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Difficulty breathing symptoms and conditions

Here are side effects posted by other members, that mention difficulty breathing.
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250 Side Effects posted for difficulty breathing

September 27th
2008
3:08 PM

used it on my neck and woke up with palpitations, difficulty breathing

-- By ccach12 | Reply | Send Private Mail

September 26th
2008
10:02 PM

Hi ladies! I started Yaz in June 08 after taking Ortho-Tricylcen-Lo for 6 years (It wasn't treating my cramps or mood swings anymore). The first month was bad. I had mood swings, breast tenderness, lower back pain, anxiety, weight loss, and no sex drive. I didn't attribute this to the pill, I associated it with a very, very emotional and difficult experience that was currently occurring in my life. By the second month, I put 2 and 2 together, and realized it was Yaz. I am a pharmacist, so I am well aware of the types, mechanisms, and incidence of these side effects. I knew that these side effects usually disappear with time after the body adjusts to a new/different form of progestin. By the third month, all of the side effects had subsided, except for the inability to gert aroused, which is very unusual for me! It wasn't so much the lack of interest, but the lack of physical arousal ("getting wet"). I almost got off the pill just because of that, but I decided to tough it out just to see what happens. By the fourth month everything is back to normal and I feel great. I lost a little weight, my breasts don't get swollen and tender during the third week (like a tricyclic pill), a don't have unusual mood swings, and my period is average in length and heaviness. It was a bumpy road, but that is to be expected when you mess with the body's natural balance. It takes time to recalibrate hormones, during which time you will not feel yourself! Weird stuff will happen! I think Yaz is a good drug and patients should stick with it for at least 5 months ( or at the digression of your physician of course), unless you experience a side effect that alerts you to a serious problem (severe leg cramps, difficulty breathing, or suicidal ideation). As for the fact of it being "new and unstudied", that's not completely true. Yasmin is a higher dose of the same drugs as Yaz and it has been around practically forever. This is an excellent forum, but don't be scared off or expect a cure-all from a low dose hormone. Good luck!

-- By bricat20 | Reply | Send Private Mail

September 25th
2008
9:07 PM

I was prescribed the 4mg methylprednisolone pack along with 50 mg tramadol for acute tendinitis in my wrist. I took the first 3 days of the prednisone and only 2 doses of the tramadol over the three days. For a total of 60 mg of prednisone.

The first day I had hot flashes and insomnia but attributed it to the tramadol because I had never taken it before and had taken the prednisone several years ago for poison ivy with no adverse reactions. I didn't take the tramadol the second night and then took it again last night along with my daily dose of prednisone. I had extreme difficulty falling asleep, heart burn, hot flashes; and tossed and turned all night trying to fall asleep. At around 2am, I began to have difficulty breathing, tightening in my chest, confusion, and racing thoughts. It felt as though my throat was closing up on me. My anxiety progressed to the point that I was pacing back and forth. I woke my husband up and told him to prepare to take me to the ER. After calling my insurance's 24 hour help line, it was recommended that I go to the ER. I had an x-ray, blood work, urine drug screen, and echocardiogram. Luckily, everything was negative. The ER doctor told me that I likely had a reaction to the prednisone and commented that some people will experience these symptoms when taking it. He stated that he had a similar reaction when he took it and it felt like he was climbing the walls, which is an accurate description of my experience that night. He recommended that I either stop taking it altogether or call my primary care provider and cut it down. He prescribed me xanax and administered some to me at the ER which greatly helped. The next day I stopped taking the pred but am still having dizziness, chest tightness, hot flashes, and mental dullness. I have decided to never take this medication again. Fortunately, I don't have any of the physical sx that some have experienced, and my heart goes out to you. I think the mental symptoms were traumatic enough for me and can't imagine having both as I would be a basket case. I have mood swings, some melancholia, and am very fatigued.

I think it is imperative to research any medication that is prescribed to you before you take it. Many providers will say that side effects are rare, but my experience is that side effects are more common than rare. My prayers go out to those of you who are going through what I am going through. I hope that it clears our systems quickly because this is no way to live. I'd rather put up with the pain of tendinitis or carpel tunnel than to have these symptoms.

