I am grateful symptoms and conditions

I had a kidney transplant a year and half ago, and had to take Prednisone as one of my post-transplant med's. I was on it for about 2 months and I went through a lot of the same side effects mentioned by other people, increased appetite and weight gain in odd places, sleeplessness, and acne. Then recently I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and was again prescribed prednisone for three weeks, but this time the acne is so bad it looks like a rash, and it's all over my back, chest, neck especially, and on my face. I can deal with it because I realize it's what I need to do, and I am grateful that there is a drug that can treat the symptoms from the allergy, but I am wondering how long it will take for the acne to clear up once I finish the 3 weeks? Does anyone know how long it takes when you've been on it for that amount of time? Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.
Megan

I started taking Levaquin on Thursday October 4 for a sinus/throat infection. 5 days later and I feel wired out of my mind. Strange thoughts, increased energy intertwined with panic, wrist/hip pain, very little sleep. Severe stomach pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting, gagging reflex. Also mouth sores, and terrible taste in mouth. This has me very concerned. I am grateful that this isn't my imagination. Thanks for this forum. Why is this drug still on the market. Karen in Winnipeg, Canada

I am 43 (female) and have been on Singulair for a couple of months now and the benefits have been AMAZING! I have chronic generalized eczema and pronounced facial flushing which led to swelling and Rosacea. Since starting Singulair (with a Zantac and Reactine) my skin is almost always cool (it's been YEARS). The benefits for me have been as great as what the steroids do for my skin. I can tolerate more triggers and the freedom and self-esteem boost is unquestionably life changing.

But recently I started to bruise, over every-little-thing -- even a blood pressure cup created a ring of broken blood vessels. Then about 3 - 4 weeks ago I started getting deep lower leg pain, and cramping in my calves and arches. This grew more regular, and my hips joined in and I am now rarely without the pain and deep aches. Then the weakness started, it was most pronounced in my dominant hand, I can hardly write or hold a pen now. Typing is difficult now as my hands and forearms are so weak. Yesterday I couldn't pinch my fingers to pick up a potatoe chip! My arches are curled with aches, I am weak all over and getting really uncoordinated. Going up the stairs is a chore, going down is just wacky -- it's harder than going up I am so wobbly and my knees want to give out. It's getting so pronounced that I realized that this must due to something I'm taking and the only thing I'm taking new is Singulair so I decided to Google "Singulair Side Effects" and the first link I clicked was Carrie's post, which I replied too. Then I realized there was more and have been reading all the other posts.

I am grateful that it is just side effects and nothing more sinister. This weekend the accumulated symptoms had me a bit frightened. I was washing my hands and it felt like I sprained my fingers doing it. The ligaments just sort of let go and things began bending the wrong way. It happened when I bent over to put something in the dishwasher, it was like the rib cage lost it's shape for a moment (I don't know how else to describe it). THAT felt bizarre and got my attention. Not being able to pinch my fingers to pick up a chip was the final clue that something is going wrong here. I will stop taking the Singulair now. It's a shame this happened, it was really doing it's job for me. The price of the side effects is too high though.

After having been in the hospital taking intravenous antibiotics of all kinds trying to stop an infection of cellulis, and being asplenic (no spleen), I was SO pleased to to be discharged with Levaquin. I had no side effects whatsoever, so clearly every "body" is different. I am allergic to so many categories of antibiotics, I am grateful I can take this one. It finally killed the infection, I am happy to say. I did notice that the 750 mg was a little hard on my kidneys at first, but that went away quickly, and I attributed much of that to having had so many antibiotic concoctions in the hospital. Do note that the Levaquin 750 pill should not be cut in half (there is no "score" mark on the tablet). I cut it in half but learned later I shouldn't have done that. Still, it worked and I'm thrilled and alive thanks to Levaquin.

