October 17th
2008
3:57 PM
I am 18 years old and I've been on birth control since the age of 15. Why so young? I was raped shortly after my 15th birthday. I was on Estrostep for awhile and loved it, but I ran out and have yet to find more of it. I was then started on Ortho-Tricylen and had been on it for almost 2 years when I noticed something wasn't right. I went to the doctor and they sent me straight to the hospital after having an abnormal ultrasound. Long story short, I had a cyst on my right ovary the size of a tennis ball and my doctor diagnosed me with endometriosis phase 2. I was scheduled to have surgery that following morning. I was in so much pain that I was hoping this one surgery would fix it all. They had to remove my appendix and burn a lot of scar tissue and whatnot to fix me up. After surgery, my doctor told me that I was ate up pretty bad with endo, and that they didn't want to have to do a total hysterectomy on an 18 year old. I don't have any kids, but I have hopes to someday have a couple. He started me on Femcon Fe right away, saying that this would control my endo cell growth. I have been on it for almost 5 months now and it's the worst pill I've ever taken! I have all the side effects listed on the package. The worst of them are breast tenderness, heavy spotting, nausea, vomiting, headaches, acne, weight gain, and severe moodiness. I can't take this anymore! I missed two pills one weekend and ended up back in the hospital because I started gushing blood that looked like black water. I don't know what else to do, so I'm quitting them. I took my last one Wednesday. I will be returning to the doctor next week and seeing if I can get back on Estrostep. I want my body back! I really hope all of you out there on this pill read this and stop immediately!! It's not safe!
-- By amityjo08 | Reply | Private Message me
October 1th
2008
8:20 PM
I was prescribed Loestrin FE 1/20 TAB for clotting and having menstruation more often than I should (once every two weeks or so). My first experience resulted in leg pain, after six days. This ended with a Doppler scan to check for blood clots. Well, that was cleared so back on to Loestrin I went. When I picked up my prescription I asked the pharmacist (yes I had already asked my doctor) during consultation about interactions with the other medications I take on a daily basis. Prednisone 10mg tablet and Armour Thyroid 240mg. I was told, not to worry, no issues. Eleven days after starting Loestrin again, I called my doctor because of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, indigestion (like I've never had before) and feeling "foggy." I was told these were "not typical complaints" that they heard. I then checked for interactions on line and found that both the prednisone and Armour Thyroid have interactions. With Prednisone it's side effects can be made more severe than they would be without the Loestrin (never had a side effect in the eight months I was on it, until the Loestrin). I experienced With the Armour Thyroid Loestrin binds to it, preventing the absorption of the thyroid medication. This explains all of the symptoms I was having. Please, beware that you must check on interactions yourself, do not rely on your pharmacist or physician to be aware of these.
-- By ndakotaqueen | Reply | Private Message me
September 30th
2008
1:01 PM
I've had pancreatitis 4 times since starting Januvia, coughing up blood, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, can't sleep at night, and a host of other symptoms. 4 days without and I'm beginning to feel normal again.
-- By mconteach | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 22th
2008
9:18 PM
Terrible headaches, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, extreme fatigue, anxiety (attacks and "free floating") general ill feeling, inability to concentrate, mood swings.
-- By reeniebeenie01 | Reply | Private Message me
August 31th
2008
11:12 PM
My 20 year old daughter had her second shot in April, 2007. Within 2 weeks she began to have episodes of nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. We have made numerous trips to the ER as she is unable to keep any food down for several days at a time. As I write this she has been admitted to the hospital for the 2nd time as they could not stop the vomiting with the usual IV meds in the ER. She has been diagnosed with gastroparesis which means that her stomach does not contract properly to digest her food. She has been following a special diet for the past year, but still has these episodes. It has put her entire life on hold. The doctors cannot explain what caused this condition in her, however, I am convinced that it is the Gardasil
-- By lholl | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
August 20th
2008
5:31 PM
My daughter had her first shot on Thursday three weeks ago. Starting that weekend she started with a headache, then nausea, vomiting, body aches and fever. This lasted for 5 days. Then followed by a severe headache for another 4 days. It also increased her period from 4 days to 9 that month. The doctors office who gave her the shot told me "that it wasn't from the vaccine", to make an appt. with a GYN ! I guess I need to be looking for another doctor !
