October 30th
2008
12:08 AM
I just received my Patient Medical Alert card from the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. It is a wallet size card for me to carry with me that list drugs that have or possibly have severe side affects for people with CMT. Seeing MACROBID on it reminded me of my experience with it about 10 years ago.
I am very prone to UTIs. My GYN prescribed MACROBID. After only 1 pill, my right thumb went numb. It spread to my index finger and then my middle finger. I was scared and called my GYN who told me there was no way that the Macrobid was the cause. I didn't stop with that answer. I then called the drug store, where I purchased it from and spoke to the pharmacist. I explained what was happening. He also told me that the Macrobid couldn't be the problem. I didn't take his answer and asked him to please get the contra -indications list and read it. There, in fine print, was possible peripheral numbness that can lead to death. I had 4 small children at the time, so you can imagine my horror. He contacted the pharmaceutical company that makes MACROBID. They called me to record my side effect and told me to NEVER take it again, that I could die if I did. It took several weeks for the feeling to come back in my fingers and hand. They had told me it could have been permanent. I didn't know I had CMT then. And this little card didn't exist then. I am writing this to warn others. If you don't know what CMT is, go to ******. It is a neurological degenerative disease. I am affected worse in my hands. I have a postural tremor in both hands now.
I hope my story helps someone.
August 20th
2008
6:13 PM
Hi! I JUST had the Mirena put in Yesterday...Tues. And within one hour I started to feel foggy, light headed and crazy! I started getting a pressure headache. Being the last patient of the day, I knew the office was closed. So I looked online and found you all. I am horrified at this point! I couldn't sleep last night at all! I was so nauseous and had the poops. (sorry, tmi) Today I feel full of anxiety and my heart is racing. I feel like I'm on drugs or drunk! My head is still pounding. I kept calling my OBGYN and didn't talk to him until about 2 hrs ago. He said none of these symptoms are from the Mirena. So I hear that is most of the Docs words around here! He suggested I give it more time and call him in a few days and if I want it out, he will take it out. Well the thing is, I am ready to pull it out myself! I feel like I'm crazy! Seriously! I don't know what to do! I called my PCP and they refuse to take it out b/c they didn't put it in. They suggested going to the ER. Well my insurance for sure won't cover that!! So what do I do? I feel like I'm going crazy and no one will listen! We are moving to Italy in a month nd I need this resolved AWAY before then! Any advice will help! I just know when I call my doc, he will try to make me keep it in! What do I do?? HELP! Thanks for being here! Wish I had found you before. I am really good about researching things and I didn't with this. I trusted my doc! The other thing is I hear a ton of you have gained weight!!! I JUST had a full tummy tuck June 5th and I freaking better not gain weight!! LOL I want this out!! Calling my doc tomorrow and demanding he take it out. Has anyone had a doc refuse taking it out and if so, what is our recourse? It's our body right?? Thanks again for listening to me gripe!!! ;) God Bless!!
Danielle
August 4th
2008
7:46 PM
I started Adoxa (generic form of Doxy) about 2 weeks ago for a cyst. About 5 days after taking the med, I was swimming and my hands had the weirdest sensation... After I got out of the pool, my feet were on fire as were my hands. Thought I just had gotten sunburn, though I don't normally burn. A couple days later, I had a severe tingling/burning in my fingers and toes. Couldn't sleep because of the pain. This lasted 2 night and I stopped taking the Adoxa. Went to Urgent Care because the burning was not subsiding and and my toes and fingers were EXTREMELY sensitive. I couldn't even open a pop can. Dr. said I had Periphrial Neuropathy and it is not a side effect of the Adoxa that I was taking. Told me I had symptoms to a bigger problem. I have been off Adoxa now for 4 days and the tingling/burning/sensitivity has all gone away! I know that it is the Adoxa and will not ever take it again!!! Remember to trust your instincts when you take medications!!!!
