Digestion problems symptoms and conditions

I get very sick when I get my period, they are long and heavy, and I have digestion problems and intense stomach pains for at least 1-2 weeks before and the week of. These symptoms disappeared for a while when I was on Apri (desogen) but after a few months, they came back, and on top of it, I became severely depressed and had such bad stomach pains, I went to the emergency room (and you pretty much have to drag me to hospitals).

This last period was so bad though that I finally decided to take the sample pack of Loestrin that my doctor gave me a month or two ago. Just a day after I started taking it, my period ended and the pain and bloating was gone. This is day 6 and I'm fine so far. On Ortho Tri-Cyclen (my first pill) I had bad side effects the first few days and gained ten pounds in two weeks.

I'm glad these forums exist, because they helped me realize that all of the depression (including suicidal thoughts), stomach pain, hair loss, etc. etc. were side effects of desogen. All of those things that contributed to the worst summer of my life disappeared as soon as I stopped taking it.

On the other hand, I have to point out that there is no "good" pill or "bad" pill. The side effects will be different for everyone. Some women need more estrogen, some need less. Some need fluctuating amounts of hormones and some need the same dosage all month. Unfortunately the only way to figure out what is right for you is to try them, note your reactions, and research the differences between pills. I realized quickly that I needed a low, stable dose of estrogen, which led me to try Loestrin. Not saying things can't go wrong from here, but now I am aware that if I fall into some depression, anxiety, weight gain, or other weird side effects, it *may* be caused by the pill I'm taking.

Is the pill worth it? Again, answers will vary depending on your lifestyle. Are your periods manageable or do they cause you not to be able to get out of bed in the morning? Are they consistent or are you praying you're no pregnant every month? Are condoms working for you or aren't they, and is the 2% chance of still becoming pregnant worth the risk?

While I've had bad experiences with some pills, I'm just grateful for this BC option in general. Until they figure out how to make birth control pills for men (pshh.. that'll be the day) then it's up to us to research and maek the best decisions for ourselves.

I was diagnosed with severe sinusitis a week ago, and my doctor prescribed omnicef for me since I was allergic to PENICILLIN. After the first day on Omnicef, I felt fine, perhaps a little better. As days continued to pass, however, I began to get some horrible reactions. They started out mild, and now (after taking it for the seventh day) I have major tongue and gland swelling in addition to a horrible headache and weakness. I've felt close to fainting several times throughout the past several days. I went through a random bout of depression a couple days ago, too, and there was no reason why. I feel more irritable, but I've been attempting to control it. I haven't lashed out wrongly at my loved ones yet, but I've come pretty close. I have some pain in my lower abdomen (where the intestines are located) as well, but only when I walk in a quick manner. No diarrhea, yet, but I think that's because I normally have digestion problems (constipation). Some of the joints in my hands are acting funny. They aren't as strong as usual, and they've been going numb/cold more often, causing their movements to be a little slower/stalled.

I'm seventeen, and when my mom contacted the doctor yesterday, the doctor said that "these aren't allergies/side effects" of this medication, and that I need to continue taking them. So I took them again yesterday (the seventh day), and that's when the swelling of the tongue and glands in my throat took place. When my mom called today and notified the doctor of that issue, the doctor said that..oh, how was that worded... That "it's the first time I've had this reaction" (while on this medication), and that it isn't caused by that medication but from something else. I'm sorry, but I'm not taking any other medications, and I haven't eaten anything strange/new that would cause me these difficulties. It's definitely the medication.

I'm done with this medication. After doing research on it this morning, I've learned that at least ten percent of those allergic to penicillin is also allergic to omnicef, and I'm allergic to penicillin. Why my doctor is being so stubborn about these reactions, I don't know. I guess this is just an example of a doctor who isn't well-educated and sticks ONLY to the side-effects/allergic reactions listed on the prescription bottle. If problems persist, my mom will take me to another doctor. For now, I'm going to stick to the Neti pod and nasal spray to try to rid me of my sinusitis. Maybe it'll work out alright and my problems from this medication will go away quickly. I'm sick of being sick all summer.

For anyone having digestion problems while taking lisinopril....please read this!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/446546_3

I am hoping this is what my problem is, as I'm to the point of not being able to eat anything, even bland food, without being in horrible pain. Cat scans and upper scope ran and all came back normal, regular blood tests are normal...but the pain I have after eating is not NORMAL! I go back to my regular dr. tomorrow and will let you know if he takes me off the lisinopril. My stomach problems started after starting 40 mg of lisinopril in June of 06. I will try to keep you posted on if it is the medication causing my problems.
I also have the anxiety, red rash on my neck, shortness of breath, lethargy, lack of concentration, etc. etc. It's scary to think medications can cause more problems than the actual health problem they are treating you for!

I have been on NuvaRing for 2 years 8 months. I have been seeing a doctor for the past 20 months for a series of unresolved symptoms:

1) extreme exhaustion
2) unexplained weight gain/inability to lose weight
3) Gall Bladder attack
4) High Inflammation based on CRP (C-Reactive Protein), predictor for heart disease, alzheimers, stroke, cancer, etc.
5) Loss of mental focus - Constant brain fog.

