Neck shoulder symptoms and conditions

I'm 43 years old, 5'3" and weigh 165lbs. My doctor started me with Zocor 40mg. I stopped sleeping through the night about a week after taking it, but thought it was work/stress related. About 2 weeks after taking it, I could only sleep for about 3-4 hours, wake up, and then lay about another 2-3 hours hoping for sleep again. I didn't think any of this was drug related. After two months of insomnia, I began suffering very bad neck and back pain. It felt like someone stabbed me in my spine and it was excrutiating to roll over or get out of bed. I thought maybe it was my bed/pillow. I ran out of Zocor and my symptoms went away in about a week. I figured this was all stress related. After a month off, my doctor insisted on increasing my dosage to 80mg. Within 2 weeks of the increased dosage, the insomnia returned, my eye developed a "twitch," and I started feeling pains/aches again in my neck, shoulder and back. I refuse to take this drug further.

I'm trying my hardest not to cry right now.
I was on the Nuvaring for exactly 3 weeks. Today is my 4th day without it (it took me 4 days to get my period) and I'm still miserable.

The first 2 weeks:
emotionally: nothing changed. I was feeling pretty normal

physically: boobs grew about a cup (A to B) which made me really excited and love the nuvaring (for a very short time)

sexually: sex drive went UP, believe it or not.
*** EXTREME burning, irritation, stinging and dryness in my whole vaginal area. I had UTI once before, but this was even WORSE. I knew it wasn't an infection because there was no odor, but the pain was incredible DURING and AFTER SEX. For the first time EVER, I had to PRETEND I was enjoying sex.... I thought it would worry my signifcant other if I told him that I was in pain. I was so sore, I really wanted to cry because of the pain. I never had trouble getting wet before either, until I started the Nuvaring.

The 3rd (last) week:
physically: bad back pain (very tense, no matter how much I stretched), noticeable lack of focusing ability, couldn't get anything done.... headaches, tensed up neck/shoulder muscles.

emotionally: chronic depression, ANGER, IRRITABILITY, cranky/grumpy ALL THE TIME, even started cursing about the smallest things...Paranoid and worried all the time... Suicidal... became ANTI-SOCIAL!!!! I'm usually always out with friends, but this week I stayed home in my pj's the whole time. Had the biggest fight with my boyfriend BECAUSE OF THE NUVARING. I am 100% sure, because the way I was responding and reacting was seriously not myself. He didn't know how to deal with it because I was just... SO ANGRY at everything!! I couldn't stop crying, after feeling guilty about yelling at him. It was the worst feeling ever. Cried for about 5 hours straight... didn't sleep. In the morning at work, I had to keep myself from exploding with tears... I didn't understand why I was such a bitch, until I read all these posts on this site. I kept wanting to believe that everything will pass and be back to normal, but.... I've already taken the ring out and STILL having problems... I really wish I figured it out sooner that the Nuvaring is just too scary to "let things pass"... I've never been so hopeless and uncontrollably sad in my life before.

I bought 4 rings, after the doctor told me that there were "virtually no side effects". I loved not remember to take the pill, but the pain down there... how can I explain... like boiling, scalding water thrown on your vagina. I'm not exaggerating.

Please make sure that you're a very emotionally strong person... It would break my heart to see anyone else go through what I did... A part of my heart has been ripped off, from all the stress and tears the Nuvaring caused me.

Hello! After a 3 1/2 day stay in the hospital for atrial Fibb. which has since gone away and was likely cuased by extreme low blood potassium and sodium which has since been brought to all but normal levels.. I was taken off of Plavix a blood thinner which I had been taking since a heart attack in 2003, and put on the Warfarin, that was on June 22nd that I began taking Warfarin/Coumadin!. About 2 weeks ago I began having neck and shoulder pain, then slowly side and back pains deep down in the muscles. It is much worse in laying down position, have a hard time to sleep well, and if I trun or move while lying down the pain is very intense. I am going to assk the Dr. to take me off of the Warfarin and put me back on Plavix so I can see it it is the reason for the pains. I am quite sure it is! Please reply if you have the same symptoms as I do! Thanks, B.E.