-- By susanim | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 10th
2008
10:19 AM
I saw my family doctor on May 16th for a new onset UTI. I hadn't had one of these in about 8 years but I knew how bad they could get if you didn't get them treated right away. I did the over the counter URISTAT for 2 days until I got an appointment. After doing the UA dipstick, they confirmed my UTI because of the high leukocytes and gave me sample packets of LEVAQUIN 500 mg. b.i.d. for 5 days. I went home thinking, "Hey, this will be easy and I will feel great in a few days." I WAS NEVER SO WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!! I took my first dose that evening and went to bed. I woke up the next morning with a headache so bad that I almost passed out when I lifted my head off the pillow. The UTI went away after a few days, but the migraine stayed for over 2 weeks. The left side of my neck felt like I had been hit from behind with a baseball bat and my scalp became so sore from the pain that I couldn't even use a blow dryer on my hair. I made 2 more trips back to the doctor complaining of the horrible migraine headaches, light sensitivity, neck pain and joint pain. He put me on IMITREX, PROPANOLOL, APAP, and FLEXERIL to control the migraines. I MAXED OUT THE DAILY DOSAGE ON THESE MEDS EVERY DAY WITH NO RELIEF! I went back to the doctor again and he decided to run some lab tests. The next day, my headache had started to get better but I noticed a lump under my left armpit (large pea size) and that I had significant joint pain in my right middle and index finger. My middle finger would hardly bend in the mornings when I got up and the stiffness in my neck was still there. Later that day on my way out for a mini vacation with my family, my doctor called to tell me that my ANA had come back positive and he wanted to send me to a Rheumatologist to rule out things like LUPUS, RA, etc. Needless to say, I was totally freaked out for the remainder of my trip until I went back to the doctor to review my ANA Titer. My titer was high at 1:160, but he keeps telling me not to worry because this happens all of the time and an ANA and high titer is not definitive. I want to also note that one of my friends and my husband have also had very similar experiences. She was convinced by the physicians that she had Lymphoma because of her ANA and titer and my husband was certain that he had RA. Both are negative!
I am still concerned about all of this even though I am feeling better and it may be that I have permanent side effects from this. I was a totally healthy person and there was nothing going on besides a UTI until the LEVAQUIN was introduced. It has been almost a month since I took this drug and the things I have been reading online are horrible. I am sure that I will never take one of these antibiotics again. My advice to anyone else is to READ< READ> READ! There are some excellent websites out there and of coures the blogs are great for information from other patients. A good site for information about positive ANA's is:
http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/fana.asp
Also, read up on LEVAQUIN and the other FLUOROQUINOLONES. I did not know that these are the drugs that will be used to treat people in the event of a biological war. It's pretty scary....
May 15th
2008
11:18 AM
One more thing I have noticed is OCD behavior. He is constantly rubbing his index finger and thumb together. At first it was one hand, now it is both hands. This has been going on for about 2 months. When asked why, he says he 'just feels like he has to do it'....
-- By parrym | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 6th
2008
5:59 AM
Hello,
about a week ago I admitted myself to ER because of terrible breakout of hives (never had them before) but was covered from head to toe.
Doctor prescribed PREDNISONE 80mg for 4 days, and gave me an IV with the drug a week ago Saturday night (don't know how much was there), 12/29/07, I took my daily dose 80mg Sunday noon. I only slept about an hour or two. By new years eve 12/31, I have started getting cold chills, feeling unbearably cold, then the next day 1/1, I felt like I was 100 years old, all my joints were stiff, I couldn't get up from bed, couldn't sleep much but there is still more.
By Wednesday I have felt even more stiff and hives were not going away, I went to the doctor (my stiffness went away after couple hours in the morning) he prescribed more PREDNISONe for another week, luckily I have stopped taking the medication after 5 days of 80mg, plus whatever they gave in in an IV but I still have what I think are side effects from taking it.
Ankles are still sore, I cannot sleep because an extreme numbness sets in my left hand middle to index finger, it is no numb it hurts like an elephant is sitting on it, that is why I am still up at 4:30 in the morning. When I am up it just tingles. Not sure what to do but can't sleep at all for last 3 days and getting really tired.
