Energy level symptoms and conditions

I had my mirena removed about one week ago after a year and a half of having it in. my doctor had told me that I would have no side effects as it only dispersed hormones locally. My experience was very different! The most noticeable were: immediate weight gain (10pounds in 6 weeks from inserting it), inability to lose weight with diet and exercise, terrible mood swings and depression for no reason at all, extreme fatigue and lack of energy (I couldn't stay up past 9pm), bad acne, hair loss on my head and increase of facial hair (go figure!), constant bloating (I looked pregnant all the time), definite decrease of libido, nausea (which led me to see many gastro dr's as I was convinced I had a stomach bug), vertigo, terrible discharge...you name it, I've had it. The thing about Mirena is that the side effects are accumulative and subtle to begin with, so it takes a while before you make the association. Since removing it a week ago, I have noticed a major increase in my energy level (I love it! i feel alive again...), increase in libido, sudden disappearance of depression and mood swings, and bloating is gone. I'm happy to have my body back and feel liberated! I replaced mirena with a regular Copper IUD. In the past I've had increased bleeding during periods with the copper IUD but I'll have that any day compared with my experience with Mirena. The doctor that removed it for me told me that she never advises woman to use mirena unless they have a medical problem such as fybroids, very heavy periods etc...Mirena is used as a cure for these conditions. Her reasoning is that if you are a healthy woman with no hormonal problems, why would you ingest hormones into your body in this manner and mess with your system? The fact that periods stop with mirena means that hormones are all over your system... I advise all women to listen to their bodies...you know better then any doctor if a contraceptive is right for you. There are always other options for you if you are not happy.

I first started on the generic form of celexa(10 mg once a day) a little over one year ago..it was because I was having some mild depression..I also in the past have had some anxiety/panic attack issues. When I first went on it..it kind of scared me because I felt like I was in a fog..felt like i couldn't respond to things in my normal way..However, i did feel like my energy level was better, wasn't flying off the handle the way i used to, my panic/anxiety seems less frequent. Good things to say. I recently decided, however, to come off of it..(under the direction of my Dr.) I just hate the thought of being on med's to help me cope..I have been having a horrible couple weeks since I have been off of it..back to some of my old behaviors..and worse! yelling at my husband and kids for trivial things..feel very angst and ready to tell someone off at any moment..it has been horrible..am hoping this gets better..I hate feeling like this!

I am 21, and I have been on NuvaRing for 4 years. I got on it to regulate my periods. I loved it because I did not have to take a pill everyday, and I would know exactly when I was going to start. After a couple months of being on the NuvaRing I was getting really really tired. I had no desire to do anything but nap. I had become anemic. After I got on iron pills, my energy level increased and I was back to normal. Also, during the first year my immune system went down tremendously. I was sick with more than I have ever been. Still I did not blame the NuvaRing. During the next year I started having bad stomach problems. I could not keep anything in without having to run to the restroom, and I was constantly nauseated. After losing 20 lbs, I decided to go to the Dr. After doing tests, his only response was that I had IBS. After a few months the stomach problems ceased. My appetite has decreased tremendously. My mother brought to my attention that ever since the NuvaRing I was constantly complaining about not feeling well. I was in denial. I loved knowing when I would start my period, and I could not take pills everyday. Life went on. The third year, I almost passed out at school. I have felt like this before, but only when I hadn't eaten. I went to the Dr. and I was found with a heart problem. I had a procedure, but I still feel out of breath occasionally. I have chest pains occasionally, as well. I still get really nauseated, but my immune system has gotten much better. Therefore, I tell my mother that I am better, no need to stop the NuvaRing. In the past year I have noticed that I am an emotional rollercoaster. I drive my friends, family, and boyfriend crazy. This past week it hit me that I could be having side effects from the NuvaRing because I have ALWAYS been very happy. After getting on here and reading everyone's side effects, I am amazed. Everything that I have been through the past 4 years is probably because of the NuvaRing. I am going to try to stop the NuvaRing and see how much better I can feel. I can't wait!