Don't think there is anywhere else to put this. Please someone else tell me you know what I am talking about and that I am not crazy! After two years of doctors treating me for muscle issues in my left neck/shoulder area someone finally realized I MRI images were not clear and ordered another. I have Mild Degenerative Disc Disease and three bulgin/herniated discs. C-6, C-7 and T1 (I believe). Anyway, prescribed Predisone and immediately had severe lower back pain. It was almost like back labor or the worst menstrual cycle ever. I stopped taking it for two days, lower back pain went away. I tried taking it again and the same thing happened si I stopped again. Theb I received a total of seven trigger point injections. All but one caused the same awful lower back pain, but went away after a day. I just had my second cervical epidural injection. The first one had the same painful side effects, but again went away after a day. The second one whick I had Monday, September 9, 2008 was the worst yet! Not only did I have excruciating lower back pain but it also moved around to my lower abdomen. Oh gosh labor all over again, but without being pregnant. I have three children so I know what it feels like. I have tried everything including: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Acetametifen, heat, moist heat, ice packs, hot baths. Pain Specialist doesn't prescribe enough pain meds to make the pan tolerable. So I end up running out 2-3 days early so I can't ask for more. has anyone ever has this side effect form steroids? I so, do you have any other suggestions. Please help, one more injection to go and can't take the pain anymore. My kids need me!

I have had mine for over a year now. I initially never thought any of these side effects were related to this device. After gaining weight when I have been exercising and eating the same (sometimes one pound per day), bloating, decreased libido, swollen legs (like when I was pregnant), nausea, and having this horrible neck/shoulder muscle ache (to name the biggest ones), I talked with my OB about this being the cause. She pretty much dismissed it as having anything to do with this. Then, after becoming so frustrated about the weight gain, I decide to research this little thing and I find this!! Oh my goodness. I have scheduled an appointment to remove this tomorrow. It also bothers me not to have a period. I feel like it has been building up for over a year and that is why my stomach is so pregnant like!! I think it works great for some women, and I had a fabulous experience for the first 8 months about. I just think it is important for women to pay attention to their bodies and just because a professional disagrees, does not mean they are correct.

I used to take 10mg of Flexeril back when I was in high school for my TMJ and upper back/neck/shoulder pain. I would take it at night, and I would wake up late almost every day. I would feel very "out of it" all day, and I began experiencing feelings of depression. Being a very emotionally stable person, this was strange. I stopped taking it.

I just started it up again and took 10mg last night. I woke up somewhat irritable, and I feel extremely stressed and depressed. I feel like crying for no reason. Not sure if I'll continue this drug.

My doctor increased my Lipitor from 10 mg to 40 mg after my physical in January. My cholesterol was only 182 and my LDL was good. I am now being checked for rhabdomyolysis - a rare but serious complication from the muscle pain and weakness caused by the Lipitor. I never had these problems while taking 10 mg and I have no idea why he increased my dosage so much. I am miserable with neck, shoulder, and back pain and have been for a month. I thought I had hurt myself at the gym and have even been seeing a chiropractor for the pain. My urine is very dark, indicating possible kidney damage and I am so tired I can hardly make it through the day. My depression has worsened despite doubling the dose of my anti-depressant and I have no motivation to do anything. I am looking for an alternative to statin therapy, as I am a 38yo insulin-dependant diabetic and am at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Any suggestions out there on alternatives?

A couple of days after switching from Wellbutrin XL (which was effective for me, with no side effects) to Budeprion XL, I began to experience feelings of panic, a choking-like tightness in my throat/neck area, and extreme tension throughout my shoulders and neck. (I have never had a panic attack before.) My doctor said that my symptoms sounded like anxiety. Neither of us made the connection to the recent switch from Wellbutrin to Budeprion. These Budeprion XL side effects began each day in the late afternoon and continued for at least two hours, sometimes longer. Nothing relieved them. I tried relaxation breathing, yoga, meditation, and even Ativan! After several days of this torture, in desperation for some relief from the panic/tightness/tension, I drank a glass of wine when the symptoms set in. The symptoms grew even more severe. It finally occurred to me that the Budeprion might be the source of this frightening problem, and I insisted on being switched back to the Wellbutrin. Ta-da. No more freaking afternoon attacks. A few months later, while experiencing some lower back pain, I took a Budeprion by accident (I found a single tablet in my desk drawer and I mistook it for a codeine-based pain tablet that has a similar appearance...I know--a dumb thing to do!) Hours later, the original side effects returned: extreme panic with neck/shoulder tightness and tension. I have not taken Budeprion since that day (about three months ago), and I have never again experienced those side effects (or any similar symptoms). The name brand Wellbutrin XL is working effectively for me, with no side effects. Because of these experiences, I am convinced that Budeprion XL's contents (or composition) are very different from those of Wellbutrin XL. They may or may not have the same chemical formula, but they certainly do not react the same way in my body.

