Going mad symptoms and conditions

I’m a 47 Year old male Diabetic. I was prescribed Lisinopril about a month ago by my doctor, as a protection against kidney damage. I have a some experience with drugs, as I have a degree in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. I must stress that I knew nothing about the side effects of this drug before taking it,( I didn’t even read the instructions – that will teach me!) so for those who suggest that the problems are ‘imagined’ from reading the literature, in my case its just not true. I was given a 10mg daily dose, within the first day I started coughing, and suffering flu-like symptoms. As I had been given a flu-shot at the same time I just put this down to the injection. For the next few days I was feeling nauseous , achy and the cough was getting worse. I was finding it difficult to sleep, and found myself falling asleep all the time. After 4 or five days I started to have breathing problems, I was short of breath all the time, I found it difficult to climb stairs, and was waking in the night gasping for breath. I was also starting to find it difficult to concentrate. After about two weeks I returned to my GP, and advised him of the symptoms. He checked my chest, but could find no problem. He thought it was probably due to the flu jab, and would clear up in a few days. However I was starting to feel much worse. I was becoming distressed and irrational, my body was constantly aching, the cough was getting worse, I had no energy, and was becoming seriously depressed. I was suffering from blurred vision and stomach cramps, and eventually was escorted from work by my boss, as I was on the verge of a breakdown. All this time I was blaming it on the flu-shot, as Lisinopril is so commonly prescribed I couldn’t imagine that this was the cause. By chance a friend mentioned that he had had problems when he started taking it, So then I checked out the leaflet and the internet. There it was, all my symptoms – I was not going mad! I returned to My GP last week, A locum was standing in, who recognised the symptoms and told me to stop taking it. She commented ‘Your not the first I’ve seen with these problems’. I’ve been off for 3 days now and I feel a million times better.

Hello everyone, I have been going nuts trying to find people who have had side effects from the Nuvaring. I used to be on the patch before that, but I am sure many of you have heard about the deaths that occured to some people on it, so I decided to switch to the ring. It sounded amazing, leave it in for 3 weeks and that is it. The patch also used to come off here and there, so this sounded perfect. Then the side effects started. The only thing I ever had from the patch was a like a 10 pound weight gain, fuller breasts, and a regular period. I didn't know there are many women who feel extreme anxiety from certain birth control. Just within the last few months, I figured out the timing, and about a month or so, maybe less, after I switched to the ring, I started having serious anxiety, nervousness to where at times I thought I was going to have a panic attack, feeling like I was going mad, every so often would have a breakdown, gained more weight and in places I never had before, occassional night sweats, occassional chest pains, though could also be related to anxiety, depression, crying many times a week, and some other effects. I just started counseling because my anxiety has hurt my relationship. I always had a healthy worry when it came to my fiance. Part of it is caused by my past, but nothing I couldn't let go. Now I have for about a yr and a half constantly think he is going to cheat on me, always think he is lying, checking his phone as I see someone else posted on here as well, etc. I also worry about my friends too, like when they don't return my calls soon, I worry they are mad at me. I started therapy because all of my friends and family thought I should because they all see the man I have, and I have lost sight in the beauty this relationship had. So I took the ring out almost 2 weeks ago so I could get my period, and staying off from now on. I know it takes a few months to get out of your system, so hoping the anxiety goes away. I have also lost my sex drive due to all this. I know I wrote a lot, but hoping to help out others with my post. I am glad you all posted, and thank you for making me realize I am not alone. Just remember, some other birth control can have the same effects, but not all. I may consider the pill after I let my body get over this. Good luck to you all, and for the ones who love it and have no bad side effects, i am happy for you. It is great because it is so easy, but unfortunately, can't use it.

I'm so glad I found this site. I, too, thought I was going mad. I had a baby 7 weeks ago, and have been on the nuvaring for 7 days. A few days ago, I started experiencing social anxiety, severe insecurities, crying at the drop of a hat, depression, severe nausea. I felt like everyone at the grocery store was staring at me. I found myself snooping through my husband's phone because I was convinced that he was having an affair. I'm a normally happy and confident person. When my tennis team asked me to lunch, I felt like it was only to be nice and that they secretely hope I won't go. I am feeling like a burden to everyone in my life. So, I took it out last night. Had great experience prior to having baby with the copper-t iud b/c of no hormonal side effects and it lasts 10 yrs. My husband is going to get a vasectomy, but I guess we'll use condoms until he's cleared with that. Thanks for listening.

