Neurosurgeon symptoms and conditions

I commenced Lipitor 14 years ago at age 47. At that time I was a regular tennis player, walker and generally fit for my age. No problem with Lipitor for the first couple of years until I began to experience hip and low back pain. My GP diagnosed arthritis. Gradually became worse and I started to gather injuries (over stretched ligament in right knee which refused to heal, plantar fasciitis twice) My back pain became far worse, I persevered with tennis believing that exercise would help. I began to "trip" on the carpet and going up stairs (foot drop). I was sent for a CT scan in 2002 which showed spondylolisthesis and root canal stenosisss. On advice from doctor I stopped tennis. Referred to a neurosurgeon who after several months carried out a laminectomy in July 03. Cleared to recommence exercise in December 03 which is when my nightmare commenced. I developed bursitis in one hip, stopped walking until it settled, then excruciating pain in feet, and then bursitis in the other hip and continuing foot pain. I developed rib/back pain, again diagnosed as arthritis even though I felt the pain was muscular. I had one session of aqua aerobics and woke the next morning with plantar fasciitis which continued for 3 months even with doctor, physio and acupuncture treatment. I was then referred to a Spots Medicine Dr who ordered bone scans/x-rays which revealed a stress fracture in my foot. In 2006 I began to notice that my right arm had a tense feeling all the time, I had a loss of dexterity in my right hand which assumed a claw like appearance and my normally neat handwriting became practically illegible. My physio recommended I see a Rheumatologist who said I had "no more arthritis than I would see in any 62 yo", he sent me to a Neurologist who after 5 mins diagnosed Parkinson's Disease. Within 7 weeks of commencing the PD medication I was experiencing Restless Leg Syndrome every night. The neurologist said that my condition had "progressed" and increased the medication - twice. I was then getting RLS DAY AND NIGHT and getting no relief OR SLEEP!!! Finally after 12 months misery my GP suggested that I try coming off Lipitor to see if that was causing my body pain. Within 6 days I felt better, my muscles became less stiff and relax. I went back to my Neurologist who refused to accept my claims, he insists I still have atypical PD (because I do not have tremors). I told him the cure is worse than the complaint and against his advice I weaned myself off PD medication and Lipitor. It was hard going but I NO LONGER SUFFER FROM RLS AND MY DEXTERITY IS SLOWLY IMPROVING. I still have dexterity problems with my right fingers but the tense feeling in my right arm has gone and my "claw" hand is starting to relax My muscles feel bruised all the time. I am still taking my blood pressure tablets and 150mg of Co-Q10 a day. I have been off Lipitor 9 months. It has been a painful journed for the last 8 years and a nightmare for 12 months. My GP has marked my records as "allergy to statins" but says she just doesn't know if I have Parkinson's. I know that I will never take this awful drug again. My cholesterol has skyrocketed but I will have to try and lower it naturally and take the risk. I constantly feel like I have worked too long and hard in the garden, all my muscles are so sore. I really need to know if this damage is permanent and if this drug has caused Parkinson's Disease itself or just PD like symptoms. I guess I will just have to wait and see. I don't think doctor's believe us when we say Lipitor is doing damage to thousands of people. They love it!! When we are aging we are not surprised to get diagnosed with arthritis and this is why we take this medication unwittingly for so long.

Wow - I just had an MRI today of my head and am scheduled to go through 3-5 hours of tests with a neuropsychologist next week. I have been on levoxyl with no substitute allowed due to this being the only drug that has leveled out my Hoshimoto's disease of the thyroid. My endocrinologist whom I saw on Friday suggested I see a neurosurgeon as "levoxyl can't be the cause of all your issues" which are identical to all of those I am reading about on here. I am a breast cancer survivor, take arimidex daily as well as xetia and a couple of other prescriptions for gastric reflux and anxiety. Now they all tell me that taking all these pills is fine as long as I don't take them all at the same time. Add today prednisone for the severe headaches - 6 at a time - I felt like a drug addict putting them all into my mouth at once. If this all is because of levoxyl I am going to be very relieved yet very PO'd that I have been told otherwise.

