Monster symptoms and conditions

This site has made me realize that I am not crazy. Well, now I am... But not for long, I have had my Mirena since 2/2005 after the birth of my daughter. Yes, there was a lot of cramping at first and the insertion was awful. The Dr. reassured me that I would begin to feel better and gave me time frames as to when cramping and bleeding should stop and may even stop completely. Wow, this is great! I thought... I nursed my first year and at the 6 month mark my production slowed. I've heard this was normal. I was proud that I had gotten down to the pre-baby weight. No credit to Mirena. This was strictly due to nursing and some exercise. At the year mark I became more and more irritable, per my husband. I was Forgetful or should I say had difficulty holding conversations due to forgetting simple words... I was depressed and just plain mean... He was right. I didn't notice until he said it, I was angry all of the time. I was reluctant to go on any pills; I feared I would be labeled as crazy. So, instead of meds we ended up needing to see a marriage counselor. Yep, after 5 months of babbling about my childhood and bringing about a normal conversation with my husband again, I end up taking medication. I had been convinced this was simply a little postpartum and everybody is depressed after a baby so I was put on some generic version of Prozac (temporarily). Had some dizzy spells at work (very embarrassing). In the summer of 2006 I started have pain during sex. I could tell it was coming from the ovary. It was on my left side. Of course, my husband had to deal to with the constant feeling of rejection. I was thinking I'm just constipated and the added pressure is well... you get the idea... Hurting everything else. After a few months of this I made an appointment with my OB doctor. I had a 5 cm cyst! I was told this could burst or possibly twist. Then I am restricted to no sex and light exercise. Within 3 months that cyst burst it sent a burning sensation through my abdomen to my upper thighs. I have a lot of abdominal pain and bloating. I went in several times later but was never diagnosed with having anything wrong. Suggested to see an Oncologist (never went). Now to the current year of the Mirena... I mentioned earlier that I had lost all of my weight back to 114 pounds (I'm petite). Within the last 4 months I have put on 17pound and still climbing. I am having some horrible pains on the right side now which I know is the return of another one of those cysts. It must be a dozy, this one really hurts. And having acne breakouts of a teenager. So let’s review... From this post I have experienced the depression, cyst, weight gain, acne, forgetfulness, dizziness, stomach pains, bloating. I want it out I had scheduled to get it done on 7/17. My husband freaked and now has scheduled to get a vasectomy. He has asked me to wait until his procedure has been done before I go through with it. So, I am waiting but am interested to hear how soon we become normal again when all foreign objects and medications has been removed.

I have been on Aviane 28 Day BC for a month. I did not notice any changes right away, however, my boyfriend keeps complaining about my attitude and I was beginning to believe that I was turning into a monster.
However, after reading many of your comments, I believe that my mood swings can be correlated to this BC.

Also, I always had UNCONTROLLABLE acne, but now my skin is nearly FLAWLESS so that is GREAT news for me! My breasts have also gotten larger, which is a plus in my case.

Additionally, I'm on Week 4 (the sugar pills) and my period is almost nonexistent even though I know it is here. I'm bleeding very lightly (which means I could use a panty shield). Before I started taking this BC I had TERRIBLE periods and EXCRUTIATING cramps. I used at least 40 pads or more every month! I have 4 packs of pads in anticipation of my period, but it seems like I won't be using them for right now. However, I am a little concern that my period is barely here, but I will be a good patient and continue to use the pill for the next two months as prescribed.

Finally, I have also noticed that I now feel very agitated and extremely anxious which is not a pleasant feeling at all!

Overall, the pill seems to be working for what it was prescribed for (i.e. assist with menstrual cramps and reduce the flow). I wish everyone the best with this medication or in finding one that is efficient for you.

I am soooo relieved as I have been reading everyone's posts. I am scheduled to get my Mirena out in a few days. I have had mine for almost 10 months, and have had headaches, dizziness, anxiety, lack of energy/concentration, and nausea. I just haven't felt like myself. I am 28 years old, and at times feel like I am 70!! I have had a constant headache for 2 weeks, to the point I have gone through tests to rule out anything serious. It finally clicked in my head the other day that it could be the Mirena, while I was taking a pregnancy test (the nausea is horrible). I will post after it is removed.. hopefully with good news. Thanks to all that took the time to post, good to know that I am not crazy. I pray that the removal helps my headache!! Does anyone else that suffers from side effects, notice an increase at certain times? My headache/nausea always seems worse in the evening.

