February 15th
2009
1:39 PM
I am 71 years old, I have been taking 80mg of ZOCOR ( Simvastatin ) for the past 16 years. five months ago I started to hurt in my lower back, hips,Knees,thighs, for two months then it traveled to my shoulders, wrist, hands, fingers. the Dr. gave me a round of prednisone (one shot and 11 pills) the pain stopped and everything was wonderful for two weeks,the Dr. stated that I had avused my body in the years gone by now the pain has started back in my shoulders, wrist, hands the pain is very strong,and my legs are starting to get weak again, I am taking Naproxen 500 mg two times a day and also taking Hydrocodne10mg every four hours also have Oxycodone 10mg to take every four to six hours, I have mentioned the results that I have read about the Statins in this forum but the doctor, does not act like it has any significance. does anyone have any suggestions??? if so please let me know, this pain is killing me, if you have any info. please email me at. ******
-- By hasco564 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
November 29th
2008
6:42 PM
OH MY GOSH! I thought I was crazy until I found this site. Ok, I had my Mirena inserted January of 2007, and IMMEDIATELY experienced joint pain, pain in my hands and feet, and it's 22 months later.. the pain NEVER went away. I thought because I was a very hardcore athlete when I was younger, that this was par for the course, that I will be getting arthritis. I'm 34 years old. Crazy to say arthritis at 34? I think so. Well, I have been researching my symptoms for months and months online and gone to a few different doctors over this. My symptoms include chronic fatigue, headaches (on a good week 4 days out of the week), joint pain in my hands and feet, sensations in my hands and feet that feel like they are swollen (but they aren't), upper and lower back pain, heart palpitations, leg cramps, hair loss, ABSOLUTELY NO SEX DRIVE AT ALL, muscle fatigue, and I've gained 40 lbs since I had it put in... OUCH. NONE of this (except for headaches and some depression) was experienced before the Mirena. Funny, I never linked it to the Mirena. I've had my thyroid checked, been diagnosed with carpal tunnel (lol what about my feet? Good doc!) had blood sugar checked (nope, not diabetes!), well, now I'm on to getting checked for fibromyalgia. Kinda wondering though, if there is a link to fibromyalgia and Mirena, like it could induce it? Sounds like so many of you have the same symptoms, and many have thought the same things... fibro, diabetes, lupus, ms, hell, I even though lyme disease at one point. This is ridiculous... I'm having it out this week.
-- By smithbourne | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 21th
2008
6:21 PM
The medical professional is particularly unhelpful in this matter. Talking with medical personnel about fluoroquinolone poisoning is a go-nowhere exercise. In an era when Monsanto genetically-modifies our seed stock you might think medical caregivers would advise us in advance that their prescription antibiotics mess around with their patients' DNA. (IT's that deregulation thing, yes?)
I experienced painful calves and a strange dream, possibly a nightmare, immediately, e.g., on the very same night, after having injested one Levaquin dosage for a prostate condition and maybe a year after separately having taken cipro for a week to combat traveler's diarrhea. The post-Levaquin early evening dream was strange insofar as I rarely drempt, and I never recall having been roused to wakefulness by a dream shortly after having gone to bed. Early on I did NOT associate Levaquin with the really terrible symptoms that I experienced within 60 days of having injested Levaquin.
My wheels fell off when I entered a period of insomnia. I thought my sleeplessness was stress-related because my health history includes a major depressive episode 11 years ago. I presented myself for help to a psychiatrist who prescribed a small dose of an atypical antipsychotic as a sleeping aid. My drug-induced sleep felt like a coma that lasted each night for a couple of hours. There were heart palpitations, agitation, panic attacks, racing heart, racing thoughts, insomnia, depression, paranoia, poor cognition, body shuddering, muscle twitching, night sweats, and pain in both Achilles heals. The symptoms filled a note book page. I felt like Jean D'Arc who was being burned chemically at the stake from the inside out. I would rise in the morning and then minutes later fall back into bed. I could stare off into space and completely lose track of time. I could not even find the right words in mid-sentence. I could not fill-in the registration papers when I presented myself for a second opinion at Mayo Clinic. I became a full babbling idiot. My wife said that I had retreated or devolved into some kind of primate or ape who communicated solely his emotional states by means of eye contact only.
