June 12th
2009
10:32 AM
i started taking toprol about 2 years ago. my doctor started to notice a trace of blood and a small amount of protein in my urine. after a few more urine test over the span of 2 years, the traces of blood would come and go, but the protein levels were rising. eventually i was sent to a kidney specialist. he immediately took me off the toprol. he believes that the toprol may have damaged a filter that goes to both kidneys.he also said that if proteins are getting through the filter there other stuff is getting through too. , which can cause problems in the future.i have an appointment to see him again in 2 months. hopefully not being on this drug anymore, there will be a chance that this filter will heal. if not we are talking biopsies, and kidney drugs. my entire life the only medical problem was my blood pressure, now because of doctors and drugs i may be the sickest i've ever been. somebody said thts why doctors call it a practice, there only practicing
-- By fredd217 | Reply | Private Message me
May 13th
2009
2:54 PM
I took Nortriptyline for 3 years to help prevent migraines. I had a weight gain over the years. I gained so much weight that the doctor told me I was pre-diabetic. He told me if I didn't loose weight I was going to go into full diabetes and possibly damage my kidneys. I decided right then to loose the weight. Started working out 3 days a week running and going to the gym...no results. I even hired a physical trainer who I paid 2-3 times a week to torture me. I finally fired the physical trainer and looked up the side effects of nortriptyline. When I saw that weight gain was so high I weened myself off of it. I lost 10 pounds immediately and another 10 working out. My migraines came back with a fierceness but the alternative was diabetes. I don't need another medical problem. Still looking for a replacement for the nortriptyline.
-- By sduser | Reply | Private Message me
March 14th
2009
1:34 PM
One person here said:
>My MD attributes the issues to aging. I going for a second opinion and third if necessary. I am told by my MD that there are no studies showing these side affects for this medications.<
"Aging" is the oldest excuse in the book for not investigating a medical problem. That LAZINESS. Doctors can get lazy, like any other worker.
The reason there are "no studies showing these side effects" is that studies are rarely done once a drug is FDA approved. They wouldn't do the studies at all if the FDA didn't require it for approval. When they do the pre-approval studies, they are careful to select people who have few health problems; they are not studying a good cross-section of the general population. It's AFTER a drug is on the market that the REAL side effect profile shows up. Doctors don't like to blame drugs for symptoms because they are part of the system that pushes drugs on the public. They don't want to get caught up in a malpractice suit, but pushing drugs is their bread and butter. Sad, but true. Slowly, more of them are turning toward more natural approaches to disease management. However, YOU remain your own best advocate.
I am going back to taking natural supplements like Hawthorne leaves and flowers (stronger than berry.) I resisted the drugs for years, and after reading all this stuff, I remember why. My mother struggled for years with the side effects. I'd rather die slowly of hypertension!
January 26th
2009
8:30 PM
I was 50 and the doctor prescribed lipitor 10mg since my cholesterol had doubled in the past twelve months to 300. I took it for four months and began to have pain in one leg just below the knee. I had talked to a woman about 65 years old once who was walking on the sides of her feet and I had asked her what medical problem she had. She explained that her Lipitor had caused this terrible pain. You would think that I would have refused to take this drug. You see the doctor had already prescribed a very large dose of fish oil per day and the cholesterol had not fallen. However, I began taking it. About two weeks before my enzyme checkup I began to notice the pain in the leg just below my knee and I stopped taking the Lipitor. I expected the pain to subside, but it did not. My cholesterol level had risen and my doctor asked me if I was still taking the Lipitor. I explained that I had been of it for about two weeks. The doctor insisted that the pain probably wasn't associated with the Lipitor. The reason being my enzyme level was within the range of acceptable. I began taking it again. The doctor wanted to have another test within four weeks to check enzyme levels again. This time the enzyme levels were borderline high. So the doc recommended stopping the Lipitor for a while and then another enzyme level check. You see, my body was telling me something. The only new factor in my medications other than blood pressure was the Lipitor. It has been about three weeks since I stopped the Lipitor, yet I am continuing with even more pain in tops of feet and above one knee a know seems to have appeared. It is sore and feels like it is bruised. I am not a doctor, but I had done some investigating Lipitor on the internet and read that in some patients the Lipitor actually causes small to large fissures in the arteries of the heart. Also, the muscles begin to attack themselves, thus the pain and atrophy. I am going to start taking flax oil. One cardiologist reported that he two cases a week of heart attacks due to Lipitor. He was enraged that Lipitor is still being prescribed and manufactured. I just hope it doesn't take years to regain my original self without pain. I am an active person who likes to work outside, garden, snow-ski, and anything else I want to do. I am trying to search for a detox program for Lipitor overdose, not that I have overdosed. According to my body's signals, I have overdosed on a toxic drug. I pray that returning to normal won't take as long as I have heard some people say it has taken them. Please try some other alternative to Lipitor and the other debilitating statin drugs. I will have to start an exercise program, even though I have put it off for years. I hope my laziness about my physical fitness hasn't crippled me for life. I am 20 lbs overweight and never took it seriously. I hope others will discontinue to take this life-threatening and debilitating drug!!!!!!!!!!1
