August 4th
2009
2:10 PM
I'm a 65 year old type 2 diabetic with low-functioning thyroid. I was put on lisinopril over a year ago to prevent kidney problems. I have been on 10 mg tablets. Even before I was diagnosed with diabetes I had low blood pressure so that was not a problem.
My main side effects are hair loss, coughing, insomnia and leg cramps, joint pain. I think the lisinopril is pulling nutrients from my body. I told my family doctor about the side effects I had found but he seemed more concerned about the possibility of kidney problems than any of the side effects. I know my hair loss is not age related as both of my parents had full heads of hair when they died and my mother was also a type 2 diabetic.
My blood sugar is under control, tests usually 85-90 twice a day, last A1c was 5.5 which is quite good. I take Byetta and metformin twice a day, levothyroxine, enablex. I recently started taking magnesium as it was besides calcium plus D, a multivitamin all ordered by the doctor. I also take crestor. Feels like all I do is take pills!
My weight is 166 but I'm short, 4' 10", so still heavier than I should be for my height. I try to get exercise but have degenerative arthritis in lower spine. Funny that I developed bursitis in my right hip recently, I just thought the arthritis was spreading. Now I'm not so sure it might not be due to the lisinopril also. I stopped using it yesterday so we'll see how long it takes my body to recover from this drug.
Does anyone have any experience with how long it takes to stop coughing or for the hair to regrow after quitting lisinopril?
-- By jmdoeden | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
May 4th
2009
9:31 AM
I have had pins and needles feeling in my fingers and toes, pretty strong too, I've been on Topamax before so I knew what to expect, I've had the loss of appetite and the soda tasting flat, as well. Some confusion with words, not being able to put together a complete sentence, like you know what you are trying to say but it's not coming out correctly. There may be times where you are somewhat staring off into space. My neurologist explained all of the side effects to me before prescribing me drug but also gave it to me as sor of like a ladder, to where I could build up to it so the side effects are not as bad, I went from 25 mg 4 night to 50mg at night for 4 night, then 75mg for 4 nights now I'm on 100 mg at night, so I've gotten used to it again, I still get the pins and needles and the confusion but if someone is considering taking Topamax, ask your doctor about trying to build up to it first by doing 25, 50,75 then 100.
-- By sajujama | Reply | Private Message me
April 15th
2009
11:21 PM
Ive been using YAZ for almost a year now and before reading all these side effects from other women I thought i was falling apart at the age of 24.
Since ive been on YAZ these symptoms have occurred:
Some weight gain, Eyesight from great to HORRIBLY nearsighted, discharge, periods sometimes are twice a month and is a brown gross color, migraines, terrible skin problems: like blisters on my face & neck that crust over and last for weeks, GI problems right before my period, Severe Fatigue, pussy blisters under my armpits, numbing in my fingers and toes, very itchy skin, random sex drives (for months there will be no sex drive then one month ill have a very high sex drive), very mild mood swings (but noticeable), and ive become allergic to deodorant & sulfa drugs.
Before using this BCP : i had great skin, perfect eyesight, athletic & energetic, normal periods, and was never allergic to anything.
Ive had so many doctors visits to try to figure out what was wrong.... i got allergy injections, antibiotics, surgery options...........but no doctor could really tell me what was causing it and its very frustrating to have so many things go wrong and no one can tell know why or how to fix it!. Anyways, im going to call my OB/GYN TOMORROW......
