September 8th
2008
11:33 PM
15 years ago, at the age of 35, I had a major heart attack. After testing, the doctors decided I needed a quadruple bi-pass operation, followed by Lipitor, among other things. I was taking 20mg (the doctor ordered 40mg), but due to financial reasons I took only half. Everything was just great for 15 years. During a routine annual physical this year, my doctor noticed that my liver enzymes were off the chart high. He immediately had me discontinue the Liptor, but stay on all of my other medications. One month later, my liver enzymes were normal, and so was everything else; however, my cholesterol had climbed to 204, and I eat no meat, eggs, or other dairy products. They say my liver damage is permanent. Having had 4 lumbar surgeries and 1 cervical surgery to fuse disks in my spine, I have always attributed my back and other muscle pains to that. Now that I have been of the Lipitor for 3 months, I have not noticed in decrease in pain in these areas.
-- By dftexmex | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
August 26th
2008
12:05 PM
I have some of everything above and am in so much pain that I feel as if I am dying a slow, painful death. I am on heavy pain meds and even with those I have severe abdominal cramping. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this pain relief. I am very worried as to what is happening to me internally. They are scheduling cat scans and I am awaiting a phone call to get something diagnostic done. This all started 8/15 and not only are things not easing up, but I think this is getting worse. I also have a urethral discharge, UTI, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. Initially, I had a 102 degree fever and now my temp is low, only 97.1! my husband plans on calling a lawyer today, 8/26. One day I passed brown urine and it shocked me! I'd appreciate hearing from others as I feel so alone in this horrible nightmare which is unfolding! FYI, my doctor feels that my muscle tissue is breaking down...has anyone heard anything like this from their doctor? The stomach and abdominal pains are like labor!
-- By rubellaumbrella | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
August 16th
2008
2:19 PM
MY HUSBAND HAD A HORRIBLE REACTION TO AVELOX AFTER TAKING 4 DAYS OUT OF TEN, HE CALLED THE DR. COMPLAINING OF MUSCLE/TENDON STIFFNESS AND PAIN. THE DR. DIDN'T SEEM TO CONCERNED SO HE TOOK IT FOR 3 MORE DAYS AND STOPPED AFTER DOING SOME RESEACH ON-LINE. (THANK YOU MEDICATIONS.COM OR HE MY HAVE TAKING THE FULL TEN DAYS.) NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE THE MUSCLE PAIN, HE ALSO SUFFERED FROM, HALLUCINATIONS, EXTREME MOOD SWINGS, WEAKNESS, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, LOSS OF APPETITE,(LOST OVER 20 LBS.), CONFUSION, PARANIOA, EYES WERE DISTANT(ZOMBIE LIKE). I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY HE WAS PRESCRIBED AVELOX, HE HADN'T EVEN BEEN ON AN ANTIBIOTIC IN OVER 15 YEARS. HE DIDN'T NEED ANYTHING THAT STRONG, AS HE 'S BEEN A HEALTHY 58 YEAR OLD MAN. I TRULY HOPE IT HASN'T CAUSED ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS SUCH AS LIVER DAMAGE. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF SO TIME WILL TELL. BOTTOM LINE NEVER TAKE AVELOX. 08/16/2008
-- By verondonica | Reply | Private Message me
August 14th
2008
7:21 PM
My husband was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 14, 2008. He was given Avelox via IV in the hospital and a 7 day pill prescription when he came home. Even in the hospital, he complained of muscle aches, but no one keyed on the antibiotic as an issue. When his breathing was better, he assumed he should try to do physical activity...but when he tried to play some golf one day, and do a little deck staining another, he payed for it with severe joint pains...even then, no doctor said anything about the antibiotic. He has lost over 25 lbs since this began, and has lost absolutely all muscle tone in his body..
He's stopped trying to do anything, but the last month has been terrible for him...every joint in his body hurts--he can hardly walk, there were days he couldn't lift a fork to his mouth with one hand... I brought him back into urgent care on Aug. 9th...that doctor was the first to mention that it could be a side effect of the Avelox he had taken 3 weeks before...
Since then, we have been to his primary care doctor, who doesn't think "the Avelox has anything to do with it. Now that I've googled it and seen the new FDA warning, I can't understand any way it wouldn't be at least part of the problem!
