November 6th
2009
8:58 AM
Hi- I am a recovering alcoholic four years sober with Bipolar II diagnosis. I previously was treated with only an antidepressant/anxiety med- lexapro,
but 9months ago was put on lamictal 250mg. After the initial slow buildup in dosage I felt pretty stable. Now I am experiencing depression again. I have to get a new psychiatrist, my current one is going on a leave of absence. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced initial positive results and then after a while a recurrence of depression. Anyway- others have asked about "mental fogginess", short term memory loss, mine went away about a month after I reached my current dosage.
October 2th
2009
2:09 PM
I just turned 34 and I am a woman. I have struggled with mild asthma from early teens. I was always able to control my mild asthma with a rescue inhaler as my asthma was triggered primarily by cats/some dogs. However eventually that faded away and I was in control as long as I wasn't around cats. At age 31, I had my daughter (she is now 2 1/2), I rarely had asthma symptoms during my pregnancy and before. However about 1 week after my c-section I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe. They thought maybe I was having a pulmonary embolism from the previous c-section surgery. Fortunately I wasn't, but unfortunately for whatever reason, my asthma had been triggered (even if I wasn't around animals). My doctor put me on a Advair, another rescue inhaler, and ZPac. It helped right away.
I noticed a big difference in my ability to breathe. However 2 1/2 years later, I'm still on it. 250/50 once a day. I've tried going off of it several times but I'm unable to breathe. I don't want to be on a steroid long term, but I also have to be able to breathe after about 2 days being off of it. It's like gasping for every breathe. Not fun at all. The side effects I've had are hives to anything cold, itchy skin, stiffer feeling joints, occasional mouth sores, lots of phlegm (coughing up phlegm especially in the morning). I've never suffered from leg cramps or depression from Advair, in fact prior to having a child I was on Lexapro for anxiety and after being put on Advair my depression/anxiety has gone away. In fact, I've lost weight (30 Lbs) and am now down to the same size I was in college! I've asked two different doctors my OBGYN and Family Doctor if it's safe as we are planning for another child. They say yes. My OBGYN has said if I can't breathe I'm not going to be able to carry full-term. Which I guess makes sense. My Family Doctor said you can use Advair only as needed as it is not a bad drug to go off and on again (unlike antidepressants where you should never just stop them cold turkey). He said (he also suffers from asthma) that asthma can be triggered by stress (and my life has been extremely stressful over the last year).
Is there anyone who has had similar side-effects? Do you believe the benefit of Advair outweighs the negatives? I'm wondering if there is a better non-steroid drug that I can take that is SAFER for pregnancy and for my future. Open to suggestions...
-- By poodle_girl | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 23th
2009
6:56 PM
I have had my Mirena since May of 2007, at first it was wonderful then about 1 year in I started gaining weight, particularly in my mid section. My mood swings were out of control, anxiety, restlessness, joint pain, acne. I spoke to my doctor and told my stomach issues were probably IBS and acne was probably stress or hormones. I was put on lexapro for the mood swings and anxiety. I have been watching what I eat and working out and nothing has helped.Finally last week I decided to do some research on my own and googled "midsection weight" and articles linking this to mirena flooded my screen. I spent the rest of the day reading and called my doctor the next day. I have an appointment tomorrow to have it removed, I will keep you posted. Part of my is angry that these side effects were not listed in the pamphlet I received from the doctor but another part is so relieved to have found an answer to the madness.
-- By angi77 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 17th
2009
3:44 PM
Well, about a year ago I was put on Lamictal and didn't experience any side effects, but was also on Lexapro, Trazodone, and Klonopin. I stopped all of the medication besides the Klonopin as I was doing well. However I recently was put back on a low dosage of Lamictal as a mood stabilizer. It's been a week. The only side effect I'm having is headaches! I have a headache all day long. Tylenol doesn't help, it doesn't go away. Once my dosage increases in a week I will only be on 50 mg of Lamictal. I just want the headaches to go away. Did anybody experience headaches while first taking the drug? I'm scared of all of the postings of memory loss and hair loss. I sleep fine, I'm not anxious, I had my first vivid dream last night since I started taking the drug. I don't want to go back on an anti-depressant. Any opinions?
