Dependent symptoms and conditions

I was a 2:42 marathoner. I used a synthetic varnish containing isocyanates, pentanedione, organic solvents, in one 7-hour session; the company-recommended respirator did not in fact prevent transmission: Severe chemically- induced asthma, plus neuropathy, plus, plus.

I've used Advair 500/50 for six years. There have been many diverse effects from the chemical exposure; I'd not questioned any being Advair side effects. But the raised blood pressure was not initial, and certainly not a priori. Diminished hearing, diminished eyesight, anxiety. Again, not to lump in, but these questions are new for me. But the point I'd like to bring before this group is this: In August I was diagnosed with ehlichiosis , and was prescribed 28 days on doxycycline. They recommend eliminating many possible antagonists to the doxycycline. My respiratory capacity had been continually diminishing. My ongoing physician said this was to be expected and recommended only the next more powerful steroid. Not a good solution. Before all this I was strong; repaired myself. In the absence of constructive answers, wondering if the Advair was weakening me, making me dependent, I quit the Advair as well on beginning the doxycycline. Today is eleven days post-doxycycline. Eight days ago there began with increasing severity, a terrible wracking deep cough producing dark yellow mucus. Painful. No fever. Grevious throat from the wracking, but I question whether this is a cold or infection. It's just in my lungs. Maybe it's as though I've thrown off an epithelial coating. These past two days the quantity of deep yellow mucus is not as ready, but the wracking and coughing is more severe. And my lung capacity, my respiratory capacity, is frighteningly diminished. Until these past two days I'd considered this an infection, especially post-doxy. But it doesn't feel like an infection. And I'm scared. Is this because I quit the Advair abruptly after long regular use? Have any of you had a similar experience. Can you discuss the effects of abruptly discontinuing Advair. Have you stayed off it. What's happened to your respiratory capacity. Have you any professional studies, trials or experience to recommend. Thanks.

I am weaning off Zoloft. I began taking it in Nov. 2001 because I knew I would have post-partum depression since I had it with my first two. Zoloft changed my life so much for the better. That was almost 6 years ago. The past year I have decided that I can do w/o Zoloft. One, because I’ve learned how to choose to be happy. Two, because I don’t like being addicted to a pill. I know I’m addicted (or somewhat addicted to) because if I forgot to take the pill, several hours later, I would get weird feelings, like when I turn my head and move my eyes at the same time, a weird slightly dizzy feeling.
Here’s how I did it. In May and June, I took a whole pill (50 mg) every other day and every other day I took half a pill. That’s 2 months of that. Then, July and August, I took a half a pill EVERY day. Now that it’s Sept., I’m taking a half a pill every other day and NO pill every other day. I must say, this has been the hardest. It’s just 4 days into Sept. and I’m having those weird sensations a lot. My toes and fingers are tingly, too. I was planning on doing this for 2 months but I'm on the 4th day (2nd day of no pill) and I'm having too many tingles and weird dizzy sensations. So, I guess I'll continue taking a half pill every day and take NO pill ONE day a week for this month of Sept. Then, in October, I will take NO pill TWO days a week (but not 2 days in a row). Then, in November, I'll go to THREE days a week of no pill (but not 3 days in a row). And so on. I had hoped to be off by Christmas or Jan. 2008, but I see that it won't work unless I wean to a NO pill gradually. I knew all along that it would have to be gradual, and that's what I've been doing, but I had no idea that just missing a mere 25 mg. for 2 days (but not in a row, mind you) would make such a difference.
Now, if I get too many really sad days, I will consider going back on. But I’ve done really well so far. I know that God is helping me. He can lick it; I can’t. I have had just a handful of occasions where I was told something slightly disturbing or something happened to me that was slightly upsetting and it got me down, but only for the rest of that day. AND, I gave it to God and let Him deal with it. He wants to take care of my problems; He doesn’t want me worrying about it. I know that medicine like Zoloft may be the answer and if that is what I ultimately do, then I’ll just continue leave it to Him. I hope this helps someone.