I've just started taking Yazmin again for the 3rd time. The first time I took it I was on it for two years and when I split up with my partner I decided to take a break from it. It wasnt until I went back onto it again after about 8months I started getting very moody and decided to stop taking it to see if it made a difference. Within a few months I was back to my usual self. After a miscarriage during this year I decided to take things easy and go back onto the pill for a while. I am now on my second pack and I feel terrible. I am very depressed, my body is very sore and I am extremely thirsty and nauseous. The slightest little thing bothers me which is not usually the case. I have read through quite a few of these comments and I can relate to a lot of them, thank goodness I thought I was going mad. All I hear is good things about Yasmin, which I am sure is the case for a lot of women but it just does not seem to work for me.

i have endometriosis, as well. i tried doing the vitamin thing for a couple of months but my peroids didn't get any easier, so i gave-in and went on BCPills. i was on loestrin which worked great for the 1st 3 months but then stopped working and i gained 8-10 pounds of water weight. i took a month off and went on yasmin and LOVED it! for the 1st 4 months, it was a dream come true - i lost the water weight, had TONS of energy. well, when i started working out again, around month 4 - i was fine doing cardio but as soon as i'd add weights to the routine, i would be hit with TOTAL exhaustion, muscle fatigue, etc.. i thought i was coming down w/ the flu or a cold and would take some time off...only to try again and have the same effect. this went on ALL summer - then i found out it might be YASMIN!!! apparently the increased levels of potassium in the blood can mess w/ the acidity in the blood and make the muscles hurt. my OBGYN refuses to accept it could be the pill (suggested i get tested for fibromyalgia, depression, etc.). i'm off of the pill now for a week and am still REALLY muscle-achey (sorta feels like the flu). does anyone else have this? does anyone have experience w/ how long it takes this crap to get out of the body? i just started at the gym this morning, only adding cardio for awhile... i am so frustrated!! i'm getting married in 8 months and want to be buff for the wedding but keep getting sidetracked w/ exhaustion. *UGH* can't wait to get yasmin behind me.

I'm soooo confused! I have just recently started feeling VERY depressed- when I fisrt got it put in, I was fine, no pms or anything. But I've now had it in for about a year and am thinking about having it taken out. My moods and my self confidence are very up and down. One moment I feel great and the next I want to scream and break things and cry. And I often do. I thought I was going mad, but having read these it all makes sense. I had been taking the pill and it made me depressed, so I got the copper coil put in. That caused me to have terrible periods, that were very painful and when I went to the family planning, the doc said that a mirena coil would be better for me and the hormones would not affect me, since the hormone is localised. But I have had bad acne on my face, chest and back and I had never had acne before. If the hormone is that localised, why is it causing the acne?! I keep thinking, maybe its just me being mental and its not the coil making me depressed. But I think thats just cos I feel a bit desperate- what the hell contraceptive can I use that wont make me depressed(no hormones)?? condoms are just rubbish. O and my sex-drive is currently non-existant and my relationship with my boyfriend is going down the drain due to that and the moods. My sex drive used to be healthy. My breasts have also shrunk but are painful. I luckily havent put on weight. I have really bad period pains, that feel like a 'snapping' feeling. If I ever had period pains before, they never felt that way. Its weird!
I don't know what to do. I will get it taken out-its not a financial concern for me since I live in Scotland. But it is stress to find something to stop getting pregnant!

Hi, Ive been on Yasmin for four months and am seeing my Dr this week to change it ASAP!!! I have severe mood swings and my mood plummets the week before I come off it, I've gained weight and feel generally depressed which is completely out of character for me. I'm pleased to read that I'm not the only one who has found this because I genuinly thought I was going mad and needed professional help because the booklet says that this pill is the new age contraception pill and doesnt cause any of the side effects I've been experiencing.