Had the mirena coil fitted just over a year ago now, and wanting to have it out. The first couple of months of having it in i turned into a monster, i was constantly in a bad mood and would tear into anyone for no reason at all and that aint me as i am very laid back. This then calmed down and i returned to normal, and now every now and again every time me and partner had sex i wouldn't be able to move due to awful pain felt like the coil had pierced my wall or something, this would die down after a couple of hours and a packet of pain killers, it hasn't happened for a while thank god but now i am getting constant period like pains. I have gained 3 stone in weight and gone up 2 dress sizes and i have upped my excessing and diet but its just not shifting at all and i seem to be getting more headaches and my boobs just don't seem to stop growing. Although my skin is acne free as it has never been and i have had no periods for nearly a year now which is nice. But i have had enough and want it out, i want to feel normal again.

Just an update. Went to FDA.gov and submitted a complaint and then called Merck and told them as well. The rep I spoke with sent me to the prescribing information, how am I supposed to know about any of this? I am not the Doctor, I can't prescribe meds! She pointed out that this the mood changes is in the info...that I don't get b/c I am not the doctor, duh! Anyway I just wanted to vent and tell about our experience. Will give an update tomorrow after I talk to the ENT. I have also decided to take him off of any and all allergy meds for a good long time. I would rather wipe a runny nose all day and have my happy baby boy back then to have to battle a monster...

i started nuvaring just over a week ago (may 15th) and since then, i've cried or felt like crying nearly everyday. I'm an emotional TRAIN WRECK!! i just spent the past two hours sobbing in bed and lashing out at my boyfriend for no reason at all.. but it's beginning to make sense now that i've found this page!

i'm a typical 19 year old college student with a loving, supportive boyfriend and no history of mental illness, depression, or anything serious like that.. just ADHD/ADD, which i've got under control (no meds.. just good habits). i've always been very energetic, cheerful and spirited.. but with nuvaring i feel like I'm becoming some kind of monster that's completely opposite of who i am "( i really hope there's a way to fix this...

I've had experiences with depression and birth control pills in the past...Femcon Fe is no acception. I am now in the 5th month. After the first month, I was experiencing loss of appetite, and nausea anytime I ate anything. During the day, I could barely stay awake, and at night, I kept waking up constantly. My doctor said to keep taking Femcon and the symptoms would improve...I kept at it. After almost losing my boyfriend to one of my RIDICULOUS mood swings, the symptoms seemed to be at bay. Two months later, almost overnight, I'm back to feeling "crazy." The headaches are back. I'm lethargic all the time, experience a lack of energy, no appetite, don't want to get up and go to work, am BEYOND exhausted ALL day long, have trouble staying asleep, resent my boyfriend's existence for NO reason at all, have sore breasts that have seemingly gotten bigger (let's be real ladies, if the price for bigger boobs is feeling emotionally erratic...it's not worth it!), had HORRIBLE period cramps, oh, and the nausea! The emotional instability is the worst. I feel like I can't get a grip on reality and that I'm completely disconnected with my former self. That's all I want back. I really liked my former self!!! : ( It's not worth it to go through life feeling depressed.

My name is Bobby and I've been dating a girl who has been through some tough times. She took my advice and started taking an antidepressant, Celexa, 5 weeks ago. 3 Weeks after starting the Celexa, we began to have the relationship I always knew we could. I love her so much and for one week I was the Happiest man in the world.
Unfortunately, against my advice she started taking Yaz a week after beginning the Celexa. I told her that beginning two new drugs at once will eliminate the ability to identify which drug is causing which affects whether they be positive or negative.
After 3 weeks of Celexa and 2 weeks of Yaz, my girlfriend started acting alive and excited about life again!! She even started losing weight because of her beautiful new-found energy and zest for everything. She was playful, she was laughing, she was sexual, she was the girl of my dreams and we fell more in love than ever.
One week later (After 4 weeks of Celexa, and after 3 weeks of Yaz) a monster emerged who no longer can stand the sight of me. She doesn't want me to touch her, hug her, or even kiss her. She doesn't sleep at night. She screams and yells at me for being annoying when I'm doing things that once made her smile with love in her eyes.
I found an apartment today and decided to move out... I have never been treated so poorly by anyone in my life before. She's aggressive and verbally abusive. She's been complaining that people are talking about her and she seems paranoid. I made the mistakes of taking steroids a while back and I can tell you she is the monster now that I was then and both Yaz and steroids affect hormone levels and I'm telling you I just can't believe how many relationships this drug must be ruining.
Tonight I took the Yaz and threw all of it out. She got mad at me because she's afraid that she'll stop losing weight... I mean she's just completely lost perspective. I showed her pictures of us happy together and she still chose losing 3 more pounds over our relationship. I'm losing my mind... Just a few weeks ago she reminded me again that she wants to marry me and give me babies. Where has my future wife and future mother of my children gone??

