August 12th
2009
5:26 PM
August 12, 2009. I have been on Zocor/Simvastatin (40mgs) off and on over 5 years. I do not have any muscle mass left. I am an avid walker and exercise as much as possible in addition to still working in a high pressure position at the age of 72 (thankful for the job). My entire body hurts constantly, hands, fingers, legs, knees, neck, back, head and other parts to numerous to mention. My sex life is the pits. My doctor tells me I have high cholesterol that must be controlled by medication. I had a quad bypass in 1999, a cardiac defibrillator installed in 2003 (Actually 3 of them, first one was defective and went off, got a severe infection on reinstall #2, and 3rd one still is in and working hopefully). I never had a heart attack, no high blood pressure, just clogged up. I take enough medication to kill an elephant. At 72 I am going to trash the Simvastatin because I know it is the basis for my muscle loss and severe pain constantly. Doctor also had me on Lipitor for a long time (5 years). Statins really suck!
-- By bk23436762 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 17th
2009
1:20 PM
I was on the Nuvaring for about 2 1/2 months. In that time, I put on about 5 lbs around my midsection. I am very critical with weight gain so I went off of it. I also had some other issues such as a little dizziness and waking up with night sweats.
Since I've been off of it for two months, I feel like I am going crazy because of 3 things. I am SO hoping they are all related to going off of this ring! First, I have severe edema (water retention). I am 39 yrs old and normally 136, so I don't have a big weight issue, but each morning I wake up and my fingers feel like sausages. Well, this Sunday I noticed my ankles and feet were very swollen, so called my doctor. He prescribed me triamterene.
Within one night I had lost 5 pounds. The next night, 3 pounds. I was finally back in the mid one thirtys. Well, I go off of it for two days, and the water comes right back on. Along with HBP which I've NEVER had.
Then, as I was doing my 3 mile walk the other night, my chest felt like something was squeezing and crushing it. I was very scared and had to take many breaks for it to calm down.
I am so scared that there is something terribly wrong with me! I am giving it one more week to see if my body regulates itself. I am like an elderly person eating all low sodium, etc. My whole life is being turned upside down and I am afraid I am about to have a heart attack or have diabetes or both. This is insane.
May 13th
2009
3:21 PM
am having severe abdominal, pelvic, lower back and hip pain. I went to see my doctor who thought I might have a herniated disk in my back. Having no insurance I had to pay cash for the doctor visit and X-Rays and was told I may be suffering from a herniated disk in my back. X-Rays showed no such thing. I was given a muscle relaxer, pain meds and an anti-inflammatory med. Through the next week the pain began to intensify to the point I had to leave work. I went straight to the ER where I was given steroids and a stronger pain medication. By the way, pain medication has no effect on me so I have been suffering for quite a long time. The ER doctor did recommend I see a gynecologist right away. He thought for sure something was terribly wrong. This was just last night and after reading all the comments above, I am pretty certain this is my problem. Having no insurance my clinic would not see me so I have to go to another doctor who said I must pay $200.00 up front just to get in the door. I have had my Mirena for 2 years and was doing just fine other than having problems with the headaches, zero libido and uuuggghhh, that weight gain thing and a few other problems, but now I am convinced that no woman should use the Mirena. I have already been through all of the with the Norplant. Another horrible contraceptive. If it is indeed the Mirena, I will have to have it removed and most likely will need a hysterectomy. Wish me luck finding a doctor to that with no insurance.
toriintx
-- By toriintx | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
April 13th
2009
9:42 PM
Dizziness, weight gain, muscle cramping, nightmares, nausea, bloating, water retention. My legs look like elephant legs they are so swollen. I have been on Advair for 3 mos and I have gained 9 lbs. I exercise 45 minutes a day and still gain weight. The blood pressure is up, the blood sugar is up, the hemoglobin is down and the GERD is not responding to the Protonix. It is exacerbating everything and I am going to request a change in meds. I am 53 and I do not want to go diabetic at this stage.
-- By steadyeck | Reply | Private Message me
February 8th
2009
10:54 AM
HELP!!! At last I find women who have same feelings about Mirena. until now Ive not clicked. you see I had this coil fitted Nov 2007, since then ive had headaches, gained 3 stone, depressed,memory loss and URTICARIA. Im allergic to everything, my body is covered with red itchy burning patches, they take days to go down. i also have large lumps come up all over my head and face,(they are itchy and bright red) people think ive been beaten up, or suffer from elephant disease. i hate it and hold my head down as im so embarrassed. i look like it for days. ive been told now that im allergic to nearly every food going. last week so bad ended in hospital, had swelling of tongue and mouth. life is so crap at moment. doctors need to look into this. god help us, we put our trust in them so much. Im 48yrs and been sterilized since 1997. but due to heavy bleeding and suffering acute anemia. I was advised to have it fitted. R.