-- By kgroves | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 26th
2008
3:21 PM
I was diagnosed in April 2006 with congestive heart failure and End Stage renal Failure. Out of the blue! One month before I was diagnosed I began bruising severely, and just not feeling well overall. I have maintained uncontrollable hypertension for about 3-4 years now.
I have been on at least 15-20 different medications, not all at the same time, but in different combination. I have adverse reactions to everyone I have been on in some form or fashion. ie rashes,, sometimes in the form of blisters from my hands up to my elbows, severe deep itching, headache, nausea, vomiting or they simply do not work. The only medication that I have been on for the entire time without stopping, only changing the dosage is Clonidine.
I am very sensitive to a lot of chemical drugs, even the chemical form of folic acid!
I recently had a biopsy done on my kidney. I came back positive to chronic and acute inflammation, causing scarring of the kidney. Therefor causing my kidneys to shut down to about 7% activity. There is still some active inflammation. Could this be from the clonidine? Since it is the only thing that has been a constant for the past 4 years?
It has certainly raised a question in my mind.
-- By momsdream2006 | Reply | Private Message me
July 20th
2008
8:55 PM
My mother in law has been told that she not only got yeast in her lungs (aspergillus) from Advair but yeast was also found her gut, and her pylori valve stopped working and she almost had to go on a permanent feeding tube and everything made her sick. When they cut her open to insert the tube they found the yeast. I have something going on that includes terrible headache, nausea, vomiting and loose bowel. I can't say at this point for certain it is the advair but I have been taking it for over 15 years daily. These symptoms occur 2-3 times a month and wipe me out for a full day.
-- By skipvair123 | Reply | Private Message me
July 9th
2008
3:07 PM
Directly from ***** -
Warfarin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
skin changes or discoloration anywhere on your body;purple toes or fingers;
pain in your stomach, back, or sides;low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop;blood in your urine;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;nosebleeds, bleeding gums, coughing up blood;
feeling weak or light-headed;sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;sudden leg or foot pain; or sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
gas and bloating; or
hair loss.
This is not a complete list of side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Let us try to be grateful that we wake up each and everyday!
-- By kdb913 | Reply | Private Message me
May 7th
2008
2:43 AM
I felt suicidal and got migraines/nausea/vomiting when I was first started taking Lamictal. Then I was on a steady dose of 100mg and I felt better than I've felt in my life with no other side effects except the tendency toward minor skin irritations. I've just gone up to 150mg just to see if that's better, but I'm having suicidal urges, migraines, nausea, vomiting. I expect that will clear up soon and then I'll know if this is a good dose for me.
My psychiatrist warned me about feelings of suicide as a possible side effect. She also told me that as the dose goes up, mental disorganization increases. So we're trying to find the right balance of anti-depressant effect and spaciness.
-- By 31yocaucmale | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
May 6th
2008
9:04 AM
basically, this was my experience with the paragard:
1. Dec 2004 - Paragard iud was placed post-partum after my 2nd daughter was born. i was breast-feeding, and had no noticeable symptoms until Nov 2005.
2. Nov 2005 - had my first period since my daughter was born. it was heavy and crampy, but i thought "i haven't had a period in 2 years, so this is the price i pay..."
3. Each period hence was heavy, long at 6-7 days, and cramps were intense. again, i just decided that i could manage.
By the end of 2006, my periods were so bad that my husband and i decided i had to see the doctor.
