Desperation symptoms and conditions

On 8/1/09 I entered the ER with unremitting high fever and was diagnosed with a UTI. My EKG was normal. The doctor wanted to give me Levaquin and said it was a broad-spectrum antibiotic and there "no side-effects." I said I wanted to be informed before I took the med- wanted to know the action and side-effects. The nurse said I could look up the drug on the Internet when I got home - their info was in the computer and they could not print out a fact sheet. The doctor said that I could take the prescription to a pharmacist after discharge, and he would explain everything in detail. I asked if he would substitute a different antibiotic - the answer was "No, this is what you need.This is a crowd-pleaser - you only have to take it once a day. " In desperation to feel better, I took the initial dose. Within 1/2 - 3/4 hour, I experienced an irregular heart beat, ringing in my ears and head "fullness." I was no longer hooked up to the monitor, so asked the nurse if she would reattach me. Her response - "Everyone has irregular beats, your EKG was normal." I would not let her take out my IV until my symptoms had abated (within 3/4 hour).
Having found out by the lab that I did NOT have a UTI, 2 days later I called the ER (to see what they would say),and they said to continue taking the Levaquin - that's what the doctor had wanted me to take Clueless, totally clueless.
Needless to say, I only took one dose and will never take another dose and now have it as an ALLERGY, to make sure I never get it!

Dear lovely people.

Thank you so much for all your postings. This site was literally my salvation. Nobody who knows me believed that I could be so ill for so very long. Family and friends say that I am a very strong person and not phased by anything, but believe me, even I could not overcome the side-effects of this deadly drug. It even resulted in me having hallucinations. It is interesting to note we are not alone in this are we?. You have to have been there to fully understand how truly horrific the side-effects are. It is interesting to note that compared to other drugs listed on this site as to positive side-effects of any drug (most drugs listed have either none or perhaps 1 -2 listings) all 353 of us!!! have been so desperate to know why we have been feeling so very very ill. We have therefore in desperation tapped into this website. We can't all be wrong. Some of you like me were or are in your darkest hour, but please, please hang in there. I took this poison for four weeks as an anti malarial medication for my holiday and it was only last Monday did I feel fully up to strength. I will do everything in my power to stop this medication ever being prescribed ever again. I have had every single one of the side-effects listed on this site. It may take some time, but you will get better and when stronger I hope like me you will try and do something positive about what has happened by actioning why this drug is never taken again by anyone by any one ever again/. Never would I want anyone to feel as ill as this. I promise it may take some time but YOU WILL come through this just like I have. I would welcome any feedback from fellow users as to what action they may also be taking as to stopping the prescribing of this drug.

Keep strong.

Kind regard to you all.

OMG!!! This is crazy! I was put on Yaz continuously to help with my heavy painful periods. About 3 days after starting it I went for some allergy testing. That night I started itching like crazy...all over my body. The next day I called the allergist to ask if this was a normal response and he told me that it wasn't from the testing and to take some Benadryl. The next day I started having these massive heart palpitations and feeling like I was going to pass out...still itching non-stop. This went on for a week until I finally called my GYN's office to see if it was possible that the pill could be causing this. They told me to stop it immediately as I could be having an allergic reaction. Within days of stopping the pill I was symptom free! Out of curiosity and desperation for relief of some of my period symptoms...I waited a cycle and started YAZ again. I have now been on it about a month. 2 weeks into it...the itching started again...but not as bad,..but now the heart palpitations are back...and worse! Yesterday my heart rate was 138 and lasted for a good 10 minutes. I have an appt, to see my primary in 2 days to just get checked and make sure that nothing else is going on. I can't believe that you all are experiencing this...I'm opting for the IUD now. Good Luck to all of you!

