Migrane symptoms and conditions

ok i have been taking topomax for about roughly 7 years. at one time it got so bad with the memory loss they put me on the alzhimers med. that they proscribe for about everyone with alzhimers. i have had clumps of hair fall out so they put in a prescription for hair loss. i once weighed 100 lbs size 0 im 5 ft tall and i am usually about a 7-8 . the topomax i was taking it for my toruretts syndrome and every so often it causes a clich ill have face freezing that will last for and hour to 3 days or make it worse. ill get hives i get aggressive angerd very easily at the drop of a pin and wont eat at all because i forget i forget everything i once stared at a wall for 3 hours i couldn't move my body or eyes my mind went blank like someone shut off the electricity . plus bad acne ( um when i first took it it was like i was getting high with my entire body tingling like when ur foot has fallen asleep even my eyes felt like that) i have sufford some vision problems everyday and forget what and where i was going it has made me have some psychological problems increase
i have now recently stopped taking it i still get rashes i am always cold hair is still falling out still hear a ring in my ears i see things that aren't there like little firecrackers going off in my vision or blackouts like when u get a migraine i am always itching tingly all the time aggravated all the time
but now i eat i have gained like close to 20 lbs but i am more focussed in some things it helps when i am in class to stay focussed but not really because im not used to being so alert but i think i like not feeling foggy anymore

I'm 2 rows into my 2nd pack of Yaz. It's my first birth control and was told by my doctor to give it a try a couple months and let my body try to adjust. Toward the end of the first month I got very moody, much unlike myself, annoyed with small things, and really upset my boyfriend and snapped at him unjustly. Off the pill, I had max 3 day periods, my first one on Yaz started the morning after my last pink pill of the month and lasted 7 days steady. My mood was the worst toward the end of that, and I was crying over things I normally wouldn't tear up about. Now, 2 weeks into the 2nd month, I'm cramping up already & have a noticeable lack of libido. I am thinking about switching, but feel like 3 months would be appropriate to try to adjust. Nice to know I'm not the only one with these symptoms. It's also nice to know it could be much worse, for example, I've never had a migraine, and haven't noticed any additional headaches since I started. Just hoping I adjust soon, because I'd hate to change and go through another readjusting phase.

I have been on Topamax for 2 1/2 years at 250mg for migraines and have decided to get off because of side effects. I have had all mentioned: mood swings, dehydration, not sweating,tingling, dizziness, loss for words, short term memory loss,numbness, fatigue, GI problems, anorexic weight loss,rage... And this all began from the starting 25mg dose!
The migraines decreased from 24 a month to 12, at best down to 6 or 7, but I seemed to hit a plateau then back to 15.
I saw three different doctors and all wanted to simply increase the Topamax or add another med (Depakote, beta blocker, etc.)
Finally, I found that a problem with my neck may be causing the headaches and treating that has reduced them enough for me to try and get off the Topamax. I still rely on the Relpax to get me through the bad days, but I'm hoping I can get free of the Topamax for good!
I just encourage anyone thinking of starting Topamax to investigate all possible migraine causes before starting!! Topamax doesn't cure the migraine, it only blocks the pain! And the side effects are not worth it if you can find another way to alleviate the problem!

I was put on Loestrin because I am anemic due to heavy periods. I have been on it for almost two months.For the past week, I have felt absolutely horrible. I am naturally a very calm individual and always have good days. Last week, I felt like I was going to die of panic. My leg was cramping at night and I thought I was going to pass out in class. I was dizzy and thought I was going to throw up, which I later did. I can't quench my thirst and my dizziness hasn't stopped since last week. Sometimes I feel like I am going to have a panic attack, but my blood pressure remains at its natural level, which is low. Even my pulse is great, at 55 on average. I feel like I have a 3rd eye which is throbbing all day, like when you have a migraine. I feel bloated all day, have a almost headache/migraine that won't go away, anxiety attacks without high blood pressure and only spotted when I had my last period. Could it be the Loestrin? I went to Doctor and they said I don't have any flags at all, but why am I feeling so bad? All the symptoms come back to the Loestrin24Fe, I don't take any other pills.

Since starting on Drenamin two days ago, I have been getting headaches, yesterday was the worst a migraine. Is this a side effect? And could this happen just after two days?

