Message board symptoms and conditions

I have been taking Lisinopril for 3 - 4 years. I am 43 with high blood pressure. I often have a light headed feeling/dizziness. My biggest problem/concern is I find it very hard to concentrate. I feel tired often and have a foggy feeling. I have always just written this off to the stressful job that I have. Reading these posts has made me think that this bpm may be the problem. Sometimes I will forget to take my med on the weekends and, now that I think about it, I've felt great on those days. This message board has been a real eye opener. I need to talk with my Dr. If anyone has actually changed to another/more effective BPM - let me know.

I have cramps in the legs and feet often too.

Everyone should note which brand they are using: Wellbutrin brand name, Budeprion, or Bupropion. I recently started taking Budeprion and about 3 weeks into it, my hair started falling out; every morning after my shower, about 10 strands are in my hand. However, I have taken BUPROPION on 2 occasions over the past 10 years, and I NEVER had any side effects and definitely no hair loss. Walgreens decided to fill my Wellbutrin prescription with Budeprion because that's what they carry. I had to ask them to order BUPROPION from their warehouse (Same dosage, Same price). I am convinced that the hair loss I'm experiencing is from this other generic branch, Budeprion. So you all may want to try a different generic and see what happens. With Budeprion, I have also been having horrible headaches all day; which I don't remember experiencing with the BUPROPION. At any rate, this message board has been a relief and a big help on this issue (I bought some Biotin yesterday to try to regrow some of the hair I've lost over the past 2 weeks).

Good evening everyone. I'm just blown away from the comments on this message board. I've been taking Lisinopril since Thursday and I've been tired and feeling like nausea just today. I've noticed how tired I am too. I was walking this morning; about a 3 mile walk and it was hard for me to finish up. I'm a 39 year old African American male, very active as well. So, when this happened, I wanted to check out the side effects of this medicine to see if I'm the only one......I plan to consult with my Dr, to change as well; excuse I just vomited. I will be changing ASAP. Have a bless day./

**I found something that helps the foggy head, forgetfulness, short term memory, and sleepiness that comes with taking Lamictal!!**

I want to pass this along , because it has helped me SO much. I was diagnosed bipolar II recently and was put on Lamictal. I'm a writer, so my biggest concern was being able to find the words I need and having the concentration for my work, but suddenly I lost my ability to string words together when speaking OR writing. The words weren't even close to coming to me. I felt like I was sleepwalking half the time, along with other symptoms, but the bouts of spacehead were hardest to take. I felt pretty desperate and kept researching until I came across a post on a message board that claimed to have the answer.

If you can manage, do not take Lamictal at night. The following is so simple that it might seem strange that it works (it did to me):

All you have to do is set your alarm for a half hour to an hour before you would normally get up. Then take your Lamictal and go back to sleep for a half hour to an hour (it takes a little practice to get used to this morning routine at first, but it's totally worth it). For some reason, it's ESSENTIAL that you do go back to sleep for that short period and do not just rest with your eyes closed until it's time to get up.

I tried this, not really expecting anything from it, but on the very first day it seemed that at least 85 percent of the foggy-head was gone. Just gone. It has continued to work every day that I have managed to do it, and when I don't do it, the foggyhead is back again with a vengeance. I finally feel great, as if the medicine is doing exactly what it's supposed to.

Taking Lamictal at night (like doctors often recommend) can make the fogginess worse than any other time. The person who posted about this originally said he told his psychiatrist about his experience, and the psychiatrist told his other patients on Lamictal to try it. It worked for them too.

I hope this is helpful to others as much as it is to me, though I know everyone's body and brain are different, so it's possible that it won't work for everyone. I do hope if it works for you that you'll spread the word, because this is such a debilitating side effect.

Best wishes to you all.