-- By karies429 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 13th
2009
4:35 AM
Wow! Let me tell you my story: I was first diagnosed with HBP (170/140) during a high school sports physical in the beginning of 8th grade (I was about 14 years old). I was in top shape and a very healthy eater. I had probably (from what I remember) every test done to see what was the cause of this hypertension - and the only thing found was that my kidney's produce too much rennin (the hormone that increases BP). I was then put on Lisinopril 10mg. Everything continued well for about 6 years - I also stayed in shape and ate healthy. However, throughout those 6 years, I did notice my curly hair turning straight and my incredibly (can't do nothing with) thick hair started to thin and become style able. Now...I do know this is my fault, but in the past 2 years my healthy eating habits have slipped, I've gained weight and started smoking - plus have a sit down, don't move kind of job. However, about 1 year ago, I had a slight spike in my pressure and my doctor added a diuretic (HCTZ 12.5mg) to my lisinopril. Ok, that brought the pressure down and all seemed well. Then..... In December 2008, not long ago, I started not feeling well. Thinking I was sick, I went to the doctor's to find my blood pressure to be 190/140. Immediately, my does was increased to 30-12.5mg. That brought a quick drop in my BP down to 110/66 - I was so darn dizzy I could barely function. I was also but on short-term disability because all this caused me to be off work for so long. Unfortunately, when my dose was adjusted to 20-12.5mg and the dizziness stopped I went back to work. Now, I can't go back on S.T.D. for many, many weeks. And....... The past month has been complete HELL!! My hands (mainly fingers) and toes are almost always cold, I've been dieting for over a month and am struggling to lose weight, my hands and feet go numb more often than usual - I never used to find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of pins/needles feeling, my hair is thinner than ever and stick straight - I'm afraid I'm not going to have any left, I have UNBEARABLE headaches (sometimes all I want to do is sleep and sometimes, like tonight -it's 4:12am- I can't sleep), I have acne like a teenager - mind you, I never had more than 1 to 2 pimples at a time growing up, and that was rare (I was lucky)... Thank god for FMLA or I would have lost my job since I've spent so much time home since I thought all was good and went back to work. Only wish I could make a dollar again. Now to top it off...I was referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who after seeing me only once for about 30min and reviewing blood work from the end of January (I had a high calcium level as well as some others that deal with the kidneys) wants to take away the diuretic (HCTZ) part of my medication (hopefully to reduce the calcium level) BUT DOUBLE MY MG OF LISINOPRIL. HE WANTS ME TO TAKE 20MG TWO TIMES A DAY. I was starting to think all these new symptoms that came on so quick were a result from the increase of lisinopril - now I think I'm sure. I'm not changing my medications until I can talk this over with my PCP - I'm going to ask we try a medication change. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or any suggestions why a 20-year-old has blood pressure as high as 190/140 with no family history of HBP or really any health problems? Any suggestions why the kidneys are producing too much rennin? Any meds that drop the pressure and we don't get headaches - I can live with cold limbs and numbness - it's the headaches that are rendering this 24-year-old helpless :(
-- By alyssa07 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 13th
2009
4:32 AM
Wow! Let me tell you my story: I was first diagnosed with HBP (170/140) during a high school sports physical in the beginning of 8th grade (I was about 14 years old). I was in top shape and a very healthy eater. I had probably (from what I remember) every test done to see what was the cause of this hypertension - and the only thing found was that my kidney's produce too much renin (the hormone that increases BP). I was then put on Lisinopril 10mg. Everything continued good for about 6 years - I also stayed in shape and ate healthy. However, throughout those 6 years, I did notice my curly hair turing straight and my incredibly (can't do nothing with) thick hair started to thin and become stylable. Now...I do know this is my fault, but in the past 2 years my healthy eating habits have slipped, I've gained weight and started smoking - plus have a sit down, don't move kinda job. However, about 1 year ago, I had a slight spike in my pressure and my doctor added a diuretic (HCTZ 12.5mg) to my lisinopril. Ok, that brought the pressure down and all seemed well. Then..... in December 2008, not long ago, I started not feeling well. Thinking I was sick, I went to the doctor's to find my blood pressure to be 190/140. Immediately, my does was increased to 30-12.5mg. That brought a quick drop in my BP down to 110/66 - I was so darn dizzy I could barely function. I