-- By rockerinthefreeworld | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 10th
2009
10:07 PM
After after a few months on topamax I went on lexapro for my mood change. I lost weight, had the metallic taste, loss of words , stumbling and more. I have weaned off because I could not stand the side effects. I still have migraines frequently. I truly believe the topamax has permanently changed my personality. I cannot get off the lexapro. Also I believe I have some kind of kidney problem left from it. Is all this possible?
-- By jonails | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 9th
2009
3:24 PM
I started taking Yaz 4 yrs. ago after the birth of my daughter. I thought I had postpartum & began taking Lexapro too. Then I gained weight almost 40 pounds. My doc. thought the Lexapro stopped working & prescribed Cymblata. I stopped getting my periods & when I did have them I was crampy & irritable. In addition, I was experiencing menstrual migraines. Decided to change my pill. Now 3 weeks. exactly on another BC & I'm a NEW WOMAN. Too bad I lost my marriage in between as a result of my eratic/psycho behavior. I read this could cause respiratory symptoms too...I always have sinus infections I contributed to where I live. I HATE YAZ. It has wrecked my life!!!
-- By reads4 | Reply | Private Message me
September 8th
2009
12:20 PM
I am also really glad I have found this website. I had my mirena placed in March 2006. I loved it, told all my friends thought it was a miracle. I have completely changed my mind. I have dizziness, headaches, joint pain and my PCP put on Lexapro for anxiety and mild depression in September 09.
I have a 3 and 4 year old, but am so fatigued at times I don't want to do anything but sit around. I can not lose any weight. I tried nutrisystem and
that didn't help. I am also having having a symptom that hasn't been mentioned on the site. I have done some research and noticed that the mirena can also cause blood vessels to constrict. In December 08 after having some (quite a few) drinks and smoking cigaretts at my husbands
Christmas Party the next morning my forearms and hands were a dusty blue color. I have had this happen one time since. A couple of times the bottoms of my feet were a purple/ bluish color looked as if they were badly bruised. After researching the cause of this, the only thing I can find is that the mirena can also cause constriction of the blood vessels. Has anyone else had this happen???? I had and echocardiogram done, that was fine all my blood work has come back normal. Am seeing a neurologist, he has me scheduled for a nerve condition test, but he thinks
I may need to see a vascular doctor.
September 7th
2009
5:07 PM
I just stopped taking Yaz after being on it for a year and a half. I thought I was just going through normal ups and downs, but after reading this I realize that I was wrong. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't be alone. I had panic attacks. I was a horrible person on Yaz. I cried at least 3 times a week for the stupidest reasons. I snapped at my family and my boyfriend. It got so bad that my boyfriend broke up with me because he could no longer stand my mood swings. Yaz ruined a year long relationship. In addition I have terrible physical side effects- over the past year and a half I gained thirty pounds, my periods were never regular, I was thirsty all the time, I had horrible leg cramps and pains in my upper arms...I am now off Yaz and on Lexapro. I lost 15 pounds and have only cried twice in the past 3 weeks. I haven't felt this good about myself since I started Yaz.
-- By emb89 | Reply | Private Message me
September 5th
2009
12:21 AM
I have been taking lexapro, lamictal, and wellbutrin for about 2 1/2 years for a lifetime of depression and anxiety/panic disorder. I had tried medication at age 15 and experienced all side effects and no benefits. But then at about age 21, I was so desperate that I gave it another shot...figuring there might be a difference in the past 6 years.
I started off with lexapro...and the first week I was soaring! I was jogging at 1AM and going out and enjoying life! I remember going to the movies with friends and laughing FOR REAL and having REAL fun!
