Kidney symptoms and conditions

I am so glad I found this web site-I really thought I must be dying, I feel like crap. I was diagnosed with hbp, borderline, but also diagnosed diabetic at the same time, dr gave me metformin, simvastatin (for cholesterol) and the lisinopril, i was told they all work together and are prescribed together, well i never felt so horrible i have been taking them since the end of May, I have a dry tickle cough that mostly happens when i'm laying down at night but get some coughing bouts that bring tears to my eyes. I have this horrible left front neck pain i thought was a sore throat, but it doesn't hurt to swallow -just pain and pressure like a constant dull toothache. i have a headache and sinus ache that feels like pressure that doesn't ease up even with Tylenol, i took motrin one day & the pain went away but my feet swelled up. now i have had a pain in my right kidney (back) for the last 2 weeks and i can hardly walk when i rise. I get cramping in my fingers and toes. I am very short tempered and have depression to-so many side effects in such a short time---July 14 i have a doctor appointment, but i'm not taking anymore after today.

Most of the "side effects" are die off responses (sometimes referred to as a herxheimer response similar to that which occurs when treating syphillis) from bartonella or borrelia. Levaquin is a potent intracellular antibiotic...where these and other organisms can hide. These can be subclinical infections where (at this time) you are not even aware you are infected. If your "side effects" start around the 3rd day into your prescription...rejoice...and suffer for a while, you are killing something really bad.

Hi,

I just found this site, as I am looking for an explanation for the extreme joint pain that I am having, along with swollen ankles/feet. I have been dealing with some type of chronic contact dermatitis that no one has been able to solve, since last July. I have been on numerous steroids, then on Cyclosporine, for several months, which can play havoc with your kidneys. I also started taking Singulair for the itching, which is one of the few things that has really helped. Since November, I was taking Singulair on and off. But, as I recall, I began taking it daily since around late January. Around late February, I began having joint pain, which still continues, and lately, is becoming excruciating! When it first began, I blamed it on the Cyclosporine and kidney breakdown. But, since I have been off that, the pain has continued to worsen. Then I thought it may have something to do with the Doxepin, which I also take at night for the itching. I stopped taking that two nights ago, but the pain continues to worsen.

Now, from what I am reading, these blogs make me believe it could be the Singulair. Can anyone tell me how long it takes for the pain to go away once you stop taking the Singulair????? I will gladly stop taking it if this pain will go away. In fact I will be thrilled, because I was suppose to begin testing next weak for possible Lupus, because it doesn't seem that the Physicians who prescribe Singulair, are well aware of these issues.

I would appreciate anyone who can give information as to how long it takes for the side effects to subside. Thank you!!!
(In pain in Boca Raton, FL)

My Daughter has been ill since Feb 4, 2008. Here are her symptoms. Rash on head neck and chest, low grade fever, almost daily vomitting, nauseau, low grade fever, kidney issues, severe abdominal and lower back pain. All tests have been negative, hospitalized twice.

I sent just a local email out to a few contacts talking about the symptoms, girls in our community Papillion, NE are suffering from similar side effects. How can we stop this from hurting other children?

jo

I was put in this med about 6 mos ago in order to protect my Kidney, I had a transplant years ago. My BP was already low in the mid 120s/85-90 and this has dropped it to 120/80.

However on starting this med, I suffered many of the flu-like symptoms to the point where I was out of work for a couple of days. Since then, I have, in retrospect had malaise, depression symptoms, occasional shortness of breath and a general lack of energy.

And last night, the kicker, I was with my new girlfriend for the first time....yep, no work, at all, which led me to checking out the net for symptoms of the meds I was on.

I am a 25 year old, who was perfectly healthy prior to recently when I was diagnosed with Nephritic Syndrome and Minimal Change Disease and possibly FSGS (kidney diseases) I was put on 60 mg of Prednisone for 1 month then I was lowered to 40 mg for one month and I am then dropping to 30 mg. I am also taking Fosamax for my bones and a Vitamin D pill because my last lab test showed low vitamin D levels.

I am dizzy constantly and can not live a normal life, I can not drive or do any activities that I had previously done. My chest is so tight and constricted all of the time, my heart rate is so fast and pounds at my chest. I have no energy to do anything, I can barely open a door at times. I am beginning to grow unwanted hair on my face. My abdomen is always bloated. I have pain in my rib cage, and shoulders. I feel very sore throughout my entire body. I do not really sleep at night, so I look very tired all the time.

I have actually lost weight, I have no appetite at all. I am down 10-15lbs.

Now for the Pro- my Kidney Diseases are currently in remission and this has happened much faster than the Nephrologist had thought.

I am very anxious to getting my life back to normal and getting off the Prednisone.

Has any one else experienced increased heart rate, chest tightness, or rib pain?

