Doctor who symptoms and conditions

I'm a 20 year old female, 125 lbs, exercise everyday, and eat very well. I recently had an the mirena IUD put in after a year on depo provera. I cramped for about a week after insertion and then started to have pain on the left side near my pubic bone. I also was having nausea, blurry vision, difficultly focusing my eyes, dizziness, severe chest pains, and a pin prick sensation along with hot flashes all over my body. After finding this site, I called my doctor who didn't believe that the mirena was causing this, even though many of these are listed as severe side effects. I'm a 20 year old woman! Why would i suddenly develop some disease that made me feel this way? Despite her claims that the mirena wasn't responsible, the chest pains were unbearable and the uterine pain was shooting down my legs. I demanded to have it out. One day later the uterine pain was significantly better and my vision was back to normal. I still have slight chest pains but they have diminished appropriately. the hormone in mirena has a half life of about a day and a half so in two days it should be completely out of my system and the chest pains should subside. To conclude, if you are having these side effects and have no other conditions, try getting the mirena removed. It fixed me completely.

Loestrin 24 Fe has been nothing but a nightmare for me. I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for about a year (originally prescribed for a sudden, random outbreak of HORRIBLE chin acne), and started noticing depression, mood swings, very heavy periods, and severe stomachaches and indigestion problems about nine months into it. I had to switch doctors in order to get off of it...I was seeing a male doctor who thought that my side effects were "in my head" and wanted me to take 5000 blood tests before he'd switch my prescription. My new doctor prescribed Loestrin 24 Fe during my first visit with her.

The first month of my new pill was great; no mood swings, no depression, no issues...I even dropped five pounds, even though the Ortho hadn't given me a problem with weight gain. I didn't get my period until the second day of the new pill pack though, and it was VERY light. I took a pregnancy test that came out negative, even though my husband and I had used back-up methods the first month of the pills to be safe. One week into the second month of my Loestrin pills, everything went crazy. It's been three weeks and not only is my chin AND my forehead completely broken out, but my hair is falling out in clumps when I wash or brush it, I am completely depressed and unhappy with life, I am exhausted beyond belief, AND I have gained a total of TWELVE POUNDS. I am a very physically fit girl...I eat right, I have always had a very fast metabolism, I have been a size 0/1 for years, I work all day and am on the go all day and all evening...and now I am twelve pounds heavier in three weeks and have jumped to a size 4/5. None of my work clothes fit me anymore, and I feel awful. I have taken seven home pregnancy tests just to be sure and have even gone in to the doctor for a professional test, but everything has come out negative.

I am apparently switching to another pill (or whatever will work) today; I'm waiting for my doctor to call and discuss my options as I type this. Ladies, if your doctor suggests this stuff, please take my advice and DON'T try it. It has been nothing but hell for me over the past several weeks. Save yourself the time, money, aggravation, and lost pounds and stay away from Loestrin.

My daughter is 13. We put her on Loestrin to control her extreme cramping.
She was always nausea complained and lower back pain. But the most disturbing symptom was EXTREME exhaustion. She could barely make it through a day of school. She would come home and go to bed. I was having trouble getting her back up to go to practice. She would cry like a baby, unusual for her. She said she just felt so weak and tired. We went to the doctor who tested her for mono, anemia, thyroid, and anything else they could think of. All the test were negative. That is when I got on the internet and looked up Loestrin. It was the only medication that she was on. I had her stop the pill that very day. She was herself again in less than a week! I am now afraid to "try" another pill with her. I am just so glad we figured it out!