hi ladies foggyhead here i cant register on your new website it wont let me id like to be a part of it 2. also i was very surprised how touchy people got about postings i personally got alot of information from everyones posts and experiences it never bothered me if people communicated directly to each other thru here becuz i got to read the posts and it all has helped me to realize im not alone and that others experience my same symptoms. i like the long detailed posts it helps me im glad people have been pretty specific. anyone who comes here and takes the time to read most of these posts will see how this pill put us thru hell and can compare their symptoms. lighten up a little ladies we should all include each other and be kind to one another i am grateful for everyones posts here all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hope everyones doing well
foggyhead

Hello ladies,
I have not written in awhile but check this site every single day to receive strength and encouragement. My nightmare started in July when I began to experience panic attacks, depression and a host of other symptoms that frightened me.

I am grateful to this day that I found this site, because I am not sure how I could have gotten this far without it. Although my husband, family and friends are extremely supportive, I have always relied so heavily on all of you, your stories and your encouragement. Women oftentimes get a bad rap for being catty and bad to eachother. I think this site shows how compassionate and caring women are. To see you all lift eachother up lifts me up, and I am amazed that even when we cannot find the strength to encourage ourselves, we are able to write a post that shows our care and encouragement for others that are experiencing this nightmare.

Thank you to flowerbabies, silke, chris35, sophie, murphy 70 and everyone else for helping me through this because of your posts. I think of you all each day and hope that you are all doing okay. I am sorry for all the mushy stuff, but I just had to show you my thanks for your honesty, compassion and encouragement!

As for my personal experience trying to heal from Yasmin, I am getting through this. I feel pretty normal most days, but sometimes around my period I feel the anxiety again. It is not nearly as intense or scary as it used to be, but my fear is always that I am going to be that bad again, somehow, even though I do not think that is possible. The anxiety itself is not that bad for me anymore, but I guess my fear of what it has the potential to be, because of what it was a few months ago, creates deeper anxiety. I just try to do what flowerbabies says and think positive thoughts. I also want to echo what I heard so many women say and what I wanted to believe so badly...IT DOES GET BETTER. There were some days when I wondered if it would, but like I said, I am almost completely back to normal. I am proof, ladies! You can get through this. Your bodies are strong and amazing, and think of what they can do!
Take care, everyone. I am always thinking of you.
Eryka

I would just like to say one more thing about the drug prednisone. I hate all of the nasty side effects but, I will never forget that I almost died from a severe asthma attack. I developed broncitis and could not breathe...with tubes up my nose and an I.V. in my arm I was bed ridden for 4 days. I mean taking 10 lousy steps to the bathroom was exhausting. I was 29 years old and before this I was always healthy. I can complain to high heaven about getting swollen but swollen is better than dead. I hope someday there is a medication that has less side effects but, until then I am grateful to walk to my bathroom at home or anywhere in the world....thanks to prednisone. Jenn

I have asthma and used to get chronic bronchitis, twice a year for aprox. 30-40 yrs. I lost my husband 4 yrs ago and began having migraines. In addition to prednisone, I was a guinea pig for migraine meds. and pain relievers. Eventually we found that a beta blocker would prevent and another drug would relieve a migraine so i was loaded for bear. I also took about 8 advil every day just to move my hips in the morning. I was loosing control of my weight again. Feeling depressed about what I was doing to my self.
One day I heard about MSG and remembered a teacher in 1980 telling me to "stay away from that stuff, its poison" and we would laugh and say "Alright, Mr Rhodes" and keep eating the cheese curls because they were soo good. well I became curious and started researching MSG and I was amazed and appauled. Google it sometime, and follow the webring on the bottom of some of the pages. It hit home with me. I began changing my eating habits for me and my children. It was a slow process and alot of trial and error, but we have found foods that everyone likes and I balance it out. My 12 year old daughter was slow to come around, but she began trying new stuff and seeing that "healthy" isnt all bad. I use only whole wheat flour, brown raw sugar, NO ASPERTAME EVER, fresh druits and veggies, small portions of meat, and organic when i can afford to. I have lost 49 lbs since november and i feel great! after some weight came off I began to exercise, and slowly stopped taking medications. Today I am happy to say that I am drug free, Not even advil and I blame MSG as the main culprit. Other things I avoided is hydrogelated/hydrogenated oils of any kind, high fructose corn sugar. If I can help even one person by sharing my experience I am grateful. Please if you have trouble, try to live MSG free. Its hard work at first but you learn what is good and what is not. Oh my daughter has lost weight too and is thrilled!! Best regards. Teri

