Gastroenterologist symptoms and conditions

I was surprised and enlightened to read the side effects of Zoloft (or its generic) from other users. I took Prozak for years. It didn't seem to be having the same effect so I asked my dr. about changing it. My brother takes Zoloft and it does wonders for him, so I asked to try Zoloft. I am taking a generic form now. Since starting taking Zoloft, I have experienced an almost uncontrollable urge to eat. Not just when I am hungry, but eat until I am miserable. It was comforting at the time, but discouraging to see my weight increase. It was very difficult for me, since I have always been able to control my weight and to lose weight when I tried. My gastroenterologist told me that I should lose some weight, that the extra weight around the middle would cause pressure and add to my acid reflux. I also experience a feeling of "fuzzy" headiness, with difficulty concentrating or remembering things. Some nights, I find it very difficult to sleep.

I have been on Yasmin for over 5 years, and just thought that I was a hypochondriac. After starting Yasmin I experienced severe nausea and unrelieved hunger pains. I saw a gastroenterologist who performed an EGD and Colonoscopy at the age of 20. It was normal and I was placed on Protonix to help with the GI issues. Also I have severe joint pains in my knees, hips, elbows and shoulders. I have been tested for everything from Lupus to Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it was all negative. I get headaches, have little sex drive if any, my skin is not clearer than usual and nor has it been since starting Yasmin. Thanks to all those people who have voiced their concerns and shared their stories, it makes us feel less crazy. I threw out all my birth control pills last night and I am going to try another form of contraceptive. I mean my headaches and chest pains have gotten so bad that they have forced me to go to the ER on several occasions. I DO NOT THINK THE BENEFITS OF YASMIN OUTWEIGH THE RISKS ASSOCIATED.

I too have been experiencing the same side effects listed by most of you. I have also been seeing a gastroenterologist for about 9 months now because of stomach issues. All symptoms point to gallbladder disease but the tests come back normal. I called my gyne today and they seem unconcerned with what I have told them and advised me to continue to take my pills until my annual visit in October. I'm done with this pack on Saturday and am thinking of going sans pills for the next month until my appt. Any advice on what pill I should switch to when I do see my dr.?

I had my Mirena placed almost exactly 3 years ago. For about the last year, I've had pelvic pain almost constantly. I've gone to my gyno and she's given me several ultrasounds. All show that I have multiple follicular cysts on both ovaries. I am starting to worry that I have endometriosis and my gyno won't give me a laproscopy to find out-you won't believe her reason. She says because I don't have a problem with fertility (I have 3 children), that she's pretty sure that isn't what's wrong with me. So, I was talking to a friend who has endometriosis and she gave me her gyno's name. I have an appointment on 18 August and the nurse told me to consider, in the time I'm waiting for my appointment, having my Mirena removed. I have battled depression for quite a while, I've never been able to lose my baby weight (my oldest turned 4 last month) and recently, my pelvic pain has become so bad that I have considered going to the ER a few times. Also, I have lots of cramping in my back. And something that I never considered being a symptom of the Mirena, I'm having a lot of trouble remembering things. If I'm trying to say something sometimes, I can "see" the word I want to say but I can't get the word out. But I've seen a lot of other posts here that describe the same thing. I was honestly afraid I had some horrible brain tumor. I have recently gotten divorced, so I don't need the BC anyway. I had another ultrasound last Thursday, with the same results, only this time, my gyno told me to go see a gastroenterologist (sic). Basically, I felt like she was saying "don't bother me anymore because I can't help you". She never, ever suggested removing the Mirena and stupid, gullible me never considered it because I trusted her that it's not the Mirena. However, now, reading these experiences that are so similar to mine (and my sister, who also has a Mirena and is having the exact same symptoms), I am going to call the gyno on Monday and tell her I want it removed at my appt next month. Thanks for sharing, ladies.