I am a few days away from my 19th birthday and i've been taking Yasmin since the age of 11. I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was 11 and Yasmin has been what's keeping my period regular and more or less pain free since then. In May of 2008 i was switched to the generic version of Yasmin called, Ocella and started to notice more and more symptoms and side effects. My stomach pain in the mornings grew greater by the day and when i was on my sugar pill i would gain an unbearable migraine. Thinking it was just part of being a woman i ignored it and went about my life. It wasn't until December of 2008 while out with a group of friends i came into some serious stomach pain. thinking it was just a typical stomach ache that i normally got i ignored it. when i came to be about 4 am and the pain hadn't stopped i started to worry. first thing in the morning i went to the doctor who referred me to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that i had gall stones and that i should have my gall bladder removed before more complications were to occur. Being a college student only a week away from returning to my second semester i opted to wait until spring break to have the surgery. During the 3 month wait i experience extreme diarrhea whenever something was put in my mouth, extreme stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, the list goes on and on i felt like i had been hit by a truck every day and i still had to go to class. in March of 2009 i had my gall bladder removed thinking that the symptoms would finally stop i returned to school only to find that nothing got better. It's been 7 months since my gall bladder has been removed and i'm still having the same symptoms as before and now i've added depression, stress, lack of energy and interest and many other things to the list. I'm still taking Ocella because i've never been advised otherwise but the symptoms are taking over my life. I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at college and it's just become harder and harder to focus on my work or to enjoy the aspects of college that i should be with the frequent trips to the bathroom or having to opt out of a fun activity because of stomach pain. I was wondering if anyone can help me, maybe point me in a direction where i can get better and get back to enjoying what a 19 should be. Thanks.

I just started taking this drug three days ago, and I am already having such bad side effects that I don't want to take it anymore. I am only 29, but have a family history of high BP, and went to the doctor last week to find out my bp was 175/90. Since starting the drug, I've been getting dizziness, but last night took the cake. I woke up around 4:30 with horrible nausea. I ran to the bathroom where I fainted while sitting on the toilet lid, wanting nothing more than to vomit. I remember waking up and looking in the mirror, and my face was as white as a sheet, as were my lips. I looked dead, and it scared the hell out of me. As I came to, I suddenly had diarrhea hit me, and once that was over, I felt better. My husband thinks my body is trying to get rid of the drug. In addition to all this, I am having palpitations and feel that my heart is beating too fast. I know that part of this is nerves, because I'm scared of taking this medication, but the fainting and nausea ARE because of the drug. I called my doctor today, and she wants me to come in to get my BP taken again. I am so scared that she won't lower the dose or (better yet) switch me to something else, because my bp always goes up at the doctor's office when I get nervous, every time. Oh, and I also started metformin last week because the doctor tested my blood sugar and it came back 250. Could it be the combination? I don't know. I just know I have only been on this stuff for a few days and already hate it and feel that it's bad for my body! It's very scary.

Within 5 hours of first dose, I had "severe body aches" like those with the flu. My joints and muscles hurt so much that night that I had to call my parents to help me take care of my kids the next morning. I told the doctor who prescribed it, and he said to try to stick it out for the week...what horrible advice! Thinking it was crazy advice, I reluctantly took doses 2, 3, and 4 and experienced the joint/muscle pain each time, but I guess I just somehow tolerated it as if I had the flu. My hands became rather puffy as well. After the 5th pill, I woke up in the middle of the night with HORRIBLE joint and muscle pain, which was so awful that I could barely move; I was able to move a little bit, with extreme pain all over my body--particularly my knees, wrists/hands/thumbs, feet, and shoulders. I felt and heard unnusual snapping, cracking, and popping all over my body when I would move around at all. I stopped the med immediately, and noticed some improvement over the next several days. It has since been 9 days since the last dose, and I still have considerable pain in my knee, my thumbs/wrists, and arms. Unable to do my regular exercise, I tried gentle swimming and light water aerobics several days ago, but found even that to be too painful to do. I'm still unable to pick up my young children, drive without pain (mostly in right knee and muscles connecting to it, when pushing the brake) and am still somewhat limited in typical daily activities. Also, for the last 5 days or so, I've had a strange nodule present on a tendon in my thumb which has been hurting since taking the antibiotic. This has been a very frightening experience, to say the least.

I recently back in April of this year received Cyberknife radiation for Adenocarcinoma with metastasis to my brain. After surgery to remove my brain tumor in March of 2009. I went though whole brain radiation and the Cyberknife to my lung. The doctor was very adamant that as the lung heals from radiation you will develop what they call wet lung or neumonesis sp? This will have to be treated separately, or severe coughing would continue. My primary care doctor in the mean time put me on Lisinopril 20 mg for hypertension. I have not gotten a good nights sleep in 2.5 months since, then came the pneumonosis. This cough persist to this day waking me from what little sleep I do get, and amazingly am now suffering from joint pain especial in my hips. It's to the point I can't even cross my legs anymore it hurts. When discussing this with my primary she says its in my head as of today and reading this site and side effects I am taking myself off of Lisinopril and will seek a second opinion, even a third if need be thank you all so much for posting your side effects from this drug.