I am 24 years old and I have had suspicions that I had endometriosis since I was 16. In January of 2006, I had an operative laproscopy confirming my suspicions and found out that it was worse than we all thought. I had my first Lupron Injection the 9th of Feb. 2006 and I must say I think I am doing pretty well. My doctor has me on the ortho tri-cyclen lo birth control pill for"add-back therapy" to help with the night sweats, osteoperosis, etc. I have only had one case of night sweats. I have however, experienced and increase in my appetite. I am bloated and I have gained weight. I also have had hot flashes but I have always been a sweater. I was skeptical about the drug after reading everyone elses side effects but had no other choice if I wanted to preserve my ability to have babies. I am grateful that I have yet to experience the other side effects and I hope I never do. Ladies, everyone does not have a horrible experience with the drug. And if you are like I am and want to have children in the future you should, if recommended by your doctor, try this drug! These horrible side effects may not happen to you either. Good Luck!

Coming off WB SR after 2.5 yrs. Started on prozac for depress, anxiety, PTSD. "stopped" working. Tapered off that & supplemented with Lexapro. "didn't work" so added WB SR, 300 mgs. I didnt split up taking 300 into 3-100s because I kept forgetting a dose, so my doc said better to take all at once than forget & mess up the chemicals all the time. I liked the caffeine effect. No hair loss, some headaches throughout, muscle twitches, shakiness, dizziness. At first didnt affect sleep; I took it at night, then I had to take it during the day cuz it was beginning to keep me up at night. When I missed a dose, Id enter a huge emotioanl rollarcoaster. When I skipped the Lexapro, no effect. SO, 2 mos ago I tapered off Lexapro. Expected w/d affects, but there were none. Now if I take the WB hours after I normally do cuz I forgot to take it earlier, there is no emotional roller coaster effect. Oh yeah-I started smoking & gaining weight since starting all these ADs. Now I am tapering off the WB. I feel OK and dont want this medication crutch anymore. My rape, & subsequent drop-out of college, which started my downward spiral are in the past now. Ive been in therapy for years and am very close with my therapists. I am getting more active in & support from my church as I get rid of my "crutches". I am quitting smoking at the same rate I reduce the WB. Tried to look up w/d symtoms for WB but this is the only place google came up with with actual information. I am grateful to you guys. Ive been off WB for 2 days maybe at this point and am completely exhausted and can sleep all day & all night. Today is the first day Ive been awake much of the morning. As another person mmentioned, my apetite is voracious-I am not feeling full until Ive had the equivalent of two meals, per mealtime! Sure hope this goes away, I'm at the heaviest Ive ever been. Also, all at once my allergy meds seem to have completely stopped working? Yesterday I sneezed every 5 min and nose ran and my nose is just rubbed raw. Today the allergies haev calmed down. Don't kniow what all thats about...Ive been walking the dog each morning, whom I got to help me feel happier, and he does. I started an online business to try to reduce the stresses of working outside of the home. It has its own stresses! But at least I have comforting things nearby...I would not recommend taking Ad drugs without therapy.

I have been taking 25mg of topamax since Feburary 2005, it has been great for me. However, the side effect has been confusion, slight memory loss, stomach cramps, diarreah, crankiness, tingling in my habds and feet began the same day I started taking topamax, and blurred vision. This is of concern to me because of my profession as a preschool teacher. However, I am grateful because of the drecrease in the amount of migranes that I now suffer. This is an very interesting drug, I hope doctors know what they are doing.

