March 31th
2008
1:16 AM
I am a 29 year old female. I have been taking Singulair for approximately 5 years. I have indoor/outdoor/food allergies with allergy induced asthma. In addition to Singulair I take Zyrtec, Advair, Diflucan, Albuterol, and allergy shots (all of these are for my allergies). Due to the nature of my job - I do a lot of research on various drugs. I would be the first to tell everyone that when they're prescribed a new drug - it is worth it to go to the website and look at the potential side effects. I also tell everyone that when they do see a side effect, to consider how many (or few in most cases) people actually experienced these side effects. That said - I do these things regularly - for myself and for my family. I am also well aware that much of the time - I/my family, will never experience these side effects. That said, there is a pediatrician on here who has commented that other drugs are worse and has quoted, "once a stone is thrown into a well, thousands of smart people won't find it" - this may be fact - but it is not very helpful to people who have truly experienced problems. While I might tend to agree with his/her view to some extent, there is also the side of me that knows my own body. What I have to say about my experience with Singulair is this: In 5 years, I have several times felt not only depressed but many times severely depressed and very anxious. These symptoms have increased over the years. The last 3-4 months of my life have been terrible. Happiness comes infrequently and sadness and anger have become my prevailing emotions. I have been a very happy and optimistic person the majority of my life. This has been a huge struggle for me - so much so that I actually have conversations with myself when it comes on strong - I have to remind myself during these times that I am a normal, happy person, and that nothing is as bad as it seems. After 28 years - I know my body - and THIS person, is NOT me. I am not a follower - nor am I a whiner/complainer. I can say though that until there are more clinical trials done - I can't know all of the science behind it and whether or not it is the Singulair is causing these side effects. My thought is that there may be a possibility that my side effects are caused by the combination of drugs that I take - not strictly from the Singulair. In my case - and because of the other drugs that I take - I can probably, safely stop taking Singulair and judge for myself. The good thing about Singulair? It works for my allergies; it works very well as a matter of fact. Other side-effects though - I had an ongoing sinus infection for about the fisr 5 months I was taking it - and I have amazingly vivid dreams - some very scary and some very real. Additionally - I would never want to discount a pediatrician's opinion - nor would I want you to distrust your/your child's physicians - however, the sad truth of the pharmaceutical industry is that in order to sell their pharmaceuticals - they must convince physicians that they are effective and/or more effective than other drugs that treat the same disease state. Many of these physicians are paid to give lectures on new drugs or new drug indications. And some of them (not all) will always prescribe a certain drug because that's what they've 'promised' to do. The main thing I want to say here is this: if you are taking Singulair, and you have truly been experiencing these side effects - do the research; be objective; consider other medications you may be taking; express your concerns to your physician; if you are an adult and you take other medications that control your asthma/allergy symptoms then stop taking it and see if you notice a difference. If you have children that are taking it or you have severe symptoms that would be detrimental without taking the Singulair - talk with your/your child's physician about the possibility of changing the drug to something else and explain your concern. If you physician is unresponsive - get a second opinion. Many people who are on Singulair have both an allergist and a family doctor - talk to both. I have read that many of you have taken your child off of Singulair - let me just stress the importance of talking to your physician before removing your child from a drug. Not to scare anyone but perhaps the suicide side effect was caused by someone taking it then stopping it - or some similar cycle. Personally - I believe that I have a large benefit from taking Singulair - but because of the depressive/anxious feelings I've had the last few months - I am going to stop taking it and see if I feel any better. I would like to say that the benefits of taking this drug out weigh the risks - but for me - if my quality of life has become miserable (which it has) - I will try this option of taking myself off the drug before talking to my physician about taking an antidepressant or something similar. The side effects of those can be much worse. Hope I was helpful.
-- By eward | Reply | Private Message me
January 10th
2008
11:37 AM
I've had my Mirena for about 15 and a half months and I am having it removed today at 2 o'clock. At first I had sharp pains when I would sit down and I felt like the cords were poking me and irritating me. My OB/GYN requires patients to come back one month after having it put in so he can check it and make sure it is still in place. At this visit he also trimmed the cords although he acted like he didn't believe me when I told him that I could feel them poking me when I sat down and that it hurt. At first I didn't notice any bad side effects, but I did have one good one: my periods stopped, but I still had occasional and sporadic spotting. I didn't think to look for any bad side effects because I got the device under the impression that it had no bad side effects. I thought it only had a rare complication of perforating the uterus, but since mine was in place at the one month check, I didn't think about anymore until I started thinking about having another baby recently. I went online to see if I had to have a doctor remove the Mirena or if I could do it myself, and I found out that it's best done by a professional because bad things can happen and then you'd have to go to the doctor anyway. Plus, I didn't want to hurt my chances of having another baby. While online I discovered this whole world of message boards where women were having a lot of the same problems I'd been having in recent months and they all blamed their Mirenas. Some claimed that their problems had gone away since having it removed. I never thought to link my circumstances to the Mirena, but when I saw how many women are having the exact same problems as me I knew that I needed to go ahead and get mine out ASAP. Here is a list of my side effects, and I've found other women have had them as well with Mirena: weight gain, bloated stomach, depression, short temper with husband and daughter, acne, low sex drive, spotting, cramps, constipation, and back pain. There may be more, but I can't remember them all right now. Some of them may not even be related to the device, but I've read of so many women with Mirena who are having or have had the same issues, so I suspect a link between my problems and Mirena. I hope this helps someone out there looking for answers. God Bless!
