Illnesses symptoms and conditions

I have been on Yaz for almost two years - I quit last week. I was put on it after being diagnosed with PMDD and, for the most part, it helped a lot and I thought it was the answer to all my problems. After the first year I was on it though, my symptoms started to return and worsen. I started having severe anxiety issues. It was as if my body couldn't process the stress in my life anymore (which was no more than any other college student with a medium-heavy workload) and its only reaction was to go into full-fledged panic mode. I experienced a steep drop in my self-esteem to the point where I'd sit and look out at everyone else wondering how it was that they could find so many things to be happy about. My life is pretty great - no severe illnesses, functional family, graduated with a degree, great friends, great church - and I couldn't think of any reason to be happy. No one should have to consciously and objectively list things to be happy about and then try to convince themselves that they just forgot about them. I found that I'd rather be alone than be with even my closest friends and family members. It was the sad version of my angry PMDD anti-socialness. Anyway, months of chronic stress and depression led to a panic attack last year that took me nearly two months to recover from (nausea; tingling sensations in my arms, legs and face; lack of appetite; tightness in my chest; trouble sleeping, etc...) and the sensation of detachment that comes with a panic attack has only recently begun to subside. This detached feeling lends itself well to having a cruddy memory. I'll look at pictures from a year ago and not remember what has happened between now and then - it feels as if those pictures are just from the other day or the other week. I don't really remember the semester of my panic attack. My memory feels second-hand, like someone told me about it but I never really lived it myself. I sometimes have moments where I just forget where I am when I'm driving to my sister's house, 15 minutes away. It only takes about a minute to regain my sense of direction and remember what street I'm on - but it's a scary minute! I don't think that all of my experiences were caused or made worse by the pill (I hope not, since when I actually need birth control for birth control purposes I'll have a hard time finding a low enough dosage that doesn't screw me up), but I'm going off of it to see how I feel on my own. I'd rather be mad for a week every month and combat it with more exercise, music and a fleet of vitamin B12 than be sad all the time.

I've been on Advair for 12 years.I'm 27 years old and fed up with all this medications that doctors prescribe.We are so brainwashed into thinking that we misbehave if we don't see a doctor.Let me tell you what: The majority of the doctors, only know to prescribe medication.They get bonuses from the pharma industries every time they prescribe their "new discovered"medicine.
Advair is supposed to be preventive, what you don't know it's for how long.Exactly!!!.....'cause it's not meant to cure Asthma, it's meant to keep you hooked for the rest of your life.
My worse symptom is a very fast heart beating.I'm a martial artist and every time i exert a fast burst of energy(while i'm sparring for example), my heart goes into pumped up mode.It beats very, very fast and i have to stop because it hurts.Sometimes i keep going no matter what and feel like i'm exercising for two people.When i stop, i breath very deeply for 5 minutes and all of a sudden it stops and beats regularly.
It's not fun, and one more thing: I'm from Argentina and my mom sends me the medicine from there cause it's way cheaper, sometimes i run out(i procrastinate sometimes), i'm left off with no medicine for a few days and boy.....I'm a wreck.The time you stop you go right back to where you started.I've been researching about an alternative to this "S***".I'm afraid 'cause i don't want to feel discomfort with my lungs anymore, but i strongly believe that there should be a natural alternative to all this laboratory drugs and i'm on a mission to find it.

I am 32 years old and began taking Yasmin in 2002. I get SEVERE migraines every month and have gained 50 pounds. I want to get off Yasmin but am scared of getting pregnant. I'm married, but we just cannot afford a child right now. Any advice? Has anyone recently quit Yasmin and had any bad side effects from it?

I've been prescribed Prednisone since April and just recently experiencing hair loss (I'm Female)

I'm not sure how big of a joke this website can be when there are real women out there having real issues with the Mirena. I feel like some women are very fortunate to have not had these issues. If your body does not react in a negative way to the Mirena then you are very lucky and it is a great form of birth control if you don't have to go through the pain and agony that others have. Women should not blame all illnesses, weight gain, pain, or other symptoms to the Mirena, but if that is the last resort having it removed to see if it could be the cause is a very easy procedure to have done. If it relieves some or all of the symptoms that these women are having then it is a good move. If you haven't felt the pain and fatigue that some of the women on here have then you have not idea what it can do to your life and your body.
I'm glad to hear that some women are doing great on this form of birth control, but I also believe that some women's bodies are rejecting the Mirena and it is causing a lot of problems. Remember to research the good and the bad and always let a doctor help you decide what is best for you. As far as Mirena goes you do not have to take no for an answer. If you want it removed then do so. If it doesn't help you'll know you need to look elsewhere for what is causing your symptoms.