I asked my doctors if the sum of levaquin and cipro had pushed me over my peak quinolone tolerance level. Or was it the medicine that the psychiatrist had prescribed to make me sleep? . I was no stranger to depression and I knew my symptoms were not merely emotional or psychological in nature. Why did I always feel as if I had been poisoned? The psychiatrist decided my paranoia warranted higher med levels. I declined the advice and stopped taking the meds altogether. My anxiety today is lower, my sleep is improved but fitfull. My neck aches. My head feels as if it were in a vise. It's not a headache and it's not painful, but there is a tingling, crawling, scorching sensation at my forehead and behind my eyes as if someone had beat me with a pillow and then filled my head with novocaine.
I'm not sure there's a moral to the story. It might sound a tad over-the-top, but I think we're faced by a pharmaceutical plague. There's really no excuse for the absence of informed consent. There is nowhere above ground, e.g., nowhere on main street, and no-one with whom you can speak in order to take the full measure of fluoroquinolone poisoning. If you are at this URL merely to find out about the FDA's recent black box warning re: Levaquin's link to ruptured tendons, you are in for peep into hell. Read the other thousands of postings on this site, and decide for yourself who bears the ring of truth.
October 11th
2008
10:52 AM
I have been on Lisinopril and a diuretic for about 1.5 years -- started with 5mg of lisinopril. At first had a slight cough, but went away. In Feb 2008 routine blood tests were done and my ALT - liver enzyme was slightly elevated to 36. ( last test in 2003 was normal) --- had the test repeated in Aug 2008 and the ALT was up to 41. Doctor was not too worried, not very elevated - but I persisted as to why and she sent me for an ultrasound that showed all was normal for my liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys. My pressure was up a bit at the Aug appt - so she increased my Lisinopril to 10mg. I had another liver enzyme test done beg of Oct 2008 and now the ALT is up to 66. I told her the only difference is increasing my Lisinopril and that must be the cause for elevated ALT levels. She is not sure -- I am now being referred to a specialist -- but told to stop taking the Lisinopril for 3 weeks and they will see what the levels are. Have only seen a few mentions of elevated liver enzymes as a side effect -- has anyone else experienced?? My AST levels are normal.
-- By famphil | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 9th
2008
2:28 PM
My sister at 39 years old recently died from the condition called pulmonary thromboembolism caused by the use of Yaz. Please if you are taking this pill and are experiencing anything negative from it, get off of it immediately. I am currently seeking legal counsel for my sisters death, I believe it is unfair that a product like this can take a human life, and no-one will be held liable. I have been told that it will be virtually impossible to bring a lawsuit against a product that has been FDA approved. My sister left behind three children who love, miss and still needed her. If anyone can give me some type of direction on how to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of this product please contact me asap.
-- By lwllnbrg8 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 9th
2008
12:07 AM
Was on Vytorin for 2 years & experienced no noticeable side effects during that time. It lowered my cholesterol to 179. Had a hysterectomy (complete) in Dec., 2007. In May, 2008, I began a sudden on-set of severe numbness in both hands (especially when lying down)--classic carpal tunnel symptoms and intense pain in all joints. When I move from a sitting position to stand up, I can hardly do it. This is what I thought I would feel like at maybe 80 years old--not 46 yrs. I thought maybe it was because I'm not taking hormone replacements, but my doctor said it could be the Vytorin & he took me off of it. I've been off for 2 months, but the symptoms are not improving. The carpal tunnel seems to have lightened up a bit, but the joint pain (especially hips) has not gotten any better. I wonder if it ever will????? Also experience fatigue, foot pain, & weak fingers.
