Junk food symptoms and conditions

I'm 48 and got a Mirena put in last January at the suggestion of my doctor. I'd been having menstrual migraines and we thought that a steady dose of hormones might help with the dips and prevent my headaches. Well, it has helped some, as the headaches don't come every month anymore, however, I do still get them, so it hasn't really done what we hoped. Add to that my (growing!) list of symptoms and something has to be done. I am very active. I do Taekwondo 4x a week and was working out 5x a week this summer in preparation for my black belt test. You would think that I'd lose weight with the workouts I've done for the past 10 months, but no, my weight has increased over 10lbs! And it's not muscle, either: My breasts, waist, hips and thighs have all increased. I feel bloated, tired to the point of exhaustion even after 8 hours of sleep, and all of my joints are achy. The brain-fog has gotten so bad that I've had to go back on ADD meds to try to maintain my focus at work. I'd been doing my workouts for 3 years prior to getting the Mirena, and I never felt tired the way I feel it now! I'm seeing my doctor next month and this thing is out of here!

I just read about a side effect from another member
He talks of pain in his inner elbows. Oh my I have that too, and I thought
it was because I strained that muscle when doing work. But it was so long ago. I still have the pain and find it hard to pick up things. Now I read about someone taking the same medication as me and having the same symptoms. I actually only take a half of a pill a day, but now i will discontinue it until I see my doctor (also my sleep pattern has been affected)
I did not have this problem when I took Lipitor.
I am hoping I can go back to Lipitor but maybe I will increase my exercise and not eat anymore junk food and then not have to take any of this silly medication.

I have only had Mirena for a few weeks, I have been bleeding daily, cramping daily, all day, I've had headaches constantly. I have a 3 month old and an 18 month old and i feel some days I can't get up with them because everything hurts! I've only had sex once and it didn't feel right and I began bleeding heavily right after so I don't even want to do it again.I've been sleeping in the day, when I work out the cramps get worse and Im craving junk food, which I normally never eat! I figured I would give it a month and then these feelings would go away...now after reading this I'm not so sure. My month appt. is coming up and now I think I'll just get it removed. My periods were never bad and now I just bleed at different times every day...it sucks!!!!!

I just started Tri Sprintec two weeks ago. Just two days later, I started experiencing severe abdominal cramping which lasted about a week. In addition, I was having to urinate once or twice every hour. Once the cramping subsided, I started feeling nauseated. I've gained five pounds and have the worst cravings for junk food. I'm very displeased. I hope things turn around...is anyone else having similar issues??

I've been taking Loestrin 24 for seven months now, and it worked like a charm - my periods haven't exactly decreased in time, just in heaviness (my periods weren't really heavy to begin with). No side effects, no spotting, nothing.

But this might be something to watch out for:

This past Saturday I was too lazy to take my pill in the morning, and I stayed over at a friend's and didn't take my pill Sunday either. Saturday I ate a bunch of junk food (pizza, brownies, etc.) and I bloated... which made sense. So I just tried to drink water. The next day I began cramping... which was unusual. I would be just finishing the second row of pills and I can't say I've knowingly ovulated since I've been taking these pills. I come home and to my horror, I was spotting... which has NEVER happened before. And as the day went on the cramping hurt more (not overbearingly but there was a noticeable change) and I noticed the blood smelled HORRIBLE, like a mix between a rotting animal and vomit. And today I'm still spotting.