Reading your comments has really put my mind at easy. I'm 23 and on day 4 of my third pack. My first month I got a regular period, but I didn't get a period during my second month on the pill (which means that I am a little over a week late right now). In the past I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen and Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, and my period has always been on time. And in the 10 years that I've been having a period, it occasionally been early, but never late, and I have never once missed a period.

I've spend the last couple days terrified that I was pregnant (even though I have consistently been taking my pill at the same time every day), but this forum makes me feel a lot better. I think that I will still go out and take a home pregnancy test to be on the safe side, but hopefully my missed period is just my body's reaction to Loestrin.

I will give my body a couple more months to adjust to the pill, but if irregular, late or missed periods continue I am definitely going to switch birth control pills. It is not worth the anxiety of thinking I might be pregnant.

On the bright side, I haven't experienced any of the other side effects that you guys are mentioning. This pill has helped with my cramps, and I haven't experienced any change at all in my moodiness, energy level, acne, or weight.

Well, I have reading lots of reviews about this pill since my doctor prescribed it, and being a science teacher, I have to say I am disappointed by how little many women who have issues (or not) go into specifics about their situation. So, I am going to be detailed here about this. Maybe if your situation is similar to mine, this could be helpful... :)
-I am 23...nearly 24 years old.
-5'10", 140-145 pounds.
-Very active, I at least ride my bike and/or go for a walk every day, and I try to work out at least twice a week. Healthy eater, but I still like to indulge...pretty much everyday.
-Non-smoker, rarely drink.
-Occasionally have coffee, mostly a tea drinker, avoid soda and dairy products.
-I have never used birth control before.
-I have been sexually active for approximately 3 years with one partner. We have always used condoms.
-I am on the last week of my first month.
-Reasons for going on the pill:
-Although very regular (comes approximately every 35 days like clockwork), I have very heavy and long periods (*Lots* of clotting, eight days long-my mother had a history of her periods lasting as long as two weeks as she has gotten older, I would like to avoid this.)
-Intense migraines and headaches, generally around my period.
-Intense cramping, diarrhea, and bloating before and during my period.
-Lack in energy, decrease in sex drive, and increase in stress level/unhappiness before and during my period.
-My doctor actually had me start the day AFTER my last period.
-I take it at 8:00 each night (set my alarm so I don't forget).
-Since starting Loestrin 24 Fe:
-Increase in energy level; however, I have found it more difficult to fall asleep. I also get very hot at night.
-Two headaches in the past 24 days, compared to the at least 3 severe ones I would get a week.
-Increase in sex drive, though I think we are both feeling a little less "afraid" of having any accidents, so that may be the difference.
-Breast slightly swollen (like they would be around my period before) and only slightly sensitive, but nothing unbearable.
-My mood has been generally good. Less stressed. Pretty happy lately.
-No pre-period cramping or diarrhea, but lots of bloating; however, I am always bloated and gassy because I have some digestion issues.
-No weight gain yet other than the normal water weight that changes daily regardless.
-Eyes are little dry, not tearing up when irritated. I am not sure if I can cry, and I used to be able to at the drop of hat.
- No real nausea.
-Skin is the same, actually my complexion looks slightly more even. My breakout zones (blackheads on my nose and chin are still there) haven't changed, but no whiteheads have appeared lately.
-Some breakthrough bleeding by the second week, but barely anything. If you had the kind of periods I had, a spot of light brown is nothing at all. I usually don't even need a panty liner.

All in all, I have been pretty pleased so far.

After being on Lotrel for several years and doctors adding a pill for every side effect I got (14 prescription pills a day), I had to retire from construction at 47 yrs old due to muscle damage and weakness. After witting lotrel and getting on a different blood pressure pill I've been able to quit 10 other pills including arrhythmia pills for my heart! I'm 53 now and can't sit upright, stand, or walk comfortably for more than 1/2 an hour. I wish I had figured it out sooner. I used to b e able to lift 300 lbs and now can't lift more than 20 :