I've been on Topamax since just Tuesday, 10/9/07. I find that I get very tired a couple hours after taking it and I have horrible nightmares and very dark thoughts, too. Diet coke tastes so HORRBILE which is bad because I loved my diet cokes, but then again I guess that's good b/c I need to stop drinking them anyway. My worst side effect is that I have horrible mood swings. Is this normal? Is this going to go away over time? Because if not, I'm going to stop taking it now. This is not like me and I am not going to subject my family to this - losing weight is not THAT important to me. Thanks for any help. :(

P. S. I'm taking 25 mg in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Hi, I was injected with you guessed it Kenalog 4 months ago for neck and shoulder pain. I now have a dollar sized indent beside my left shoulder blade that is purpish in color and ugly as hell to look at. It has also caused increased shoulder pain, shoulder winging as well as bicep and tricep weakness in addition to shoulder drop. I am so pissed because if I would of been informed that any of this could of been a possibility I would of never of elected to have this done. (And think I actually paid for it) I have spoken to many Neurosurgeon as well as Neurologists and they all seem puzzeled by my outcomes and have scheduled me for an EMG NCS test to try to rule out nerve damage. I have also been told that this could be permenant and could continue to get worse. I am so saddened by everyone's post yet relieved that I am not the only one out there. I was beginning to believe that I was alone. Oh, I almost forgot... I also had my period for 22 days straight which caused me to think that there was a problem and had to go through a series of tests through my OBGYN to rule out potential problems which just ended up leading back to this drug. :(

Guys this isn't a side effect it is a good option. Why the doctor put me on this is beyond me, but from reading the comments below this may help some of you it is worth looking into rather than poisoning your body with drugs. Google NUCCA chiropractic. It has to be NUCCA not regular chiropractic. Believe me I have been dealing with pain for years from a car accident and have done EVERYTHING to stop the pain. I had the headaches under control with NUCCA after many years until I broke a fusion plate in my neck. Still the chiropractor was able to keep them to a reasonable amount but every time my alignment went out I got a headache, go to the chiropractor, put me back and I was ok within hours. If I hadn't broken the plate, I would be good to go. So as I sit here sick as a dog after throwing the pills in the garbage I am wondering where a broken plate in your neck needs mind-altering medication. It is worth a try guys at least my chiropractor will turn you away if he can't help I ran into someone at my neurosurgeon's office who he turned away, he is credible not all of them are you have to judge their character and talk to the patients and see what they think. I HIGHLY recommend it over these side effects.