I've been taking Topamax now for about 6 weeks, and my headaches are still just as bad as ever, except now I have headaches with the thrill of numb fingers, confusion, weight loss, memory loss, an absolute horrid taste in my mouth, and now the latest.... my hands feel dirty all the time. Has anyone experienced this?? I just feel like my hands are dirty. I wash them, and a half hour later, it almost feels like there's a film on them, and I have to wash them again. Almost ocd-ish. So 6 weeks in.... Anyone have any advise on how much longer I should give this topamax before I give up on it & try something else? My doc said it should have worked by now if it was gonna - but I have read on here, that it sometimes can take months...? I just don't know if I can take these side effects, AND the headaches for much longer without going NUTS! {grin}
Any advise?

I was prescribed a sulfameth drug for a severe UTI which entailed terrible abdominal pain & blood in urine. I took it for 2 days and started feeling better. The third day, I was hit with a severe allergic reaction, which after reading some of the side effects, I realize now that i should have gone to the er or called 911. It started with a terrible headache, then vomiting. That night my fever shot up to 104 degrees!!! But, I was freezing. I was shaking uncontrollably, confused, joints aching, you name it. I thought I may have had a migrane and ended up falling asleep and never took any of the medicine on day three. On day four, I woke up feeling MUCH better, and noticed red blotches all over my hands. The second I saw this, I knew it was an allergic reaction. I went and showed the pharmacist and told him about what had happened, and he said, yes, it seemed that way to him too. He said to call my doctor and let them know I had a reaction. When I did that, all they said was they would put it in my chart. I was not even offered an alternative to it considering I still probly had a UTI. I think they did this because now that I have researched it quite a bit, I have learned that people who are allergic to penicillin are more likely to experience a reaction to sulfa drugs. And, yes...I am, and have always been extremely allergic to penicillin. I believe this was overlooked when I was prescribed with the sulfameth.

I HAVE BEEN ON YASMIN FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS NOW, EVER SINCE I STARTED DATING MY BOYFRIEND. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY MIGRAINES INCREASED TO AT LEAST ONE IF NOT MORE A WEEK AND EVERYDAY I DON'T HAVE A MIGRAINE I STILL HAVE A LESS SEVERE HEADACHE. I HAVE TERRIBLE HEARTBURN OR ACID REFLUX DAILY, AND EVERY TIME I GET IN A CAR THAT IM NOT DRIVING I GET REALLY SICK. I HAVE BEEN TO MY DOCTOR SEVERAL TIMES AND SEEN A NEUROLOGIST. I TIRED TOPAMAX AND LAMICTAL WITH NO SUCCESS! AND I FEEL LIKE IM POPPING MIGRAINE PILLS LIKE CANDY, CAN ANYONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH ANY OF THIS TELL ME IF THEIR HEADACHE PAIN STOPPED AFTER QUITTING THE PILL? THANKS SO MUCH!

These posts about contacting a bad viral infection while the immune system is suppressed by Singulair are particularly worrisome. This was from 2007 so it has nothing to do with the FDA investigation. Epstein Barr causes some really bad illnesses including lymphoma.

The scary part is that children are the most susceptible to viruses. They need to develop immunity at a young age that will build up over time to levels that will protect them for the rest of their lives. Why are we giving children a drug that will suppress the leukotrienes? Why do we think that it is okay to take away one of the bodies defense mechanisms? Wouldn't it be logical that a drug that suppresses the immune system is a last resort option not handed out like lollipops?

www.iddb.org/drugs/singulair/ - 243k
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Anonymous Immune System Dysfunction September 13th, 2007

Do users of Singulair and Advair understand how these products work? In order to understand how they work, you must first know what happens in the body during an allergic attack.

Allergic response is a function of the body's immune system. When an allergen enters the body through the nose or the lungs (e.g., a bit of pollen or cat dander), it is recognized by the body as a foreign substance, and the immune system then produces histamines to fight the intruder. Singulair and Advair work by disabling the body's immune system, so that there is no allergic response.

I too thought these drugs were wonderful. I was on both Singulair and Advair to combat asthma from my new husband's cat. I took high strengths of these drugs for approximately three years.

During the time I was on these drugs, some disease entity, most likely a virus (e.g., Epstein-Barr, Herpes Simplex I, HTLV I). I have been sick with a fever for the last four and a half years. My immune system seems to have been permanently impaired, and every organ in my body is now compromised. I have a fever, night sweats, liver and spleen enlargement, digestive problems, skin infections, hypertension, rapid-onset insulin-dependent diabetes and other endocrino;ogical problems, blood cell abnormalities, and neurological problems (e.g., tremors, myoclonic seizures, muscle cramps and weakness, vertigo, incoordination).