I'M LIVING IN FEAR THAT SHE WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MORE YAZ B4 SHE'S BEEN OFF LONG ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IT'S TURNED HER INTO.

SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!!!
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ok, so i've been on loestrin 24 for a week or so, and i know it hasnt been long but i feel like a ticking time bomb! I feel shaky and jittery and moooooody! My teacher told me th other day to go find something to do...alone...so i could chill out b/c my temper was showing it's ugly face. I've been on ortho before and my blood pressure shot up, the moodiness and stuff was better but I haven't had any kind of problem like these. I don't know if i should wait it out some more or what. I'm not quite sure if my classmates or my family can take much more...OH...and the weight gain, I've noticed some bloating and i'm not a small girl and i already have DDD boobs....have a lot of you had breast size increase? let me know if you have any advise.....kurtney_monster@yahoo.com

Well I just got back from my psy. appt. for anxiety for myself my 11 yr old son was the one on the monster drug anyways I made sure I told her about all this (she treats only adults But still thought I'd mention it) & even mentioned this w/s I dont know if she'll check it out but at least I feel like I'm holding to my promise about spreading the word about this I have posted it on a birth community with hundreds of parents on it, I have told the allergy doc, reported the S/E's to the FDA, I told my therapist & also my son's therapist Both were in shock!! & also I will be tellling my son's psy. next week when he sees him, I want all the docs to know what is happening to hundreds of ppl on this drug maybe some will actually look at the other meds someone takes & think hmmmm maybe try stopping the singulair to see if they improve?

I hope I'm helping I feel as though I am, too bad I have no idea if the docs will even care or listen But At least I feel good for telling them our story :)

My son is three and a half and has been taking singulair for a little over two years. But only when his seasonal asthma flares up or when I know it is that time of year that he has problems. While taking singulair he has always complained of headaches, stomach and leg pains, and of course it never occured to me that it could be a perscribed medication. However after hearing the affect it had on another little girl and that leading me to research it to find all of these postings from other parents. What really brought on the investigation is the last week. My sweet little boy turned into a monster. He kicked, hit, screamed, pinched, bit, scratched or anything he could do to physically hurt you. We were all freaked out by this because he is such a sweet, gentle little boy, one of his teachers made every excuse she could think of. Because this was not in his character at all, then of he did it to her. She described it as a switch going off inside him. I believe he was also hallucinating, he told me someone told him to do it. This is by far the most scary thing I have ever been through and will never give my son singulair again. Further more I am going to pass this information along to all my friends and family and hope and pray that it makes is to everyone so this madness this perscription medication causes.

My six year old daughter was given this medication for idiopathic generalized epilepsy. As soon as she started on this drug we noticed a complete personality change. She was a completely different person. She seemed to be possessed while on this medication. My daughter is a sweet little girl, and is very good for the most part, but when she started this medication it turned her into a monster. She was on this medication for about 2 months, and was taken off it when we got a second opinion. She has not been on any medications while we explore additional opinions for her condition (which is very unusual - she does not have seizures like most people do). I would not recommend this medication to anyone.

I have been on effexor for about 6 months now and I love the way it makes me feel. After my second child I we diagnosed with PPD
I have been on paxil, lexapro, zoloft,and now finally effexor I have gained 40 pounds on it. I am not a lazy person by any means I am an animal trainer, have 3 kids, and 110 acre farm, so I live a very busy life, I have considered going off it, but my withdrawal periods with my other medications, I went through hell my doctor tells me to just increase my cardio activities, his nurses believe otherwise. Anyone have any ideas?