I'm 31 and a recovered cancer patient (in remission since 2001). I've been trough it all. Surgery, chemo, radiation, BMT's, you name it. I currently suffer from three separate sleep disorders, as well as hypothyroidism. As you can imagine, I've grown to become very in tune with my body. And, having gone through everything I have over the years, and having taken all kinds of medications, I have never experienced such dissatisfaction and such a high level of negative side-effects as I have with Toprol XL.

My primary care doctor, who is also a cardiologist, put me on Toprol XL to treat an elevated heart rate -- as a result of all my past health issues, my auto-regulatory system is, as he puts is, “just messed-up now.” He started me on 50 mg a day. Immediately, I experienced trouble breathing: I woke one night and felt as though I was drowning. Over the course of about 8 months, he's lowered my dose to 12.5 mg a day. And, for a while, that seemed to be OK. But, recently, the trouble breathing has returned.

I'm at a point now where I'm afraid to go to sleep -- the moment I lie down, I find myself gasping for air. All day long, I have a constant wheezing. I can't go up a flight of stairs without needing to sit down and catch my breath -- I feel as though I'm about to faint from loss of air. I spend most of my day with a sensation of being suffocated. I cough frequently, but it gives me no relief.

I have noticed other side effects. Notable is the weight gain. I've never in my life weighed more than 145 lbs. I’m 163 now. I was blaming the weight gain on the thyroid, but I'm on a fairly high dose of that medication, and I've yet to experience any loss of weight. I'm gaining, despite only eating one meal a day. I attribute this weight to the Toprol.

Also, I have been experiencing moments of extreme anxiety -- this is very unusual for me. I also want to say that never once during all my dealings with cancer did I ever experience depression, and that right there should give you an indication of what type of person I am. Yet, now, since being on the Toprol XL, I find I lack the energy and desire to do much of anything anymore.

My doctor seems very quick to dismiss my concerns, telling me, "you need to give this medication a chance." I think 8 months of my life is enough -- I have lost all patience with this medication, and I'm just about losing it with him, as well. I didn't survive cancer and all the other complications that came with it just to have my life brought to a total standstill by a single medication. This is so infuriating.

I'm making an appointment to speak with my doctor right away. If he continues to insist I stay on Toprol XL and ignore my concerns, I will tell him I no longer feel comfortable with having him as my primary care physician. I want my life back.

This may sound a little strange ... I was prescribed Lamictal off label for OCD. A lot of my obsessive-compulsive behavior is related to an insatiable need for male attention, in addition to an overwhelming need to check and fix my apperances - what my doctor calls BDD (Body Dismorphic Disorder, which is closly related to OCD). I started taking 50 mg of Lamictal, and after several months, ended up at 250 mg. My behavior didn't really seem to change and I didn't feel any side effects ... well, for the most part. I have taken SO many different kinds of medications for depression, OCD and social anxiety, and they have ALL had some side effect or another than made it impossible for me to continue taking the drug, no matter what the upside was. Dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, sexual side effects, memory loss, headaches, etc. You name the side effect, I've experienced it, but NOT from Lamictal. The only side effect I had from Lamictal wasn't really a "normal" side effect. It was fitting to my situation and my initial need for the drug. After being on Lamictal for a while, I felt nothing different in myself - no aching, nausea, vision issues, or forgetfulness ... just an extremely weak libido. And, I'm not talking about the sexual side effects that normally come along with taking certain medications. Where you just completely lose you sex drive, and the idea of sex ends up being totally disgusting to you. I didn't lose my sex drive - I just lost all my flirty, provocative, sexy, cheeky behavior. I use to want to take sexy pictures of myself for my boyfriend and things like that, and it all completely went away. I don't know if Lamictal is supposed to have sexual side effects - I don't think it is - but this was my experience with it. I want to continue taking Lamictal because it does curb some of my behavior that normally ends up putting me in danger and getting me in trouble, but I truly feel like a huge part of me is dead inside. I feel that my sexuality is a big part of who I am, whether I like it or not, and I miss it. I'm probably going to stop taking the medication JUST b/c I miss that certain part of myself. I would, however, recommend Lamictal to anyone with OCD who wants to try and control certain obsessive behavior. It seems to do the trick

I'm sorry so many of you have bad experiences with Adderall. My side effects went away in about two weeks.