I am about to undergo a spinal tap and other tests, looking for the causative entity. Whatever it is entered my nervous system when I had an epidural anesthetic while on these immune system depressants. I have not been the same since. I have been too sick to work. This has ruined my life.

As we have all learned from recent reports of heart damage from Vioxx, the FDA no longer has the money to fully test new drugs entering the market. The "clinical trials" are a drug's entry into the population. If it kills or sickens too many people, they withdraw it. However, the drug companies define "too many people" as a number that could potentially ruin profits through lawsuits.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't rely on the government to protect you. Before putting any drug into your body, do the research into how it works. Read comments from other users. I wish I had done that.

my daughter is 16 takes Yasmin for severe periods and cramps, stomach pain, moodiness during her periods. She has just started complaining about headache that hurt really bad, not like migraine headaches, she already had a history of those and said that they feel different. I'm worried, has anyone experienced this?

I started taking Yasmine in 2005 and almost imeemdiatley I started to have severe anxiety, depression, no sex drive at all and worse of all extremely bad migranes especially a few days before getting my period and during. My life had to be put on hold when I had my period because of the migranes. I stopped taking the Yasmine 3 weeks ago because I just couldn't take the migranes anymore. I have noticed I have gained some weight, my skin and hair feels alot oilier, and my hair has been falling out more than usual which is kind of freaking me out, don't have mood swings. My sex drive has gotten better which is a relief. I still don't know if my migranes will have gone away during my period. I'm just curious can anyone tell me if these side effects (hair loss, weight gain, oily skin) will go away after a few months.
When I went off another type of pill I actually lost weight, why is this one different?

When i was in college i was taking orthotrycyclin low, But stopped it for about to years just to clean out my system. Usually during my period (with no bc) last for one week and very heavy with pain. On top of that i only have one ovary. My doctor suggested that i should get back on some sort of bc to control my periods. I tried the patch but as soon as I placed the patch on my lower abdomen I had a migraine. (I've never had a migrane before). So I immediately was scared and took it off. I went straight to my dr. and he told me to try Loestrin 24. So I did. The first 2 months were not that bad. But recently I have been very moody especially when it comes close to that time of the month, I've felt much anxiety, and have been in and out of depression. Of course i've never had depression before but i come straight home from work and just feel down and like not doing anything. The other day I was busy with work and happened to miss my pill. Well ladies be sure not to miss a pill. I had severe cramps and spotting. I'm at the point that I want to get off of it and am really considering. I tried getting off of it before and realized that MY MOODINESS increased. Believe me my co-workers and boyfriend let me know. and my depression increased. I also gained about 15 lbs. since i've been on Loestrin 24. I consulted with my doctor and he said the bc's don't not make us gain weight. But after reading all these blogs i know I'm not the only one going through this dilemma....

I was prescribed this med in DS form for a lingering sinus infection that I had for over a month and a half. The first day was ok except when I went to bed I started feeling a headache coming on. I figured it was just because my sinuses were infected and dry. The 2nd day after only the first pill of the day, DS (RX 2x daily) I went about my morning workout and pretty much felt ok; just a little tired. However, when I got home, I started feeling chills and then hot, then thats when the horrendous MIGRAINE hit me. From there my eyes were swollen, blood shot, I was white as a ghost in the face, my head and ears started closing up, I was painfully fatigued all over like I had the flu. Now into day 2 evening, my throat is starting to swell and hurt. Even after taking something that usually works for my occasional stubborn headache, it for the first time ever, did NOT work. I still have the migraine now. I did call Kaiser today. They said they knew these could be possible side effects. I just don't know how, with so many issues/complaints about this drug from such a broad spectrum of people and all OVER THE WORLD that they would not halt the release of anymore of this drug to anyone! In fact I was reading a report, I believe from the UK where they have banned this drug. There are so many other options that yes come with side effects but NO THING close to what Ive seen here. I know ,but isn't it sad that the drug companies will never let that happen here. I have taken different types of antibiotics and this is the WORST! I expect I will be making a trip to the ER at the rate this keeps going.