Good luck to all of you.

I started this med yesterday for staph infection. My immune system is run down from 24 days of hemorrhaging with menopause and finding cancer in my bloodwork and catscan. My skin has thinned and I have large sores all over my body. This med was given to me yesterday and also my diabetes med was changed because my immune system is so weak it is kicking up my bloodsugars. Can you tell I am run down? I went to bed trying to throw up this pill today again and went to bed with chills while it is 105 degrees in Texas today. I even had to put on socks. I feel lightheaded and kind of out of it with blurry vision. Hard to tell what is from meds and illnesses but is no fun. At least I feel better not being alone with this. I am also burping a lot and I never do.

i had the mirena fitted just after my daughter was born in feb07 ive been thinking its all in my head or i have a serious illness i went on this web site after typing in brown discharge and found i have all the side effects i have been worried sick about, the painful breasts terrible aches in my upper and lower ribcage and back very bad mood swings just generally pissed off. thank god for this web site im gonna get it taken out, keep a diary and see if all these illnesses go, which i hope so!

My 14 year old daughter who had the gardasil shot approximately 2 weeks ago, just came down with a urinary tract infection, yeast infection and sore throat. I took her to the doctor for this on Friday. She was sick all weekend with fever, throwing up. Today, (5/25/09), I looked down her throat, and her throat looked like the top of a snow mountain. I was certain she now had strep throat. I look her to urgent care. The doctor took a throat culture, and it came out negative for strep but positive for MONO. What the heck!~ Is this related to the Gardasil shot! If so, do I want to put my daughter threw the next shots. I have never seen my daughter so sick in 14 years. Please advise to your opinion.

I can not say that NuvaRing is the reason for my illnesses but I am a fitness competitor and athlete and have always been very healthy with the exception of IBS that was diagnosed 5 or 6 years ago.
I am 37 years old and started using NR in August of 2008. In late August I went to emergency for extreme pain in my back and stomach. They put me in surgery to remove what turned out to be healthy appendix. Since then I have been to the Dr constantly with fevers, sinus infections, ear infection, bronchitis and most recently am undergoing tests to find out why my kidneys and pancreas are infected. I have been on antibiotics 4 times since January.
I started putting time lines together and decided to research the NR further. After looking at many symptoms, I opted to take the NR out in April of this year and go back to the pill.
I go back for another set of tests on my kidneys and pancreas next week and hope to find all is well. I have been off antibiotics now for 3 weeks and no sinus, ear or upper respiratory infections for the first time in month.
This is all unfortunate because I did appreciate the convenience of the NR but I am not willing to risk my health.

I started taking prednisone when I was only 12 years old and I was on it for about a year and a half. At the age of 10, I was diagnosed with glaucoma, uveitis and cataracts and for about 10 years now I have had all these illnesses. My experience with prednisone had been HORRIBLE. Within two months alone, I gained 50 pounds, my skin started to get really really thin, I started to develop stretch marks ALL over my body with the only exception of my face and hands. I started to get the chipmuk cheeks to the point that my family was afraid that I was going to literally explode. My liver was damaged. My kidney was damaged. The vertebrates in my spine where being chipped away. There was a point in that year and a half where the doctors told me that there was a 70% chance of me going blind. The bottom line was that PREDNISONE WAS BRINGING NOTHING FOR ME EXCEPT RUIN. On top of that, I was constantly depressed. Kids at school would point at laugh hysterically at me. And if people weren't laughing, they were struck by fear and were trying to figure out what exactly I was. I remember this one instance in my school cafeteria where one girl stood up on the lunch table, pointed at me and screamed SHE'S AN ALIEN!!

I was and still am scarred physically and emotionally. My arms and stomach are really saggy because the skin is soo thin. As I said my entire body is scarred with stretch marks. I can't show the slightest bit of my body to anyone because I am so ashamed, embarrassed and afraid of peoples judgments. I am afraid that no one will ever want to be in a relationship with me.

All I can tell you is that though I stopped using it about six and a half years ago, this dreaded drug has truly ruined my life from the very start of my childhood.

