Havoc symptoms and conditions

Prednisone has messed up my head. I had Bells Palsy (which is paralysis of one half of the face) and can be very scary. I have had some depression before but this stuff made me fall off the face of the earth. I went from someone in control and quite happy to the absolute pits. The depression was quite severe and sudden and I had no ability to stop the downward spiral. It has played havoc with my life. In its defense, it cleared the Bell's Palsy up very quickly but the grief it has caused me through my altered mind state wasn't worth it. Insomnia (eg - no sleep for 6 nights straight) was a trigger and then the mood swings took over and then bang....full blown depression and an inability to focus, work properly or function. I am now on the road to recovery but it has been a pretty turbulent 2 months. Be very careful with this drug....very, very careful.

I had mirena put in in Oct 08. My symptoms are: dizziness, sweating, nausea, (these symptoms can be mild and brief (seconds); or last a few minutes. I had severe dizziness in May and June of 2009. I also get acne on my shoulders, neck, face, and my T zone is very oily (especially my forehead). I am using good acne products to try to combat this problem, but I continue to have a problem. Some of my acne is like welts and I even have this going on on my scalp. I wrecked my car in December 2008. At that time I was very foggy headed. I blamed the foggy headedness on being stressed and overworked. I am 40 years old. My children are 10 and 13, therefore I know my symptoms are not post pregnancy. Today, I questioned if I wasn't going through early menopause. My doctor said this mirena would be wonderful and that after six months I would not have a period anymore. I have a period every two weeks. My periods are very light, but I still have them every two weeks, and they last for two weeks. I have been wondering if my body will adjust, and if I will eventually get to this heavenly place of now periods and bliss?

jesus its really comforting to explore the possibility that all this unnecessary havoc is the synthroid! i have wasted the last four years in complete confusion, and utter weirdness .and frankly feel old as hell ..
ive always felt up until 5th grade, the times would never be so jolly, but the last four have been dead since my diagnosis at .75 mg; i feel like a numb, lifeless, terrified kid trying to feel something, if anything at all. I have experienced many of the symptoms below, hair loss, anxiety, extreme bipolar moods, and depression. I want to cry for keeping my mouth shut for so long and i constantly fret and worry that age twenty is killing me faster than other people for no apparent reason- im done and would be thrilled to cash in my manic depressive cynicism for a sleepy and happy soul. now i have to figure what to do next...any suggestions other than throwing the shits in a fire?

I'm so relieved I found this site! I've been on Quasense for TWELVE DAYS and I am in a living hell, I feel like a prisoner in my own mind. Ever since I started taking these pills my mood has plummeted. So severely I had to see a psychiatrist! I am not generally a sad person, so when I realized I was constantly depressed for a week straight, I thought of what had changed just recently, and what do you know? This is the pill from hell. Today is the day I decided to just stop taking them all together.

I have gained weight being on Loestrin for 3 weeks... and been SEVERELY BLOATED non stop for 3 FULL WEEKS. It's like I'm pregnant or hiding a water balloon in my pants! The pressure is so horrible especially after I eat. Not to mention the breakthrough bleeding and depression! I was on BC pills for 11yrs straight - went off for a yr and went back on and have tried Yasmin. No difficulties what so ever, thought I switch to Loestrin to save money and all I did was week havoc on my system. I will NEVER AGAIN TOUCH THIS PILL. I am starting to take Yasmin again and can't wait to be normal. I can't fit into any of my summer pants...

I'm trying to determine some sort of pattern based on each woman's experience with different brands (estrogen/progestin levels) of birth control... Recently my gyn prescribed Loestrin 24, I have yet to begin a cycle but am trying to gauge possible side effects.
Generic Ortho-tricyclen: AWFUL!!! Reeked havoc on my emotional stability. Bitchy, moody, impatient, weepy (constantly), and weight gain. I did not notice any sexual side effects though.
Yaz: Better than Ortho... Random periods (heavy one month, non existent the next). Emotionally and sexually I feel fine, but hard to measure after taking Ortho and Cymbalta.

