July 18th
2008
8:20 AM
Hello All,
I"m a 50 year old Mother and Grandma who takes Topamax as a Mood Stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder. I took it about 5 years ago and about 6 months after I started taking it I was struck down with debilitating diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, extreme weight loss ( 26 pounds in one month ). No one knew what was wrong with me. My psychiatrist actually upped my Topamax dose because I was becoming depressed and having severe mood swings. I was sick for 8 months. I saw a new psychiatrist and he stopped the Topamax because it just was too over medicating at that time and started a different mood stabilizer.
I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I just was happy that the diarrhea and nausea for the most part was gone. I still have nausea frequently but that is from a totally different cause.
In December we discussed that the new mood stabilizer was no longer working so we went back on the Topamax. In April the diarrhea and nausea this time accompanied by vomiting started. I was ready when it started tho even tho I didn't know the cause. I got hooked up with a GI doctor, started probiotics immediately, started eating organic yogurt with as many live active cultures in it as i could find. I would only eat plain boiled rice, boiled macaroni, toast, ripened organic bananas and drink lots of fluid. No gatorade but pedialyte because gatorade has citric acid in it which can be irritating. Pedialyte doesn't. I also drank decaf ice tea with small amounts of sugar.
Now today I read that Topamax can give you diarrhea and if you have a history of diarrhea tell your doctor. Great, just great. Trade my mental health for my physical health but having diarrhea at the most unopertune times does affect my mental health. What am I going to do?
I refuse to take a weight positive mood stabilizer and that is all I'm left with. Like Lithium, Depakote. they will make me as big as a cow. I'd rather have diarrhea to tell you the truth. I don't think I'm gonna tell him.
Missyk10atx
-- By missyk10atx | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 22th
2008
8:57 AM
I've had Mirena inserted 18 months ago after having my third child and I have to say that I'm considering having it removed. Since day one my husband said he could feel it. I went back and they trimmed it but he can still feel it in certain positions. We have just dealt with it until now. Now I am having some swelling problems in my left leg, foot, and recently my hands. I don't want to live like this. I went to the doctors and they don't want to say that it is caused by the IUD. I had an ultrasound of my leg and a vaginal ultrasound yesterday and I'm now waiting for the results. My gut instinct is telling my to have this IUD removed. The pill wasn't so bad.
I am a pretty healthy person. I am a very active person and I am not overweight. I could lose 10-15 pounds but I'm not over my normal weight. I eat a very low sodium diet and only drink water/coffee so I just don't understand the swelling. There are other alternatives to birth control so I think I should be safer by removing it than sorry that I have it.
March 24th
2008
9:53 PM
I am a 25 year old, who was perfectly healthy prior to recently when I was diagnosed with Nephritic Syndrome and Minimal Change Disease and possibly FSGS (kidney diseases) I was put on 60 mg of Prednisone for 1 month then I was lowered to 40 mg for one month and I am then dropping to 30 mg. I am also taking Fosamax for my bones and a Vitamin D pill because my last lab test showed low vitamin D levels.
I am dizzy constantly and can not live a normal life, I can not drive or do any activities that I had previously done. My chest is so tight and constricted all of the time, my heart rate is so fast and pounds at my chest. I have no energy to do anything, I can barely open a door at times. I am beginning to grow unwanted hair on my face. My abdomen is always bloated. I have pain in my rib cage, and shoulders. I feel very sore throughout my entire body. I do not really sleep at night, so I look very tired all the time.
I have actually lost weight, I have no appetite at all. I am down 10-15lbs.
Now for the Pro- my Kidney Diseases are currently in remission and this has happened much faster than the Nephrologist had thought.
I am very anxious to getting my life back to normal and getting off the Prednisone.
Has any one else experienced increased heart rate, chest tightness, or rib pain?
I wish everyone the best in their roads to recovery!!
-- By nicipp | Reply | (9) replies | Private Message me
March 24th
2008
2:40 AM
Sounds like withdrawal effects. Stay away from them for anything other than pain if you have an addictive personality. These are lesser forms of heroin, morphine released in the brain. The effects you are describing are absolutely withdrawal. If you take them for extended periods of time, you will find the withdrawal symptoms getting worse and worse. You will NEED to have a pill to get out of bed, when you SHOULD be otherwise healthy. Tolerance to the drug will build and you will quickly become addicted... If you have problems with alcohol, you are at heightened risk of opiate addiction, so stay away from it. (family history, substance abuse problems.)