was also but on short-term disability because all this caused me to be off work for so long. Unfortunately, when my dose was adjusted to 20-12.5mg and the dizziness stopped I went back to work. Now, I can't go back on S.T.D. for many, many weeks. And....... The past month has been complete HELL!! My hands (mainly fingers) and toes are almost always cold, I've been dieting for over a month and am struggling to lose weight, my hands and feet go numb more often than usual - I never used to find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of pins/needles feeling, my hair is thinner than ever and stick straight - I'm afraid I'm not gonna have any left, I have UNBEARABLE headaches (sometimes all I want to do is sleep and sometimes, like tonight -it's 4:12am- I can't sleep), I have acne like a teenager - mind you, I never had more than 1 to 2 pimples at a time growing up, and that was rare (I was lucky)... Thank god for FMLA, or I would of lost my job since I've spent so much time home since I thought all was good and went back to work. Only wish I could make a dollar again. Now to top it off...I was referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who after seeing me only once for about 30min and reviewing bloodwork from the end of January (I had a high calcium level as well as some others that deal with the kidneys) wants to take away the diuretic (HCTZ) part of my medication (hopefully to reduce the calcium level) BUT DOUBLE MY MG OF LISINOPRIL. HE WANTS ME TO TAKE 20MG TWO TIMES A DAY. I was starting to think all these new symptoms that came on so quick were a result from the increase of lisinopril - now I think I'm sure. I'm not changing my medications until I can talk this over with my PCP - I'm going to ask we try a medication change. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or any suggestions why a 20-year-old has blood pressure as high as 190/140 with no family history of HBP or really any health problems? Any suggestions why the kidneys are producing too much renin? Any meds that drop the pressure and we don't get headaches - I can live with cold limbs and numbness - it's the headaches that are rendering this 24-year-old helpless :(
-- By alyssa07 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
January 9th
2009
4:24 PM
I am amazed. I got online to look up coupons for Lupron because the shot after insurance is $569. I found this blog here about all the discomforts of Lupron. I did some research before hand, but never saw this site. I have to say, I was in some pain on a daily basis for years until I had my two children and when I stopped breastfeeding the second, that is when my pain came back, but ten fold. My periods were more out of whack in pain and I had been on the IUD for 14 months at that poinr. Doctors always thought i just had some bad stomach virus or that it was in my head and I was full of too many symptoms, but low and behold, I started monitoring the pain, and it always fell on a cycle. The doctors still took no consideration-it is a stomach bug, did a bunch of tests for stomach viruses and bacterias, nothing came up. Lots of pain except when my period began. Then I was home free of pain for a goof 2 weeks. Months I had no period, no pain. 1-2 weeks before period, rash on my face, skin peeling off fingers and toes, hair always falling out in gobs, fingernails breaking so easily, nauseated most of the time, and back and abdomen pain that accompanied menstrual cramps from Hades and medium to heavy flow periods. Eventually I am in the ER again in a different city visiting my parents and they doc finds my gall bladder has completely stopped working and now producing "sludge". We figured that was my problem, the hormones and sickness following my cycle was just a fluke.
A little over a month after surgery. That 1-2 weeks before my period of torture turned into 2-3 weeks. I went into the ER with the same pains as before, the pains that should have gone away with removing gall bladder since that was supposed to be my problem....but obviously not.
My church began praying and a new set of doctors Come to find out my liver was very inflamed, my enzymes were very elevated, and finally I got someone to listen about the cyclitic nature of the sickness. Endo was brought up several times by different docs, my new primary care, a GI, and now GYN was concerned.
To make matters worse, I had completely lost my libido-I have always had in the norm but high testosterone to accompany high estrogen levels and as a diagnostic test to relieve the pain now coming from sex, I came off the IUD.Then I had 7 days of no pain in one month and then next month was 4 days of no pain. My bleeding became much much worse, the pain was outrageously bad. I did mention I have 2 kids-toddlers I stay at home with...I was not functioning well and recruiting help to care for them and my husband and home. If I did not have the knowledge and trust that the Lord does not give us more than we can handle, I could easily see how someone could fall into depression because at all times I was in some level of pain, even if it was just nagging.