Other symptoms digestion problems, bloating, zero sex drive.......

It just occurred to me this weekend that it might be the NuvaRing. I had a gall bladder attack in June of 2005, with no symptoms and not a typical profile for someone to have an attack. In May 2006 my husband and I took a trip to Hawaii and I skipped my period by inserting a 2nd ring when I removed the first. I did not feel good the entire trip (bloating, extreme headaches, sensitivity to sun, stomach upset), and even had a skin reaction to the tag on my swimsuit (sign of high inflammation). I have been through cancer tests, bone marrow test's, tested for autoimmune disease (all thankfully came back negative) and there is no explanation for the high inflammation I am experiencing. My inflammation/CRP levels are 2x what Lupus and Rhumatoid Arthritis patients experience.

I have been on an anti-inflammatory diet for 6 weeks, and the results were actually worse at the second test. So in trying to deduct what could be causing the inflammation and other symptoms it finally occurred to me that - BINGO maybe it is the NuvaRing! I read the potential side effects and was shocked - gall bladder disease, heart disease is one of them. I have been off for 2 weeks, and I already feel like a new person. I have not been tested again for inflammation (will happen in 2 weeks), but I am almost positive that is the cause.

Don't let this be you, do not let symptoms go as long as I did before realizing what you are doing to your body. Maybe the NR works for some people, but judging by the number of responses on this board, not many!

I was prescribed Singulair in an attempt to prevent nasal polyp regrowth following a third sinus surgery. Began taking it on February 2, 2007. After about the first week noticed difficulty sleeping. Would wake frequently and then have difficulty going back to sleep. A couple of nights later, I had a sensation that someone was standing over me and choking me. I awoke screaming at the top of my lungs. Next, came the depression, total feeling of impending doom, death and misery. I cannot put into words. Would go get a haircut and wonder if this was going to be my last and would it look good in the casket. Next came the lethergy, I would wake up exhausted, sit on the couch all day, watch tv then go take a nap and go to bed at 6 p.m. Other side effects I noticed were total loss of sexual desire or ability to attain or maintain an erection, headache, and digestion problems. I stopped taking this on March 7 and am slowly (very slowly) returning to my former self. Does anyone know how long it takes to get this out of your system totally? - I have never had any issues with depression or sleep in the past so am convinced these issues are related to this drug.

Hello Sophie,

I am exactly around 6 months also and yes feel the exact same way you do.. like I can't take it anymore... or maybe I should just get back on the bc pills and maybe that might help, etc.

I still suffer from bad digestion and anxiety problems. What is your main problem? For me it's like a total loss of well-being. I really am starting to notice a cycle though.. I seem to get worse right after my period for about a week, then get better (a little), and then worse again. How about you?

I am noticing that as time goes by, it gets a little (a very little) bit better. That to me is the hard part, knowing how slow progression seems to be.

I am trying to fight this with acupuncture, regular walks, spiritual healing (Sukyo Mahikari) and finally Prozac.

Yes, I know how everybody says they refuse to put another medication in their body, and "Oh, I am not depressed, etc" I thought the exact same thing! I was like no way in hell was I going to put another medicine in my body that can give me bad side effects, etc.

BUT, it has already been 6 months and being this ill with all the Doctors telling me they can't find anything... and suffering through each cycle was more than I could bear at that point. I did research and found that Prozac has been prescribed to treat PMDD (Pre menstrual dysphoric disorder) So I thoght if Prozac can help this hormone related issue, maybe it can help mine.

Also, Prozac has been shown to help 60 % of cases of digestion problems, which is exactly what I suffer from. Finally, being this ill for this long... with no answers or salvation is making me depressed anyway, which of course could lead to even more depression brought on symptoms!

Prozac is the best ssri as far as not being hard to withdraw from as it has a 9.3 long half life.

Well, I have been on it for 10 days know, and had ZERO side effects and can actually say that I have been improving a bit. Prozac is not like BCP's and AT LEAST it won't mess up your hormones like Yasmin did. It should help your anxiety, help your digestion issues and maybe knock your body back into the proper rhythm. I was before 100% Against anti depressents, but now I really do recommend it to you all who have been suffering for so long with no resolve. My regular Gastroenterologist recommended as well as my regular Dr. who normally does not like prescribing unnecessarily. He said that Prozac does seem to help a LOT of cases with minimal side effects.

So talk to your doctor and see what he/she says about Prozac. If you are like me and scared about side effects, don't be.. I started SLOWLY, by taking 10 mg. every OTHER day to start off. I had absolutely no side effects this way.

Well, I will continue to post and let everybody know about how Prozac is working, especially during my so called bad cycle.

Take care everybody!

Jen

hello all, SILKE,

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL WELL AND COPING WITH THIS NIGHTMARE BETTER THEN ME.

HI HAVE BEEN FEELING REALLY BAD THE PAST WEEK OR SO, I FEEL REALLY AWFULL.