If you are currently addicted to opiates, Vicodin/percocet/ etc. There are treatment options available. If you are feeling down after a short period of use, these symptoms will subside and you will be back to normal in a little time. If you keep taking them, it will only get worse and you may require medical treatment, IE: Suboxone/Subutex , methadone. Paths you don't want to go down. The high, eventually will NOT be worth the HORRIBLE, UNBEARABLE, withdrawal symptoms. You will have to take huge amounts of pills to feel 'normal.'
If your addicted to painkillers, get help. They retard your life IF your using them for recreational 'high' OR to maintain or avoid the withdrawal symptoms, post addiction. If you have legit pain, they are a life saver. But really unless you have a CHRONIC condition, you shouldn't take these any longer than your pain is present, until you are healed, or advised by your doctor.
Get with god, drink water and get a lot of sleep. Some people find anti-anxiety medication helpful for the mental discomfort (don't get abusive of that too, those withdraw symptoms can be fatal.) The addicted brain is damaged by the drug and MUST HEAL. If you believe you may be addicted to painkillers, there is A LOT of help these days. There is no excuse for taking opiates to 'maintain' normality.
Good luck, hang in there!
-- By xopiate | Reply | Private Message me
March 22th
2008
11:28 AM
I have itching, pain in the abdominal area, sometimes panic attacks, and sometimes drowsiness.
The pain I took it for has gone away now, but I still keep taking it cuz I feel like crap when I get up in the morning, runny eyes and nose, and an anxious feeling, with no energy. I take a perc and drink some coffee and I'm good to go. Think I'm addicted? I do.
March 12th
2008
5:28 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline for bronchitis/pneumonia and an ear infection. I've been taking 100mg twice a day for four days now. The heartburn started last night, and though I've had mild cases before, this is unbearable. I cough and feel like I'm going to throw up. I drink water, I feel like I'm going to gag. I can stand, I can sit, I can lay down, doesn't matter... feels like I have a rock lodged at the back of my throat and my throat feels scratchy all the way to my sternum. The headaches come and go all day and I feel like I'm in a constant fog. I was told it was not an allergic reaction, but it is a "normal" reaction. I won't take this med again. It isn't worth it.
-- By crickey | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 26th
2008
9:49 AM
The drug insert for Doxycycline says to take the medicine with a full glass of water, and it warns not to lie down for a half hour after taking the drug. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. Doxycycline, along with a number of other drugs, is quite corrosive.
I was on doxy for about a week when I woke up with the feeling of something caught in my throat. I had taken it with a full glass of water, but I had laid down immediately. I guess the pill had found its way back up to my throat. That night, I went to the hospital, did a barium swallow, and I eventually had an endoscopy to check out the damage. Thankfully it subsided after a couple weeks, but I had horrible pill-induced Esophagitis. I couldn't even drink water without pain and a feeling that I was choking. I didn't eat solids for 2 weeks, took double-dose Nexium, and I had to sleep SITTING UP because I also have silent acid-reflux, but when this happened, I could feel it intensely. I was lucky it wasn't perforated.
Anyway, lesson learned. Always follow the instructions. This can also happen with NSAIDs like Advil, btw.
-- By sarie8712 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 4th
2008
9:37 AM
I started having panic attacks while taking Percocet. I am a chronic alcohol user, and I am saying this just in case it rings a bell for anyone. I have since stopped taking Percocet (about 3 days). I was a habitual/recreational user ... meaning that I took them when available, but I did not always have them. Since my last dose, I have been having recurrent panic attacks that are very scary. They include physical symptoms (heart pounding, cold and hot flashes, feeling of difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking) - and the much more scary mental symptoms (fear of death, walls closing in, inability to think or concentrate, vivid dreaming, fear of people, etc.). It appears that some other people have had issues like this, but not everyone. Can someone share their story with me. Has anyone had similar experiences ? Do they go away at some point ? Is it withdraw (I am not sure since they started while I was using them - but continued after I stopped) ? I have heard that it just takes some time, but it is very scary. I get some relief by drinking ... in fact almost complete freedom from most of the symptoms, but I can't just drink all day. Please help.
