Decline symptoms and conditions

I am a 70 year old woman, I have been on 20mg Lipitor for high cholesterol, 200 total and 25mg of Spironolactone for a not so high blood pressure, for 3 1/2 yrs. Oh, my God, the Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic that is very dangerous and has many uses I didn't know about or the terrible side effects, it causes breast cancer. It's also used to treat women who have an over growth of hairiness, or on a higher dose to treat hair loss and I've gone bald on the top of my head! Plus all of the good foods we're supposed to eat for high cholesterol, fruit & veggies one isn't to eat on this drug, because of lot's of potassium, what a huge contradiction. And muscle pains, and rashes, (eczema, atopic dermatitis) that I've suffered from both.
Anyway, Lipitor, had know idea about the side effects until I looked it up on the internet and read these posts on here.
I stopped taking Lipitor last week and Spironolactone 2 days ago.
I had cholesterol test last week too and saw my dr. Wednesday. He said it was okay that I stopped the Lipitor, but not the other one, why not the other one worse then Lipitor and why am I on this strong drug, geez.
The pain and burning started in my hip for no reason, then my ankles with eczema which started soon after Lipitor, then my fingers, numbness, can't pick things up, tingling, burning. Then my feet, yes, just like all of you I have these same problems. This is not just coincidental, this is from the drug Lipitor. I get severe joint cramps in my legs, feet and fingers.
For now on before I take any drug I've prescribed I will thoroughly check for side effects and not take it if they're seriously impairing like Lipitor. I feel like a cripple and older then I should feel, I almost just felt like why live anymore if this is how it's going to be.
Since I've stopped Lipitor I feel a little better, I read that it causes permanent muscle and nerve damage though, oh I hope not, I can barely walk anymore or get up out of my chair. This is all drug induced toxicity of my system. Thanks so much everyone who posted for sharing and enlightening all of us who are suffering from this drug and others.
It should be banned along with Baycol, (a statin) which was banned a few months ago because of these same side effects. With the studies that it only helps maybe to prevent heart attack, well I'd rather be able to walk again and hopefully all this will go away, the rash, etc.

I am a 51 year old woman and have been taking Lisinopril for 8 months. I have a total lack of sex drive now and have felt sad and depressed often. I also have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. I had severe dermatitis (rash on trunk and back) about four weeks ago that required medicine to clear up. I thought it might be my bra, but now, after reading a few posts, I'm thinking it's the Lisinopril, too. Shortly after the rash my thick hair started thinning quickly. I, too, am afraid to step into the shower, as so much hair comes out it clogs the drain. It feels and looks very thin now. I have not added any new routines or products to my life to be causing these symptoms, except the Lisinopril. I went through menopause at age 43, I plan to visit with my Dr. next week about switching meds.

Side Effects: hair loss, mood swings, decline in sex drive, headaches

Thank God for this site! I started taking Yaz around June 2008. I recently decided to stop taking the pill and had a tubal ligation. Around October 2008, I noticed that my hair in the mid-top was thinning. I've always had very thick hair. It could have actually started before then, but I didn't notice it until then. Now, I have a small bald spot in the front of my head which is very hard to cover up. I stopped the pill in April 2009. In addition to hair loss/thinning, my sex drive declined, I was moody, had headaches, extremely tired, and always had an "attitude". I hope the bald spots do not continue.

anyone experience abnormal menstrual cycle?
I stopped getting my period for 2 months and now am off the med for about 6 days, anyone know how long it can take to be out of your system?

I have been going crazy the last 4-5 months due to nasal congestion and what feels like a thick mucus in the back of my throat, that will not go away...no matter how hard/often I swallow. This is an all day, every day problem. I am so grateful for reading the other postings that state similar situations. I have also seen a huge decline in my sex drive. I was recently at the Dr. and have just put on amoxicillin, thinking it may be some type of atypical sinus infection. Thank God for these postings. Now I know I am not going crazy!

Im on it right now, have been for about 2 years.. I haven't had any bad side effects, My boobs do get a bit bigger around the 3rd patch change but can you really complain about that.. And ive had a slight decline of my sex drive but nothing too horrific. Although i get emotional a lot easier, not crazy though.. More like the cry during those pathetic hallmark commercials, Nothing Major though.The only thing i don't like is the black film it leaves behind when you change it, but for all the good, the small bad is something i can defiantly deal with.
I recommend this 100%, but you should always research your BC before you start it, compare all the good with the bad, from ALL sources. Read actual Peoples side effects not just the company and form your own opinion. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be aware.
-A.