My GYN wanted to avoid cutting into me at all costs, and because of all of the hormone and natural drug therapies I had previously been on prior to having children because of my menstrual cycles being so irregular (1-2 cycles a year heavy and painful lasting 2 weeks or more) and the bad reactions I had had to them, he said relief can come from hysterectomy-removing my ovaries as well, but he is concerned because I am 26 yrs young and that is such a big decision with many things at stake. I already had plans to adopt, not having any more children for lots of reasons including my health deteriating after each one, so he highly recommended a highly talented endocrinologist who took over. This endocrine doc would like to postpone surgery and decided insstead of performing the Laproscopic to look around, use the Lupron as a diagnostic test. If I got better within the next 3 months, it is my ovaries causing this pain. If I did not, we would continue for maximum of 6 months, and if I still didn't get better, then something else is causing my troubles outside of the female regions.
I was anxious because at that point, I could take no pain medicine whatsoever because my liver was still trying to detox from all the pain meds through the summer and fall. I drank lots of water, 86-120 oz on any given day, ate lots of grapefruits and oranges to clean me out, and waited for the shot to kick in. I had just gone into another cycle, pain now while bleeding a waterfall all day, no days off, and hoping the Lupron would be a relief. My church spread the word praying about the situation.
4 days later almost every symptom is gone. 7 days later I am totally pain free. I have had 23 days of no pain. I have always ate good healthy foods, some organic but not crazy about it, exercise when I am not throwing up nauseated or drained 2-4 days a week. I missed out on a lot because I was so miserably sick and pained and always tired. I have had more energy in these last 23 days than before. I don't HAVE to nap now when the children nap, I can make it through a full session of aerobic exercise without feeling nauseated or crampy. I can think more clearly now and have memories coming back to me that I thought I had lost.
I may be on the rare cases of the spectrum here-but I had to post to make sure that women searching knew Lupron was not all bad. I get my next dose this weekend. It burns some going in and is sore in the injection spot that day, but man, to be pain free and play with my kids again...that is worth the $569 right now. After my 3rd injection which will occur 2nd week of February, I will be meeting with my trusted GYN and endocrinologist to discuss my options next. I have spoke with them after 2 weeks pain free and they are thrilled with the results. I will continue on this program to make sure the symptoms stay gone and then I am looking into possible surgery. Of course we pray that a miracle happens and I stay pain free once coming off the shot, without the need for going under the knife, but either way, it is in the Lord's hands, and maybe all this happened to me so that I can share with you some encouragement in your times of suffering.
January 8th
2009
7:32 AM
I had tingling and numbing in my hands and feet. After few weeks without Lipitor all that tingling stopped. My doctor said that it could not be Lipitor's side effect but after doing research online I really wished they listed tingling and numbing as side effect of that drug. It would have saved me a lot of money I spent on all kinds of tests my neurologist did.
-- By alicja777 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
November 21th
2008
9:37 AM
NUMBNESS IN THE TIPS OF YOUR FINGERS AND TOES...thats what my mate gets, her breasts shrunk from a DD to a B, her skin went dry and cracked and she ended up having her blood circulating the wrong way! shes ok now though :) thank god :)
-- By mini_jj | Reply | Private Message me
November 15th
2008
7:00 PM
I have been on this medication for 3 months now. I am a 28 year old male, 6'2", weigh 211lbs, and in overall good health. My blood pressure average is 144/72 without the medication, but on the medication it seems to stay around 136/66. It took about one week for the blood pressure medicine to start working and when it did I felt very tired (which is normal). Now, in my third month I have started to notice new symptoms like severe headache in the right front lobe, severe tiredness, cold fingers and toes (in warm conditions), severe lower back pain, mood swings, blurred vision in the right eye (same location as headache), and a occasional twitch in my right thumb (probably not related to the medicine). When I first started this medication I did read all of these post and figured that everyone was crazy and/or nuts, but know I am thinking that I would rather stop the medication
and start seeking out for a better medication.. I know medicine has side effects but damn!!! Anyone else have cold fingers and toes while they have been on the medication..thanks
November 13th
2008
8:19 AM
i have been taking this medication and ive been itching .