If I knew what Prednisone does I would never take any of it, I'd rather deal with hives oh and they still didn't go away, I have had them for about 10 days now, they did stop itching. Honestly I felt very very sick a day after taking it, I didn't associate this with Prednisone, until I found this website. Please if you can stop taking it or see for yourself how much you should take 80mg is definitely too much, for me at least.
Did anyone have to deal with joint stiffness, and numbness how long does it take for it to go away. My wife says to to ER again because I can't sleep I am just very uncomfortable with the numbness and rattle in bed, but guess what they could shoot me up with more Prednisone.
-- By buton6 | Reply | (10) replies | Private Message me
December 7th
2007
6:52 AM
I took Toprol for almost 2 years then in Aug generic came out Metoprolol and I switched over. I was taking 25mg. After a few weeks, I noticed numbness in my index finger and middle finger. Then it happened in other hand. Doc said I had tendinitis in one hand and slept wrong on the other...I was also depressed and having panic attacks. From the onset of taking Toprol my sleep was disturbed,but thought it was age related. Once I went on Metoprolol insomnia set in. Then my feet went cold and numb and my arms were so heavy and tingly and my joints hurt. My right shin hurt to touch as well. Vision was cloudy and had trouble adjusting to light changes. Finally it dawned on my that the changes occurred about the time I started the generic. I went back to doc and he pretty much told me I was crazy, prescribed Xanax and a session with a psychiatrist! He switched me back to Toprol and I felt no better then he switched me to
Atenolol with same result. By this time, my chest was on fire and I had extreme difficultly breathing. Called doc and he told me to stop cold turkey. I did and thought I was going to die one day. Throat closed up blood pressure soared. He stopped me on Nov 11 or 12th. I have been on nothing. Blood pressure is not leveled. When I first sit down it is like 140/93. If I wait a few minutes it goes down to 120/80 or a little lower. I was expecting to feel a lot better by this point in the game. I still have numbness in my pinky and ring finger and in my toes. If I take Advil it lessens to where it is not so bothersome. Anyone know how long this stuff takes to get out of your system? I am shopping for a new doc since mine know things I am a hypo. I am a 39 yr old female with no other health issues. Was originally put on for stress related palps.
November 14th
2007
9:46 PM
I am a nurse of 20 years and was placed on Toprol XL for super ventricular tachycardia (SVT) over a year ago. I was place on 25 mg dose after a stress test, ekg, echocaridogram and 24 hour halter monitor. I was not feeling any better and I was having periods of weakness, profuse sweating and being clammy. The cardiologist had me wear a 30 day event monitor and it showed frequent PVCs and runs of SVT. So he increased the dose to 50 mg. I continued to have the weakness, tachycardia, PVCs, extreme weakness, poor concentration and extreme periods of sweating with becoming clammy and some chest pain. Oh and I started having severe left leg pain that I had not had since my back surgery, so I went back to my pain specialist for treatment. I became so depressed, thoughts of life not worth living, poor endurance, not able to sleep in bed due to severe leg pain and increasing bouts of tachycardia, irregular heart rate, weakness, and sweating this is while at rest or working the symptoms remained. I forgot to mention that my blood sugar was increasing during this time to the point of in danger of being a diabetic.
I decided to stop the Toprol XL after reading some of the side effects that are less common. I was able to sleep in bed for the first time in 6 months, no leg pain. I called my cardiologist and he told me my symptoms were not consistent with Toprol XL side effects or reaction and to double the dose of Toprol XL. I refused and changed cardiologist, one who listened to me.
The result is I stayed off Toprol XL, after 5 weeks it is getting out of my system. No more sweating spells, cold clammy spells, extreme weakness, I feel part of life again and ready to go back into the world not hide from it, my blood sugar is getting back to normal. I am getting my strength and endurance back but have to rest some still, oh and I am losing the 25 pounds that I gained while on Toprol.
I still have irregular heart rate and that is okay but I am on a new medication that really seems to work. Oh, and the spinal implant that I was to have has been cancelled because the leg pain is almost gone and I sleep in a bed not a chair.