I have been on this med for about 2 years. Until about 2 months ago, I had zero problems and it was great! About 2 months ago I started having SERIOUS issues. I had never had a palpitation or chest pain in my life and then I started having heart palpitations, chest pains, shortness of breath - sometimes it feels like I'm not going to be able to take the next breath. I was in the ER - they said it was my thyroid and gave me synthroid - that made everything worse so they gave me a beta blocker to cover up those symptoms. I quit taking ALL medication! I am not a pill taker and it doesn't make any sense to take a med and try to cover up those side effects/symptoms with the next med and so on. I can't find a good Dr. who will actually listen. I have been on the heart monitor and it found I was having PVC's all the time. I was then referred to a cardiologist - after a one thousand dollar visit with only an EKG he said my heart is fine - go home. I told every Dr. about Yaz - none of them could connect the dots! I thought I connected them....only by chance. I forgot to take my pill for a couple of days in the middle of all of this and stopped when I finally remembered to take one a couple of days later. I thought to myself.....hey - I've felt a little bit better the last couple of days. I was near the end of the pack so I QUIT taking them!! Best decision I ever made! Within 2 weeks my symptoms had pretty much disappeared! I thought I had it solved. I am 43 years old and in really good health. A few days ago my palpitations are back - but they are different this time. Before I had a "normal" heart rate but it felt like my heart was going to thump out of my chest. Now I have that PLUS a racing pulse! Chest pains are a part of daily life. Mornings and nights are the worst but I think it's going on all day - if I'm moving around I just don't notice it as much. These symptoms reappear a few days before I'm supposed to have my first period after quitting Yaz. I'm wondering if it's hormonal or menopause or if this stuff will just stick around for a while. I'm scared! I've read about people dieing and it's traced back to Yaz! I have a 6 year old precious daughter that I kiss good night and pray like heck that I get the next day with her! It's just not fair - I really wish I could find some answers. Anybody out there got any? Thanks.

I am 42 years old and had to get off birth control pills because of my blood pressure, since insertion I still have to take my blood pressure pills.
the problem I am having is very sharp pains that come from out of no where when i am walking or getting up from a sitting position. It is a very sharp pain that seems to originate from my vagina and makes my vagina feel very swollen. i went to my GYN and he did an ultrasound, pelvic exam etc. and everything was as it should be and advised me to keep a journal of when these pains occur. also after reading the message board I do have weight gain but my diet is the same as before so this makes me wonder if the weight gain is because of the Mirena.
sharp pains, swollen feeling

I have been on Lisinopril for over a year now and have taken it off and on during that time. I never really put a finger on the way I felt until reading this message board. I wake up in the morning and it feels like I have never slept. I walk around work and home feeling like I have 400LB weights hanging off the bottom of my feet and I cannot concentrate. I think the worst part is the fact that I would rather be lying down with my eyes closed then experiencing life with my new found love. I am worried also because my new found love was also just diagnosed with high blood pressure and prescribed Lisinopril. I have recently noticed that her zest for life seems to be diminished also. I am taking 40MG of lisinopril and was never even put on a lower dosage to start with. As of this writing I plan to do a little self doctoring and taking myself off of the medication to see what kind of reaction I get. Best of luck to all of you who are having issues with this medication.

I think i'm relatively young (29) however I was/am having problems emptying my bladder when urinating. Basically I finish and then a few minutes later some urine is still dribbling. My doctor gave me samples of flomax about a week ago. Recently i've been noticing my erections are awful and orgasm is weak. I checked this message board to see if anyone else was having the same problem. Not sure whether I should keep taking this or switch to uroxatral, another drug that i've taken in the past to stop the dribbling

I am so happy to have found these message boards...I thought that I was going crazy until I found out that other people have had similar experiences.

My doctor recently prescribed Loestrin 24fe after I noticed some depression and moodiness symptoms I experienced while taking Yaz.

Two weeks after starting, I experienced this sudden anxiety feeling that would not go away.I have never had any anxiety problems. Knowing that the moodiness was connected to the Yaz last time, I read the info that came with the Loestrin...Sure enough nervousness is listed as a possible side effect of birth control pills.