-- By elise1966 | Reply | Send Private Mail

September 16th
2008
6:16 PM

I am having difficulty breathing. I have been on plavix for 3 months and the entire time have had this problem. There is pressure and it is hard to get my breath. It gets worse if I try to move around more. It comes on like an attack. I also get bad headaches. Has anyone else out there had this problem breathing while on Plavix or any other blood thinners? Any input would be very much appreciated.
Maryann ******

-- By mjh | Reply | Send Private Mail

September 4th
2008
3:12 AM

Sadly, I am just another case among many it seems. I am a 26 year old female who was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a UTI at my urgent care center. I have health problems to begin with and did not want any more. You know, I’ve had to take all kinds of meds over the years, including harsh ones, but it was never so bad as to prompt me to write comments on the internet about it. What does that say about Cipro? When I got home from the doctor I read the paper before swallowing the pill, which included the description of side effects. Unfortunately, it did not include the truth about what could happen to you while even taking this drug for a short time. If there had been some kind of warning about the strength and potential risk of taking this drug, I most likely would have steered clear from it since I am sensitive to medications and already suffering. The paper led me to believe false information, listing some common antibiotic side effects, and I ended up starting treatment. Some of the negative effects I experienced while on this medication for only 2 days were: severe muscle/overall body weakness, difficulty breathing, fatigue, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, anxiety/nervousness, restlessness, mild carpal tunnel pain, slight vision change, stiffness, pain, an overall feeling of terrible heaviness, including of the chest, and possible heart palpitations. It felt like the medication was damaging my body; like it was eating away at my muscles or something. I've never had chemotherapy before, but some how that's how I would imagine it. It felt like it was doing damage to every cell in my body. The worst part is the weakness and altered thinking right now. I hope these symptoms go away completely. I felt better after quitting the drug, but not completely. I am just thankful for my hope in Jesus Christ. Even if things don't improve, I am comforted that He cares for me. I am going to be praying for this terrible situation where doctors are just handing this out for common problems without giving proper warning. May fewer and fewer people have to suffer because of Cipro and this class of drugs. I am also going to report this to the FDA and hopefully to my doctor’s office. I would like to see clear and extensive warnings on this drug, if not for it to be taken off the market. My personal advice to any one who is currently on this medicine and experiencing side effects would be to: drink milk or eat other dairy products to lessen the symptoms. It seemed to temporarily help me.

-- By andy2913 | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail

August 30th
2008
3:59 AM

My boyfriend starting taking this 10 days ago for Bronchitis and Tonsillitis. He was prescribed two a day for 10 days.
Before he started taking the medicine he had already been vomiting for a day before being prescribed to it. He continued vomiting for the first few days after and I assumed it was not from the medicine cuz he had already been vomiting before. A few days into the meds he was not getting better and only getting worse and got a fever. I took him to the ER and the doc said to keep taking the medicine and he would give him anti nausea meds. Even after taking the anti nausea/vomiting meds.. he continued vomiting. The vomiting eventually stops after a few days and then from there on out he still was not getting better. He complained about difficulty breathing and he can hardly eat anything and is coughing constantly. He said his throat feels like its an 1/2 inch wide and he chokes when he trys to eat something that is solid. He has been having severe neck cramps, headaches and upset stomach.
Finally on his very last day taking sulfameth he came to my house and i noticed his skin looked red. 20 minutes taker he had rashes and hives all over his body.
I don't know how often this medicine is prescribed or maybe people only write reviews when they have a bad reaction to it but from what it seems I would stay away from this medicine unless you know for sure you are not allergic to it.

