Immune systems symptoms and conditions

Warning to Avelox users

As I am reading all these posts I am very alarmed. I just got out of the hospital because of an allergic reaction to Avelox. I developed a potentially fatal reaction called Stephan Johnson Syndrome. Please google this, as it might save your life. From what my doctors said, Avelox is a major offender of this syndrome. After reading the posts I see that a great many of you have the same symptoms I did. Even if the side effects don't seem that serious, stop taking the medication right away and consult your doctor. People who are most in danger are people with low immune systems and people who are allergic to other medications. PLEASE, I beg all of you to check this out, it can cause death in a matter of days. Fortunately for me we got to it early. Best of luck to all :)

TO ALL

MY SON LOGAN IS SIX NOW AND JUST FINISHED KINDERGARTEN TODAY.
WHEN HE STARTED KINDERGARTEN HE WAS ON SINGULAIR FOR 4 YEARS. HE HAD ALL TH ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS. TUMMY ACHES, CONSTIPATED, DIARRHEA, LEG CRAMPS TO POINT OF NOT WANTING TO WALK, BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, HATED EVERYONE, NIGHTMARES, SEES GHOSTS, CRIED OFTEN.

ANYTHING SOUND FAMILIAR. HIS MOTHER THOUGHT HE HAD ADHD OR ASPERGERS AND PEDIATRICIAN AGREED WITH HER.

SOMEBODY THAT I THINK IS SPECIAL FOR ONE WAY OR ANOTHER KICKED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO INVESTIGATE SINGULAIR IN EVERY ASPECT.

FIRST WEEK OF GARTEN I HAD TO HAVE A CONFERENCE WITH COUNSELOR AND THREE TEACHERS AND HIS MOTHER.
I LET THEM TALK AND EXPLAIN THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT LOGANS PROBLEMS. I THEN DROPPED A BIG PACKET OF PAPERS ON TABLE ABOUT SINGULAIR AND ZYRTEC. THEY WERE VERY VERY SURPRISED THAT I PRODUCED THIS INFO.

THAT DAY HIS MOTHER AGREED TO TAKE HIM OFF SINGULAIR. IT TOOK ABOUT 6 MONTHS FOR LOGANS ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS TO SUBSIDE. HE NOW ONLY TAKES ZYRTEC AND IS GROWING SO FAST.

SO PROUD OF THE LITTLE TURD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IM NO DOC BUT HOW DID KIDS AND ADULTS SURVIVE ALLERGIES IN THE OLD DAYS?

GIVE IT TIME LET THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEMS CATCH UP. KIDS DO GET SICK. DO YOUR KIDS A FAVOR AND INVESTIGATE THE DRUGS DOCTORS PRESCRIBE THEM. SOME HELP BUT SOME HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS ALL!!

Wow! I can't believe what I'm reading. My son just turned 5 years old. He was put on Singular when he was 2 years old because he constantly had sinus infections. For the past year, I've just used it off and on when he starts to get stuffy. He is very well behaved, but has has trouble with nightmares. He just told me a few weeks ago that he knows that monsters aren't real, but he can't get them out of his head. I know people think I'm a softie because I let him fall asleep with me every night (his dad puts him in his own bed after he's fast asleep), but he is petrified to go to sleep by himself. I didn't understand it, but I could see the terror in his eyes. It all makes sense, now. Sometimes he plays so well by himself in his room, but other times he doesn't even want to go to the bathroom by himself because he's scared. I'm betting he was taking Singulair during the times he was scared to go into the bathroom himself. Unbelievable. We have to get the word out about this drug. I feel like such a horrible parent for not searching for these side effects sooner.

I came to the website to see if Singular suppressed the immune system because he's been getting horrible cold sores in the fall for the past 3 years. It seems to correspond with the time he started taking Singular. I know that Singulair can't cause cold sores, but if his immune system was suppressed, his body can't fight off the virus. 80% of us have the virus that causes cold sores, but most of our immune systems are able to keep the virus in check. During a cold or other illness which compromises the immune system, cold sores can pop out.

In any case, I've already flushed the remainder of his pills. He's also complained of stomach and leg aches. In fact, the docs made him give-up milk thinking he was lactose intolerant but it didn't help the stomach aches. Hopefully giving-up Singulair will help his tummy aches, too.