10 days into the new pack, I decided I just could not take them anymore so I stopped. I just wasn't myself and it was quite frightening. I completely lost my appetite and could barely eat a thing. I lost over 5 pounds in a week, which is totally not like me. I was constantly jittery and had this nervous feeling in my stomach. I was nervous about everything, with no reason to be.

It's been about 5 days and I am finally feeling like myself again. This has been the worst experience, as many other people experienced doctors' offices with nurses who try to tell you must have a problem, it's probably not the pill, and you should go see a therapist, which only makes you feel 10X worse and crazier. The moodiness and depression I felt while on Yaz was bad, but this was so much worse.

In addition to the anxiety, I also experienced terrible headaches on both Loestrin and Yaz.

I know that each pill affects each person differently, but if you are feeling any unusual anxiety, nervousness, or depression, stop taking this pill immediately.

I got the Mirena on 2/2/09 and had it promptly taken out on 2/13/09. This evil device made me feel emotions from rage, anger and depression to out right panic attacks where it felt like the walls were closing in on me and I couldn't breathe. I had major bleeding from the moment it was put in, but thankfully no cramps. I was very tired and had motion sickness while driving. I felt very hungry all the time.

I didn't even attribute ANY of these symptoms to the Mirena (except the bleeding) until I was packing my bags to leave my husband in a moment of pure rage followed by a panic attack. My husband calmed me down and wanted to know WHAT was going on, because I've NEVER acted that way before. Also, I've NEVER had a panic attack before. The only thing he could think of was the it was the Mirena because that was the only new thing in my life.

So, we googled the side effects of Mirena and found that many women experienced rage, depression, thoughts of suicide, and panic attacks as well as fatigue and motion sickness. So, I made an appointment to get it out. My OB didn't want to take it out. She said I hadn't had it in long enough to give it a fair chance. But I told her that my husband wouldn't let me go home until it was OUT! She did take it out, but all the while she was looking at me as if I were INSANE. She said there is no medical way that Mirena could have caused any of what I described (except the bleeding). She said that scientifically it is IMPOSSIBLE because it only has a low progesterone dose. She tested my thyroid instead (which came back just fine). She seriously did not believe me. I told her that I had googled the side effects of Mirena and she simply told me, "You can find anything on google to support your claims if you try, but it doesn't make it true."

Since I've gotten it out I have felt like myself again. No more rage or moody panic attacks. I am still bleeding, and although it was heavier than I'd ever experienced before, it is FINALLY going away.

I am so glad I found this site because now I know I'm NOT crazy!

I'm surprised at all the comments about Mirena...about how painful the insertion was and how horrible the side effects are. I can honestly say that I've had NONE of those issues.

I'm 28, and I've had Mirena for 2 years now. I have NO children, but the procedure was NOT painful. It was slightly uncomfortable for a few moments while she inserted it, but I did not receive any anesthetic. I had slight cramping for a few days, which is normal. Over the course of several months after having the Mirena put in, my periods began to subside and after about 4 or 5 months, I had no period at all.

I have noticed absolutely no difference in my sex drive, weight, mood, hair growth, etc. I recommend Mirena to anyone who is interested in it.

Of course, every woman is different! And, our bodies all react differently. So, if you're interested in Mirena, please don't make a judgment call based solely on this message board or any other message board, for that matter. Some of us have had horrible experiences. Some of us have had great experiences. But, your decision should come from the ONLY two people who know YOUR body best: you and your doctor. Good luck!