-- By neckpainnelda | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
November 23th
2008
3:06 PM
Hello people - I've been taking Doxycycline for about 4 weeks now (for Chronis Prostates) and started experiencing aching in my muscles, mainly my legs (back of thigh, calf and behind the knee mostly) about 2 weeks back. It started very subtle and has got stronger each day. I don't know if this is a side effect of the Doxycycline or just some lovely new medical problem I'm developing - but I thought I should post up my experience in case anyone finds themselves in my position and they too want to know if anyone else has got worsening aching legs whilst taking a long course of this medicine. I'm going to speak to my doctor about this tomorrow and stop taking the drug. I'll update you all with another postas to how things develop. Hope you all get well folks!
-- By old_prostate | Reply | Private Message me
November 10th
2008
10:18 PM
My husband was recently prescribed Bactrim from his family doctor for a case of the ful. We thought it strange, since flu is normally not treated with antibiotics, viral we thought. Anyway, we felt Doc knew best, so he took three doses. His original symptoms of the flue were simply nausea, vomiting and a bit of diarrhea. After taking the bactrim, he developed a very high fever, headache, pain in legs and feet, burning eyes, chills so severe his whole body shook with a vengeance. He was sent home from the ER and told this was "worsening flu symptoms" and to continue the medication. We didn't follow the advise, and thought it might be the bactrim. He still continued to get worse, and went back to ER next night, bad stomach pain and all other symptoms worse. We found out it was all due to the bactrim, which shouldn't have been given in the first place for a mild case of the flu. He also suffered decreased kidney function, which has taken some time to come back to normal (luckily). His heart rate is still increased after several days, and may remain so permanently, requiring him to take beta blockers for the rest of his life. The doctors won't admit this is from the bactrim, but i have found medical literature stating otherwise. His doctor said it was his fault for not reading or understanding the little insert that came with his medication from the pharmacy. A lot of this information wasn't even on it. There are so many other choices of antibiotics to use, which do not chance a horrible reaction, permanent medical problem, or a fatality, which seems to be the case more often than it should from the medication, bactrim.
-- By libby_b | Reply | Private Message me
November 6th
2008
11:42 AM
I had Mirena put in about 5 weeks ago to control heavy periods. After about 2 weeks I started experiencing a foggy head feeling and bouts of dizziness. I didn't relate this to anything and thought it might be from lack of sleep. Last week I stated having spells of rapid heartbeat and nervousness that lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours. Exercising is out of the question since it makes me now feel lightheaded. I feel like I can't think or concentrate. At first I didn't think the symptoms were related to Mirena, but since I am otherwise very healthy and don't take any other medications, I started doing a search online and came to this website. I called the doctor and told the nurse my symptoms and she called me back to say that they never heard of anything like that and I must have some other medical problem...They insisted it was not Mirena causing the symptoms. I mentioned that my symptoms are actually ones listed by the manufacturer as "possible" side effects. They disagreed with that. Now I'm thinking of going to another doctor to remove it, if they'll do it. Can anyone tell me if they had these symptoms and if they got "better" with time? Or do they just get "worse"..??? If I knew that they would improve I would hold on a little longer. Has anyone had improvement after the first few months?
-- By jady4 | Reply | (7) replies | Private Message me
August 12th
2008
10:56 PM
My daughter had her first Gardasil shot in June. She started to have severe pain on her right side. Doctor diagnosed bladder infection. After 3 days of antibiotics ended up in emergency room due to severe pain in her right side. They did a ct scan and found a tennis ball sized cyst on her ovary. They thought her pain was from the cyst so she ended up having surgery to remove it. While they were in there they found endometriosis. So now we are working on a treatment plan. They gave her a shot of Depo Provera. She got her period while on vacation and the pain was so severe that she ended up in the hospital again. Her pain is being caused by the endo and is so severe it is debilitating. She had regular pain before with her periods, never anything like this. Another problem she is having is severe pain on both of her hip bones. My daughter was a normal, healthy teenager before this now they want to suppress her periods until she is ready to have children. I can't help but think this is due to the Gardasil.