-- By telewheels | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
January 28th
2008
11:31 AM
I have been taking Zoloft for over 7 years, Zoloft it might help you when you have \Depression because it seems that it works for a short period of time, or course everybody is different, after seven years taking Zoloft for Anxiety I got to the conclusion that the Science don't really know how the brain works, in my personal experience I notice that Zoloft it keep you thinking constantly so the antidepressants are good only if you take them for a short period of time after that like in my case it just make my life miserable, go down on the medication little by little, do exercise at least 3 times a week, drink water eat properly and pray to God almighty it will go away, change things in you life that affects the way you think, be positive talk to yourself all the time, stay away for the medication at least if your problem is anxiety don't take Zoloft I regret the time when I start taking it, it doesn't over for a long time, the brain doesn't know what to do when are giving serotonin everyday, this year I set a personal goal of get rid of Zoloft for good, if were not born with Anxiety that means for me that you can and you will be like before, our body has the ability of heal itself I believe our recovery from anxiety is life change but basically if you have seen that your medication it's not working don't try another one they just don't work for long treatment, try it's hard but the longer you take it the harder it's to get away, pray to God if you are a believer you will be better, I hope this helps for you.
-- By jc2970 | Reply | Private Message me
January 3th
2008
10:40 PM
I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July. I had my colonoscopy/endoscopy the day before 4th of July. Got sick with what I thought was the flu on June 26th. That's when I first landed in the hospital (dehydrated & sick). After the diagnosis I was first put on Entocort and Pentasa (Pentasa is supposed to be a remission drug - keep you from having flare-ups). Entocort didn't work so they switched me to Prednisone. I've been on Prednisone for about 6 months now. Going from 20 mg to 40 mg and then I'm finally weaned down to 5 mg. I get to go completely off of it Jan. 13th. Scared of what other side effects might occur from coming off the drug. While on it I've had emotional problems, acne(never had a problem with it before), moon face, gained 30 pounds, joint pain (I was in therapy for as long as insurance covered. - I recommend water therapy, it helps for some people as it did me), trouble sleeping (haven't slept a full night since I got sick), certain days I'm really really thirsty, I've had sort of what I'd call restless leg (I had this before I was on this medicine but it has gotten significantly worse - mostly at night or when lying down), and dry skin.I have to say though that the WORST side effect is the FOG. It's horrible. I enjoy learning and using my brain and when I'm on this I can't think, I mix up words, and it feels like my brain is covered in cobwebs.I had to drop a calc 2 class and that got me off the track I'd set with my academics. My inflammation rate is down where it's supposed to be as of the last blood test a couple weeks ago. So I guess the Prednisone and Remicade are doing what they are supposed to - but I still don't feel as if the pain (not associated with Prednisone - caused by the disease) has gone completely away even if the inflammation has gone down. And Prednisone's effects are just horrible. Some nights I feel depressed and just want to cry and cry. The past months have been trying because of several hospital stays, switching to many different doctors (gastrointernologists, nephrologist, urologist (kidney stones), primary doctor - and they think maybe I should see a rheumatologist), and Pentasa (it began shutting my kidneys down). I just hope that when I come off the Prednisone the side effects will fade (hopefully quickly but lets be realistic - ill just be happy if they go away sometime in the next few months) and I won't flare up again. Anyone know the best way to get rid of the weight? I'm already drinking lots of water and I go walking and do exercises everyday.
QUESTION: When tapering Prednisone does anyone have a place(s) on their stomach that are sunken in and feels dry compared to the skin around it?
Anyways, I hope that everyone overcomes their difficulties, whatever they might be or concern. It's hard to have a life when you are constantly fighting your own body to stay healthy.There are plenty of situations in life that are already hard enough to deal with without medical issues of your own. Best of luck to all!
-- By tesa | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
December 4th
2007
8:24 PM
I have been taking Phentermine under the direction of my dr. now for about 2 years (on for 6 months off for 6 months). I started at 250 pounds and I'm now at 180. My goal is 135-140.
I can not stress enough how very important it is to DRINK WATER while taking this medication. You CAN DIE if you don't.