To make a long story short, I now have an appointment with my gyno. I don't know if it means anything, but don't be like me and purposely not take your pill... you're supposed to take a pill a day for a reason. ):

Another update:
I had my 2nd Mirena in for 14 months and had it removed Valentines day.. 12 days ago. In the first 5 days my energy is back to normal.. if not above, my mood is euphoric compared to angry and sad all the time.. joint pains are gone. My appetite is half of what is was and I'm not craving junk food and chocolate anymore. i used to hide in the pantry and eat peanut butter & chocolate chips most of the afternoons. Since the Mirena was removed, I've lost 5 pounds! My sex drive was nil for the last 3 years (with 2 pregnancies and 2 mirenas) and now I make my husband come home early for an afternooner, and today i needed it twice! No more dryness.. exactly the opposite. Can throw out the lube..lol. Never needed it before Mirena and don't anymore. I fell out of love with my husband when we were married in 2005 and have been angry with him and unattracted to him since. The last few days, I just look at him and I get turned on. I can't believe we payed thousands of dollars on marriage counselling, and our biggest problem was this stupid IUD! I'm so happy to be alive again!
I owe it to everyone here who has shared their stories.

Let me just say THANK GOD for this website...i began taking yaz last may because i saw so many commercials for it and thought it would be great... all summer long i LOVED it and raved about it to anyone who would listen, probably because of the rapid breast growth it caused ( i went from a small b to a double d in a period of six months), but ive been feeling extremely melancholy and moody as of late, and i have ZERO patience; ill snap at the smallest thing. but what inspired me to finally get off of yaz is the weight gain; i used to have a wonderfully toned body, very nice abs and muscular slender legs; since taking yaz, i have gained 17 POUNDS and working out incessantly and watching my diet is doing absolutely NOTHING to help this weight gain...it didn't cause acne, but ive never had acne so im not sure if that side effect really applies to me...but im constantly tired, bitchy, and craving junk food, even when im not hungry. all i want to do is nap all day long and im just extremely depressed all the time. im throwing my pack out as we speak and i suggest anyone who is having similar side effects do the same because they always get worse.

I've been on Yaz for about two years. I stopped at one point, because it makes me miserable, but wasn't menstruating after six months (and definitely not pregnant) so my doctor convinced me the Yaz would make me better. Who knows - maybe it just takes more than six months for the 'brain fog" side effect to go away, but I agreed to go back on it. I exercise daily, and I've always been a healthy eater and still am during the day, but after this pill I just want to shove junk food in my face all night or anytime something is stressing me. On Yaz, the wind blowing the wrong way can stress me. Still exercising, but gluttonous, I've gained 20 lbs. I don't remember what having a sex drive feels like, and I've lost all ability to be a patient and upbeat person. I have a B12 deficiency from the pill, and possibly vitamin D as well...the D is fun, because occasionally the joints in my feet and hands swell up, eliminating my ability to function normally, and I get hives. Thanks, Bayer!!

I've been on Yaz for about 2+ years now. I'm a healthy 23 year old. Recently I started breaking out in hives and itching all over constantly. After listing every possible allergy it could be, something brought my attention to the one everyday constant thing- Yaz. I went to read about allergic reactions to this medicine and noticed I have at least TEN side effects! Headaches daily as if on a schedule, intolerance to wearing contact lenses (of which I wore well before starting Yaz just fine), weight gain (I eat moderately but crave junk food even when i'm not hungry!), moodiness (yikes.. this one is really horrible.. I owe my friends and fiance a huge apology!) and irritability unlike anything I've ever known. I break at the smallest thing. I've been looking at changing methods for a few weeks now, but now I know it's making me go crazy, I'm stopping immediately! My fiance and I have discussed this and we both think it has to be done. I'm ready to get back to my old, sane self!!!!! Reading other users posts and the Yaz website has really confirmed my decision. I am sensitive to medicines and don't know why it's just now affecting my body. I'm ready to find something else, even it if means longer periods! Do your research before taking this drug!!

Hi, I am a 45 year old male with high cholesterol. prescribed 20mg. of Lipitor to control it. Am having a strange twitching muscle in my right calf since I started the meds. Forearms hurt, trouble sleeping, twitching in my sleep, apparently, tiredness. I'm worried about going off it. My dad died of a heart attack. Would it hurt to try going off it for about 3 months?

WTH? I got off Yasmin 2 months ago and I have started gaining weight since then! :-o I have always had pretty much the same weight since 16 years ago but now after getting off I've gained 5 pounds in 2 months. This sucks! And trust me, it's not my fault that it's happening.

