Heart defect symptoms and conditions

I'm glad I have found this site because as for most of you it has opened my eyes and answered a lot of mysteries about what is going on with my body.
As a 35 year old I gave birth to my first child in November 2007, gained all in all about 30 pounds in my pregnancy and like every one of you I was terrified if I was ever going to loose the weight. I am naturally athletic and slim so I was determined to lose it for all it took.
Within the first post-delivery month I have lost about 20 pounds, most of which was retained water and I felt great. In January 2008 me and my husband have decided on an IUD after debating few other options, this one had seemed the most logical and practical.
Because I have a heart defect and take meds for HB, I was never able to be on “the pill”, but my doctor has reassured me that Mirena is only localized hormonal contraceptive and that I will be fine. After 3 months and Mirena as my “companion” slowly but surely my weight was creeping up. It felt like never ending battle, me exercising, being on what I thought was a good balanced diet (with the occasional snack ) let’s face it, it’s hard work raising children and we need a chocolate reward here and there. My blood pressure as well took the upward clime not to mention a lack of sex drive and exhaustion.
After reading many posts on this and other websites about women with similar outcomes, me and my husband have decided to opt for other birth control options. I had my Mirena removed yesterday. My doctor was fine with my decision, she also didn’t think my symptoms were related to Mirena but admitted that she had several women come in with the same problem. She told me she has administered countless numbers of this contraceptive with many satisfied customers. And that is why we have options.
I am now considering the Para Guard IUD with copper, which is the same shape and size as Mirena IUD but without the hormones. I have decided I’d much rather have few heavier and longer periods, but be happy about my body and not feel bloated and tired all the time. It will take some time to loose the weight, but now what I’ll put in exercise and diet will actually show on the scale. On a positive note this morning my scale read 4 ponds less than yesterday, which gave me great boost. I know it’s only water weight but it’s a start .
Good luck to all of you on your search for the right birth control! May all of us be happy, healthy and strong, after all we deserve it! Amen

My turn...Ive been taking this pill for one week (first time ever taking any type of birth control pill). Ive never agreed with the whole concept ( I once had a heart defect; my mother had breast cancer; I have a history of depression ), and Ive been aware of the hormonal changes and side effects, but after 2 babies, both unplanned =o), and with a spouse who's 'sick' of the condoms, I decided to give the pill. So far I hate it. After just one day of taking the pill I became moody, depressed, crying for anything, and so irritable, even with my children. A week later I'm spotting (big time, not bloody, just brown); I'm cramping; nauseous; and Ive had a headache for 2 days now. I'm ready to quit this. I feel like I'm in my 1st trimester meshed with living through postpartum baby blues. Its horrible. Itd probably be tolerable if I were single, but I have to care for 2 kids under the age of 3, and I just don't have the energy to deal with this. Also, I just imagine the long term effects. These hormones causing all these crazy changes cant be healthy at all.

Was put on Cymbalta after taking Prozac because I just did not feel "myself". While on the Cymbalta, I could not sleep at all and my psych tried Rozarem first, then Lunesta and then Ambien CR instead of taking me off the Cymbalta! Still did not keep me asleep. Within two weeks of using this drug (with the Cymbalta) I had a "medicinal black-out" - one of the side effects. I apparently thought my husband was walking the dogs and went out garage where I fell down steps, cracking two ribs. I walked in and told my husband I think I fell. He thought I was drunk and just put me to bed. I have absolutely no memory of any of this. Also had three pychotic breaks while taking the Cymbalta and finally took myself off of it. This is day 17 of withdrawal. I don't hate anyone enough to wish this on them. You have brain zaps (like a cattle prod), vertigo, pain in your joints and muscles that make you scream. I would not let anyone go on either of these drugs, ever! I just went to a specialist yesterday in St. Louis that told me all my symptoms were related to my Mitral Valve Prolapse and that I have MVP Syndrome and I'm not crazy at all. For all of you suffering from panic attacks, depression, eating disorders, heart pain, insomnia, etc., have yourself tested for MVP. I have known I've had this heart defect since my late teens and I'm now 48. No one has ever told me that these symptoms are related to my prolapse just psychological issues!!

ALL, if you are taking TOPAMAX for migraines you need to read the article in last year's Science News where doctors have linked the migraines to a heart defect that is common in women and once corrected the migraines go away completely. Long term use of TOPAMAX may be detrimental to your health. I recently posted: My wife is experiencing massive hair loss. She had a metabolic panel ran on her to ensure it is not thyroid and is scheduled to see a specialist on hair loss next week. I just came off the National Institute of Health website at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a697012.html where they list hair loss as one of the problems with the drug. They recommend that you see a physician immediately. My Wife's hair was literally coming out by the roots and since her hair is naturally thin it won't be long before she is bald unless she can get it stopped.

Why or why... are all you people being given Lisinopril for high blood pressure? Atenolol (brand name, Tenormin) is as side-effect free as any drug, is specific for high blood pressure, and really lowers it with a very small dosage. There are tons of other similar drugs too. The ACE inhibitors should be used for heart (defect) problems. Mine is. I never heard of using an ACE inhibitor for hbp!!! Has anyone ever looked into this? You're taking massive dosages and getting very little results. What's going on?