Controllable symptoms and conditions

I had the Mirena put in on the 5th of April, 8 weeks(ish) after the birth of my 2nd child. I wasn't 100% recovered from the labor, as I had some spotting and cramping from the breast feeding. When I was 7 months pregnant, I was told I have a very sensitive cervix, meaning that it bled easily. Upon insertion, there was some bleeding that they had to use silver nitrate to stop for this reason. I was informed this may also cause it to bleed a little longer. This being said, since my daughter's birth (Feb 25th) there has been a total of maybe 12-15 days where I have NOT bled, only increasing since the iud. When I had my first period, I was throwing up for 24 hours, dizzy and crampy, with a very thick discharge. Before pregnancy, my periods were no where near this bad, controllable PMS and bleeding for only 4 or 5 days, max. I'm still spotting. I've been trying to be more active, to little avail, as I've been exhausted and temperamental, wanting to do nothing but sleep, cry and argue. The day after I had the mirena put in, i began training for my job, and I felt ready to cry! But I persevered! I pushed myself to walk to work, trying to get out of the funk, to get myself more exercise and maybe help the pinch in my back work out (a side effect from being preg hehe)
In the past month and a half, I don't have as much control over my moods - swinging from "fun, let's sing and dance mommy" to "get away from me, and stop crying" mommy in mere seconds! and it terrifies me, b/c i've ALWAYS been an easy-going lovable person; very mellow and rarely losing my temper. as hard as i've tried to make myself more active - park w/ the girls, as mentioned before, walking to work - non stop moving while i'm at work, i've actually gained weight! I've bloated up at least 1 and a 1/2 sizes! and in the past 2 weeks it's only gotten worse. I get home from work, feeling ready to fall over - to an extreme. I can't focus on anything in particular w/o losing interest or just not being able to complete it, even something as simple as doing the dishes! just this past friday i began to experience joint pain that was only dulled by a tylenol 800 (i'm taking AT LEAST 1 daily now). ZERO sex drive, and the sensation of movement in my abdomen (which i thought was just in my head and i was losing my mind) - I thought i was beginning to suffer from PPD, and was completely prepared to mention it to my doc on my follow up appt, but after reading all the symptoms and experiences, I'm beginning to think that it has little to do w/ that. - something else, and i may have overlooked it, but i've also had an increased craving of sweets, especially tarty candies. has any one else had this happen?

I just want to be me again, and if that means going back to and OTC contraceptive, then so be it!

I have been on Topamax for a little over a year. I've had most of the side effects; tingling, numbness in the fingers, dry mouth, forgetfulness, and weight loss - love the weight loss. All the side effects have sort of slowed down as I've been on the medication longer. The weight loss has slowed and I've even began to get my appetite back- I'm afraid I'm going to start gaining weight now! I've lost about 40 pounds and I needed to lose it, so that was wonderful. I've had a very hard time losing weight all my life so this was wonderful.

I was addicted to Coca Cola and this med also helped me kick that habit because I lost my taste for the carbonation.

Does anyone know if the weight loss usually evens out after about a year or a year and a half? I need to lose about 30 more pounds and was hoping that I would continue losing weight!

Anyway, I was on the Topamax for headaches and it has completely helped that! It has truly been a God-send for me. Other than monthly hormone headaches, I don't get migraines hardly at all!

I am wondering about having my doc up my dosage for the weight loss aspect????

I was on Lisinopril for little over a month in 2005. My doctor changed my prescription to Cozaar and I have been much better on it--my blood pressure even responded better. Yes, the Cozaar is much more expensive because it is name brand, but quality of life is of value.

It has taken a year for most of the Lisinopril caused problems to subside. I can walk without feeling like I am going to pass out and I don't cough and wheeze like I did. I do still have some lung problems--I cough more than I used to but it is minor and I can live with it compared to what I was like with the full blown Lisinopril cough (TB Ward, anyone?).

I still get leg cramps and have to get up at night to walk around a bit to ease them. I find if I drink milk the cramps are less often and much less intense. Possibly calcium tablets and/or Vitamin D would have the same effect.

I am not depressed any more. I was terribly down when I was on the Lisinopril. I recommend talking and talking and talking to your doctor about the depression and when it started rather than letting them put you on an anti-depressant which just masks the problem. And if a PCP puts you on an anti-depressant, make sure you see a licensed therapist. Anti-depressants need to be used in conjunction with therapy.

I still have the aching joints but they are controllable with heat and, once in a while, Tylenol.

My eyesight was affected to an extent but even that has gotten better. I got to the point that I couldn't thread a needle. But I can see to thread a needle!

I just wanted to let those of you still on Lisinopril or who have been switched from Lisinopril and are still experiencing the side effects that they do get better. I still remember the morning I got up to get ready for bed and wondered what was wrong with me--I had energy and was actually looking forward to the day. It was (and is) a wonderful feeling after a year of existing and just trying to get through the day so I could go home and go to bed.

First afternoon:
At first it worked great, the dizziness was the same as before I started on V-Q-TUSS, my coughing became controllable, and I wasn't drowning in flem.

First evening: Extreme nausea, disorientation, sleeplessness, and tossed my cookies 3 times.

Next morning: I was very week again and VERY tired from not being able to sleep, and choking on my own flem. So I decided to take a dose (not realizing this was part of my problem). As soon as it hit my stomach I realized that this was the source of my nausea.
10 minutes later I was puking my guts out again.

Next attempt: NEVER!

to lisa,

yes the first 3 months are the heardest.... trust me its gonna get better io can promise you...
sometimes i would think "oh yes im finially ok now" and then it was like it would start all over again.... its kinda like 3 steps forward 2 steps back...
you feel like ur getting nowhere but really you are.... even now i still get the symptoms and im not fully recovered but its nuthing like it used to be...
i guarantee you in 3 months time you will be feeling a million times better.... i know it sounds like ages away but you'll get there...

to Nina your very lucky you found the symptoms early... my heart used to pound in my chest aswell and its very frightening - smart idea throwing away the packet!

lisa please be positive ok.... its all gonna work out you'll see...
its just a cycle ... you'll get your good weeks and your bad days too but eventually the bad days will ease up and become more controllable...
please take care
luv chrissy xoxox

I am a 55 yr old female that has battled with asthma my whole life. In the more recent years, it seems to be more related to allergies, than the earlier years when I was more affected by temp changes and activity. I have used a form of albuterol in inhalers for years to control it. About 5 years ago my doctor put me on Serevent and Flovent. Last year he changed me to Advair saying it was the combo of the two of them. I have gained a lot of upper body weight in the last 5 years. I have never had a weight problem until now and can't seem to lose it. I have also developed high blood pressure and have to take meds for that and for "water weight", and joint pain and have to take meds for that. I stumbled onto this forum and it has been a real eye opener. I realize that some of this is due to my age and body changes but I now wonder how much has to do with the medications, particularly Advair. I wonder if I can drop the weight - and therefore lower my blood pressure and cholesterol and maybe lessen my joint pain if I stop the Advair? Has anyone experienced anything like this. My asthma was pretty controllable prior to Advair - Thanks for any info you may have.