August 6th
2009
8:12 AM
I am finally getting mine out on Tuesday and I can honestly say I've not been this excited for ages!! I have suffered nausea, extreme emotional outbursts, terrible, daily headaches, increased appetite and weight gain, the list is endless. I have come close to losing my relationship too Enough is enough, just so relieved I'm not alone, thought I was going mad! Good luck to all fellow sufferers M.
-- By mojobham | Reply | Private Message me
February 23th
2009
12:06 PM
Hi to all,
I have read all comments in complete shock. I am a 53 year old female.
I was prescribed Simvastatin just over 6 months ago (40mg). I am hypothyrod and also have very high blood pressure. About 6 weeks ago I started to have severe (and I mean severe), night sweats. The sheets are absolutely wringing wet as if someone has thrown a bowl of water over me,
The headaches that start within about 30 minutes of getting up every morning radiate from the middle of my forehead right across my right eye and it throbs all day. My throat is sore, my skin very dry, my vision seems very blurred (especially first thing in the morning), and I don't seem to be able to focus very well. My appetite is almost non existent and my shoulder, legs & feet hurt dreadfully and although I hate to admit this I am quite depressed at how I feel.
Three nights ago I decided to stop taking Simvastin and guess what...hay-ho, no night sweats, no cramp and the headache today was much less severe.
I am glad I found this site and for sure I will be visiting my doctor next week to advise my findings.
I think I would rather live on a diet of bread & water rather than go through this again.
Good Luck to all fellow sufferers.
November 24th
2008
10:22 PM
Two weeks, 5 pounds and 2 periods later...
Its only been 2 weeks, and ive lost 5 pounds (probably had to do with the fact that i'm on Weight Watchers's now) but i keep bleeding. I've two periods in less than two weeks. Can anyone help me out on this one? I'm not sure what the cause is. Some explanation from fellow "sufferers" would help out a lot.
Thanks! :-)
September 13th
2008
1:08 AM
Vitamin D deficiency. Severe.
Fatigue/Exhaustion
B12/Folic Acid deficiency-resulting chest pain
30 lb weight gain post Yasmin
Plugged ears/pressure
Elevated potassium
Depression
Total lack of interest in life
There is a wealth of information of fellow sufferers at Create a Forum, under health, medications if you type in Yasmin. Or google Yasmin Survivors. Its an international forum that has grown exponentially.
August 13th
2008
12:27 PM
Hi All - I have been off prednisone for one week and I am not doing as well as I thought I would be at this stage. My symptoms are not flaring, which is a very good thing but I am so tired and feeling very depressed and low energy. I thought I'd feel great once I was off the evil prednisone but so far I am feeling almost as bad as when I was on it. My moon face has not started to go away, which sucks, but I guess I have to be patient. I am so tired of this situation as it feels never ending. Part of the problem is I have continued to work throughout my ordeal, and it's been very hard at times to carry on like a normal person who is not sick. I have been sick since last November (with an autoimmune disorder) and I had really hoped by this time that I'd be on my way to being better :( Prednisone saved my life but the side effects are horrendous, as are the after affects of it. Good luck to all who are taking it. I share your pain and frustration.