nearly scratching my arms off
and making me throw up .
and get sicker than i was
November 7th
2008
4:06 PM
This site has opened my eyes to what YASMIN did to me. I no longer take Yasmin after severe mood swings, aggression, paranoia, pain in my legs, pins and needles (numbness) in my fingers and toes, crying with no reason, suicidal thoughts and headaches which I never used to have before. These symptoms were so out of character for me that my soon to be husband and I recognized that this must be the PILL!! How right were we, since I have stopped taking it all symptoms have GONE!!! I was one crazy woman on this poison! It made me loose myself. Thank God my beautiful man stood by me through all the manic behavior. (my husband advises you to stop it as well, if you are feeling like this) Some women may find Yasmin is fine for them, but not ME.
Peace to you all xxxxxxx
Deb xxxxx
October 6th
2008
4:26 PM
I was only on 25 mg of Topamax for two months and had to stop due to the terrible side effects of mouth numbness, taste aversion and severe dry mouth. Unfortunately, the side effects have gotten worse and persisted now for six months after going off this medication. My personal thoughts: Topamax is the worst drug on the market, has negatively impacted my life, and my neurologist could care less. These symptoms are with me 24/7 and only mildly helped by expensive mouthwash and lozenges specially formulated for dry mouth. Actually, eating certain foods makes these symptoms worse and I am afraid this is permanent, but can find no scientifically plausible evidence to explain such lingering effects. If anybody else has experienced such long-term symptoms after going off this medication, please share.
-- By neuro58 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 15th
2008
1:16 PM
I have been taking Yaz for a month and a half. The only medication I have been on in several years.
At work yesterday, my head started getting foggy. And my perception, was all messed up. After about 15 minutes of this not getting better, I started to lose my speech communication. I couldn't finish sentences or words. Stuff was jumbling together. In my right hand, two fingers went numb, then the whole hand. A client ended up driving me to the ER. I tried to call my receptionist, but I couldn't get the words out, my client took the phone and told her I was going to the ER. By the time I got to the ER, feeling started coming back, and I could communicate, in full sentences, if I paused between. By the time I was checked in and saw the doctor, I was able to tell him all that happened. With no problem, then a huge headache came on.
He wanted to rule out stroke, so did the CT scan and MRI. The nurse had some trouble getting blood from me. She kept mentioning that the blood kept clotting. The doctor sent me home saying my brain was perfectly healthy, and to go see my regular doctor.
A friend told me it was the birth control, because she could not take it, as she has lupus, and could have a stroke. She said it causes clotting. All of this was making sense to me. I looked up the side effects I had and found the "stroke symptoms", listed as rare, on Yaz.
My opinion of what happened, I had a blood clot that ended up passing through, and it could have become a stroke.
Another thing I read, besides the clotting. Was that oral contraceptives increase the potassium in your blood. I had been eating a banana for breakfast, 3 mornings in a row (the third on the day of this episode). The added potassium, could have been related to this episode.
How is anyone to know they can't eat something like "bananas" with birth control? I certainly didn't.
I am afraid to try any form of birth control at this point.
August 14th
2008
11:28 AM
So from my understand most people on this web site have had "pregnant like" feelings. Well isn't this suppose to trick your body into thinking your pregnant?? So wouldn't all these symptoms be somewhat normal?? I'm just trying to do my research on Mirena and Implanon to figure out which type I would like to get. I've heard bad things on both of these, but also good things. Any information of either of these would be helpful.