-- By rosiedoo | Reply | Private Message me
December 23th
2008
6:37 PM
My Mirena was inserted June of 2008. At first it wasn't bad, I would ignore the symptoms because I thought it was from the change in birth control from depo-provera. But recently I have been tired all the time. I don't want to even have sex. I feel unattractive because of the acne and weight gain. I am ALWAYS hungry. Then all of sudden I always feel a crash...I'm always too tired to do anything or even think! I yell at my husband, son, and I am not able to focus at work. I feel like I'm in a daze!!! want to sleep and never get up. I am so glad I found this forum. I plan on making an appointment with my OB and getting this thing out. I never thought of linking my symptoms to the Mirena. My doctor assured me I would be ok. Now I know the truth! I thought I was pregnant but I also got a negative. Please keep posting your comments!!!
-- By versal583 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 29th
2008
10:40 AM
Wow! I can't believe how many of us suffers from the pill from hell, Yasmin. I stopped taking it September 17 after 5 years and I'm worried as hell as to what's going to happen to my body now. But first things first. I seem to have gotten pretty much every side effect in the book.
About a month after starting it I got gastroparesis- paralyzed stomach- and I also became lactose-intolerant after 30 years of drinking a lot of milk. Go figure! I get a huge bloated belly as soon as I drink a little water even now. I have gained about 6 lbs that I can't shake no matter how much I work out and that has never been a problem before.
I had migraines from hell and headaches nearly every day the last few years.
I got panic attacks and was very nervous, had anxiety and it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. And that is SO NOT me or anybody in my family. And I know it was the pill cuz I had no reason to feel that way.
I had blurry vision at times. Fainted once in the mall for no apparent reason, I had never fainted before in my life.
I had no interest in my own life or in doing anything whether that was working, going to school, exercising, going out with friends, traveling, whatever it was I was not interested. Again, so not me. I could have died and I wouldn't have cared. I could have gotten a Ferrari and I wouldn't have cared.
I could sleep 10 hours a night, take 1-2 hour naps in the afternoon and go to sleep again at 10 pm, no problem. And the nightmares! Holy crap. Awful dreams about plane crashes, robberies and murderers EVERY night. Thankfully they seem to have disappeared now.
I have high cholesterol, through the roof actually! -no family history there either- and blood pressure is a little high but not too bad. My thyroid was a little elevated last time and the doctor thought it was due to Yasmin.
I snap at everybody and think that I don't love my husband when I actually do love him a lot. He has put up with me being so unbelievably bitchy for 5 year. Bless his soul!
Since I started Yasmin we have had sex about 1-3 times a year. I'm NOT kidding. I haven't wanted anything to do with sex.
I have heart palpitations at times. Shortness of breath just walking up the stairs in my house.
Dry skin no matter what cream I use. Major hair loss.
I went off Yasmin once before and didn't get my period back for over 6 months so I just started taking it again like an idiot cuz I wasn't planning to have kids then anyway.
I was never happy, never sad. Mostly mad or irritated, no problems there.
What else? How many hours do you girls have to read my post? ;-)
To sum it up. Yasmin has destroyed my life for the past 5 years but I was to blind and scared to get pregnant before that I just didn't care. And not caring about my own health was surely caused by that rotten pill too.
What can I expect now that I'm off the pill since 2 weeks? How long before the hormones are gone from my body? What can I expect and when does it get better? Can I go to the ob/gyn after 2-3 months if I don't get my period and have them give me something to start it? Or would that be bad? What about the weight, should it go up or down? Acne? Hair loss? What else? Have you had any medical problems that you needed medicines for due to Yasmin? How long has it taken you to get your period back? And most importantly; can this pill make me infertile???
If there is a class action lawsuit I want to be in it!
-- By azimut | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
July 15th
2008
10:56 PM
This is my third month on femcon and i am switching its the worst pill i have been on. I was on ortho tri cyclen lo for years and no problems due to insurance i had to change. this pil keeps my legs and ankle swollen it makes me look like i have elephant feet. I having my menstrual cycle now and im not starting the next pack im going to find a way to pay for my ortho tri cyclen lo. I also went up two bra sizes and they hurt.
-- By uniquia93 | Reply | Private Message me
April 17th
2008
11:30 AM
I've been on the generic of Toprol XL for a month and a half. I take 12.5 mg in the morning and 12.5 at night. I have gained 10lbs so far, I feel groggy, lightheaded, fuzzy, sleepy all the time no matter how much sleep I get. I get episodes where it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest making it hard to get a good deap breath. I have a headache almost every day. I suffer from severe anxiety to the point that I don't like leaving my house. I worry about stupid things obsessively. I just feel crappy constantly. I was prescribed it due to a high heart rate, but I've never had high blood pressure. I have a dr's appt May 6 and I'm going to ask her to start weaning me off of it. If I would have known the side effects would be this bad I would have asked to be prescribed something else from the get go.