My wife had one put in about 3 days ago. On the second day, I slipped and made a semi-rude comment based on some mis-information I had. In a few minutes I realized I had spoken based on bad information so I apologized to her. She blew up and got twice as mad, and for the next 14 hours it was pure emotional agony. She brought up small issues that happened years ago and some of it wasn't even true. I was in trouble and getting pounded for little things she had forgiven me for long ago. I knew it was because of the hormonal changes from her Mirena. Also, we hadn't been close sexually for several days before the insertion, but now she has no interest, and just casually pushes me away. Touching her back and kissing her neck means nothing. I hope she has some of these other symptoms quick enough that she puts it together, because if I suggest anything to her at this point, I will lose my head. This is totally unlike her. The change was sudden, and it is clear it's due to the hormonal changes.

Hi All, I am here for the first time in desperation trying to ascertain if my problems are Advair related. I have been on it for over 20 years (started as a study patient). I probably would be dead if it hadn't come along - seriously - and I had been on prednisone a lot. But, to add a voice to what others are saying, I can't sleep, and always wake with the most terrible headache, along with other general aches and fatigue. I was coping so so until I was rear-ended and developed some neck issues. Now I live with never ending headaches and fatigue and a tendency towards depression. Pain killers and sleeping pills get me through the winter months and then in the summer with lots of activity outside I rebound so that I can go through another yearly slide downward. What is really a killer is that I can't get going in the early mornings and have been hassled by my employer who has determined by a psychologist that I am a malingerer because there is little proof of physical illness! If I didn't have a history of having been, and still being, a very hardworking and persistent individual I would think I was going nuts (I'm 60). If anyone has a similar story, please comment further. Thanks

Hi Ladies,
I've had the mirena in for about 3 1/2 years. I have in the past recommended it. About 4 months after it was put in, I had no periods and according to my ob/gyn, this was absolutely normal for the mirena. I loved it, having 4 children, who has time for a period. I have always struggled with my weight and I've always been able to control it, but recently within the last year it has gone way up. I started exercising my butt off and dieting, I'm finding very difficult to lose weight. Only losing an pound or two just to gain it plus two the following month. I am 39 years old and my GP keeps telling me that once I hit 40, it would be more difficult for me to lose weight. Out of pure desperation, last Friday, I decided to look up the side effects of the mirena . (Cuz you know my ob/gyn said "there wasn't any side effects except the initial cramping. and absolutely no weight gain like the pill.") I would of never thought that it had so many side effects! ... And I've experienced almost everyone. I blew off most of my symptoms due to high blood pressure, which runs in my family, and the stresses of work, two teenagers, a 5 yr old and a 4year old. I would say if I had to pin point when the symptom started, it would be about 2 years ago. All those years of insomnia, anxiety attacks, dizziness, head aches, bloating, weight gain and yes even depression, that I was prescribe prozac for, could be due to the mirena. I immediately made a doctors appointment to get in removed. Well, that was this Monday and the Nurse Practioner couldn't find the strings. Two ultrasounds later, I still have it in and am waiting the "what are they going to do now, and my next appointment this Friday." I Just want this thing out and wish I never got it in the first place!!"

Please, is the anyone who knows of a way to treat the dibilating muscle/joint pain experienced as a result of taking the antibiotic, levaquin?

Add me to the list! I have been on 300 mg Wellbutrin for the past few years. My hair is falling out and you can see my scalp. Just like many of you, I went the thyroid tests route, to no avail. I'm so thankful that in my desperation I did a search on hair loss and this drug. I will see my doctor and get off this stuff as soon as I can. It does help with depression, but who on earth can deal with watching your hair fall out on the sink and on the floor and down your back....I'll take the withdrawal headaches, as long as I have some hair on the outside of my head. Thanks to you all for writing about it. We are not crazy!

