Cyclosporine symptoms and conditions

I have no idea if these are side effects from Remicade or not- because doctors always dismiss it as "probably just you". Definitely HEADACHES. I would occasionally get headaches before, but since being on Remicade the past year, I get really bad headaches. Neck/scapula pain/strain. I have woken up with immobile neck 3 times now in past 2 months. It's getting ridiculous. The doctors just say I need PT or to stretch. But I really wonder what's up and why I've never had that in my life until now. Also flushing with inital infusion, but that really is no biggie. I definitely feel STUPID. I've heard of "chemo brain"- does the same thing happen with Remicade?
I am 31 and taking this for inflammatory condition NOS. I have an autoimmune/inflammatory eye condition NOS that left me with significant Retinopathy. I did Prednisone, Methotrexate, Humira, Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Cellcept all for a few years- and nothing helped except steroids. Which obviously you shouldn't take long-term. Plus I HATE them, they make me fat, hairy and psycho! So Remicade has been a god-send in some ways. But I am a mother of 2 and love my husband, and worry that I may not go blind but will die young from side effects of this medicine. But why should I worry? Every health care professional says there are "NO" side effects. What's the deal?

The risk of side effect of cholesterol lowering medication double and increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis if taken with these drugs. Fibrates(another type of cholesterol drug)
erythromycin(an antibiotic) ,Anti fungal medication
Niacin vit B3 at high dose( prescription doses) and cyclosporine ( an anti -rejection drug for patient who have had an organ donation) .these are from the book Australian S. C. she is liver doctor as well as extra research about cholesterol drug.her book title is Cholesterol the real truth
(are the drug you take making you sick).

This is an update. I have experienced "some" problems trying to get Doctors to believe that my muscle problems are Lipitor related. I was sent this by a nurse. It is not the full page.

"2005 Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference (pg.155)

atorvastatin
Lipitor

Uses: As an adjunct in primary hypercholesterolemia

Interactiions:
*Risk of possible rhabdomyolysis; azole antifungaals,
cycloSPORINE, erythromycin, niacin, gemfibrozil, clofibrate".

Guess what? I have been using an azole antifungal intermittently for the entire time I was on Lipitor. It is not a medication I "take". It is used topically for a fungal nail which refuses to clear up. You may have been using it for athletes foot.
Now one pharmacist says a topical application cannot cause this interaction and another pharmacist says it is almost certain that the azole antifungal gets into the blood stream and will interact with the Lipitor. I have to laugh.
Next week I start Physical Therapy on my left elbow.

I have now tapered to 10mg prednisone every other day and will end 75mg Cytoxan Aug 19th. Just went to the Dr. and she said protein is back in urine (bad) but also rising in blood. (good) I can continue to taper prednisone but will have to have another 24 hr urine speciman to determine wether I have to go on cyclosporine. Was originally diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease, but now she thinks it could be another kidney disease. Has anyone had successful tapering with the addition of cyclosporine? Does the urine protein ever get higher? What about side effects of cyclosporine.

Hi,

I just found this site, as I am looking for an explanation for the extreme joint pain that I am having, along with swollen ankles/feet. I have been dealing with some type of chronic contact dermatitis that no one has been able to solve, since last July. I have been on numerous steroids, then on Cyclosporine, for several months, which can play havoc with your kidneys. I also started taking Singulair for the itching, which is one of the few things that has really helped. Since November, I was taking Singulair on and off. But, as I recall, I began taking it daily since around late January. Around late February, I began having joint pain, which still continues, and lately, is becoming excruciating! When it first began, I blamed it on the Cyclosporine and kidney breakdown. But, since I have been off that, the pain has continued to worsen. Then I thought it may have something to do with the Doxepin, which I also take at night for the itching. I stopped taking that two nights ago, but the pain continues to worsen.

Now, from what I am reading, these blogs make me believe it could be the Singulair. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the pain to go away once you stop taking the Singulair????? I will gladly stop taking it if this pain will go away. In fact I will be thrilled, because I was suppose to begin testing next weak for possible Lupus, because it doesn't seem that the Physicians who prescribe Singulair, are well aware of these issues.

I would appreciate anyone who can give information as to how long it takes for the side effects to subside. Thank you!!!
(In pain in Boca Raton, FL)

I have been on zocor because of high cholesterol. It was caused by a kidney problem I have. I now can hardley walk across the room because of the hip pain,leg pain, femur, side aches,I even have pain in my back side which makes it hard to sit. I have trouble sitting, standing. and laying down I can not stand to be touched any where below the waist. it sends pain all thought my lower body. My back hurts also. I also have problems with my left arm. I can not even life a cup of coffee with it and at times have to use my right arm to move my left one. We thought I might have fibermyalgia until I came upon this website. I also had my medications changed a month ago and have read on a different web site that if you take zocor with cyclosporine it can increase the chances of muscle damage. I have such sever pain at times I have gone in to the emergency room for relief. Even taking a pain medication and getting pain shots at times has ony relieved it for a few hours. I have not been able to sleep because of the pain. is there any lawsuits against cyclosporine or zocor. No where is there any reference that you can not take both at the same time.

My 16 year old son has been on prednisone for 7 years for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Asthma, and Idiopathic Angio-Edema (deep tissue swelling/hives) with Chronic Uriticaria (Hives). He started on massive doses but in the last year decreased to 10mg every other day. 3 weeks ago we discovered he has developed scoliosis due to the long term use of prednisone. They tapered him off in 2 weeks. Now 1 week later he is having a type of withdrawl from it... weakness and no energy, nausea and headaches. He is never allowed to take prednisone again, and now the doctors are talking about putting him on cyclosporine. Has anyone experienced this too?

I have been on and off prednisone for about 4 years now. I was first daignosed with ulcerative colitis when i was 17 and took doses ranging from 15 to 50mg at its worst. I was also on immuran for treatment of UC. About 5 months ago i suffered acute renal failure and was diagnosed with nephritis minimal change. I was initially on 80mg a day and slowly weened off no getting down to 25mg and continuing to lower the doaage. Also on cyclosporine and a host of other drugs to combat the side effects of prdnisone. I sympathise with anyone who has to take the aweful drug. I have experienced just about all of the side effects mentioned on this forum. It is a debilitating drug not only physically and phsycologically but very much emotionally too. If anyone wants to talk. Please e-mail me. It is had to talk to people who dont know what you are going through and have been through.