Consult your doctor symptoms and conditions

Hi, my 14 year old daughter was prescribed Topamax about 6 months ago due to migrains that started when she had Mono. The mono lasted a good five months and the nuerologist to whom we were referred prescribed Tomamax after nothing else worked.

This morning as she was leaving for school, she said " I will take Aleve twice a day for the rest of my life, the Tomamax has made me stupid and I can't take it anymore!" With that my beautiful, brilliant daughter was out the door.
I am sick that I didn't look into this drug sooner. I found this site and am floored at all the side effects that sound exactly like hers. She has always been an A+ sudent who works hard, she lately has been saying she feels dumb, can't remember things, her knees hurt, her hair is falling out, she can't think, she is depressed etc. I have been downplaying her symtoms and blaming it on the mono. I am outraged at the craziness this drug has obviously caused and my failure to recognize the cause.

My questions now are, can she quit the Topamax immediatly and when, if ever can she expect her cognitive ability to return?

Please tell me the effects are not life long and what my next step should be to help relieve her of these symptoms.

Peace, Becky

Do not stop this drug cold turkey. I am not a fan of Topamax but I see many people posting about wanting to stop immediately. I have had a really bad experience on this drug with side effects but you cannot just stop taking it. I am currently weaning at this rate: 25mg every 5 days. From what I've read, this is pretty much the standard when weaning off topamax but you should always consult your doctor. Cold Turkey stopping can result in seizures and all kinds of adverse side effects that can make your current topamax experience look like a walk in the park.

I was on 30 mg of remeron for 7 months for depression. This drug is a nightmare! Severe cravings for sweets, and an unsatified hunger that nothing seemed to please me at night, munched about anything. I gained weight and slept through about anything at all. 3 months ago I developed a constant anger/rage feeling, and I was ready to take on anybody who crossed me. Sometimes I even became violent, I would break things, scream and yell at my BF for no reasons at all. BF left a few times, and friends stopped coming around. I felt like I was going insane. I would be happy one minute, and then either angry or sad and crying for no reason at all. I have started to ween myself off this drug for 8 weeks. I DO NOT recommend remeron.

I was on the Nuvaring for about two months. During that time my already presesnt anxiety was out of control. I lost about 8lbs in two weeks at the worst time. I could not eat, I could not do anything. My work requires me to stand for a long period of time, in which my upper and lower abdominals would cramp so bad that I had to sit, or hunch over to try and get away from the pain. Due to other things going on in my life, I decided to take the ring out. After changing my diet and taking out the ring I put weight back on, I wasn't happy about it; and I didn't want to have unprotected sex with my partner. I started using it about two weeks ago, and wow! The side effects have hit me harder and faster. I woke up last weekend wanting to cry, then back to sleep, woke up and almost got sick. I feel terrrible and I dont want to do anything, and my relationships are suffering the most. I called my local Womens Health Clinic and they told me to take the ring out immediately and try to get on some other form of birth control. My advice, if anyone has those symptoms, consult your doctor asap.

And, I also had the discharge, and constant yeast infections right before my period, and it always come out in sex. Its just a good thing that my partner and I are comfortable with each other.

vomiting,severe headache,insomnia,low mood,sleepy all the time

STOP WITH THESE POSTS LEADING PEOPLE TO THAT HORRIBLE WEBSITE WHICH OFFERS NO HOPE FOR THESE PEOPLE!!! THIS WEBSITE: WWW.FQVICTIMS.ORG TELLS THESE POOR PEOPLE THERE IS NO HOPE AND THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE PERMANENT, WHICH THEY ARE NOT! LISTEN GUYS, IF YOU ONLY TOOK 1 OR 2 DOSES OF THIS MEDICATION AND HAVE SUFFERED THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. THE SYMPTOMS DO GO AWAY. FOR SOME OF THESE PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 40 WHO WERE ON THIS MED LONGER THAN A WEEK, SOME OF THEM HAVE SUFFERED PERMANENT MUSCLE AND TENDON DAMAGE AFTER THEY STOPED THE MEDICATION... PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTORS FIRST INSTEAD OF READING THESE HORRIBLE STORIES ON THESE DEPRESSING WEBSITES THAT OFFER NO REAL HELP. THERE WAS A SUICIDE A MONTH AGO BECAUSE OF THAT WEBSITE. THE PERSON FELT THERE WAS NO HOPE FROM WHAT HE READ AND TOOK HIS OWN LIFE... PLEASE PEOPLE, AFTER READING THIS, KEEP THE FAITH... CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND FIND PEPOLE IN YOUR FAMILY THAT CAN HELP YOU... WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER PERSON FEELING HELPLESS BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY READ ON SOME CONSPIRACY WEBSITE... ITS JUST HORRIBLE. PAY NO MIND TO WWW.FQVICTIMS.ORG ... FOR YOUR OWN SANITY...