I've been on 200 mg Lamictal for 2 months now, after 4 month titration up from 25mg; Going off Lithium 900mg titration to 450mg this week. Since 1st day of lower Lithium, all the common Lamictal symptoms went from mild to extreme. Whole body muscle aches (like 24 hours after a heavy weightlifting workout) worse in neck & back/shoulders/calves, bad headaches, swelling in hands & feet, extreme blurred vision, loss of memory, halted speech while trying to figure out what to say, fuzzy. I called the Clinic to simply ask which NSAID (aspirin? ibuprofen? Excedrin? naproxin?) to use to manage the pain. They all freaked and made me come in for a blood test to check Lithium levels. I explained I wasn't "overly" concerned about it at this point, but just looking for a recommendation, and that they may be over-reacting (even though I did appreciate their concern). I also reminded them that I had just **decreased** Lithium when it happened, so I wasn't having a Lithium Toxic attack (I'm well-versed in that, having been on Lithium for 7 years). It didn't do much good to tell them I thought their diagnosis was a little off. I'll find out the blood test results today, but I'm pretty sure I know what they'll be. They also wanted me to see my PCP since it could be something else. Again, the problem was a ramp-up of existing symptoms the next morning after I lowered Lithium (the only change), so I'm conviced everything centers around that. I think they're a little inexperienced with this med. (Lamictal/Lamotrigine) and if they'd just read this blog they'd probably learn a lot. They had never heard of the muscle ache side effect. Pretty hard to believe after reading all of your comments! My theory is that Lithium was somehow holding back the side-effects of Lamictal and now they're expressing themselves more fully. I haven't read anything like this on any internet discussion, so maybe my body is very different. But maybe my experience will give someone else some insight in a similar situation.
I might also mention something that happened to me I have only seen (kinda) in one other "blog" about follicle (sweat gland) cysts. Yeah, I definitely got the jawline acne starting at the Lamictal 50mg level & increasing at 100mg. But I also got my first ever "cyst" that concerned me and sent me to my dermatologist for the first time in 30 years (I'm 47 and saw the old guy when I had acne at 17!). It started as a blind pimple on my chest the week I increased Lamictal to 200mg (final dose), but didn't go away. It continued to grow (not diminish) over 4 weeks to 3/8 inch round/pink/solid/itchy/burn-when-rubbed. So off to the "Doctor" like my father used to do on a regular basis (I know I'm getting old now) and scalpel/pop/stitch it was out. But it was real, not my imagination or hypocondria, and the timing of its appearance was right when Lamictal changed to full steam. Since acne appears to be a common effect with so many, it seems it's not unreasonable that this occurs occasionally as well to others. Let me be the 2nd to mention it. No "official" verification, but....
I'm not bagging on Lamictal, and have been very hopeful that this would be better than Lithium. It has eliminated the GastroIntestinal problems I had on Lithium, but I am getting discouraged that it has all the brand new symptoms that are discussed in this blog. Your "stuff" is real. I wish the Docs/Nurses/Case Workers would spend 5 minutes checking your comments out. It might bring about a better informed conversation than the shiny Glaxo flyers provide. That is all.

I have been trying to come off this medication after being on it for several months up to 150 mg. I didn't realize I needed to taper off so gradually, so I started cutting up my pill for several days at smaller dosages and then I just tried to go two days without and the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. My head feels like it has imploded, high blood pressure feeling, dizziness, high anxiety, confusion, pressure all over, blurred vision, constant tick in my eye over the past few days, insomnia, trouble breathing, body aches, sick feeling, extreme fatigue, nausea. I just had to go back and take some more out of desperation. It's so frightening.
Taper off this drug S L O W L Y!!!!