And the weird thing is that I eat half the sweets and candy now versus when I was on the pill. Is the weight gain going to stop? Am I going to loose these extra pounds then? How long can I expect it to take before it levels off again and my body is back to normal?

I hate that I even started taking this pill in the first place. :-(

i just started taking itr about a week or so ago i too have had extreme night sweats increased appetite but am definitely sleeping better i,m taking half a tab per night one night i took 2 full tabs because i woke an hr after falling asleep and was sooooooooo hungry just couldn't get full ate at least 7 times in 1 day mostly junk food Tina

okay ladies, I'm not sure what you all are experiencing since I'm not a doctor. But I will tell you that a huge amount of your symptoms can either be age related or post baby related. I have four children ages 15, 6, 5, 3.
The beginning stages of the Mirena granted are not pretty and can last for months. I was having a terrible time with my periods and was out of commission for the first three days of every cycle each month. I have had my Mirena for almost 2 years now and am going on 41. I had to wait it out for about 6 months before seeing any huge improvements. I will tell you this, over eating and NOT eating a healthy diet of fruits and veggies will aggravate bloating and mood swings. You could have these with or without the IUD. I never lost my hair unless I was 3-6 months post partum.
A diet rich in potato chips, bread, meats and cheesy pizza will show on your hair skin and nails. The typical American diet will leave even your special guy moody. As we age the expectation is that we will always feel 18 and I have had to come to grips with how my body ages and how I take care of it. A new baby whether it is your 1st or 4th will cause unwanted fatigue. I still struggle with fatigue because not everyone sleeps thru the night including my hubby so my sleep gets disrupted a lot. There are several things you can do to help your Mirena work for you and not scare you. I NEVER lose my sex drive unless I fail to exercise even a little each week and have fought back with a super charged diet. I'm not perfect at it but boy does it ever help. Sugar has a HUGE impact on your hormones and fatigue level. Limit it. Got to bed as early as you can and avoid late night TV. Don't give your precious zzz's to some silly show that won't help you be a better person any way. Get moving and add a little (or a lot) of weight training to your days- your sex drive will soar and your body will thank you. Pray for wisdom. God will help. Sometimes he uses fatigue to slow me down and focus on what is really important. Granted not everyone can handle an IUD. But if you try a little self care and be patient you might find that it works for you. I had heavy bleeding and at my age the doc said I got it just in time because from 40-50 I could expect more of the same. I am grateful for it because I felt like I was dying every time I had a period. A little fatigue is worth the benefits. Keep in mind that even your little ones get tired. They need naps and they are kids. We need rest in the afternoons too. It's okay to stay off the phone and rest a little if you can. My energy drainers are TV, negative people, talking on the phone too much, eating too much especially when I'm not really hungry, the wrong foods when I do eat, and not getting sleep or exercise. Start small and see if over time it doesn't make a big difference before you throw in the towel. Blessings to all and especially the new mommies.

I was on Lipitor for less than a week 2 years ago and the muscle pains were so bad that moving my head was painful. I called the doctor's office and was instructed to stop taking the medication; which I did and felt 'back to normal' within a few days. I haven't had my cholesterol checked since that time, or if I did before surgery, no one mentioned anything negative about it. However 6 weeks ago I had a heart attack. Apparently my cholesterol was twice what it should it have been, and my potassium was incredibly low. So I'm now on Lipitor (standard procedure after having a heart attack and high cholesterol seen as the cause of it) to ensure that another blockage does not occur.

The only problem is I'm now bloated even though I've changed my diet drastically (no more junk food or soft drinks, no 'white' flour products, no dairy products with more than 5% M.F and lots of veggies and fruits). I've lost 3 or 4 pounds but my pants are too tight around my waist, and now I have a my upper abdomen bulges over the waistline. Besides that, I get muscle 'kinks' in very places and after sitting for more than 10 minutes I limp when I take the first few steps.