At some point of course you level out and that was fine...but then it wasn't enough anymore so the lamictal and wellbutrin got added on.
Recently, my psych raised my (generic) wellbutrin to 300 XL from 200 SR.
I definitely noticed the difference between the XL and SR.
The real function of wellbutrin for me was getting me up out of bed in the morning. It gives me nervous energy, but that has been better than none at all.
But now I've recently realized some other fun side effects!
Memory loss and motor function impairment.
It's kind of funny because I think it has been going on for a good while, but I just didn't REMEMBER enough of it to piece it together. AHA good one right?
I am a hairdresser. A damn good one I'd say. Or...used to be?
I trained for and alongside of the best educators in the industry. I wrote the haircutting curriculum for one of the top education academies.
Now I feel like a f***ing idiot.
I've cut my fingers more in the past week than in the past 6 years. I find myself getting completely lost while doing someone's hair...like I've never been in that situation before.
Sometimes I have tremors that keep me for being able to hold my comb straight and still. My fingers seem to move more slowly and with less grace or control.
I type sooo much slower now.
I've also gone from having excellent spelling, grammar, and range of vocabulary...to forgetting common words...not being able to finish my sentences...and I find myself trying to sound out a word to figure out how to spell it. This doesn't work out too well.
I feel just plain dumb in general. I can't do relatively simple math in my head without getting confused. I can't process or answer a question under pressure.
Now I'm telling my DR. to stuff it, and try to wean myself off of this madness.
I really hope that these side effects aren't permanent. Then I'm just screwed.
I stopped a few times during this post at a loss for words.
Yeah so it stinks that I have lost my substitute for motivation.
Thanks for sharing everyone...you've made me feel like less of a failure.
OH YEAH!
The original story I was going to post was that today I went to the deli to get lunch and I got everything I was going to get for my coworkers...and forgot to get my sandwich. The check out lady is mean to me so I didn't go back. :\
-- By tinyagent | Reply | Private Message me
September 3th
2009
6:33 AM
I have endo and have had surgery for it and now I have not had any pain with my lupron shot but I have become VERY depressed. My husband doesn't understand! Thank God I only have to take one more shot (that lasts for 3 months) and then I should be able to have kids... if I still have a husband by then. My doc put me on an estrogen tablet to help with the hot flashes and that has helped. I feel hot but don't sweat. I am also on lexapro which helps with the depression but heaven forbid I miss one!
-- By nwiltshire0103 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 28th
2009
8:48 AM
SINGULAIR'S LABEL HAS BEEN UPDATED:
The following has been added to the "Precautions" section of Singulair's label:
"Neuropsychiatric Events
Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in adult, adolescent, and pediatric patients taking SINGULAIR. Post-marketing reports with SINGULAIR use include agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. The clinical details of some post-marketing reports involving SINGULAIR appear consistent with a drug-induced effect.
Patients and prescribes should be alert for neuropsychiatric events. Patients should be instructed to notify their prescribe if these changes occur. Prescribes should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment with SINGULAIR if such events occur (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post- Marketing Experience)."
-- By zsmom | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 22th
2009
10:22 AM
Funny, I've been on Lisinopril for 4 yrs. & just noticed the tip of my tongue felt numb & with a weird taste. I thought it was from the Hysterectomy I had ungone a month ago. Nope it's due to the Lisinopril. So is the depression. WOW, I think it may be time to change BP Meds.