I ended up in the hospital for severe dehydration once, and that will never happen again. My hands locked up, my body started shaking, had a fever of 104, etc,.it's not fun.
Side Effects I have experienced:
Rapid Heartbeat
Panic Attacks / Anxiety
Nervousness
Easily Irritated
Sick at my stomach
Constipation
Constantly Thirsty
Body/Hands Shake if you don't drink enough water
The constant need to stretch every part of my body (this makes you want to get up and run around)
Odd cravings for vegetables and dairy products
Insomnia
Abdominal Cramps (most likely caused by constipation)
Diarrhea (usually only if I drink lots of orange juice or Starbucks)
Feel like you are on speed (because you are)- you will clean your whole house if you take this stuff.
November 25th
2007
12:27 AM
side effect: bleeding at urethra
For a long-term sinus infection that has drained my energy, I took my first pill in the Leva-pak about noon today with a large glass of water. Ate lunch. Planned to vacuum, but it was difficult to get into and around in our garage (we made a space for a car to go in now that mornings bring frost outside.) So I ended up moving things around in the garage. Major moving around, some stuff heavy. I was thrilled to have energy and strength to actually do something at last and to think of how long I had been listlessly surviving and at times even bedridden before this magical pill.
About 8:30 I came in to pee and found my undies bloody. Bravo, I said to myself, 10 years post menopause and I got my period again. This is the drug of youthfulness: energy and menstruation. Fortunately I still have a few sanitary items around for female friends who visit, so I got to be one of my friends.
But it seems that the blood is coming from the urethra, not from the vagina. And I have some discomfort there. So I recalled that the drug pakage said to drink plenty of water and realized that I hadn't had any more drinks since about noon or 1. I drank another glass of water and headed back to the garage.
I finished up the garage (who said I'm obsessive?) about 9:30 and came in to find out more about the new drug. I saw that the pack said right on it that drinking plenty of liquids PREVENTS THE FORMATION OF CRYSTALS IN THE URINE. So I drank 2 more glasses of water, thinking maybe crystals have formed in my urine and are cutting into the tissues of my bladder and urethra making them bleed. Guess these crystals must be softer than kidney stones or maybe much much smaller, because I've seen the pain folks get with kidney stones, and I would not be sitting here reading your experiences and now typing up my own to share with y'all if I had as much pain as kidney stones cause!
Anyway, with those two more glasses of water, I came online to see the deal with urethral bleeding caused by Leva-pak, and what do I see. Well, the first website I went to said about reading the pharmacist's paper that came with the L-pak. (My doc calls it L-pak, and I hope it's not gonna be L for me as it has been for most of y'all.) Now I wondered if the pharmacist had even put one in. Went and looked and sure enough, there it was, and it said to drink plenty of water "to prevent the formation of crystals in the urine." No further info about those crystals or their side effects. Some words about bleeding but totally vague, like does drinking water cure bleeding?? Who knows?
That paper the pharmacist put in my bag also said that one of the side effects can be "excitement". I thought, that's my side effect, and I am very happy about that. Garage is too. Hubby is too. Life is good. Leva-pack is good for me, for us for the world.
Anyway, back at the puter, eventually I found y'all and your many stories of pain and suffering caused by Levaquil. But, lo and behold, NOT A ONE OF YOU HAS MENTIONED MY BLOODY SIDE EFFECT. That goes to show what drinking plenty of liquids can spare you. Save ya a quarter wasted on sanitary pads you coulda given your female guests. Save ya from washing blood out of your undies again. Save ya from worrying about whether to call the doc (pharmacist is home in bed by now and tomorrow is Sunday. It figures.) And whether to take another pill.
Sheesh, it's a slow business trying to type up my story for ya, now 11 and time for more water, I figure. Be right back again...ok. I see the bleeding continues but it's a LIGHT DAY.
Well, now I've read this whole webpage top to bottom, and I feel pretty worried about taking enough of this Levaquil stuff to get exploding tendons and total nerve damage and pain and suffering and crippling and insanity and death by anaphylactic shock if I take another one.
I probably will take another one, just being sure to drink plenty a water too. Excuse me a sec while I go get another, as it is now after 10....okay I'm back now.We'll see as time goes along about taking any more. And if I am a good scout, I should come back and provide the REST OF MY STORY in a few days.