You know what the sad part about all this is for us parents who have lived through this and we just know it is the Singulair who did the damage to our children, that no matter how many times you report this to the FDA and Merck (first of all, Merck could care less unless of course, now they look at it more closely because there was an actual death reported and they fear the biggest monster of all - a lawsuit - it is fear of losing money that may actually cause Merck to take some overdue action) - no one will truly listen. Again, now they may start to listen because a death is actually documented. It all boils down to profitability. The profitable pharmaceutical market in our country makes it difficult to get things done properly for the benefit of the patient. There is just too much money involved. For every parent I meet, 3 out of 5 have their children on Singulair - how alarming is that?! Pediatricians have been bombarded by pharmaceutical sales reps promoting this drug as the cure all and frankly it will be the demise for many particularly children.
Again, I can only speak for myself and also what about all the other parents who listed all these side effects even back when I posted my own child's in 2005 on http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20829&name=SINGULAIR

Too much of a coincidence. And I respect everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I believe that most of us are here on this board out of concern for ourselves, our own children or others - those who are happy with Singulair - why are you here reading this? I just don't understand what would bring you to this board to read these posts if you are defending Singulair not concerned about it.

5 year olds do not talk about suicide...period!!!

My child was on no other medications. I have reported this to Merck and the FDA and have also changed pediatricians after a lengthy discussion with her. I cannot speak for others.

The issues with Singulair are far from over. Stay tuned.

I have been on and off BC for almost 7 years. I started taking the Pill when I was only 16. From then on I fluctuated between a normal teenager and young woman to a crazy, depressed, bloated she-monster. I went off all hormones for about 11/2 years, and I tell you, it was like someone had lifted a veil. I had the sex drive of a 13 year old boy. I ran two marathons and felt like i was on top of the world. Recently, with a new boyfriend, I had a pregnancy scare and so I decided I'd jump on the BC bandwagon again. WRONG IDEA!! The instant I started the pill, those old depressed crazies came back. So, what did my doctor do? Told me to go on the NuvaRing. HAHA!! Not even three days into it, I'm already feeling exhausted, limited sexually and I have a rash on my face. Enough is enough..Hormones are the worst things to mess with, especially when you are so young. This country needs to stop being chained to the pharmaceutical companies and start opening up their eyes. There are reports of animals being affected by BC. Seriously, check it out. It's scary!! I'm going to go to my doctor and demand a change. I'm looking into IUD's. Take a look for yourself. And not Mirena...that still has hormones. I'm talking the old fashioned piece of plastic "T" that will last for 10 years!!! Ladies, do what's best for you, but honestly enough is enough. Don't be a slave to the worst group of people since the Railroad Barons of the 1800's!!!

I'm 41 and had a Mirena for about two and half years. First six to eight months or so were OK. But then I started getting lumps in my breasts (Dr said it was blocked ducts/cysts, which SHE said was due to the Mirena - damn painful I can tell you so loads of antibiotics for that) Then raised blood pressure - something I've never, ever suffered from - after they put me on a BP monitor they said: Oh, it's within normal ranges - BUT every time I had a check they'd say - oh your blood pressure is up. Then the last straw for me has been (no not the weight gain - though I have that too - oh and the headaches as well) the dizziness - god, god, just so damn awful, dizzy, dizziness, spinning the lot along with tiredness & just feel crap - Dr (again!) says - no, it's not your BP (& it can't possibly be the Mirena - can it?) it's an inner ear thing, he says - yeah right!!! It's the damn Mirena - the whole lot! So, today I had the monster taken out. Thank god.

I had mine inserted close to a month ago-- i bled heavily for the first two to two 1/2 weeks with spotting for the following week or so. I'm now on my third day with out bleeding. However i couldn't be moodier!!! it's like i become a monster ... I'm not sure what to do for birth control.

i have tried numerous b/c pills, the ring and rhythm method... aka pull and prey. i do use condoms when not in a monog relationship, but i also have a mild latex allergy.

Any suggestions???? please :)

My son has been on Zyrtec for the past year - he is now 4. He the sweetest disposition one minute and is a monster the next hating us and wishing we were dead. We assumed that it was his age and possibly a behavior disorder until I read the other entries. We took him off immediately and he is back to the kid we lost last year. This needs to be taken seriously. When I researched the side effects on the drug website they do not mention behavior issues as a possible side effect. My son will live with a runny nose and a smile on his face.

I have had Mirena since July. I went through a lot of life stress this past fall (moving to a new city after 10 years, being separated from my bf during this time for two months, etc) but I really think Mirena is not right for me.