-- By pinkiegirl | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 4th
2008
7:46 PM
I started Adoxa (generic form of Doxy) about 2 weeks ago for a cyst. About 5 days after taking the med, I was swimming and my hands had the weirdest sensation... After I got out of the pool, my feet were on fire as were my hands. Thought I just had gotten sunburn, though I don't normally burn. A couple days later, I had a severe tingling/burning in my fingers and toes. Couldn't sleep because of the pain. This lasted 2 night and I stopped taking the Adoxa. Went to Urgent Care because the burning was not subsiding and and my toes and fingers were EXTREMELY sensitive. I couldn't even open a pop can. Dr. said I had Periphrial Neuropathy and it is not a side effect of the Adoxa that I was taking. Told me I had symptoms to a bigger problem. I have been off Adoxa now for 4 days and the tingling/burning/sensitivity has all gone away! I know that it is the Adoxa and will not ever take it again!!! Remember to trust your instincts when you take medications!!!!
-- By susanim | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 3th
2008
12:09 AM
I started Adoxa for an acne cyst about 2 weeks ago and 1 week later I started having tingling fingers and toes. Is this a common side effect?
-- By susanim | Reply | Private Message me
July 14th
2008
11:07 PM
I am so glad I found this web site-I really thought I must be dying, I feel like crap. I was diagnosed with hbp, borderline, but also diagnosed diabetic at the same time, dr gave me metformin, simvastatin (for cholesterol) and the lisinopril, i was told they all work together and are prescribed together, well i never felt so horrible i have been taking them since the end of May, I have a dry tickle cough that mostly happens when i'm laying down at night but get some coughing bouts that bring tears to my eyes. I have this horrible left front neck pain i thought was a sore throat, but it doesn't hurt to swallow -just pain and pressure like a constant dull toothache. i have a headache and sinus ache that feels like pressure that doesn't ease up even with Tylenol, i took motrin one day & the pain went away but my feet swelled up. now i have had a pain in my right kidney (back) for the last 2 weeks and i can hardly walk when i rise. I get cramping in my fingers and toes. I am very short tempered and have depression to-so many side effects in such a short time---July 14 i have a doctor appointment, but i'm not taking anymore after today.
-- By kshook | Reply | Private Message me
June 28th
2008
4:31 PM
I was taking 500mg three times a day. After 1 week I developed severe joint pain and swelling in my fingers. I got an itchy rash on the bridge of my nose and over my eyes and inside my nose. The joint pain continued to my knees and toes. I have been off of the medication 3 weeks and I am just starting to feel a little normal. a different doctor put me on 800 mg of Ibupropen 3 times a day and after reading up on the side effects of Cephalexin I began taking Benadryl which has helped a lot.
-- By nat5600 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 5th
2008
8:12 PM
I have been on atenolol for about 9 months. I take 1/2 of a 25mg tablet. I also experience tiredness. At times I have weak moments that last about 20 minutes, then I began to feel better. I have some cramping in my calves at times. I walk each day but have shortness of breath during these walks. I thought that is was just because I have trouble pulling the hills. I also have the cold fingers and toes at times. I do feel a little depression and don't have much creativity as I once did. I read that Atenolol could cause congestive heart failure. I'm thinking of tapering off, any comment?
-- By justpat | Reply | Private Message me
May 14th
2008
3:13 PM
I thank you all more than you could ever know. Reading these posts has made me feel so much better and I can now clearly put things together. I now know that I am NOT crazy and my husband was right - this thing is the cause of all my symptoms. The abdominal pain, the headaches, nausea (who wants to feel pregnant all the time???) the terrible skin (I have always been proud of my flawless complexion, even without make-up) the numbness in my fingers and toes, the moodiness and lack of desire to do ANYTHING, much less sex, the 4 month long period I have been having. I have gone from a super-social entertainer to almost a hermit who doesn't want company or to go anywhere, and just wants to sleep all day.
I am having it taken out today in an hour and a half. I pray I get back to normal soon. My marriage and work performance has been suffering terribly since I had this thing put in 4 months ago.
Has anyone else had a problem with the skin on their hands and feet peeling and cracking? This is a new symptom with started last week and is getting worse. Been taking antihistamines (2 types, once daily each) and no help. I knew it would be because I use the same products I have been using for many many years but gave it a shot anyway. My hands hurt so bad. Just curious to see if anyone else had this problem.