I've had the lump in throat from lisinopril.

NOTE: I'm sharing information I've learned about myself in the hopes that it may steer someone else in the right direction. Use your own judgement. I'm a patient and a lisinopril sufferer, but not a doctor. Always consult your doctor (ha ha ha) before trying new medications or supplements!

There are three distinct causes that you may find difficult to believe, but I have experienced all of these mysef during a prolonged recovery from this poison - ah, I mean medicine. They do not necessarily happen all at the same time during the recovery.

1) Irritation of the upper air way in the throat because of the cough and the very small quantities of highly irritating very sticky stuff coming up. Helpful: zinc, selenium, beta glucan.

2) Irritation of the esophagus due to inadvertently swallowing that really sticky stuff. If this is the problem, you can solve it by never swallowing any of that sticky stuff. If you cough or even ahem, always spit it out. Try to cough into the sink in the morning; try to spit before eating anything. If this is the cause of the lump in the throat, then you will notice dramatic improvement using the (spiting) technique in about 3 days.

3) Thyroid being overworked due to insufficient nutrition (as it gets used up by the immune system when tackling the cough). The thyroid is at the base of the neck and when it is overworked it swells, usually mildly, and may feel like a streching sensation. The most likely problem here is selenium deficiency. If you are also having some shortness of breath, this is the most likely cause. Suggest trying 100mcg of selenium per day, possibly together with a kelp/iodine trace mineral supplement.

NOTE: I have had all three of these. I wish someone had told me about zinc, selenium and beta glucan much earlier.

Zinc is very soothing to the lungs and helpful for the immune system - I'd suggest around 25mg a day.

Selenium is very good for the immune system, and well known for its use by the immune system in chemical detox. I'd suggest 100-150mcg per day. Selenium is also used by thyriod system (in the thyroid itself as well as at the receptor cites all over the body), so if the immune system runs the body low on this one, then the thyroid system suffers. Combined with already damaged lungs, this causes shortness of breath. For the thyriod, selenium works best with iodine and boron, and make sure to get enough calcium and magnesium too.

Beta glucan is a powerful immune system stimulator. I wouldn't use it until I was taking both zinc and selenium for around 2 weeks because there is no point in stimulating the immune system if it doesn't have the nutrition it needs to detox. I have discovered that taking it for 1-2 days is sufficient to be helpful, and I'm concerned about overstimulating the immune system, so I only take it intermittently. I take 200mg twice a day for 2 days, or, 200mg three times the first day, then once the second day.

Products: I like Country Life Target Mins Zinc - comes in 50mg, which is too much for long term usage, so I split into 1/4s and take one or two 1/4s a day. I like Country Life yeast-based selenium - comes in 200mcg, I split to 1/4s and take 1/4 w/ lunch and 1/2 w/ dinner. I also like Country Life Kelp Trace mineral supplement. Beta glucan, I like Solgar's 200mg tablets.

Also recommend vit-c, vit-e, multimineral, vit-b, etc... also note that for weak stomach feeling, manganese can be helpful.

I have been on Singulair for 2 1/2 years for asthma. Although it didn't totally get my asthma under control, it lessened it a lot. (it took me getting on Advair along with Singulair to almost completely cut my dependence on albuterol inhalers to stop my asthma attacks.) A few months back I was feeling so great that I wasn't having any attacks that I decided I could stop taking Singulair. BIG MISTAKE. Within 5 days my wheezing had returned, I had a significant asthma attack that landed me in the emergency room. Moral of that story: DON'T QUIT YOUR MEDS UNLESS YOU CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. I do have the dry mouth side effect but that's a small price to pay to be able to breathe without struggle. I live in a large city where I'm always subjected to pollution and I thank God every day for Singulair and Advair.

My mother is around 80 years of age and she is also a diabetic she has been taking Toprol XL 100 mg.
She often tells us of voices at night, seems depressed, tired and moody. My question is has anyone else experienced any of these effects especially the "voices" or hallucinations, if so
what did you do? did you continue with the drug, consult your doctor. What were the results?

Ambien®

Important Note
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

Uses
Ambien medication is used to treat insomnia (sleeping disorders).

How to Use
Take Ambien medication by mouth immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach or as directed. This medication is usually taken for short periods of 7 to 10 days. Take this exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dose or take this for longer than prescribed.