I have been on the NuvaRing for 4 months. And I have to say, Ladies beware!! My story is basically this... I had two children during the age of 25 years old, so my midwife wouldn't release me from the hospital unless I had a birth control plan because if I have another child again so soon it will put my health and life at risk (2 c-sections with back to back children is apparently a bad thing no time to recover!).... I had problems with having anger with other forms of hormonal birth control so I was very nervous about taking the pill or trying the depo shot again. So she suggested the NuvaRing and warned me that because it is hormonal that I may have the same problems with this that I had with the others. She told me that it would take being on the NuvaRing for at least 2-3 months before my hormones would regulate and we would know for sure how my body would handle it and I would react to it. These have been my side effects so far:
Explosive Anger: Every other day my husband and I are fighting in which I over react blow everything WAY out of proportion and threatening to leave.... And I have no right to do this because I literally am treated like a princess.
Depression: Generally after feeling the anger I hit an extreme low.
Sleeplessness: Feeling horrible about myself for acting the way I have, small issues bother me that shouldn't and I'll stay up all night thinking about them not being able to sleep, always feeling like my mind is racing.
Loss of Libido: I have sex because he wants to and it's a rarity at that. When before we were having sex 3-4 times a week, now, it's been about once a month.
Unable to reach orgasm: He knows how to get me there, and I know how to get me there and all of a sudden, neither one of us can get me there no matter how hard we've tried.
Vaginal Itching: Mostly external to the point where it's red, swollen, sore to the touch.
More Discharge: (which is probably causing the above problem)
Headaches: Almost daily and completely out of no where.
Chills and freezing: I live in Sunny Arizona in the South West corner where the average coldest temp is around 70 degrees out and I'm constantly freezing when every one around me is completely fine or way too hot.

All of these side effects started with in 1-2 weeks after I started the NuvaRing. I gave it 4 months to see if my body would regulate and change, and some of these issues would go away and they haven't, if anything they are getting worse. So with that said, we're going to good ol' fashioned condoms!! No more NuvaRing for me.

I hope this helps someone else who might be questioning to stay on it or not... I know you guys helped me! Thanks to all these responses!

I had my Mirena inserted in 9/07. I was fine until 6/08. In 6/08, I started to experience strange urinary symptoms of urgency and frequency. I addition, I had pain on urination. No UTI present. I had a cysto to r/o interstitial cystitis. The physician said that it did not look like IC because I did not scream when fluid was infused into my bladder. For the last 5-6 months, I have been dealing with my strange symptoms. The GU speculated that my problems might be due to my dropped bladder, but he seemed very unsure.

A few week ago, everything changed. I started having the most severe urethal pain. I was in tears all day long with 3 kids to care for. I have wbc and rbc in my urine. ALL cultures were neg. The Dr. even cultured me for STDs. Last Thursday, I had my Mirena pulled out after reading this message board. I'm hopeful that it hasn't caused irreparable damage to my body. I still have the same symptoms 3 days post Mirena. Please let me know if anyone has had relief post Mirena.

Thank you!
K.

I had a Mirena inserted October 2007. I had it removed in October 2008. I am SO GLAD I had it taken out!!!! When the device was in my body, I had instant weight gain. 5 pounds the first two weeks. Put on a total of 10 in about 3 months. I was working out liek a fiend!! I even did two a day cardio sessions for a month and did the Special K diet with it. Couldn't lose a pound. It was awful.

I had horrible acne. Not just on my face. On my scalp, my back, really gross on my neck. I even had occasional zits on my legs. AND I have DRY skin.

I had no sex drive. And just felt generally in a funk and had frequent headaches. I still had weird sludgy periods at irregular intervals. It just wasn't right. It was a grey mucky color. It was thick. I had never had a single yeast infection in my life until Mirena. I can't tell you how awful this thing is.

Since having it removed a little over a month ago, things have gone back to normal. My face cleared up in a week. I just feel better. I lost about 2 lbs. of water weight the first week. I have since lost another 3 that just slipped off (I cardio about 30 min. 5 times a week and lift weights 3 times a week, but that's not new. It is my routine with or without Mirena.). My husband even commented the other day how much healthier I looked.

DO NOT PUT THIS THING IN YOUR BODY!! My new GYN said to me, "If I won't do it to my wife, my mother & my sister, I won't do it to my clients." He doesn't recommend Mirena and won't use it except in very rare cases. He said if you have one you're unlikely to have your pap come back normal as long as it is in because of the strings. Really, don't listen to the sales pitch. These devices are high profit items for the Doctor's so that's why we women are getting the big sales pitch on them. Don't fall for it!!!