The amphetamines in Adderall have been used for 70 years, so if they were that dangerous, they would not be around today and one of the top 10 most prescribed pediatric drugs in America.

To Spoiled Rotten,
Apparently you can't read all that well or don't know how to do research, maybe you should have been on Adderall as a kid. RITALIN, CONCERTA, FOCALIN, DAYTRANA are all Methylphenidate, which IS NOT AN AMPHETAMINE.

Be a Big BOY/GIRL and do your own research about these drugs. Real research, not a side-effects website where people who know nothing about the drugs themselves hear something from someone, who knows someone's sisters friend who ABUSED their medication.

ALL DRUGS can be bad. You can die of an aspirin overdose. It's how they are used. Adderall and Ritalin are "very safe" when used properly" (Driven To Distraction).

I'm sure 99 percent of you don't even know what ADDICTION really is. This is a huge health problem in America. Yes, the addictions, but MORE so the ignorance and stereotypes of people with them.

African American 47,
You DON'T just get addicted to a drug. You can BE DEPENDENT on a drug, and not an addict. Cancer patients take very large amounts of NARCOTIC pain killers and THEY ARE DEPENDENT on them. For pain relief and physical dependence. They DON'T crave the drugs though.

So with SPOILED rotten's philosophy, the 20,000,000 people on Adderall or Ritalin (NOT AN AMPHETAMINE, similar, but not the same thing) who's quality of life has been improved 100 fold just like mine. I would have benefited GREATLY from medication but did not get diagnosed until 3 months ago at the age of 24.

Medication IS NOT for everyone, as "it doesn't work very well for about 80% of people who take it." (Driven To Distraction, Dr Edward Hallowell).

IF anyone has questions about ADD read "Driven To Distraction". The Author(s) both have ADD themselves and are psychiatrists.

Too many people with ADD refuse medication because they think "oh no, I will get addicted", which is 99 percent of the time not the case for ADD. They miss out on at least an option that could help them immensely.

I am so irritated with the ignorance and lack of knowledge from people who bad mouth things they know really nothing about. It didn't work for me so I am going to demonize the drugs and spread lies that they turn kids into zombies and cause them to shoot up schools..........C'mon, you're how old? I'm probably 1/2 your age and I have twice the common sense.
I'm not saying your a bad parent Spoiled, but your NAME IS Spoiled....you seem to be on a high and mighty chair, and you seemingly have a very self centered mind. Doesn't work for you then it must be the work of the devil.

Learn how to do research, form educated opinions, maybe read a book. Use your rights as a patient to see a different doctor if you don't agree with one. Do something productive.

I have taken Geodon for a few years and thought the drug worked well. I had less psychotic ideation. The dosage has increase slowly over the years and I felt even better when I went from 3 60 mg pills per day to 3 80 mg pills per day. I also take Concerta 52 mg, Wellbutrin XL 270 mg, Klonopin 20 mg at night, Claritin D, fish oil, flax seed oil. The only odd side effects are a diminished orgasm and cold chills in my chest. The cold chills have subsided since I increased to 240 mg per day. I seem to be very dependent on Geodon because if I am late on a dosage, I feel miserable. My memory is not very good and I used to have an excellent memory. Most of the comments I read have been negative. I believe that overall, my experience with Geodon has been good.

