Medical facility symptoms and conditions

I am 40 years old and recently went to my medical facility as I have had a "viral" ear infection for almost a year now, and it is concerning me. I do not take medication typically. My new primary care provider recommended I try Singulair. So far I have taken three doses over three nights. The first night was horrifying, the dreams I had were so scary, and they were tied into reality which was even stranger as the drug also makes you wake up often, then when you fall back asleep your awake time ties into your dreams. I woke up in a numb state. Since then, I also have been extremely agitated, dizzy, mouth sores, acne, fuzzy thinking, light headed and severe fatigue and body aches. Thank goodness I checked out this webpage, as I too will stop taking this drug. I find it very disappointing, how are we suppose to be able to trust our medical professionals to help us with one of our most prized possessions, our bodies, when we are given something to clear up an ear infection only to have it affect numerous other aspects of our lives to such a serious degree with no mention from our medical professionals. This is ridiculous. I guess I'll live with the viral ear infection.......

I agree with "future doc" about asking questions before agreeing to a procedure. I did some general research before even going to the pain mgmt doctor and then I questioned him - he told me the procedure was "very safe" and re: side effects he only mentioned bloating and some possible hair growth on the face - both of which we joked about being the last thing a woman needs. I am also someone who used to work for a surgeon and at a well known medical facility in NJ - so, while I'm not a medical professional, I'm also not a rookie about things medical. As with everything, these procedures don't work for everyone 100% of the time - BUT, I maintain that your healthcare provider should apprise you of all risks.

Two days ago, I needed to drink two doses of gastrographin one hour apart two hours before an abdominal CT. Not more than 20 minutes after drinking the first does with 12 oz. of cranberry juice I felt a burning sensation in my eyes and they started to water. I also felt disoriented for a moment or two, similar to what one might feel when they are driving tired and they have a hard time keeping their eyes open. By the time I had started drinking the second dose, I had diarrhea and visited the bathroom three times before setting off for my CT appointment.

Once reaching the medical facility, I used the restroom twice more within 40 minutes time before my scan. I feel like I am telling you way more than I would tell anyone else however it was remarkable to me to have to visit the toilet five times in less than three hours! I was made to drink a third dose just prior to my scan and given an IV dose of contrast. Throughout the remainder of the day I felt out of sorts: loss of appetite, lethargic, thirsty, and although less frequent visits to the toilet were necessary, I continued to have diarrhea.

The next morning I awoke with the most enormous headache. I have never had a hangover but what I felt was what I imagine a hangover would feel like . . . I felt crummy! I still had the diarrhea and I was drinking water like a mermaid out of water.

Today, two days later, I feel like I am back to normal. I attribute the crummy side effects I experienced to the gastrofrafin but not being knowledgeable about such things, I decided to research possible side effects on the web. So that's how I got here.

I had been on Toprol XL 50 mg. for three years. In April of this year, I began having gastrointestinal problems. By May, I was sick just about every day with gas, bloating, cramping, pain and nausea. I was seeing a gastroenterologist practice almost weekly. Over the next five months, I had just about every test, scan, and scope there was to do to no avail. By June, I began having anxiety attacks simultaneously with the gastric episodes. The doctors could find no reason for the symptoms and I was referred to another specialist and tests that were ordered at a medical facility 50 miles away. I had also lost 38 lbs. because I was unable to eat without becoming sick. In November, I notice that my hair was thinning and my family doctor said that it could be from the Toprol. At that point, I discovered this website and began reading the postings. I cut the Toprol dosage in half after informing my doctor about it. In three days, I started to feel better. I also read more of the postings and saw that other were fine on the brand name Toprol but had problems with the generic. Click went the light bulb. Towards the end of March of this year, I had been switched to the generic. I began weaning myself from the medication and took the last dose on Thanksgiving. There have been some minor withdrawal symptoms but I am feeling so much better and have had no gastric symptoms for two weeks. Yesterday, I was actually hungry for the first time in months. I saw both the family doctor and gastroenterologist and informed them that they need to consider a patient's medications which unexplained illnesses arise. I can't express the gratitude that I feel for having located this website and thank everyone for the information that has been provided.

I have been taking Vytorin for about 10 weeks. During this time, I have experienced aches and pain in my neck to the point of tears. Hands get numb, lower back, now....knees, joints, fingers, hips, EVERYTHING HURTS. At first I thought it was due to the fact that I just started work (bar tender/food server) which requires a lot of lifting, reaching, stretching etc. As far as I know all that motion would make me healthier. Right? Common sense tells me......hmmmmm if I've been working for a month and I still HURT and it's getting worse....what the????? The Dr who prescribed the Vytorin then suggested that I go to physical therapy; The PT told me that I had strains in my back from working. What the? Then I'm told that I'm experiencing aches and pains because I'm in recovery????? What the????? I'm in so much pain when I wake up, my hands are stiff, I can hardly move my entire body. This is like it's a drug induced fibromyalgia. I'd rather go home to the Lord from high cholesterol than live with this pain. Today I am stopping the Vytorin. I had one of those AH HA moments that was posted on this site. It's really sad that I had to do the research on what has been the cause of my aches and pains; when the first thing any doctor asks.....what medications are you taking? BOLD LETTERS......VYTORIN!!! I'm going to take a nap, try to rest the next two days off work being that I have a doctor's excuse to do so after marching myself to the medical facility where I live and BEING ANGRY and letting them know........I should not have to have had to diagnose myself. WE ALL KNOW OUR BODIES....I kept insisting that I hurt so bad and it wasn't from "work" or being in "recovery". So, I certainly can relate to all the posts. I'm going to be 50 on 12/19 and I feel as if I'm 80. Thank God (lol) I "look good". A sense of humor goes a long way......but it's so hard to not be a little grouchy when we hurt, right? You are all in my prayers.

I received a shot of kenalog at the top of my left buttox after going to the emergency room because my throat was nearly swollen shut when I had mono. It was about 2 months after I had the shot that I noticed a weird dent where the shot had been given, the dent continued to grow in diameter and get deeper over the next couple of weeks. I went to the medical facility my college had on campus and after 2 NP's and 2 doctors came to look at it, 1 person asked if I'd had a kenalog shot at any time. He explained it to be a tissue atrophy caused by the shot and then told me that before a doctor administers that shot, they are suppose to explain the possible side effect to the patient and have a waiver signed. I went back to the hospital that I'd had the shot at and explained the situation to them and asked why I wasn't instructed about side effects and why I did not have any type of waiver presented either. They took a few days to get back to me, but the facility had aggreed to do reconstructive surgery on it at no charge. The only problem was that between my school/work schedule and the time it would take to have the surgeries/recovery time I was not able to have it done. However I would strongly suggest anybody else who's had this problem make this point to the facility they received their shot at. I was 19 at the time of the shot, and am 24 now. A minimal amount of tissue has regenerated on its own, however there is a scar-like marking about 2 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch high in that spot along with a small dent that still remains. The spot is very tender still and by this point, I'm assuming it will always be with me. Hopefully this helps anybody that's had a similar problem. Laws on the shot/procedures could vary by state so I would check with someone who is 100% familiar with medical laws in your state/area.