Please share thoughts and experiences

I have a question. I'm 27 years old an just switched to Lestrin from Yaz. Had no problem with weight on Yaz. Been on Loestrin for about 2 weeks and have gained about 10 pounds. Anyone else have this issue?

Hello hello,
I am feeling like myself again. WOW!!!! Who could have thought that something so small could cause so much havoc. Taking it out was not painful at all. I was about to ask my doctor how painful it was going to be when she told me "I already took it out". I was like whoa!!!!! Instantly, the intensity I feel from the migraine headache subsidized. I mean I could actually open my eyes fully and not worry about the light in my eyes. That headache was so bad I will never be able to describe it fully.

I AM HAPPY again. I almost forgot how happy and fun I used to be, but not anymore. No more headaches, bleeding, bloating, severe TIREDNESS AND MOOD SWINGS, migraine headaches, aches in my entire body and the tingling feeling, low energy, etc etc....no more of these. And guess what? I am able to fit in my size 8 pants again and mind you; I only took this thing out on May 21, 2009--yes I mean it. I was barely fitting in my size 10s because I was always so bloated. I have had energy to cook, clean, play with my 13mth old, work out, eat when I'm hungry (not the other way round with the Mirena), and so many other things I wasn't ablt to do before.

My husband and I are close again if you know what I mean-:).
Ladies, I said it here before and I will says it again - you know your body better than anyone. If you are not feeling like yourself (and u're sure u started noticing the changes after you had the Mirena put it), please have a talk with your doctor and insist they remove it.
My doctor was very understanding about the whole issue. She even took the site address and made notes of all the symptoms I talked about. She has known me since I was a teenager and she knows I cannot simply be imagining these things that were going through my body.

I just wanted you all to know that you see and feel the difference - you really do. I dropped 6Ibs since it was removed...I hope the trend continues. Wish you all the best!

To All...

I am an anchor and the Medical Specialist for the CBS station in Louisville, KY. I have read these compelling and shocking accounts of the side affects with Singular. I have also been in contact with some pediatricians here in our area. I am doing a special report on this subject, the many accounts of side effects, and whats being done about it. I need your help. Are there any families who would be willing to tell their stories on camera? This is not to embarrass anyone, but to inform and raise important question for the public at large and the medical community. I am looking for families in the Greater Louisville,southern Indiana, central Indiana or even central Kentucky area. If you're nearby those areas, we are willing to travel to get your story. If you are interested, please contact me. My original post was deleted because I had my personal information on it. However, I will send more information in my reply to my own post. So again, if you are interested in telling your story, please look for that reply. I look forward to hearing from you.

WOOOHOOOO! MIRENA IS OUT!!! had it removed an hour ago and am looking forward to being me again. the only part of the removal that hurt was being held open with the speculum thingy but that is mainly because i have a very retroverted cervix and womb.(tilted backwards) once she got hold of the strings it took 1 second and it was out, that part i didn't feel at all. i passed a clot but haven't had any other bleeding yet.
the doctor who removed it said for most women the mirena causes no problems but for a few, who are sensitive to male hormones it can cause havoc (she's not flippin joking!)
i've also been to see my own doctor this morning because i've been having lots of heartburn, he said it was down to the male hormone causing muscle softening as it does in pregnancy, and allowing acid to come up. (these male hormones have a lot to answer for!!)
i'm hoping that now i'm free of mirena i can sort myself out and try and be me again, i feel robbed of the last 6 months, because i feel as if i've been elsewhere.