They think that I have either crohns or ulcerative colitis. I have tried antibiotics, lialda, mesalamine enemas, with no improvement. After another colonoscopy they put me on prednisone at 40mgs, 30, 20, 10, then 5 decreasing weekly. Well the first week was okay. I had some of the side affects, insomnia, extreme hunger, and crazy. I could deal with that. But then when I decreased down to 30mg, my body flipped. I awoke from the middle of the night with burning pain in the knees. So bad I took 4 ibuprofen and threw myself in the tub with epsom salt. I thought okay that was weird because I have never had a joint pain in my life. I saw the gastroenterologist that day bc I was still having abdominal pain. He totally blew off the knee pain and said he had no idea what that was. I thought okay maybe it will go away. A few days went by and nothing. 3 days later and I awoke one morning crying in pain because of my legs. I called the on call doctor who also said he had no idea and go to the er. So I went crying hysterically for 4 hours. Even after 3 rounds of dilaudid I was still in pain. They suggested a Rheumatologist. So I went to one a week later who said I was going through steroid withdrawals. And there is nothing we can do but treat the symptoms of pain. I am now down to 10mgs have been out of work for 2 weeks and am absolutely miserable with severe leg pain, muscle weakness and fatigue. He also adjusted the drop down increments to 5 instead of 10. Anyway I will never take this drug again and I think they rushed to this one. Just wanted to share. I am glad I found this website because I went from a fully functioning physically fit 28 year old to a crippled crying crazy person. I think I was scaring my husband, honestly, until we both read some of your postings which were similar.

I can't believe that after months of searching for an answer to my daughter's health problems I may have found it! My daughter was a healthy, active happy child until recently. She is 17 and started experiencing joint, bone and muscle pain and swelling, unexplained rashes, migraines, tingling in her hands and feet and was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic synchrony (heart rate and bp out of synch) shortly after her first shot (she was 14).

We have been to a rheumatologist for the joint pains, they did blood work and there is a marker for some sort of auto immune disorder, but nothing specific.

I never connected the dots to the shots. In January of this year she started having severe diarrhea, stomach and intestinal pains. She has no energy, the most basic activities wear her out. We ended up at a gastroenterologist looking for a diagnosis (they thought it was Crohn's or lupus). All the tests have come back negative, they said she had gastritis and blew us off. She is on medicine for the intestinal pain, a prescription for an antacid for gastritis and an anti-inflammatory for the joint and bone pain.

She was a straight "A" student up to January and has had to finish her junior year at home. It has been a very stressful experience for all of us.

Right off, my main suggestion is if you are experience these symptoms, just simply tell your doctor you don't like the side effects and to prescribe something else. I just finished taking Prevpac which contains Biaxin. I never did get diarrhea or stomach cramps. Day 1 and 2, I did not much of any problem. Day 3 I had a headache all day and then at night my hands and feet were freezing, I couldn't get warm. In the morning, I felt nauseous and my heart was racing. I made it to work, but then got the shakes and had a trouble concentrating. I ate extra food which helped a little. But I think it was on night 4 when I went to the ER in the middle of the night because I woke up with a strange taste in my mouth, then my heart started racing. I felt sick, wide awake, dizzy, faint and generally didn't feel well, so I panicked. I stuck with the medicine because the doctors told me that the side effects were not from the medicine. My general doctor gave me generic Xanax which calmed my nerves (I only took it a few times throughout) and sleeping pills, which I did not take take. All my doctors (the ER doctor, my general doctor and my gastroenterologist) told me that these drugs are not causing my symptoms: anxiety, nervousness, shaky hands, cold hands & feet, racing heart, etc. I resorted to Reiki and Meditation, which helped somewhat. Every day at some point, I get the shakes, jitters and anxious and still some problems at night. On my twelve day, my daughter suggested drinking a large mug of warm milk with honey and cinnamon in it (I added a little carob powder too) about 45 minutes before going to bed. She said it would help with nausea and I would sleep better. It was the first night that I had a good night's sleep. My daughter told me she also had a similar side effect and went to her doctor the next day and asked for something else. I just finished the 14 day therapy. We'll see how long it takes now for me to get back to normal. I'm going to print out these posts and hand them in to my doctors.

I had several headaches while on Flagyl. I stopped taking it and several days later the headaches have been constant for two weeks. My gastroenterologist does not think Flagyl is the cause but I feel otherwise.