Side Effects
Daytime drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these serious side effects while taking this medication: chest pain, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, skin rash, fever, behavior changes, mental confusion, abnormal thinking, depression. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also avoid intake of alcoholic beverages which will aggravate these effects. Ambien medication causes drowsiness, use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, drug dependency, depression, breathing problems, any allergies. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Since small amounts of this medication are found in breast milk, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including: any medication for depression or seizures, narcotic pain relievers, sedatives. Avoid the use of alcohol while taking this medication. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include difficulty breathing, clumsiness, slowed heart rate, and deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.

Notes
Elderly persons are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Use cautiously. You may experience sleeping difficulties on the first night after stopping this medication. Be aware of this effect. If the problem continues, contact your doctor.

Missed Dose
Take your Ambien dose at or near bedtime. If you miss a dose, do not take it if it is near the time for your next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage
Store Ambien at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom.

I have been taking prednisone for about 12 years now. I have ocular myasthemia gravis and all of a sudden I might have gotten diabetes because of the prednisone. My blood level was 134 after I had a soda and chicken sandwich (about 2 hoursafter). I'm going to my family doctor this friday and get another blood test without eating for 12 hours. If I have it so be it, but if I don't I will get off this drug when possible. To my knowledge, I was never told that prednisone could cause diabetes. This angers me very much because I was never told of the alternatives that I could take. I have never gone higher than 20mg. Some days I would take prednisone everyday and other days I would not. If I were you, I would consult your doctor immediately and look into safer drugs. Prednisone may be the best steroid or near there, but it also has its side effects. You have to ask yourself is it worth taking and risk yourself of another disease.

I started taking Lipitor at the advice of my physcician even though I had just lowered my high cholesterol to normal levels by diet alone. Go figure. He said that new studies show that people with diebetis should take it because they have an increased chance of having a heart attack. I have diabetis but is controled by diet. So I reluctantly started taking it. I took 10 mg. At first, within a week I developed a fever I could not explain. Although my doctor said that Lipitor doesn't cause fevers, the warning on the package of the prescription said to stop taking it and consult your doctor if you develop a fever after taking. Mine was getting up to 102 degrees for about 4 or five days. I quit taking Lipitor and my fevers stopped. He accused me of "non-compliance" and told me to start taking them at bedtime instead of daytime. I thought I'd try again. No fevers but, I developed a severe neck pain on the left side that felt like a tight band or chord from under my chin, where the glands are, and it progressively over a few days moved down to my underarm. It would start every morning as soon as I awoke. It felt like any small movement really strained my muscles on that side of my neck. Then around the same time, I developed a pain in my knee. I thought I was just uncomfortable from our van and not having enough room, but I never had the pain before taking Lipitor. I also at the time, developed an excruciating and dibilitating pain in my right arm. It got so severe that I could not even lift a piece of paper without it hurting. I'd fell a sensation of burning as well as muscle weakness and pain whenever I moved it just slightly. I didn't even imagine it was all from Lipitor. My salvation was that I had forgotten to take it for about 3 nights in a row and to my surprise, I stopped experiencing the pain I was having with my neck, my knee and my arm! Then I decided to see if I could find out if there were any dangers to taking Lipitor before I started taking it again, and I found this site and read all the testimonials. I am convinced now that Lipitor was causing my fevers, my pain and is a very dangerous drug. I WILL NOT take it ever again. Thanks to this site, we are all warned. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou all for sharing your stories. And thanks to the creators of this site for giving so many people the answers that will litterally save lives and change us all for the better.

I've never heard of that being a side effect. I would consult your doctor.

my little experience to the Zocor patients. I am 40 yrs, was asked to take 10mg zocor daily, but I take occationally 10mg every 3 days, which keeps my col level under control, with fairly controlled diet, lots of fiber and excercise twice a week. Avoide taking the medication daily to avoid side effects. I was following this method for the past 1 year, no problems, no side effects my liver in perfect condition and the cholostrol under control.Its better compromise on the diet than all that risks with your health. Keep monthly/weekly tests to monitor the levels and adjust your dosage accordinly. I am not a medical expert, this is what I do with my own monitoring mechanism, consult your doctor before trying any experiments. May Allah bless you'll for better health.

Works very well for my acute back muscle pull. This is the most debilitating and painful injury I've experienced. I had to take a second one four hours after the first but since then I have had no problem maintaining at least a six hour interval. I haven't experience any insomnia but I have gotten nausia, dizziness, and profuse sweats near the end of the six hour interval between pills. I think this is due to an empty stomach and the ultracet. The prescription doesn't say so but I highly recommend taking this medication with food and keeping at least some food in your stomach. After eating a small snack of cheese crackers (starch) the nausiness went away.
I've seen some posts on this board that refer to taking two pills at once. You should not do this unless it is prescribed to you by the physician. Ultracet's web site explicitly states not to take two pills within a four hour window. If the prescribed medication dosage does not work for you please go back and consult your doctor rather than altering the dosage rate.