-- By gatormom | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
August 6th
2008
1:50 AM
For the last 2 yrs I had a horrendous cough that plagued me night & day. My Dr. didn't know what was causing the cough, couldn't give me any cough medicine to alleviate the condition. In addition to coughing, I would lose my voice. I went to an ENT specialist. She found me to have pre-polyps on my vocal chords, diagnosed me with 'vocal chord dysfunction' & told me surgery would be useless as the pre-polyps would reappear. This last June, I had a bout with bronchitis, severe enough to seek medical aid from the Emergency room Dr.'s. While there, the Dr. treating me asked about my cough. After listening to my list of aggravations, he asked if my Primary Dr. had told me that 'coughing' is a side effect of Lipitor. NO! I hadn't been told that!! --But, I QUIT taking Lipitor that day, haven't taken it since & though I still cough, somewhat, it's NOTHING compared to what I'd been suffering--for two years!!..
-- By marib37 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 25th
2008
3:22 AM
I am a 60year old female who was admitted to Mayo clinic after experiencing a hypertensive encephalopathy seizure. I was placed on lisinopril to try to bring my blood pressure under control. I have been on as many as five different medications per day with none controlling my extreme high blood pressure. After taking lisinopril for two days I developed a severe headache with floaters. My face became very swollen, especially my eyes, with unbearable itching and soreness. I also have had chest pains and it feels like my throat and insides are raw. My stomach hurts and it is hard to eat. I have only taken two lisinopril tablets and will not be taking any more. I see my doctor tomorrow and expect to be given a different medication. So far I have had no luck with any blood pressure medicine and I have tried about ten different kinds. If any one has had any luck with a prescription drug or an alternative remedy, I would love to hear from you.Thanks, Evelyn
-- By kagae48 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 13th
2008
1:21 AM
i was prescribed effexor xr by the mayo clinic in mn. while living there for a year. i had been on three other antidepressants before and this one has really given me a sense of peace. i have had to go off of a lot of medicines and quite smoking cold turkey so maybe i have a stronger tolerance. i haven't had one bad side effect. in fact, i have probably been healthier since it kicked in two years ago due to my mood and mind being in a better state. don't get me wrong, i still have low times but not any lower than the person who doesn't suffer depression. it also helps with anxiety but i do take another med for that called klonopin 2mg. i think it takes awhile for the person to find whats right for them. i suffered horribly through wellbutrin, thought my head was going to blow off when i didn't feel bugs crawling around. prozac put weight on me but helped, just made me a little to jittery and the other one i took was zoloft. i didn't have any side effects with that just didn't seem to keep me above a sadness level i needed so that is when they switched me to effexor. please just know there is help for all and bravo to those who can go without but i don't want to be sad and unhappy ever again to the degree of not wanting to get out of bed.
-- By stormy48 | Reply | Private Message me
June 27th
2008
10:05 AM
I am a 60 year old female and have been on Lisinopril (40 mg.) for at least10 years. Before that I was prescribed Zestril, but a generic was often substituted (Lisinopril). So it's hard to say just how long I've taken the Lisinopril. I'm amazed to read the side effects listed here. I've experienced almost all of them at one time or another. It's scary. I've tried to quit the Lisinpril a couple of times, sometimes just because I ran out of the prescription. But now I am substituting a natural supplement for the Lisinopril. I'm trying Holistrol (HiQi). I've been on it for about a week. I checked my bp when I started the natural and will check it again after a week. It was high when I first checked, but I had been off the Lisinopril for a few days by then. I'll continue to monitor and take the natural supplement and then will report back.
These side effects are very similar to those experienced by people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrom ( both of which I've been told I "might have"). My diagnoses came from several doctors in my hometown and even from the Mayo Clinic. I'm wondering how many people with these diagnoses are taking Lisinopril?
My side effects are starting to leave my body, but after so many years, there are many layers of toxins to release. But I am confident that I am doing just that ~ releasing toxins!