He's been give Vicodin for the pain, and they're running more tests, but I intend to go into the doctor with every thing I've seen on this..I don't have a problem with them using this medication for his pneumonia, but am so frustrated that they didn't tell warn us of this side effect--especially when he's tried to tell them what he's feeling.... I just think he would have been so much better by now if they would have switched him off of the drug as soon as he noticed the pain..
-- By jogrif316 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 26th
2008
11:17 PM
Have been taking Zocor for a month. I am about to give it up starting tomorrow. Calling my doctor. I rather try flax seed in my diet. Have had normal cholesterol for life, however the last couple of years it has been hovering around 230-260 esp. since menopause. So, the last check up the doc put me on 20mg, I don't like how I am feeling. Very tired. Low level of energy, and my skin tone appears to be changing yellowish color. Has anyone else experience the dis-coloring of their skin? I am nervous.
-- By vlsfo | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 9th
2008
7:15 PM
Do NOT take Avelox! As a result of taking it for a sinus infection, I now have acute hepatitis. On Feb. 14, 2008, Bayer Corp., which makes Avelox, notified its doctors in Europe that dangerous liver damage and/or skin rashes can occur in "rare cases." U.S. docs weren't notified. My doc prescribed it to me along with prednisone. Gastric problems began almost immediately, but I didn't make the connection. I thought I just felt so bad because of the sinus infection. My urine turned orange and I became deathly ill. Tests revealed non-viral hepatitis (not contagious, in other words). My liver counts were in the thousands! They are slowly going down, but I have lost two months of my formerly active life so far. I lost 15 lbs. in a week. I am weak and still have problems eating. I was healthy as a horse before. My life was hell for the first month--sweating, itching, dry eyes, dry mouth, couldn't sleep, diarrhea. I still have no energy can can't eat enough to gain weight. You don't want to mess with your liver. I feel lucky that a GI doc has been watching my counts and guiding my care. All you can do is rest and try to eat and stay hydrated. I have a long way to go, but at least I'm not on the liver transplant list--it was that bad before. I am angry that U.S. doctors weren't warned. The side effects listed for Avelox don't mention what happened to me. I am trying to get info on a possible class action suit against Bayer for knowing this drug causes liver failure and not telling U.S. doctors.
-- By sweetmama | Reply | Private Message me
March 27th
2008
7:57 PM
My son was prescribed Strattera for ADD. 25 mg for three days,
but when the dosage increased to 40 mgs, it was a nightmare.
This was the worst medicine I have ever had my 12 yr old son take. He lost his appetite, had insomnia for several weeks and behaved like he was in a stupor when he was awake.
I would NEVER EVER have him take this drug again and I do not
recommend it to anyone else.
March 11th
2008
3:56 PM
I have been taking Lisinopril/HCTZ now for approximately one month. Since then I have had several side effects very similar to those I have read on this website. Thank goodness my husband decided to check this drug out because I have not been myself lately.
First of all, I have been experiencing sporadic leg pain with the sensation of getting cramps on my left calf that have kept me up at night. I have not been able to get a good night's sleep because of it. This started about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I didn't understand why my leg was bothering me so much until I finally went to the doctor and he told me it was a side effect from the Lisinopril/HCTZ drug I was taking. He told me that the drug was a diuretic that acts like a water pill. It makes the kidneys work harder to get rid of the excess water in our body. When that happens, we lose minerals that cause the leg cramping. He suggested that I buy over the counter vitamins that had a lot of calcium and magnesium in it, as well as increase my levels of potassium. So, any of you that are having this problem, it is a side effect of this pill.
Other side effects that I have experienced are: stomach bloating and gas. Yesterday, my stomach bloated up so much I looked like I was six months pregnant carrying triplets! I have never looked this way before and it really depressed me. I looked absolutely awful! Furthermore, I noticed I am beginning to gain weight and inches. Although I am overweight, I was not putting on any weight or inches at all. I have been maintaining my same weight or less for years. Yet, since I have been on the drug for about one month, I have noticed the weight gain and my clothes are fitting tighter all over.
Finally, I have been more irritable and feel run down. Probably from the lack of sleep from the leg pain at night; but also from the hot flashes I have been experiencing within the last week or so. Although I am 50 years old, I have not experienced any hot flashes until now. They are so bad, I feel like I'm burning up inside. I have to open up the window or turn on the fan at night although it is cold in the room. This is also a new symptom I have never had before.