Hello! My name is Lisa and I had a HORRIBLE experience with Yaz. I took Yaz for 2 months after 3 months of Seasonique. I had switched because Seasonique made me extremely moody (all of a sudden I hated everyone on the planet). My OB gave me a few months worth of Yaz. Within weeks I noticed a strong stomach pain. I contacted my OB and he thought I just had a stomach virus. This pain continued on for several more weeks. I called my OB again and he just said, "The pill doesn't do that." I got a second opinion from another OB and he also agreed.... "The pill doesn't do that." Then out of desperation I made an appt with my Fam doctor and he diagnosed me with Gastritis.... said that he thought my diet was the cause of my pain. Uh, let me mention this.... this stomach pain is so severe you literally CAN'T eat anything cause if you do, 5 mins later you will be in SEVERE pain. To get a better picture of this pain just think of glass shards piercing through your stomach walls (I thought just maybe I was getting an ulcer). My Fam doctor gave me a months worth of Aciphex (which never never never helped at all) and I also saw him twice more in that month (which was my 2nd month of Yaz). He got so frustrated with me... it was Gastritis and if I wanted it to go away I had to be willing to make changes in my diet (I still was not eating and was losing weight) and also be patient enough for the Aciphex to take effect. Finally, out of frustration I quit Yaz. Within weeks my stomach pain was completely gone.
Let me say this to all women reading this. I don't care what your OB says.
There is no need to tolerate any pain from a medication.... especially when there are other options out there. To have a doc tell you to "wait it out for a few months" is ridiculous. To not be able to eat for days or even weeks is dangerous to your health. I eventually googled Yaz + Side Effects and found that the severe stomach pain I was having was a possible side effect and it even instructs you to tell your physician if you experience such pain. Why is it I opted to tell not 1 but 3 docs this and no-one would listen??????? Personally I would like to see all 3 docs lose their jobs because they should have known this.
Ladies, tell anyone you know about this pill. Get the WORD out about this pill. I frequently go on Yahoo Answers and girls are always asking advice on birth control pills and I jump at every chance to spread the word. Let's get this pill OFF OF THE MARKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found this message board last night and until then, I thought my daughter was just bad. She is almost 3 and has been on Singulair for a little over a year. I have said on many occasions, "What happened to my sweet girl?" After the suicide and Singulair connection, my husband would joke and say that's why why our daughter is out of control. I finally decided to check into it and was amazed at the number of kids out there like my daughter. She is an emotional wreck! Her mood swings are something else. I have to walk on egg shells around her so not to upset her. For example, she will walk up to me smiling and give me a hug. When I hug her back, she screams at me and tells me to let her go or to stop touching her. When her brothers talk to her, she screams at them to stop talking to her. She has meltdowns numerous times a day. I am going to stop giving her Singulair as of today and hope that she will improve.

1st post 4/3: 8 year old boy with suicidal ideation...now 7 days off Singulair. His teacher reported to me today that my son is not the same child that he was 5 days ago. She stated that she hasn't seen him this happy or enthusiastic since the beginning of the school year. This was UNSOLICITED.
I told her that I took him off of Singulair last weekend. Unbelievable. My husband and I are still in shock.

I have had problems with kidney stones but thank god, no prostrate issues..
My first stone occurred in the fall of '05. My doctor at the time - the nastiest old bastard that ever graduated med school, prescribed Flomax to help the stone pass.....I took one or two and the stone passed in a few days..I don't recall any side effects from that instance.

Fast forward to Jan '08...I had another stone that made itself "known" to me for weeks before being diagnosed.......That after a trip to the ER.Lotsa' fun, everyone should go!.....I took Flomax about three times during that period and had some nasty side effects - reflecting many that have been previously published here. I got dizzy and nauseated at times.....I also suffer from panic/anxiety disorder.Flomax made me a basket case!......The "roaring" and "ringing"in the ears was and still is problem..... I passed that stone in early Feb.....
At the end of Feb the BIG ONE (1cm) decided to drop down the ol' ureter. My present urologist (Yeah the old buzzard finally retired!) gave me options, as stones of that size are real mothers to pass. Take pain pills, Uricit and Flomax......Or insert a stint and wait.....The final option was lithotrypsy. Lithotrypsy is an outpatient procedure that breaks up the stone into smaller pieces while still in the body via vibrational waves...
I had the procedure and most of the particles were flushed out.....I recommend this procedure for a quick but costly fix....
The doctor warned me that there would be smaller particles that might take weeks to work their way out........Well, that's what happened..Just when I was recovering from all the medication - Flomax included, I had another piece start working it's way down..It's still mocking me as I write this.
I took Flomax - out of desperation for three days for the purpose of flushing out this one last particle. My patience with this stone and it's aftermath was at an end! I wish I hadn't taken them.......The dreams, anxiety, rushing in the ears, dizziness..The whole thing! I had three capsules left and ground them up and threw them out today!