I saw that someone here said that Cipro is a fluoxosomethingorother too. I don't know why the doc didn't pick Cipro for me today instead of the Leva-pak. Maybe the last drug rep in his office gave him some good lines about the advantages of L as opposed to C, who knows? Anyway, if Cip and Lev are in the same family, I must say that as a postal employee, I am ready to take Cipro at the drop of a hat if our new machines spot anthrax in the air where we work. Sounds like those postal employees who died would have survived if the docs had recognized what was wrong with them and given them the Cipro early on. At least, other people who showed up sick afterwards with anthrax exposure got Cipro, and most of them survived, I heard.
The upshot is that I hope we don't take away the fluoxisomethingorothers until we find somthing better. Law suit perhaps, but not to deny the life-saving drug from EVERYBODY because some folks have bad side effects. Instead, we should find out how to test each person for having trouble taking it. You know, put a little drug in with some of their hair and a little in some of their blood and a little in some of their pee and see if it curdles or grows sprouts or something to show how each patient will react to it. Then tell each one what to expect from the various drugs available for that person's ailment. Then the patient can decide which side effects he wants to sign up for or if he just wants to stick with his original ailment.
I have not decided whether I will take any more of these pills. I will observe my crochety side effect and watch for any new ones that may pop up before I make my decision each day. I am very very concerned about long lasting muscle and tendon pains. I have not been able to hike now for about 3 months due to loss of energy, strength, and confidence. And I sure don't want to miss 3 more months trying to get over exploded achilles, burning knees, seizures, or nerve damage etc.
As a postal employee, I never do any research into cures for ailments. I am fairly experienced with ailments. I cannot provide you with any good excuses for not seeking to find cures for our health troubles.
I feel lucky to have been born when and where I was. I waited until central heat, air conditioning, cushioned seats in heated, air-conditioned autos(spare me from buckboards on unpaved "roads"), and penicillan. That penicillan brought me through pneumonia in 1947. Had I arrived 5 years sooner, I doubt it would have been available to me. Hmmm, I wouldn't a been available to share my story with you folks this evening either. So I must say a blessing for all those who try to improve my health when I go to them for help with my various complaints. Sure, money may be highly motivating for some of them, but Donald Trump and Bill Gates found ways to make money without going into medicine or research and drug development or doctoring.
So far, that's my story, my red flag today.
May THE FORCE be with each of you as you search for the best solutions for your ever-new mind and body problems. May we seek wisdom widely and recognize that what used to work for us often won't work any more because our bodies keep changing. We are along for the ride and hope to make it as pleasurable as possible as we round each curve and surmount each hill.
God bless us all, each and every one.
Christmas is coming...Tiny Tim's words echo through the years.
October 15th
2007
1:25 PM
I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago for some breathing problems, I was taking meds for asthma and from a previous doctor visit. The doctor prescribed two new prescriptions for asthma and told me to continue taking the other meds as well and he also prescribed lisinopril because he said I had high blood pressure. I started taking them on October 10 and the next day I began feeling severe headaches and nausea. The minute I eat something I have to go the bathroom, my body always feels sore, my mouth is dry but I am afraid to drink water because when I feel horrible anytime I put something in my body. I feel very tired, cold sweat, I am having a hard time sleeping.. .After reading everything I agree that this is a poison and I am no longer going to take this drug. I am on the phone with the doctor right now...
-- By drycough | Reply | Private Message me
October 1th
2007
9:28 AM
I have been on topamax for one week tomorrow! I will be increasing my dose to 50 mg in the morning *can't sleep when I take it at night* The first day I was sick as a dog no appitite at all, spaced out etc! My Dr. put me on it to loose weigt, im 104 pnds over weight and I suffer from depression. My appetite has shrunk and I have lost 4 pnds in six days. I'm happy with that at this rate i'll be where I need to be at in 6-8 months. :) I recommend that you DRINK DRINK DRINK AND DRINK WATER!!!!! and MAKE YOURSELF EAT! even when your not hungry because you will feel sick if you don't! Learned that the hard way. When I take my pill in the moring it's with 20-30 ounces of water! You have to chug it down. Please people before you say the drug doesn't work follow the instructions which is to "drink plenty of fluids" water.