I had an infection on my foot (could have been Staph because it was very aggressive and painful with lots of swelling) and was prescribed 'Bactrim' or Sulfamethoxazole. Everything was fine for the first 8 days. My infected foot was healing.
On the 9th day, I developed a rash that I noticed first on my wrist and then my neck, inner thighs and my feet. I went to the doctor who said to not take my 10th and final day of Sulfamethoxazole and prescribed benadryl.
Later the same day (tonight), the rash has spread everywhere from face to toe. The itching hasn't been severe but it has been uncomfortable, sort of like mild pin pricks in random places on my body.
I'm going back to the doctor's office tomorrow since they told me to expect it to get a lot better by tomorrow. I'd be surprised if it gets better but it definitely has gotten worse.

I am feeling such relief right now- I'm not alone. After having EKGs and Cardio-pulmonary stress tests, CAT scans of my lungs and chest, an abdominal ultra sound, and stress echocardiograms (all of these were normal or negative, mind you), not to mention months of anxiety, I finally started talking with a cardiologist to see if I had done/started anything around the time my symptoms started. I realized I had switched from an oral (orthotricyclen) to nuvaring birth control about two months before I started my symptoms of no sex drive, difficulty breathing, exhaustion, and severe anxiety. To elaborate- I was a national champion soccer player, I've always been in great shape, and I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without being exhausted. I couldn't hold a five minute conversation without chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Everyone kept saying I was stressed (new job, new house), but I know I wasn't doing anything that unusually stressful. I love my job, and my house, and while I realize they may cause some stress, I shouldn't CONSTANTLY feel like this.

The most pressing issue, of course, was the breathing stuff. The doctor suggested, even though he wasn't familiar with the nuvaring side effects, that I take it out to see if there was any change. After reading what all of you have written, and after being off it for two weeks, and beginning to feel a change, I'm pretty damn sure it was Nuvaring. I already remember that my husband is sexy, and I'm able to go on dog walks without getting winded. I also am happier, and feel more awake, than I have in a year.

THANK YOU ALL for posting. I'm going to warn my girlfriends of this stuff- I wish my doctor (who is no longer my doctor) had said more than "there really aren't any side effects except some discharge- nothing different than the usual pill side effects".

I'm on Lamictal for minor bipolar, with Adult ADHD, OCD and anxiety. I went on Lamictal around 2005. It has been 4 years. At first I did not like how it made me feel. It made me feel like euphoric almost like all my emotions were caged up inside, both good and bad. When I say good I mean, the normal emotions of happiness and sadness were gone. I became more or less numb. I no longer cry when it is appropriate to cry, and I am no longer a happy outgoing person. Yet the "bad" emotions is what I mean by it holds in the extreme moodiness, outrages, anxiety and depression. Now my attitude is more like, yeah whatever. I accepted the good with he bad because this medication has helped me enormously and I would rather go without the good normal stuff than to have the extreme back. I am not a zombie, I am not high strung or low strung.....just a even keel which is how supposed to be how Lamictal works. It is the first thing since 1994 which has worked and a wonderful doctor who is top notch knew immediately what I needed. Unfortunately I had to go through years of BS and being a guinea pig to get to this point and finding the right doctor. She is a pharma psychiatrist which is better than a psychiatrist. She is a specialist in psychiatry but also pharmacology (medicine), so unlike most doctors that know how to treat, she is a expert in understanding medications.

Side Effects - If I forget to take it I immediately get agitated and get headaches, and twitching in my eye and lip area. Do not mess with this medicine. It can help with seizures, but if you forget, it can also cause seizures! The major side effect I am having is scalp pain, itching and HAIR LOSS . After 3 years of not knowing why I am losing so much hair (and I had a very full thick head of hair), and going to doctors and dermatologists, my psych dr. told me it is Lamictal! Finally I know the culprit. I very upset about this, and I need to seriously think about if I am going to stop it. I do not want to go bald!

Please note to all of you that are new to this drug also, do not drink grapefruit juice or take NSAIDS medications - eg. things with acetaminophen in it. NSAIDS can cause Stevens Johnsons Syndrome. A deadly side effect. If you make it a few weeks up to the right dosage without signs of Stevens Johnsons syndrome you will be ok. But be aware of the signs......... ulcerating wounds. Look it up on Google and google photos. Educate yourself.