-- By kenziegirl | Reply | Send Private Mail

August 21th
2008
11:18 PM

I was prescribed a 10 day course of Doxycycline Hyclate for a strep infection six days ago. On the third day of my medication treatment, I experienced a feeling of exhaustion. On Day 5, the exhaustion became more severe with a little difficulty breathing and some "pin" like pain near my heart, while at work. I called my hospital and was advised to take an aspirin and to come into urgent care, as long as I deemed that it wasn't an emergency. After arriving at my hospital, I took an Xray, had blood drawn for multiple lab tests, hooked up to an EKG machine, and provided a urine sample. All of the test results thus far were negative. All of the specialists who I encountered while at the hospital conveyed to me that exhaustion isn't a side effect of this medication. After reading everyone else's postings about extreme fatigue being a side effect, I am convinced that it is indeed a side effect. I have got another four days to go on my medication therapy. I guess using my sick leave for the side effect isn't such a negative, as long as this medication cures my strep.

-- By mrusajapan | Reply | Send Private Mail

August 19th
2008
5:50 AM

Extreme nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Difficulty breathing.

-- By xomajenta | Reply | Send Private Mail

July 29th
2008
12:33 AM

I have never taken BP meds before in my life. Began Lisinopril HCTZ 10-12.5 MG 1/day about 8 months ago. It seemed to have a positive effect on my blood pressure, however I had never connected some of the side effects to this medication.

For some time, I have had difficulty breathing, panic attacks, severe gagging coughing attacks which seem to occur out of the blue, many so severe that I begin to throw up in the middle of wherever I happen to be. I have had these attacks so severely that when they begin to occur while I am driving I immediately begin to get off the roadway as I begin to choke, eyes tear up severely, and the clear mucus type substance is thrown up.

It is horrible and very embarrassing especially when it occurs in a restaurant or department store. I do not sleep well as the coughing keeps me awake most nights. I notice lately that my eyes seem to be constantly blurry, teary, and I experience severe mood swings, fatigue, crazy thoughts and nightmares on an almost nightly basis.

I am so exhausted most of the time, even though I previously was very active and able to work in excessive heat, no more, I begin to sweat profusely and feel faint.

I live alone so am afraid of just dropping dead. While I have had migraine headaches most of my adult life, I seem to have them much more now and when they do occur, they are totally disabling. I had no idea this could be attributed to a BP med until stumbling onto this website.

Thanks to all for your comments. I am trying to get my BP under control through a common sense weight loss/ exercise program and sensible diet and plan on asking my doctor whether I can get off this altogether. I thought I was losing my mind.

-- By lg49 | Reply | Send Private Mail

July 27th
2008
11:39 PM

I have been on and off Singulair for roughly a year and half, and after reading some of these posts I have a much better understanding of where some of my feelings are coming from. When I first began taking Singulair, it really helped me breathe a lot better and I was convinced it was the best drug on earth. Slowly, over time, I began to notice that I was becoming slightly more irritable but didn't really think much of it. I got off the drug for several months because I don't enjoy being on medication. I wanted to see if a nutritional approach would help me ward off my allergies. After a few months of being off Singulair, I began to have difficulty breathing during allergy season and went back on the drug. It really helped my breathing in a big way; however, my irritability began to return. I thought I was just becoming overly stressed, but when I heard about the moodiness that can be caused by Singulair, I decided to once again get off the drug. I was off of it for several month, and have recently begun using the drug again. I haven't even made it through my first 30 days and I'm becoming a monster!! I'm yelling at my wife like crazy. I seriously felt for the first time in my life that committing suicide would be a good thing and I keep telling myself in my head how bad I suck! My temper is off the charts! I feel like I literally have no way of holding my rage back. It's like I'm an audience member to my own MMA fight. I'm absolutely getting off of this product tonight! I will keep you posted on how I feel after a couple of days not taking this drug.

-- By newera1927 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

July 25th
2008
4:55 PM

I have been on Lisinopril for almost 10 years now for minor HTN. A few months after beginning Lisinopril, I began having swelling in my lips and slight swelling in my tongue. I figured I was probably allergic to something but did not give the medication a thought. Approx 1 year after taking it, I had a severe allergic reaction that caused my tongue to swell to the point my tongue was sticking out of my mouth and I was having difficulty breathing. I drove myself to my family doctor and was treated with epinephrine and steroids. The doctor had the crash cart ready in case I "punched out." After about 3 hours the swelling subsided. My doctor and I tried for several weeks to determine the trigger for the episode. There didn't seem to be any specific reason for it.