Hi. I got mirena three weeks ago, and I had a little discomfort after getting it put in, which some ibuprofen took care of. I haven't had any pain since then. I just start bleeding recently, its a pain in the butt, but not a big deal. I know I haven't had mine in as long as other women on this message board has, but i am not having as many problems, maybe I will in the months to come, but for now Im not. But for the women who are thinking about getting it, just remember, ALL WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT. Just because these women have had problems doesn't mean YOU WILL! I had to say that, because when I start reading these messages, it scared the crap out me! Just take it with a grain of salt, get informed, and talk to your doctor and decide for yourself.

I am still experiencing hot flushes even though I am post menopausal. I reckon it could be down to the Lisinopril pills. My dose has been doubled to 20mg from 10mg. Could this be the case? Has anyone else had these symptoms?

Ladies, I love your input. I just have a hard time tracking back. If anyone is interested, I've created a message board style support forum and I hope you'll check it out. If it gets removed, email me and I'll send you the link:

mirena is bad . proboards83 . com (no spaces)

Glad to hear I'm not alone. After being off birth control for three months (to regulate my cycle after missing pills, etc), my doc started me on NuvaRing since I had trouble remembering to take the pill. I noticed that since I've had the ring in (1.5 months), I have been the Grouch. Moody, excessively whiny, and a very bleak outlook - despite a very pleasant and fortunate future ahead of me. My boss noticed it at work and I have since noticed, after taking a step back to evaluate, that I have been utterly irrational, to the point of b**chy.

Over the last week, I've noticed that the second ring that I put in has been sliding out. Not all the way out - but to the point of where it's uncomfortable and slightly painful - almost as if my body won't accept it and is, in way, trying to purge it from my body. Sorry to be graphic, but has this happened to anyone else?

I took it out yesterday and am experiencing major discomfort (dryness?) and UTI like symptoms. The nurse practioner gave me two new NuvaRing's to try. However, after reading this page, I'm questioning whether I should just buck up and force myself to remember to take the pill everyday.

Other side-effects include increased acne (when I was on the pill I noticed decreased acne - not increased!).

Thanks for your posts - very insightful.

Had Mirena fitted 7th Feb 2008 and having it taken out on 12th June 2008. My stomach is huge despite eating sensibly and exercising. Also suffer from cramps on a daily basis, craved chocolate and have felt down in the dumps!! Can anyone tell me if having it taken out is as painful as insertion and will I bleed as much as when it was fitted. Am very nervous about the whole procedure.

Many thanks

I was prescribed 500 mg, twice a day for 5 days for a UTI. Immediate side effects were insomnia, restlessness and feeling sick to my stomach when taken without food - but I didn't really think twice about it. Approx 2 days after my first dose I woke up, was making coffee and got a sharp, VERY painful feeling in my abdomen. Ran into the bathroom and was shocked to see blood in the toilet, along with what appeared to be mucous. The pain went away and I just didn't feel "good" the rest of the day. Went to the bathroom twice with nothing until it happened once again. I went from thinking I had hemorrhoids, cysts, diverticulitis, etc. and almost went to the emergency room until we read the insert that came with my prescription. All of these were clearly listed in it. I stopped taking immediately and it has not happened since. I feel back to normal.

I am a healthy and active 26 year old who couldn't believe this happened. I am now taking Florastore (a probiotic you can buy behind the counter at any pharmacy) and eating Activia yogurt. Wish I had seen this message board before I began taking Cipro.

I was taking Yasmin until mid 2007 and took a break until 3 months ago. Since starting with Yasmin again I've been feeling very unwell. Constant nausea, sever fatigue, hair loss which I have never experienced before, stomach cramps, no energy, weight loss, kidney infections. I have been to the doctor twice in the last week presenting with these symptoms. I have 5 pills left in my third pack of Yasmin and I'm stopping today. Yasmin should be taken off the market- there must have some change to the manufacturing process since I last took Yasmin last year.