My side effects: slow but severe muscle loss, lethargy, severe coughing particularly at night to the point of separating ribs, muscle cramps, difficulty swallowing/choking, severe tachyarrhythmia. It is a dangerous drug, fortunately I figured it out before it killed me! I was on it for eight years and and my health deteriorated. I had to quit working 4/2003. I had gotten so bad that I qualified for Social Security 6/2006. After testing with neurologists and against my doctors recommendation, I quit the Lotrel 9/2005. I appear to have permanent muscle damage, but my energy level has increased with some increased strength, coughing/choking stopped, arrythmia is almost completely gone (was able to quit two dosages per day of Rythmol for arrhythmia, muscle relaxants, pain killers), and the swallowing/choking problem is completely gone. The side effects came along over a period of 8 years and have devastated my health. Doctors kept prescribing pills for every side effect not realizing they were caused by Lotrel. I was at a point where I spent at least 20 hours a day laying down or asleep. Now, although I have lost 90% of muscle strength, I am fairly active most of the day.

I had Mirena inserted in June, 2008 after the birth of my second child. I was almost 30. I didn't notice too many side effects until December/January of 2009. My hair was falling out in clumps (worse than it does right after you have your baby), my body ached like I had the flu, I had to desire or energy to take care of my kids, I didn't care what my house looked like or that my laundry wasn't done. The least little incident when send me over the edge - screaming and crying like a crazy person. I felt flutters throughout my stomach (kind of like that of your baby when you first feel it kick) and I would have "lightning strikes" through my heart. All I wanted to do was rest - didn't want to clean, deal with my kids, talk to my husband about my feeling and definitely DID NOT WANT TO HAVE SEX! And in my mind I had already decided that it was depression and so I scheduled an appointment to see my OB/GYN about it. Thank GOD I found this web site before my appointment. I described my symptoms to her and, sure enough, she was concerned that I may be depressed and was probably about to send me on some wild goose chase with drugs and treatment and all of that... Not that there's anything wrong with being depressed - it's a real condition that's easy to find yourself in as a mommy - but it wasn't the case with me. This stinkin' Mirena has made me this way! Instead of opting for her depression treatment, I had the Mirena removed that day. It's been out for about a week now. I've had a couple of days of spotting but OMG do I already feel so much better. The energy level is coming back to normal, I want to be with my kids and it's OK when my husband touches me. For those of you who are considering Mirena as a possible BC method, please reconsider and do your homework. For those of you who have Mirena, please know that you are not crazy, nor have your children/pregnancy made you crazy - you have a foreign object in your body that is screwing up your mental and physical well-being, your family, and your life. I urge you to make a list of all of your systems and talk to your doctor. Don't let them tell you that's it's all in your head or that you're depressed. I'm depressed that more research wasn't done on this "wonder cure" and I'm depressed that I lost a year with my family that I can't get back because Mirena kept me in a FOG! Good luck to all of you...

thanks all for sharing and i'm so glad i did research and found this site!

i'm 30... my 1st birth control. been on it for 6 months. it took my body a few months to adjust to the ring... i had constant bleeding for the 1st month... i called it permanent period. it was gross. and then everything was rosy for the next 2 months. until slowly i gained weight and now i've gained 10 lbs. being 5'2" it's very noticeable. at first i thought it was because i'm not walking as much, but it doesn't make sense since i'm probably eating less.
also i feel nausea frequently... almost on a daily basis. i've completely lost my sex drive... which i've never experienced before so took me a few months to connect it to the ring. sex became painful and burned. i feel bad for my boyfriend because i don't feel like sex anymore, when i used to LOVE it. my energy level is low and i noticed my hair falling out a lot and easily.
be mindful of your symptoms... don't explain it away like i did. pay attention to them. i'm taking mine out!

I guess this is case and point that all medications does not affect everyone the same! I took 8 Lupron shots and never gained a pound (lost some in fact, from all the sweating), never got headaches and my sex drive was unbelievably WAY up there!! I looked forward to each shot. The only side affect I considered unbearable was the hot flashes. I coped and again, I lost weight; therefore, I considered it a great sacrifice. I had a wonderful experience. After my first shot, I did get very emotional, but after the second one, I was enjoying the benefits. My energy level was up and I seemed to have had a new zest for life. It seems that every side effect mentioned by both my doctor and research was the opposite for me. My recommendation for anyone looking into the shots is to try it and see how it affects YOU instead of letting bad experiences by others guide you. Good Luck Ladies!