This medications has done wonders for me, but at the same time I really have not had a choice. All the other drugs that work for adhd cause a lot of hypertension - causes more agitation, and the other drugs for bipolar and ocd can have side affects like early diabetes or severe weight gain. I wish there was something else out there, without all the side effects because Lamictal is great, but I am not going to be a 37 year old female walking around bald the rest of my life.

I wanted to make sure I updated my post as I had a very bad experience with this birth control pill. I posted very serious suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, no sleep, etc and after 5 days I called my doctor. He ran a few tests and noticed that I had developed a rash that I had paid no attention to. I was sent over to another doctor who confirmed that I was allergic to an inactive ingredient in the pill. My "side effects" were getting worse simply because the more I took the more I was reacting. I was immediately admitted to the hospital and given IV fluids to flush my body and shots to counter effect the allergic reaction. I have not taken bcp in over 15 years and there was no way to know about this in advance. I feel 100% better now, not taking any bcp at the moment and was thankful for the cramps that I woke up with this morning! : ) I guess from my story is make sure you are informed, I didn't call my doc, wanted to see if it would pass and was not aware of the "severe" side effects. I would have been told after day 1 to stop taking them had I been more informed. My experience is very unique and was in no way a direct result of the birth control pill name, but only of one of the inactive ingredients. Best of luck to everyone!

Ladies, I just want to thank you all for posting your experiences here. I was scheduled to get a Mirena but am canceling now. I haven't had a good feeling about it even though it was recommended highly by my doctor who I've come to trust. But in this case, after reading page after page of corroborating (and painful) stories, I am so relieved to know this is likely to make my life/health even more difficult than it already is. So I just wanted to say thank you ALL. And I'm SO sorry for each person's struggle and pain. :(

The Health & disability commissioner in NZ has received my complaint of criminal negligence re my former doctor. They have now asked my former doctor for a please explain his version of events. The police have written to me saying they are seeking medical advice re criminal/negligence/failing to carry out professional duties complaint. Whilst I agree with everyone's feelings on big pharma, it is my very firm opinion that the doctor is the "retailer" and it is the doctor's direct responsibility to us the customer/patient to monitor and inform us of all safety concerns. Big pharma in covering their butts have warned the doctors to warn the patients. Of the 8 doctors including an anesthetist I have spoken with socially and in consultation, not a single doctor could name any adverse effects with statins beyond mild muscle pain. Given the warnings from pharma on the labels that is wholly shameful & negligent. An effective way to help others avoid being maimed like us, is to fight back from the bottom. The FDA and CARM in NZ take no notice, litigation is expensive and drawn out so neither really helps future innocent victims. I encourage everyone where negligence is fairly on the table to take your complaints to your country's police and medical discipline bodies enough of these complaints will soon have the doctor's "reading & obeying instructions" which would go a long way to preventing more tragic victims.

26th August 2009 I am at the point of wanting to tear my husband into little pieces, nothing he does is right. My emotions are horrible ranging from angry to utterly furious. My anxiety level ranges between moderate to pounding heart almost panic attack level I presume. I am restless, cant sleep, swollen face, neck, puffed up shoulders, very weird stuff. My eyes are so so puffy I want to cry. My husband was so worried about my personality change he called the doctor who laughed and said that some people get some side effects with Prednisone. OMG why didn't the hospital staff and doctors say something about this when they were pumping the stuff into me? I actually was thinking my life was not worth living anymore.........everyone around me was angry at my bad behavior, which I could not control and still cant. What the hell is this all about, cant they use another drug? D. from Santa Barbara

This website is a joke! After I had my Mirena inserted 4 months ago I started reading on the internet about possible side effects. I was furious with myself that I hadn't Read up on this before the appointment. There were so many horrible reviews involving hair loss, weight gain, acne, and mood swings! I was so scared and actually thought about removing the Mirena that week. I then found multiple reviews on websites not owned and operated by other drug companies that are trying to scare people in order to prevent the sale and use of the Mirena and the side effects listed here were a 180 degree difference. I have not experienced any weight gain, in fact, I recently was able to shed 5 pounds from picking up running again (so it is possible to LOSE weight on the Mirena as well). I have had zero hair loss, have not had a pimple anywhere or any random hair growth. My live in boyfriend and I have discussed if we've noticed any mood swings or changes and my mood which is usually optimistic and positive has been the same since I had the Mirena inserted. My periods are much lighter and although they can last an extra day or two more than what I was used to, they are light and I have not had any cramping. I'm writing this review not because I absolutely love the Mirena, I think it's a fine form of BC but who LOVES their BC, isn't it all kind of a pain. The Mirena is by far the most convenient form of birth control and I don't worry at all about missing a day and the chance of getting pregnant. I'm writing this review because I encourage everyone to talk more with their doctors about the side effects and look around on the internet for REAL websites.