I was on 40 mg of simvastatin for 4 months with seemingly no side effects when my doctor said my cholesterol wasn't coming down quickly enough to suit him, so he added lovaza - had me taking both at the same time. Within 2 months I was noticing sore muscles but didn't relate it to the meds. After about another 2 months I was so bad I could hardly walk - extreme muscle and joint pain over my entire body, severe weakness, shortness of breath. Then I found out that both of those drugs can cause these side effects. I wish I had tied it together sooner. I have been completely off of them both for about 3 months and still have some pain in my feet, shoulders and elbows, along with severe pain in my hands, and I am still weak and short of breath. I don't know how long this is going to hang on, but I certainly hope it isn't permanent. I can't stand to think that I might have to live with this pain for the rest of my life. My hands are so close to useless, and I am so weak, that it's about all I can do to take care of my job and make a living. I haven't been able to work around the house for months. I want to work on my cars (my hobby). I have 2 antique cars that I enjoy working on and driving, but I don't think I'm going to be able to do very much with them this summer. My hands just won't let me. And the beauty of it all? My cholesterol numbers did not come down any great amount. Since I stopped taking the meds I have brought the numbers down by changing my diet - eggbeaters instead of whole eggs, less beef (venison is very low in cholesterol) more chicken & fish, oatmeal, plus I'm taking vitamin C, D3, garlic and cinammon for cholesterol and B complex for muscles, msm and glucosamine for joints. I also bought a hot tub, which helps with the pain and stiffness. This has definitely not been a fun thing. I just hope it goes away some time soon.

I am 32 years old. For years I have suffered with insomnia. I finally decided to do something about it and get a prescription because I was tired of always being tired in the daytime and not sleeping well at night. Well almost 3 weeks ago I was prescribed with Ambien CR. That 3rd week of taking Ambien I noticed significant hair loss behind my right ear. I now have a bald spot the size of 2 quarters. My hair is continuing to fall out still today and that spot is now enlarging. I made an appointment to my physician and she claimed Ambien has no side effect of hair loss. Strange thing is, I have never experienced any side effect that Ambien reads on the prescription paper from the pharmacist and the pharmacist claims hair loss isn’t a side effect found in research. My memory is well collected and usually when I would take the Ambien CR I would wake up feeling great. Now taking the Ambien allowed me to sleep well relaxed but with 4 hours max and I would wake well alert to start the day. Those 4 hours of rest did feel like an 8-hour rest. So that was the only downfall with sleep using Ambien CR is that I was sleeping enough hours like I should have been. My physician now claims I have Alopecia Aerate because significant hair loss has caused baldness on my head. Blood work was tested for various diagnoses of illnesses and my results came back clear. She referred me to a dermatologist next week to seek help if it's possible for hair growth while I still take Rogain. I find it quit amazing that with in a few weeks of taking Ambien CR that I have experienced patches of baldness. I did stop taking Ambien CR because I strongly believe this Ambien CR is the cause of my hair loses. Me losing my hair have caused me to become depressed. I am very worried and scared that I may loss more hair and that the bald spot will continue to grow larger with extensive hair loss because I took Ambien CR before. I just know that this drug is the cause of my hair loss. I pray that with dermatology help that my hair will stop falling out and grow back. I DO believe hair loss is my side effect of Ambien CR since I experienced no other side effect of this drug.

Mirena is an absolute NIGHTMARE. My sister had this inserted approximately 2.5 years ago and ever since then her life had gone totally down hill. She was another one that could have gotten some kind of award for the most illnesses without a cause ! Her symptoms were so severe that she was sure that she must be dying of some terminal hidden disease. Hair loss, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, headaches, bloating, weight gain, joint aches, muscle aches, vision problems, confusion and the list goes on and on. Lucky someone made the connection that it maybe from the Mirena, so we both got online and googled for days and read all these sites and posts. My sister freaked out when she saw so many of you wonderful ladies with exactly what she was going through. She got the Mirena removed first thing this morning and 12 hours later she absolutely cannot believe that for the first time in God knows how long that she hasn't got a HEADACHE. She thought she was imagining it but she wasn't her headache WAS TOTALLY GONE. Hopefully as the days go by all the other horrid symptoms will go away too. This contraption has robbed my sister of 3 good years of her life and her family's life. I just thank the Good Lord that she made the connection and got rid of this. It is a shame that pharmaceutical companies feel its ok to rob people of their health in order to make more money. Shame on them.