Hi. I've had the Mirena birth control for a little over a year now, and nothing but pain, confusion, and utter hell has come from it. I haven't had a period since the day my doctor put it in! I guess that is considered a blessing by most women but it concerns me. I have been diagnosed with not 1, not 2, but 3 Pelvic Inflamatory Infections since it's placement last year. The pain associated with this type of infection is excoriating. It quite literally feels like labor pains. I had contractions, which my doctor told me was just my uterus trying to push out the infection. But these didn't feel like regular contractions. There was no 1, 2 or 3 minute pause between them. It was an almost constant pain, only letting up for 1or 2 seconds and then continuing. I also had large amounts of yellowish discharge, moderate lower back pain, nausea and extreme headaches. I have scheduled a doctors appointment tomorrow to have it removed. GOOD RIDDANCE, I SAY! I have also had notable fluxuations in my mood and appetite. I have developed more acne on my face in the last year than I have ever had in my entire life! These symptoms seem almost constant and never seem to go away for more that a day or two. I too was told by my doctor that the symptoms would be minimal and that i was a perfect candidate for this particular contraceptive. Looking at all of these comments and side effects of other women posted here, I'de say that there are more women who have mirena and are having more than one complication out of it FAR out-weigh the women who have had no side effects. In my personal opinion i think that Mirena should be taken OFF the market and reviewed close and carefully again before putting back on the market to reek more havoc on general female population.

I have my mirena for almost 2 years know. I stopped getting my period a month after it was placed & I took a pregnancy test & it was normal. I was happy with not having a period but then I realized I was feeling the consequences. First I noticed nausea, then I started having vision trouble especially when I was driving, then anxiety/nervousness started, then a feeling of post-partum depression which just didn't go away & now I have insomnia constantly waking up in the middle of the night. I recently started getting headaches & fatigue. I am making an appointment to have it removed & to have a physical. I think the side effects start off slowly & gradually get worst. Anything that changes or alters your hormone balance will wreek havoc on your body & mind.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (hypothyroidism) about 9 years ago. My teenager was diagnosed 2 years ago. I have done a good amount of research and have also learned a lot through experience.
*The most critical thing is to NOT accept a generic brand of thyroid replacement. My GYN, family doctor, and my endo (who specializes in thyroid) have told me that generic pharms are only required to match the original drug's ingredients/strength by 75%. As my GYN said, if you're in the business of making a profit, and you can get away with putting in 25% less of the expensive (and unfortunately, the essential) ingredient, that's what you're going to do!
*Measuring T4 alone may not reveal hypothyroidism in the early stages, and it will probably not show everything that is going with your thyroid. I knew something was not right, but my old GYN (got rid of her) tested T4 only and said I was fine. I went to an endo who measures 1/2 dozen indicators, including antibodies and thyroid uptake, and I was correctly diagnosed. He also diagnosed my son early on, albeit, my son was exhibiting numerous symptoms. Which brings up another point -
*Everyone exhibits a different degree of different symptoms. So don't be surprised if your thyroid levels are higher or lower than you thought they would be based on your symptoms.
*Find a doctor that will work with you. I had a doctor that insisted my dosage was correct, even though I was still feeling very tired, had dry skin, etc. I finally found a doctor that acknowledged that there is a range of "normal" thyroid function. He upped my med a little, and I've felt much better.
*Know the signs of too high of a dosage - restlessness, eye and muscle twitches, trouble sleeping, etc. Our endo has us come in 1 month after prescribing a new dosage to make sure it is enough or not too much. If I was exhibiting hyper symptoms, I would not wait 1 month to be rechecked.
*Hormonal changes of any kind can wreck havoc on your thyroid - whether you're a male teenager or a peri-menopausal woman. Your thyroid levels can change quickly. If my son or I experience any new symptoms - fatigue, rapid weight gain, unusually dry skin, muscle aches/pains, etc. - I make an appointment w/ the endo. My son's thyroid had plummeted the last time I took him in, and the endo adjusted his med. Illnesses (flu, pneumonia, etc.) can effect your thyroid levels, as well as stress, so have your levels checked after going through a serious bout.
*Once you have your dosage correctly set - watch your appetite! Hypothyroidism can reduce your appetite, and once you've got that corrected, your appetite comes back. Keep a food journal to track your calorie intake.
*Have an annual thyroid ultrasound to make sure your thyroid is not enlarged and to look for nodules (very common w/ hypothyroidism.)
*TAKE YOUR THYROID 1ST THING IN THE MORNING BY ITSELF 1 hour before you eat. I had a friend who was taking her calcium supplement along with her thyroid every day and later found out the calcium was basically canceling the thyroid. Her doctor should have warned her about this, but I think they assume we know these things. Vitamins, herbs, cold medicines, certain foods, and other medicines/supplements can greatly interfere with your thyroid replacement.
*Women with hypothyroidism should take a calcium supplement (take one with magnesium for better absorption) because we are at greater risk for osteoporosis. I take mine at night, so it does not interfere w/ my thyroid replacement.

