

Ladies,

I hope you don’t mind a male posting on this forum but I do have a reason for doing so. I am a Coroner’s Officer in England. I will not at this time disclose whereexactly I am based as I need to protect the identity of the family. I would however like to use you as a sounding board in the hope that you can help me, help the family and perhaps, just perhaps, I can help you.

Sadly I am dealing with a suicide. The lady in question, who has taken her own life is in her 40’s, married and has children (all over 11 years). The lady has no history what so ever of any form of depression during her life.

The lady has described her life as being perfect with a family that loves her and who she loves in return and as the Investigator I believe she is truthful in that comment. She states she has been extremely happy until last week. She makes comments of - I am just very ill, cannot sleep, feel dizzy, cannot concentrate, sometimes lose my vision, feel sick all the time and sweat at night. She cannot understand, but it makes her feel bad. I am not myself, something has made me ill which means I can’t be my normal positive, active busy self. I can’t bring myself to do anything that I normally love, like gardening, cooking etc. I am losing my memory badly going fuzzy in the head.

Her final comment, which is the one that has prompted me to post on this forum (with the permission of the family) is ‘I just don’t understand this – I’m so sorry . I can’t understand myself or what is wrong with me or what I’m doing so sorry. Just remember I’m not myself somebody else has taken over – I don’t know if it is all the anti-histamine pills that has mixed up my chemical balance along with the Mirena coil or is it just me’.

The mention of the Mirena coil has therefore prompted me to investigate it. I am not, by any means suggesting that this is responsible but it would be wrong of me to discount it after having read the posts on this forum and other places on the Internet.

The lady in question had the coil inserted in 2004/5 and it would appear that there were no problems or side effects reported.

I am therefore looking for some help from you. Some comments on what I have posted etc. Some advice on where to obtain expert advice (although I am trying some avenues of my own).

I may also ask, depending on what help you can give me if you would be willing to identify yourself to me.

Thank you

P.

I mentioned this a few weeks ago and have found the source of my comments. It is in Peter D'Adamo's book "Eat Right For Your Blood Type". The reason I found this interesting is because my dad had a terrible reaction to Levaquin and was curious about his blood type after reading that AB and B blood types should avoid fluoroquinolones. Dad passed away in March, but ascertained his blood type from mom's, mine, and brother. I am O, brother AB, and mom type A. Dad, therefore had to be B. Food for thought.
Dad had ulnar nerve damage, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, insomnia, pain in calves and shoulders,etc. Succumbed suddenly from rare b-cell lymphoma in lungs, which just appeared out of nowhere while in hospital for Levaquin reaction. Mom unfortunately took Levaquin last month. Then suddenly is now dying from Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Is this all a coincidence? Is this stuff fertilizer for cancer?

I am 44 and had the Mirena put in July, 2008 because of heavy periods/anemia. I thought it was a good thing at first although my periods were lighter I had spotting 2-3 weeks out of the month and never knew when it was going to happen. By December I went back to the Dr. with numerous other complaints (that is not me), I have been healthy, active, happy and within the higher side of normal weight up until now. I have aches and pains I cannot explain to the point of even getting off the couch or out of bed hurts, I have gained 30 pounds in 10 months, I have had blurred vision as well but I thought that was just my age, is it a coincidence that so many other women have this complaint? No sex drive, extreme back aches, nausea and I feel tired all the time. I am also a f/t college student and I find it very hard to concentrate and study. I did not have any of these problems a year ago. I was told there were no side effects so I decided to try it. Very bad decision, I called my Dr. today and I am getting it out ASAP.

I believe the Mirena was in direct relation to my developing anxiety, migraines and eventual miscarriage with complications after removal. The makers of this device states that the hormone stays within the uterus, but how can that be? Being one who doesn't tolerate artificial hormones well at all, my doc suggested this IUC stating the same. Ridiculous!!! I bled for 6 months after insertion...was told to wait it out. I developed anxiety which led to 911 calls thinking I was having a heart attack. I also had increasing amount of headaches and dizziness. After two years of increasing medical problems, I had the Mirena removed. Not surprising, my headaches and dizziness decreased, however, anxiety is still a problem, but not as bad as before when using the Mirena.
As for getting pregnant after removal...my best friend and I had almost identical experiences with our miscarriage. Both of us had the IUC removed, both of us became pregnant, both of us miscarried around 5-6 weeks and the development of this whole experience has many more similar details that are more than coincidence. Fortunately, my friend was ok, however, I ended up hemorrhaging and retained tissue/clot and have been dealing with this for nearly a month. I'm extremely anemic and stressed. I KNOW that the Mirena damaged my uterus and I now terribly fearful to try to get pregnant again because of the horrible experience I had.