Ok-let me just say that I am so happy that I have found this website and so many other people out there with negative symptoms as a result from taking Yaz. (I WORK FOR AN OB/GYN!) When I was young, I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (EXTREMELY TIRED) that was related to heavy bleeding - the treatment: birth control.The doctor I work for recommends Yaz as "the best pill out there." So, trusting his opinion, I started taking Yaz around 2 years ago. In the beginning, I guess I really didn't notice any new symptoms. But, it seems like the longer I am on Yaz (I am taking no other medication) the worse my symptoms get. I started noticing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: alternating constipation and diarrhea, abdominal distention, gas, and soft stools. Lately, my symptoms resemble both IBS and Celiac Disease - which is very scary to me. I've been researching IBS, Celiac Disease, and Lactose Intolerance; while trying to change my lifestyle and diet to try and make my symptoms better - according to the treatment to these illnesses.
Not to mention, I am ALWAYS tired. I've had my hemoglobin checked and am no longer anemic, so where is the fatigue coming from? I could sleep at any time, any place. I have muscle pain that comes and goes and a seriously decreased libido. What?! I have pain with intercourse and feel horrible trying to explain these symptoms to my boyfriend. It wasn't until I read the symptoms (listed on the Yaz website) that included an abnormal reading in pap smears! How can a doctor prescribe this?
It wasn't until recently that I thought my symptoms could be linked to Yaz. I have a yearly appointment with a new OB/GYN in a couple of days and will definitely let her know of my symptoms and will most likely change to a different oral contraceptive.

1) Stop going to the doctor for "sinus infections". This is one of the most over diagnosed, over treated, self-limiting illnesses in the world. Because 90% is viral, it's also the leading cause of antibiotic resistant bacteria in out-patient medicine. Get some Afrin and blow your nose.
2) Avoid taking fluoroquinolones (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox) as an outpatient. These powerful drugs should be used to save lives in the hospital. The leading exception would be a urinary tract infection that is resistant to all other antibiotics.
3) All fluoroquinolones can cause tendon ruptures, especially the achille's tendon in patients over 65. This is a devastating injury, though rare with this class of antibiotics.

My daughter received the vaccination when she was 17. She also had the meningitis and hep vaccinations with the 1st and 3rd doses. (I have since learned that multi-vaccinating is not recommended.) She developed pneumonia between the 1st and 2nd doses (could have been related or not) and then when she started school in the fall of '07, she continued to struggle with colds, etc. This could, obviously, be all college-related and just how it is in college. However, last week she told me that she got her period AGAIN - after only another two weeks. That was the 2nd month of periods every two weeks. She is also sick again (She was sent to the hospital with flu-like symptoms at Christmas-time). I started researching auto-immune disorders and found that her illnesses could be related to Gardasil. She was pretty healthy until she was vaccinated. She also complained last year of her hair falling out, but she has a thick head of hair and I told her to take her vitamins. Now I'm really concerned that the Gardasil could be causing some serious problems after reading all the posts. She has an appt. next week with an OB/GYN. Sounds like so many have had similar problems. I am so upset with myself for having thought the vaccine was a good idea. Please pass the word to your friends that this vaccine has not been fully tested. I don't believe it's safe.

I had muscle aces and pains most of that time but near the end of the 3 weeks I would loose the use of my left arm for periods. I would feel faint and very weak. I have had restless leg since I was a child but my legs got much worse during the 3 weeks. Finally I remembered that if you had muscle weakness you were to stop Zocor so I did. The daily muscle weakness gradually went away but I developed severe restless leg and had to go on Requip. I also started having face spasms and “turrett” type spasms in my legs that would travel up into my arms and hands. My hands would clench and I couldn't talk plain. My head would jerk and my body would shake inwardly as if I were freezing. These symptoms were worse when I was stressed or got too hot. Eventually I had to quit my job, it was very high stress. Five years have past. I now stay home and garden and paint. I very seldom leave my home and my stress level is low but when I do get into a stressful situation I still have to deal with the “loss of control” over my body. My sleep is a nightmare every night. My restless leg syndrome is getting worse and I've had to increase my Requip and will probably have to do so again soon.

My cholesterol is very high and my doctor keeps trying to get me to go on some meds for that but I would rather die than add to the painful, exhausting struggle I go through now because of what Zocor did to me.

As a Doctor myself I think drugs are NEVER the answer except in EMERGENT issues in Heroic life saving... YOU however and all individuals are and should be MORE accountable for your own health and STOP DEMANDING the Drugs and look to LIFESTYLE changes in DIET and EXERCISE to achieve the GOALS so necessary for quality and quantity of life.... The tools are at your fingertips ... The almighty internet ... And your OWN imaginative mentation is your TRUE limitation... So TAKE control of yourself and BE accountable .... Sorry so blunt but MORE tough love and Educating people is whats needed.... NOT more drugs....