I began taking 10mg per day of Crestor on 19th May this year. I received the documentation regarding side effects and read it. After two days I had tingling pains in my legs and I was checked for further cardiovascular problems, and cleared. I enquired if Crestor may be the problem but I was assured it was not.
I had a CT scan and then subsequently an MRI of my lower back looking for restricted blood flow but after seeing a neurosurgeon this was ruled out as the cause of the tingling. There was some degeneration of the back but not serious blood flow restriction. At about this time the Crestor dosage was increased to 20mg. At this stage I had back pain but it was not thought to be related. I enquired again if it might be Crestor but was assured it most unlikely.
Pain in my back increased dramatically one night shortly after and was so intense not only could I not sleep, I simply could not get myself to think of anything else despite intense mental energy to try to do so. I was on the verge of calling an ambulance, but walking around and applying heat seemed to relieve it slightly and I lasted until morning. Doctor thought it was a locked facet joint and sent me to a physio. She helped considerably and I assumed this was the problem. However, the next day it returned. Upper body strength was fine but from the middle down was just plain sore. The physio worked on my back again, and suggested I get a back brace which I did and I struggled on with that as a help.
The pain shifted from my back to the top of my hip and I went back to the doctor to check my hip. He assured me the pain was on the top of the hip, not the groin area and was unlikely to be my hip. I began taking over the counter pain killers for the pain which was hitting about 8 out of 10 spasmodically. The physio was mystified and suggested it may be kidney stones, and so I went back to the doctor to check that out. He had already taken a urine sample which had no blood at all. The pain shifted to the hip and upper right leg. By the time I was able to see him, the pain was quite severe and I was sure it was my hip. He was not sure, but prescribed Panadine Forte for the pain and sent me for an Xray of the hips.
I was very distressed about this, as it appeared I would not be able to continue working. The hip Xray showed perfectly normal hips but the pain was even worse, by this stage in the right thigh. In desparation I saw the doctor again and agreed to try and “tough it out for a few days” using pain killers, another round with the physio, and as much rest as possible. The physio was so convinced it was not muscular but rather a possible kidney stone she sent me back to the doctor. While waiting to get to see him I began looking at the side effects of Crestor on the internet and after checking with the doctor I stopped taking it on Aug 1st to see what happened. Within a day I began to improve but I still thought it might be kidney stones (possibly a big one blocking a tube completely and therefore no blood) and my doctor ordered a CT scan of the bladder area which confirmed that both kidneys were working just fine.
Slowly over a week and a half the pain is completely gone, the back is fine, the hips are fine, the groin is fine and I feel so much more like living. I am now absolutely certain it is Crestor that has caused the whole problem. The docotrs have now prescribed Lipitor in it’s place, and I have the tablets but as yet I have not begun taking them. I am a bit fearful of doing so, but I will begin in a few days time. However, if I get any repeat of the muscular problems I have had I will stop immediately.
I decided to document this as I realise this is important feedback concerning a relatively new drug. I don’t know how this is conveyed to a national data base, but it seems to me this is a serious side effect that has very nasty consequences. Was it that my kidneys were objecting violently to the drug? I don’t know. But it caused me great distress and this is surely a concern.

I started having problems with my voice cracking and throat aching after singing or talking alot. Went to Dr. and he said he thought it was reflux (of which I had no symptoms). Wtihin days I started experiencing fatique, headache, depression, dizziness, ringing in my ears, and my right leg went numb about 3 weeks into taking it. Then about 2 months into taking, my entire right side went numb (thought I was having a stroke). Since that time I have been through CAT scans, MRI's, lumbar punctures. Been to 2 Neurologists, a Neurosurgeon, Cardiologist, Endocrinologist. 3 different Doctors thought I had Multiple Sclerosis or a stroke. All tests negative for both. After researching Prilosec on my own I found that Prilosec and all like meds block the absorption of and strip vitamins out of your body. 2 1/2 months after stoppping it I had B-12 level checked and it was almost non-existent. Started taking B Complex and B-12 shots. Symptoms have tremendously improved but haven't completely left. I still have numbness even 14 months later. The problem is that B-12 deficiency can cause the numbness and if not treated quickly enough the problems can become permanent. IF YOU TAKE any acid reflux medicine have your vitamin levels checked ... especially B-12.

i recieved 3 kenalog epidural injections for herniated disc, 2 weeks apart, followed by a decompression nucleoplasty, also with Kenalog injection. after the first epidual. i began having extreme irritablity which i reported to the pain management doc. he said he couldn't prescribe anything but could refer me to a psychologist, which i declined , realizing i was having a reaction to something. after the 3rd epidural, my irritabilty had increased to the point where i was shouting and screaming, and had completely lost my patience. my face had blown up, and cheeks were hard to the touch, and my neck skin was swollen and hanging down. i described my appearance as "looking like a blowfish".

on the day of the nucleoplasty, i agreed that the doc should go ahead and use it again, since it was important for the procedure, and it was not a "true (anaphalctic) type reaction.

after this last injection of Kenalog, i had a terrible terrible reaction. my face became even larger, with big dark circles under my eyes, and my eyes partially closed, appeared like slits. i was frightened by my reflection in the mirror.

my feet, ankles and legs swelled up to the point where it was painful and difficult to walk.

i also i developed insomnia.

at the same time i was "off the wall" with irritability, anger, impatience, and could not stop crying.

