Osteo arthritis symptoms and conditions

I am a 51 year-old female. Started taking Avelox 12 days ago...finished the 10 day dose and am in great pain...have had problems for the past three years...since my first dosage...didn't know what it could do to me and I consider myself to be a well-informed, educated woman. How could I be so trusting to take a medication that I had read about in a book about "good" and "bad" medications? I have had terrible problems with pain in my hips, knees, and now it has traveled to my feet with tingling feelings. Also, since taking the med. have developed pain and swelling in one of my fingers. Have seen a chiropractor and gotten some relief, for the hips. Until tonight, I didn't realize that this drug is so very toxic! I am so upset that I cannot take Penicillin. DO NOT TAKE this drug! I sometimes feel like a cripple. Have seen an orthopedist for the previous knee problems: surgery is not necessary, don't even show signs of severe osteo-arthritis, but have much pain. How can I ever trust the two physicians that have prescribed this to me? Can I find help for my pain and discomfort? I teach small children, and sometimes I can barely walk.

Why is mobic better then save advil or aleve? I have a prescription but haven't started it yet. I have fibromyalgia and osteo arthritis in neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees and most recently my hands and fingers.
I have a long history of irregular heart beats(pvc's ) and I am reluctent to complicate them with added comlications from mobic. If soemone has info that would help I would appreciate it.

I am 69 years old.
I have been taking Singulair for about 4 or 5 years for Asthma along with 2 inhalers.
I have developed a severe rash and itching on my legs several years ago and sleeplessness off and on. I have Osteo-Arthritis but the joint pain has gotten worse.
I have also had headaches, ribcage pain and periodic inside shaking.
My doctor took me off of Singulair and 1 inhaler on 10/11/06 and put me on Spiriva -Handihaler a powder inhaler and remained on Qvar inhaler.

The itching and rash seems to be going away -- maybe too early to tell. Sleeping is better -- never had real horrible nightmares or dreams.
Singulair has worked for my breathing and night time wheezing for many years

If you need to breath with asthma ~~ I wish you well with Singulair. It certainly does not produce all side effects for everyone -- just be carefull.
Annie

NEGATIVE:
Lisinopril is my "only" medication, other than a random ibuprofin. at age 58, I began on 20 mg for elevated BP control...that was almost five years ago.

I went through some light headedness at first (mostly my imagination, I suppose) as, "anything" new psychologically messes with me. My BP "did" drop to acceptable quickly, and just a year ago required a jump up to 30 mg (as I either became system-tolerant of its effects, or, my current level of inactivity has impacted my BP).

REVIEW:
Although I had the normal "minor arthritis" and a few gout toe attacks beforehand; After 8 months or so of Lisinopril application, I began to "really" have chronic joint pains (thumb, elbow, knee, big toe). As an active type, this began to slow me down-so I returned to the doctor for a comprehensive set of X rays-which supposedly revealed Impact Osteo-arthritis at the afflicted joints,... at that point, I also mentioned two other observations;
One, I just feel sort of weak, like possibly tired and unrested muscle-wise, Two, My random gouty big toe attack appeared like it was trying to manifest ...but, never did (fully) on six or so occaisions.

After almost two years into my Lisinopril, I began having cramps (actually, severe soreness and tightening)in my foot bottom and calf muscles... I assumed it was from lifting, and standing a lot. My muscle fatigue seemed worsened, and, I noticed a "visual" loss in my muscle size and tone...I "was" now much weaker than last year in my lifting, tugging, and shouldering abilities.
This accompanied with the constant joint stiffness had begun to physically modify my daily abilities and routines.

After two years on the Lisinopril, Unexpectedly (and in a physically quiet week) I had an episode of right knee pain and excruciating (very severe) 24 hour-a-day ankle/calf/thigh muscle cramping that went unabated for three horrible days...exhausted from no sleep, the inability to relax at all, after trying ice, heat, hydr-therapy and popping so many Ibuprofins, it was off to the hospital.

Some knee cap injections of steroids-a calcinated meniscus diagnosis-and a dismissal of "why the muscle cramps ?" and I was healed, Sorta'

With my continuing decline in joint movement, and sore, weak muscles, my overall activity level dropped, my inabilities to now lift, or bend fluidly caused me to appear much older (physically) and hobbled than my years.