-- By lima77 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 16th
2007
11:52 AM
Vitals--35 yrs old male, 210lbs, 5'6". Three years ago, I had an agruement with my wife over dinner and brought on stress resulting in soreness in my left arm. I went to the hospital and stayed there for five days. I had an enlarge heart and a BP of 215/110. I didn't have a heart attack but was told to change my lifestyle. I was initially placed on atenol(however you spell it) but my doctor told me lisinopril was better.
I have family history going against me, my father has HBP and has had two mild heart attacks, 47 & 57 currently he's 61 and was treated by angioplas for those heart attacks and his father had four heart attacks and died at 85. Diabetes in all over my family, only in seniors.
Here's my deal, I have anxiety issues, I'm just a high-strung person. Since the two years, being on this stuff. I've noticed weakness in my left elbow at times, tingling feeling, and sometimes in my legs. I've developed this year, pain around my gall bladder and stomach pains. I don't have gall stones was checked out. I have also after six months of being on this stuff developed gaut in my big left toe, where I couldn't walk for a week. I have mini-attacks of gaut from time to time. And to add to the misery, this week, I passed two kidney stones.
I do feel tired all the time and my sex drive has weaken a bit, and let me tell you, my wife is hot and I love her to death so that's not the problem. I do get depressed from time to time. I don't get the cough as everyone has stated, but two years ago I did get pnemonia over the summer.
It's been a rough go, but let me offer hope to all. I've been trying to lose weight but been holding it on for some reason. I would recommend the most sensible solution, and we know what it is.
1. Diet--No matter what--fast food is crap-repeat after me-fast food is crap. Soft drinks are bad, yes even diet soda. Drink water and water and more water. Water is not boring when you cut fresh lemon or lime slices and put them in your glass or pitcher. Fruits, Veggies, low-sodium foods(throw away the salt shaker). Eat plain oatmeal with fresh blueberries in the morning. Zero fat yogurt perhaps as a snack. No meat. As much as I love prime rib, I had to give it up. Maybe meat once a month, or a small portion the size of your fist.
2. exercise--this is a no brainer. Just walk on a treadmill, once a day for 10-15 minutes while watching TV. Increase the minutes as months go by, but check with your doctor.
3. mediation--Half a hour daily, clear your mind, pray to God, or think about Hawaii, whatever it takes to relax.
Take care all,
John
-- By jaco1971 | Reply | Private Message me
September 30th
2006
10:52 AM
Migrane's (which I never had before), Can't eat anything, I can only drink water everything else makes me sick. Body aches, a lot of cold sweats.
-- By dollphin512 | Reply | Private Message me
June 7th
2006
9:58 AM
I started taking Doxycycline five days ago for adult acne (I'm 30 and experiencing hormonal side effects from coming off DepoProvera after one year). I was prescribed 100 mg twice daily. My evening pill is okay, I take it right before bed. But when I take the pill in the morning, I get absolutely nauseous for about thirty minutes after and it feels as though I swallowed a pill ten times its actual size and it's still stuck in my throat. I haven't thrown up yet, but I've been up to that point for thirty minutes at a time. I'm weighing the benefits and side effects in considering whether or not to continue taking it. I haven't had the nauseau every time I've taken the pill, so I'm trying to drink water and eat to see if that helps. I'm thinking these side effects may subside over time.
Everyone's suggestions were really helpful to me so I wanted to post mine in hopes they will help someone else.
