Engineer symptoms and conditions

Male 28. Was diagnosed a couple of months ago with Ulcerative Colitis and was prescribed Prednisone. A large dose to start with then tampered off for 4 weeks. The first week I felt great, better than great, fantastic. The only downside was difficulty sleeping. The following 3 weeks, without any exaggeration have been among the worst I have ever experienced. I think the lack of sleep finally caught up with me, so I was constantly tired and generically felt depressed, also knee ache, eye pain, inability to think clearly (quite a problem when you are an Engineer), lacked energy or strength – and the Acne. Never before have I had Acne like this, and I used to suffer quite bad during my teens. Its just so aggressive, every few hours there seems to be new ones appearing. It seems to occur when ever I step down the dose. I think having this bad skin has really added to my depression over the last few weeks, it has been especially difficult considering I have been in the process of starting a new job. To top all of that my UC seems to be worst than ever! I’m worried that when I go back to see the Doctor next week he is going to put me on some equally-annoying medication or maybe another course of Prednisone if I’m lucky.

Does anyone know of some natural alternatives that are good for UC, very reluctant to put anymore man-made chemicals into my body.

I work at a computer all day. I have just begun taking Wellbutrin and I have noticed that my eyes seem to be getting more and more sensitive to the light on my screen. A couple days ago, I was looking at a paper and then back at the screen while I typed and, my eyes just went out of focus. It was like I was looking cross-eyed. There were two of everything and it made me really dizzy. I have had inner ear problems in the past and I don't know if the Wellbutrin is triggering them or what. I am not using alcohol or other medications other that Benadryl at night. Has anyone else experienced this? This is scary.

Just discontinued usage of Celexa for anti-anxiety treatment. Dr. is putting me on different meds due to the side effects I experienced. I was on 20mg, and it put my brain in a fog about 5 hours after taking it (not a good place to be for an engineer...). I mean I was just STONED for the next hour, staring into space! I tried to take 10mg, but it couldn't calm me down enough. Taking it at night didn't help either, still felt like I was on the ceiling the next day. Tried to take it every other day, but wound up really paranoid the days I didn't take it. It was like living in a Monty Python sketch where I felt like some giant foot was going to come stomp me into the ground at any minute.

I really need a med that will work quickly and effectively in the morning, and diminishes as the day goes on. Maybe I'll have better luck with something else, this one was too weak in the morning, too strong in the afternoon, withdrawal too terrifying. I didn't experience any other side effects.

Hope this helps someone:

Male 53, 5' 10", 180 lbs, slim
Occupation: Engineer/small biz owner and operator
Total cholesterol now is 4.53 (175), LDL 2.30 (89), HDL 1.43 (55), TriG 1.73 (66)

Presently on 20 mG Lipitor for last 2 months.
40 mG Lipitor for previous 8 months because lipid levels deemed too high.
20 mG Lipitor for 3 years before that.
20 mG Pravachol for 2 years before that.

SIDE EFFECTS I BELIEVE ARE DUE TO STATINS:

1) Difficulty learning/performing new tasks. I can read a technical article and forget most content almost immediately. I can read a book and forget what it is mostly about...difficulty forming new memory.
2) Difficulty communicating. I often stop a conversation in mid-sentence because I have completely lost my train of thought. I often cannot form difficult technical words properly.
3) Several times over the last year I have suddenly forgotten where I was going or where the location was...this was in normally familiar territory.
4) For the past year, I have often felt like I have a low grade flu.
5) I have decreased statin dose and improved my diet and recently significantly increased exercise. I am noticing some exercise intolerance and muscle stiffness that cannot be only due to exercise.
6) Extremely vivid dreams a few times a month (embarrassingly, howling in my sleep according to family members). This was the main reason for reducing dose back to 20 mG.

Most side effects were worst at higher doses of 40 mG. There has been some improvement since dropping back to 20 mG Lipitor. Symptoms first noticed to some degree at 20 mG Pravachol...got worse when switched to more potent Lipitor at 20 mG. Initially, I thought it was age. Both my doctor and specialist do not believe statins are related to any problems I've experienced and are convinced that any risks are outweighed by the benefits. I would like to see them competently run their practice under the conditions I've had to try and operate my biz.

I started taking fish body oil two weeks ago and have noticed a significant cognitive improvement. This may be partly due to reduced statin dose, however, there is lots of evidence online as to why fish oil will help some statin users. I started 50 mG CoQ10 a couple of days ago. My goal is to absolutely minimize statin dose or to eliminate it all together.

I am educated, intelligent and analytical. I am not a doctor. That said, no one can, and ever will again, tell me that the degradation in mental function I've experienced is not related to the statin drugs I've been prescribed.

If you look online, you can find a growing and disturbing number of statin induced side effects reported. This is especially true considering what was considered acceptable LDL a couple of years ago is now too high...doctors are prescribing statins in higher and higher doses.

THESE ARE DANGEROUS DRUGS.

I hope this helps someone. Recognize the symptoms and make your physician take appropriate action.

Taken Lipitor for 4 years, 20mg.
Along with the muscular pains I've noticed an attitude change in my work. I am a self employed engineer, and attention to detail is essential. Nowadays, I can hardly be bothered to chase up a job, especially if it involves travel. I make mistakes more often (like connectiong 240VAC to a 24VDC device!) and I lose my temper more easily.

Been off the tablets for 2 days due to a mistake in ordering my repeat. I actually feel slightly more human in that short time! Problem is I dare not stop taking them.

On the physical side, if I remain in a position for any length of time, I have to carefully un-knot myself when I move, or the pain is horrible.

Great eh?