I took Yaz for 7 days. In that amount of time, I began experience the most horrific symptoms I have experienced in my life. They included: chest pains, nausea, vomiting, arm pain, and the feeling of imminent death (these caused me to go to the emergency room since they are classic heart attack symptoms for a woman); leg and arm weakness; lethargy; migrane; panic attacks; severe insomnia, diarrhea, and vision problems that caused my contact lens perscription to change and night time vision had profound halos when driving, etc. I was literally unable to stomach any normal food portions I was so nauseous. I normally run 3 miles and could not even make it to the gym for weeks. I was afraid to stay home alone with my 4 year-old and 17 month-old for fear something would happen to me while they were in my care. At the ER they found low potassium levels (which makes no sense given Yaz has a potassium sparring diuretic component). In another blood test, I had elevated iron, which I have never had previously.

I am 35 and have been on bcp's periodically for 12-15 years. I have never had any of these symptoms prior to this experience. I have never had anxiety, depression, or any other underlying health condition. I immediately stopped taking the pills once I made the connection. So far, my recovery has been slow, but at least it is improving. I resent that my ob/gyn and internist both said that the pill would be out of my system in 24 hours. The effects are clearly long lasting (I am approximately 7 weeks off of Yaz).

Finally, my eye doctor, of all people, said that he has seen and heard of people having problems similar to mine and that it was understandable that I would have anxiety when I felt like I was dying from a heart attack. No one perscribing this medication bothered to tell me of the diuretic component or any component that was going to affect depression. I am attorney and have always thrived under pressure, not turned into a panic attack ridden mess like this medication caused.

As for the previous post who stated these are common symptoms described by women, at 35, I know the difference between my normal body function and the hell that began when I started taking Yaz. Unless you have experienced this, then you clearly would not understand. I appreciate that Yaz and Yasmin have worked well for some, but that clearly has not been my personal experience. So, I write this not to discourage someone who has had a positive experience, but to provide support for anyone else who has suffered like I have.

I was on this for about 9 months. When I first started it, it was soooo much better than my previous B/C (Ortho Micronor. I had a migrane and nausea nearly every night for a year, but I was breastfeeding at the time so this was my best option then)

So when I first started this I was so relieved that I didn't feel sick and felt pretty normal. After a few months my relationship started to get worse & worse. Everything my boyfriend did irritated me and I'd pick fighs with him all the time. I'd cry at the drop of a hat, and I'd scream and yell when I was mad (I am usually a very soft spoken person) A couple people actually said they were concerned and thought I was depressed.

Along with the emotional side effects, I started spotting in the middle of the month, and my periods were over a week long. For two weeks out of the month I was either spotting or on my period. (I tried just leaving the ring in to skip periods but I always bled anyway) I had 2 yeast infections in two months; both started a couple days after I inserted the nuvaring.

I threw out my nuvaring after my last yeast infection in July and decided to go hormone free for a while. Sure enough my moods improved, my relationships improved, my periods were more regular, and no more painful yeast infections.

The nuvaring was a great idea in theory, but the wrong mix of hormones for me.

I was really hesitant to start the ring. I had tried the Birth Control pill a thousand times since I was 16 and every time I would become an emotional wreck and suffer from severe depression, and gain 20 pounds-so I would stop. My GYNO suggested the ring b/c it has a more consistent release of hormones-the peeks and valley's of the pill may have been the problem....so I am onto my second month using the ring. It was easy to insert, I did notice some cramping the day after inserting it for the first time but expected it! I hadn't noticed any burning or itching. My moods were fine...I thought this was going to be great...until my first 7 day break...my cycle was probably the heaviest its ever been the cramps were crippling. I was in bed with a migrane so bad I couldn't bear to move for the remaining 3 days that I had the ring out. The migrane seemed to have disappeared once I put in my second ring but I have had mild hedaches since on and off and the cramps seem to be more speratic....I was lying in bed the other night and all of the sudden I had a horrible sharp pain I had never felt before- it felt like my ovary exploded.....but it disappeared seconds later and haven't felt it since ( it was a very scarey feeling)....I have noticed some weight gain- about 5 pounds since starting it less than 2 months ago despite being active...and I have noticed the gaseous side effect several other had mentioned...It is horrible (along with the bloating and irregular movements!) The first month was just fine but I am worried now that the side effects may be too much to deal with...I am going to stick it out for a little while longer-I want this method to work! It really is so convienent and I can't feel it nor can my boyfriend!

It makes my head hurt really REALLY bad!!! To near migrane level... which sometimes induces vomiting... I want my old inhaler back!!