Can't wait to get this out.
May 11th
2008
6:55 PM
Hello ladies. I have had the Mirena removed now for about 2 months and i feel a lot better. I am not sure if i posted here or another forum but i have experienced terrible side effects from this thing being in my body. my side effects included
painful joints( i felt like a 80 something year old)
lower back pain
Chest pain ( which i still experience on and off now)
numbness on my fingers and toes ( which i still have to some degree)
sharp abdominal pains
extreme anxiety
tired all the time
spasms in my hands and legs especially my left side
headaches and the list can go on and on.
My doctor did not believe the mirena was causing all of this even though i had been a very healthy person with no medical complaints at all before the mirena was inserted.
Did i read somewhere about a class action lawsuit? Because i will definitely look into it for all the suffering this thing has put me through.
Thanks everyone for posting. Information is power!
April 25th
2008
12:07 PM
Hi all. I'm posting again after being off Advair for about a week. I've noticed a dramatic change in my emotional health. The anxiety that I've been suffering from for the last three months while on Advair has now entirely vanished. I feel like my old self again, and friends and family have also noted the difference. I won't ever take this medication again-- I'd rather deal with my asthma in a preventive way.
-- By gradstudent | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
March 21th
2008
12:59 PM
I quit Lipitor (40mg) five weeks ago. I believe I was on a trajectory to disabilty within a year.
The unbelievable left elbow pain has gone (maybe the cortisone worked!). My left knee feels "normal" again, not perfect but nearly like it used to be. Within a couple of days of quitting I had severe pain in my right thumb along the bone, then in the middle of my right hand, then between the first and second fingers in my right hand. I currently have minor pain in my right wrist (this is new) on the pinkie side and minor pain in my left shoulder where the arm joins (this has been intermittent for a couple of months). I am feeling much better - but would not be at all surprised if pain appears in another part of my body before this is all history! There is also plenty of joint clicking going on.
I believe I first reported pain to the assistant doctor to the heart surgeon two weeks after I had the stent put in and was put on Lipitor. I was also on various other medications. I had tingling on the ends of my fingers and toes at random - hard to describe but it was as if a fairly sharp object (like a ball point pen, say) was being pressed progressively harder from the end of the finger/toe and towards the rest of that finger/toe: and as the pressure increased it would suddenly become painful. It was not a tingling/numb sensation but more a tingling which increased sufficiently that it hurt.
I am only being so specific because when I described these "symptoms" the doctor shrugged. If anyone has had similar - and I have seen tingling mentioned here - please make contact with me as I do want to report my experience back into the medical community but find, an exact description difficult. Things never needed to have got so bad if this was the first warning.
I since asked my family doctor if my knee problem was Lipitor related and she thought not: I was referred to Physical Therapy. I also told the physical therapists (who thought my knee should recover much sooner, and were surprised that I had zero mobility pain) that I also had serious elbow pain.
The orthopedic surgeon I saw did not connect the elbow problem to Lipitor.
The heart surgeon (stent insert) could perhaps be the only person who I did not tell of the pains - I don't remember - but I may be so grateful to be alive - that he may be someone to whom I did not voice a complaint!
On the positive - five weeks later I am feeling significantly better.
February 15th
2008
4:02 PM
I had a mild heart attack 14 months ago (aged 56). A stent was inserted in an artery. I was put on four medications (Lipitor was at 40mg) so what caused what is up for grabs.
Friends told me I was slurring my words - which I experienced as an inability to find words and hence I could not talk at talking speed. The Metoprolol was reduced and I also started taking Co Q 10 as I had read that Lipitor reduces both cholesterol and Co Q10. The slurring reduced. I also had sudden pains as if a sharp object was being pressed hard on the ends of my fingers and toes at random. The doctor shrugged.
Since my heart attack my memory has been poor and I have been noticeably clumsy.