I've been on the ring for 3 months. Before that, I was on the Ortho tri cyclen Lo for like.. 5 years. I have had no noticeable problems with the ring, other than sometimes it gets in the way during sex, but if it becomes a problem I just take it out. I have not noticed any decline in sex drive. Actually, I think I have a stronger sex drive now. I have not felt depressed. The itching some of you describe would occur if you placed the ring without THOROUGHLY washing your hands with soap. So far, this method of birth control has been completely ideal for me, as a person who has serious trouble remembering to take her pill consistently. So far, I would recommend it to my friends. I'm sorry so many of you girls have had bad experiences. For those of you reading this who are considering the Nuvaring, just consider this: People who have bad experiences with a drug are more likely to get online and make their complaints know. People who are getting along fine are less likely to get on here to report everything is dandy. It's like a restaurant review.. "If they have a good experience, they'll tell two people, if they have a bad experience, they'll tell 12." Good luck.

I'm wondering if some of you could explain how the leg pain was. My 20 month old has been on Singulair for 2 months for ?asthma (he's has bronchiolitis once and pneumonia 2x since he was 6 months old and a chronic cough). His medication "regime" in working great-absolutely no cough in 2 months from a child who I started to think coughing was normal for this age. 3 weeks ago we were driving in the car and he started grabbing his right leg say "ooww, boo boo". and now in the last 2 weeks we have had 3 times where he holds his right leg crying in pain and will not walk, will not stand on his leg. One time lasted for about 2+ hours-he went to bed like that and woke up fine, jumping in his crib. 2nd and 3rd time it lasted about 1 hour and then he was fine completely back to himself. We had him seen but decline xrays and to just watch it for now. The MD said it could be a virus in his knee. I asked about side effects to med and she doubted it. But I started reading and now I'm suspicious. The weird thing is that it comes on strong and goes away just as easily. Wondering if anyone else could describe their leg pain in more detail. Thanks!

I have been on Zoloft for 3 months now. My OB/GYN prescribed it to me after I had my son since I had a severe case of the baby blues and depression. I've felt much better and don't feel so hopeless anymore, but one thing that is really worrying me is that I can't cry anymore or feel any type of extreme emotion. I've recently moved from KS to VA and when I was leaving my family and friends I couldn't even cry or show sadness even though I knew I felt it inside. It was really weird. Another bad side effect is the EXTREME decline in my sex drive. My husband is getting really frustrated with me because I'm just not into sex anymore AT ALL. But my theory is I'd rather have no sex drive than feel hopeless and lonely and depressed like I did before taking Zoloft. Once I find a new doctor in VA I'll see if there's any alternatives but for now I'm staying with it.

I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 2 months now and I haven't really had any problems per se. I had my first period after starting the pill for only 3-4 days and it was very light. I started taking it in the middle of the month since my ob/gyn told me not to wait until my next period since we didn't know when that would come considering I just had a baby in June. So far I've only had one day of spotting at an unusual time, no cramps at all, my face a cleared up considerably, no facial hair and just a tad bit of weight gain (like 5lbs.) which I don't think is from the pill. Although I am concerned considering I'm about 10 days late for my period and I've taken a pregnancy test and it was negative. I also have noticed an EXTREME decline in my sex drive. I guess I'll stick with it and hope it gets a little better.

I am so glad I read all these entries! I just made an appointment with my doctor after a long talk with my husband. I have been on Nuvaring for 2 years now since I had my daughter. My sex drive ever since was on a down hill decline, and has been really frustrating for both of us. It's pretty much non-existant. I have also noticed my stress levels and anxiety is completely out of character for me. I get really moody, and if my kids aren't behaving, I feel myself getting red with anger. In my heart I know it's the Nuvaring, so I am going to discuss it with my doctor about an alternative. And now I know I am not the only one:)

I just started the Singular and it has helped my asthma a lot. I can't tell about the coughing because I also started it while I had a cold. But now and then even before I took singluar I would cough. Sometimes coughs are produced from various types of airborne things, many different types of things. I have a mold aggreviated asthma so that could be why its helping my instead of causing me to go nuts like it does for some. But it doesn't sound like a very good drug for children. It seems as though none of the posts coming from children taken Singular are positive. But so far it's helping me. I made it through the day without grabbing for my inhaler which was a great relief for once.

I took chantix for one month......just enough time to quit smoking. I quit the chantix earlier than expected due to shortness of breath that was severe enough to scare me. Now its been many months since i took it but I started noticing that i was urinating every 3 hours at night and it began when i took chantix and hasn't ended......and now i can add flank pain to that.....pain above the waist and to the right side of the spine. I can now add fatigue to that as lately ive noticed i go to the gym , eat, come home and nap. Energy decline.