Flomax is hell on earth and I regret ever taking it. If I'd read this board on Sat I would have thrown them out then and just dealt with it, well I didn't and I'm suffering again.....Will it ever end?

Has anyone else experienced a bitter metallic taste in the mouth as well as an unpleasant smell to the urine as well? I also have this irritating urge to urinate but the flow is moderate........I was doing well without any medication when I got impatient and took the Flomax. How long will this be in my system I wonder.... Sex drive? I have none now.......Kidney stones really take it out of you, that mixed with the Flomax has put me on the sexual sidelines.....*sigh*.
Robert

A couple of days after switching from Wellbutrin XL (which was effective for me, with no side effects) to Budeprion XL, I began to experience feelings of panic, a choking-like tightness in my throat/neck area, and extreme tension throughout my shoulders and neck. (I have never had a panic attack before.) My doctor said that my symptoms sounded like anxiety. Neither of us made the connection to the recent switch from Wellbutrin to Budeprion. These Budeprion XL side effects began each day in the late afternoon and continued for at least two hours, sometimes longer. Nothing relieved them. I tried relaxation breathing, yoga, meditation, and even Ativan! After several days of this torture, in desperation for some relief from the panic/tightness/tension, I drank a glass of wine when the symptoms set in. The symptoms grew even more severe. It finally occurred to me that the Budeprion might be the source of this frightening problem, and I insisted on being switched back to the Wellbutrin. Ta-da. No more freaking afternoon attacks. A few months later, while experiencing some lower back pain, I took a Budeprion by accident (I found a single tablet in my desk drawer and I mistook it for a codeine-based pain tablet that has a similar appearance...I know--a dumb thing to do!) Hours later, the original side effects returned: extreme panic with neck/shoulder tightness and tension. I have not taken Budeprion since that day (about three months ago), and I have never again experienced those side effects (or any similar symptoms). The name brand Wellbutrin XL is working effectively for me, with no side effects. Because of these experiences, I am convinced that Budeprion XL's contents (or composition) are very different from those of Wellbutrin XL. They may or may not have the same chemical formula, but they certainly do not react the same way in my body.

I only took Excedrin occasionally, when I got really severe migraines because it was the only thing that worked. However, one evening before going out to dinner, both my roommate and I took 2 each, and wound up severely nauseous, dizzy, shaky, with upset stomachs. It was so bad, I thought we were going to have to go to the Emergency Room, but it finally wore off. I didn't take Excedrin for over a year after that because it scared me so badly. Finally, last Christmas, I was out to dinner with family, and I took 2 pills out of desperation for my migraine, and the same thing happened again. I almost passed out in the middle of the restaurant, and had to go lie down in the car. I'll never take Excedrin again.

On the evening after my insertion, 10/11/07, which was rather bloody and took two OBGYN"S to put in place, I began feeling very ill! Shivers, cold, sweats and a very high fever set in! I was sick and in pain! It was a horrible night!!! The next a.m. I phoned my M.D. and told him what happened. It was hard to tell for him if it was caused by the Mirena insertion or something else. However, he ordered me on antibiotics for 10 days. Three days after the antibiotics finished, I began itching severely, ALL OVER MY BODY and it has not stopped!!! I am scratching my skin off!!! The itch comes the inside and my skin welts up and hives show up. The intensity comes & goes. The areas of the body vary. However, I am continuously itching; at times in desperation!!! I have held back from the E.R. this weekend, awaiting for Monday to go to the Dr.s office. I heard from a Berlex Rep (my Brother), that in 5% of women, skin disorders have been reported!!! HOW NORMAL IS THIS??? I do not wish this side effect to anyone!!! It's horribly distressing & nerve wrecking!!! Not to mention, skin destroyer!!! I have sores from scratching throughout my body... I s till don't know if Mirena is the cause, but I have not been able to determine anything else responsible... I will let you know what happens...
Sylvia in Miami Beach

