Exercise habits symptoms and conditions

Over two years ago I had a very severe case of shingles which had gone untreated for over 4 days. I was given acyclovir for the virus, acetaminophen for the pain, a diuretic to lessen the high blood pressure and weight gain I would suffer from taking prednisone. I started with 60 mg of prednisone and the dosage gradually eliminated over 6 weeks time. I gained over 40 pounds.
After the prednisone I suffered the following side effects: gained 15 more pounds, feet and ankles started swelling, I stopped sweating except profusely on my forehead. It took a year before I could sweat on my whole head, but nowhere else.

This year I am now sweating on my chest and head and nowhere else, I have gone down two dress sizes without changing my eating habits or exercise habits. My face is still round.

I am hoping the fact that I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian (30 years) isn't what's making the side effects last this long. This was the first time I had ever been given prednisone, and was told only about the high blood pressure and weight gain as a problem.

Much of the same, but honestly, not too bad. Hot flashes started one month after the first shot (2 shots/6 mo. treatment), almost to the day. They are tedious but not unbearable. Joint and bone pain, hot flashes, night sweats. I'm now one month past the 6 months, I still have hot flashes and am having a lot of knee pain and some in my left hip.

I gained 20 lbs despite good exercise habits.

But definitely not the horror-stories posted below, I was lucky.

ALTHOUGH AMBIENT HAS HELPED ME WITH MY SLEEP CYCLE, I HAVE GAINED AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF APPROX. 10 LBS. IN THREE MONTHS, MY DIET AND EXERCISE HABITS HAVEN'T CHANGED AND I WAS WONDERING HOW COULD I HAVE POSSIBLY GAINED SO MUCH WEIGHT IN SUCH LITTLE LIME. MY CONCLUSION.... AMBIENT! I'VE SINCE BEEN OFF AMBIENT BECAUSE IT HAS MIRACULOUSLY RESET MY SLEEP CYCLE, I AM GRATEFUL. VERY DISTURBED BY THE WEIGHT GAIN.

My Mirena Removal....
So i posted here a few weeks ago after I found this site. I had EVERY side effect listed and was so freaked out that i immediately made an appointment for removal.
For those of you reading and wondering what the removal is like..
Well, NOTHING like the insertion. I was so so nervous and it was over before we actually started. The DR was surprised that i was back in his office to have this removed. He then proceeded to do an ultrasound to be sure it was placed properly before removal. And yes, all was OK on the position of it. I explained to him my reasons and he looked at me like he had never heard this before. I honestly can not imagine with all the women he sees that NONE of them have complained. But...as I was getting dressed afterwards, I took a good look in his office. There was Mirena literature ALL over the place. In fact, that was the ONLY thing he was advertising. Not to mention...they made me pay up front with the insertion back in Nivember...billed my insurance and I still have yet to receive my reimbursement. Oh yeah, and that...they charge more than the actual Mirena costs, then they bill your insurance for the price they know they will pay and the DR then makes about $150 profit. Nice.
Ok, back to my side effects post Mirena. The removal was not painful at all. I did spot for about a week- nothing too heavy but it was clotty and def there.
A couple of days after the removal it felt like I was coming out of my skin something terrible. I figured this was my body adjusting to the lack of hormones. I also had some headaches.
It has now been 2 weeks and the spotting has disappeared. I also can see the bloating of my stomach is starting to go away. It looked like I was about 4 mos preggo while I was on it. I also have an increased sex drive. And sleep-- well let me tell you, I have not slept this good in a very long time. I am actually sleeping more than 6 hours now and the night sweats have also discontinued.
I can't believe EVERY time I come to this site and look up Mirena ALL the people that have posted their experience as being negative. Yet, the DR looks at me like I am crazy! I have been seeing him for years and I have never complained about something like this. I really am so happy that I have it out and wish I would have done my research on this prior to insertion (which was one of the most painful things ever!)
So..for those of you out there that are either contemplating having it inserted...I say NO WAY. And for those of you out there that are nervous about the removal or not sure..I SAY YES, DO IT! For our bodies to be reacting this way, it is clear to me that it should not be inside of us. Listen to your bodies...they really do speak to you and let you know when something is not right. Forget about the DR saying it is safe or he has not heard of any of these side effects...YOU be the judge.
Good luck! And I promise it gets better once you get that lil' demon out!
Mona

I was diagnosed with asma last year, and was prescribed Advair. It works amazingly on my breathing difficulties when jogging, and I really can't breath easily when I run without using it twice daily. One noticable side affect though, is that I have gained 20 pounds since starting the medication without altering my eating or exercise habits.

I've been on Singulair and Advair since the past month. I've noticed some weight gain even though I have not changed my eating or exercise habits. Is this a known side effect?
Any information is helpful, thanks

I have been on asthma maintenance meds for several years. Prednisone, theodur, pulmicort, singulair, and serevent. I only need steroids when I'm sick and reduced my doses of theodur to none since finding out about potential liver damage. Now I'm strictly on serevent, pulmicort, and singulair. The singulair my allergist explained to me has been said to help with allergy syptoms. He also mentione that Serevent and Pulmicort work well together. He gave me the option of trying Advair but I didn't want to try anything new. My goal is to eventually get off the drugs. Period. My asthma is under controll and more of a nuisance than a life-threatening issue. The meds are for preventative purposes. I have very few attacks in one year. I have never been fond of taking maintenance medications and have been more concious of side-effects after the whole Vioxx thing. I found this posting board by total accident and boy am I glad I did. Serevent is an ingredient in Advair. I have had terrible muscle tightness in my back and also experience abnormal weight gain without any change to my diet or exercise habits. I have been on serevent for several years (since it's product launch) and became more religious about using it over the past year. I am probably about 30lbs overweight and could not figure out why until now. Thank you for letting me see this. This morning was the last time I am taking serevent. It's not worth it!!!