Hi Eryka,
I cut and paste this from a message board for you:
Hi There - always make sure you take your vitamins with food - it is the B's and the zinc that can contribute the most to nausea. Take the vitmains at the beginning of the meal and you may want to add in a digestive enzyme to help with absorption of your nutrients and supplements. If you still get nausea - I am sure it is dose dependent so try taking the multi vitamins 1/2 at the beginning of each meal. Hope this helps.
Dixie

I have been diagnosed as a homozygous Factor V Leiden mutation and will have to be on warfarin for the rest of my life. I feel really dragged out and tired and need a couple hours of sleep midday. Sometimes though I wake up at 4 am and am wide awake. It is not dependent on my nap. In general, since going on warfarin I feel generally weak and tired. I sunburn more easily and it takes longer to heal. They do not say these are side effects but it sure seems odd that it has happened since warfarin 8 months ago.

I am a 42 yro who has been using Advair 250/50 for over a year now. The Doc prescribed 2 puffs a day but I prefer to take 1 puff every day (shhhh...don't tell the doc!). Before going to Advair I was taking albuterol inhaler on an as needed basis (allergy/exercise induced asthma). I am not sure if its old age, or me moving from NE to the SE USA (where its hot & humid), or Advair itself but I am noticing that I am getting more and more dependent on Advair to the point where If I don't take my once-a-day-puff, I find myself starting to wheeze. I was never like this with Albuterol. Sometimes I wonder if there is a chemical in Advair that makes you become dependent on it just so the drug company can make more profit on your depenency. The other two minor side effects that I attribute to Advair is the occasional hoarsness in my voice, and a minor tingling sensation in my arm and leg (Restless Leg Syndrome?) at night. Anyone else can make a connection between Advair and RLS?

I don't smoke, drink caffine free drinks, athletic, and work out regularly, and take no other medications or vitamins.

I had my first shot a week ago. Shot site (butt) was extremely painful from my thigh all the way up my back for 2 days. No symptoms the first few days, now I have sweats, EXTREME mood swings, exhausted, nauseous, and I could eat everything in SIGHT! I'm also insulin-dependent diabetic and my blood sugar has been bouncing all over the place like never before, overall extremely elevated.

I would NEVER recommend this shot! I feel like the life's being drained from me ... Thank God they cancelled the 2nd one ... I'm looking forward to surgery now!

Not sure where to begin with my side effects...
The biggest (and scariest) of them is that, since I have been on Advair, I have had more and more severe respiratory problems. Every year, since I began the "medication", I have (at least once per year) bouts of either Bronchitis or Pneumonia (sometimes even both). Advair is obviously formulated to make patients become dependent on the drug to where they can NOT stop taking it. I have even tried to wean myself off of it, but thru this process, I truly felt like I was dying. I struggled so hard to breathe. I eventually had to go to the doctor and get a dose of prednisone and begin Advair again.
Another side effect that torments my every day life is thrush. I can not seem to shake it, no matter how many times I have been treated for it. I ALWAYS rinse after using Advair, with water AND a mouthwash with ingredients that are used in treating thrush.
I have also had other side effects as well. I have a twin sister and she has experienced some of the same. One is a strange "cramping up" or "locking up" of our feet. It's very strange and has NEVER happened to either of us, before Advair. It's painful and we have no control over it. The toes separate/spread and "lock up" in cramping pain that lasts a few moments at a time.
Since being on Advair, I have also had weight-gain. The only reason I mention it is because others have posted it as a side effect. I have never blamed Advair for this, but who knows? I think it's just neglect on my part. ;)
Those are the only that immediately come to mind. If I think of any later on, I will post them. :)

I've been taking advair for 1 year and have gained weight. Also, can't figure out why it's hard for me to lose the weight. Whenever I take the advair my asthma is under control, but when I stop it acts up again. I'm going to see my doctor about this. I don't like feeling as if I have to be dependent on advair.