Thank you for listening and especially for sharing your side effects. This is bad stuff in my opinion and I'm glad to have started the process of clearing this poison out of my body.
Ann
-- By annthiry | Reply | Private Message me
June 8th
2008
1:10 PM
I have had 1 remicade infusion so far for ulcerative colitis. The next day a bunch of spots appeared on my lower legs. There were 30-40 of them, small, roundish, purple/dark red. They looked like blood spots under the skin.
It wasn't a rash and they didn't itch or hurt. My doc had no explanation, and I haven't heard of anyone else having this reaction. They checked my blood for a clotting problem and didn't find anything. The spots faded away over a week or so. My next infusion is in 2 days, so we'll see if they reappear.
I have also been experiencing a weird kind of insomnia where I am so physically antsy I CANNOT keep lying still, I have to shake my body or kick my legs or something. I read up on restless legs syndrome and the symptoms sure sound like what I am experiencing. I don't know if it's connected to the Remicade - I read that iron deficiency can also cause it and I am anemic due to the UC. But since Remicade can disturb the central nervous syndrome, it seems possible. Anyone else experience RLS with Remicade?
May 10th
2008
2:08 PM
Have any of you developed Leukemia after taking Yasmin? Or do you know some one who has developed it and they just happened to be taking it at the time? Any feedback would be appreciated.
-- By ronijeni | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
April 23th
2008
3:02 PM
I usually have allergy headaches in the morning which would go away after taking 1 Benadryl w/ Tylenol. About a week ago my doctor started me on Singulair because she was concerned about me taking Tylenol daily. The last few days I've had terrible headaches that linger most of the day. (I've continued to take the Benadryl w/ Tylenol to try to help the headaches, but it's just not working.) Today is day 7 with the Singulair, and the headaches seem to be getting worse. Are headaches common with Singulair?
-- By natalieg | Reply | (8) replies | Private Message me
April 22th
2008
6:53 PM
Hi.
I was put on Singulair toward the end of February. At the beginning of March I started getting hives all over my body and becoming very itchy for no reason at all. The allergist said it couldn't have been from the medicine. The frequency of the hives/itchiness have slowed, but I still get them. I was also getting a little dizzy when I'd put my hed back or lay down, but I knew that was one of the side effect. But, the past several days, I've been getting very dizzy when I walk. I'm worried this is from the Singulair -- nothing else has changed. Could these effects show up after a month? My allergist doesn't seem too concerned, but I am.
-- By shellie22 | Reply | (7) replies | Private Message me
April 21th
2008
1:03 PM
Side effects as posted by the Mayo Clinic.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR600957
-- By concernedcitizen | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 1th
2008
10:42 AM
I`ve been on Simvasatin for years- 10 mg. Secrist at ctcn.net The last 2 months blured vision, nausea, numb foot, hands & chin, burning feeling in legs & bladder. stopped the medicine about 4 days ago, will it ever get back to normal? Arlene
-- By secrist75 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 10th
2008
10:10 PM
I'm 17 and I took Levaquin back in November and still have to use a wheelchair to get around. I ended up having to go to the Mayo clinic because there were so many factors to my case, and we were not getting anywhere with my doctors at children's hospital. i also have mono and west nile virus and so all that viral activity made the reaction so much worse. They discovered Levaquin caused severe tendinitis in each and every tendon, but my hips mainly affected causing them to be extremely fluid-filled. I also have a permanent peripheral neuropathy from it. They discovered an autonomic syndrome called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) , however that can logically be attributed to either the mono or the reaction.
I go to physical therapy every week now for my hips and my ability to be ambulating well enough to go to college in 6 months is being questioned.