MDG

I'm 18 years old and live in Florida, while at the gynecologist for a routine visit my doctor strongly suggested that I start the Gardasil 3 shot cycle. After checking with my mom (who was unfortunately given biased information from my doctor without first doing research on the product) agreed since we both figured that my doctor would be knowledgeable enough on the subject (or you would think since she was the one administering the drug.) The first two shots went fine and I had no reaction at all. After the third shot (in October of 2007) I woke up the next morning with swollen hands and extreme swelling at the injection spot. I immediately returned to my gynecologist where I was told “there is no possible way you can be allergic to this medication” by my doctor, and that those reactions would go away in a few days. A few days following this I developed sores in the back of my throat and under my tongue, however my gynecologist still insisted there was no possible way it was an effect of the Gardasil (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE VERY NEXT DAY) & I had no previous illnesses. Within the week following I developed body-wide hives so severe that I cannot sleep and they affect my breathing. I’ve seen several doctors (allergist, dermatologist, primary physicians, and immunologists) none of which can determine why exactly I have these hives, besides that it is a “drug reaction” (it took 11 vials of blood to determine that). However when one of my dermatologists questioned Merck about it they simply said that there is no evidence and I cannot sew!!! That’s all they cared about! A law suit! WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO NOT GET THIS SHOT, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW! It has ruined my life. As an 18 year old girl living in Florida I love to go to the beach however because of these hives they get so severe when I’m exposed to sunlight I can no longer go. It’s also extremely embarrassing when people stare at them since they cover most of my body on a daily basis.

I am a parent of a 14 year old son. He has been on many meds due to having migraines, adhd, seizures, and asthma. For 3 years his ADHD meds have been switched. Now Thanks to a friend she told me about singular side effects. OH MY GOD. it blows my mind reading this stuff. He has been on singular for 3 years and never once did I think all these problems were caused by that drug. Flipping out over the smallest things, arguing with us his parents, his friends, being mean to us and a real smartass, depression, and MAJOR attitude. Getting upset over nothing at all then crying for no reason What was his Dr. thinking? Needless to say, I took the singular while she was telling me this stuff about her own son, and threw them away, I will never allow my son to take that shit again. I hope in three days like all of you say, that my son will be that loving, caring, friendly person he use to be ! Singular free is how he will be!!

Drowsiness is the main side effect I noticed. It does, however, effectively work in combating cough-related illnesses.
Gerald-Mark Breen

march 17, i was given a kenalog shot. it is now may 15th and I have had a been going through bad bad pain, weakness,cant carry a conversation. Around 21/2 weeks ago had a bad period. I haven't had one for three years. It lasted for 5 days. now I am going through severe PMS. I am post menopausal, now the kenalog messed my body up on my body and mental functions. I had a TIA 6 years ago. I can not take any HRT.. . I have been very dizzy,very weak, cant drive because my motor skills are not right. I taught aerobics for 24 years . so I was very fit. Im now 53 years old, had very little side effects from my TIA. this horrible shot has now has hampered all the hard work I have done to recover from my past illnesses. This shot has put my body into peri-menapose again..

i heard something on the television about a lawsuit involving advair and came across this site looking for information. i have been on advair for aprox 8 years. when i read some of these comments i began to cry. it so said exately what i have been feeling right down to being diagnosed with rhumetoid arthritis and fibro. i spent 6 hours in the er last week with a heart rate of 112. i went to my doctor as recommended after my visit and he blew me off because he was mad i went to the er and told me to go see a surgeon to cut into my collar bone, go down to my lungs and biopsy them. i see a different doctor next Thursday for a second opinion. i am so tired of being sick and to think, it could all be from this one thing. i am going to talk to the doctor about this on Thursday.

I received my first shot of Gardasil in January 2007. It could have started sooner, but about a month later my hairdresser noticed a bald spot in the back of my head. I rushed back to my ObGyn and asked her if the Gardasil could be the cause as nothing else had recently changed. She said that she had not heard of this, but she referred me to a dermatologist. I asked him if my hair loss had anything to do with the Gardasil. He replied that I had Alopecia areata and one thing had nothing to do with the other. He advised that I continue with the Gardasil and that he would start treating me for the alopecia. I wish that I would not have listened. I don't know what would have happened if I had stopped then, but I didn't I proceeded with the treatment to the end now over half of my head is bald!!!
I don't know what to do. I keep going back to the dermatologist for treatments for the alopecia, but it just keeps getting worse.
If anyone has had a similar experience and would like to share or has found some other treatments that work, please post a reply.

Melissa