Dear Silke and all here,

toda i had my 12mth post yasmin bloods done and the results showed that i am low in iron....suprise...and my liver is not functioning at its proper rate a side effect no doubt caused through this wonderful drug. This she feels may be why i am carrying the weight besides eating and exercise well.
Just to update the new people to the site i struggled like you all anxiety , high blood pressure massive panic attacks to the point that i gave up a great job as i thoguht i was going mad, had the floaters in the eyes and now all these symptons have slowly faded but like you all in the beginning i felt like i was destined to feel so bad like i did. It got better around the 3-5mth mark and now apart from the weight gain and puffiness i am doing 90% ok. i work again can look after my three kids great and life is returning to how it was. I take every day religiosly flaxseed oil capsules, magnesium supplements and now after seeing a naturopath i am about to take whatever he prescibes for the liver natural of course. Just remember its going to get better i thought i was going to die, i felt useless could not ever go for a walk i quit my job and now things are ok, so take note and remember its hard every day but everyday is a day closer to yasmin recovery. Drink lots of water and i listened to charles linden relation tapes for my anxiety and i too think this helped train my mnd again to laugh at these attacks as a mindless game. Charles Linden wrote noone has ever died from an anxiety attack so remember whats the worst it can do, dont feed these attacks laugh at them and remember its the yasmin doing it and once your mind believes that the cycle begins to break
take care and you can always post me as i still check in each day
Lisa

i have been taking lisinopril 10mg for nearly 3 months. It has resolved my blood pressure issue But i have had constant dihorea and always feel tired early evening. I feel that my legs have started to swell and am carrying more fluid.
Am i going mad??

I thought I was going mad but thankfully to this site I have realised that Yasmin is the culprit for completely messing up my hormones. Depresssive, anxious,irritable, feeling inadequate, bleeding 3 times a month, irritable....the list goes on. Im coming off it as of now but im worried how long it will take to get my system back in order. I have been on it about 2 years.

Lu x

I was perscribed sulphameth for a mild urinary tract infection 2 aday for three days...It was the worst experience EVER..while at work I started to feel a little off not right ..what manifested was a huge panic attack uncontrollable shaking extremely cold then hot continual itching in the groin and my body was sapped of all energy I didnt feel like I could move a finger...Icouldnt sleep properly I just lay there like a lump of lead....I thought I was going mad until I realised it was highly coincidental to taking sulphameth...Ilooked up some sites and found this one...I am so relieved to know I wasnt mad

guys can some one please help me, please please please. im in an absol nightmare here. i started taking yasmin over 3 months ago, since ive been having severe panic and anxiety attacks. my boyfriend is an absol dote and when im normal i know i love him to bits but when im experiencing these moods/panics i start think all sorts of crazy things about him, nearly to the point of wanting to break up with him. when i go back to normal i look back on my episode and think "what the hell was i thinking" im absol mad about him. why is this happening to me? please help me i think im going mad. i just cant stop thinking and panicking. im a nervous reck. and my sex drive is non existant! is this side effect normal?

hi claudia (hope)
i know exactly what you are going through,i have been there myself (as have many many women on this site) i suffered extreme anxiety/panic attacks,they were by far some of the worst symptoms i had while taking this pill as i felt i was going mad or had some kind of mental illness,i really thought my life as i knew it was over,i am 32 years old with 2 young children but i felt that bad i didn't think i wanted to carry on...then i found this site and came across so many women in this same situation and it saved me. i have been off yasmin for 4 months now and my anxiety levels are way way way down,it is now mainly in the background and is a memory rather than a constant feeling of fear. the practical things you can do are...take a B vitamin complex, vitamin B6, a magnesium supplement and maybe a little zinc too. take really good care of yourself with regards to what you eat and how much excercise you do.drink plenty of water and i mean plenty as it is great for anxiety and great for cleansing the body of these hormones. on a mental level try to remember that these feelings are not REAL fear as there is nothing to be afraid of it is just a chemically induced mood,panic attacks although scary will never actually hurt you even though they feel like you are going to die or go crazy. stay positive ( i know,easier said than done!) and face your fear head on,i know it sounds crazy but by taking control you will begin to feel stronger and more able to cope. it WILL get better but it will take some time for your body to get back into it's natural harmony,have faith that it will get better and please please listen when i say you are NOT crazy it is this horrible pill. i started to feel better after the first couple of months with regards to the anxiety and i hope you will too.i still have hormone problems and symptoms but the panic feelings are virtually nil. try the supplements i mentioned and try to reduce your stress levels too. i wish you all the best and hope that this has been of some help to you