I have PCOS, and was experiencing dysplasia of the endometrium. After some search, a doctor recommended the Mirena. This was November of 2008. The installation should have been a clue of things to come. I have never had children, and had a tipped uterus, and as a result they had to use the clamps that look like needle nose pliers to grab my cervix, and after 45 minutes of stuffing, got it in. It was excruciating. I was working out 6 days a week, 2 1/2 hours a day, and eating South Beach Phase 2- and had lost 80 lbs and had maintained for 1 year. I asked if it would in any way cause weight gain, and was told it would not. Within the first month my diet/exercise regimen failed, and despite working out 7 days a week and resuming Phase 1, I was gaining 10 lbs a month- which my Doctor would not discuss with me except to dismiss it. To make a long story short, after life threatening edema and bleeding 22 or 23 days straight and with my now discovered sensitivity to progesterone, I required a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove an enlarged, boggy, and fibroid riddled uterus. I am doing 200% better now, and I am sure there are some women the Mirena works well for, but I was not one of them, and I feel the Mirena actually endangered my life (that and the arrogant doctor who inserted it and told me to be patient. I had it in from 11/2005 to 7/2007- is that time enough?) Please, please,please. If something does not feel right, do not NO for an answer. I did not want children so I was okay with losing the ability to bear children, but having a TAH at 38 is a life change that most younger women would not want. Would I have had to have it anyway? Perhaps. But I could have been in a position to be navigator in my care rather than reactive as I was forced to be.

Hi to all Yasmin victims. I have been off Yasmin for 2 months now and still experiencing anxiety in the mornings and depression. Silke, flower babies, whoever is there to help me believe this suffering will come to an end. I lost the joy in life, and cannot function as i used to. Please please write to me girls, i really need support. I am 26 and living on my own in another city. I had to move next to them for 1.5 months in order to survive. I lost so much weight, my thyroid started to work fast (it is under control now). I have a beautiful and loving boyfriend, and he is suffering with me too, our relationship is damaged a lot because of my severely depressed mood. I need to talk to people who are getting better. I am on antidepressants because I was soooo depressed and with no appetite. I feel much better compared to the previous month, I am trying my best to stay strong but sometimes loose my hope. I really need you guys, I really need your supporting words.

Oh my goodness.....my daughter, age 17, had her first injection in June 2008, started losing her hair w/in a month. We thought it was form straightening, some high lightening etc. She had blood work done which showed she was anemic...strange, as 2yrs prior her blood work was stellar, and she had not changed her diet, or physical activity. She increased her iron and protein intake (along w/ supplements).....three months later, and after her second injection, iron was still anemic....worse actually, and her hair loss significant.I found this website last night....and I am floored......I called MERCK today and spoke to a representative wh o was not aware of the hair loss issue, but said that in their case studies, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia was a side effect.....which leads to hair loss itself.....so I am researching now what to do next.....anyone else have this issue??????