After reading other people's side effects on this website, I am convinced that I am going to stop this drug cold turkey. I was fine before and why try and fix something that doesn't need fixing? Doctors tell me that it is a preventative measure to getting a stroke or heart attack. I believe many doctors scare us into believing that we can die someday if we don't take it and that is pretty scary. But check things out first.
Thank God my husband did some research on this drug and found this website. It convinced me that I wasn't alone and this drug is really bad for you. I plan to go back to normal and watch my weight, eat healthy, exercise, and monitor my blood pressure instead. Not to mention, my blood pressure is only borderline from being normal. So, why risk it?
Martha G.
-- By marsbars | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 18th
2008
3:07 PM
I reported what I thought might be side effects on 25 Dec related to Lipitor. They included many of the aches and stiffness that have been reported here. I stopped that day and now have been going clean for just over three weeks and all the pain has gone. I tested low for cholesterol three weeks ago also but it was also due to exercise and diet that I think that I can keep it low with this drug. I cannot believe how I struggled with this for so long feeling old and sore when it was Lipitor. My liver test also showed elevated enzymes from the drug which is another side effect which can cause liver damage. I feel like a new person. My recommendation is if you experience these pains, get off this drug and find other ways to handle the cholesterol.
This drug should be removed from the market.
-- By wayne_l | Reply | Private Message me
September 18th
2007
9:08 PM
Lipitor reduced my Cholesterol from 280 to 140. But... after only 4 months on the drug I developed pain in my legs. After several visits to the doctor I was told to get off the drug. One month later my health had deteriorated to the point that I could hardly walk. After another doctors visit and many tests I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy with the symptoms of leg pain, muscle loss and nerve damage in both legs, feet and hands. Also numbness in both hands and feet. Inability to move any of my toes. Liver damage. Of course with the problems with my feet I have poor balance. Additionally I have memory loss. Because of the neuropathy I can not get health insurance without paying a much higher preminum than normal. I am taking Gabapentin 1200 ml 3x day.
My condition has improved gradually but I still have the P. Neuropathy and there is no cure for it. My balance remains poor and the numbness, pain, nerve and muscle damage remain.
This diagnois is from a family doctor as well as a neourologist.
My recommendation is stay away from the statins.
-- By kcul | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 12th
2007
1:33 PM
My doctor started me on Mevacor a few months ago at 40 mg - I could hardly stand up to walk - my back was killing me! Then she put meon 5 mg of Zocor - okay for the first few weeks, and my cholestorol went down so she told me to double it to 10 mg - then the leg cramps started. I stopped taking if for a few weeks and restarted at 5 mgs (again) last week - now my legs are aching and my ankles are swollen big time. Also noticing fatique and some blues/depression. I told my doctor today that I am not taking it anymore! Not asking her, TELLING her.
-- By madammarina | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 11th
2007
9:45 AM
I have been on lipitor for a little over two years now. I experience extreme joint and muscle discomfort. I am also picking up weight at an alarming rate. No matter what I do to lose the weight, it's not working. I've had several blood tests, but all come back fine..but I know I don't feel well and I'm having trouble remembering things....
-- By almaesmith | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 9th
2007
8:09 PM
I am just out of hospital after 7 days from Rhabdomyolysis brought on by dehydration after playing tennis on a very hot day. There was the possibilty that my heart and kidneys suffered damage. When i think back I was waking up in the morning with lower back pain but I attributed that to being a weekend athlete that had really stepped up my activity. My wife also swears that my memory is terrible and when i stop to think about it (what was I thinking about again????) she is right. The hospital doctor took me off simvastatin and the pain while in the hospital and my first night home was gone. I was being treated as a diabetic but once in the hospital my blood sugars were all normal and my metformin was stopped. I was told that what happened could have killed me not to mention heart and liver damage. Watch that muscle pain carefully!!