Hi everyone,
I have been on synthroid for eight years, it has not right for me. I started a combined T3 T4 medication a year ago and that made a great difference. I have now stopped all T4 and am taking T3 only in the form of Cytome, this leaves me feeling more alert, clear head, more energy and I am only on this for a week! You have to introduce the medication gradually, suddenly changing and taking the full dose all at once is a shock on the system, I break the tablets and take them over the day. I have to day taken a full tablet for the first time. I intend to take the medication spread over the day as T3 needs to be taken this way, unless you get a slow release form and this I have not come across, as yet. To be honest to ask the Dr for htis might just push him toot far!! I am grateful to have had the co operation of the Dr to try this T3 on its own, other Drs might have resisted. The body needs T3 to make T4, so it makes sense that we supply what we are deficient in, as opposed to giving the body the end product. I have read that there is a chance that the body will adjust with the T3 and start producing its own and then we can cut back on our medication and eventually stop. Thyroid medication has an effect on the heart, just as hypothyroidism has a negative effect on the heart. Taking too much synthroid can case severe heart trouble, the aim should be to take as little as possible but to take enoght to feel well. I personally will not take synthroid again. I found armour which is the combined tablet a much improvement and now I feel the popsitive effects of having no T4. I will keep monitoring andif I feel it necessary I will take some T4 again but to be honest I know I need to regularily monitor my blood test having tests for T$ and T3 and also free T3s. Take your body temperature every two or three hours a day and if your are consistenty below normal then this is a sign that your need T3. My body temperature is never normal always very low and no amount of T4 affects this. T3 is gradually increasing the temperature.
Hope this helps some folk.

I spent nearly 3 years on and off prednisone which were the absolute worst in my entire life. I know the drug saved my life, but the quality of my life was so miserable I didn't know how to cope.

I suffer from life threatening allergies, which were causing insane hives (internal and external), anaphlaxis and asthma. After spending three weekends in the emergency room and having to get benadryl/adrenaline shots while trying to get allergy tests my doctors determined the only way to treat this was with aggressive doses of prednisone.

The side effects were so severe at times that I was nearly incapable of functioning. The dosage went as high as 80mg. I would rarely go for more than 2 weeks without having to ramp up and down on the dosage.

I suffered from night sweats (this still persists), "moon" face, weight gain (I'm still trying to lose this), night terrors (this was the most horrible), memory loss (I'd forget my husband's name), panic attacks (unbelievably frightening) with disorientation, acne (not fun), horrendous mood swings and inexplicable bursts of energy (I became a crazed Bob Vila).

The long term effects are that it wreaked havoc on my stomach, I now take prevacid daily. The night sweats, terrors and panic attacks have lessened, but still persist.

During the time I was taking the medication I thought I was having a nervous breakdown and entered into therapy due to the mood swings. I was so depressed due to the medication that I was temporarily put on Ativan (not fun).

I know this stuff works, but it is a rough ride. I am grateful for it, but it's a steep price to pay.

I have been on Lupron for a year (I receive the lowest dose in a monthly injection) for treatment of endometriosis of the sciatic nerve. I also take add back therapy, daily dose of norethindrone 5mg. I am told that I will have to take Lupron for the rest of my life because my case is so severe. You can't surgically remove endometriosis on the sciatic nerve because it feeds the blood supply of the nerve. The add back therapy eliminated the hot flashes but otherwise I'm MISERABLE. I have extreme fatigue, 10 lb weight gain, complete short term memory loss, very irritable and very on the edge. Lately, I have also been experiencing episodes where I feel like I am going to faint. I am grateful that I am no longer crippled with pain but I just can't take this drug anymore. I am scheduled for another monthly dose next week but have decided that I am not going to take this medication anymore. My doctor and I are discussing what my options are.