I've had Mirena for 5 months now. I bled for the first 3 months ... straight ... but months 4 and 5 I've had regular periods (which I'm hoping disappear altogether as they did with BC Pills for me). Anyway, I'm trying to weigh the pro's and con's. I'm 33 and don't want kids, so I think this is a great alternative to other BC's with the 5 year safety, however, I have seriously been CRAZY tired and lacking energy for the full 5 months and am so bloated I look pregnant (when I normally have a flat, attractive tummy). I've never experienced anything like this. I'm not ready to remove it for these irritants - yet - because I truly feel it's a fantastic concept. Was anyone able to combat these things? I'm not about to get on diuretics because that's a temporary and unhealthy habit. I drink plenty of water, work out (when I can find the energy) and eat very healthily. Any advice that's worked for others is welcome!

I had mine removed less than a week ago after using it for almost 2.5 years. Like most, I did my research post insertion (I'm finishing up my PhD and have always been very 'body aware') and thought I knew what I was getting into. I've had 2 children (now 11 and 13) so I'm familiar with the pregnant feeling.
My life has been pretty turbulent for the last 3 years (grad school, divorce, cross-country move, intense new romance) and I blamed my symptoms on stress. The last 9 months, however, have been relatively calm. With that background, here's the low down:
Long term symptoms (since within a few months of insertion): Mood swings (very up to very down), Depression (with poor response to treatment), Bloating, Bleeding (sometimes almost all month...mellowed after 1 year), Cramping, Hair loss, Vision effects, Mental fog (pregnancy brain), Weight gain (20 lbs in 2.5 years), Hip pain
More recent symptoms that finally tipped me off: Acceleration of mood swings and brain fog, Lethargy, Acceleration of wt gain (despite consistent workouts and diet), Spike in blood pressure (feeling heart beat in finger tips...like when I was pregnant...verified by nurse at removal appointment. Mirena documentation says remove it if you get a spike in BP), Panic attacks (totally irrational with no external explanation, lasted for days), Suicidal thoughts (SO not like me).
In just in the few days since removal, my mental clarity has improved immensely. Nothing like being foggy when trying to write a dissertation! My energy level is way up. While I've been working out regularly for a few months with continued wt gain, I can feel it coming off now, already. My moods are much, much better. Little things have been throwing me way off track for a long time. I had a couple emotional knocks last night that just rolled right off (no gruesome details, just know that a week ago I'd have been in a puddle of tears). My blood pressure is down and food cravings are gone. Hips feel much better.
Doc at Planned Parenthood said that she has seen a few women in her clinic who have had problems and wanted the Mirena removed (cost me $94). She thinks it might be the beginning of the wave. I had no idea that the hormones in the device could be causing so much trouble. Over the last year, especially, I have adjusted my whole life and lifestyle to stabilize my moods (and maintain a relationship with my very patient partner), not linking them to all the other symptoms. Ugh. I am relieved and angry at the same time. The difference, pre and post, is night and day.
FYI, I had a few hot flashes the day after removal, along with a mild headache for a few days. I was on my (light) period when I had it taken out and it's still tapering off. Moods were pretty rough the first afternoon post-removal (another suicidal rant in my journal) but consistently good since then.
I'm going to circulate a cautionary message with my girlfriends and grad student peers. I sure would have liked to have known long ago what was causing me so much trouble.