I am a 54 year old healthy woman, and thought I was going nuts! I have been on Simvastatin for about 14 months and on a gradual overall decline...big black pms-like cloud over my head and unable to find anything to feel happy about (I have a GREAT life). Couldn't sleep, gained weight, heart racing (went on 24 hr monitor-nothing!), dizzy and feeling like I could pass out ON A REGULAR BASIS! Tingle down my left arm, heartburn constantly, stiffness in my neck, tingly hot feet at night, zero interest in sex, miserable. I had been taking myself off all the over the counter stuff and estrogen trying to figure out what was going on...then I started the online research on statins. My doctor told me there was no way that a statin could be the cause of my dizziness and problems. WRONG!!! I was having the same side effects as all of you and went off the simvastatin two weeks ago. Bottom line is that I already feel so much better, walked 2 miles with ENERGY today and am happy. Hoping that I will get back to my old self again. I will be taking the herbal approach to lower my cholesterol...never again this crap!

Has anyone had the Mirena taken out and immediately replaced with the copper IUD? I'm having this procedure done on May 20, 2008 and I'm really scared that doing this will further hinder my weight loss effort. I've had the MIrena for a little over 2 years, and like many many women I only have very recently started to connect Mirena with side effects I never imagined. It was inserted Feb. 2006, and immediately I turned into a horrible, moody, extremely emotional basketcase. I never even thought twice about the Mirena being responsible. My husband and I thought I was postpartum depressed. I lost everything, meaning my husband, my home, my life, and my mind within 3 months of insertion. I had already had one child, and after she was born I had PPD, but not to the extent of attempting to kill my husband and turning his mother in to Social Security. This was a horrible time in my life and I wish I had known that it wasn't just postpartum behavior. Recently I've noticed the increase in my weight....a problem I never had before and I don't like it. My skin is a big oily blemish nightmare, also a problem I never had before. I'm always nauseated, I am depressed still and now summer time has become dreaded because I can't stand to look at myself and it's too hot to cover all the way up. I'm terrified of removal because I have read many stories saying that you go through a worse emotional roller coaster to get the hormones out of your body, but I suppose I've done it once, I can do it again. If anyone has had the Mirena removed and replaced with the copper one, can you please tell me what to expect??

blurred vision, headaches, diarrhea and severe decline in alertness(a high feeling)

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????

Within 5 days of beginning course of Geodon, 40mg daily, doc doubled my dosage to 80mg, began to have problems. Intensely manic, easily frightened, insomnia, terrifying dreams. I decided to get out of hospital ASAP and decide if to quit taking Geodon.
On day six already my face was twitching, was irritable and manic, pacing, increasingly manic throughout day, decided to skip evening dose, keep total dosage same as before, 40mg. Began tripping around midnight and it was all downhill from there. Sleepless all night, by morning I had convulsions, increased heart rate, fear and anxiety, psychosis, uncontrollable crying. Had another seizure 12 hours later. Slept a little with help of Valium. Next day developed Parkinson's like symptoms, had my father not been there to help me, Lord knows what would have happened to me. Still awake in day 3 of withdrawal. Hoping the worst is over.

Like most posts, I am happy that I found this site. I have been on one form of birth control or another for 11 years (16-27). I have been on the NuvaRing for almost 3 years. Loved the convenience and short periods! Didn't like the weird smelling discharge, but it seemed a small price to pay. Almost a year ago, I suddenly lost my sex drive and motivation, both of which were strong presences in my life. I attributed this decline to moving to a new area that lacked all of the things that I enjoyed. I forced my motivation back into gear, but I was just going through the motions. I tried to do the same with sex, and it worked during the off week of the ring. Still, I didn't attribute my symptoms to the ring. I lived with this until last month, when I started getting nosebleeds and the last bit of my sex drive left. The discharge was so bad I embarrassed myself. I was disgusted with any sort of sexual touch, although clothed-cuddling was fine. My mood declined and I actually thought I should go to a professional for depression. Finally, I called a friend crying about how horrible my life was, and how miserable i was and blah, blah, blah. She mentioned that it could be birth control. Since I had been on b/c for so long, and the ring for three years, I thought there was no way that these symptoms would just appear out of the blue. but i was desperate and didn't put the ring back in this month. i have been without the ring for a little over a week now, and I'm already noticing some differences. I don't have to force myself to get motivated, I am not as moody, i can think clearly without getting distracted easily and I'm not as hungry anymore. sex drive is still non-existent, but I'm no longer disgusted by the thought of sex. The discharge has vanished. I do have to mention that I did have some "withdrawal" symptoms. My breasts became so tender that I didn't want to wear a shirt or even move. I had some generalized cramping in my abdominal region for a couple of days that was pretty intense.

if all of these symptoms were caused by the NuvaRing, what am I supposed to do now? Pills made my breasts extremely tender all of the time. condoms are okay, but I'm anxious that they might break. and since I haven't given birth, the doctor isn't eager to put me on the IUD. and when am I going to get my sex drive back?