I don't know if it was the two kenalog injections but I began to menstruate-three years post-menopause. I immediately was seen by my endocrinologist, trans-vaginal sonogram and endometrial biopsy done. i just received a call tonight informing me that a polyp was found and I will need to have a D & C. It sounds like endometrial hyperplasia and this is a very sudden onset - I had the same sonogram in February and all was fine.
I have now found out that steroids can "wreak havoc" with our hormones. I was schedule to have epidural injections of steroids for back and neck injuries. I will not have them now or ever- they are not as benign and helpful as many doctors would have you believe.

My 10 year old was prescribed levaquin for a sinus and ear infection, he has been "dizzy and lightheaded" and started having "horrible" nightmares. That was only after 1 dose. I don't think he'll be taking anymore. Thank You for this website! :) very informative.

I'm so glad I found this site! I thought I was going crazy! I got my mirena inserted about 2 months ago, and I feel horrible! I cramped severely when they were putting it in, after they put it in, and still now. I have really sharp pains every now and then that almost completely takes me to my knees. I've been moody, my l sex drive is shot, I have no energy, I'm bloated ALL the time, and I can't seem to loose any weight what so ever! I was previously on depo provera and experienced weight gain so that's one of the reasons why my doctor changed me to the mirena. I have not had any children yet. I thought maybe that was why I was experiencing such horrible cramps. I also, can feel it in me. My doctor asks as if I'm crazy too when I've told him what I'm experiencing. I am going this morning to see a new doctor. I know my body and there is something wrong! And the more I read these blogs the more I'm convened that it IS THE MIRENA!!! I'm just so glad that I'm not the only one experiencing these same side effects and that I'm not insane.

4 weeks post removal of Mirena. I have a question, and I am gonna try to not be so blunt, but I want to know if anyone else is having the same thing...intercourse and more so "inner" foreplay is a bit uncomfortable/painful, almost like the way it felt when the Mirena was in...anyone else having this problem? I have my yearly exam coming on June 5th and this is an issue I am defiantly gonna touch on. I'm just wondering if it damaged my cervix?!

Hi,

I just found this site, as I am looking for an explanation for the extreme joint pain that I am having, along with swollen ankles/feet. I have been dealing with some type of chronic contact dermatitis that no one has been able to solve, since last July. I have been on numerous steroids, then on Cyclosporine, for several months, which can play havoc with your kidneys. I also started taking Singulair for the itching, which is one of the few things that has really helped. Since November, I was taking Singulair on and off. But, as I recall, I began taking it daily since around late January. Around late February, I began having joint pain, which still continues, and lately, is becoming excruciating! When it first began, I blamed it on the Cyclosporine and kidney breakdown. But, since I have been off that, the pain has continued to worsen. Then I thought it may have something to do with the Doxepin, which I also take at night for the itching. I stopped taking that two nights ago, but the pain continues to worsen.

Now, from what I am reading, these blogs make me believe it could be the Singulair. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the pain to go away once you stop taking the Singulair????? I will gladly stop taking it if this pain will go away. In fact I will be thrilled, because I was suppose to begin testing next weak for possible Lupus, because it doesn't seem that the Physicians who prescribe Singulair, are well aware of these issues.

I would appreciate anyone who can give information as to how long it takes for the side effects to subside. Thank you!!!
(In pain in Boca Raton, FL)

Am I the only one who has gained a lot of weight while on Lisinopril? I have gained over 40lbs in 3 years. I have also experienced odd muscle cramping and have never made a connection to this and Lisinopril. The pain in my ear, side of my head, and my jaw was unbelievable. ENT dr thought it was TMJ or nerve damage. He was not able to really pin down the exact cause. One month later I was bed ridden with severe back pain, which I have never had before. MRI showed nothing. Headaches are daily, cough, leg cramps, chest pain, decreased sex drive, and definitely have feelings of depression. I have never made the connection between the changes in my personality, health, and lifestyle to this medicine; but now I have. I will be immediately contacting my doctor to discuss alternatives. My BP when I started was 150/90 and now is 112/70. Please let me know if anyone has also had the weight gain like I have experienced. I know I am going to have to have hard facts to show to my doctor. Thank you.