i used nasonex as needed for alergies for about six months. i was having migranes for about two weeks. i dont think i used nasonex the whole two weeks. one morning i woke up and i couldnt see out of my right eye and my head fealt terrible. i hadnt been sleeping well, so i took an ibuprophen and had a cup of coffee and 20 minutes later, my sight had come back. the next morning i had the same problem, so i took and ibuprophen and waited. i waited all day and finaly at about 8 at night i went into the emergency room. i have been tested for every disease out there and i had no answers for why i lost my vision in the right eye. about six months later (when i very rapidly lost most of my vision in the left eye) i was diagnosed with chronic steroid dependent autoimmune optic neuritis. i have wondered thinking back if the nasonex was responsible for the steroid dependancy, but i guess there is no way to be sure. if anyone has anything to tell me or a simmilar story to tell me email me at ******

I have been on 10 mgs of prednisone for 3 years, along with azathioprine wh/ tricks my body into thinking it has more prednisone in it. Since the time I have taken it, I've developed the moon face, flushed cheeks, and I've gained 21#'s although my appetite has decreased and I'm exercising more. Is there anything you could recommend that could help me loose the weight or am I stuck? I am prednisone dependent due to my autoimmune liver disease.

Thanks for any advice in advance.
45 going on 65 fast.

i have been on this drug for 8 months for my ashma . before this i would be on it maybe 6 times a tear for a week or so but i am now steroid dependent and cant live without thse . my klfe has changed so much be cause of these steroids . i went from a very confident person to someone who cant look in the mirror at myself. i have deperession , and fly off the handle cant sleep and my skin is transperent and bruid=ses so easily . i at my lowest ebb because of these drugs.

I became addicted to this med. It's easy to get dependent on it, both psychologically and physically, is what I found.

Would take it while at work, to "reduce stress" but had total loss of memory while using it. Not good, if you are a nurse and can't remember whether or not you've taken care of something.
I hope to NEVER use this med again, especially since I drank with it, all the time.
Am now in AA and don't use mood altering chemicals. Thank God.
My sister is now hooked on Alprazolam and won't hear my warnings about it. I wish they'd take it off the market.

I am on day number 4 now for ambien,and i feel klutzy after taking it, so I go to bed within 15 or 20 minutes. I sleep very deep and snore, according to my husband. He shakes me and cannot wake me, so he goes out and sleeps on the sofa. I am going through menopause and have terible innsomnia. I do not plan on staying on this very long, as I do not want to become addicted to this or any other sleep dependent drug.

Been on it since summer 2003, 150 twice a day.

Mostly the dizziness, which isn't as bad anymore.

However, it did raise my blood pressure. Not like hypertension, but the high end of normal. I'd always had LOW blood pressure. But when I'm dong more exercise, it's back to normal. My doctor monitors it. also:

Weight Loss: it really reduced my appetite and I was never a big eater and was already thin. But I lost about 10 lbs. That doesn't bother me too much, I do eat normally.

Hard to get to sleep or stay asleep. I have enough trouble with insomnia. It gets rid of depression but jazzes me up. I take ativan if I need to, i.e. if it takes too long to get back to sleep, but of course, I worry about becoming dependent.

I've developed hives recently and my dermatologist suggested it could be wellbutrin. I'll talk to my GP but I don't really want to change to an antipressant which may be worse with side effects, ie sexual, weight GAIN, etc. I don't know how it's possible to determine if it IS wellbutrin causing the hives.

None of the effects are very severe, just uncomfortable like the hives and the insomnia.

Generally I feel okay, and certainly better than when my moods were all over the place.

Not sure, but strong suspicion. I am 33 yrs old, have been on singulair for five years and found out last year that the majority of my sperm are either dead or close to it..
I don't know if singulair is the cause but I have heard that it affects the motility of the sperm. Luckily, with the help of ivf, my wife and I were able to conceive..this drug was prescribed to me for hives and now that i am on it I can't seem to get off. Every time I stop taking it, I feel like I can't breathe and that my chest is closing up. I have never had allergies or asthma, but now it seems I am dependent on this drug..
If anyone has heard or read anything about the effects of singulair on reproduction, please post it here to let me and others know...thanks...