4. Jan 2007 - saw the doctor about removing the copper IUD. she said that the paragard should not be causing such bad symptoms, and since i was did not want to get pregnant, she decided we should try to control the symptoms with birth control pills and Prometrium. I did not want to try Prometrium since I was unsure of how I would react to the hormone. she believed that i might be suffering from severe pms, called PMDD. note that i loved and trusted this doctor - i had some complications during my 2 pregnancy, and some problems post-delivery, and she was attentive, personable, and caring. i was very comfortable and trusting, so i listened to her recommendations. i tried yaz, yasmin, and 2 other pills over the next 3-5 months, but was extremely nauseous and sick with all of them (plus break-thru bleeding).
5. Feb - September 2007: i started having pre-period symptoms of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, severe fatigue. the first 2 months that i had these symptoms, they were so bad that i believed that i had an intestinal virus - same cramping, throwing up, and bad diarrhea, plus this was BEFORE my period. I then made the association between my symptoms, and the fact that they occurred 3-5 days before my period, and then they would subside about 3 days after my period started. my periods were still long with heavy bleeding.
6. September 2007 - was having same symptoms, but started 7-10 days before my period, and they were so bad that my husband had to take off from work to take care of our 2 girls each month (i stay home with them). i went back to the doctor during September, and was told to modify my diet (no white flour, sugar, low fat, high protein, lots of water) and to try some vitamin supplements since i didn't want more medications. she again recommended taking 100 mg Prometrium to help ease the symptoms. I asked to remove the IUD, again, and she said that "before she took out something that expensive, she wanted to make sure that something else was not wrong" - I was shocked at her statement, but agian I liked her and trusted her, so i went along for the sonogram.
7. October 2007 - In the meantime, I was desperate, so i took the vitamins and Prometrium, which sent me into what i can describe only as a psychotic episode. i had severe emotional outbursts, i was irrationally angry and irritable, and had absolutely zero patience. i am usually a smart girl, and in my normal "mental state" would have associated that the Prometrium had caused this severe reaction, but I was no where close to my normal state of mind, and i just thought that my physical symptoms were now affecting me mentally.
8. LAte Oct 2007 - BY this time I am so down and really ready to get my life back. I am still sick with nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, severe fatigue, and now my abdomen stays sore and tender through the whole month. FINALLY the doctor calls with the ultrasound results. she said that there were 2 small ovarian cysts - and i was relieved - i thought that FINALLY, we were getting somewhere - but in the next sentence she said that she didn;t think that they were responsible for my symptoms. i was deflated - and at such a loss of words. i listened to her tell me how she thought that i had IBS, and that she was going to refer me to a GI doctor. i know that IBS is a catch-all category of symptoms that some doctors throw on people they can;t diagnose. and remember, i was just a few days out from recovering from 1) having a severe personality reaction to a drug, and didn't know it was because of the Prometrium - i thought i was going mad, and 2) i was just getting over being sick before my period - AGAIN.
I finally called her back a few hours later and left a message with the nurse "since she doesn;t think that the cysts are causing the symptoms, could we please remove the copper IUD?" i never got a reply.
I called my niece who is an RN at a respected women's health center in NC and cried a lot and told her what was going on. she got me an appointment with a doctor there for mid nov 2007.
10. Mid Nov 2007 - tell the NC doctor my medical history, and she says "we need to get that IUD out". in less than 30seconds it is gone with minimal discomfort, 25% of the abdominal soreness and tenderness is gone within 24 hours of removal, and completely gone within a week. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS THAT MY TUMMY WAS NOT TENDER OR SORE!!!
i have a follow-up appointment for mid Jan 2008 with the NC doctor and possible placement of the Mirena
11. Nov 29, 2007 - have my first period in over a year where i am not sick etc - it is heavy and a bit crampy, but is shorter in duration.
12. mid dec 2007 - i start to suspect i may be pregnant, but think that we have been cautious, and my period is probably going to be irregular with all of the crap that has gone on
13. jan 5 2008 - yep - i'm pregnant!! but that was ok - we wanted another anyway.