ITS BEEN ALMOST 6 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE BEEN OFF THE YASMIN, MY CYCLE HAS BEEN PRETTY REGULAR, EVERY 22 DAYS I GET MY PERIOD.
THIS MONTH I GOT IT AFTER27 DAYS AND IT WAS SO BAD AND HEAVY. I FELT NAUSEOUS, BAD MIGRAINES ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT, ANXIOUS,AND BAD PAINS IN THE UPPER BACK.
BEFORE TAKING THE YASMIN I USED TO GET MY PERIOD BETWEEN 24 - 27 DAYS MAYBE MY HORMONES ARE GETTIG BACK TO NORMAL. I DONT KNOW , ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS??? PLEASE PLEASE HELP
I ALWAYS HAVE THE MIGRAINES ON MY PERIOD, THEY ARE SO SO BAD WORDS CANT DESCRIBE THEM, THEY MAKE ME FEEL SO ANXIOUS AND SCARED THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH ME.

IVE DEVELOPED REALLY BAD DIGESTION PROBLEMS TOO. I THINK ITS ACID REFLUX.

I NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE TAKING THE YASMIN. ITS SO SCARY. I JUST WANT THE DAY TO COME WHEN I FEEL NORMAL AGAIN. IT MAKES ME CRY SO MUCH. IVE BECOME SO WEAK AND ANY MEDICAL PERSON I TALK TO KEEPS SAYING " ITS NOT THE YASMIN"

WHEN WILL IT GET BETTER?
I CANT TAKE THIS NO MORE, I DONT FEEL STRONG ENOUGH.
PLEASE PLEASE HELP
I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW

SOPHIExxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello Guest (msg 31031)

I went throught the exact same thing your daughter is going through and am still suffering (5 months so far). It always seems to be cyclic getting better than worse...

Is your daughter more estrogen based (softer features) or more testosterone based (masculine, etc). It seems that girls who are mroe testosterone based have the worst times getting off of Yasmin.

I don't know what the best advice to give you because if I say to wait it out, the lenght of time to get better might severly affect her mind and cause other problems.... You might want to discuss with a gynocologist to put her back on a pill that is opposite of Yasmin... more progesterone based.. then as she improves I feel that she might have a much easier time to get off this type of pill rather than Yasmin.

For me, I am trying a low dose of Prozac (10mg) to help with my severe digestion problems. I absolutely refused ssri's before thinking that time will heal everything but now at a point where I need to try something and I know that ssri's will not affect the hormone balance as much as bcp's.

Good luck and I will let everybody know how Prozac works on me.

Hello: I also am SO glad that I found this site. Where else would I have learned that my digestion problems are probably linked to my birth control pill!! My doctor sure never thought of it. I've tried just about everything to battle the CONSTIPATION, BLOATING, PRESSURE AND GAS in my stomach. Yasmin has been great for the PMS symptoms, but I haven't been able to eat a normal meal in months! I'm off the pill as of today and hope things clear up soon. Thanks for the forum.

I read the postings on this board when I was first prescribed 21 days of Levaquin, 500 mgs. I was scared to death after reading the postings here.

However, for those that are doing the same, I would like to say: I haven't had any severe adverse reactions. I do not have a metallic taste in my mouth, nor do I have any digestion problems. I do not ache any more than usual ... I have no problems sleeping. The first day or two I may have been a bit more anxious than usual, but not anymore.

Additionally I was on a Caribbean cruise last week and had no extreme reactions from the sun. I did not lay out in the sun, but of course it was impossible to totally avoid it since I was outside most of the day in the 90 degree weather.

As far as the effectiveness .... I'm not quite sure it's been as effective for me as other antibiotics. I am taking it for the onset of a sinus infection which I caught pretty early. One of my glands is still somewhat swollen -- but I am going to the doctor after my prescription runs out for a check-up.
The doctors are reluctant to prescribe any med from the 'cillin family because I am allergic to cephalosporins.

Just thought I'd add my two cents.

I visited the doctor after not being able to kick a chest cold and was prescribed a Z-pack. 10 days later I had to return when I was more sick than before, I now had pneumonia and was given Levaquin. The exact day I was given the first dose in the morning by the doctor I experienced confusion, faintness and exhaustion that afternoon--in fact I was worried I wouldn't be capable of driving myself home from work that afternoon. I initially attributed this to the illness and severe head cold, however as two weeks wore on I was continually losing my place in conversations, my body hurt worse all over than being sick, I had several severe headaches, and typically had about 1 hours worth of stand-up time energy per day, the rest of the day I would have to spend lying or sitting. This is very odd for me since I am an avid runner and have maintained good fitness for many years, I'm 33. Additionally I was in the middle of two important projects related to work which had to be sidelined because of depression. I tell people I have been more "sick" with the flu for far shorter periods of time but I have never been this sick for this long. After reading the many responses on here I believe I too was a victim of the effects of Levaquin. What frustrates me is I spoke to my doctor again on day 4 into the medication and told him that I felt WORSE, all they said was continue taking the medacation, never once telling me it was all common for this medication. Now like several other posting I am experiencing pretty painful digestion problems, I have taken myself off of it for about 36 hours now, and need to start eating yogurt--I will NEVER take that drug again.