I am John-in-Napa who wrote in on Sept. 25 about the problems I was having with Lipitor. I took myself off the drug and saw my doctor on Oct. 8th. I no longer have any of the side effects I described, no rib pain, neck, shoulder pain, lig cramps. foot pain etc. I feel like a new man again. My doctor was totally fine with my decision and even said her mother-in-law was on it and had severe pain in localized areas that really affected her badly. She also said others have complained about similar symptoms and refused to take the drug. Honestly, I haven't felt this good in a couple of years-Hope this helps others to take control of what they are told to put into their bodies and get back to feeling human again-Thnks for listening !!

I have been taking Neurontin for 2 months. I didn't think it was really helping because I still couldn't function normally. I have had 3 disk surgeries on L4/5, and still have severe pain in my right hip and down my right leg all the way to my foot. I am told there is scar tissue build-up in the area causing the nerve pain. I started taking Neurontin in small doses and have built up to 1200mg 3 times a day. I still couldn't walk more than 20 feet without leaning on something, but the pain was noticably less severe. My doctor put me on Trileptal instead, and the first day off the Neurontin was a nightmare...the pain was worse than ever. I went back to the Neurontin immediately. I have experienced some weight gain, but have attibuted that to no exercise. It does seem to make me forgetful, tired and somewhat depressed, but without it, the pain is completely debilitating. I want my life back, but I don't know what to do from here. Neurontin has helped the pain to a more tolerable level, but if I still can't even walk, I'm not even close to functioning normally. If anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear it...thanks.

I'm glad I found this site. From the moment the Mirena was inserted, something was different about my body. It was inserted in October 2006 - 12 weeks after the birth of my twins. I thought it was a good idea until the side effects started. In November 2006, during a staff meeting, I felt an INCREDIBLE pain on the left side of my lower abdomen. I thought it was a one time occurrence, until I felt it again every month before my period was due. Then, during a routine check up with my primary care physician, he noticed that my blood pressure was extremely high (150/100). After monthly check-ups and blood pressure medication, it still hasn't resumed a normal range. I would have been able to manage these two side effects, but things got worse. In July 2007, I started to experience shortness of breath. To be honest, I have allergy asthma, but it didn't feel like a regular attack. So, I went to my pulmonologist for a check-up. He conducted the following test: breather-lizer (to check my breathing pattern), blood oxygen level (stationary & running up stairs), EKG, x-ray of my lungs, blood test and a CT scan of my lungs to see if I had blood clots. All the test came back negative!!!!! He answer - it's your birth control. Went back to my PCP to get my blood pressure checked, and it was still high. So, recommended that I get an Eco-cardiogram of my heart. Of course, it came back negative! Actually, my PCP said that I'm extremely healthy. However, the hormones in my birth control could be causing an adverse reaction to my system. Keep in mind ladies, I've gone to my OB to get the Mirena removed and her only concern is that I can't get pregnany any time soone because my twins are 12 months old and I had a c-section. So, my uterus won't completely healed until Januar 2008 (18 months post-partum). To finish briefly, I also have been having extruciating headaches; teenage acne; neck, shoulder & back pain; fatigue; and to top off the list - I have gained 25 pounds since the birth of the twins. In summary, I would not recommend this product to anyone - not even my worst enemy!!!! I'm going to call my OB again tomorrow to schedule an appointment to get it removed. If she refuses, my PCP said to call him and he'll strongly suggest that she take it out. If she refuses him, then he's going to send me to another physician at his affliate hospital that will handle this situation.

I am totally shocked at what I have learned about Lipitor. My physician prescribed 10mg for me over 4 years ago. No major problems until recently. Severe neck/shoulder pain for about 3 months. Dr said it was a pulled muscle. Gave me Skelaxin. No help. Went to Chiropractor--yanked, cracked, beat, etc--no help. In the past 2 weeks or so I have developed pain in my hips, back and legs. Blamed it on being 52 years old. As I read some of the experiences on here I could relate to each one. I also have gained about 30 pounds in the past 4 years, short term memory is terrible. NO ENERGY> 3 years ago-Dr started me on Wellbutrin for depression, then added Zoloft. I am to the point now I want to get off of all this and see how I could really feel. Not sure about withdrawals. Any comments on stopping the meds?