I wish everyone the best in their roads to recovery!!

My doctor (PA, actually) prescribed Lisinopril a few weeks ago because I'm diabetic and she said it would help protect my kidneys as well as lower my moderately-high blood pressure. Things went well for a couple of weeks, but the past few days have been unbearable. Not much of a cough, but I feel terribly weak, exhausted, and I can hardly think at all--am very confused, and can barely write this note (strange for a professional writer, eh?). I also have trouble walking, am quite dizzy and out of breath, and have severe muscle cramps; feels almost like my nervous system is shutting down. And truly, I feel like it could kill me. I was grateful to read all of your comments; makes me know that I'm not alone. I will have to discontinue this medication, as I simply cannot function while using it. (I'm a 62-year-old female, by the way.) Thanks again for your comments, and I wish you all luck and happiness.

I am not sure if this is from Avelox--but I found this site because my mom called me today telling me she has blood in her urine. It's really blood, a lot of it, and not "dark urine", and yes I am very worried. She stopped taking Avelox because of some other side effects 2 days ago. She was prescribed the drug because of a gastrointestinal flu that was going around. (As you may know flu's are caused by a irus, not something that can be stopped by an antibiotic) Now she also has weakness and abdominal pain on the side.

She had ovarian cancer 7 years ago, had an accident one year ago and was hospitalized and had surgery, so we are extremely concerned--especially so because apparently doctors don't ever seem to take her precondition serious when prescribing treatment for any other minor illnesses and injuries, instead in one instance the eyes lit up and they xrayed her 5 times instead of one, when she had NOTHING against my will and her feeble doubts at one time. I am sure her sensitive condition--all those toxic substances sitting in her organs-- was NOT taken into account this time either, and she only has one kidney. As you may know, all antibiotics are hard on kidney and liver, so i was really shocked to hear about the known side effects of this one prescribed to someone who had so much hospitalization and toxic substances in her body already. At this point they have brought blood samples to a physician. Nobody seems to feel like hurrying anything, while she has blood red urine every time she goes to the bathroom!

i wonder if the precondition affects the range of possible side effects as well? The last straw that broke an organ? Probably. If you have any input on this, I would appreciate it, it will only be hard for me to check it because I will go stay with her and they have no internet.

Are you aware about short and long term side effects of this Devil's drug??? Of course, everybody reacts differently while take or withdraw. But there are high number of people who react terribly bad!!! Doctors do not want to recognize and discuss this. They just keep silent... Do you know exactly how Prednisone works??? Nobody knows this for sure, even doctors!!! From my personal experience, and despite gradual withdrawal, I developed extremely high blood pressure, weakness, panic attacks, depression! Practically it ruined my normal life! Doctors have no clue how to deal with its devastating side effects. Steroids are not selective. When you take a steroid, the drug infiltrates the nucleus of every single one OF YOUR CELLS AND STARTS MONKEYING AROUND WITH GENES IT FINDS THERE!!! It probably plays with hundreds of genes. And just a small number of these genes control the pain and inflammation associated with inflammatory diseases, so steroids turn many of these genes off which is good thing. However, because steroids are not selective, they also regulate the genes that control kidney, liver, BRAIN, and HEART function - which is not good thing!!! It is likely that steroid treatment plays with other genes, too, including those we do not know about a lot right now...So, Prednisone pervades the entire body, which increases the likelihood of short-term side effects and long-term DAMAGE. My advice is: THINK TWICE BEFORE TAKING PREDNISONE!!!

i was prescribed this drug for kidney and bladder infection. i avoided sunlight ( warning on drug label). my skin began to look thin and dehydrated, tingling sensations. my face became swollen and cheeks exceptionally red, like severe sunburn. it's been over two weeks since i stopped taking this medication and my skin still isn't anywhere back to normal. my face actually became flaky.

i have taken Bactrim in the past with none of the above side effects. how does this drug differ from Bactrim.

-By vivian - ohio

I just started 80 mg of Prednisone for Vasculitis in my kidney’s. I also have RA. This treatment is being augmented with low dose chemotherapy. The Chemo is nothing compared with the side effects of the Prednisone. It is Horrible. It has so messed with my brain I never knew what an awful existence obsessive compulsives live. I can’t sit still and stop doing things if there is anything left undone! I have trouble with controlling my emotions, responses etc. Thinking isn’t easy either. And I’m awake most of the night. (Not a bad thing since we just were blessed with twins however). But it is really straining my relationship with my 6 year old son who can’t understand why his Dad goes from nice dad to mad dad in a second. I’ve also have horrid muscle fatigue in my legs. For me this is the worst because getting up and moving and walking up stairs is almost impossible. And I was hiking up to 5 miles in rough terrain just a few weeks ago. I’ve actually LOST 10 lbs.