People have told me to 'keep taking Lipitor and Plavix' but exercise more. The only problem with that is that I have a brain aneurysm and the neurosurgeons don't think it can be operated on 'without it being a very high risk procedure'. The first one ruptured 10 years ago and since then I've managed to control my blood pressure. However the meds I took for that was what lead to my potassium being so low that my electrolytes were imbalanced. That combination of low potassium and high cholesterol is what lead to the heart attack.

I'm 54 and feel as though I'm losing control of 'how' I feel. Between Lipitor, Plavix and diuretics and medication for hypertension I'm not sure if it's one drug in particular that's making me 'ache, limp and look like a blimp' or if it's because of the interaction of all of them. How do I decide 'what' to stop? What's more important to look after first - my heart or my brain?

i am a 43 yr old male.........i was put on 100mg a day of metoprolol and it did the job of lowering my blood pressure and heart rate. however after about a year of taking the meto my orgasms would take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours to achieve. at first it was nice to go longer tham usual, but it has became a problem for myself and my wife. i sometimes think i will have a heart attack trying to release, we go thru bottles of lube to keep her from hurting, and my mood became very bad, i was looking for things to complain about, threatening people at work and so on. i started weening myself off meto 2 weeks ago my dividing the pills in half, and went to see my doctor this week. he prescribed lisinopril 10mg and had me divide my metoprolol in half again for another week. already my moods are 100% better, but i still have trouble achieving climax with sex in timely fashion. i hope that problem goes away soon. i am curious, am i the only male here having problems climaxing?

just got put on it and i have a craving for junk food but do feel a little mellow compared to what i was

My God, This is so confusing!! I 'm 23 yrs old and I've been taking YASMIN for about 2 yrs. It really helped with my period pains, my periods were lighter and everyday in every month was totally normal for me. Everyone else in the world had the pains pains except me!!
A couple months ago, I decided to stop taking the YASMIN, because I thought that maybe I would be ok without it and save myself some bucks everymonth. But Oh My GOD!!
I never believed in the existence of PMS until last week:
I was on a diet and last week I just ate junk food none stop, my mouth was like a conveyor belt for ice cream, cake, chocolate, meat, pizza. And I knew I should stop cuz I was ruining all the progress I made with my diet... But I couldn't stop eating!!
My libido sky rocketed... Which was difficult because I was trying so hard not to be sexually active with my horrible ex-boyfriend... I tried to concentrate on other things, but having sex was literally taking up everything!!! I felt like a real whore....
My ability to suppress negative emotions was also difficult. I usually deal with a lot of upset persons on the phone and I usually am the one to re-assure them and give them all the information they need. One of my superiors enjoys picking on me and I ALWAYS let it slide. But last week... My God, I knew I was getting angry, I told myself "don't allow yourself to look ignorant and blow up" but it was as if I didn't have control!!!
I got bad cramps days before my period. Usually I get them the day before or on the day of my period. But I couldn't function!!!
My period came really really really late, by about a week and a half. I was so worried that I was pregnant especially because of my week of weakness with my ex... I took four EPT's.
When my period finally came... It came really heavy. This is embarrassing. But I'm wearing adult diapers at night. Tampons would be a waste. When I use the bathroom, blood just drips out in large gross clots.
And so I'm starting back on YASMIN.
Friends who took YASMIN experienced negative side effects: breast tenderness, leg cramps, increased PMS. But what I listed here was what happened when I came off it for two months. I'm not recommending it. But after reading this I realize that we are all different, different how?? I guess we'll need a Gyno or MD to give reliable answers.
Good Luck, and my condolences to you all!

I have been on Zoloft for about 8 months. I began taking it for anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and eating issues. Since I have been on it, my eating issues have gotten a lot worse. I began binging, something I've never done before. I have racing thoughts and feel like I am just floating through life. My weight has gone from about 120 to 155. I am not happy, and am considering coming off of the medication. Has anyone else noticed they have not been able to control their eating while on Zoloft? However, my anxiety did subside.