First of all, a big thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. I am a biochemist, with a background in pharmaceutical research...I chose the Mirena IUD after careful consideration of it's active ingredient, Levonorgestrel. The side effect profile seemed pretty acceptable...until I started to experience nearly ALL of them...I am 33 years old and had the Mirena IUD placed in October of 2008 after the birth of my second child in June of 2008. The initial reaction was to be expected...cramping, a little spotting etc...nothing to be alarmed about. I still have yet to have a period (which I really don't miss so no problem there) I never gave a second thought to this until now...for the past month or so (coinciding with the weening process, since I have been nursing the entire time, I believe the side effects were not as noticeable) I have been experiencing the following (that may or may not be related to Mirena as my OBGYN has so adamantly pointed out, but after reviewing your posts I'm willing to bet they're connected) and are in order of occurrence: Major, but temporary, hair loss after 2 months or so; Major respiratory infection lingering over a month with difficulty breathing, tightness and pain in the chest at around 6 mos; And in the past month, several instances of motion-like sickness/ nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, major impatience/ mood swings, loss of appetite (pregnancy-like symptoms...yep, I was thinking man I'd be pretty pissed if I was that 0.01% pregnant statistic), and as of this past weekend, my first aurora migraine with tunnel vision and serious nausea and vomiting, to the point where I went to Urgent Care...who referred me to the ER...who wants to perform a battery of tests including a head CT. I have an appointment with a trusted GP tomorrow to discuss possible root causes...but it is to coincidental that so many women are experiencing these same symptoms! I am certainly leaning towards having this removed. CAN THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THIS REMOVED PLEASE RESPOND IF YOUR SYMPTOMS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED OR WERE RESOLVED!!! THANK YOU!
These side effects seem to go well beyond a 5% rate of incidence according to all of you who have reported. I will investigate further and keep everyone posted. As someone who is highly experienced in the pharmaceutical industry, you bet your a$$ I'm going to get to the bottom of this! Good luck ladies!

I have had Mirena for 4 years and have gained 20kg. My binge eating is now out of control and I feel this is because of a state of depression. I get terrible sharp pains in my ovaries and have experienced lower back pain since getting the mirena. I also have puss filled boil like sores on my groin that are very painful. I wouldn't care if I never had sex again and my energy level is zero. I have one day that I have heaps of energy and then stuffed for the next 7. I now suffer with visual migraines and get dizzy a lot. My blood pressure is high and feel as though I have a lump in my throat. I am getting my Mirena out ASAP. I can't believe how much the doctors love this product and claim that it is perfectly safe. They said that about the morning sickness pills that caused babies to be born without limbs. Wake up Medical. Stop your ignorance and do your research.

I'm on Lisinopril-HCTZ and have been for not even a month and I'm having those coughing spells so desperately, that I almost pass out. I can't stop coughing all day and night, now another doctor says I have asthma, but I don't think I do. I think its the adverse effects of this medication. I can't eat because it feels as though my esophagus is closing up all the time, I've been living on soup mostly since I started these meds, otherwise I can't swallow. I have to get off this medication because its causing decreased lung capacity already and I've only been on it two weeks!

GET AWAY FROM THIS DANGEROUS DRUG AS FAST AS YOU CAN . After 2 years of 40mg/day I could hardly walk due to severe joint pain. 3 different doctors all told me this drug was well tolerated and acted like I was stupid for complaining. All of them gave me the same speech and drew the same diagram on paper about why Lisinopril was the best drug out there. It amazed me that the drug companies had these guys so brainwashed.

When I told the doctor about some of these posts he said "Yeah, you can find any answer you want on the internet. People don't know what's going on" They wanted to give me more drugs to counteract the joint pain. They didn't know why my energy level was at an all-time low. It surely couldn't have been their wonder drug.

Needless to say, once I got away from this stuff I started feeling immediately better. I now take 5mg Norvasc and my blood pressure has dropped dramatically. I have lost weight, my joints are back to normal, I have energy. DON'T LET THE DOCTORS TALK YOU INTO LISINOPRIL .
IT'S YOUR LIFE.

I really appreciated the way Wellbutrin worked for me. It helped increase my sexual desire (which was seriously lacking with my depression) and gave me energy. The first 3-7 days I had some problems with very minor hallucinations (though I suppose any hallucinations can be minor). I had to go off it though because of the tremors. My chin would shake/clench and even my little ones would notice my hands shake (especially when eating or drinking). I am on another form of anti-depression medicine now and it works well, but the good side effects of the Wellbutrin (higher energy level, increased sex drive, not feeling hungry) are all gone except for the anti-depression. Too bad there isn't something else you can take to get rid of the tremors while on Wellbutrin.

