May 18th
2009
2:10 PM
My symptoms started with aches in my ankles and I thought I should stop wearing heals for a while. But then the tingling pain moved up into my lower legs and then my arms/wrists over a period of a few days. I felt like I was having constant shin-splints. I was heavy joint/muscle pains. Then the back of my head hurt really bad on the left side, just at the top of my neck/bottom of my head, and was also really sore to the touch. Then massive headaches. Probably migraines, although I have never had them before. My MD immediately put me on celebrex, which did nothing. I was eating Advil and Tylenol like candy and couldn’t sleep. So the doc put me on steroids (prednisone). That took the pain away. After a few days, while at work, the vision in my left eye went in and out (perfect vision to completely gone). I have never had any issue with my eyesight before - perfect vision. Then at one point (actually while I was in for my first MRI) my vision never came back. No one thought it was serious enough until I demanded to go to the hospital. I spent three days in the hospital, where they ran tests after tests (including MRI, Lumbar Puncture, blood work, neurological tests, echogardiogram, dobblers, etc). Upon leaving the hospital actually diagnosed me with Optic Neurosis, and gave me a 15% chance of getting MS later in life. We were all relieved it was not MS, like they originally suspected. After going to the Eye Dr, they told me that was not the case. This kind of eye stuff only happens to people in their 80’s! I will never regain my vision. If my diagnosis had been optic neurosis, it would not explain the joint pain. I have seen specialist after specialist over the last two months, and they still have no idea. Every test I have undergone has come back clear and I am perfectly healthy. My doc said we might have to go with the retinal specialists theory - which was a piece of cholesterol that clogged the artery in my eye. I just don’t get why a piece of cholesterol would have caused me so much pain over the rest of my body. After viewing this site and the Mirena pamphlet that I found online they give to the doctors, I really think it was the cause. The packet even notes, if you have symptoms like visual loss and headaches/migraines for the first time, to remove it immediately! I did not get mine removed until a month after my vision loss. Every doc I have seen I have asked if it was Mirena and not one of them thinks that could be the cause. But it is ironic, that when you see someone for the first time, the first question they ask is if you are on birth control or any other medications! I think I need to show them this site, so they can read other women’s symptoms. I did also have all the other symptoms as well - weight gain, irritable, oily skin, cramps, moodiness, vaginal odor, gross discharge, headaches, nausea, low sex drive, hot flashes, anxiety, restlessness at times, fatigue, and the list could really go on and on.
-- By trlee | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
April 10th
2009
12:03 PM
I am a 42 year old woman. I started taking Topamax in March of 2008 for severe migraines. The migraines often caused vomiting and for my body to jerk similar to having seizure. I have had migraines for the last 15 years, but prior to starting Topamax I was having migraines almost every day (for about 6 months). My life had come to a stop. I had been through all of the neurological tests, and CT scans, etc. with no results. Topamax has nearly halted my migraines. I have a severe "head-ache" about every 6 weeks now that last 3 days. A huge improvement! However, my doctor had said that I should not be on Topamax long term so I have tried going off of it twice in the last year, each time on the 5th day to be hit with an all consuming migraine. I had come to this website to find out why I should not be on Topamax long-term to discover that many of the other health problems that I have been complaining about in the last year are probably a result of Topamax and the doctor did not ever suggest that was the case. I have TINGLING IN MY HANDS AND LIPS...the doctor thought this might be my thyroid, but that test was normal. I have had REDUCED VISION, the doctor said it is due to age and working on a computer all day. I have had JOINT PAIN which they are treating with an anti-inflammatory and suggested it’s probably the onset of arthritis. I have had WEIGHT LOSS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, and the PAIN IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. These are all things that I see others describe as symptoms of Topamax! Wow! I wish my doctor would have told me this so I didn't think there was something else wrong. I WILL NOT STOP TAKING TOPAMAX. Even if taking Topamax meant that my life would be 2 years shorter or something like that, there is no living in that kind of daily pain. But I am grateful to know that the symptoms are normal. Topamax has giving me back my life.
-- By gskinner | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 14th
2007
12:28 AM
Had mirena inserted 24/5/07 whilst having a hysteroscopy, all was ok for 2 days then suffered severe bleeding with pain. passed a massive clot now awaiting scan as doctor & nurse cannot find coil.I think it is around somewhere because I feel so terrible. No energy so tired despite sleeping like a baby. If I sit down I fall asleep. I feel like a zombie. I am not able to work because I feel Unwell. Has anyone else had these experiences?
-- By jennyf | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 20th
2009
2:34 AM
I was given Levaquin for a kidney infection. It seemed to help break my fever but after only one dose, I broke out in rash and later that night had tingling in my legs. My hand felt numb. When I called the oncall doctor she told attributed to anxiety. I told her I was anxious because all of a sudden my hand had gone numb and knowing that was a danger sign I refused to take anymore. Later that night, I could not walk or stand or bear weight on my legs. My shins and Achilles tendons were burning and only because of the internet did I know what was happening to me. Only 1 out of three doctors would agree I was having a drug reaction. For some odd reason, the doctors REFUSE to believe or acknowledge this was caused by Levaquin. No wonder the side effects are "rare" if no doctor will acknowledge the pain their patients are going through....how can the drug companies get any real feedback. Funny thing is only after I sent an email out to my team essentially warning them about this drug did I find out my coworker who had been on medical leave had suffered the same fate of torn achilles tendon and only after 3 months of PT is finally walking without pain. WHAT IS WRONG WITH our world when no one will listen to us. Thank God for the internet. I can walk now and have no pain standing (lasted only 2 and half days) but I am scared about the future as I know the results are lingering. I have been exhausted this whole weekend and wonder if its just me recovering as my PCP had me quit all antibiotics even at the risk of getting my kidney infection back. Well nice to know our stories are the same...and its not in our heads. BTW, my ER doctor told me it was a good drug and very unlikely the cause of my leg pains. They rather believed I had pneumonia or lyme's disease before they would believe it was caused by their beloved drug. All I can think now is I hope one day they are given this drug and it cripples them like it has so many others. Sometimes that is the only way they will acknowledge the truth. It has to happen to them or someone they love.
-- By seaturtlemom | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me