I just quit Yaz 8 days ago, was on it for 6 months. I had the copper t iud in for 4 months but the pain and non-stop bleeding was too much so I thought I'd give the coolest, newest pill out on the market a try. First week was awful; headaches, fatigue and nausea, but I knew I had to give it 3 months. First 2 months it really helped with cramps and bloating, but slowly the mood swings crept in. I was very emotional, depressed, random bouts of anger, bloating, cramping, 2 periods per month and spotting, gained 8lbs, uncontrollable hunger, appetite was ridicules. But the reason I felt I HAD to stop taking it was the fatigue, I could no longer do my 6 mile jogs, I struggled to walk to get the mail, I was for the first time in my life a couch potato. Before I began Yaz I was 115lbs, 5'7, have always been very active and eat only 100% organic health food, drink only green tea and water. Needless to say I was in shape, cellulite free my entire life till now. On the 5 month of Yaz I noticed cellulite on my legs!!! I was know as a sweet and very patient lovable girl, NOT ANYMORE! I used to never use bad words, now I use the F-word all day long, I pick fights with everyone and feel sooo angry all the time. I hope sharing my story helps other women understand that it's not them, it's this awful drug. I am going to use the LadyComp for bc, I will NEVER again put synthetic hormones in my body.

I've been on synthroid now for about a year. My dosage is VERY little (0.075). My doctor keeps running blood tests every 3 months and assures me I am within the "lower-end" of the norm, but I still feel tired, sleep deprived, wake up with night-sweats and I keep gaining weight...

I am only 24 and have just been told that I need to take this medication for the rest of my life, it\s pretty depressing. I keep asking if there are other ways to lose weight and feel more energized. He tells me that I need to keep taking this medication and has put me on a "sleep hygeine" routine where I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Does this "disease" mean I will always be overweight and tired for the rest of my life? I would like to know if someone else with more experience with this medication can give any sort of advice? Feeling a little hopeless about it and not really interested in complaining to my doctor anymore.

Thanks:)

I just had Mirena removed yesterday, and could feel relief in my body with a half hour. Yes, truly-a feeling that I removed this "irritation". When I saw the size of the Mirena-and the shape of it, internally understood why my body was swelling. It scares me that so many of us are exhibiting the same types of symptoms. I had this inserted 4 !/2 years ago and have gained 30Lbs., experiences of depression and strong mood swings, changes in my skin-acne, and an increased libido.

What I notice the most after removal is the very distinct sensation that its out. I didn't realize that I just got used to this being in my uterus.The swelling was so obvious it looks like I am 5 months pregnant. I am 5'4 and when I first had this inserted I wore Size 6. I now wear Size10, 12. And its not my diet-I do not indulge in junk food,or large portions. I exercise 4-5 times a week, and have a great sex life..

I think that the Pharmaceutical community and Physicians are aware that this is a problem, They just aren't acknowledging it...YET. Who knows what the long term effects are.
I have had this out for about 36 hours and I feel a sense of comfort in my own body... It is not my imagination and I would call anyone in our "medical Community" ignorant for not standing up to the obvious fact that this IS A PROBLEM.

I'm taking 10mg. of Lisinopril currently because I'm borderline HBP per my Dr. I'm tired all the time, and fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I will watch tv and by 8-9pm I'm out and my family can not get me to wake up and go to bed. I can hear them, and respond most times-but I just can't get up. Now my left hand and halfway up my forearm started feeling like it fell asleep last night. I don't cough much, but my throat and mouth is always dry and feels like I need a drink, I'm also having trouble having a bowel movement and I am more short-tempered than normal. I'm done with this medicine. I'm working on losing weight, working out, and staying away from junk food. Thanks everyone.