I've been taking lamictal for btwn 2 and 3 years now, for depression and as a mood stabilizer. I was on wellbutrin 300 mg, and then I had an episode of severe depression (crying all the time) while on the wellbutrin. So my doctor added lamictal, gradually going up to 200 mg.

It works, and I haven't had a really severe depressive episode since (except for circumstantial reasons), although I'm generally mildly depressed.

Side effects: My fingernails have weakened, and some have ridges down the middle that are so weak they become cracks even if there is only 1 mm of white nail growth. I thought it might be a nutritional deficiency, but I eat healthily, and I finally decided to look into the side effects of my meds. Others on this site are talking about hair loss -- I'm quite sure the nail problem is from the lamictal, as hair and nails are produced in similar ways.

I yawn every few minutes, whether or not I'm tired, which at least one other person on this forum mentioned as well, as a less common side effect. (I'd figured this was due to one of my meds -- now I know which one it is.)
I've also been concerned that I'm klutzier than normal lately. After reading everything on this site, I've just decided to start weaning myself from 200 mg towards a lower dose of 100 mg. I don't think I'll go off of it entirely, b/c it works.
One last thing I have to say is that I really recommend ACUPUNCTURE for any mood disorders. I get it for free at a school in Chicago (it's often a long wait, but free!), and many bigger cities probably have an acupuncture school where it will be cheap, if you're on a budget like I am. Occasionally, insurance covers acupuncture. Anyway, I try to go once a week, and it helps tremendously with my depression, migraines, and general energy level-- it has a very powerful cumulative effect! When I stop going, I notice huge differences emotionally, and I get a lot more migraines. My mom and sister have also had very positive experiences using acupuncture for depression and anxiety.

I actually ask to be treated for my headaches, not specifically depression, but it helps me a lot with both issues. I really can't say enough about how wonderful acupuncture is, and how much it's changed my life. Last time I was medication-free, 5 years ago, I was going to acupuncture every week for many months, and it was enough! Just don't expect it to work overnight -- just be consistent and give it some time. When I first started going every week, I noticed a difference after a month or so, although the treatments generally leave me feeling relaxed and good right afterward as well.

As most of you, my TSH always came back normal/border line as well. However, due to all of my symptoms - every single one for Hypothyroid - they went ahead and did an ultrasound. I had a nodule 15mm x 5mm on the left lobe and 5mm x 4mm on the right. Because I had the constant "turtleneck" feeling around my throat, it was getting hard to swallow and sounded like I was an 11 year old boy gowing through puberty again, because of the hoarseness, I had Total Thyroidectomy last week. My surgeon put me on 150mg of Synthroid. So far so good with the side effects, granted it's only been 6 days. I actually have more energy, and a decrease in appetite. I've already lost 5 lbs. Not real sure if my energy level has gone up because I no longer have a thyroid to bring it down or if it is from the medication. Either way I hope my side effects stay as they are, I could stand to lose another 50 lbs - haha

I have been on Levoxyl for years. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 13 years old. I'm 35 now. I have been on every medication made and this is the only one that didn't make me want to sleep all the time. I have suffered from Depression my whole life, but that started before the thyroid too. My mom was one of the first people to be treated with Iodine when she was a kid and it worked for years then her thyroid acted up again in her 50's. When she was younger it was Hyper and now it went Hypo. She takes Levoxyl now too and it's been great. I think part of my problem has always been a lack of exercise. A lot of the symptoms everyone has mentioned went away for me when I started hiking and walking regularly. After being inactive for so long due to the depression and exhaustion because of the poor diagnosis of my thyroid medications for so long, my blood pressure was too low, my circulation was poor and my depression got worse . Now with a combination of meds for my depression and my Levoxyl, I don't feel like there is a giant weight on me when I wake up in the morning. So many of the meds described have similar side affects I've stopped judging by side affects and rather my energy level, my weight, goiter size and sleep pattern.
Just my experience. Good luck to everyone