I was on Topamax for 10 months at 100 mg twice a day. At first I experienced severe dizziness and actually passed out twice, so my doctor decreased the dose and had me increase it slowly, every two weeks instead of every week. The entire time I was taking Topamax, I was dizzy when standing, no matter how slowly I stood up, although I stopped passing out. I also experienced cognitive side effects such as memory loss, inability to 'find the right word' (I know everyone experiences this sometimes, but I was constantly having trouble speaking). I was in my first year of graduate school and had switched to Topamax, because I had been taking Depakote for over a year with little improvement in my migraines, and when I started my doctoral work I started having migraines daily. The Topamax did wonders for my migraines, reducing them to twice a month, but I had a severe decline in my academic performance due to its side effects. I had excellent grades as an undergraduate, but I had to take a leave of absence from grad school and switch to another medication and am now hoping that when I return to school I will be able to succeed. I actually considered changing my career choice and staying on the Topamax because it worked so well for my migraines, so if you aren't in school I would recommend you try it if nothing else has worked for you.

My 2 year old son has been taking Singulair for about a month. He had a bad asthma attack in September and was on albuterol and prednisone. Then the dr. prescribed Pulmicort and after giving it to him for 3 days and reading the literature, I stopped giving it to him because it had terrible side effects. The dr. was not happy with me and I agreed to put him on Singulair since it wasn't a steroid.

He has always been clingy and never a good sleeper. Recently he's been sleeping terribly and having awful night terrors. He can't really talk much yet, so I can't ask him what is wrong, but he'll wake up looking terrified and shaking and pointing at the celing and nothing is there. I can barely get him calmed back down. He also has gotten worse about not being with me. He has to have his hand on me at all times when we around other people. As I said, he's always been clingy, but he's just been worse lately. Also, he's had a stuffy nose since he went on the Singulair. He can no longer breathe out of his nose at all. When he's sleeping he snores terribly and sometimes gasps, which scares me. It's like an apnea thing. He's also been sleeping until 10 - 10:30 am which he's never done.

My husband did not want him taking it from the start, but I was stupid and did what I wanted instead of listening to him. Now I realize his gut feeling was right on and it makes me almost cry. He is too little to be telling me if his head or body hurts or what he is feeling, so he may be feeling even worse than I suspect.

I am going to research diet changes and see if that is something we can do to control his asthma. We're also seeing a chiropractor and trying some things to boost his immune system so he won't get sick and have it lead to asthma attacks.

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. I appreciate it more than you know. I hate that any of our children (or you adults) have had to go through these things, but sharing your experiences makes it worth it so that others won't have to go through the same. Thank you!

I was on Ortha Evra for almost 2 years. I really liked it. I liked the idea of not having to take a pill everyday, because I would always seem to forget, then have to double up the next day. The patch is small and I was able to wear a bikini, without it showing. I always kept it on the front because I was afraid that if I wore it on my butt, it would fall off without me noticing. It never once fell off. The only negative thing I did notice while I was using the patch is that I experienced heavier cramps and my sex drive started to decline after I was using it for about 6 months. But, all in all, I liked it.

I can't believe what I am reading. My son, who is 10 now has been on this med for 5 years now. The same amount of time that he has been dx with ad/hd. He started a new med for adhd this past summer and was doing wonderful, at the same time I had run out of Zyrtec for a couple of months and was giving him Claritin instead. Well we got a Zyrtec prescription on Oct. 1 and since then his behavior has went down hill. I thought that the adhd med had just stopped working, now I am wondering if it is the Zyrtec. The time the med seemed to stop being effective is the same time we had the Zyrtec filled. I am taking him off of it immediately. He has been angry, smart mouthed, disrespectful. Doesn't listen to anything I say. This summer and even until last month was wonderful. He did what I asked the first time, I didn't have to repeat myself, and he was calmer and nicer. I can't wait to see if this is the cause of a lot of his problems.

I have been taking 20mg of Lisinopril for about a year. Shortly after beginning, I noticed a decline in my sexual performance. About two months ago, my dosage was incresed to 40mg. My blood pressure is fine now but I can barely get an erection and if I do it does'nt last. Has anyone else had similar problems or do I have another problem?

My husband has been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. He is only 37 years old and has lived a very healthy life so far. Two weeks ago he started showing colitis symptoms and between Monday, Jan. 29 to Wed. Feb. 7 (9 days!) he lost 28 pounds! He was given a shot of Prednisone in the ER and prescribed a short regime for it with a gradual decline to ween him off of it as soon as possible. He seems to have the worst and oddest side effects. Has anyone ever experienced this with Prednisone...He slurrs his speech, drools almost constantly, has trouble swallowing, and his face from the upper lip down looks like his face is hanging there. (I had his doctor check for stroke and there was none.) That on top of the nausea, vomitting, dizziness, weakness, and being constantly sleepy. I know it all sounds real bad but he has actually improved since taking the prednisone. At least he's alive and getting better. Hope this helps.