I don't know if my 1 1 /2 year old son's being diagnosed with low igG and low IgA have anything to do with singular. He just got off it 2 weeks ago, had been on it a year. He was tested for allergies everything was negative, but tested very high positive to gliadin IgG (95.5), and positive to gliadin IgA (14.8). Is this related???? HELP!!!!!! The GI Dr want to do an endoscopy on Friday May 2. Any help, I don't want my son under anesthesia unnecessarily..................

I noticed a lot of postings about weight gain on Singulair, which is nowhere listed by Merck as a possible side effect. My 15 y.o. daughter experienced sudden weight gain at the age of 9 when she was actually underweight (BMI went from 17 to 21). To make a long story short, after being off Singulair for over a year, she is now over-weight, and diet/exercise have never made a big difference (gymnastics, swim team, figure skating, trampoline, etc.) Extensive labwork is always normal & there is no family history of obesity. It's a shame the quality of life of a child is RUINED by a drug that is deemed to have "no side effects", and the many drs. & specialists out there take it very lightly. We continually worry about our daughter's self-esteem, risk of diabetes, and other complications from weight gain which is not hereditary and goes on unexplained by the drug co. Reversing this weight gain has been nearly impossible. Everytime I hear a news report about our children being overweight and obese, it makes me angry because I think about the many kids that are taking this highly prescribed drug (for even the mildest allergy or asthma) and who knows how many parents don't make the connection!

Hello to all. I am so glad I am not crazy. I found this site 1 day before my appointment to have the Mirena removed. I am so glad I did. I will give you a little history of myself. I'm 29 years old with 3 children. In July 2006, I had my 3rd child, and 4 days later I went into cardiac arrest. They diagnosed me with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy. While I was in the hospital they told me I could never become pregnant again. It would be too risky, cause the next time I could die. I was in a coma for 5 days, so waking up to that was hard to take. Before I left the hospital, they begged me to have a tubal. I told them no. When I went to see my doctor 5 weeks later, she wanted to put me on the Mirena, but she had to get my heart doctor's approval. He said according to what I have, I could even go on oral contraceptives and he wouldn't be concerned. But I read the literature on the Mirena and I decided that this was the best thing for me. The doctor inserted it in November 2006. It was very uncomfortable when she put it in. Then the side effects started, but until almost a year later, I didn't realize it was from the Mirena, since I was on heart medication too. The heart doctor took me off my heart meds in June 2007. Then that was when I realized that the symptoms was coming from the Mirena. I had absolutely no sexual desire. I felt horrible, but I couldn't help it. I told my husband of 10 years and he kept telling me to go get it removed. My back and neck hurt all the time. I had gained 16 pounds and felt bloated all the time since I have been on it. I thought that I was doing something way off, now I know that it was the Mirena. I had no energy at all. I felt like I could stay in the bed all the time and then when I would go to bed I couldn't sleep or if I did I kept waking up. I have been stressed and depressed. Then my throat hurt all the time. Also I have heartburn all the time. I have never had heartburn, except when I was pregnant. Then I bled 3 weeks out of 4 every month. So I have to wear a pantyliner all the time. So having to do that has caused yeast infections all the time (which I have never had before). I have never had that in my entire life. I have always been regular and normal. I have had abdominal pains, joint pains. I couldn't stand it anymore. I went to the doctor yesterday for my appointment to have it removed that I made 3 months ago. She said that she could give me this and that for some of symptoms, but I told her I just wanted it out. So thank goodness it's out and hopefully I will be able to see some improvements in my body. Already I have no bloating. I was able to get a pair of pants on today that was too tight last week. How amazing was that. I really wish I had googled this over a year ago or I would have never had it put in.
Thanks to all the ladies that I have listed their symptoms, to prove to me and others that we are not crazy.