Mail box symptoms and conditions

I have been taking flomax for a long time, i have had 5 operations due to my colon, when i became able to walk again i would loose by breathe just walking to the mail box in front of my house, and have ringing in my ears, i have been checked by a hart doctor and a pulmonary doctor as well, i am 100% in those areas, no one could find out why i had shortness of breathe, then i ran out of flomax. 4mg 1 daily, then my breathing rapidly unproved till i had no problem. no one ever thought to look at the possibility that it was due to the flomax until now.....

I am a heathy 63 year old male. Completed a half marathon last year. Run 15-20 miles a week and bike 20-35 miles a week. I've never had any medical problems except to be on blood pressure medicine for 20 years. It is controlled.

Last April I had a bout of plantar fasciitis in my right foot. The podiatrist recommended and I purchased orthotics.

The heel pain did not subside, in fact the whole foot became sore all the time. The other foot joined the party and within a couple of months I could not run because of pain.

I used stretching exercises recommended. Purchased two foot splints to hold the foot at 90 degrees at night to reduce tearing of the tendon. I mixed Aleve and Iboprophin to help with the pain. No relief.

The discomfort in both my feet was at a level it hurt to get out of bed and walk. I did not wish to walk to the mail box or go shopping with my wife. I hold national computer workshops. I could not stand all day. I had to use a bar stool. When I finished for the day, I'd go to my hotel room and order from room service. I had no interest in walking.

I was wondering if it was the orthoditics. Tried it without them. No change. It was now into the 8th month. I was thinking I was just an old man who had worn out his feet running.

Then I did research on the Interent and discovered Lipitor side effects. I had gone on Vytorin (Lipitor/Zetia combo drug) a couple of weeks before the plantar fasciitis started.

I slowly reduced my Vytorin until it was zero. Within 3 weeks 95% of pain was GONE! Within 2 months it was completely gone including the heel pain.

I now run again, walk and have my quality of life back.

When I went for my annual physical I explained what happened. The doctor did not say wow, that is common. He was kind enough not to make a judgement call. He said well, you must have had a side effect not well known. I told him it was muscle pain in my feet rather than large musle groups as is usual with this side effect of Lipitor.

My lipids are not over the hill bad but he is aggressive in treating carcio vascular issues. So we are going to try Zetia by itself and then possibly Niacin.

Let me say, I am not an extremist about statins nor do I believe there is a conspiracy wiht drug companies. Statins do work for most people.

I have a strong opinion that we must have a equal relationship with our doctor to determine our treatment. The Internet gives us that opportunuity to get the knowledge we need to talk to our doctor. Without the info on boards like this I would been a broken down old man with bad feet using the electric cart at Sams and selling my RV.

Best wishes in your search for satisfactory health.

Ok, here goes! I've waited to enter this until I left the levaquin nightmare. This drug made my life miserable for three months. Iam a very healthy active person even ran a marathon in Novemember. I was prescribed levaquin for a lung infection in February. Was prescribed 500 mg for a week. When I started taking the drug I had very bad neck spasms but just assummed the drug was ridding me of infection. The full effects of the drug became more evident towards the end of treatment.
I was extremely tired, sleepy, very weak muscles hardly able to push the gas peddle without feeling weak. The thought of walking to the mail box was overwhelming. I had internal chills and shivering, muscle aches, muscle spasms and muscle twitching and just felt dreadful. This went on for about three months. I am still not myself but I think I am on the road to recovery. I was told by my doctor that I had neurotoxicity to levaquin. I cannot tell you how much money and agony this has caused me. I was also referred to a rheumatologist, and a neurologist to rule out other diseases.I went to a naturopath, my obgyn, my dermatologist (
weird skin things) I worried like crazy that I would never be the same all because of an antibiotic. This drug should be taken off the market immediately. Good luck to all of you who are suffering. I have things that seemed to help me but I think time is the only cure.