So I am wondering if anyone has any tips, tricks or ideas they have found to combat the muscle fatigue? It would be greatly appreciated if you could share any ideas you have. I’ve been drinking water and electrolyte replacements, (G-2, the new Gatorade) but that has not solved the problem.

Thanks.

Hi again ....I went to see my G.P regarding my symptoms posted here 18th Jan. He has ordered blood tests for kidney, liver, thyroid function, blood sugar levels and a full blood count....he doesn't feel that the symptoms I have are attributed to the lisinopril therefore I am back on this drug again!! I am not so sure and I will wait to see if the blood tests reveal any problems. If not I intend to carry on like this for another 3 months and then I will approach my Doctor again if I am still experiencing the same problems and suggest that we try an alternative BP drug! In the meantime I found that the itching had abated after not taking the lisinopril I guess I am going to be a scratch bag again!! Thanks Jill xx

I turn 60 this year and have been riding motorcycles all my life, but after being on Lipitor for the last two years, I haven't had the upper body strength to lift my motorcycle off of its side stand.I have had trouble sleeping, keep tossing and turning due to discomfort in my lower back and right hip. The pain is almost debilitating when trying to get out of bed or rise from a sitting position. I go to a real good Chiropractor once a month for the back and hip pain, but he says it may be the statin's that is doing the damage, because he can't find anything wrong except for the normal adjustment . I also just found out that I was born with only one kidney and the waste from the deterioration of my muscle mass is affecting the proper operation of the one kidney Some of my friends and my wife say the my speech has become a little slurred It seems that no matter how much I exercise, my upper body strength and back pain does not get any better, they seem to be getting worse. I tried a little experiment and stopped taking the Lipitor for a couple of weeks and the problems seemed to get a little better. I told my doctor this and they said that I NEEDED the Lipitor, so they cut the dose from 20mg. to 10mg. Now the pain has returned, so that tells me that these Statin drugs are not good for me - - - they might be good for other people, but if you are taking a statin, you should do a lot of research on them. The side effects they say MIGHT happen is only the beginning. For me - - -the cost is not worth it - - -in more ways than one.

I have been on it for a about 4 months. In the last 6 months I have fainted twice, (first time my life) have constant sore achy muscles in my upper body and now am getting irregular heart beats and skipping beats with clammy faint feelings.
Had treadmill tests etc and heart is good and strong. Was given this med to protect my remaining kidney from elevated bp but I changed my diet and lost 50 lbs so bp is down to 110/64. Going to stop this stuff now. Life is too miserable as is.

It is now day 8....unfortunately the blood pressure has rocketed up to 150/100 had to go back on the full meds ...........being tired isn't fun but 150/100 isn't safe to walk around with....very hard to sleep with a pressure pounding that high...hopefully the exercise 30 min a day will combat the tired and depression effects...then in a few months ill try again or a different med if necessary.....not looking forward to itching again either !

At the age of 36 this genetic blood pressure problem has become very frustrating ..all tests came back normal ekg, heart scans, kidney scans mri s blood tests so whats left they say Sleep Apnea could be the issue need a sleep test though to see ........have a good one all

been on simvastan for about 3 years, started getting left side kidney pain mounths ago and it's not going away. very tender at times, take ibprofen and it helps somewhat. gona stop taking the statin tonight.

please do not take this drug!!!!!!!! 52yo male hard worker very active.3 years ago lost kidney from cancer did ok.on follow up visit the doctor said my blood pressure high 150/90 put me on toprol 50 mg.this was feb 2007 lost 25 lbs leg pains so bad could hardly walk.nite sweats. flushing,in a fog,depressed,so fatiqued had to leave work in aug.they uped my scrip to 100 2weeks ago it got so bad couldnt get out of bed looked up toprol on the web thank god i found this web site made copies took it to my doctor started weaning me off 2 more pills and i think i can go back to work im feeling better already.thank god i work for a good company and have a great wife or i would have lost everything.how can these people sleep at nite

My wife had a UTI (urinary tract infection) and the doctor prescribed cipro-something which did not work. Two days later the pain continued and it started to make her back feel very sore (infection spread to kidney). The doctor prescribed Levaquin and she felt better within an hour or so. As I recall, a 5 day supply cost $100 so this is not cheap, but our insurance did offset that quite a bit. Two days after she started taking it, I found this site and read all of the horror stories. Fortunately for us, the 5 day dose is now over (since yesterday). My wife has not experienced any side effects and her UTI issues have disappeared.