I am bloated all the time, my periods are erratic, I am more moody than usual and I have NO sex drive. Worst of all, I think I'm pregnant ALL THE TIME. I just don't trust this thing and I literally drive my man nuts worrying about being pregnant. I also have developed some pimples (like on my back, upper arms, etc) that I never had a problem with before! I have gained a few pounds as well.

I feel like a putz spending all this money but I really want it out. I feel like I should "give it more time" but really, what is the point?

Ive been mestruating for 16 days now since stopping the pill. I had gone through 1 pack and the day I was starting my next pack I started my period, the 16th of Dec. I stopped the pack 4 pills in and haven't taken any since! But Ive been on my period for 16 days! Anyone else have this problem after stopping?!? I started Yaz 7weeks after having my son in October and had 1 regular period before taking it. Now Ive got this monster and it wont go away!!

I, too, thought I was crazy while on Yasmin and then on Yaz. I took Yasmin for 4 years until my doctor didn't have it and I was leaving on a trip and needed it so he gave me Yaz instead. I was paranoid, depressed, nauseas, etc. I also had horrible mood swings, which I never had before. My step dad died last year so I attributed a lot of my anger and other emotions to that, but now after reading all the other posts I believe all of this was caused by Yasmin. I was never like this before. I never acted like a crazy person before or was irritated by people. I am so thankful that I know it isn't me and it was the pill all along. Who knew such a small pill could cause that much drama.
When I started taking Yaz all of the symptoms got worse. Since I was only taking the pill to regulate my period and have lighter period, which never happened, I stopped taking the pill altogether. Since I stopped in August I have only had one natural period. I was really thinking I was pregnant for a bit because I was constantly sick to my stomach, had monster migraines, had to urinate a lot, and had cramps. I took a pregnancy test (even though it has been almost two years since I have had intercourse) and I am not pregnant. I went to my general practice doctor and he said that not having a period after you stop taking the pill is normal. I have missed two periods now and he says if it gets to the third one I should go see my gyn. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it indeed normal? When will my period come back (not that I am missing it, but I'd like to know what is going on in there).

I started NuvaRing about two months ago. The first month was great, I loved not having to take a pill every day, and I had no side effects. However, this month (month two) has been pure hell. I have had the worst mood swings of my life! One minute I was completely normal, happy and energetic, the next I wanted to break up with my loving boyfriend. This past week I have cried every day, for no reason. Just last night I was at a Christmas party, and instead of having fun, I was in the bathroom crying, FOR NO REASON! I have never had issues with depression before, and I feel so hopeless lately. I love not having to take a pill everyday, but these side effects are turning me into a monster. I am going to switch ASAP.

All I can say is thank you ladies for posting all of this. I was on Nuva ring for almost 2 years. my boyfriend complained I was getting worse and worse in terms of my anger and mood swings. He called me a monster. Then days after my 20th birthday I experienced lots of itchiness and pain after sex so I thought it was a yeast infection. When I did not respond to over the counter meds I went to the hospital to get testing for STDS. When all the test came back negative I went back to my regular doctor two weeks later. Again, I was tested and a month later tested again. No one could figure out why I was having burning and itchiness with no other symptoms and all my STD test negative. Finally I gave up the ring and have been symptom free now for nearly 6 months. To this day the situation plagued me because the doctor swore I couldn't experience this from the Nuva ring. I spent a whole summer in pain because of this. Now I am birth control free but my boyfriend of three years and I would love to add to our family.

Ive had this damm thing inside me for a little over 18 months and since I have had it in I have gained 2 stone in weight ..... my eating habits certainly havent changed and I now exercise more to compensate for the weight gain, but nothing, the scales do not budge, initially putting it down to me getting older (40 now) but then I started having terrible stomach pains, lower back pain, headaches frequently, at least one a week. For me the worst point was my cup size going up from a C to a FF, which I am struggling to cope with now ... I hate them being so so big and so very very tender, especially my right one ... I find that even when someone brushes past me I wince. One other side effect that I hate is sex is very painful now. I have been back to my doctors with all these symptons and they have sent me for numerous tests - all back negative, I might add. It has got to the point where I thought I was actually imaging it all. I have mentioned it to 4 different doctors at my surgery saying could it be down to the Mirena, but I was dismissed by all of them with a resounding NO WAY.. and I was made to look foolish. I am having this monster removed ASAP.