14. jan 7, 2008 - catch the respiratory flu that has been going around and stay VERY sick for 4 weeks, and i just know that something is unusual - i can't eat i am so sick and am so weak that i shake whe i stand up - call a new local OB doctor and see them.
15. jan 30, 2008 - have miscarried the pregnancy
16. April 2008 - the new ob doctor places a mirena
17. first of may 2008 - my husband is asking if i feel ok, that he has seen similar but much less severe symptoms in my mood as when i was on the Prometrium. i have never had acne this severe on my face, neck and back - it actually hurts and i have some scarring even though i have not picked at it.
By the way, my new local OB told me that HE WILL NOT PLACE PARAGARD COPPER IUDS FOR HIS PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY WORK BY CAUSING INFLAMMATION IN THE UTERUS.
however, he also said that i shouldn't have any issues with the mirena, and now i am starting to wonder if i am going slightly mad...
i want my life back...
i now realize that there is a side effect to EVERYTHING that you put in your body...
i am terrified of getting pregnant right now even though a few months ago i was excited about this wonderful possibility...
i am now talking to a counselor to try to work out the events of this past year+ so i can move on...
i feel like my voice was NOT heard or even acknowledged...
the reality is that WE are ultimately responsible for our own well-being, both physical and mental, and that doctors do treat with preconceived notions about the way health should be and how medications and devices should work...they listen to pharmaceutical reps and not their patients...
i don;t know what to do about birth control now...i suspect the mirena is making me feel this way, but i am terrified of getting pregnant, i can't take birth control pills, and am hesitant to put any thing else in my body that is a chemical...however, i have no libido anymore (my poor wonderful husband) and i use to enjoy the closeness and intimacy of being with my husband...
i don't know how this affects your decision about the copper iud, but i just caution about 1) be careful with sex after the mirena is removed and 2) be mindful of anything that we eat or place in our body.
i do know that i could not find any other information from women who experienced my symptoms, but i find it very difficult to believe that i am the only one who experienced this.
lots of luck, and thank you for sharing your experience with the posting site! it has helped me make an informed decision about removing the mirena, and i hope that the information here will help you make an informed decision about the copper iud.
May 5th
2008
2:03 PM
I made my appointment today to have my Mirena taken out in 2 days.
I have had similar symptoms, low libido, hair loss, and weight gain.
I have been on Weight Watchers since Jan. the same time I got my Mirena inserted and I am at the same weight. I am so frustrated with the weight and the other symptoms I just want it out.
But I did like not having to take a pill everyday. Is anyone considering having the Copper T inserted? It releases no hormones.
Just wondering.
April 18th
2008
9:33 AM
Sinus infection and chest congestion: doctor knew I was on HCTZ, a diuretic, as well as Zyrtec and Nasonex. The HCTZ I now known is an agent that should have triggered a modification of the treatment protocol. First night on the 400 mg Avelox, during conversation at the supper table, a black cloud of depression suddenly descended upon me like a curtain. Then I became extremely irritable and short-tempered. (Hard to blame on a drug, except that this came out of the blue right when I was feeling mentally and emotionally happy and relaxed, enjoying my husband's companionship. No reason for depression, irritability and short temper, especially to such an uncharacteristic degree. This was severe!) No sleep whatsoever that night due to shivering without getting warm, feeling like my whole body was crawling, feeling terrible frustration and anxiety and depression. Had taken the Avelox with my supper. Second night: unable to breathe through nose at all. Nasal passages so dry they hurt. I decided to abandon Nasonex and Zyrtic but never thought about stopping the HCTZ (the info insert from the drugstore never mentioned that). Insomnia and feeling electrified. Again, the feeling of total body crawling and restlessness. Irritable to the max. Frustration. Wound up sitting up most of the night to avoid waking loved one with my tossing and turning and misery. Third night, I took the Avelox early, at 5 p.m. Had been having to turn on the shower and steam up the bathroom to moisturize my nasal passages enough to bear the painful dryness. Also began using Ocean Mist to ease the pain. Despite the dryness, my nose was still too stopped up