I am a loving mother of a 5 1/2 year old boy. He has been on Singulair for over 3 years. In this past 3 years my son has suffered in an unspeakable amount. He came down with Rota Virus and was hospitalized at 2. He then came in contact with Pneumonia in the hospital while he was there. They automatically put him on Singulair, Zyrtec, Prednisone, and antibiotics to treat the pneumonia. Since that day, my son has gone though more tests than I have in my entire life. He has had asthma, sinusitis, leg cramping ( to the point he cannot walk for 2 years), IBS, Acid reflux,(they gave him laxatives for a year that made things worse and addicted to them also), stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea back and forth. He also got Erythema Mulitforme TWICE, while on this drug. All of which the doctors said could NOT be caused by Singulair. He has had several Upper GI's and CT scans. Along with Barium enemas, several hundreds of blood tests, and many many pokes and prodded that were not necessary. All since he has been on Singulair. He now has frequent bathroom trips, depression, confusion, and anger outbursts. He also has to go to the restroom every 5 minutes. He has had genital swelling, and many other aches and pains. None of which his "doctor" ever said could be a result of Singulair. I am 100% sure it was!!!! He currently has anxiety and emotional sporadic issues causing problems in school The teachers and counselors say that it is so strange because there is no TRIGGER and the outbursts are completely inconsistent. His preschool teacher and director are sure he has ADHD. Well, we had him tested and he does not have any part of it. He has no learning disability what-so-ever. So that brought me back to square one. He is in a positive loving enviroment. How could he be depressed and want to hurt everyone around him? He cannot sit still. He cries and says he is 'stupid" and "can't think" like the other boys. He has nightmares and cannot sleep alone. He is scared of everyone and everything. So, as I sit here crying, I realized that this has all been a reaction of his "medicine" Singulair. He never should have gone through all of those painful tests, only to prove they couldn't find anything. So many treatments and sound full advice speeches from his doctors. How could they be so naive and selfish in the life of my son?

When I called my pediatrician of 5 years, she told me that " parents that have children with behavioral problems will LOOK for something to blame their problems on." She also said "drug companies only put side effects on their labels to PROTECT the drug companies. (as she laughed at me) They are not always valid". Then she said "if you take you child off of Singulair you will be playing Russian Roulette in his life." Then she said that all children around 5 or 6 go though this emotional time in their lives." She told me that if I take my child off of Singulair that she would no longer be a part of his health regimen for his asthma. She told me to see a Pulmonologist for further treatment.
Who is paying who? This is my son's life???????? I decided to go with my mother-gut instinct and get him off of this medicine. No matter what. He has been a different person since. He is currently going though a lot of side effects and withdrawals (leg pain, insomnia, hic-ups, emotional distress) but every day is getting better. How can the drug companies say that this is a "wonder drug?" There are more reported side effected patients then clinical studied patients! How can a "medication" that stimulates the brain not be connected to other problems? This "medication" interferes with the bio synthesis and action of LTs and has been marketed as NOVEL medication against asthma and allergic rhinitis. Who the hell is playing God here??? The pocket books of Merck or our over PAID "doctors?" Who pays the price? Our children? Or us. Thank god I found this before it was too late. I would not be able to withstand the pain of losing my son due to their lack of scientific evidence. They are lucky I am one of the smart ones. I will not settle for less than Justice for the drug companies and their paid "doctors?" You all end up in the same place. HELL

There are 18 million people on this drug. Most of them are children. Please save a life if not your own child's life. Thank You

I have posted several times. My 16 year old daughter took singulair for 4.5 years starting 11-17-03 and ending 3-28-08. She was the dancer,cheerleader who starting cutting her legs with razors and completely changed. Lost friends, depressed, withdrawn,anxiey attacks,headaches,stomach aches on and on and on..... I took her to a Psychiatrist who gave her Fluoxetine which did not help. She is doing much better now that she is off Singulair but will never be the same. She found a lump in the back of her neck and a lump in the groin area. I remember Concerned citizen mentioning Lymphoma(cancer) discovered in some of the Singulair Children because of the reduced immune system connection. I have also found some info on this on line. We are going to the Doctor Thursday and I will have tests run. Concerned citizen are you still out there? Have you found out anything else? Sue

I'm a 32 year old male. This is probably the 5th time I've taken Zithromax. Unlike previous experiences, this time I got a horrible rash on my face, chest, neck, and little red spots all over my body. They itch horribly and I'm hoping they go away on their own. I am going on week two and they are still around. Last year, I was given a very strong antibiotic for an infection that just wouldn't go away. I took one dose and threw the rest out because the resulting full-body rash was horrible. I think that some of us may develop an allergy to certain families of antibiotics as we age. Either that or our immune systems are degraded. Who knows. I've also been dealing with chronic anal itch for 2 years now, and that is a horrible thing to live with. FEELING OLD!

I already posted about my son's behavioral changes while on the drug from the time he was 4-7. He is now 9 years old and has been back to "normal now for 18 months. BUT- we recently had his immune system checked though a blood test and he does not have sufficient immunity for ANY viruses. My 6 year old could fight 8 out of the 14, but my son who was on Singulair for almost 4 years has a severely depleted immune system. And from what I have read, could clearly be attributed to the drug. BUYER BEWARE~!