I'm so glad that I found this page. I injured my back 3 years ago and have been taking prescribed opiods for the pain. Recently got a bad UTI that lasted 3 months and they thought it spread to my kidneys, so they put me on Levaquin. The first 2 days nothing but soreness,I felt like I had been held down and beat with a bat. The 3rd day I noticed some swelling on my ankles and attributed it to working and standing on my feet all day. By the 6th day(this past Saturday) I can barely stand my knees and hips hurt so bad that I cut short my training with my Thoroughbred Shelby. I even had to ask my husband to come with me so that I could at least get him brushed out and groomed. I couldn't even hold a large groom brush. I literlly have to roll out of bed and try to prop myself up. My hands and wrists are so swollen that it's hard to just sit up on the side of the bed, and my lower legs, ankles and feet are all pitting edema with pain in every joint and difficulty just standing and walking is even harder. Thank God I have a cane that I use intermittently for my back. Here I was worried that my kidney's had shut down. I also have been looking on the net and found all my symptoms related to Levaquin. I'm not taking this any more.
This drug is dangerous, like others here, not 1 doctor even said a word about this side effect/ allergic reaction I could have. Not even the pharmacist. Sickening. All for a buck in their pocket.

I am on 40mg one a day. Went on lisinopril on 04-26. I strarted having pains in UT areas. Bladers control issues and now Colon pains. I am not sure what to do next since it does a good job on my BP. I have a cough, Fatigue, Swollen eyes lids feeling heavy. No my left side hurts where my kidney is. How musle pain and joint pain also. Does any one have any suggestions?

I was put on 10mg. Prednisone 5 times a day by my rheumatolgist. This past Wed. I had to go to my GP doctor because under my right armpit it was red & swollen 2 inches high and 5 inches across. I was in agony. He flipped when saw how much Prednisone I was taking. He said that is what caused my armpit problem. He could not drain my armpit because it was too hard. That was when I just went to pieces because I wanted some relief.He put me on antibiotics and pain meds. He noted a yellow spot in the corner of both eyes and amde an appt. with an optomolgist. He told me how to taper off of Prednisone and I will go back next week. It has been 2 days since that visit and here are my new problems: white bumps on my tongue, numb tongue and lips, pus sores in my nose,bloating, bright red spots on my thighs, bruises I can't explain, moonface, pain under my rib area, I could eat eat our house like a termite, not sleeping, sweating. My husband half expects me to grow a new leg or develop leposy or something. I had no idea a drug could do so much damage so quickly.Who knows what new side effect I can get tomorrow.

I took this drug for 9 days of a 10 day prescription. I suffered from insomnia, but didn't connect that to the meds. On day 9 I awoke with slight pain in one knee. As the day wore on, that pain got acute and spread to the other knee, elbows, shoulders and hands. I thought perhaps it was a severe attack of osteoarthritis, but that didn't seem right. Three days later in a newspaper column called "The People's Pharmacy" I read about Levaquin causing severe tendon problem. A light went off in my head and I heard a "Boing!" It is now day 5 of my symptoms, some of which have abated. I still have to wear a knee brace on one leg, can't bend either knee very far, and am in acute discomfort. I took some naproxin to alleviate the inflammation and it seemed to work, but I won't take NSAIDS for a long period of time. I'm furious. Neither the doctor nor the instructions for the medication warned me of this side effect. Now I'm left to hope this goes away with time and I can walk comfortably again without this giant brace on my left knee. I remind myself of Igor in "Young Frankenstein!" Sleeping is uncomfortable as well - I awoke in severe pain last night because I had rolled onto my side and my right knee was resting on my sore left knee. Not good. I'm furious.

At first I thought this was great but after 18 days I awoke with some stomach tenderness & it moved to horrible back pain. I did notice a lil burning after intercourse at times. I figured it was just irritation but also got a bit concerned of UTI as they are so not fun.
The back pain though was severe so I went to check online side effects. I decided I was in too much pain to wait till the 21st day & just took it out..I've decided its definately not the method for me. I am disappointed cause it seemed initally seemed like the miracle method. Yes I too say the back pain probably is like labor even though I've not had any kids. I have been uncomfortable no matter what I have done. Its like cramping in conjunction with it. Felt like it was internal organs like Kidney's or something, I feel miserable. I had a DNC once to merely scrape the uternine wall this pain is worse than the cramping associated with that. With that they tell you not to intercourse a duration.

WHY IS THIS DRUG STILL ONTHE MARKET???? My wife is in severe pain after taking just 2 days worth of 750 Levaquin. Fear of dying, legs trembling, vomitting, hips and back pain, headaches, and severe stomach pains! Does anyone know how long this willl last? It has already been 3 days since she stopped taking the pills! DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL!!!

I took this drug for a kidney infection and now can hardly walk or sit on the toilet. The pain in my knees is excruciating especially at night. I can not turn over in bed without pain and they don"t seem to bend anymore. My doctor thinks I am nuts.I have not slept an entire night since this started. It came on all of a sudden after two weeks on this crap. Please, somebody tell me this is going to go away in a while!!!Marsh