-- By cpa990 | Reply | Private Message me
July 22th
2007
2:15 PM
I had been taking Zocor for 10 days when I woke up in the night with heart palpitations, wobbly legs, a severe headache and dizziness. Shortly afterwards, my legs began to twitch on their own and cramped up. This happened several nights in a row. Then the twitching spread into my arms and neck. My muscles became very sore, then weak to the point where I couldn't stand up long enough to take a shower or get out of bed without help. Thankfully after being off of Zocor for 3 weeks I am getting some of my strength back, but I am plagued with a constant headache and dizziness, sometimes nausea and vomiting. Tests for muscle enzymes, liver damage, etc. have all come back with normal results. I am 21 years old and Zocor has made me feel about 75. Like others on this site my doctor did not think the problems had anything to do with the Zocor, but helpfully suggested I try incorporating more fat into my diet.
Can anyone tell me from experience how long I can expect these side effects to last? I've been out of work for 3 weeks and can't go back until I stop feeling dizzy and can stand up/walk for a full 8 hours.
-- By pantaleon426 | Reply | Private Message me
July 5th
2007
12:48 PM
had two sets of injections in my neck for neck spasms. First set in March 2nd in June. after the first injections I notice fatigue, I lost 33lbs. of muscle mass in three weeks. been lifting for 28 yrs. and it's all gone. Burning sensation in legs weakness in arms, legs. Adrennal and pituary glands have shut down testosterone level dropped from 675 to 75. chronic thrush (yeast infection) on fluconazole 150 mg. once a day. Drs. do not know when this will leave the body. Now have to see infectious disease Dr. because of the recurring thrush, possible liver damage from fluconazole. Also lost at least 3/4" in height.
Thsi stuff is vicious.
May 13th
2007
4:20 PM
It was nice to find this website, finally figuring out a reason why I get my yeast infections, headaches, naseau, pain on my left breast bone, fatigue, mood swings, etc... I always thought it was just me, but I'm now thinking that maybe it's not. I've had recurrent yeast infections ever since being on Yasmin (I've been on it for over 4 years) and my MD has never mentioned it could be the pill. I finally started seeing a connection between the two when I started tracking what happens to me when I miss taking the pill (ALWAYS a yeast infection). And it got me to thinking that maybe there are other women out there who suffer from the same thing. Also, at some points I actually thought I had serious mental/health problems b/c of my consistent headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. I used to be really active up until I was 19 when I started on Yasmin, and it went downhill from there. I guess I just thought that this was just my normal grown up self (I know sounds kinda lame). And I've totally experienced the lack of sex drive, it seems I'm only interested the week before I get my period or when I'm on it.
-- By bluecrayon | Reply | (13) replies | Private Message me
October 31th
2006
5:57 AM
salty taste in mouth
kidney/liver damage
muscle ache and fatigue
September 9th
2006
6:51 AM
MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN ON WARIFIN FOR EIGHT YEARS AND HAS EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
COLD SWEATS
(SHORT TERM) MEMORY LOSS - A BIG DIFFERENCE LATELY
DOUBLE VISION
BLURRED VISION
SHADED VISION
EXTREME SUDDEN HEAD ACHES
NAUSEA
FATIGUE
DIZZY SPELLS
LOSS OF BALANCE
POSSIBLE TIA'S
AND MOST RECENTLY A BIG ONE -- LIVER DAMAGE
(SIGNS OF WHICH ARE ENLARGED LIVER, YELLOW SKIN AND EYES, JANDICE, THROWING UP, -- BASICALLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITUS -- BUT THE HEPITITUS TEST WILL COME BACK NEGATIVE.
ALTHOUGH NO eR OR DOCTOR WILL SAY THAT ANY OF THESE ARE RELATED TO BEING ON WARFIN
HOWEVER, LIVER DAMAGE AND JANDICE ARE LISTED AS SIDE EFFECTS
-- By candicelarsen | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 21th
2006
8:00 AM
I take doxycycline as an anti-acne medication. I've been on it for two years now, with an increase in dosage from 50 mg 2 x a day to 100 mg 2 x a day.
If I take it without food, I feel incredibly nauseous, so I'm careful to take it always immediately after meals. My prescription says do not take within 2 hours of eating dairy products, but sometimes I can't avoid that, since I have to take it with meals... I am also a lot more prone to sunburn since I started taking this, including one really horrible sunburn I got in FEBRUARY last year! ugh!
Does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of years one should take this medication for? Having been taking it for two years now, I began wondering if there could be negative consequences to the drug being in my system for such a long time without break. I am going to ask my doctor the next time I go in for a visit, but wanted to try to find out on the 'net first.