I have many of the same symptoms as everyone else... miserable stomach pain, diarrhea, terrible headache and heartburn. this drug is awful. I've never had this sort of reaction to an antibiotic before. Today is only day 4 and i'm afraid to take the pills. Has anyone heard that the side effects get better as your body gets used to the drugs?? I'm in the middle of taking exams and I was worried about this throat and ear infection interfering with my studying. I think I could have managed the infection better than these drugs.

My 12 year old daughter completed the 3rd round of the Gardasil shot in late August of 2008. School started the next week. A couple of weeks later, she became ill and I rushed her several times to the doctor and to the emergency room only to have the doctor say she had a virus. After 2 weeks of horrible pain, nausea, and headaches, I took her to the emergency room at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. She was referred to a Gastroenterologist where she has been going ever since. The doctor has had her on pain medicine since December to help her cope. I analyzed all of her information and compared it to the 12,000 cases in the VAERS database and I am convinced that the shot made her sick. NO DOUBT! The database is located at http://www.medalerts.org/ and you can run the lot # of the dose given to you through the database to determine if their has been any adverse effects noted. The first dose that Lauren had was listed 78 times. Her second dose was listed 70 times. Her third dose was listed 74. I researched the ingredients contained in the shot and the one that I am concerned with is Aluminum. After researching the effects of aluminum poisoning, I believe that she has all of the signs. I begin treating my daughter at home with sublingual (dissolves under the tongue) Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C tablets available at the local drug store over the counter. My daughter has been sick for 7 months and has missed almost her entire Eighth Grade year. As you can see, since starting the vitamins, she has gone from being sick 97% to only being sick 28% of the time. This is a BIG improvement and this may help other young ladies who are affected. I don’t think it will help all, but as sick as these girls are, I don’t see how it could hurt. Her doctors at Wake Forest are aware of what I am doing and agree.

Month Sick Well
SEPT 93% 7%
OCT 97% 3%
NOV 83% 17%
DEC 87% 13%
JAN 71% 29%
FEB 43% 57%
MAR (WK 1-3) 28% 72%

My daughter has been referred to Duke Medical Center now and will go for her first appointment in about 1 month. The FDA and CDC need to pay attention to what is going on and pull this drug off the market. If you have been affected, please ensure that you report your reaction to the VAERS Database. Your doctor is required to report adverse effects, so demand that they do so.

I hope this helps, and if anyone tries the vitamins and it does help or if you would just like to ask me some questions about my daughters experience, email me at ****** and let me know. I will update the doctors at Wake Forest and Duke. Hopefully, if we band together, we can get to the bottom of this and figure out what to do help these vaccine injured girls.

I can't believe I didn't find this sooner! I was on the Nuvaring for about 4 years and just last month traded it in for the Mirena.

At first, I was thrilled to find the Ring as I have a very hard time taking pills because I've always had a sensitive stomach. The patch was messy and sticky so I was excited to find the ring. For the first couple of years, the only problem I had was keeping it in place (it would continuously fall out) so I just got used to having to push it back into place every time I used the restroom. Every. Single. Time. But it was worth it because it made my periods much, much lighter and more manageable (i usually am down for the count for a few days). I also did the ring continuously without taking a week off because I still had some pretty terrible periods.

About two years ago, I started gaining weight uncontrollably, became very depressed, lethargic and achey. One day I came down with a terrible case of bronchitis and was put on a heavy duty round of antibiotics and steroids. After, I started having terrible heartburn and IBS symptoms which lead me to a gastroenterologist. Every test imaginable was performed, but nothing was found. I was told I had a nervous stomach. Unsatisfied, I got some bloodwork done and had abnormal blood glucose levels. My diabetic husband gave me a glucometer and I realized my blood sugars were totally out of range. I ended up at an Endocrinologist and all tests came back normal. I was also referred to a Rheumatologist for my achy body and joints. I found a list of symptoms of hypothyroidism and was convinced this is what I have, so I was put on a very low dose of Synthroid. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on a whole mess of anti-inflammatories and pain killers.

Unsatisfied with my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and totally unwilling to admit this is something I have to live with for the rest of my life, I began working with a nutritionist who has helped me get off all the medications (except Synthroid). But still, I hadn't slept through the night in years (getting up 3-4 times a night to use the bathroom), I was terribly achy, irritable, nauseous, constipated and still gaining weight.