I am on Levaquin 500 now for what I was told was a respirtory infection, this is my 4th antibotic for the same problem. I am extremely sore and feel as if there are hundred pound weights on my ankles, it hurts to walk. My stomach is sore, my muscles are so tired, it hurts to situp. I am so lightheaded after taking this medicine, I feel ok before I take it but it all hits me at once after I have taken it. I have only been on Levaquin 4 days is this normal?

I have been on Lipitor for 5 days, and in the past 3 days I have noticed extreme difficulty sleeping, restlessness, nagging achiness in neck, shoulder, and upper back, and headache. I am wondering if I should discontinue this medication.

I have taken Lisinopril for over a month now. I have been miserable. It wasn't until a couple of days ago when I surfed the internet about what other patients were saying about this medication and I decided to take half a pill yesterday and today. The side effects subsided some, not all the way, but manageable. I was getting this weird pressure in my head and eyes; neck, shoulder and back pain; hair loss; and it felt like I had a lump in my throat. I've gone to an psychologist, opthamologist, cardiologist and have a future appt. with a neurologist. After reading what others have felt, I emailed my PCP today and told her that it's the Lisinopril that's causing all my pains, stress and miseries. I told her that I want to change meds, but instead she suggested to get off the meds and see how I feel. I also have vitamins that we ordered last week in her office so I will be taking the vitamins 3 x a day. I'll keep you posted.

I was prescribed Levaquin for Pharyngitis...Two other Anti-biotics didn't work...The Levaquin seemed to work. The pharyngitis is almost gone--but still there...dosage 5 tablets @ 750 mg...Side effects---same as everyone on this board...Headache,,ear problems,,,weakness,,,muscle/joint pain,,lower bowel pain,,,,conjunctivitis,,,,allergy symtoms,,,,stiff neck,,shoulder pain...If this is a cure for pharyngitis--it ain't worth it.....CFC

HELLO EVERYONE!!!

FROM #1462 TO ICGCHRISH.
MY WIFE WAS ON PREDNISONE FOR SIX WEEKS . SHE STARTED AT 60MG AND IT WAS DECREASED 10MG EACH WEEK.NOW ITS ALL OVER AND SIDE EFFECTS ARE GOING AWAY A LITTLE BY LITTLE.WHILE ON PREDNISONE SHE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOING PAINS(SIDE EFFECTS):
KNEES,WRISTS,JOINTS,BACK,NECK,SHOULDER,FINGERS,
FACE,LIPS,MOONFACE,LOOSING HAIR,BLURRY VISION,ATE A LOT MORE,URGE TO URINATE,HEADIQUES,PULSATING IN VAINS,WEAKNESS,DIZZINESS,MOOD CHANGES,IRREGULAR HEART BEAT,ANXIETY,SLEEPLESNESS AND SO ON. BUT EVEN THOU SHE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THIS I UNDERSTOOD HER AND I SUPPORTED HER ALL THROUGH.EVERY NIGHT I GAVE HER A BACK MASSAGE FOR 20-30 MINUTES AND ANOTHER 20 MINUTES FEET MASSAGE.THIS WAS ONE OF THE ONLY WAYS SHE COULD SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.I HAVE TO ADMIT SHE DID GREAT WHILE ON THIS NASTY MEDICINE.
I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
GOD BLESS

Irregular heart beat.
Pain in left side of chest, back, neck, shoulder and left arm.
Swollen, painfull left ankle.
General aches.
Only 3 hours sleep a night.

i am so glad i found this site. i thought i was losing my mind,i have and am having almost all side affects listed. starting at the top and working down i will list the affects it has had on me:headaches, neck pain, eyesight blurriness, lump on back of my neck,shoulder pain, stomach pain, hip pain, muscle weakness, racing pulse, feeling of anxiety,skin tenderness,unable to process thoughts and sentences,mood swings, severe sweating,the feeling of having a hangover. these are not all of them but had i known what this drug could do to your body i would have never agreed to the injections. most days i feel like dying. i never sleep it seems. and iam so tired of the way i am having to live. cannot work, or do the things i would normally do. thanks for listening
tami