I found this message board last night and until then, I thought my daughter was just bad. She is almost 3 and has been on Singulair for a little over a year. I have said on many occasions, "What happened to my sweet girl?" After the suicide and Singulair connection, my husband would joke and say that's why why our daughter is out of control. I finally decided to check into it and was amazed at the number of kids out there like my daughter. She is an emotional wreck! Her mood swings are something else. I have to walk on egg shells around her so not to upset her. For example, she will walk up to me smiling and give me a hug. When I hug her back, she screams at me and tells me to let her go or to stop touching her. When her brothers talk to her, she screams at them to stop talking to her. She has meltdowns numerous times a day. I am going to stop giving her Singulair as of today and hope that she will improve.

Update: Our son has been off of singulair since the 28th of March.....he had experienced most of complaints and ailments that affect other children. Since then, he is still tough to get to sleep - probably a 3 year old thing - but is better that before. He is also sleeping much more soundly and waking on the right side of the bed. He is still complaining of the leg cramps and sometimes still limping around for a while, and also complaining of stomach aches... I suspect those too should disappear after some time, however, he is no longer complaining that the lights and sun hurt his eyes. It is as though a major fog has been lifted - he is listening to us more the first time we speak rather than having to fight over things such as cleaning, or behaving. He is not as physical with us or his brother as before. And, the most important thing....he seems truly HAPPY - he has been napping all week at day care, and is proud of his accomplishment! He is focused in Karate class - listens to his Sir - engages in the activity with the other children - is more vocal and energetic....and once again PROUD! His Karate teacher - Sir - noticed an immediate difference in our beloved son - he was so surprised that Singulair is to blame - he said that our son is a complete different child without a trace of the drugged, insecure, and quiet boy he knew a week ago.
This Saturday our little boy will be testing for his yellow belt and he is so excited that he can hardly contain his HAPPINESS!!!!!

One last thought though.....I am extremely worried of any lasting mental or physical implications this drug could have on him - what does the future hold for our son - could this drugs nasty side effects cause some crazy long term side effect we have yet to see???

I am Cody Millers mom ,the boy who died from Suicide while on Singulair for 17 days, I just wanted to say one thing to all of you that take the time to post.GO ONE STEP FURTHER CONTACT THE FDA and report to medwatch .The investigation needs evidence like your stories to help make informed decisions about this drug.The poorly orchestrated disclosing campaign that Merck had supposedly set out to accomplish in 2007, has obviously not reached the mass majority of people using this drug .Seeing now how many people did not make the connection to these HIDDEN AND DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS.Our child's pharmacy sheet that came with the medicine ,showed none of the updated side effects.They were added in April 2007,I filled the prescription in July 2007.Nothing had been disclosed until we put forth this effort to get the FDA's attention ,by asking the Senate and Congress to look into this matter.Go to your doctor and insist that they report YOUR SIDE EFFECTS to the company and the FDA.It is of the utmost importance.,Kate and Dave M.

Thank you to all those who have taken the time to post on this message board.

I am an 18 year old senior in high school and I have been taking Singulair since I was in 7th grade (figure 12 or 13 years old). I could never understand why as of 7th grade I changed so much and when the reports for Singulair came out in the news, I originally did not pay it any mind, but I decided to see if there was any truth to it. Then, I came across this message board and I was reading exactly what I have been going through for about 5 years. This is amazing. I thought that there was something wrong with *me*. I felt disconnected from my siblings and could not understand what was happening. I never even thought there was some connection between my emotional state and the medication I was on.

I used to be a straight-A student and as the years have progressed, I have been one who cannot even hold a spot on the honor roll. Also, all of a sudden, I lacked confidence in social situations and was afraid to raise my hand in class. I was a completely different person.

I used to want to kill myself for the littlest thing or even NO reason at all. There was a time I can remember where I held scissors to my wrists with the desire to cut them. There have been times where I'd just go into the fetal position, cry, and generally freak out. There were times where I would just cry for no reason. Almost everyday, I cry for NO REASON, which is why I finally decided to see if these claims about Singular were true.

Reading the messages on this board have pushed me to stop taking Singulair. Thank you! :D I plan on posting an UPDATE in about a week and seeing if my emotional being changes.