during the day i had a general ill and sleepy feeling, and fell asleep driving, without notice.

throughout this period of Kenalog adminstration, i also had flu like symptoms every morning. sore throat, laryngitis, loose cough, muscle pains. i noticed black and blue marks on my extremities as well.

now i have a full blown flu and full blown bronchitis, and i feel so very very ill.

my feet and calves, hands and fingers are experiencing very painful cramping, intermittantly throughout the day and night. it's happening right now in my left hand, so i have to stop typing. i wait for one minute and try to continue typing, but that causes the painful spasm to return. i try again 2 more times, waiting a minute in between spasms. finally it stops and i can continue typing.

there are probably more symptoms, like the irregular heart beat, and these little bumps on the skin of my right cheek, but i need to rest now.

generally, i feel sicker probably than i can ever recall feeling in my life.

would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar symptoms, and especially how long before my face returns to normal. i live with the fear of what will i do if it does not?

To Cristy

I stopped Yasmin 5 months ago, 2 months ago I started to get headaches every day, I was very concerned I had a tumour, my headaches were in the back of my eyes and on the left and right back of my head like a tight band, I have since seen a neurosurgeon and he has assured me there is nothing wrong, I had a scan done and I am still waiting for the results. The only advice I can give to you is read up about anxiety and headaches, I found my headaches were through anxiety (tension headaches) and nothing I took for them worked, after weeks of persistent headaches they are finally easing. I worried about them every day and made things worse but the anxiety kept them there, when your anxiety eases you will notice your headches ease as well.

You will get better, the ladies on this site have told me I would get better and I am, it is slow but I am getting there and so will you.

Joanne.

Gyne appointment.

Hello ladies, I went to see my gyne today and as I expected she denied my symptoms were anything to do with yasmin (of for 16 weeks, heart palpitations server anxiety etc) after arguing with her she agreed to test my progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and dhea levels, but on the blood test form she put query adrenial cause, what does that mean.
She also denied yasmin was the cause of my problems but does not want me to go on any more pills because of the hormones they contain, she also said i can not have the mirena coil because of the hormones.
She told me she has no idea why I feel the way I do and I should see a neurosurgeon, the thing is I see one last week, I went private after having severe anxiety and convincing myselve I have a tumor I was told that I show no signs of any tumours but to put my mind at rest I will have a scan in a couple of months.
I knew I would have no answers today so I brought myselve some angus castus, can someone explain this to me and will I get a little better if I take it?

I can handle all these side effects but the anxiety drives me mad.

pls reply.
Joanne.

My son vomitted anywhere from 1 to 15 times a day for 3 years. He went to very elite hospitals, gastroenterologist, psychiatrist, & many invasive tests. Then he went to a Neurosurgeon & they prescribed him amitryptiline. Within a month the vomotting was weekly. In a few months it happened monthly & now its very rare. This medicine was a god send. He was on up to 13 meds a day prior to this. I am very grateful to hvae found such a miracle..

IN 1999,I had two epidural kenalog injections, which brought temporary relief of lower back pain,but returned after a few days. Then, I underwent a discogram, revealing two herniated and torn lumbar discs. I had two,two-level decompressive laminectomy surgeries in 2000, followed by three caudal-epidural Kenalog injections. Shortly afterward, I developed terrible burning pain from my lower back, through my pelvis and down both legs. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who implanted a spinal cord stimulator, then five months later, he opened my lumbar spine up a third time and he fused the L4-5, L5-S1 levels with allografted donor bone and implanted rods and pedacle screws. I have a strong suspicion that I developed Arachnoiditis as a result of the ESIs, but my doctors ahve all clammed up. Kenalog's data sheet states that it is NOT RECOMMENDED for epidural use, as it is neurotoxic, but doctors continue to use it on peoples' spines. I am now permanently disabled, in constant neruopathic pain and my future looks bleak. DON'T get epidural steroid injections of kenalog or Depo-Medrol, they'll mess you up for life! DON'T DO IT!