-- By trueheart14225 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 16th
2009
4:09 PM
I am 18 years old. I started yaz three months ago. During my first month taking yaz, i had a really bad fever and started getting these electric shock sensations in my head. My heart was racing and I couldn't stop twitching. I was panicking and will skip the long er story but the doctor told me it was anxiety and an allergic reaction to my cough medicine and sent me home with vicodin and atavan. I got better and didn't have that sensation for the next week. However, I was growing increasingly anxious and panicky for no reason at all and would have long crying jags where I couldn't calm myself down. I am usually a very happy person, and I just feel so depressed. The shocks started coming again, along with the twitching and feelings of vertigo. I started thinking that maybe it could be the yaz causing it and went off it mid pack. I went to my doctor for the shocks and she had no clue. I had a mri of my brain and it came back normal. I have been off yaz for two weeks now, and have since seen a neurologist. She put me on an 80mg prednisone pack which she said would stop the shocks but only have me the worst migraine of my life and shaking so bad that I couldn't function or leave my bed for for four days. I went to a new neuro and am on an new migraine medication which seems to be working better as I am up and my headache is better. He seems to think the shocks are a result of yaz. Have any of you had this symptom, and the twitching? I feel like someone has turned an electricity switch in my body and I cant stop moving. I have no clue whats wrong with me and its really scary. The only way I can sleep at night is with ambien, and I cant stop twitching even during the day. If yaz can cause this why can they even sell this awful pill?
-- By kaitlxo | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 11th
2009
2:13 PM
I was on Lexapro 10mg and Seroquel 100mg. Lexapro for depression and Seroquel for sleep. I asked my doctor if I could get off of Lexapro and just take the Seroquel for both the depression and insomnia. The doctor took me off Lexapro and raised my Seroquel to 200mg at night. Now, my boyfriend tells me I do crazy things in my sleep....swatting at things, talking crazy, grabbing him and saying crazy stuff. I don't remember doing these things....and its starting to worry me.
-- By lrembert | Reply | Private Message me
August 9th
2009
12:46 AM
37 - Dx'd w/ Hyperthyroidism at 20 and have been on levoxyl since then. I started at .075 and was increased to .1 when I got pregnant w/ my 1st child at 29. I always thought I had anxiety so until I started reading the posts I didn't put it together. I was always shaky and nervous and super skinny before I was dx'd with hyper and after the treatment I was still anxious so I thought it was a different problem.
The anxiety has gotten much worse in the last few years w/ pressure, family, and career so I went to a psych last week and he gave me lexapro and klonopin. The klonopin had done nothing and I was treated 10 years ago with Zoloft which made things MUCH worse so I won't take the lexapro.
I recently switched to Synthroid .1 because I thought maybe the generic meds didn't work as well. I developed a small rash on my elbow a week or 2 later, then a week after that I got 2 big patches on my back over my kidneys. A bout 2 weeks later I developed a HORRIBLE itchy rash over my whole body. I thought the itching would drive me insane. I saw a dr who gave me prednisone (made me feel awful), after I took the dose pack it came back like crazy. I went to the ED and the dr gave me scabies medication (I was mortified) but nobody else in the house had anything. I went to the derm and they biopsied two areas and a week later have not given me the result. Meanwhile, I'm back on levoxyl and the rash is slowly getting better. It must have been the cause. Anybody else get that??
-- By rayray_13 | Reply | Private Message me
July 29th
2009
10:17 PM
Have had the Mirena for a year due to needing some hormone therapy during menopause.I am 54yrs old and had my last period over 2 yrs ago-look physically like I am in my 30's. Had a breast reduction and weight reduction surgery over 10yrs ago VERY successfully lost 10# off my chest and 168# off of my body. SINCE having the Mirena I have gained over 30# and gained 2 cup sizes in my breasts! HELP!!! I have been treated by my regular doctor for mood swings with WellbutrinSR, Lexapro, Lamictal, Topamax and others-nothing has worked more than to ease some of the edge. I have gone from a size 2 to a size 10-12 in 9 months and am desperate for an answer! I feel as if all of the previous progress I had made with the weight reduction and breast reduction is all being undermined! I had a tummy tuck last September 08 and I swear my stomach was flatter before I had the surgery! I look pregnant! The surgeons have done a CT scan and can find nothing to indicate the surgery went bad. I don't know what to do as my OB-GYN tells me that "this IUD" is my best bet for hormone therapy and that it is ABSOLUTELY NOT the cause for the weight gain or breasts. Has anyone else "my age/menopausal" experienced this? Most of what I have read has been very helpful BUT all but a few are pre-menopausal and way younger. PLEASE let me know your thoughts!!