-- By catzmommy | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
May 3th
2008
2:09 PM
Sorry for the long post! I started taking Levaquin in mid Feb and I'm still feeling the effects. I am a 37 year old female who has never had any kind of reaction to any drug. When I say never - I mean not even slight nausea. I was prescribed Levaquin for bronchitis - 500 mgs for 10 days. I took it for 5. My bronchitis cleared up but I experienced feelings of depression after 3 pills. No nausea, headaches or loss of appetite at all. After the 5th day, I experienced numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. I went back to the doctor that same day because I was terrified. I was prescribed prednisone. 5 days after that, I started experiencing full body pain. It hurt to even lay down. Went back to the doctor that same day was prescribed vicoprofen. It didn't really help. I was given a muscle relaxer to take w/vicoprofen and that helped me get through the day at work but the pain was always there and that caused many sleepless nights. I went back to the doctor because the pain had left my torso and pretty much my legs too but settled in my arms and hands and was even more intense than when it was all over my body and prescribed Cymbalta. The pain was so intense, I was crying the whole weekend. Since my doctor didn't believe the intensity of my pain, I was desperate for a moment of relief and felt very ashamed to have to call a friend who's an RN and she had her doctor prescribe vicoprofen for me. I was able to semi-function again. 1 week later went to a rheumatologist and was told I had swelling in my nerves in both wrists and it may be carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, nerve damage or rheumatoid arthritis and given Lyrica. Had an EMG/NCV(Horrible) and the results were negative. I also had extensive blood work and was told on 4/21 that I tested positive for drug induced Lupus possibly caused my Ibuprofen. I stopped taking Motrin and my doctor prescribed Vicodin and I'm finally starting to feel better(the pain is not as intense) but I don't believe for one minute that Ibuprofen was the cause of the Lupus. I believe Levaquin broke my system down( I have Vitiligo - an auto immune disease) and made me even more susceptible to other auto immune diseases. Levaquin is finally starting to leave my body. My calves are stiff when I get up in the morning and my hands still hurt, but it's nothing compared to how I felt the previous 10 weeks. Sleep is still disrupted by pain.
I am going back for a blood test next week to see if the Lupus is still in my system. I'm happy for the people that have used this drug and have been fine, but for my body, it's toxic. Hopefully, there will be a blood test in the future that will show if you are prone to have severe side effects to this drug before it's prescribed.
For All of you suffering, you are not alone.I have found great comfort on this board knowing that I'm not alone.
-- By cookie126 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 29th
2008
7:06 PM
Hello fellow sufferers,
Several years ago I had a CT of my face and head due to frequent migraines...They had thought maybe there was a tumor or blocked blood vessels, but to my complete surprise all of that was normal, but I had all the sinuses on the right side of my face completely blocked...The doctor @ that time asked me some questions about my breathing and pain...Of course my breathing through the nose wasn't that great, but I had always taken that as a bonus since I work in the hospital...NO pain really either...Due to the fact that sinus infections have a direct pathway to the brain they decided that I needed Levaquin...On the second day of taking the medication I was in complete tears...The bottom half of my body ached like someone had kicked the %^&* out of me...First off I thought that maybe it was because I had my leg in a full cast and that had just been adjusted so stupidly I continued with the med another 2 days and the symptoms got to the point that I couldn't walk...I called the pharmacy right away and told them of my symptoms and they said they had no documentation of such side effects so I continued thinking it was something else ( they always tell you to complete the full course of an antibiotic so you don't kill off half the "bug" and the other half goes resistant)....Stupid....I finally made an appointment and had my husband literally carry me cast and all down there...The doctor had no explanation for the symptoms I had but did lab work to kinda shut me up and low and behold it reviled that I had full blown arthritis so off to a rheumatoid specialist...We went through my health history and other that the sinus infection, migraines and a broken leg I was fine except for the constant pain from the waist down........It took 7 months to return to "normal" blood test went back to normal too...I had made a second trip to the pharmacy and insisted on filling out a form for side effects and had proof of it with the weird lab tests that had since gone back to normal...This form was supposed to be sent to the drug company (not sure if it ever was).....Thought I would just share my experience with you and hope it helps others...I am an RN with 15 yrs surgical experience and thought I was going nuts when on this stuff...Since then I have always included this as an ALLERGY since it is one of the best and most common drugs used for things like sinus infections and I don't ever want to take this again.
Sincerely,
Debbie
June 14th
2007
4:24 PM
Almost two years ago I had my Levaquin experience, after being given it for a sinus infection. Well, it got rid of my sinus infection, but now I have severe mobility issues and OH THE PAIN!
My lower extremities are about shot. It was good to read about cycling, however. I wondered why it seemed like I was getting better and then WHAM there it was again, just as bad as it was in the initial episode.
Best wishes to all of you.
p.s.
Any fellow sufferers in the SF Bay Area want to connect for mutual support?
December 21th
2006
11:16 AM
I'm in a living hell because of prednisone withdrawral. Was on the other coast of USA and my knee gave out (have severe OA with no cartilage left). Had cortisone injection but didn't work after one week. Went back to dr. and got prednisone injection and prescribed 60mg / day. I had a schedule for tapering off, but as soon as I went from 60 to 30, pain came back with a vengence. I was in So. California and had to drive back to upstate, NY, so i had to go back to 60mg. I returned to NY with only 4 pills left. Went down to 30mg/day in Georgia, then 20 in N. carolina. I feel like death warmed over.