-- By clwrn54 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
November 9th
2007
7:12 PM
I have been taking warfarin for over a year now. I'm not sure if my symptoms are from the meds or not. I have a very itchy scalp, and I occassionly have difficulty swallowing. Right now I have a pinched nerve and right shoulder pain, have had it on and off for 6 months, my right index finger was numb and tingly for a month. I am currently seeing different doctors to see what the problem is, so far nothing. I'm hoping to go off Warfarin soon, against my hematologist's advice. Has anyone had any similiar symptoms while taking warfarin?
-- By terber2 | Reply | Private Message me
November 1th
2007
8:38 AM
I've been on Prednisone after and allergic reaction to penicillin (Amoxicillin) (bullous pemphigold - large blister on my arms and legs, some on the back and very little on the stomach) I've been on the medication for three days (40mg/day) I cannot standup or move my hands, my entire leg hurts and the foot is swollen (it could be from the penicillin). I'm hoping it will go away after I come off prednisone but has anyone experienced long term pain from this drug?
I'm pretty sure my pain is from the allergic reaction. Has anyone had long term pain from any type of bullous reaction?
-- By speedysa | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
October 31th
2007
3:37 PM
Today i was proscribed with 50 mh prednisone ,5 tablets .4 times a day so that is 1000mg of prednisone a day has anyone had same thing .i was dyagnosed with optic nuritiritis.i am really scared to take this medicine and so many mg a day. please help!
-- By ernest | Reply | (7) replies | Private Message me
August 30th
2007
7:17 AM
Has anyone experienced numbness or a greasy type of sensation on your tounge while taking Prednisone?
-- By rbirdwell | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 19th
2007
11:45 AM
while taking adderall xr 25 mg. twice a day i have experienced numbness or a tingling like feeling in my right thumb. anyone out there had this with adderall xr? i can't imagine what else it could be. i also have severe headaches and seem to live off tylenol!!!
-- By carmen123 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
January 11th
2007
8:36 AM
I am 53 year old male . Had been taking Lipitor 20mg daily for 6 years for heart related problem wthout any side effects for 6 years. In late December my doctor upped my Lipitor dosage to 40mg daily. a few days ago I had pain in index finger of left hand. Gradually this pain pread to all my fingers. Now I have pain in my toes and foot. Hoping that this is side effect of increase in Lipitor rather than anything more serious. Going to doctor tomorrow to get professional opinion.
-- By scot | Reply | Private Message me
October 6th
2006
5:46 AM
I've been on simvastatin for about 8 years - recently increased to 20mg pd. Side-effects seem to match up very closely with other posters. Back and shoulder pain, often quite acute. Pain in left side under ribs. Various stomach pains and a general feeling of being unwell. Recently had treatment for trigger finger on right hand.
I'm fairly certain that the longer one takes this medication,
a/ the side-effects gradually get worse and
b/ the side-effects last longer when you stop taking the drug.
September 24th
2005
7:36 AM
I initially started taking Lipitor from my doctors prescription about two and a half years ago, after I was diagnosed with type two Diabetes. (as well as taking blood pressure medicine and a diabetes pill twice a day) I didn't really notice any side effects for a about a year and a half,(I now realize that I was starting to have them, but didn't know they were attributable to lipitor)until about 8 months ago when my doctor increased my liptor from 20mgs to 40mgs. She did this because the cholesterol limit had been lowered.
I immediately started to get more tired and fatigued. Lots of muscle aches and lethargy. I noticed more tingling (especially at night or upon waking)in my right arm and especially my fingers on both hands. As well as feeling of having arthritis. I previously had some tingling and shoulder pain in the past, but I had always attributed this to the fact that I am a cameraman and carry cameras on that shoulder. (I had memtioned some of my pains to my doctor 8 months ago and she sent me to get an x-ray for my neck and shoulder which ended up negative.) At this same visit 8 months ago, my doctor increased my Lipitor dosage and then I really had more noticeable problems with my right neck, arm, elbow and fingers. I could not sleep on my left side because my whole neck would tingle, and I was having severe pains in my right elbow like tennis elbow, I also developed a trigger finger (kind of a bad arthritis feeling)where I can barely close my right middle index finger. It hurts and throbs most of the time, and I can't close it normally without pain. And when I try to open it up, it kind of pops open like the knuckle is stuck...I am going to get it x-rayed. It was also very hard to concentrate, and my memory was getting worse.