My Mirena Removal....
So i posted here a few weeks ago after I found this site. I had EVERY side effect listed and was so freaked out that i immediately made an appointment for removal.
For those of you reading and wondering what the removal is like..
Well, NOTHING like the insertion. I was so so nervous and it was over before we actually started. The DR was surprised that i was back in his office to have this removed. He then proceeded to do an ultrasound to be sure it was placed properly before removal. And yes, all was OK on the position of it. I explained to him my reasons and he looked at me like he had never heard this before. I honestly can not imagine with all the women he sees that NONE of them have complained. But...as I was getting dressed afterwards, I took a good look in his office. There was Mirena literature ALL over the place. In fact, that was the ONLY thing he was advertising. Not to mention...they made me pay up front with the insertion back in Nivember...billed my insurance and I still have yet to receive my reimbursement. Oh yeah, and that...they charge more than the actual Mirena costs, then they bill your insurance for the price they know they will pay and the DR then makes about $150 profit. Nice.
Ok, back to my side effects post Mirena. The removal was not painful at all. I did spot for about a week- nothing too heavy but it was clotty and def there.
A couple of days after the removal it felt like I was coming out of my skin something terrible. I figured this was my body adjusting to the lack of hormones. I also had some headaches.
It has now been 2 weeks and the spotting has disappeared. I also can see the bloating of my stomach is starting to go away. It looked like I was about 4 mos preggo while I was on it. I also have an increased sex drive. And sleep-- well let me tell you, I have not slept this good in a very long time. I am actually sleeping more than 6 hours now and the night sweats have also discontinued.
I can't believe EVERY time I come to this site and look up Mirena ALL the people that have posted their experience as being negative. Yet, the DR looks at me like I am crazy! I have been seeing him for years and I have never complained about something like this. I really am so happy that I have it out and wish I would have done my research on this prior to insertion (which was one of the most painful things ever!)
So..for those of you out there that are either contemplating having it inserted...I say NO WAY. And for those of you out there that are nervous about the removal or not sure..I SAY YES, DO IT! For our bodies to be reacting this way, it is clear to me that it should not be inside of us. Listen to your bodies...they really do speak to you and let you know when something is not right. Forget about the DR saying it is safe or he has not heard of any of these side effects...YOU be the judge.
Good luck! And I promise it gets better once you get that lil' demon out!
Mona

I have fibromyalgia and started taking Effexor xr last fall to help combat fibro symptoms as recommended by my doctor. I am also prone to SAD. I have found that my fibro symptoms are worse if anything. I crave junk food and sweets. My doctor told me the drug could not be causing the cravings or the resultant weight gain. I finally five days ago told the doc I really didn't feel I was benefiting from the drug and she agreed that I should stop 'cold turkey'. Wellll! since then I am having nausea, chills, very vivid dreams, bordering on hallucination. I feel I have been sleeping for hours during the night and find it's only been two or three hours. I'm still not refreshed, but I can't get back to sleep. I find myself crying for no reason at all, feeling anxious, feeling angry at the least provocation. Chills, runny nose. While I was on Effexor my libido was non-existent. Now it's increased greatly. What is up with this drug. how long can I expect the after-effects to last? I had to stay home from work today for the nausea and tiredness and just general over emotionality.

Calgon take me away

My mother was put on Prednisone 3 weeks ago because of severe muscle pain (15 mg at first and increased to 60 mg). After she starting taking it she began to have weakness in her muscles/joints and was unable to walk by the end of the week. She also had severe water retention and could not catch her breath. Most of all she was very weak all the time and could not seem to sleep at all. She wound up in the hospital and was classified with a type of Congestive Heart Failure due to the excessive dosage given by a pain doctor. She had to be admitted to a Rehabilitation Center where they have now cut her down to 10 mg a day and she is trying to take Physical Therapy to walk again. She is fighting with depression and overwhelming feelings of anxiety. She still cannot sleep and wonders if she will ever by back to normal again. Just a month ago she was living a normal life and because of the pain, was given this medication. I wonder if the benefits outweigh the horrible side effects she has experienced. After reading some of the responses above I see others are having similar side effects.
Any encouragement from someone with a positive long term outcome would be beneficial at this time to her. She feels very helpless in her situation.