-- By sbear4 | Reply | Private Message me
January 11th
2008
5:21 PM
I was put on Levaquin 750 mg. for 7 days for a sinus infection. After a few days, I was soooooooo sore in every muscle and joint of my body, that I didn't even want to get out of bed. Since I am self-employed and the only one that does my job, (custom sewing and alterations of clothing), I had too. One Friday, shortly after taking the Levaquin, I was in the bathroom, and I had to get my husband's attention to help me get up off the commode, my right leg would not let me raise up. I went to the doctor that was on call, and he said that Levaquin is like using a Elephant gun, and that you can tear a tendon, cartilage (sp?). I was put in a brace and sent for an MRI, which showed nothing other than fluid. Then I was sent to an Ortho. He gave me a cort. shot and had me to come back in 2 weeks, well the shot helped for a few days, in 2 weeks he gave me 3 options: 1: another shot, 2: surgery to see what the MRI and x-rays missed, or 3: learn to just live with it. I opted for the surgery and had it on December 31, 2007 and was informed that my cartilage(sp?) was torn in 2 places with 1 place having a "floppy" place that had to be take off. Now I have to take p.t. and get "back" to where I can work, I can't even drive now, it is my right knee, and the pressure to press the pedal is VERY painful.I have to depend on my husband to do for me and I don't like having to do this. I have never had any problems with my right knee and the doctor asked me how I did this and I told him this happened while taking Levaquin, and he was looking straight at me when he asked, when I answered with Levaquin, he just said OOOOOOOOOO, and looked straight at the computer screen. That told me that I'm not the first that he has seen or heard about. While my husband was in the hospital, there was a nurse, that said that she had heard a lot about the terrible side effects of this medicine, but had not yet met anyone that had been affected.
I also have been very moody, and short tempered since taking this medication. I have no patience, and that is not me at all.
I have also got my right ear stopped up and a ringing in it. I have also had this since taking this so called wonderful cure all antibiotic. Someone should have to pay for everything that everyone has had to go through with, PAIN and ALL. If there is a Lawsuit, count me in. I've never been affected this way with any medicine. It should be taken off the market immediately. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
January 6th
2008
5:59 AM
Hello,
about a week ago I admitted myself to ER because of terrible breakout of hives (never had them before) but was covered from head to toe.
Doctor prescribed PREDNISONE 80mg for 4 days, and gave me an IV with the drug a week ago Saturday night (don't know how much was there), 12/29/07, I took my daily dose 80mg Sunday noon. I only slept about an hour or two. By new years eve 12/31, I have started getting cold chills, feeling unbearably cold, then the next day 1/1, I felt like I was 100 years old, all my joints were stiff, I couldn't get up from bed, couldn't sleep much but there is still more.
By Wednesday I have felt even more stiff and hives were not going away, I went to the doctor (my stiffness went away after couple hours in the morning) he prescribed more PREDNISONe for another week, luckily I have stopped taking the medication after 5 days of 80mg, plus whatever they gave in in an IV but I still have what I think are side effects from taking it.
Ankles are still sore, I cannot sleep because an extreme numbness sets in my left hand middle to index finger, it is no numb it hurts like an elephant is sitting on it, that is why I am still up at 4:30 in the morning. When I am up it just tingles. Not sure what to do but can't sleep at all for last 3 days and getting really tired.
If I knew what Prednisone does I would never take any of it, I'd rather deal with hives oh and they still didn't go away, I have had them for about 10 days now, they did stop itching. Honestly I felt very very sick a day after taking it, I didn't associate this with Prednisone, until I found this website. Please if you can stop taking it or see for yourself how much you should take 80mg is definitely too much, for me at least.
Did anyone have to deal with joint stiffness, and numbness how long does it take for it to go away. My wife says to to ER again because I can't sleep I am just very uncomfortable with the numbness and rattle in bed, but guess what they could shoot me up with more Prednisone.
-- By buton6 | Reply | (10) replies | Private Message me
November 1th
2007
8:38 AM
I've been on Prednisone after and allergic reaction to penicillin (Amoxicillin) (bullous pemphigold - large blister on my arms and legs, some on the back and very little on the stomach) I've been on the medication for three days (40mg/day) I cannot standup or move my hands, my entire leg hurts and the foot is swollen (it could be from the penicillin). I'm hoping it will go away after I come off prednisone but has anyone experienced long term pain from this drug?
I'm pretty sure my pain is from the allergic reaction. Has anyone had long term pain from any type of bullous reaction?
-- By speedysa | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
April 14th
2007
2:42 PM
In January I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). I was put on 60 mg prednisone and an array of other meds to help with pain, inflammation, water retention, and stomach problems from everything. I've lost some vision from the TA. I've experienced the weight gain, the moon face, stomach problems, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of memory and concentration, and generally feel miserable. The brain fog is awful! I don't trust myself doing much of anything these days!