-- By datalwert | Reply | Private Message me
June 3th
2006
10:16 PM
I suffer from Fibromialgya and I had other shots from a different medicine in then past which aliviated the muscle pain in the past. On Jan I changed pain management doctors and i started my set of shots. I ONLY GOT a total of 10 in three diferent visits. My last set of shots were in January 27 -2006. I thought that I was goung crazy. My face look like a big ballon, my arms look like "popeye" so big that I jumped three sizes. I got my period for over 50 days straight, I had a big lump as big as a orange by my neck. I saw hair in my face and shoulders that I never had before. From my weist up I growth three sizes up, I have red marks around my nipples and my back. My pain management doctor that I am the ONLY patient that had all these side effects and I CAN ONLY DRINK WATER TO CLEAN MY SYTEM!!! I feel horrible with all of this. My blood pressure is unestable. I am only 36 and I don't know what else to do. Does any body else had all these side effects togheter at the same time like me?? please advice
-- By rlberrocal | Reply | Private Message me
December 26th
2005
12:43 PM
after being on XYREM4.25 ,MY DOSE WAS INCREASED TO 6.0ML X2 NITE, WITHIN 10 MINS. BOTH MY LEGS BECAME ON FIRE FROM THE BUTTOX TO THE END OF THE TOES, CAUSING MUSCLE DRAWS AND SEVERE BURNING THROUGHOUT. TOLD MR SLEEPSTUDY DR. SHE SAID DRINK WATER WITH QUINE. DIDN,T WORK NOR DID SHE SUGGEST THIS COULD BE A SIDE AFFECT. AND DIMISSED THE MATTER. LET HER KNOW IF IT CONTINUED. DEC26,2005 3PM IN WAS IN ER UNABLE TO LY DOWN BECAUSE OF THE PAIN. THE DR SUGGESTED WITH PROBABLY A NERVE DAMAGE REACTION DO TH THE INCREASING OF XYREM NOW UP TO 7ML X2 NITE. I WAS TOLD TO DISCONTINUE THE MED AND CALL MY DR.JUST INCASE I COULD HAVE WITHDRAW PROBLEMS. WAITING TO HEAR FROM DR. PHARM CLOSED DUE TO HOLIDAYS.
-- By jkeeyes | Reply | Private Message me
September 14th
2005
4:54 AM
To sanndiego,
Water is recommended to help you detox your body in addition to help you hydrate. Also, water is preferable over any other drink because is the purest of all and has no calories or carbs, especially if you are trying to lose weight it helps you feel full. I did not say to not drink water at all.....I advised you that considering our condition, you may want to not drink too much water because of our tendency of retaining liquids....and that will only be temporary until you get your normal face back, right? Instead of 64 oz of water, I drank 32 oz for when I had the problem. Again, don't eat bread, pasta, rice or salty food.....I know, it takes a while to get used to such strict new way of living but with persistence it will be worth it. Also, don't expect your moon face to go away this week, you just stopped Pred last Friday.........If you take my advice, you will have your moon face noticeably down by the end of next week, at least it worked for me ;)
God Bless,
Gypsi
August 27th
2005
8:16 AM
My 10 year old daughter took adderall for 4 years, and we took her off when she was having problems with restless leg syndrome and hot extremities. Both of these symptoms went away immediately. I did not realize until this summer how much happier she was, and we tried one dose of Adderall yesterday as she is having great difficulty in school. It was horrible. She was irrate in 30 minutes after taking it. When I picked her up from school she could not stop tongue thrusting and her throat was constricting and releasing so much she was coughing. That said, her teacher said she did great with her focus and school work. Well, the teacher is just going to have to deal with less attention. I can't ever put her through that again. She couldn't stop the tongue thrusting all night long and was so busy coughing that she could barely drink water. It is over today, and she seems back to her normal self. I think we delt with lots of behavioral issues in the past years that were actually med side effect and she had no control over. I agree with you who said - don't give it to kids! they don't have the insight and power to refuse to take it - and we don't live in their bodies.
-- By ktandmz | Reply | Private Message me
June 6th
2005
8:49 AM
Well it is now three weeks since my last posting here, and 3 months on Topamax at 200mg per day. My sleep pattern is back to normal and my migraines which were 2-3 times a day before topamax are now only 1-2 times a week which is so much more tolerable! My trigeminal neuralgia is completely under control, I never have any pain while I take this medicine. I have lost 26 pounds in 3 months since I started taking topamax. I used to drink diet soda all the time and now just drink water with an occasional crystal light. What a difference. I must say my energy level isn't what it used to be but that is something that I can try to work on. I have to try to find energy to exercise. My appetite is much lower, so I don't eat as much as I used to...and it takes quite a bit less to fill me up at a meal. Even before Topamax I was on the weight watchers plan, so I eat right and know that I am not starving myself or making bad meal decisions. I don't sweat like I used to, and that is something we need to be aware of so we don't overheat. I still have the tingling in my feet and hands every day but am getting used to it. I don't seem to lose my train of thought or "lose my words", like I used to when I first started taking this drug. I hope that is a good sign for us all. Overall, Topamax has been a very positive experience for me and I hope that others of you out there have the same good experiences that I have had. Good luck!