Hi Everyone,

Am I glad to have found this page! I've been on Yasmin for just over a month now and I am always absolutely exhausted. No matter how much sleep I have I cannot wake up in the morning am tired all day and I fall asleep almost as soon as I get in from work! I'm like an old woman and I'm only 21! I also feel really depressed, I'm not really a depressive person but I spent most of last night crying for absolutely no reason! I thought I was going mad but it looks like it may all be linked to this pill. I know this is a bit personal but I'm also experiencing major soreness after sex and it isn't due to dryness (if you know what I mean!) Has anyone else experienced this? I had this same problem when I was on Mycrogynon a few years ago but that took a while to kick in but with Yasmin it was almost straight away, I didn't have the depression and fatigue then though. Also, does anyone have any ideas as to what would be a better form of contraception other than just going back to condoms? Any advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks all x

Hi Ladies

I just thought I would update you all.

I stopped YASMIN in July last year, as I am sure you have all experienced I started to get Panic attacks, terrible anxiety I thought I had a brain tumour, I was convinced.
I did not feel right, dizzy spells,pins and needles in my hands and arms, Insomnia, etc, etc.
It did not go and lasted months non stop, I could not eat and the fear inside me was terrible, with two young children to look after I was going through hell.
I found out it was due to stopping YASMIN that was giving me these sypmptons, even though its hard to beleive you try to convince your self of this because you want to get better.

Every day and night I would come on this website and read non stop all the posts you ladies were putting in, it made me feel better, I was not going mad it was also happening to you.

I went back and forth to the doctors and drove them mad, unfortunately they have never agreed it was the YASMIN that had done this to me, but we know it is, I don't know what is in this horrible drug but to change your life iupside down it should not be on the market.

I have been going to a councillor for 6 months now and I would like to let all you ladies know it will and does get better, I have a panic attack and anxiety very very rarely now, and when I think back to how bad I was I can't beleive I went through such a horrible time, there is light at the end of the tunnell and when this horrible drug is out of your system you WILL start returning to normal.

I feel well now and just wanted to let all you ladies know, I desperately needed this site when I was at my worst and thought I would give you all a bit of hope.

Take Care
Joanne

Hi Ladies

I just thought I would update you all.

I stopped YASMIN in July last year, as I am sure you have all experienced I started to get Panic attacks, terrible anxiety I thought I had a brain tumour, I was convinced.
I did not feel right, dizzy spells,pins and needles in my hands and arms, Insomnia, etc, etc.
It did not go and lasted months non stop, I could not eat and the fear inside me was terrible, with two young children to look after I was going through hell.
I found out it was due to stopping YASMIN that was giving me these sypmptons, even though its hard to beleive you try to convince your self of this because you want to get better.

Every day and night I would come on this website and read non stop all the posts you ladies were putting in, it made me feel better, I was not going mad it was also happening to you.

I went back and forth to the doctors and drove them mad, unfortunately they have never agreed it was the YASMIN that had done this to me, but we know it is, I don't know what is in this horrible drug but to change your life iupside down it should not be on the market.

I have been going to a councillor for 6 months now and I would like to let all you ladies know it will and does get better, I have a panic attack and anxiety very very rarely now, and when I think back to how bad I was I can't beleive I went through such a horrible time, there is light at the end of the tunnell and when this horrible drug is out of your system you WILL start returning to normal.

I feel well now and just wanted to let all you ladies know, I desperately needed this site when I was at my worst and thought I would give you all a bit of hope.

Take Care
Joanne.