About 6 months ago I started to get left knee discomfort - I can relate this to water on the knee from an impact at age 11. It hardly ever caused a problem since. I went to Physical therapy and had ultra sound and it seemed to take ridiculously long to improve. And at that time I was becoming increasingly aware of a "bruise" to my left elbow (I am left handed). I felt like a complainer! I had bruised my left elbow but could it hurt 3 months later. I had an X-Ray and the elbow was fine. I was getting similar sensations on the other side of my body (knee and elbow) but at like 10% of the intensity so I dismissed it as nonsensical.
Then I awoke at 3.00 a.m. one night with incredible pain in my lower left arm.
The orthopedic surgeon I saw said I had tennis elbow and I got a cortisone injection. I was beginning to feel as if my body was decaying and getting torn internally.
I then read a blog and a disability insurance assessor said she always asks if people who have been diagnosed with tennis elbow are taking Lipitor. Ping!
I quit Lipitor. Two nights later I had unbelievable cramps in my lower left leg. I have had the pins in the end of the fingers and toes again and the inability to find words appears momentarily.
But I have far more energy. My biggest surprise is that I am breathing more deeply. Spontaneously I am taking really deep breaths. I started at the gym within a week of quitting. However I am being careful. I will take a cholesterol test in a month, and have gone almost dairy free, and am vegetarian every other day and will continue with CoQ10
Lisinopril (7) Levaquin (5) Topamax (5) Lipitor (4) Yasmin (3) Toprol-XL (3) Mirena (3) Doxycycline Hyclate (3) Yaz (2) Lupron (2) PredniSONE (2) Cephalexin Monohydrate (1) Atenolol (1) Adoxa (1) Cipro (1) Minocin (1) Metronidazole (1) Advair HFA (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Levoxyl (1) Singulair (1) Digex (1) Hydrochlorothiazide-Lisinopril (1) SMZ-TMP DS (1) Fludara (1) Metanx (1)
September 11th
2009
11:04 AM
Straight from Wikipedia:
Metoprolol may worsen the symptoms of heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort; dilated neck veins; extreme fatigue; irregular breathing; an irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs; weight gain; or wheezing.
This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.
This medicine may cause some people to become less alert than they are normally. If this side effect occurs, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert while taking metoprolol .
Side effects
Transient effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, diarrhea, unusual dreams, ataxia, trouble sleeping, depression, and vision problems. It may also reduce blood flow to the hands and feet, causing them to feel numb and cold; smoking may worsen this effect.
Serious side effects that are not to be tolerated for any length of time include symptoms of a very slow heartbeat (less than 50 bpm) (e.g. persistent dizziness, fainting, unusual fatigue), bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands or feet, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (impotence), hair loss, mental/mood changes, trouble breathing, cough, dyslipidemia, and increased thirst. Other highly unlikely symptoms include easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever, yellowing skin or eyes, stomach pain, dark urine, and persistent nausea. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness. Taking it with alcohol might cause mild body rashes and therefore is not recommended.
Why on earth do Doctors keep prescribing these medications that are doing more harm than good? They are causing so many other symptoms, no wonder our Health Care in this country is "out of sight". We take drugs that continue to make us sicker , sicker, and sicker, which require more testing, testing and testing....HELLO people...you need to ask yourselves if you "believe" what that Doctors are telling you. I don't, not anymore. They are SOOOO misinformed by the Pharmaceutical Rep pushing drugs that the DRUGS have become the REAL DISEASE! You need to go back to "square one"...and get off of everything.
My girlfriend age 62 was taking 14 different medications that included BP Meds, Cholesterol Meds, and on and on. She's now laying on a Ventilator from all the interactions these drugs have caused her. She cannot even lift her head of the pillow. Her memory is shot! Just another side affect of the drugs. Are there any Doctors out there who can "step out of the box" ? You're killing people with the drugs your prescribing because you don't understand the interactions they have with each other. You just keep on prescribing. You need to study each medication before you keep prescribing them.
-- By bellabear | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me