Fast forward almost 9 years to last week. I have been battling severe sinus conditions for about 10 years or so. I have now had 5 sinus surgeries to remove severe polyp growth in my sinuses. My ENT finally decided I needed to see an allergist. After going over my history and my medications with my young doctor, I told him about the swollen tongue episode. He immediately told me that it was due to the Lisinopril. He told me ACE Inhibitors are notorious for those types of reactions and it could happen again at any time, even thought it has been over 9 years since the only episode. He told me he would contact my GP and advise him to take me off the Lisinopril and prescribe something else.

Like many others on this site I too have experienced many symptoms that have not been properly explained. I am just wondering how many could be attributed to Lisinopril. Based on many of the side effects I have read here, some or all can be attributed to the Lisinopril, including the sinus conditions I have been battling for the last 10 years. My GP and I will be having a very serious talk at my next visit.

-- By willd | Reply | Send Private Mail

July 17th
2008
4:53 PM

I have just started Seroquel, am 33, and have just been diagnosed with Bi Polar 2, reading these posts is freaking me out! It is so scary, so many people are having all these weird prob's - keep reading about sharp,strong pain in the back or neck after taking, I have that, feeling like you are having difficulty breathing after taking at night, shit this drug seems like a horrible trap and a nightmare to get off of,,, makes you wonder if the positive comments are left by the drug co.'s how could it be on a public,non-sensored forum like this there are soooo many negatives if this drug wasn't bad, messed up. I think I am going to tell my doctor I don't want to take it, maybe we are all just crazy - its a crazy world, not so surprising we all feel crazy...

-- By dthames | Reply | Send Private Mail

July 9th
2008
3:07 PM

Directly from ***** -

Warfarin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
skin changes or discoloration anywhere on your body;purple toes or fingers;
pain in your stomach, back, or sides;low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop;blood in your urine;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;nosebleeds, bleeding gums, coughing up blood;
feeling weak or light-headed;sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;sudden leg or foot pain; or sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

gas and bloating; or

hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Let us try to be grateful that we wake up each and everyday!

-- By kdb913 | Reply | Send Private Mail

July 7th
2008
6:39 PM

Update and a question:

I posted about a week ago about some of the side effects I was experiencing from lisinopril:

-lightheadedness (including one fainting spell)
-some discomfort and tightness in my chest
-difficulty breathing (when this happened, I would force myself to breathe deeply and usually found that I was breathing OK ... just felt like I wasn't always getting enough air)
-feelings of panic
-muscle pain in back and neck
-diarrhea

I stopped taking it a little over week ago and my doctor wants to start me on diovan. After my experience with lisinopril, I want to wait a little while before starting a new med.

So my question is, how long does it take to get lisinopril completely out of your system?

I've felt some of the same side effects recently (slight dizziness, some discomfort in back and chest area). But that was after working in the Texas sun for a couple of hours in the morning. (I've heard that lots of sweating and dehydration can increase some of the side effects of lisinopril.)

Can anyone tell me your experiences after getting off lisinopril?

-- By badmedz | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail

June 26th
2008
5:25 PM

I can't tell you all how glad I am that I found this web site.

I've been taking 10mg Lisinopril daily for about ten months now (for slightly high bp). Beginning last October, I started feeling the following symptoms off and on:

-lightheadedness (including one fainting spell)
-some discomfort and tightness in my chest
-difficulty breathing (when this happened, I would force myself to breathe deeply and usually found that I was breathing OK ... just felt like I wasn't always getting enough air)
-feelings of panic
-muscle pain in back and neck
-diarrhea

I've never really had any previous health problems and I've never suffered from anxiety or panic attacks.

I saw my doctor several different times about these issues. When it first started, my wife wondered if it had something to do with the medication. My doctor (who I really like) said 10 mg is not enough to really do much of anything.