I am a 38 year old 'normal' UK female, and I have recently come off Yasmin, having been on for the last 6 months.

it was not until I read the posts on this site that i realised what horrible side effects Yasmin had for me - previoulsy I had thought I was going mad, and I had made an appointment to talk to my doctor about anti depressants and tranquilisers - but could not understand why I felt so awful. i became exceptionally emotional with unpredicitable mood swings, crying for no real reason, at any time - meetings at work were a nightmare - crying in the toilets became normal practice. Paranoid that everyone was talking about me, and that my boss was going to fire me. I felt very depressed and had very dark thoughts of ending things. I also felt like I had a really bad cold all the time and in 4 months had 2 bouts of acute sinitius with sickness. I have also gained about 20 pounds. My partner thought he was married to someone who was bi polar, as my normal happy self had become manic depressive who was constantly in a rage. I have a senior managment job and it became impossible to concentrate and my performance dropped a huge amount.

However in the month and a half I've been off Yasmin - I feel 80% of my usual self, and as soon as I stopped taking it I felt immediately better - like a fog was lifting. i'm gradually getting back to normal and I have now gone back to my old pill of Microgynon 30 without problems. The mood swings and crying have vanished (within a week), I feel my normal happy self and I'm feeling a huge amount better - and I have lots of energy. When I was on Yasmin I felt tired all the time, but I could not sleep. Sleeping is still not back to normal, but is better, however I do still have the night sweats others have spoken of. In the past week my head and sinuses have started to unblock and I've had huge amounts of mucus come out of my nose (aparently from no where) and my head is clearing.

I am a normal rational person and I cannot beleive that a BC pill could have this effect and had I not expereinced it I would not have beleived it. My advice is if you feel any of the above then STOP taking it and try something else. I can't beleive the difference in how I feel in myself and about others - basically for the first time in 6 months I feel good. Thanks to the ladies on this site for sharing as otherwise I would have just carried on feeling terrible.

I took this for about three weeks for acne. On the day the side effects started, it started with a back ache. Then the next day my hands and feet started itching like CRAZY. I didn't connect this with the sulfameth though. I started taking Benedryl to get relief from the itching. Two days after going mad from itching my hands and feet, I started getting chills and nausea, and I started itching all over my body. This got worse throughout the day, until at night I went to an urgent care clinic. The doctor there immediately said it was from the sulfameth. He gave me a shot to help with the symptoms. That did help with the nausea and chills, but the itching stayed with me for THREE WEEKS. My dermatologist gave me a prescription-strength antihistimine, but even though the sulfameth was no longer in my system, she said I could continue to react for weeks! I'm better now but am completely horrified by this drug.

hi there!!

i have been on yasmin for about a year now.
i took my last pill on the 17th april 2006 and am now on my periods.
i have decided to stop taking it because i have had the following symptoms;-
- nausea
- no sex drive
- mood swings
- numbness and tingling in the body
- severe anxiety
- depressive thoughts
- lack of interest in everything
- pain in the upper back leading to the back of neck and head
- ears and nose get really cold
- feeling like im going mad
- scared of something but dont know what
- severe migraines
- PANICK ATTACKS
- alternating diarhea and constipation
- stomach pains

i was ok on it at first had abit of NAUSEA but i thought it was worth putting up with it if it got rid of my acne (as i have polysistic ovaries) and it did.

the last couple of months have been hell i have suffered from severe panick attacks and migraines everyday i have been so so scared.

i have had bad upper back pain which goes to the back of my head and neck and effects my eyes, they hurt sooooo bad, DOES ANYONE ELSE SUFFER FROM THIS SYMPTOM PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

i have stopped taking yasmin its my 6th day of it and i feel better but not properly

IS IT YASMIN CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS?

IF SO, HOW LONG BEFORE I FEEL NORMAL AGAIN?

PLEASE HELP ANYBODY I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SCARED IM GOIN CRAZY!!!

THANKS

SOPHIE

Thank you ladies for your helpful comments about Yasmin! I have been on this for about 3 to 4 years and recently decided that I didn't need birth control as "NOT IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS" was very effective. I have now been off for 4 weeks and cannot believe the changes so far - I really didn't realise before what "Yasmin symptons" I had:

Tender breasts - they now feel great
Better circulation - I do not feel the cold as badly now
Night sweats - dissappeared
Insomnia - dissapeared. I now have a really good nights sleep. Happy days.
Bad wind - dissappeared
Diuretic effects - I could not believe how urgent I needed to go within 1 to 2 hours of taking a pill. Again this has now gone which makes long journies in the morning less stressful!
Blurred vision - much better
Panic attacks/chest pains/mood swings - hopefully these are starting to calm down. I certainly feel a lot more relaxed about life in general rather than having the "I cannot cope feelings"

I cannot believe how Yasmin has controlled my life for so long.