February 20th
2008
11:06 PM
This is a total nightmare and i need advice! I was on Lamictal for a year and about six months into my health began to slowly deteriorate. It started with shortness of breath and heart palpitations and eventually attacked every system of my body. My symptoms are muscle pain, spasms and knots to the point that i can't turn my neck sometimes, joint pain (mostly knees), stabbing floating pain everywhere, headaches, frightening tingling in my extremities and a few times my entire body, sore throat, flu-like feelings, stomach cramps, bloating and heartburn. The list goes on. I have been off of it now for two weeks. My psychiatrist has never seen this type of reaction before and is not convinced it is the Lamictal. I have been to every single type of doctor and the ER twice, had extensive lab work, CT scan and two MRIs. I have been off Lamictal now for two weeks and am not feeling much relief. I am so scared and frustrated and please need advice. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it ever go away? I feel like I am literally living a nightmare with no-one to turn to for advice because no-one seems to know ANYTHING!!!!
-- By humphrsa23 | Reply | (13) replies | Private Message me
February 3th
2008
5:16 PM
I have been on Warfarin since Sept 2004 when I had multiple blood clots in both lungs. Since then I have had two more PE's (one with a therapeutic INR) and a blood clot in my left arm (INR was also therapeutic). Genetic tests show nothing.
Since starting Warfarin I have had
- dizziness issues,
- eternal extreme fatigue
- hair loss
- short term memory and cognitive issues,
- joint pain and
- head aches all the time. I think the headaches are the worse since I can't take any NSAID's for them.
I have lost weight and push myself to exercise because it is supposed to make you feel better, right? Well not yet. I keep waiting.
I have not been able to return to work and worry about the long term implications of this.
Many times I have wondered about my sanity and if I was imagining all of this, so finding this forum at least lets me know that there is a possibility that it is not all in my mind.
I have been seeing a psychiatrist to help me work through the almost dying 3 times thing, but it is hard to accept since no one knows why I throw the clots. My INR is not stable in spite of close monitoring of Vit K and other drugs, and my INR must be taken twice a week.
-- By fiona | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
January 15th
2008
8:37 PM
I have been reading all the entries for this website and thought I would pass along some useful information. I have been on Levoxyl for 8 years now and have had lots of the symptoms that all these people have had. I then had an appointment with a great Endo doctor at the *** and discovered some interesting things. There is a number "range" they put all people into when checking your TSH levels, only problem is each person is different and even though the doctor may say your in the range, it may not by the right dosage for you. Unfortunately the only way to determine the correct range for you is to experiment with the dosages and it takes 3 months or more for your body to adjust. Also, thyroid hormones are accumulated in the body and depending how active you are is how you may feel. The hormone pill you take today will not be used by your body for up to 10 days, so if you feel good for a few days at rest, then exercise the next day you may feel drained. It will take a few days for your body to replenish the stockpile of hormones to feel "normal" again. A working thyroid makes hormones as needed, yours now does not so this is why so many people feel fatigued, or racing heart beat if they don't get enough exercise. I also had leg and muscle pain. The medication depletes your body of Calcium and B complex especially B12. My leg and muscle pain have disappeared. I still get headaches, but much less with the B12, and some days I still feel tired but I say again, your body cant regulate its needed thyroid hormone and a synthetic pill is only a substitute.. You will always have some side effects. Hope these tips help someone.
December 25th
2007
2:00 AM
Within 5 days of beginning course of Geodon, 40mg daily, doc doubled my dosage to 80mg, began to have problems. Intensely manic, easily frightened, insomnia, terrifying dreams. I decided to get out of hospital ASAP and decide if to quit taking Geodon.
On day six already my face was twitching, was irritable and manic, pacing, increasingly manic throughout day, decided to skip evening dose, keep total dosage same as before, 40mg. Began tripping around midnight and it was all downhill from there. Sleepless all night, by morning I had convulsions, increased heart rate, fear and anxiety, psychosis, uncontrollable crying. Had another seizure 12 hours later. Slept a little with help of Valium. Next day developed Parkinson's like symptoms, had my father not been there to help me, Lord knows what would have happened to me. Still awake in day 3 of withdrawal. Hoping the worst is over.