I had my Mirena inserted 15 months ago. The gynecologist felt that it will keep polyps away (as I just had one removed that was border case) instead of a hysterectomy.
I started to put weight on, my hair was always oily, I got palpitations,hot flushes,anxiety,depression,join pains and loss of concentration..
Worse of all is that my blood pressure went mad. Despite two very strong blood control tablets I could not get it down. I got pains in the side of my face and thought I was having a stroke.
I mentioned this to my physician who thought I was crazy as I was on such strong medication. mes cape town
After I was rejected twice by the gym I went to another doctor who agreed with me that this was all caused by the Mirena. I told him to remove it immediately and it was the best thing I could have done!
I just want to warn ladies to first investigate the product before having it inserted.

Hello, I had the Mirena inserted in May 2008 and have just had it removed, August 2009. I do not have any children and was 25 at the time insertion. It was a terribly painful experience. The doctor gave me multiple pain shots inside of my uterus, tremendous cramping, bleeding, etc. and, when she was cutting the strings, accidentally snipped the inside of my vagina. Needless to say, the thought of going through that experience alone was enough to deter me from wanting to have the Mirena removed.

Over the next year, I went through a significant lifestyle change (SF to LA). I attributed many of the symptoms associated with hormones to this shift: weight gain, depression, anxiety, aggression, fatigue, joint pain. I always had some cramping pressure in my uterus and my periods became cramping events that took me out for a few days each month.

In the spring of 2009, I became concerned that these experiences were not just a change in environment. In addition to the Mirena, I have a congenital autoimmune thyroid condition (currently hypo), that I monitor 2-4x a year. I took multiple tests and started exercising and adjusting my diet in an attempt to balance things out. Regardless of the exercise and diet changes, I kept on putting on weight. I have suffered from the flux's of thyroid my entire life, but was flustered by my inability to effect any positive change.

I didn't associate the Mirena to these challenges until I began to do research on the internet. I believe that an IUD may aggravate thyroid and autoimmune symptoms (foreign object in the body). I also think that it is compounding my weight gain tendencies. After a three week late period, terrible joint pain, extreme bloating, cramping, and blister like acne, I went to the doctor today and he removed the IUD without any question. (This is NOT the same doctor who inserted the device). He was extremely supportive and sympathetic. I simply told him that I did not feel well and he suggested the Mirena's removal and did it IMMEDIATELY.

Unlike the insertion, removal was a breeze and I was amazed that my uterus instantly felt relieved. My body has been relaxing since then...a little sporadic cramping, a bit of a headache and nausea, but nothing significant. Emotionally, I feel much more grounded (though I'm sure this will shift ...as always!). For birth control, I am going to be taking Yaz for now, starting immediately. He recommended not having sex for a few days and using a secondary BC method for a month.

I am going to start cleansing my body through increasing my water intake and sweating (exercise and sauna). I am also going to see a homeopathic specialist next week to help with the hormonal shifts. I will check back in and share my Mirena removal experience. Take care, and listen to your body.

I had minor surgery the 12th and took my first doxycycline hyclate that evening. Then the morning of the 13th I was able to go to work. I took my second does and that was all it took. My face got very pale except for rosy checks that felt feverish but I had no fever. Very disoriented, unable to focus, dizzy, like a dream state, no appetite, severe heartburn (even with just water), itchiness all over. Mostly my head though. Went right to doctor who checked me out and told me to stop it immediately. I did and went home to bed. I feel better today and am back at work but....my vision is blurry!!!! I have reading glasses that I just got about a month ago and only used them for reading and small print at work. I am sitting here at work and can't see well enough with out them to take them off.