When I was first put on the prednisone it completely took away all my TA and PMR symptoms. I could walk and get up and down again, didn't have the headaches, and didn't hurt all over.
My doctor tried to taper my dosage about 6 weeks ago and all my symptoms returned and increased as I went down on the prednisone. He upped me back to 60. That time the symptoms didn't go away. They lessened but were still there.
He's trying to taper again, and I'm down to 30 mg now and feel worse and worse. My sed rate has been normal, so the doctor thinks it's from the prednisone. Does it mimic all the TA and PMR symptoms? I also am having a lot of hand and feet cramping.
Does anyone else have these two illnesses? I would be interested in your experience. I want off these meds! Anyone found an alternative approach that's helped?
God bless!
-- By logcabin | Reply | (12) replies | Private Message me
March 31th
2007
3:34 AM
I have been on Lupron for about a month and I have my second shot this week. I really just wanted to see if anyone else has had dizziness?? I am so dizzy most of the time and I have passed out twice. I haven't spoken with the doctor about it yet but it is really scary because i travel for my job and I am afraid I am going to be in a car accident one of these days if this keeps up. The joint pain is the other major thing. I haven't had any cramping which seems abnormal to me since it really should have been going crazy at this point. Any input you have on this subject would be great. Thanks
-- By missyc21601 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 28th
2007
8:52 AM
My son 12 yrs took 30 mg yesterday and he said it felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest and his chest was shaking rapidly. Later that night we had a disagreement about how the pin pong table gets put together. It turned into a full blown anger rage to the point where he went into e sezier. I was so scared and so was he. This morning he doesn't even remember anything about last night. I call ed the doc and he stopped the meds and they now want him to try concerta 30 mg. I hope this drug does not have the same reaction. I waited 7 years to start him on meds for his ADHD. I hope I am making the right decision.
-- By susankostovick | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 13th
2006
4:02 AM
Chest pain , calf pain, shortness of breath and caused a peptic ulcer. I reacted strongly to this drug and would not reccomend it. It took weeks to feel better, and this was after two days in the hosptial.. the cardic unit because it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Be careful....
-- By crippen.j | Reply | Private Message me
March 13th
2006
7:56 AM
I have a prescription for topamax now for 3 weeks and I have been scared to death to start it just because of the side effects of nurontin. Those were nothing compared to what I have been reading for topamax!! I have badly damaged nerves, plus I take many other meds such as oxycontin, norco, soma, baclofen, phernergan, levid and xanax. I am waiting on my nuro doc to tell me if taking topamax is ok. My memory is my life....I have a great ability to multitask about 12 things at once and do them all at 100% and have a memory like an elephant...I dont want to lose that and from what I have read, topamax will do it to me. I can handle the nausea and anxiety because I have meds for that. I wear strong glasses already because of my bad eyesight...I am afraid of making it worse. Please give me your opinions. I have a home to take care of and a husband and 2 young daughters...my husband does so much for me and the thought of this drug making me hate him or treat him bad is more than I can handle. He does it all for me, get me out of bed, take me to the bathroom, get me dressed sometimes..I am scared. Someone please give me some advice.
Tinay from Houston
-- By tymadden | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 19th
2004
1:13 PM
diarrhea and nausea anxiety, and like an elephant on my chest,
-- By melindalong29 | Reply | Private Message me
March 29th
2004
8:44 AM
I have been taking zoloft for 6 months for ppmd as perscribed by my ob/gyn dr. I don'y feel like it is working and I notice I have signs of anxiety. I don't feel depressed but I was thinking of talking to my dr sbout xanax. I have tried it and it seems to take the "elephant off my chest." Any sugggestions.
-- By srodgers10 | Reply | Private Message me
PredniSONE (4) Mirena (3) Xanax (2) Levaquin (2) Lupron (1) Advair Diskus (1) NuvaRing (1) Adderall (1) Femcon FE (1) Topamax (1) Simvastatin (1) Toprol-XL (1) Advair HFA (1) Yasmin (1)
October 1th
2009
10:53 AM
I obviously have a COPD situation...last 5 years of shortness of breath etc..there is no question of the relief I got from Adaviar but I have had the constant pain under my rib cage...feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest...but worst of all since I started three months ago I have had 3 teeth break off. I assume there is a bone loss issue involved with the ingredients.
-- By georgemicha | Reply | Private Message meI am on Medicare so I don't have any dental coverage so my dentist is having a great time with my extractions. If there are others with teeth issues please let me know. Adaviar has been around for about ten years but that does not mean a Class Action suit would be out of the question here. I have talked recently with my Primary MD about trying something else but I would not mind so help with my upcoming Dentures.