Anyone aware that the book "Eat Right for Your Type" (Peter D'Adamo)mentions that certain blood types should avoid fluoroquinolone antibiotics? My dad had type B or AB, not sure, and suffered severe side effects to Levaquin. I am sure that these are the types that must avoid these drugs.

My daughter is 6 and has been on singulair for 2 years. Anytime we miss a pill she ends up with a fever of about 100 and is exhausted. Within a couple of days of her medicine it's gone again. The doctors think it's a complete coincidence but I don't agree.

I started using nuvaring 3 weeks ago. I have had no negative changes in my life... actually some positive one but I am an emotional wreck. I have contemplated suicide everyday for the last 2 weeks. My mom, sister, and friends have spent the night at my house bc I have been in such bad shape. I have had periodic bout of depression but nothing like this esp. Without any cause. I am removing the ring after I finish this post.

One thing I find interesting, I used the ring about 5 or 6 years ago without any problems. I was 26 or 27 at the time. I am 32 now. Really makes me wonder what age has 2 do with emotional side effects as it seems many other younger posters here don't complain of nearly the side effects those of us with a few years under our belt do. :)

I also had weight gain, big time increase in appetite, dryness\burning burn sex and foreplay. Also some headache and fatigue... but those maybe coincidence.

Hello Ladies!

I had my Mirena put in on 6/2008 after giving birth to my second kid on March 2008. Since then I was diagnosed with post-partum depression. Which came as a surprise to me since I didn't get this with my first baby. Doctors do say all pregnancies are different, therefor I figured my doctor was right. FOR A REASON HE'S A DOCTOR! But then I started getting severe head-aches, I have lost most of my hair, mood swings (which are the worst) and this stiffness on my upper back that won't go away even with 10 Excedrins. I have tried everything to get ride of this pain but everything is just temporary. I have had a dozen anxiety attacks. Like many of you ladies out there I blamed my job for stress, my husband for mood swings, and my kids for headaches. I had suicidal thoughts for no apparent reason. My life is great. No money problems, my husband and I have been together for 5 years and I have a great paying job but I am still not happy and I am on depression pills. I also had memory lost and I am only 26 years old. I was uninterested in hanging out with friends, having drinks, talking to anyone or going out at all. last but not least I have been wearing prescription glasses for a whole year straight because my sight is foggy. THAT' IS NOT A COINCIDENCE! After reading your comments, I have decided to have this monster taken out. I had to beg my doctor to do it since he insisted I was wrong about the mirena and that I am only depressed. Well, I know my body better then anyone else and I know for a fact it was THE MONSTER making me feel like this. I finally had it removed today and I already feel a little better. I am getting cramps but nothing major. I forgot to tell you I also gained 15 pounds out of nowhere because I eat like I did before my pregnancy and after dieting and exercising I couldn't loose the weight. I am hoping this will help you all and I will post my post-mirena symptoms in 2 weeks.

I am 51 and very athletic and in admiral shape. 3 months ago, I began on Lipitor for cholesterol control. I just tore a calf muscle. Coincidence? I'm going off Lipitor until I know for sure. At the time of the muscle tear, myself and my muscles were warmed up. I didn't do anything harsh to provoke a tear. That's what scares me. It just went rip.

Ran into friend at grocery store with mystery illness. Docs attribute it to Agent Orange exposure. Been at death's doorstep for a year. Hands were extremely cold and has little energy. Showed up one day at golf course with oxygen bottle! Asked him if he had taken Levaquin. Unfortunately had. Docs again fail to link antibiotic exposure to his ailments.
I wonder how many illnesses and deaths this poison has caused? Why does the FDA allow this crap? Do you people realize that the average person is clueless about the side effects of drugs like this. Put total confidence and their well being in the hands of ignorant docs and profit crazed drug companies.
Ignorant oncologist failed to link my dad's symptoms to Levaquin, instead attributed them to b-cell lymphoma which just happened to suddenly appear. Rituxan and numerous other drugs (Heparin, Lasix, Gamma globulin, Tylenol, antibiotics, Insulin, steroids, Flowmax, etc.) was too much. A fiasco, people think he died of lymphoma. Was walking three miles a day before taking Levaquin, for an undiagnosed lung infection.