I am now taking 10mg / day and i'm having full body muscle spasms daily which are excrutiating. I gained weight and diabetes is difficult to control to under 250. My dr. said he will not give me refill, but I see him tomorrow and will tell him what it's been like. I can't sleep unless taking 20mg vicodin and 1050mg. carisoprodol and 5 benedryls. then only sleep 3-4 hours and wake up to cramps unbelievable.
When on the 60 per day and the IM injection, the pain in knee almost disappeared. Now, it is back plus every side effect from the prednisone. If this is hell, I feel as if I'm in it. Can't be cool, can't be warm. Either sweating bullets or chills. Definitely not the "miracle drug" it's touted to be. Good luck to my fellow sufferers. Keep the faith, believe this too shall pass. -Jay
-- By jayso13827 | Reply | Private Message me
May 4th
2006
3:28 PM
hello fellow sufferers. I've been taking pilitor for a few years now and for the past year have been at my worst. I cannot stand more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time so taking a walk is out of the question if i dont want to find myself on the ground.I am now forced to walk with a cane because of the severe weekness in my legs, pain in my thighs and back.I have worked on my feet for most of my life therefor have had very strong legs that is until i started having these side effects from lipitor. I've even been to to see many doctors and had x-rays taken and they think its all in my head cause just cant find anything....Some nights are so bad that i scream in my sleep because of the pain, its like my thigh is ripping apart in my leg and its like being on fire.I cannot go on this way i just turned 49 and am house bound because of this. May someone read this and help us asap we are not ginny pigs. Bless you all and thank you.
-- By lulubel772 | Reply | Private Message me
September 1th
2005
1:45 PM
Hello, fellow sufferers,
I was given a prescription for lisinopril about six weeks ago. I had gone for an employment physical, and my blood pressure was very elevated. I panicked, and went strait to my doctor, who put me on a trial of lisonopril. Luckily, I only took it for two weeks, but I've experienced, and continue to experience, many (most?) of the symptoms registered here.
The first to appear were floaters. The morning after I took my first dose, very large, dark floaters appeared in my vision. Most of them slowly "dissolved" over the next hours, but they reappear from time to time, and one in the lower left corner (when I'm looking straight ahead) has remained all this time. It flies into my vision field when I move my eyes when reading, etc.
The next to appear was the cough. Coincidentally, I went out of town to a conference the day after starting the medication. The conference was in Washington, DC, the weather was hot outside, but the meeting rooms were freezing, and so I thought I caught a cold. However, I was not congested, didn't have a sore throat, and the cold didn't progress. Also, I am a healer (Reiki Master) and I'm quite good at fending off colds and such, or at least getting rid of it quickly if a cold does manifest. I couldn't budge this cough, which continued to get worse each day.
The next symptom was extreme fatigue. I could hardly get myself and my small amount of luggage onto the train to get home. I had to have my husband meet me at the train depot even though I had planned to take local public transportation to get the rest of the way home.
In the next days, I stated to experience a "foggy brain." I felt like I was drugged, and couldn't function. I wouldn't dare drive, and I couldn't work. The cough continued to worsen, and it kept me up all night. The last two days I took the drug, I also developed congestion (which continues). I also had a rash, which cleared up quickly in a day or two.
The next thing that manifested was extreme muscle weakness. I work out with a personal trainer, and on my last visit to her I had to give up early because I just couldn't make my muscles work. When I got home, I was so fatigued and foggy I had to lie down and sleep for a couple of hours. I'm normally a high energy person, so this, I think, distressed me more than anything else.
That same night, my friend, Linda, invited my husband and I to her home for dessert, but I told her I just couldn't get myself together to go out. I told her what I had been experiencing, and she asked the big question--"Are you taking any new drugs?" I told her about my high blood pressure and the Lisinopril. She told me that she experienced something similar a year ago, and that it was her blood pressure medication that was to blame. Thank Goddess for Linda!!