I am still trying to figure out all this yasmin stuff. I am the one whose 13 yr old daughter was given yasmin as sorta a favor because she was having long periods. It seem to me that yes, yasmin or yaz whatever the difference is works well for lots of people. Thats great i'm glad to hear that. What about the handful of women/girls that it does not work well for even potentially dangerous. I am starting to thinkl that the ones that have had bad reactions to this are the ones that didn't have good followup with thier obgyn. It seems to me that there is sometimes no association made with bcp and some of these adverse reactions. I mean when my daughter started to get sick and stuff I took her to the pediat. not the ob/soccer mom. I just happened to stumble upon this site in my own desperation to figure out why my daughter has been and is so chronically tired all the time. I do wish when I recieved these sample packs of strong hormones that i would have been told of things to look for. Honestly ,I don't think this doctor knew of these side effects. I will say they stopped the bleeding she hasn't been on yasmin since the end of march and still hasn't had a period. I was told this should be out of her system by now. I don't believe that though.

I started taking Lisinopril for my bp about 2 1/2 months ago and even though it did lower my bp, I started having strange side-effects. It started out with drowsiness throughout the day, no matter how much sleep I got. And, waking up feeling drowsy even after 8-10 hours of sleep. Then, I started getting strange aches and pains throughout my body, like I was getting over a stomach flu. My asthma also flared up and I started having to use my inhaler for the first time in almost 15 years (usually I just need it after exercise.) The side-effects continued to get worse over the next months with increased fatigue, drowsiness, coughing, anxiety, muscle aches, poor concentration, feeling like my nerves were "shot," headache, weakness, tightness in my lungs, numbness in my hands and feet, and just plain feeling bad.
I made an appointment to see my doctor because I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. It crossed my mind that I might be feeling this way because of the Lisinopril. I stumbled across this website and after reading everyone's testimonials, I decided to stop the Lisinopril. I haven't taken it in 3 1/2 days, and I am already feeling much better. I would rather try a more holistic approach to lowering my bp then taking Lisinopril.
I hope this helps someone else out there who might be going through the same thing.

In July my doctor recommended I try Yasmin to help clear up my acne. At first I thought Yasmin was absolutely wonderful! My face cleared up and due to Yasmin's diuretic effect, I no longer suffered from water retention. By the time September rolled around, my body was a complete and absolute mess. I suddenly developed severe IBS after never having experienced digestive issues. I was constantly bloated and constipated. Besides the IBS, I also experienced insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, depression, and overall I lost my "glow!" I just looked and felt horrible and I felt like I was on speed even though I gave up caffeine.

I went to one doctor after another and they told me I needed to eat more fiber to cure my IBS. Since I have always doctors know more than me, I added more fiber to my diet and just got more bloated. One of the doctors I saw wanted to put me on anti-anxiety medication and anti-depressants. Not one of my doctors ever discussed a possible correlation between Yasmin and all my health problems.

All of my issues compounded and by January, I just had to stop taking Yasmin out of desperation because one night my anxiety was so bad I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Once I stopped taking Yasmin, my anxiety immediately went away.

It's been 3 months since being off Yasmin and I am finally regaining my energy, starting to gradually lose weight, and feeling like myself after feeling completely down and out about life.

I am not a doctor but from the research I have done, I think Yasmin caused a major hormonal imbalance and as a result my body became estrogen dominant. This is just a hypothesis but I had all the symptoms of estrogen dominance (weight gain, extreme fatigue, hair loss, depression, etc....).