I recently went to see my doctor about all this fatigue and muscle aches. I asked her if my symptoms could be from the lipitor (because she once said to tell her if I develop any bruises or muscle aches) and she said they could and that some people won't take statin drugs because of the side effects and that people do a lot or research on the internet. Anyway, she was going to schedule a blood test for muscle enzymes that would possibly show muscle weakness from my prescriptions, but she looked into my mouth and said Aha! You have strep throat! And she totally blamed all my symptoms to strep throat and prescribed antibiotics. She even said that my finger could be a by-product of the strep throat. I never even had a sore throat! I took the antibiots for the 3 days and then I did my internet research and found this site and I couldn't believe my eyes that so many people were having the same type of symptoms and problems from taking Lipitor.
Well here I am 3 or so weeks later and I have stopped taking Lipitor! I have a ton more energy and am not tired all the time. I can also concentrate better and I also noticed my memory and attentiveness has gotten better since I stopped taking Lipitor on August 7th. I still have my trigger finger though, it hasn't gotten any better. But most of my muscle aches have gone away. I am going in soon to my doctor again and show her all this information from the web site.
I will probably try some of the natural remedies that I have read about on the website to lower my cholesterol and also mention these to my doctor.
-- By lptv | Reply | Private Message me
September 29th
2003
9:17 PM
I took Levaquin (500mg) for 10 days for a sinus infection with a nasty cough. (non smoker)
My heels began to hurt as did my right shoulder at day 4.
I had strange transient pains in my right index finger at day 6.
It took two weeks AFTER the last dose before my joint pains abated.
This antibiotic was very effective against my sinus infection.
I read about the possible side effects and I avoided exercise during the course of this drug.
All, in all. I am happy with the results. I am so glad to be rid of my sinus infection. It was worth the transient side effects (joint pain).
Any drug has side effects. This illustrates how important it is for people to be responsible for their own health and to
insist on complete information from both thier doctors and their pharmacists.
Be well.
TP Lathrop
December 1th
2002
10:04 PM
I have been taking Zocor for over 1 year now. After 3 or 4 months, I developed a tingling down my left arm into my index finger. My Doctor (whom I wish to sue) said it had nothing to do with the Zocor but that I had a degenerative disk disease. After another couple of months, I developed pain in my left shoulder and back. My Doctor said it was probably related to my disk problems. After going to months of Chiropractic and Accupunture treatments, I delevoped a problem with my lower back and now my right shoulder and back is in pain all the time. I can't sleep without waking up in pain. After reading all the other complaints, I realize it must be the Zocor! Is it too late to stop the pain? Or is it a lifetime problem? DO NOT TAKE ZOCOR!
-- By exsinger | Reply | Private Message me
December 4th
2002
5:06 PM
i had no side effects for approximately 18 months, but now i am experiencing heavy-leggedness a tremor in my right index finger when i am typing, and a tremor in my right thigh i've asked my doctor to let me go off zocor for a while to test whether the drug is the reason. would be interested in anyone's experiences once they went off, i.e. how long off the drug it takes for symptoms to ebb.
-- By bbaker1140 | Reply | Private Message me
PredniSONE (4) Zocor (3) Levaquin (2) Lipitor (2) Toprol-XL (2) Cortisone Acetate (1) Singulair (1) Mirena (1) Macrobid (1) Keflex (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Adderall XR (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1)
December 6th
2008
4:39 PM
Long story short, I got a terrible skin infection on my right index finger, directly next to the nail. I was prescribed Keflex 500mg, 3 capsules a day. So far, I see no improvement whatsoever, in fact, the infection is becoming more elevated and more sensitive. My whole finger has doubled in size and I can hardly bend it all the way down anymore. I've been taking Keflex for 4 days now.
-- By finger_lady | Reply | Private Message me