Recently, my insurance changed and I decided to get the Mirena. Within a few weeks, most symptoms have drastically improved, my family notices a major change. I actually slept through the night last week, only 3 weeks after using the Ring for the last time. I haven't lost any weight yet, but the fact that I even CAN exercise is monumental. More than anything, I'm thrilled at the prospect that everything was caused by the Ring, the one constant no matter what I tried, and maybe I won't have to live with Fibromyalgia for the rest of my life.

I can't say with total certainty that the NuvaRing caused all my problems, but it is absolutely astounding that all of us are experiencing the same terrible symptoms and none of our doctors have bothered to think that it could be the Ring. I'm angry about this. Why don't they know about these side effects??

Yes these side effects are listed in the package, but they're the same side effects from pretty much every medication... and I don't know about all of you but this thing came damn near close to ruining my life. I couldn't work, sleep, eat, exercise, clean my house, etc. etc. It's no heart attack or stroke, but definitely life altering.

I think health care providers need to be alerted to these symptoms and the possibility that the Nuvaring could be causing it all. It would have saved me thousands of dollars in medical bills and despair. Patients should be warned that the side effects are very real and can be debilitating. I'm almost sorry I found this so late (after I already got rid of it!) but I'm glad I found it nonetheless.

Good luck to all of you!

I have Crohn's disease and have been on birth control since before my diagnosis. I use to have flare-ups of the disease every now and then (I was on Mircette). Then last year, I was put on Nortrel and my disease started acting WAY up. I was put on the NuvaRing two months ago and I am having even more flare-ups now. Is there anyone who has a digestive disease and have had their symptoms worsen with the NuvaRing?

This is a warning to those of you who are going off of Yasmin in an attempt to get pregnant! (along with a few other issues)

I was on Yasmin for almost 3 years, and I'd like to first say that I had SO many stomach issues since being on it that I had eventually been sent to a gastroenterologist by my GP. My gynecologist swore up and down that Yasmin could in no way be the reasoning for my stomach issues (nausea, motion sickness, diarrhea etc) however, I've recently gone off of Yasmin in an attempt to get pregnant. Here's where my huge problem comes into play... About a week and a half after going off of the pill I started having severe dizzy spells as well as fatigue. These symptoms persisted for the next 2 weeks or so and then about 4 days before I was supposed to get my period I started experiencing intense cramps. Of course my fiance and I were a little bit disappointed because this meant that those side effects meant we hadn't successfully conceived. So a few days go back, as does the usual Wednesday that I receive my period. So Thursday I decided to take a pregnancy test and to our complete and utter surprise it came out positive! We were so excited, as were our friends and families. So again, a few days go by (and I never got my period) and my cramps persisted night and day. Then I started experiencing sickness at night time when I tried to go to bed. We of course thought this was due to the pregnancy. Then Monday at about 4AM I woke up in complete and utter pain and went to the bathroom and came to find out I was bleeding. We completely panicked thinking I was miscarrying. I ended up spending that entire day in the hospital and later the next day we found out I was never pregnant. We had gone through a river of emotions within those 2 days and although we were very glad we hadn't miscarried, it was also devastating to realize we were not yet pregnant. False positives are very rare, and I'd have to say that they SUCK. So watch out girls, and make sure to go to the doctors for a blood test ASAP before getting too excited. Just wanted to let you all know.

As for us, we're going to keep on trying and hoping for the best. I of course never intend on going back on Yasmin as I've discovered I've been completely wasting my and my gastroenterologist's time due to this medication.

I've been taking Omeprazole 40mg's once daily for two weeks now. I'm 28 years old and up until September have never been sick a day in my life. After an endoscopy, was diagnosed with a "hiatal hernia" after months of a mysterious vomiting syndrome and put on this drug by my Gastroenterologist.

The first week and a half was great, it was able to control my vomiting. But now, after thirteen days of taking the drug, I've been feeling incredibly fatigued over my whole body, like the way you feel the day after you lift weights. Stabbing pains in my ribs, chest and abdomen that come and go. The feeling in my stomach of being "eaten" from the inside out. It's horrible.