-- By shezavixen | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 28th
2009
10:25 AM
OMG!! This is so scary but I am so relieved. I had my mirena put in 8 months ago after having my second child. I have all of the symptoms. I talked to my doctor and he told me that these were not symptoms of the mirena and gave me lexapro, which I did not have filled because I do not take medicine like that. My mood swings and anxiety are the worst. My sex drive is gone. Even my kids are suffering from this. I made an appointment with another doctor and am having it removed on Thursday. I am so excited. Maybe I can be myself again. I look four months pregnant and I have always been little. i am still little except my stomach. the new doctor told me that he is removing a lot of these from women. We need to get the word out somehow!! thanks for all of your post. This helped me to make my decision and see that I am not alone. I thought I was going crazy and that I was a bad mother and wife. i can not thank everyone enough and wish you all good luck!!!!
-- By srjames1982 | Reply | Private Message me
July 26th
2009
9:52 AM
I WISH I had done research on Yaz earlier!!!!! I have been taking it for probably the last 10 months. At that time, I moved to a new city with my fiancee, started a new job that I hate... and becoming more and more depressed and anxious. I blamed it all on life changes. It eventually got so bad that I would lock myself in a bathroom and cry, snap at my fiance for EVERYTHING, snap at my daughter.. I was just this horrible woman and I couldn't control it. I would see myself being SO unreasonable but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I really felt like I was going crazy. I started seeing a Psychiatrist a few months ago and he put me on Wellbutrin. It helped the depression but not the anxiety or moodiness. So, last week he put me on Lexapro.
Finally, I'm starting to put 2 and 2 together and seeing that all my issues started as soon as I started taking YAZ!!! Not to mention, I have been having horrible skin allergies since I started as well. I can't believe I didn't make the connection sooner!
So now i'm off of Yaz and on 2 antidepressants, upset that I started something that I probably didn't need to, and don't really know how to get off them.
What really upsets me is that the doctors either don't make the connection or don't believe it. I am going back in in a couple of weeks to talk to my gyn about other birth control options...
July 23th
2009
8:59 PM
I have been taking Wellbutrin XL 300MG for 18 months now. It definitely cured my depression but since last couple of months I noticed my hair falling at an alarming rate. I can now see my scalp in several places. It is discouraging. I am going to lower the dose to 150MG and then stop after some time.
-- By ajmer | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 21th
2009
7:34 PM
Me too ladies!!! I had the Mirena put in about a year ago and couldn't put my finger on why I'm always feeling bloated and irritable. I also take Lexapro for moodiness and it always seemed to work great. Then, my husband and I realized that I always seem gloomy these days. I just looked up the side effects of the Mirena just to see if it might have something to do with it and I ran across ALL of these comments! Holy cow! I'm not alone! Guess what I'm doing tomorrow.... calling my doctor to get this "mood killer" taken out! I want be happy! And not bloated!!! Oie!
-- By nmstober | Reply | Private Message me
July 13th
2009
12:06 PM
I am on a dose of 600mg seroquel before bed and 20 mg of lexapro in the morning. I am diagnosed as having bipolar 1. Out of all of the possible side effects from the meds, I have most. I have also noticed two additional side effects: hair loss, and toe nails falling off... I cut my dose down a day ago and I am going of the med completely. Bad stuff...
-- By thepinuppunk | Reply | Private Message me
July 7th
2009
12:01 PM
I've been on Yasmin for years now, but recently switched to the generic Ocella. I'm trying to figure out if Yasmin or Ocella is causing my depression. I'm 25 and just recently my depression has been horrible. I've been on Lexapro for years to help with Anxiety/Depression, but never had problems like this before. My psychiatrist just switched me to Prozac. I've been on it 4 weeks and it's not doing anything. The reason I think my depression might be linked to the Yasmin is because the 2 weeks before I get my period I'm insanely depressed, borderline suicidal. Then, the day I get my period, I'm ok. Anyone else have this weird problem?