I was prescribed Zyrtec a few years ago for allergies. I also have MPV and need to take Atenolol, I will need to take Atenolol for the rest of my life. My cardiologist recommended I stop taking Zyrtec because it can give you an irregular heart beat. When I tried to stop it I got very bad withdrawal symptoms, chills,heart racing, insomnia, itchy skin. I thought I was going crazy, so I took one Zyrtec as soon as I took it 15 min later the symptoms stopped. The next night I decided to try and cut the pill in half and only take 5 mg, that was ok for 3 day's then the symptoms returned. I had to take the other half of the Zyrtec and then the symptoms went away.
I can not believe that I have to find a way to wean off Zyrtec. I am very annoyed that they do not list on the label that their could be withdrawal symptoms after taking Zyrtec for a while. I am not giving up I am going to continue and try to wean myself off the Zyrtec, hopefully I won't have a heart attack in my attempt to get off this drug. If anyone has a successful way to wean off Zyrtec please post it. Thanks and I hope this helped someone who was thinking of taking this drug. STAY AWAY FROM IT..

My four old son has been on singulair for about two weeks. The change from wheezing/coughing attacks at night and terrible allergies during the day has been amazing. They are almost non-existent to this point a great plus. However, a i stress however his behavior and speech has been VERY INAPPROPRIATE and quite frankly it concerns me. He now states "im a bad boy" and "i dont listen" and his mornings are very testy to say the least. Granted these sound like normal 4 yr. old sayings that he would pick up from other children on the playground but how do you explain them happening almost simultaneously with his taking singulair. I find it very hard to believe that it is a coincidence and that these are normal things for a 4 yr old to say/do when all other things have remained the same. My advice is to diligently watch your child for these warning signs and find other remedies if you have reservations. Im not promoting natural cures but i am leaning toward a diet change for the whole family and consulting my doctor for food allergen testing. I hope this helps. Be Well.

I have to say this after reviewing two major areas:

1. the brain
2. mast cell homeostasis

I desperately wanted to be POLITICALLY CORRECT and say that side effects can be confined to the minority. God, how do you fight Merck?

In this case, it would seem that the real benefit of this drug is to those with the extreme type immune responses whose body chemistry has been altered by being hyper-sensitive to some type of "invader. Extreme can be defined as just not the average or beyond that.

So, if the truth comes out that essentially normal immune systems don't need Singular at all, then I have come clean. I certainly have doubts whether essentially normal systems need this at all.

I was given 20 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for a rash and joint pain.
The pain went away and I felt great the rash got a little better. Two days ago I took my last pill. I woke up that night and my knees gave out. By morning I was great! Next night I woke with knee problem again had to slide down the stairs to the living room. I got to wondering if the knee thing could be associated with the Prednisone. I got on line and read all this terrible stuff. I am so Horrified! Today I am in pain like my body is bruised and my face is swollen a little. I have acid reflux as well. Non of this is typical for me. My knee thing is ok again, but I am just appalled! I have no MED insurance. I hope this isn't the beginning of worse things I am not taking that drug now. The Dr. didn't say I needed to taper...

I hope I have not damaged myself by taking this drug! My heart goes out to all of you! My question is - Why are the Dr.'s prescribing this terrible drug?

Dosage of Prednizone was only 40 mg once a day for 3 days, and tappered off everly 3 days down to one tablet. This was prescribed for needed LUNG EXPANSION DUE TO BREATHING PROBLEMS. The following side effects manifested; I felt like superwomen the second day, thought this stuff is magic...however, by the third morning, Thrush infection appeared in my throat and mouth, had extreme, sharp pains when swallowing, dizziness, general weakness from the Thrush like early flu - this Thrush looks like white spots or white coating & SPREADS WITHOUT THE AIDE OF anti-fungal mouth tablet to irradicate. IMMUNE SYSTEMS WEAKENED BY PREDNIZONE. Insomnia also experienced to the point of only three hrs. sleep a night. I stopped taking the predizone immediately and continued the anti-fungal mouth table of clotrimazole (10 mg) to clear up the Thrush infection and finally got back to normal. No more for me!!!!

I had posted before about severe muscle/joint pain and weakness while taking Zocor. I was also having a problem with my white blood cell lymphocyte count. They were less than a tenth of what they should have been. This would adversely affect my disease fighting capability. After several visits to a hemotologist/oncologist and over 20 lab blood samples, nothing was found. I told my doctors that I had read on the Internet that Statins had been found to be immunosuppressors, lowering both T & B cell counts dramatically. None of them knew of or had read about this.
The only reason my blood cell count was even checked was because I complained of tiredness, pain, etc.

I decided to stop taking Zocor on my own and the improvements were dramatic. The muscle pain and weakness lessened considerably but did not totally disappear. My vision sharpened. The Lymphocytes went back to normal in a little over two weeks.

With so many people taking statins, are our immune systems being weakened making us more susceptible to cancer and disease? Certainly this question needs to be answered.