Like others, I've also been getting quick, stabbing headaches that come and go in a flash. Joint pain. Muscle cramps. Bloating. Depression. Waking multiple times in the middle of the night. Strange and vivid dreams. Severe nausea in the morning when I wake up. It's all really, really weird. And as of last night, my vomiting has relapsed. Keep in mind, I've NEVER experienced ANYTHING like these symptoms before in my life.

I've got a follow-up appointment scheduled with my doctor in three days and I intend to get off of this stuff immediately.

OMG I am so glad I found this side. I have just started taking Yasmin.

Previously I was on Mercilon and found that I got very nauseous a few days before my period was due (this happened a week ago on Friday) so I asked the doctor to change my pill and he prescribed Yasmin. I have IBS and last Wednesday I had a several attack (I was on my period as well). I then started taking Yasmin the next day. By Saturday I had to spend the day in bed as I felt so sick. I actually thought I was going to be sick. There is a bug going round work so thought it might of had something to do with that or my IBS. IT started to clear by the beginning of this week, but even now my stomach feels like someone has kicked me, I just cant eat (the thought just turns my stomach) and I feel sick ALL of the time. Today I realised that this is most likely due to the Yasmin. I am going back on Mercilon as of next month. I decided I would rather put up with one day of feeling sick than all the time! The doctor and the pharmastic told me to continue taking Yasmin till my period but I just cant do that. I am not covered this month anyway because I changed mid way through my period so I might as well not take it and be careful for a month.

My sister takes Yasmin and has no problems at ill but its the worst one I have ever taken. I had problems with Dianette as well but my body cant take the high Oestrogen levels. I think it is weird how a pill can work for one woman and not the next when effectively they do the same thing!

I'm definitely going to go off Yasmin as soon as I'm done this pack. I am constantly in pain from my breasts to cramping all month long. My boyfriend can't even touch me sometimes because I'm so tender. Not to mention my lack of sex drive as well. Now to top it off, I have to go see a gastroenterologist for inflammation of my duodenum and a hernia. I never would have associated gastro problems with the pill. But after reading that a lot of you have experienced the same thing, I'm off for good. Just need to get my boyfriend to go under the knife..

I took Cipro three weeks ago for a UTI. Within days I felt bloated and my bladder felt numb. Doctor attributed it to my UTI. But after seeing a urologist she wondered if it wasn't the Cipro. I've had two ultrasounds, a CT Scan and an XRay. I am bloated, constipated, look 2-3 months pregnant, back ache, hip bones feel so much pressure. I am miserable. I get out of breath easy. Until this, I was a VERY healthy person. I had never had a UTI and I wish I would have known about this drug. Now they want me to see a Gastroenterologist to see what it wrong with me. I am SO ticked off that nothing has been done about this drug yet after reading the horror stories on the net about it.

i'm a fourteen year old girl, who has been completely healthy my entire life. about a week or two after i got the gardisil shot, i went on vacation in the outer banks. when i returned i started experiencing severe abdominal pain, feeling nauseated, fatigued, having muscle pains and confusion. i went to my family doctor, who diagnosed me with the flu and gave me antibiotics. days later, i wasn't getting any better so my mom took me to the emergency room where i was put on an iv for dehydration. i was sent home with medicine for the abdominal pain, which gave me no relief. i returned to the emergency room several days later due to the same issues, and was put on an iv for dehydration again. they took blood to test for a bunch of different things, but everything came back normal. i was sent home again, and over the next month i was referred to a gastroenterologist, where i had a CT scan of my stomach, an upper gi/barrium swallow, an upper endoscopy with biopsies, a MRI of my brain, and tests done on my liver and gall bladder, all of which came back normal. i was admitted to the hospital on august 20th, the day i was supposed to start high school. i was put on an iv again, and had liquids dripping in me for about 12 hours. my gastroenterologist seemed to think i was bringing everything on myself and might have a minor case of IBS. the doctor made me talk to a psych, who basically told me i must be stressed and had to be bringing it on myself. the doctor sent me home, telling my parents to force me to go to school. i cried the whole way home from the hospital, no one was even trying to make me feel better, and i hated the doctors for thinking i could bring something like this on myself. i started my first week of high school later than everyone else, i felt completely exhausted and threw up in the bathroom between classes. a day at school takes everything out of me, and i have to spend the next day in bed. my mom and i just saw all these side effects of the gardisil shot and are convinced that's what caused all this. i couldn't try out for the volleyball team, i've lost 14 pounds, i might have to re-do my freshman year because i'm missing so much, i can't hang out with my friends, i can't even go to homecoming and im honestly depressed because of all. this has ruined everything for me. don't let anyone tell you it's all in your head, its not, this is real and its effecting a lot of girls. please think twice before getting the gardisil shot