November 18th
2007
6:29 PM
I have been on lisiipril for 3 months and have a retching cough many times each day that produces clear phlegm. Cough subsides after expelling phlegm, but reccurs in a short while. I do not seem to have any sinus condition, and it doesn't appear to be connedcted to any lung problems. It wakes me up at night 2-3 times. HELP.
-- By jdtennis | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 3th
2007
4:11 PM
I wish I had seen this page BEFORE I finished 5 days of Levaquin 500. The meds were prescribed for a post-upper-respiratory infection hacking dry cough that had been going on for nearly 3 weeks. I finished the meds 4 days ago and still feel super crummy. Levaquin did nothing for the cough (acunpuncturist stopped it with with several well-placed needles in my outer ear) and - before I saw this page - thought of asking the doctor for another round since I was still sick and seem to be getting worse. I have intermittent headaches, a racing heart, blurred vision, am so tired I never want to get out of bed. I'm also having a recurrence of sciatica in one hip and thigh and - new symptom! - the foot on that side is so sore it's hard to put my weight on it. I was told to report any joint or tendon pains but, according to the doctor, "they are very rare." I'm sure he told me about the symptom to protect himself "just in case" but it was clear he really didn't believe there would be problems. I took the medicine for three days, then stopped for a day because I didn't feel well. Then I thought, "Suck it in - there's only 2 pills to go and then you won't infect anyone. You don't want to be Typhoid Mary for the next antibiotic-resistant killer strain of some bug or another, do you?" I am devastated to think these symptoms will persist as long as people on this site say they will. I keep thinking I can sleep this off, or that I'm really sick with something that requires a different antibiotic. ( And how stupid is THAT?) But, from what I've read here, that's not likely to be the case. I'm 67 years old and already have compromised immune system plus sleep apnea, high blood pressure, narcolepsy, and asthma. Is there anyone out there who has been able to resolve these symptoms in less than three months? I refuse to believe I have to feel this way for the foreseeable future. And boy, am I mad! At myself as well as at the doctor. I usually research everything before I take it, but this one just slipped under the wire.
-- By notoveryet | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 21th
2007
8:49 PM
I JUST started Loestrin 24 Fe (day one) and have been reading many articles and websites (anything from the literature in the research journals to the Mayo Clinic posts). I have just read through this entire site and took in all the feedback from the women who have shared the side effects. I have NEVER taken BC until now. I am trying it to keep monthly bleeding and mood swings to a minimum. BUT, I see some serious side effects (depression, acne, weight gain) - these seem worse than just dealing with the monthly symptoms and taking some pain relievers.
Should I STOP? Any advice from veteran birth control users?
Michele
Levaquin (6) Lipitor (6) Lisinopril (5) PredniSONE (5) Singulair (4) Zocor (2) Mirena (1) Effexor XR (1) Vytorin (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1) Yaz (1) Synthroid (1) Remicade (1) Geodon (1) Lamictal (1) Yasmin (1) Advair HFA (1) 5-Aminosalicylic Acid (1) Gastrocrom (1) Loestrin 24 Fe (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Levoxyl (1) Hydrochlorothiazide-Lisinopril (1)
February 17th
2009
5:04 PM
I have always had and currently have the side of effect of extreme fatigue associated with the use of synthroid and now Armour thyroid replacement as well.
-- By shoprite | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message meWhenever my tsh reaches normal levels I become increasingly fatigued. Now I an hardly stay out of the bed and yet my levels are normal.
I have Hashimoto's Disease and am menopausal with severe insomnia to cloud the issue. But the fatigue associated with thyroid replacement is longstanding and has occurred for about 15 yrs. For many years, I would stop taking the medication because of it. My doctors do not believe that the fatigue is related to Synthroid which I find utterly frustrating. Will be looking for another endocrinologist soon. Has anyone out there experienced this side effect of extreme fatigue?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.