-- By jacquieyasmin | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
July 1th
2009
9:07 PM
I took lexapro for anxiety and mild depression for 3 months, but after experiencing anorgasm, (the inability to reach orgasm) I talked to my doctor and we decided to try Wellbutrin. I have been on it for a week, and I am experiencing the jittery, boxed up nervousness. In addition today I dry heaved all day.....I almost feel like I did when I took adderall for ADHD in College (got off of that b/c it made me a zombie-ish b*tch) And last night I cried for 2 hours without really knowing why. So, I don't know if maybe this med is not good for me, and if I should notice some relief by now....lexapro was great for the mood--always happy, easy going and a bit nonchalant, but I gained 10 pounds in 3 months (started at 115 so 10 lbs is a lot for a person as small as I am) and the orgasm problem was not good as I am 27 and newly married....wondering if there is anyone out there that switched from lexapro to wellbutrin and if their symptoms subsided after a couple of weeks......
-- By ams | Reply | Private Message me
June 28th
2009
8:46 PM
I am experiencing severe hair loss - I was on Wellbutrin XL for a year and a half with no side effects, then changed doctors and we prescribed the generic, bupropion. That is when my marked hair loss began. I then switched to Lexapro, but felt like a zombie, and so went back to the bupropion hoping that it was a vitamin deficiency that was causing my hair loss and not the med. But, with all sorts of supplements, my hair continues to thin - I used to have thick, healthy shiny hair, and now cannot bear to touch my head because it is so upsetting to have lost so much hair.
Has anyone else experienced NOT losing hair on the brand name Wellbutrin, then switching to the generic and losing hair? I don't want to give up the med because it has worked so well for my depression, but I don't want to loose my hair either. HELP!!
Thanks!
Yasmin (77) Wellbutrin (43) Mirena (28) Lexapro (24) Celexa (16) Lamictal (15) Lisinopril (10) Singulair (10) NuvaRing (9) Effexor (8) Toprol-XL (8) Zoloft (8) Yaz (6) Paxil (6) Topamax (6) Geodon (5) Advair HFA (3) Loestrin 24 Fe (3) Adderall XR (3) Neurontin (3) Lipitor (2) Levaquin (2) Effexor XR (2) Seroquel (2) Ambien (2) Microgestin 1.5/30 (2) Chantix (2) Zyprexa (2) Xanax (2) Depakote (2) PredniSONE (2) Zocor (2) Mirtazapine (1) Dyazide (1) Deplin (1) Valium (1) Reglan (1) Maxidex (1) Prozac (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Lupron (1) Omeprazole (1) Trazodone Hydrochloride (1) Altace (1) Budeprion (1) Klonopin (1) Imitrex (1) Lupron Depot (1) Vytorin (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1) Levoxyl (1) Remeron (1) Pamine (1) Advair Diskus (1) Adderall (1)
November 9th
2009
4:06 PM
Who honestly thought Yaz would make me so emotionally unstabble that the love of my life would soon bring me to the point of appearing in court fighting a restraining order?? wow i thought i was pretty much effed for life, i tried lexapro, effexor, ativan, adderall, zanex, welbuterin and u know the usual bs. At the point of seeing a stranger in my reflection with no one left to tell i just stopped caring about even taking yaz and soon after i fell like i was slowly waking up. Please iam 22 years old i let yaz control 2 years of my precious youth dealing with over barring spilling emotions from hell STOP taking the legal pink pills that rapes you of your soul!!!! i would rather have 5 kids in 5 years then have to resort to that fucked up point of devastation ever ever again!!!
-- By brighteyes22 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me