-- By melathome | Reply | (24) replies | Private Message me
January 5th
2008
3:30 AM
When I was about 13 or 14 (somewhere in there) I took Accutane. I am now 24. I highly suggest that you stop taking this medication. Yes it does work, but there is a price to pay. Your mental health. People have committed suicide due to this medication, yet they still prescribe it? I wish I had known then what I know now. It makes your lips crack and bleed incredibly bad, you move your hand across your skin and you think it's snowing or something. Not to mention if you don't become depressed from this medication then you are one incredibly lucky and highly optimistic person. I had really bad acne on my face and back and I still have acne but not anything like what I experienced when I was younger. But like I said I wish I knew then what I know now. You may think I'm some heath freak or something. But instead of taking this incredibly destructive drug that you will most likely end up taking a anti-depressant. Go to a health food store and get some....
Burdock Root capsules
It will clear your face up, and then just use a regular face wash. Don't even use that drying Retin-A.
I hope that this helps. Good luck to you all. Hold your head up high, people should see you for who you are NOT for what you look like!
-- By essence | Reply | Private Message me
August 16th
2007
9:58 PM
I have been using NuvaRing for about 6 months now. The symptoms slowly build up overtime, and get increasingly worse. Currently I am constanly moody while the ring is in. Anything can set me off! I have never been an angry person, but I feel angry a lot now. When I'm not angry, I am extremely depressed and negative. I have always been an optimistic person, but not anymore, I cry a lot and want to be left alone. The idea of sex grosses me out. (I'm glad I'm not the only one) I love the ring because I am not getting the cramps, nausea, and extremely heavy periods I used to have, but its definetly not worth it! I also get a horrible migraine the day I take it out. It is so crippling I sometimes wonder if I need to go to the ER. Well, I think I may stop using this, it seems like the side effects just don't outway the convience and pros!
-- By ack913 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 5th
2007
8:50 PM
I'm only 26 years old and have been on yasmin for a little over a year now. Before yasmin, I was on Orthotricylen and on Orthotricyclen-lo before that. My OBGYN kept switching my pills because after a year or so on one, my period would come before I was even finished the active pills. My doctor said it was because the hormones weren't "strong enough" for my body or something to that effect. I'm not good with science or medical things, so I've just gone along with her advice. I've been on BC since I was 18, so this is 8 years now I've been on chemical hormones, and I'm starting to think I need to stop. I'm willing to deal with severe menstrual cramps if it means getting my normal life back in order. I felt okay with the ortho pills, so I never though in a million years that Yasmin could be making me miserable. I used to be the nicest, happiest, and most optimistic person you'd ever want to meet, and lately, I've been depressed, moody, extremely fatigued (even with a full night's sleep), have lost interest in sex and don't even like being touched sometimes, and I've been anxious about everything-my job, my relationship, my investments, my family. I almost feel as if I don't know my old self anymore. I don't have fun anymore and I have a lack of interest in seeing a lot of people sometimes. I just want to sleep or be alone. I feel bad because my fiance is the one suffering. I feel bad that I have no libido anymore, and he's been extremely supportive of me through my depression/mood swings. I'm so glad he hasn't run for the hills with the way I've changed so suddenly. He has definitely noticed that I'm not myself. I've never before felt like this. I also have a sneaking suspicion that my IBS(irritable bowel syndrome) is connected to Yasmin. I was diagnosed with it just around the same time I began taking Yasmin. In addition, (without giving too much information!), I've noticed a drastic increase in vaginal disharge to the point where I'm wearing little panty liners on a daily basis to keep feeling "fresh." Concerned about this sudden increase of secretions, I went to my OBGYN (actually, I went 2 times for the same thing). She assured me that it wasn't an infection or anything and ran tests to be sure and all checked out fine. She just said that my body "naturally" produces more discharge. Well, I'm beginning to think that that's a load of crap--never before did I experience the heavy daily discharge before Yasmin and I hate feeling "uncomfortable." I don't know anyone else who has to wear liners everyday to feel "fresh." Has this happened to anyone else on Yasmin? I read through many posts and no one else mentioned this. I'm so glad that I'm not alone in most of my side effects, and I plan on seeking medical advice from my OBGYN (who I'm beginning to lose faith in) AND also I plan on seeking advice from my regular family Doctor. I have about 3 active pills left... and after that I'm stopping this pill. I'll revert to strickly condom usage to avert pregnancy and get away from these horrible pills! I can't imagine what damage has been done to my body... I just hope it can be undone!