-- By mward6489 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
March 28th
2008
1:59 PM
I have been crying for almost 24 hours now. I cannot believe what I am reading and hearing about Singulair. My son has been to hell and back again and again. I cannot say for sure the Singulair is the culprit. But after reading all of the other stories on this website, I am convinced it is a strong possibility.
My son is 11 years old. He has severe allergies and asthma. He takes many, many medications for this including Singulair. He as been on Singulair for about 8 years now (my best guess because he has been on it for sooooo long.)
My son was diagnosed with ADHD in pre-school. He has taken many medications for the ADHD, but none have ever done any good at all. We thought some of the medications even made things worse. Now, I'm not so sure.
After exhausting all the ADHD medications, our pediatrician sent my son to a psychiatrist and a counselor. The psychiatrist put him on 2 different antipsychotic medications. Again, neither one did any good and seemed to make matters worse. The psychiatrist sent my son to a psychologist to be tested for Asperger's. For those of you who don't know Asperger's is a high functioning form of autism. The psychologist ruled out Asperger's by diagnosed ADHD and Anxiety Disorder. He did not prescribe any medication.
For some unknown reason, I've only given my son the Singulair off and on for the last year. My son had the best year in school ever. However, his pediatrician was still not satisfied. He sent him to see another psychiatrist at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. We were told he is believed to have more than one disability. He is believed to have ADHD, Aspergers, Teurettes and a possible 4th medical problem that has not yet come to light.
We are scheduled to see a neurologist at Children's Hospital on the 15th of April to rule out any medical reasons for his tics. We see the psychiatrist again on the 18th of April.
I am so tormented by this recent news. Has all of these problems been caused from him taking the Singulair for so long? Although he has had his best year in school yet, he still has a lot of problems. Are the side effects of the Singulair permanent.
The other side of the coin is this: It is also very scary to watch my son not be able to breath. Asthma can also be life threatening. What is a parent supposed to do.
Also, I now don't know whether to keep these appointments that are coming up. I hate so much to put him through more. He has endured enough doctors and tests to last him a lifetime. However, what if it is not the Singulair and there is help out there for him that I am not aware of.
Please if anyone else has had a similar experiences e-mail me. I would love to hear from you.
God Bless everyone who has been through this kind of hell.
-- By foxhlam | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
October 18th
2007
7:25 AM
I went to the doctor on October 9th, 2007, with a sinus infection, that had jumped into my eyes, throat, teeth and ears. I was prescriber Levaquin for 10 days, 750 MG. I took 6 of the pills before I realized that the medication was my problem.
From the beginning I could not sleep, which is totally unusual for me. The minute I would lay down my skin would begin to feel itchy and I became very anxious. I had to miss several days work as I was told that my illness was highly contagious and the side effects had already begin setting in. I had blurred vision, heartburn, severe stomach cramps, knee and leg cramps including severe pain when walking or trying to stand up. I felt as though I had been run over by a SEMI-TRUCK. I would feel a little "out of it" if I had telephone conversations with anyone. I finally realized that it was either the medication or I really had a bad medical problem. I called the pharmacist who told me to contact my doctor immediately. When speaking with my doctor, I was told to discontinue the medication immediately, but unfortunately I had already taken the dosage for that day. I was told that I had enough of it in my system to last another day or two.
My legs and knees are giving me so much pain, that it is unbearable to walk or attempt to stand. I am still having abdominal cramps and my vision is also continuing to give me problems.
Heaven only knows why I decided to look on the web to see if anyone else had encountered problems, but at least at this point I know I am not going crazy.
It is quite frightening to think that the side effects on this medication could be long term. My advice to anyone given this medication by your doctor...tell him "NO WAY!"
-- By mileysmm | Reply | Private Message me
July 13th
2007
10:30 AM
WOW!! i havent had side of effects that bad thank god, but i do have one concern.. When i wasnt on pill my period would come normally and only last for three or four days.. Now my concern is that while on the pill my period will start on a thrusday and end a week later! while i start the pill back up that sunday.. it doesnt make sense.. im only on this period i had a medical problem and i was loosing a lot of blood but it's under control.. just except the long periods.. did any of u experience this bc idk what to do im on my 4th month and i got to go back in 2 or 3 months.. what should i do?? plz help
-- By imsokool123 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 26th
2006
7:35 PM
PLEASE do not stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor. I ACCIDENTLY ran out of medication and did not pick up refill for 6 days AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I thought it was another medical problem that I have, but NO.