When I was first put on this we started at the lowest level and worked up from there, after having labs every 6 weeks for the first few months. I did feel better and had a little more energy, but I had to pee all the time and it smelled god awful, went to my GYN she said it came back fine.....then a G/F who had thyroid cancer told me she takes Armour (a natural ,made from pig liver)...OMG what a difference, I can take less meds, it is cheaper and my urine no longer smells.My energy level is back too!! Armour has T3 and T4 and Synthroid does not. I suggest to those not happy with Synthroid to try Armour thyroid, again it takes about 6-8 weeks to notice but what a great change, and better for your kidneys (which is how synthroid is excreted)

I had some really odd-ball side effects from Lyrica. I was on 150mg twice a day for fibromyalgia, and it seemed to work initially. I was feeling pretty good, and thought I, too, had found an answer to my aches and pains. After about two months, I noticed that my hair was falling out and turning gray (I was 39 at the time). I hadn't had a menstral period that second month, either. I told every doctor I saw about these strange symptoms, but was prompty ignored.

The third month, I began to gain weight like crazy. I ended up gaining a little over 20lbs during the year-long treatment. My skin was dry and thickening around my thumbs and heels. My energy level began to really go down (it was never that high to begin with). My fingernails became brittle and broke with the slightest provocation. The grayer and falling out hair was coarser, too. I also was either sleeping all the time for days, or then couldn't sleep at all for days.

By the sixth month, I noticed that my wounds were also taking longer to heal. Being diabetic for the last 29 years, I thought that maybe neuropathy was starting to set in. Up to that point, I had never had any signs of neuropathy, and always was in good control of my blood sugar levels. Now, I was beginning to get worried.

The eighth month forward brought cracked heels, cracked toes, cracked fingers and thumbs. I began to have pitting edema, which I immediately informed my Rheumatologist about. I have chronic renal insufficiency, though not diabetic related. It was a gift from my OB/GYN during pregnancy when I became eclamptic. The edema was so bad that blisters appeared on my ankles and would not go away, no matter how high up I rested with my legs. My skin hurt all around my legs, and soon started to notice my face also swelling. Still, no comments from any of my numerous doctors.

After a year of all this strange stuff, I took myself off of the Lyrica. It was a hard choice, as the meds helped to silence the strangling pain in my muscles. Within a month after discontinuing the drug, my period came back. Three months later I noticed that both my hair and nails were stronger, and my hair wasn't falling out as much.

Six months later, and I notice now that my wounds heal like they used to. My hair isn't as coarse, and my nails are much stronger. My sleep schedule is still not right, and I still have the deep cracks and crevices to my thumbs and heels, but it is much better than it had been. I have also since tried Lamictal, but am having tachycardia and shortness of breath, along with a marked rise in my blood pressure. This, too, I discontinued and am feeling somewhat better. The muscle aches and pains and fatigue are back with a vengeance, but I will put up with them as long as I can. I am on so many meds anyway, that my body is probably kissing my toes in thanks!

Luck to all who are on this drug, and hope it works for you without all the weird side effects I put up with!

I have had trouble with eczema/psoriasis for several years and it has spread to most of my body. Hands, arms, elbows, back, chest and stomach, hips, back-side of my thighs, knees, bottoms of my feet, scalp, inside my ears, forehead, what haven't I mentioned? So far, Prednisone is the only medication I can take that clears it up. Trouble is, the doc won't let me take it long enough to completely clear the rash before I'm tapered off. After reading some of the other posts, I've got to say that I've never noticed any adverse reaction. My appetite is up a little, but my energy level is also up and I burn off any extra calories. I sleep better (no itching) and for longer periods, wake feeling better, have a better outlook for the day and am ready to go. I'm a salesman, so my mental attitude is important, and my wife and family all agree that I'm less moody and in a generally better frame of mind while taking Prednisone. I've noticed no stomach or bowel distress except for being a little less regular than normal. But no constipation and no diarrhea. I'm 61 so a few muscular aches and pains and joint stiffness are to be expected, but I've noticed no unusual incidents. While I don't advocate taking large doses (define large doses???) for long periods, I've read that taking Prednisone on an every-other-day basis can be effective while greatly reducing the risk of side-effects. I think Prednisone has been a real "miracle drug" for me and just wish there was something as effective without the side-effects.