Thanks again ladies for your comments as they convinced me that I wasn't going mad - just being chemically controlled!

Good luck to you all

Jud

PS My doctor didn't sound at all convinced when I told her I was coming off it!

Wow, this site has totally amazed me.. I thought that I was going mad for the past couple of weeks, but I am seeing now that that is not the case.

I have been using the Yasmin pill for the past 3 weeks. In that time I have like so many of you experienced: nausea, such sore breasts, a headache that has so far lasted for 8 days, bloating, mood swings, irrational anger, excessive tiredness and a giant drop in my libido. A lot of the symptoms feel like pregnancy - so I am going to get a test today. I fear though, that they are more a result of the pill than from being pregnant.

My doctor, did not tell me of any of these adverse side effects, he simply said it would clear up my skin. Heh... well its certainly done more than that. Does anyone else get the feeling that the pharmecutical companies are paying lots of $ to keep the actual effects of this drug quiet so that sales continue to increase? I don't understand how if so many people are using it and having adverse effects that it is being recommended so frequently. *sigh*

Yesterday, when I found this site (in tears) I decided to stop using the pills, I wonder how long it will take this body to find itself again. Any thoughts on the ratio between the length of use and the amount of time to recover would be appreciated.

Good luck to all of you, and thank you for sharing this important information.

Silke,

How is the weight gain going? it's been 2 hell weeks lately and i feel like i'm going mad......
Sherry

I started yasmin a year ago, thought it was good, but i have felt so depressed and down and anxious, thought it was just me going mad, but i have always been such an upbeat person, lately i have had dizzy spells, this morning i thought i was going to pass out so i had to lay on the floor for ages, which scared my 3 and 4 year old boys, later that day i went to the pharmacy as i felt much better apart from a tigh feeling in my chest the pharmacist checked my blood pressure ( i couldn't get into my doctor as she was ill) anyway the pharmacist said my blood pressure was high, which i have never had before not even during pregnancy, he said i need to see a doctor, i stumbled on this site accidentally and i know i am going to go off yasmin for sure now, I am a healthy 32 year old who isn't overweigth i eat a good diet and have never been unhealthy so i can only think this is the only medicine i take, and i have never felt so crappy, thank you all for making me realise i am not going nuts

Hi guys!

this makes me feel assured I am not going mad by hearing you also are suffering.

I took yasmin around 2 years ago for a short period notably 9 months. Whilst i took it i was relatively happy as i lost alot of weight and my skin ws great. However i was suffering from panic, anxiety, fear insecurity and open to many virouses i have never been ill so many times in a year stretch!. The most damaging thing came after I stopped the pill when my periods stopped completely for nearly a year and i was told i may be infertile! it ha sput me off all pills altogether. Since stopping the pill my weight increased far more than prior to the pill and once my periods restarted i have exèrienced severe pms and anger this is destroying many of my relationships and also my sex drive has decreased since the pill confused my periods!.

Please watch carefully what happens to your body and mind when on this drug and remeber to take a few months off a year to see how it could be effecting you in the long term, you never know how speacial fertility is until you are lead to believe you may no longer have it!.

much luck to you all and if you share something similair please let me know.

THANKYOU

Just wanted to let you all know how much better I feel from reading your posts, I feel better knowing that I am not alone and not going mad, the anxiety is driving me up the wall but I now know that I will get better.
To the lady who said how anxiety makes her feel about her little girl, I understand I am the same and it is a shame because I cant even let the kids play normally I keep thinking they will have an accident, I have a little pool out and watch them like a hawk incase they drown bear in mind it is not even up to my sons knees and he has been going swimming for over two years now, well hopefully we will all get better soon.

Thankyou
Joanne.