-- By worriedinjersey | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 13th
2005
1:06 PM
I am so unbelievably thankful that I found this website. I started feeling depressed about a month ago. It has gradually gotten worse to the point where I feel like I have nothing to look forward to in life. This is not my natural state of mind. I have ALWAYS been a very upbeat, optimistic person. A few days ago I started thinking that my depression coincided with the stopping of my Yasmin. I had been on Yasmin for 4 years and loved it except for the fact that it has, especially in the past year almost diminished my sex drive. (I guess a bc pill will be foolproof if you never, ever want sex.) So I stopped taking it, 2 weeks later my sex drive came back but depression started. I decided to search the web for Yasmin info and found this site. I was amazed at the number of women with the exact symtoms as me. I was also relieved to know that it is not me but the drug causing it. Also very angry at the drug companies that make this drug. Now that I've ranted...my main reason for posting is to let everyone know that I immediately went to see my Dr. who is wonderful. She was very concerned and agreed 100% that it is the Yasmin causing my problems. She told me to buy some Primrose oil, flaxseed oil & phytoestrogen supplements (these all come in capsule form)..these all help regulate your hormones naturally. She did not want to give me anti-anxiety meds because it will just cause more negative side effects down the road. I have only been taking them for 2 days now but feel better and less depressed already. It could be these supplements or just the fact that I am doing something positive to help my situation, whichever it is I'm glad it's working. If you haven't tried these it may be worth it.
-- By jada | Reply | Private Message me
February 22th
2005
10:58 AM
I think I finally am finding some lead to my on and off again anxiety, panic, depression. I've always been a very optimistic person.. But over the past year I'm just a mess and I have greatly attributed it to my previous job, being in my twenties and all that goodness that comes with. I was off the pill for about 2 months and now back on and I'm convinced I shouldn't feel this way. I've been on Paxil but it doesn't seem to truly help, it's as if the Yasmin counteracts it. Ack, so stressed and my friends don't know what to say. I stopped taking it ASAP as I have no need to have to be on it... but yikes.. when am I gonna start feeling better and less alone. This really sucks! I'd love an email from anyone so I may feel more at peace. haha ;) Best.
-- By lillyburn | Reply | Private Message me
June 16th
2003
10:02 AM
June 21st will be my last dose of yasmine... after reading through these side effects - I have confirmed that I am not going crazy or just experienceing unrelated symptoms. I have gained about 15 lbs since I started this BCP (in JAN) - and I have not changed my eating habits that much, drink tons of H2O and started working out- yet am not losing any weight... also, my breasts/hips have gotten huge... I have also tried estrostep, ortho-cyclen, ortho-tricyclen and levlite (allesse)- none have had positive effects and all have made me depressed, and also given me sore/large breasts and just made me feel ughhh overall! I have been sad , depressed, anxious, irrational, quick tempered etc. Normally, I used to be a happy, positive, optimistic person, now I am just miserable. I think back now and I realize that my blurry vision, high heart rate, numb arms and feet are prob realte dto yasmine also.
I must comment that Yasmine works by causing your partner to avoid you as it turns you into a *itch! Lucky for me, my boyfriend (thus far) has been understanding and supportive and is pushing for an end to this madness too!
The only good result I have experienced is no more acne. But I would rather have acne tahn be miserable.
SO, I have decided that after a year and 3 months of trying BCPS - I am quitting... and let me tell you, I am looking fwd to June 21st and my last pill of the pack!
Has anyone on this list researched natural methods or alternative methods of BC. I would appreciate any info!
-- By saveanimls | Reply | Private Message me
Yasmin (4) NuvaRing (1) Singulair (1) Wellbutrin (1) Mirena (1) Accutane (1)
July 26th
2008
6:09 PM
The first time I went on Wellbutrin, I had a really bad reaction to it. I had insomnia, horrible tremors, apathy, I felt like I was walking around in a cloud. I went on to try other medications. Now I'm taking a combination of Prozac and Wellbutrin and it seems to be working. My depression is under control. I don't have the apathy or zombie feeling anymore, but I do still have the tremors, though they aren't as bad. I get some mild insomnia, but taking it in the morning helped with that, and lately I've found that a little bit of coffee in the morning (not too much, don't need to be MORE shaky) helps with a lot of my side effects. I do have the confusion and concentration issues too. It hasn't caused any severe problems, it only seems to really happen in casual conversation, where I'll completely forget what I wanted to say. It's annoying, but way better than depression, and not severe enough for me to stop.
-- By rose09 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message meTo those people who are telling others to stay away from this drug, or any drug for that matter, don't forget that there is a reason there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants. Everybody's body chemistry is different, so their gonna react in different ways. Also, the people who don't have issues with side effects rarely go looking for sites like this....
Just something to think about.