I was 23 (the recommended age range is anything past your teens) and took Accutane for 6 months. I was closely monitored by a good doctor and had no ill effects. I did have painfully dry lips (used Aquaphor, as many here did) and dry skin. I had to drink lots of water, but I do that anyway. My results were amazing, after 6 years on another antibiotic with a doctor who refused to prescribe Accutane. As long as you have a good doctor and loving family and friends who will watch out for any emotional side effects, don't be afraid to take Accutane if nothing else is working for you. Acne does NOT "just go away" for many people. I suffered from age 12 to 23, getting worse every year. I am 28 now and still have clear skin.

I am a 35 year old mum of 2 girls,my youngest being almost 4 month old,previous to having my baby had the non hormone coil fitted with great success and no problems.and following my midwifes advice had the mirena coil fitted after much discussion with both my doctor and nurse thought it was my best option as no other contraceptive suited as well as the coil.however having the morena coil in for the past 5 weeks have suffered from an almost constant brown smelly discharge,weight gain,painful joints,lack of energy and mood changes.after researching the mirena found all the symptoms id been having are fairly common place.after contacting my GP speaking to both the nurse and GP have convinced them to take it out and fit a non hormone coil.
at no time upto or since was i told of the side effects,in particular depression from which i suffered from the birth of my daughter which the same doctor who convinced me the mirena was perfect for me prescribed me thae anti depressants i needed to beat my post-natal depression.
i find it utterly astounding that something which claimed to be the answer could be prescribed for me.im not saying the mirena isn't for some,but it def wasn't for me and before you consider having one fitted do your research before you have one fitted.

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE COMPLAINT FILED. I copped the worse of everything and almost croaked with statins. 20 months since stopping the poison, I'm still not right but vastly improved. Medsafe in New Zealand twice posted to prescribes ".. . . warn the patient of muscle pain and if muscle pain or weakness occurs cease the medicine immediately ... "they also warned prescribes "20% of adverse reactions being reported included mental disorder including violence and anger .... "Apart from all my pain, I suffered severe mental disorder and violence to others. I repeatedly presented painful muscle cramps to the doctor, who repeatedly told me age, arthritis, salt in diet etc. I went to my doctor frightened at the nasty way I was treating my wife of 30+ years, telling him it was so bad one of us was going to have to move out until the problem was sorted. he was sympathetic and told me none of his patients had said this to him before, probably true, but Medsafe had. Today in writing I hand delivered a written complaint of criminal negligence to our police and the New Zealand medical council, the doctor ignored clear written instructions putting my life at risk and those around me with my violence and dangerous driving, heres hoping others may be saved. There is a new report out from JACC journal of American cardiology stating the wonderful strengthing and healing power of fish oil, google it. We personally know of about 20 customers, friends and family who have been poisoned, a couple have indicated they will consider following and laying criminal negligence charges.Saturday afternoons are visiting days for prisons in New Zealand if the after hours doctors are closed. I'll post when I hear from the police. This very dangerous practice has to be stopped for the sake of humanity.

I just started taking FEMCON a month ago and I stopped this morning! I am an active 27 year old who runs at least 15 miles a week with a small appetite. Since taking this pill I find it hard to make it through a run and I am eating constantly!! Nothing satisfies my cravings! Also, since taking this pill I wake up at night with calf cramping. I started taking the pill due to breakthrough bleeding, which has still continued. I tried to give the pill the benefit of the doubt and understand that within the first month weight gain and fatigue might be normal, however I feel HORRIBLE! I am changing my pill along with my doctor, who rather prescribe different pills than solve whatever real problem there is. I recommend Loestrin or zovia to anyone who is considering the pill.

Thank you ladies for all your comments!
:-)

The first time I took Zoloft, it was a brand new drug with a high price tag and people were just beginning to talk about depression--openly. I had a positive experience with it. I have PTSD and severe depression due to trauma as a child and later from an abusive husband. I had a major depressive episode shortly after the birth of my 2nd child, exasperated by postpartum depression and thyroid storm. I became suicidal at a time when I seemingly had all I ever wanted. It saved my life in that regard.

I had stubborn baby weight that needed to come off. Also, I tend to be an emotional eater. Zoloft helped curb my emotional eating and I lost weight. Some people say overeating or eating disorders are akin to OCD behavior, both anxiety based, so in that way it makes sense. When Lithium was added, then changed to Depakote, I had a tremendous weight gain--I was PUFFY! At that time Bi-Polar was the flavor of the month--not that it isn't real--it just seemed that at the time, everyone was BiPolar. I later went off all meds and was OK for about 3 years when the ugly beast reared its head again.