-- By kodiakcreek | Reply | Private Message me
May 15th
2005
8:46 AM
I've been taking Topamax for a couple months now and am up to 200mg per day for both my Trigeminal Neuralgia (right sided facial nerve pain) and migraines that I was having 2-3 times a day. I now only have migraines 2-3 times a week which is so much better and my trigeminal neuralgia is under control, no pain as long as I take the medicine. I have frequent tingling of my hands and feet, I feel drowsy alot, but there are some times where I go one to three whole days when I can't sleep at all and I feel like a zombie and I'll even try taking tylenol PM to try to sleep but still can't. That is such a horrible feeling. When I finally do get some sleep, I'll sleep for like a whole day and night and then I am so relieved and back to normal. I used to love diet pop but now it just tastes totally bitter, so I pretty much just drink water which is good. I've lost about 8 pounds of weight and hope to lose more, sounds like others of you out there have lost some weight on this drug. Thats a good thing right? Like some of you out there, I also have that tip of the tongue thing where you know what you want to say but you can't say the words some times, and that is very frustrating. But on a positive note, I have friends that don't take anything and it happens to them too! I have had lasix surgery on my eyes and since being on Topamax, I have had to get some glasses and contact lenses for my eyes which is quite a frustration for me. I don't absolutely have to wear them, but things are just too blurry now if I don't wear them especially when I drive. Overall though, I am happy with the fact that my migraines are so much less frequent and I feel like I have a much better quality of life than before. I hope as time goes on my sleep patterns will even out, I have a feeling that they will. Good luck to all of you out there! ;-)
-- By kodiakcreek | Reply | Private Message me
February 12th
2005
9:35 AM
I take Doxycycline off and on for mild acne. I noticed that I definitely had to eat a meal before I took a pill, and even then it always made me a bit nauseous. Last night I took one around midnight and went to bed. I woke up at quarter to 5 with chest pain. I got up and tried to eat something but that was painful too. I've been trying to drink water all day but it appears to have no effect. It's now 12 hours later and I still have chest pain, and I feel like vomiting. I will never take this again!
-- By rockergirl511 | Reply | Private Message me
Topamax (4) Levaquin (4) Doxycycline Hyclate (4) Percocet 10/325 (3) PredniSONE (3) Lisinopril (2) Paxil (1) Kenalog (1) Mirena (1) Adderall (1) Xyrem (1) Yasmin (1) Phentermine (1) Zoloft (1) Levoxyl (1)
August 16th
2008
8:26 PM
UPDATE from Yesterday)))>>> well thanks to everyone i quit taking it yesterday BUT!!!---> today when i woke up i had a horrible head ache and it seemed to be coming from my left eye. i looked in the mirror and i have a really weird yellowish glazed tint in both my eyes and in my left eye a blood vessel has burst. i also noticed ive developed a skin rash on my right side of my stomach and on my left calf. My joints kept me up all night in constant pain which felt like someone was ripping apart my ligaments. I had a minor anxiety attack last night (Ive NEVER had anxiety before) and my body just feels weak, drained, and i keep getting really weird muscel spasms in my upper thigh. I tried to go out to the store earlier and as soon as i stepped into the sunlight a migraine hit me, and ive never been sensitive to light....Ive had a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness more in the past 24 hours than i have in a year. Im also experiencing horrible lower back pain and stomach pain around where my kidneys are.... I did have a small amount breast tenderness when i woke up and im not sure if that's another side effect...(no im not pregnant, had multiple urine tests in the last week)...I think ive only went potty maybe once today...and that was at like 9am...its now almost 9pm. Im pretty sure if this isn't over with or doesn't improve by 10pm im going to the hospital.....i cant drink water and im pretty sure im getting dehydrated....my skins turning pale, i have dark rings around my eyes.....etc.......has anyone else suffered with these things? Levaquin is by far the MOST painful, riskful, antibiotic ive been on...They should definitely take this sh*t off the market!!! =[[
-- By shana12345 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me