9 months after marriage, prostate cancer was discovered. The choice was surgury or Lupron with radiation. I chose the latter because radiation is pervasive and could pick up micro cancerous cells as well in the vicinity of the prostate. I experienced the usual symptoms from Lupron, but the prolong effect, 2 years after ceasing injections is lethargy and laziness. In addition to insomnia and weight gain, some 15 Lbs and a breasts simiar to Cushings syndrom. But I am alive, because the actuaries for cancer are 4 years to death and it is a miserable death. So I am grateful. There is no sex drive, neither with Viagra and I no longer have the desire, but I owe a responsibility to my new wife, who has told me it does not matter, but I am sure that she would be much happier if I could perform that ritual. The most important ailment which affects me is my inability to generate income due to tiredness, sleeplessness and memory loss which leads to poor decision making and certainly less aggression. These are the symptoms that have remained after the hot flashes and the noctornal presperation has past. Prior to cancer inception, I had the discipline to make the 6 AM swim at the YMCA for a mile. Now I am trying to get into the pool twice a week for 1/4 mile after which I have to repair to bed for an hour to recover. Medicine has pushed us too far past the normal limit of existance and we should not be ungrateful for that if uncomfortable side effects accompany our efforts for preservation on this earth. I am grateful for Lupron for its curative effect regardless of the side effects

I have had Kenalog injections for approximately 2 years. . . first from chronic Broncitis and now for fibramialgo. . It has been wonderful and I have had absolutely NO reaction. I do get blood-like veins which are small but disapear in a couple weeks. I think it is great for me. . . I do not abuse it. . or any other medication. I am grateful to my doctor for giving it to me. I suppose different strokes for different folks. Thanks.

Yep...........I trashed mine last night.
Did not take a second pill. Even though I did not get
any rashes, itching or other serious side effects my body
was just telling me "there ain't something right about this
drug". The side effects I had were total insomnia two
nights ago and frequent peeing yesterday. Never peed
so much in a day? Last night I got some sleep and I woke
up today feeling normal as I usually do. I think this drug
is terribly dangerous for anyone with rheumatoid or joint
problems to begin with. It is too powerful. My doc said
the same thing to me....let's try it..........wrong answer.
I probably don't even have a sinus infection since they
feel alright today. The only thing I have had for the past
two months is a feeling like my head is warm inside alot
but I don't have a fever? I am pretty sure it is all due to
allergies since I have environmental but went on immunotherapy again this spring.......3rd year in a row..take
9 shots. They definitely helped but I still take an antihistamine
but I find my joints and sinuses are always a little done in
this time of the year once again probably due to inflammation?
Anyhow......Thank you all for the input on this drug. I am
grateful it was here. I have heard so many horror stories
on this drug the past few days. Good luck to you all who
did suffer physical or mental ailments. Hang in there and I
hope you get peace of mind, body and soul.
Later............

I was given Levaquin 500 mg a few days ago to treat 2 conditions: a sinus infection and an infection in my foot. Within a day, I had a horrible rash on my arms and legs, and I felt terrible. Unfortunately, I had taken the 2nd dose, so a total of 1000 mg. I was also developing stiffness in my joints. I had taken Levaquin several times before, prescribed by an ENT, for stubborn sinus problems, and didn't seem to react to the drug. But this time I certainly did. I was taken off Levaquin and put on another antibiotic. But the side effects have been awful. The rash is pretty much gone, tho I still have some prickly skin sensations. The joint stiffness in my hips is much better, but my fingers, wrists and forearms are still sore and stiff. I was told Levaquin has a 3 day half life, so I am at about day 5. I am just hoping all these symptoms subside, but I am not expecting it to be a quick deal. I think Levaquin is extremely toxic. I am a 56 year old active healthy woman with an 11 year old daughter still being raised. I am grateful my side effects weren't any worse. I am going to register a complaint with the FDA and I wish there were a class action suit against the manufacturer's of this awful drug.