I HAVE HAD THE MIRENA IUD FOR 11 MONTHS. I HAVE GAINED 11 LBS OF UNWANTED WEIGHT. I CONSTANTLY HAVE ABDOMINAL PAIN, BLOATING, AND DISCOMFORT. MY PANTS (EVEN THE LARGER SIZE) CAUSE A STRANGLING PRESSURE AROUND MY WAIST LINE. I OFTEN HAVE PAIN WITH INTERCOURSE. MY MENSTRUAL CYCLE HAS DECREASED BUT THE PMS SYMPTOMS HAVE NOT. I ALREADY HAD A PROBLEM WITH OVARIAN CYST AND THEY HAVE NOT DECREASED. I OFTEN HAVE STRIKING PAIN IN THE LOWER ABDOMINAL AREA AND IN MY PELVIC AREA. I HAVE MIGRAINES HEADACHES, BUT ALSO SOMETHING I HAD PRIOR TO IUD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOT OF CONSTIPATION PROBLEMS, UNKNOWN IF RELATED TO THE IUD OR THE MULTIPLE CYST. MY ENERGY LEVEL IS LOW AND PRIOR TO IMPLANT I WAS OFTEN HYPERACTIVE. ONE BENEFIT IS THAT SINCE MY ENERGY LEVEL AS DECREASED I NO LONGER HAVE INSOMNIA, SOMETHING I HAVE HAD FOR YEARS. I WOULD RATHER BE UP ALL NIGHT, THEN DEPRESSED AND UNCOMFORTABLE EVERYDAY.

I HAD HOPED SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS WOULD SUBSIDE TO NO AVAIL. I CANNOT LIVE WITH THE INCREASED WEIGHT, DAILY CRAMPS, AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS A RESULT OF THE MIRENA IUD THEN IT IS TIME TO HAVE IT REMOVED. I WAS LOOKING AT THIS DEVICE TO HELP DECREASE FEMALE COMPLICATIONS I WAS ALREADY EXPERIENCING AND AS I HAVE READ IN THE OTHER POSTED COMMENTS THE IUD HAS ONLY INCREASED AND CREATED MORE SYMPTOMS FOR ME. I ONLY WISH I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SITE A YEAR AGO BEFORE THE IMPLANT. I WILL BE CALLING MY OBGYN TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT.

I have taken one 7-day prednisone taper (40-40-40-30-30-20-10) for severe back pain due to a herniated disk on my S1 nerve. I noticed an improvement in ability to stand up, pain decreased, mood was happy, energy level up. Negatives? none. Thirstier than usual. Once dosage was decreasing, pain returned. I am about to try another prednisone taper, only on a 12 day schedule. I am looking forward to some relief and hope to avoid any negative side effects. I do not think prednisone is negative if you don't take too much and you drink a lot of water.

I recently posted on July 20th under Toprol XL side effects (45-yr old Male, USAF) and at the time was scheduled for a Cardio-version procedure for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation.
The procedure was successful and I am now on Betapace 160mg twice a day to maintain sinus rhythm. The drug took a little getting used to for the first few doses, but now has settled into my system pretty well. I did experience extreme fatigue, some light-headedness, a little blurry vision (Not bad, just when trying to read really small print in magazines and stuff) and general "weak" feeling for about two days. Now (4-days after Cardio-version) I am feeling very decent and have my energy level back.
I have one of those, Homedics Wrist based Heart/B.P. monitor cuffs and I've been crusing in normal beats with great B.P. on the Betapace. In my previous posting I explained that I'm pretty drug intolerant, but so far the Betapace has been amazing! I am not on Betapace AF, just Betapace Regular. Hopefully, I can stay in normal rhythm for a long time, but we'll see I guess.
I would recommend folks with Heart Rhythm issues like A-fib try Betapace, if their Doctor says it is an option. Oh, I have also been sleeping like a baby on this stuff, which is wonderful.