Since I've been on it, my bp has been great. And I knew 10 mg wasn't very much. I believed that the medication wasn't causing it. So I went through the series of tests:

-MRI was normal
-blood tests were normal
-repeated EKGs were normal
-chest x-rays were normal
-stress test was normal

My doctor started thinking it was something mental and talked to me about ways to reduce stress and anxiety. But I knew there was something going on.

Then I found this site. I stopped taking Lisinopril yesterday and am talking to my doctor about changing to something else.

Thanks, all!

-- By badmedz | Reply | Send Private Mail

June 15th
2008
11:02 PM

My daughter is 15 and on Thursday June 5, 2008 she received her second shot of Gardasil. A couple of hours later she complained of difficulty breathing. I took her to the ER where the doctors made me feel like I was crazy to think it was a reaction to the Gardasil shot. They said she might have asthma. They gave her a Nebulizer treatment that didn't help and sent her home with a prescription for Albuterol which too did not help. I took her in to see her Primary care doctor who said the same thing, it could not be the shot and diagnosed her with Bronchitis. She has no signs of bronchitis, no wheezing, cough or phlem. I then took her to see an allergist who again said the same thing, not the shot. He to said she may have bronchitis. They have given her 4 types of medication and none of them have helped. Today is day 10 and she continues to have difficulty breathing. Is there anyone else out there with these same symptoms?? If so I would really appreciate and advise you can give..

-- By yvette563 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail

June 9th
2008
11:39 AM

I had used NR for six weeks when I woke up at 3 am with SEVERE chest pains. Went to the ER and was diagnosed with *substantial* pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). I was hospitalized for five days and am now under the direction of a pulmonologist and hematologist for the next six months while I'm on blood thinner therapy. I had to do injections into my abdomen twice a day to prevent further clotting until my blood reached a theraputic level with the Coumadin (blood thinning drug).

Usually, pulmonary embolism afflicts sedentary people or those who have recently had surgery or those who have cancer . .. etc etc etc. I am a 33 year old personal trainer. I have ZERO risk factors for this to have happened to me . .. other than the nuvaring. It was determined that it was the cause and I was told to remove it immediately and to never never never use it again.

Please be careful in your decisions to use this product. I used it for the convenience of not popping a pill daily as I would usually forget. Wish I would have just looked a bit further into the possible side effects before choosing to go ahead with it.

-- By jhurley | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail

May 14th
2008
10:28 AM

Hi all! I have recently started to have a very strange feeling and thought I would post here to see if anyone else can elaborate on it.

I switched from private healthcare to the VA system in March 2008 and the MD at the VA immediately switched me from Toprol XL 100mg per day to Norvasc ( Amlodipine Besylate) 5mg, a generic version and from Zetia 10mg to Zocor. This is mainly due to the fact that the VA does not have the Toprol XL or the Zetia in their pharmacy.

I am a very active person, work out 3 times per week, play tournament level racquetball and generally stay very active. I was feeling fine on this medication for almost 3 years with the only side effect being a little light-headed feeling with hard physical activity. Approximately 2-3 weeks after changing meds I started to get this lumpy feeling in my chest and then it started to progress into an air hunger feeling which felt like my breath was being taken away for a split second. I called the MD at the VA and requested to go back on metoprolol tartrate, which is what the VA has in place of the metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL). The air gasp feeling has only gotten worse and with any excertion I become tired now and start to get the gaspy feeling. Very scary. When it started to get real bad one evening I called 911 and went to the emergency room. Tests came back "ridiculously normal" the ER MD stated. Went back to the VA and the same MD, who doesn't listen, says I am under stress and prescribed me Paxil. I am completely lost as to what to do. I am going in to have another EKG and a holter monitor put on as well as a stress test.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I am desperate to get this resolved as fast as I can. Feel terrible lately and the MD doesn't seem to be listening to me.

Help!