I have been on Toprol XL or the generic for over seven years. After the first two months on it I started to notice small, scaly patches appearing on my hands and arms. I was told this was just a coincidence. I had the areas biopsied and was told it was Granuloma Annular. Whatever?? Apparently there is no cure. I have never had any skin problems in my life and I,m sixty seven years old. I also noticed I,m constantly fatigued, cough constantly, still have heart palpitations and seldom get a good nights sleep. I,ve tried to get the doctor to discontinue it or put me on something else and they all act like they are afraid to try it. I,ve been tested and was told my PVC,s are benign, so why the concern? I just want to get off this stuff.

My son used a nebulizer 2 to 4 times a day every day from the time he was one and a half years old. When he had just turned three his doctor prescribed Singulair. It was like a wonder drug for us! It took care of his asthma and we didn't have to use the nebulizer any more. He's been on it ever since -- he's 10 now -- he also takes zyrtec and has a rescue inhaler that he uses maybe once a week. About every other year he requires a course of steroids and a week of regular nebulizer use. Also, for the past year he has also required a daily inhaled steroid.
Now, about his mood issues. My son has always been sensitive and intense, moody. The first time I became alarmed was when he was 7, and he told me he wanted to burn his hands on the stove to punish himself for forgetting his homework. I consulted a psychologist who evaluated him and said he was not clinically depressed. Since then he has had periodic "dark" episodes -- especially in the winter. He has said he wants to die. He has had crying jags over things that are upsetting (loss of a pet was the worst) but it seems excessive for him to be saying he "just wants it all to end." He has told me that he is always unhappy and that he hates himself. He has also had problems with moody acting-out with friends. He will brood about hurt feelings until he loses his temper and screams at the friend. I have worked very hard with him on learning to manage his emotions. He hit a friend at school who was teasing him. He accepted his consequences willingly and willingly wrote letters of apology -- he told me he thinks he has anger problems and doesn't want to be this way. And his character is that he is a sweet, caring boy who can't stand to see anyone hurt, but also can't stand to be hurt.
A couple of years ago I asked his allergist if any of the meds he's on are linked with depression. He said no. We have a family history of depression, and I thought my son had gotten the worst combo of all the genes.
Recently, this all got to the point that I decided he needed to see a psychiatrist and quite possibly take medication for depression. Before I made the appointment he had a check-up with his allergist. Going down his list of meds the dr. said, recently Singulair has been linked with depression, have you noticed any moodiness or sadness? My first thought was that I have, but that he's always been like this. My 2nd thought was that he has been on Singulair for most of his life. I said yes and that I'd like to try him off of it.
My son resisted going off of it. He has had enough negative experiences with asthma that he didn't want to risk it, but I insisted. I didn't expect to see any change, but I thought it was important, as I was going to take him to a psychiatrist to consider depression meds, to see how he did off of it for a couple of months.
Less than a week later, he had been in a wonderful mood -- to the point of being silly and giddy all evening -- for 3 days in a row. The kind of mood that I don't see him in often, and when I do I think to myself, "he should be like this more often." One evening he even realized he had forgotten to bring home a homework assignment. I thought, "oh no, here we go, his evening is ruined." But he talked through his options with me, looked a little uncertain, and said, well, okay, I guess I'll have to tell my teacher I don't have it. I'll tell her I'll make it up at lunch if she wants me to. That was it! He didn't mention it again. I didn't say anything about his mood, because I really don't think I can know anything after just a few days -- it could be coincidental. The next day, he said to me that he thinks being off the Singulair is "working." He has now told me that a couple of more times.
I am tentative, but amazed. Even if my son does have a predisposition to be depressed, maybe the Singulair was making everything worse, and things really can improve for him. I am afraid to be to hopeful. At the same time, I feel guilty for giving this medicine to him for 7 years without a second thought.
As an aside, my son has periodically complained of leg pains, that I always told him were growing pains.
I would love any feedback that anyone can give me. So far (these two weeks), his asthma has been controlled with pulmacort, zyrtec and albuterol, so that aspect is okay.