Zoloft at one point both saved and ruined my life. The first time on Zoloft as a young wife and mother I think the verdict was still not out with all the side effects. I was unable to engage in sex. Not only did I not have any sexual urge but my body couldn't. I talked to a therapist and psychiatrist to no avail--it was MY problem--that the birth of a child brought up abuse issues--men are the only ones with sexual side effects! After being sexually NORMAL my husband and I were told that it was psychological. That didn't do a lot for our relationship. It also made me more distant and quiet. The new Me-on-Zoloft was like my repressed alter ego. The new me was all the more reason to need to stay on meds--just see how depressed and troubled I am. My husband and I divorced due to bad medicine and I didn't know any better. Had all the information been out there at the time, things could have been different.

I went back on Zoloft with mixed results. As a creative writing major at the university, it was like someone flipped a switch and all creativity left me. I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate and recall information for discussion or tests. I was however , more focused in the mundane--dinner, dishes, laundry, regular exercise, all the routine stuff. The anxiety before going back on zoloft made me want to rip my hair out and I was overwhelmed by everyday stuff. I would wash a dish and fight the urge to run around the table before washing the next one. Part of that, I think, was the pressure of being a single mom with 3 small children, going to school full-time and working part-time. Whew! and with little support from anyone, no dad in the picture.

Through the years I have been on many other things and this will probably be the pattern for the rest of my life. Paxil made me a suicidal zombie to the point that my kids cried and made me go to the hospital--they didn't know the suicidal ideation at the time. Effexor caused flabby weight gain and myalgia. Last year I went in the hospital again for depression (job loss, 2nd divorce, mother's death & all at once). The psychiatrist talked me into going on Pristiq claiming it was like Effexor but with none of its bad side effects. BS!!! Once again, I was duped and still weigh 33 pounds over what I did. I am AGAIN back on Zoloft and it seems fine. The devil you know is better than the one you don't know--I guess. I haven't been back on it long enough to know what will happen this time but it can't be worse than the other things out there. I'm tired of being the psychiatric community guinea pig. Everyone is different; my best friend gaied 25 lbs. on Zoloft and takes Paxil (I can't), my sister only does well on Welbutrin, my friend's mom has been on Effexor for years and it keeps her sane. You just have to find your fit. My problem has been from the medical community not being forthcoming with information and the reluctance to listen to a 'crazy' patient.

My boyfriend was prescribed sulfameth (10 days/ 2x) for these bumps that appeared on his arms and legs and would appear anywhere that he would scratch. Within 5 minutes of taking the first dosage in the evening, his eyesight became blurry. He had a severe headache that night, chills and a high fever that lasted through the night. He took 2 ibuprofen pills but they didn't help. He couldn't get to sleep the entire night. He also became even more itchy than before he took the sulfameth. He couldn't move due to muscle pain and fatigue. His fever was still there by the time i got there at 7 in the morning and he was shaking uncontrollably. His heart rate was up. It looked to me that more bumps appeared on his body and some became a dark purple blotch, like a bruise. His fever broke around noon and stayed away for a couple of hours but it returned. His skin started to peel after his fever returned. At first i noticed it was on his nose and ear but i didn't think much of it since i didn't see it anywhere else. An hour later he texted me and said his whole body started peeling as if he had sun burn. His temperature is still slightly raised after over 24 hours.
I refused to give him the second dosage of sulfameth that morning and proceeded to call the doctor who had prescribed it. All she said was that he needed to come back in. No way in hell was i bringing him back there. She didn't even look at him for literally a minute and prescribed this crap. She said nothing of the side effects. There was no warning. Even though i looked it up before he took it, I didn't think it would be this bad.

I've had numerous side effects from Synthroid, but the ones that finally scared me off the drug were the thoughts of death, dying and suicide.

These thoughts came as casually as thoughts of what I'll wear tomorrow, which was more frightening. They also came unbidden. First, I was thinking about death generally. About a month later, I began thinking about dying, and the whole process of dying. Then, when I started thinking about just walking in front of a train, I got on the Internet and did some research.

Synthroid was the only medication I take daily, so I stopped taking it at once. And about a week later, the thoughts of death, dying and suicide stopped. My doctor refuses to prescribe natural thyroid, so I'm out of luck until I find a doctor who will help me.