-- By amarx | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 29th
2006
8:50 AM
I have taken this medicine on and off for a year now. I have severe ulcerated colon colitis. This medicine works wonders for me. When nothing else works. This product does not get rid of, or make it go all the way away, but it relieves my suffering a great deal. I go next week to see my GI for a new problem. Liver damage. I do not know if this medicine caused it. I do not drink. Never have. I do take lots of other medicines. Anyone ever heard of liver damage due to this drug?
-- By perkinsrjp | Reply | Private Message me
March 28th
2006
1:25 PM
I have been taking Diovan for 9 Months and have experienced several side effects that i was not aware of that were caused from Diovan. Number one weight gain 25lbs in 9 months,Lower back pain, dry eyes and some hair loss. I have contacted my doctor today and had blood tests for possible liver damage. I will get the results in two days. I am changing medications. I am looking for a natural way to lower my blood pressure maybe through diet and exercise. I exercise 3 to 4 days a week and i eat healthy but continue to gain 2to3 lbs a month. Who knows the souluion? I just want to be free of medication!!
-- By cheryl3_mills | Reply | Private Message me
December 11th
2005
6:27 PM
I have been taking this for about 2-3 and ever since I've been on this pill I have been experiencing stomach discomfort. I have never had stomach problems in my entire life so this is unusual. I am taking this pill as a malaria medicine because I will be traveling out of country, and also as an acne medicine. I have never had a side effect to any pill before, but last night I was throwing up like crazy and had to go to the emergency room at the hospital. They did not find anything wrong but I am sure it is this medicine and will stop taking because I do not want liver damage.
-- By amariah22071834 | Reply | Private Message me
November 14th
2005
12:44 PM
my liver profile went up to over 1,800 normal range is 10-40 stopped using it my cholestrol went down to 117 below range of 130-- this is dangerous-- liver damage-- will never use this again
-- By slow35 | Reply | Private Message me
August 26th
2005
12:04 PM
#12891. Wrong...guess again. I don't work for a drug company. Let me guess...you also think the Govt is monitoring all your phone conversations, right? My comment was not meant to stir brash comments. I was merely stating that Levaquin has worked very well for me (and others I know). I was actually shocked to see this forum with all of the postings. The idea of "group-think" is not a new one. If I give you a pill and tell you it causes 99 out of 100 people to feel dizzy, I can guarantee you that you'll feel dizzy even if it's a Pez candy. My point was that although this forum may raise some issues, we are not the medical community. Maybe it is a dangerous drug that hasn't been labeled as such yet. Maybe it isn't. I respect that you had negative side-effects, but it doesn't apply to everyone.
Take a gander at the following:
Stomach bleeding, tinitus, hearing loss, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, CNS damage, stoke...and 300-500 deaths per year. The drug ... ASPIRIN.
If you don't trust your Doctor to prescribe a safe drug for you, then change doctors. Getting medical advice from the internet is a very scary concept at best.
-- By sdhaynes28 | Reply | Private Message me
Lipitor (7) Levaquin (5) Zocor (4) Avelox (3) Doxycycline Hyclate (2) Lisinopril (2) Strattera (1) Fosamax (1) Diovan (1) Effexor (1) Serzone (1) Kenalog-10 (1) Lortab (1) Advair HFA (1) Yasmin (1) Maxidex (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Methylpred DP (1)
November 5th
2008
12:26 PM
I have been taking Fosamax for about a year. I take the 70mg once weekly dose every Sunday morning. This past Sunday after my regular dose I noticed a pain in my lower right leg. Monday not only did my leg hurt but I had pain in my entire body from the neck down, chills, sweats, headache, stomach upset and my neck feels loose somehow and cracks like never before. It felt like I was coming down with a severe case of the Flu although I know now that I do not have the flu. It is Wednesday and I am still in pain, the chills have subsided somewhat today but the sweats have not. Previous to this I had been put on Boniva and experienced these same symptons after one dose and stopped immediately. I cannot stress how badly I feel. In between doses of Tylenol I feel terrible (8-10 500mg per day). I will now stop Fosamax and will never take another drug like this again. I just hope that this drug has not done permanent damage to my body or liver damage from all the tylenol. I too think the drug company has a lot to answer for.
-- By pamlea1016 | Reply | Private Message me