to breathe. Heavy sinus congestion and pain not any improved yet. Dozed some that night but a phone call came at midnight for my husband and after that I was wired awake again. I am desperate for rest. This is the fourth day and finally I'm coughing less and the congestion is coming up. But my sinuses are harder than ever to empty. Mucus extremely thick and sticky (sorry for the graphic quality of this post). One very severe side effect is that I am now incontinent. I never make it to the bathroom in time to urinate and so am wearing pads. Having to change them every time my bladder begins to fill. Leaking, dribbling and now gushing urine without any control whatsoever. I have just read the full prescribing info and wonder why on earth was I not given a safe antibiotic (I realize everything has some risks and side effects, but why was I exposed in this way to such a dangerous drug without a life-threatening disease to require its use?) This is an outrage. Now I"m stuck finishing the script or else my infection will be back worse than ever and then I'll be given yet another bad drug. I have only one clue to this question: I was asked what my Insurance company was just before the script was written. I cannot help wondering: what if I'd had no insurance, or another insurance? Would I then have been given a less-expensive and much safer, even safe drug? If you are ever asked just before the script is written what your insurance company is, ASK WHY THEY NEED TO KNOW. They will probably tell you it's so they can pick a Preferred drug. That would be a bogus answer, because after I told them what my insurance company was, they never went and looked for a list of preferred drugs! They simply swiftly wrote for Avelox! I was never told any of the bad effects. Now I fear getting the colitis, the tendonitis (no one told me not to exercise!). I even fear permanent incontinence. I also think that this depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and the horrible restlessness and whole body crawling sensation could be lasting and that really makes me feel very depressed. My husband has had to suffer with days and nights of my irritability and temper -- and he has cancer and I never wanted to ever be cross or complaining or to worry or burden him. This medicine is not worth it. THere are safer better options. DEMAND BETTER OPTIONS. I also wonder if the HCTC or Zyrtec or Nasonex taken on the same days could have damaged my kidneys or liver. I really think that antibiotic resistance is the ultimate bad side effect of this drug. What could be worse? Why is this being used for garden-variety sinus infections? Why is it not an option only for those who must have it or probably die of some life-threatening illness? This medicine needs more than a black box. This medicine should be available only to doctors treating patients who are in danger of dying of an illness. I have had doctors give me black box medicines before and I was spineless enough (and ill enough with severe, recurrent sinus infection) that I took the medicine. But from now on, never again. There are still better options and I deserve the safer options just as much as the next person -- no matter what my insurance coverage is! Doctors don't hesitate to use black box medicines anymore. Why do they hesitate so long to prescribe medicines without black boxes? They say it's because of the new resistance to antibiotics and the super bugs. Well now I'm susceptible to super bugs PLUS all these other severe side effects have to be endured. If anything else goes wrong, I'll come back and add another post. Meanwhile, I'm praying for each of you to make a full and speedy recovery.
-- By 1jesse | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
Gardasil (3) Mirena (2) Lamictal (1) Warfarin Sodium (1) Clonidine (1) Levora (1) Avelox (1) Loestrin Fe 1/20 (1) Advair HFA (1) Femcon FE (1) Januvia (1)
October 19th
2008
5:11 AM
On October 11, 2008 my 14 year old daughter began to complain of being dizzy, headache, faintness, nausea, vomiting and stated that her heart hurt each time she took a breath. This warranted her being admitted and transferred to a specialized children's hospital. They discovered an inexplicable enzyme (troponin) surrounding her heart muscle which only appears when someone is having a heart attack. All of her echo cardiograms were normal as well as her other blood levels. She was tested for all of the typical high school diseases as well as lupus, etc. She remained in the hospital until Thursday and is now exhibiting an irregular heartbeat pattern. After visiting with her pediatrician since her release, it is extremal possible that this is a side effect of the Gardisil shots that she had this past November - February.
-- By arwj | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me