I am a mother of a beautiful 11 year old girl, who was a healthy 10 year old little girl until she got her second Gardasil shot! She received her shot on 1-28-08, and started having nausea shortly after (within a few days). She didn't mention it. Within a few months she started having abdominal pain. She was hospitalized on 4-20-08 with pancreatitis. She got out of the hospital four days later. She was on Morphine while in the hospital and went home with Vicodine. She still had residual abdominal pain for the next few weeks, but the doctor said it was normal. She went to school 2 weeks later and started having severe abdominal pain again. We went to the doctor's office where they found out that her enzymes were elevated again. We then were referred to a gastroenterologist. She has had countless blood test..... negative. She has had an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, many CT scans, fecal tests, and now she will be going in for another endoscopy, but this time she has to take the capsule cam. She was so normal before the shots she was boring, but now she has to miss school on a regular basis ( before she was an honor roll student) and has to miss out on some of the most fun school activities. All the doctors act like she is making it up and they think I'm just some crazy mom that wants to drug my kid. They keep wanting to label her with IBS, but she has no signs of IBS other then the abdominal pain. She now has been on several meds. with no help. She now has joint pain headaches, blurred vision, and she says that she feels weird, with no other way to describe it. I feel like everyone wants to turn the other way rather then to accept that this drug is hurting these girls and focus on treating them.

I know this is tough, tough on the girls and young women that are effected, tough on the parents, and tough on everyone who loves them. Please, just remember that you are not alone! I will fight till I die to try and find out what is wrong with these girls. Just remember that you have options, if you do not want to get your child vaccinated, you can visit ****** and there you can find out what legal rights you have to not vaccinate your children if you don't want to. They have the forms that you need and you can download them there.

I am so sorry for all of you that have been effected by this drug! You will all be in my thoughts and prayers, as always. Just please, spread the word, the more we talk, the more that don't have to be hurt like this. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories! They help more then you know!!!!!!

Hi, I am 25. I have taken omeprazole 20mg. for 4 months for my GERD, and after the fourth month, I started having these abnormal heartbeats. I am really worried if these are side effects of omeprazole, and if this medicine may cause permanent damage to the heart. So I decided to see my PCP and requested a change in medication, so he prescribed me 6 month-refills of Aciphex 20mg. It’s my second week now, and I feel this weird itchy feeling inside my chest. I feel like I am always tired, and breathe hard than usual. Id this a side effect of Aciphex? Should I stop taking Aciphex? And does achiphex damages the heart muscle, or cause CAD?

A grateful thank you to Adele and Oldcarpetcleaner-
I am so sorry that you having such problems- but it is reassuring to know that I am alone-
I am going to the U of Miami Liver Institute next week- and I will ask about CO-Q10; I have had a muscle biopsy-and I will make every effort not to have a liver biopsy-
I will try to find out what the time frame is for muscular pains- weakness-
even AFTER discontinuing Lipitor.
The bizarre thing -for me- is that the pain and weakness travel- not always in the same spot- but almost always reamin in my buttocks. The reason I ignored it for a couple of monthes as I was so actively doing squats aand weights- and thought it was the exercise. This drug seems to have had bad consequences for so many otherwise- previously healthy people.I will repost after I attend the liver Institute- -by the way- finding a true Liver Hepatologist- (NOT a gastroenterologist- they have liver and I have to travel to Miami . Good luck everybody.