A year ago (just before the increase in dosage), I took some time off. And really self-reviewed my present physical condition with that of 4 years earlier. The "only" change was adding Lisinopril...and of course, normal aging.

My annual lab tests are still enviable.
My genetics and family history refute what is happening.
My sexual and physical prowess has diminished greatly.
My energy level and stamina is very poor.
My whole life-style has been modified (destroyed actually),
to accomodate this new dynamic of muscle/joint problems.
My musculature appearances have diminished from inactivity.
I feel, move, look and hurt "old".
My insistance that this problem is muscle/tendon rather than joint related ALWAYS goes to deaf ears.

Before these complaints could even be filed with my doctor (for my fourth-year annual physical), I began the left knee, then the "both" knee flare ups again; the Doctor visit (and 10 mg increase in dosage of Lisinopril) advised me I was just getting old.

In the 6 months or so since my last doctor visit, I have experienced a worsening of strength, and a now "constant" knee pain (every step). My sixty day abstinence from alcohol had zero impact on my overall, the one year salt ban has shown me nothing, and I just recently went back to square one and a full rethink of my dilemma.... I came away suspecting my Lisinopril.

I am going to seek another Doctor for a review and perhaps a change from Lisinopril.

I have just thrown my ultracet down the toilet. I have severe osteo arthritis and in order to sleep I took the ultracet at night before bedtime.The first time I took it the next day I felt like I had the worst hangover ever and I could not keep my eyes open. I didn't associate the two since there was such a long time inbetween. A week later and I took two at bedtime again. Once again I'm throwing up and my head feels ready to explode. Never again!

Where to begin. I swear I could be the poster child for the reasons why NOT to take prednisone or medrol.

I am 27 years old use to take prednisone. I stopped resonding to pred, roughly 4 years prior to my new pediatric doc at that time. The did a "steriod connectic" test where they can figure out if your body repsonses to prednisone. They give you a certain dose and take blood through an IV every 30 mins for up to 18 hours , well I wasn't there for 18 hours. It left my system after 2, I think.. Up to this point in time, I have had a Spinal Fusion in 92, due to Infantile Scoliosis, but the Pred didn't HELP AT ALL. I had secondary to my disease. I had SEVERE Osteoprosis, my 15 year old body looked like an 80 year old woman. The docs swore they had switched x-rays.lol

So I went from Pred to Metholypredislone( Medrol) stronger than Pred. They started to treat me around 15 with bone suppliments, like Miacalcin, Fosamax, etc. now I get the IV drug every 3 months call Pamidronate .. I am finally stable with my osteoprosis after being on this for 4 years..I guess the usual dose is only for two years..

I had a toxic reaction from the medrol/pred, I woke up with a nerophathy & miopathy( loss of nerve and muscle stegnth.) I could barley MOVE.. I had to rebuild the stength and re-work my nerves and muscles. I have osteo-arthritis, compress fractures in my back. I bruse like someone beat me. I get the worst headaches. I was tested for migranes, but it was the pressure in my vessules in my head, were so bad from the pred/medrol. Oh yeah, I have the the hypher activity when on it like ADHD & ADD. I act like a diabetic when on them too. My sugars "yo-yo", the jump , then get really low.

That's all I can think of, it's hard though because steriods have saved my life, yet I swear sometimes the side effects aren't worth it. I can say I have been off those things for almost 3 years.. So things are going good. :-) Feel free to email me with any questions.

Kelli

Hi All!

Well, it's been just a tad over two weeks since taking myself off of the Lipitor that I was on for four months. I'm now experiencing mostly the "normal" aches and pains that I had before....such as the typical "I'm 52 so here comes the osteo arthritis" syndrome I've always heard about.

No more trembling, shaking, super bad weakness, dizziness and that totally random shooting pains here and there.

I can attest beyond reasonable doubt that those symptoms were from the side effects of Lipitor. I'm only hoping that I haven't suffered any permanent nerve damage due to this very dubious Statin drug.

geeDub