This whole experience has taught me two very valuable lessons: 1) Do not start taking anything foreign until you do research and know the side effects 2) Respect MDs for their book knowledge, but know they are not always right. Do research on your own because you know your body better than anyone. Having an MD say you need more fiber in your diet or you need a prescription for sleeping pills, anti depressants, ect...is not always the best or healthiest solution.

If anyone else has experienced what I have due to Yasmin, my heart goes out to you. This past year has been the one of the worst years of my life and I will never take birth control ever again. Hang in there and know your health will be restored once you stop taking birth control.

Who am I? Where am I? Ok its not that bad...but seriously, I have been on this drug for four weeks. My best description is feeling like im in slow motion. I used to be quick witted, with fair intelligence, seems like I am senile. I am taking this drug for chronic back pain issues. I have had pain for over a year, almost everyday. I was at a point of desperation, Im not sure now if its all worth it. I experience blurred vision a lot, I still get random pains/aches in certain places, I have noticed a strong ammonia smell with urination, last night I had serious heart palpitations. My pain level is decreased, and that feels great, I just dont think I want to feel like this. I cant even remember if I took my dosage this morning!

i WAS ONLY ON yAZ yASMINE FOR 3 WEEKS and 3 months later Iam still not well and yes all the doctors told me its in my head as well and put me on Xanax andLexapro.

I had to stop the Lexapro as it made it impossible to eat and I was getting sicker and sicker on it

I still cannot sleeep does anyone else have chronic insomnia Iam talking about I cant take naps cant sleep I have to take something to sleep or I cant period
Doesnt matter what time of day or night

If I dont take something I will lay there all night long
Last night till 230 and I gave in and took something

What is causing this??????

Dejay had it as well but now she can sleep but she is on Lexapro so Iam wondering if the Lexapro had the opposite effect with her and made her sleep again.

Please someone??

When my BP reached 200/125 the doctor gave me Lisinopril.
Within a week I went down hill with anxiety attacks, weak legs, exhausion and pain behind my eyes.
THANKS GOD FOR THIS WEBSIDE. In desperation as a last attempt ( i did not know why I felt this way) a friend recommended to check the internet. I have now gone to herbal remedies, eat garlic, calcium/magnesium and eat potassium rich foods. No or little sodium in my food and working on loosing weight. All this info is available in books and internet, but doctors are not willing to give this advice and just poison us with drugs. I guess they are on commision...?

I am on 200 mg of Toprol, because I have cardiomyopathy. In about 2001 I was feeling very poorly, fighting and gasping for breath whenever I lay down or adjusted my position in bed. I had been advised that with my height and weight I could expect to be able to tolerate not more than 150 mg of Toprol. By this time I was in assisted care. My regular doctor was out of town, so I asked another doctor in our clinic if my dosage could be adjusted back to 150 mg. This doctor agreed to this, and I immediately felt noticeably better. Shortly after this I was out of assisted care and back in independent living. I continued taking 150 mg for the past 5 years.
But I recently changed doctors, so that all my medical records could be with the same system. The new doctors have raised my dosage of Toprol up to 200 mg, and I have been experiencing some of the same symptoms I suffered in 2001: Exhaustion, great weakness, episodes of fighting for breath several times a night; at times I sense that the struggle may not be far from death!
The doctors say I now have to be on maximum doses of drugs. But I do not smoke or drink, and sense that people like us sometimes need smaller doses than others. Out of desperation I have just started reducing my own dosage back to 300 mg in two days (150 a day). The pills are almost impossible to split, though I can break them in half, so I am taking 200 one day, 100 the next. Last evening I took my first 100--and slept through the night WITH NO BREATHING EPISODES!
I'm going to make notes on my daily results and inform my doctors on what I find.

I was prescribed sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160 TABS for a kidney infection, on wednesday, i took it approximately 8 pm that same night, next day about 9 am i was breaking up i had a rash all over the inner part of my arms, on my thigh down to my feet. next thing i know i am itching all over. went to bed that night i had chills all night long. I had never had an allergic reaction to any medication until now.