ANOTHER UPDATE:
Hi again, I posted on the 12th and the 15th I was on Yas for a week, noticed a bad change of moods etc.
well here's the time line....
I got my period on Saturday Aug. 4th and started the pill on the 5th. I stopped taking it the 13th or 14th So I was on it for 8-9 days. Well I am spotting heavily and have major cramps which all started the 17th. And while reading the new posts and seeing how people are complaining about migraines I REALIZE ME TOO! I got a migrane on Thursday night the 16th at work. At first I thought it was due to lack of sleep, work or having had taken a late lunch.... fine I go home go to bed. Wake up early still had the migrane but went back to sleep since I didn't have to be at work until late. Headache was gone when I woke up again. But I've been feeling a little discomfort in my head very slight. I's like a ball was rolling around in there and any sudden movement would hurt a little as if the ball bounced against the walls. Anyway today the migraine came back full force same place. Right side of my head like a pin has been inserted from the back to the middle of my right eyebrow. Has anyone been feeling like this? And I am spotting and have very very bad cramps. I dont know whats going on if it's me having a bad week or if it has anything to do with this damn pill. Anyway thats it, sorry if I'm rambling a bit I am having a very hard time trying to express myself with my head pounding.

I have been using NuvaRing for about 6 months now. The symptoms slowly build up overtime, and get increasingly worse. Currently I am constanly moody while the ring is in. Anything can set me off! I have never been an angry person, but I feel angry a lot now. When I'm not angry, I am extremely depressed and negative. I have always been an optimistic person, but not anymore, I cry a lot and want to be left alone. The idea of sex grosses me out. (I'm glad I'm not the only one) I love the ring because I am not getting the cramps, nausea, and extremely heavy periods I used to have, but its definetly not worth it! I also get a horrible migraine the day I take it out. It is so crippling I sometimes wonder if I need to go to the ER. Well, I think I may stop using this, it seems like the side effects just don't outway the convience and pros!

Okay, I recently made a post on July 26th about how I loved Yasmin and have not had a problem with it. I would now like to revoke that post. Since I wrote that I have been feeling totally crazy! I snap at my 2 year old son, my fiance and my coworkers. That is not me! I do not do things like that. I'm usually a very happy person and very strong emotionally. Lately the most stupid stuff has me crying my eyes out. I seem to pick fights with my fiance, which I don't do. We never fight. And it was only last night that I sat down with him and told him that I feel like I'm going insane. We thought about it and the only thing that has really changed in the past 6 months is the fact that I started taking Yasmin. We discussed it and I have decided to stop taking this BCP for at least a month to see what happens with my mood. I'm hoping it works. If anyone has any suggestions about how to do this smoothly, please let me know. And good luck to you all!

i had went to the ER for a migrane and they gave me reglan and it helped but as soon as i got home i started seizing and i still have to this day pains in my head and neck and tingleing sensations!!!

I started using the Nuvaring on a Sunday around 11:00 am. By 3:00 pm the same day I had the most unbearable stomach cramps I have ever experienced while not on my period. The pain was so intense I had to take 6 ibuprofens and use the heating pad and it still hurt. I am taking it out today after reading the other posts.

I took this medicine only twice, and both times suffered the most intense headaches I have ever had - what I would imagine a migrane might feel. I was also incredibly hyper and agitated from the medicine - I will NEVER take this again...

Migrane's (which I never had before), Can't eat anything, I can only drink water everything else makes me sick. Body aches, a lot of cold sweats.

I am having surgery in two weeks (laparascopy, hysteroscopy, and uterine ablation). My doctor gave me a shot of Lupron to prepare my body for the surgery. I had to ask for information regarding the drug as none was offered. One side effect stated was increase in depression, which concerned me because I am on anti-depressants. I talk to my psych med doctor and he didn't seem concerned. Well, I immediately had symptoms of forgetfulness and confusion. My depression increased significantly (I cried for six days straight), I could not function normally, I broke up with my boyfriend whom I love very much because I thought my world was coming to an end, and on and on, migrane, hip and pelvic pain, weakness, sleeplessness, lack of appetite. Two weeks after the injection I am finally starting to come to reality and trying to fix the mess I made emotionally. Apparently, there was a medication I could have been given to counteract or lessen some of these side effects, but no one bothered to tell me. My advise, if you are feeling any side effects, contact your doctor immediately. I"m only glad I only had to have one shot and would NEVER get another.