-- By sebek | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

May 6th
2008
9:24 PM

May 2006 I stopped taking Yasmin after being on it for a few years. I was having bad sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and post nasal drip but never thought it was because of Yasmin. I went to a ENT doctor and the tissue in my sinsus cavities was so inflamed he recommended surgery. I also had a deviated septum and bone spur which were corrected. After the surgery (August 2006) I felt great. I exercise A LOT and it was now so much easier because I could breathe without all the fluid buildup. I kept thinking what a miracle the surgery was. March 2007 I started taking Ortho-tricyclen and quickly gained 10lbs in 2 months. I also had mood swings mostly feeling down. But I was still able to run and exercise more than I had in many years. March 2008 I went in for my annual exam and after mentioning my side effects from Ortho-tricyclen my doctor recommended going back on Yasmin since it had worked before. Two days after starting Yasmin my sinus problems and headaches returned. I was so low on energy and my chest felt tight. The only good thing is that I lost my appetite and in one month I lost 7 of the 10 lbs I gained on Ortho. I stopped taking Yasmin this past weekend in the middle of a pack. I am feeling better and have not had a headache this week. I was also able to run yesterday which felt so good. I hadn’t exercised in a month because of my lack of energy and difficulty breathing. Had I not been on it before I would have thought this was just a bad allergy season. I am convinced Yasmin was the cause of all my sinus problems and headaches.

-- By emilyas | Reply | Send Private Mail

May 5th
2008
9:31 AM

Today I decided that I am not taking Lisinopril anymore. I was sick with flu like symptoms about 2 months ago. I went to my doctor and and was treated for a bronchial infection. I was prescribed and antibiotic and also a blood pressure medicine. My blood pressure was high and had been for some time. The illness did leave but now I have new problems. For some reason the first bottle was a white pill, then changed pharmacy, and now a small peach colored pill. The side effects were worse on the white pill, less but still life altering on the peach pill. Since taking the medicine here are some of the things I have experienced.
- severe coughing, so bad that my neck back and head where killing me;
- loss of bladder (not sure if from coughing or additional side effect);
- hair falling out;
- tightness in my chest;
- difficulty breathing (using inhaler multiply times a day vs. when sick or 2 or 3 times a year);
- muscle pain;
- memory loss (small black out periods with no recovery of the memory for that time);
- feelings of dread; some intermittent periods of severe, some mild confusion;
- sleeping so soundly did not hear people in my home all night, loud music, doors opening and closing, in my room standing next to me talking (normally a very light sleeper);
- confusion for 15 to 20 minutes upon waking, did not know what time it was, where I was, what day;
- falling asleep at desk of if parked in my car;
- digestive issues, severe gas, intermittent watery stool and constipation;
- short tempered, inability to cope with my normal ability to function in high stress level on job (I actually left my job of 8 years on a week ago);
- strange feeling in the middle of forehead and intensifying to almost a muscle kind of pain just in the center.
- the worst was the yesterday, I felt like I did not want to live...just like quitting, thank GOD my children love me so much that they kept trying to keep me engaged in conversation and stayed with me all afternoon until it finally passed. I did not take the medicine yesterday or today. I called my Dr. to have my chart updated today that I will NOT be taking this medicine anymore. I will walk everyday and get on a diet that is fat and salt restrictive, I want to live and do it sanely.

-- By vkelly | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

May 2th
2008
11:43 AM

I have been on Lamictal for approximately 7 years. The product initially seemed to work a bit on controlling my seizure activity, and did provide a bit more confidence in social situations. At this point I was taking 400mg per day, and had little side effects other than the absent mindedness, and occasional problems with vertigo.
Briefly, about a year ago, I began having an increasing number of partial and general seizures, and was brought up to a dosage of 700mg per day. It was at this point that I began noticing what could only be called "hard-core" side effects. These included days where I was just totally confused, paranoid, suicidal, having an unrelenting feeling of not being able to breath, feeling bloated in my abdomen, and regularly being struck with a very irregular, very scary, rapid heart beat.
At this point, I am taking 600mg per day, and am still having most of these side-effects, but in decreased frequency. My neurologist never mentioned any of these possible symptoms, and doesn't seem overly concerned about any of the problems that I have mentioned in the past. With this in mind, it is somewhat relieving to see that there are others out there who are noticing similar effects.
If anyone can explain the difficulty breathing thing a bit more, it might help me wrap my brain (no pun intended) around this whole mess. I'm not sure if it's related to a decrease in blood pressure - I've been monitoring mine and haven't seen any irregularities. Or if it's related to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the circulatory system due to the drug itself, or as a side-effect of the shallow breathing I have read about in other posts here.