Back in July of 2007 I had a partial Colectomy and was given Levaquin before the Surgery. When I woke up from the surgery I immediately felt all types of strange symptoms like, vibrating all over my body, anxiety, chills, Heart palpitations, tremors, insomnia, memory loss, and panic attacks. They told me that it was the anesthesia wearing off so I just sat in bed feeling that way for my entire 2 week stay in the hospital. When I went home these symptoms persisted as well as continued pain in my lower left quadrant where surgery was performed. It has been 8 months now and the symptoms are not getting better. They have conducted MRI’s, MRA’s. EEG’s, EKG’s, CAT Scans, X-Rays, numerous Blood Tests, and Thyroid tests but have found no physical problem. They can see that I’m having the symptoms I describe but cannot give me a reason for them. At first they thought that my Thyroid was having problems that turned up to be inconclusive. The doctors are currently referring me to a third Colorectal Surgeon, a Neurologist and a Second Gastroenterologist. We are also looking for a new Endocrinologist and will be going to the Cleveland Clinic for help. My life has come to a virtual standstill and I have no Diagnosis or direction to go toward other then the possibility that I have been affected by the Levaquin they gave me. I found a website that has all kinds of information concerning Levaquin poisoning. http://www.fluoroquinolones.org

Im not wanting to scare any of you, but my reaction to this family of antibiotics happened in Spring 2002. I took one dose of this quinolone antibiotic for a sinus infection and was in the ER four hours later. After taking the medication, I felt very fatigued and lay down on the couch, I woke up a few minutes later feeling like I was falling, and my heart sustained 170+ beats per minute heart palpitations for several hours. The last thing I remember was calling 911 because I was home alone and knew something awful was happening. The ENT's said that they had never seen anything like it. I experienced horrific anxiety attacks for weeks afterward. Keep in mind I had been a very healthy gal before and had never experienced any type of health problems. I now see a rheumatologist, a neurologist and a gastroenterologist. I have been diagnosed with MCTD (Multiple connective tissue disorder) a Lupus like illness. My neurologist says that my central nervous system was damaged in the reaction as well. He also says that physicians are grossly misinformed about this family of antibiotics, and in his opinion, anyone who prescribes them for anything less than a life threatening condition is committing medical malpractice. I agree wholeheartedly since my life will never be the same.

Hi. My eight year old daughter has been on singular for 6 months. She has had chronic stomach pains that she says feel like pressure. Her appetite is terrible. She always says she isn't hungry. I have to search for anything I think she will eat. She is very tall and very thin for her age. She grew an inch in the last year but gained no weight. First time her growth just stopped. No surprise as she doesn't want to eat. I took her to the doc several times and they think she has acid reflux and have given her 2 different acid eliminators ( which freak me out as well) Said she should see a gastroenterologist. We have appointment in March . I started reading this site and thought well maybe it's the singular. So I called her allergist and told them I was taking her off to see if that's why she has the stomach problems. They said I could since it wasn't a big trigger time(seasonal) and she wasn't sick with any cold or flu) She gets mild asthma when sick. Her allergist asthma doc thinks her stomach aches are related to the mucus dripping into her stomach. I have taken her off all meds to try to see if it could be the Singular. She also has been very tired and can't keep up in her dance classes. Her school teacher had to put her in the front of the class because she said she wasn't paying attention. She seems to lose it over anything that requires focus or attention.She also seems kind of depressed. She is worried that something is really wrong with her. This child used to eat normally and is gifted academically .Her tests results(taken while on the Singulair) went way down from last year. She was put in gifted pull out program from last year results but would have barley made it in this year based on her much lower scores. That does not make sense to me. Never has had attention or focus problems before. I will keep everyone posted. Does anyone know how long it might take to get this drug out of her system? Has anyone else had this kind of reaction to this drug? I also wonder whether she had reflux before but this made it worse? I had her blood tested for Celiac and general stuff and nothing showed up.I wanted to get the Singular out of her system before we see the G.I. doctor. anyway thanks, Elizabeth

I have tried to take Omeprazole twice - the first time for 9 days - and the second for 4 days with 10 days in between. The first time I took the drug I experienced severe bloating, wind and abdominal cramps and decided to stop. Those symptoms resolved after 4/5 days and I began to feel well and eat normally. Having then had an endoscope where the gastroenterologist found inflammation round the gastric outflow, I was encouraged to go back on Omeprazole. Within 3 days i felt v nauseated and have now stopped again - it seems to take a number of days for the symptoms to settle. Has anyone else suffered this? How long do the side affects last and is there an alternative that won't do this?