The next day I went to the doctor and told him this medication was making me sick. He agreed that the cough could be due to the lisinopril, but said he didn't think any of the other symptoms could be blamed on it. Oh, yeah? He wanted to put my on another drug, but I said "No way. I'm controlling my bp through diet and exercise," and he agreed to let me try. He said not to expect spectacular results.
The next weekend was Linda's wedding--I was the photographer. I did manage to get through the wedding with the help of a lot of cough drops and nose blowing. I got some great shots and didn't ruin key moments with my hacking cough.
The cough continued, with the congestion, but the lethargy and fogginess have abated, but had not entirely disappeared. I tend to get winded climbing the stairs I used to run up. A new twist was added--I seemed to have developed sensitivity to everything: pollen, dust, smoke, mold, my cats.
My husband and I had scheduled our vacation to Maine, and we decided to go, thinking that if I got away from my house and the cats, I might improve. That didn't happen--we were near the ocean, but there are a lot of plantings along the ocean in Maine, expecially goldenrod, which made me miserable. I was extremely congested, and my sinuses got infected and my ears filled with fluid.
When I got back from vacation, back to the doctor. My sinuses were so inflamed, he put me on cortisone and an antibiotic. The corisone got rid of the inflammation of the sinuses, but didn't help the ears. The cough was only occasional, too. However, the cortisone also gave me insomnia, and I began to get leg cramps. The cortisone was given in decreasing dosage--six tablets the first day, five the next, etc. to one on the last day. As the dosage went down, the insomnia disappear, but the cough started to return.
As I finished with the drugs, my doctor was away, and, being an alternative healer, I decided to try another alternative healer. My sister is away, so I decided to take her appointments with her AMMA therapist. AMMA is an Asian message healing modality. The therapist also did cranio-sacral and lymphatic drainage with me. I'd feel better after each treatment, but rebounded worse each time. Last treatment was two days ago, and I decided not to go back, but to take back control of this thing. Since my ears are STILL clogged and I can't hear very well, I also returned to my physician to see what he suggested. His suggest was a 12-day course of prednosone. I that doesn't work, he's going to refer me to an ear, nose and throat doctor to have my ears drained surgically, and perhaps have tubes put in. Today's the third day, and I think the fluid is reduced but not eliminated. The cough is worse. It feels deeper in my chest, and it is unproductive. I worked on myself with Reiki a lot yesterday to clear my lungs. I was pretty good last night, but I'm coughing again today (dry heaves as well). I think I might try Mucinex to make the cough productive. I have to check to see if it's okay to use it with the prednosone.
The sensitivities do seem to be getting better. The cats, at least, don't seem to bother me, but mold is still a problem. I think my air conditioning might be contributing--there's standing water in the drip pan, so the drip line must be clogged. I'll bet there mold or mildew in the system, but I can't get anyone in to fix it and clean it out until Tuesday. I've turned the AC off, but I'm sure my husband will be switching it back on when he gets home from work since it's in the 90's. (He doesn't get it). I've also eliminated dairy, orange juice and tomato products from my diet since they produce mucus.
I hope to post of my improvement soon. Positive thinking helps! I promise not to be so long next time.
Thanks for reading
-- By njdoula | Reply | Private Message me
Lipitor (15) Levaquin (4) Mirena (2) PredniSONE (2) Lisinopril (1) Yasmin (1) Omeprazole (1) Simvastatin (1)
November 8th
2009
10:59 PM
I am taking omeprezole & blood pressure medication & am having muscle cramps in my legs & feet mostly, but even in my chest (Thought I was having a heart attack).I am experiencing severe fatigue & like one of the previous posts, I'm having difficulty even holding the steering wheel of my truck.It's difficult for me to stay awake ,especially if I relax for more than 5 minutes.I assumed it was the blood pressure meds, & stopped taking them recently to see if that would help.(It didn't) I'm going to stop all synthetic meds ASAP & hope for recovery.I've been taking these for 3 years & am experiencing many of the same symptoms as other posts,including swollen breasts (I'm a male)...THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE!!! I'll keep you posted on my progress. Best to all fellow sufferers.P.S: My doctor thinks I have more symptoms than "a 90 year old lady" (I'm 54)God Bless, & I'm praying for you all.
-- By jazznerd | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me