Stopping this will make you feel SO BAD and it never even occured to me.
July 15th
2004
10:40 AM
After studying the side effects of Statin drugs for 2 years, including lipitor, I think we now have a new medical problem.
I call it STATINITIS. Of course I created that word, but what is happening to people as a result of these drugs is NOT funny.
Otherwise healthy people are being prescribed statins like it were candy. Too many people's lives are being turned upsidedown by this drug. Some recover, some don't. Yet some have paid the ultimate price- death.
Bobby
-- By bobby | Reply | Private Message me
May 18th
2003
7:54 AM
I am 36 years old and started taking lipitor about 2 years ago when it was discovered in a physical that my cholesterol was at 315. It came down to 135 within six months along with regular exercise and losing 25 pounds but in the fall of 2002 I started developing sudden attacks of pain in my chest along with dizziness and overall feelings that something bad was getting ready to occur (thought I was having a heart attack, but all extensive cardiac tests came back negative). It was discovered to be gall bladder attacks from cholesterol crystals forming in my gall bladder as my levels came down. The gall bladder was removed in Nov. 2002 and I felt fine for a few months. My doctor also switched me to zocor. Similar symptoms came back, the sudden pain and tightness in my chest along with a pain just inside my right shoulder blade although some of this discomfort tends to stay around for days at a time. I never had a medical problem in my life until I started taking lipitor and zocor and I stopped taking it about three weeks ago. Still not feeling good but hopfully things will improve. I think I will look into something natural.
-- By ca980wlsn | Reply | Private Message me
February 8th
2003
5:34 AM
Does anyone attribute these awful symptoms of the infection or medical problem you have??? I almost died from a large, infected kidney stone. The infection moved into my bloodstream causing major organ function to shut down. All of the symptoms I have read above are symptoms I experienced prior to levaquin in my IV. The previous antibiotic was not strong enough to kill the bacteria in the infection. Levaquin saved my life! You should discuss your feelings with your doc and not post your "opinion" to influence others negatively. Yes, afterwards I felt dizzy, lightheaded and my temp dropped 2 degrees, but this will pass.
-- By arysangel | Reply | Private Message me
Toprol-XL (2) Levaquin (2) Mirena (2) Lipitor (2) Bactrim (1) PredniSONE (1) Zocor (1) Singulair (1) Lisinopril (1) Biaxin XL (1) Yasmin (1) Omeprazole (1) Nortriptyline (1) Prograf (1) Gardasil (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1)
October 16th
2009
2:20 AM
I had my mirena removed about one week ago after a year and a half of having it in. my doctor had told me that I would have no side effects as it only dispersed hormones locally. My experience was very different! The most noticeable were: immediate weight gain (10pounds in 6 weeks from inserting it), inability to lose weight with diet and exercise, terrible mood swings and depression for no reason at all, extreme fatigue and lack of energy (I couldn't stay up past 9pm), bad acne, hair loss on my head and increase of facial hair (go figure!), constant bloating (I looked pregnant all the time), definite decrease of libido, nausea (which led me to see many gastro dr's as I was convinced I had a stomach bug), vertigo, terrible discharge...you name it, I've had it. The thing about Mirena is that the side effects are accumulative and subtle to begin with, so it takes a while before you make the association. Since removing it a week ago, I have noticed a major increase in my energy level (I love it! i feel alive again...), increase in libido, sudden disappearance of depression and mood swings, and bloating is gone. I'm happy to have my body back and feel liberated! I replaced mirena with a regular Copper IUD. In the past I've had increased bleeding during periods with the copper IUD but I'll have that any day compared with my experience with Mirena. The doctor that removed it for me told me that she never advises woman to use mirena unless they have a medical problem such as fybroids, very heavy periods etc...Mirena is used as a cure for these conditions. Her reasoning is that if you are a healthy woman with no hormonal problems, why would you ingest hormones into your body in this manner and mess with your system? The fact that periods stop with mirena means that hormones are all over your system... I advise all women to listen to their bodies...you know better then any doctor if a contraceptive is right for you. There are always other options for you if you are not happy.
-- By tdf | Reply | Private Message me