-- By smiffboove99 | Reply | Send Private Mail

April 24th
2008
1:16 AM

My 30+ year run with Prednisone
My experience began back in the 1980s when I took 2 aspirin for a headache one day and landed in the hospital with difficulty breathing. I was diagnosed with Chronic Asthma Triad (Aspirin Sensitivity, Sinus Polyps, and Asthma). My doctors (Allergist & ENT) prescribed Prednisone to help with the asthma and control sinus swelling in does ranging from low 15mg up to 80mg per day with weening off periods lasting weeks to months. Over the next 9 years I underwent 12 sinus surgeries ultimately obliterating all of my sinus cavities. Chronic asthma continues today and I have now developed additional lung disease I was followed at UCSC Medical Center in San Francisco after being diagnosed with Bronchiolitis Oblitersans, at which time I was fully disabled, unable to work at all for almost 2 years. This was the most difficult period in my life.
Over the years dealing with chronic sinus disease and controlling my lung and airway diseases I have made many trips to the ER and experienced many hospitalizations. I have not been off of Prednisone since this all began. With so many doses of steroids both by IV and by mouth with tapers in doses ranging from 120md daily (by mouth) to a low maintenance dose of 5mg per day. Believe me when I say that I know the side effects of this dug all to well. Initially I experienced bloating in the face and body, a rash that still remains today. I have developed significant bone density loss and now experience joint pain full time. From a mental side effects stand point I am in a state of fluctuating brain fog, memory loss, and confusion. At times I get baffled easily. I continue to experience mild to severe mood swings.
I am currently working full time with great difficulty and at this time taking 40mg of Prednisone daily to control my difficulty breathing and severe shortness of breath.
Of all the side effects it is my memory loss that has been the biggest impact on my ability to work and communicate clearly, I am having difficulties performing at work and at home. I had no idea this medication could have such an impact on daily living.
The bottom line? Prednisone truly is a two edged sword, on one hand a wonder drug and on the other a destroyer of mind and body.

-- By dsinclair | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

April 23th
2008
11:25 AM

I tried to cut down on my Advair usage because it's so darned expensive - close to $200 a month. I only did one puff in the morning. I continued taking my Singulair as prescribed, once a day, at night. I had to go back to using Advair twice a day when I found I couldn't walk up two flights of stairs without difficulty breathing. But the thing that I hate the most is the coughing and the yellow mucus. Does anyone have this problem? I breathe better after expelling the mucus but sometimes it's so hard to do, I have actually coughed up blood. I have, also, lost my regular voice. At times I sound completely hoarse, and forget about singing, That's gone. I ask the pharmaceutical companies, if I must continue taking these drugs, can you make a version I can afford!

-- By jeano | Reply | Send Private Mail

April 21th
2008
11:45 AM

Very prone to thrush mouth-even after brushing and gargling, weakness in muscles, Doctors do not know the affects of taking Advair for longer than 6 months

-- By greers | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail

April 15th
2008
9:19 AM

I have been Singulair-free for 11 days now. I do not entertain any more suicidal thoughts, I feel MUCH happier just generally. I have cried, but haven't felt really low, just sad, normal-sad. I do have more difficulty breathing and tightness in my chest, but I am looking into adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. I have exercised more since stopping the Singulair, so I hope that will help long term with my lung function. I would definitely say I would rather feel some tightness in my chest or breathlessness going up stairs than intense sadness and irrational suicidal ideations. This life is much better than the one I had two weeks ago, and I know it's the same life, nothing has changed, just my perspective. I wonder if taking drugs off the market is going to be like putting up stop signs or traffic lights - we have to wait for a significant number of accidents before that move would be warranted. I really can't believe that all those years I thought it was me. I am a whole new person psychologically and it is because of an asthma medicine that is approved for KIDS! Amazing.

-- By psiloveyou75 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail


 

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