I have been taking Prilosec and Omeprazole for more than 5 years. I have had trouble with itching, dizziness, and now, tinnitus. The itching which was intense on my calves was solved by washing with a wash cloth and not taking a shower or bath, as my doctor recommended.

The dizziness comes and goes. The tinnitus is new. My pharmacist said that tinnitus usually starts immediately upon introduction of the drug, but it is possible for it to occur at any time. Over the years I have identified the foods which cause distress (most food), and I am extremely careful. One bite of, let's say, pizza, will cause a great deal of gastro distress for days.

I also feel like I am completely dependent on the Omeprozole, because I get ill within 1 to 2 days if I do not take it every day.

Folks who are prednisone dependent should know that one of the common side effects is weakening of the connective tissue. Due to the chronic use of prednisone and quinolone antibiotics (cipro, avelox, levaquin) for a severe respiratory disease, I have ruptured both my achilles tendons.

I have been on Lortab for about a year, only taking a max. of two pills a day and most of the time only taking one a day. I started seeing a new Dr. due to the fact that I am terrified of surgery. I am starting physical therapy now and my Dr. has put me on Ultracet in the mean time. I took one pill yesterday afternoon, an hour later I felt very disoriented, much the same as when I stared taking Lortab. I did seem to have alot of energy, again the same as when I take Lortab. I took one more about 4 hours later because it did not seem to help with the pain in my lower back. I then began to itch like crazy, mainly my nose, I thought I was going to rub it right off my face. I did not have any problems sleeping, but this morning I felt like crap. My head hurt and my eyeballs hurt (if that makes any sense at all). I felt a lot of tension in my back and neck so I took an Alieve; did not even touch the headache. I was scared of taking another Ultracet so I took a Lortab this afternoon. Headache and tension are now gone, I will try to take another Ultracet this evening. I know they say this not an addictive drug, but the euphoria it gives you is great. For people who are addictive type people, this would be an easy drug to become dependent on. Be careful.

I have not been myself since I started Yasmin. Although my Nurse Practioner swears by this pill, it is going in the trash today. I have gained weight and my periods are so heavy. Moreover, I have never been such an emotional basket case in my life! I snap at people and feel like I am so bitter towards everyone. My boyfriend is so patient, but I would NOT want to be with someone like me no matter what the cause. This is crazy! So for the love of family and friends, I am getting off of pills all together. We females have turned into freaks being so dependent on chemicals. Forget it - back to mother nature's latex.

Can any of tell me how long before I am normal again after I stop?

Thanks!

Dang after reading all these side effects I am starting to gain a few I didn't have :) The worst for me is the cough ... I have been on other meds and the cough has been there but not as bad as on Lisinopril. I can't take some BP meds that are sulfa based because I am an insulin dependent diabetic and some meds shot my blood sugars past 400 ... So I can't just switch ... My BP is lower than its ever been however ...
Tiredness yes and joint and muscle stiffness definitely but I was attributing that to old age lol ... Well folks hang in there .. its sites like this that gives us information to help us get better.

About four years ago a dermatologist diagnosed me with being allergic to tomatoes. I broke out in a red heated rash all over my face. It was uncomfortable and it itched terribly. He prescribed 20mg in Lubriderm for my face. It worked like a charm. Over night my face was much smoother and i had never seen my face so clearly. I applied it everynight and it was great to finally eat what i loved KETCHUP. Well I ran out of it about two weeks ago and have been unable to get a script for it and i have been miserable. I have not eaten tomatoes in about two months and my face broke out severly and started to peel as though it were a sunburn. It itches and stings and i cant seem to get rid of it. I went to see another physician and he told me that my body had become dependent of KENALOG and that was the reaction for not having it. He also said it would be a few months before it finally cleared up. So KENALOG was my dream come true but has turned into my worst nightmare. I suggest not putting it on your face.