Pain killers symptoms and conditions

So I took one pill at around 10am and a couple minutes later, I felt a headache coming on so I took a 1 hr nap. When I woke up, my head is throbbing and my eyes were bloodshot. About another hour later, I was shivering. I had a sweater an sweatpants on, 2 blankets and a heater and was still shivering. The headache was worse and I had a slight fever. Later I felt numbness on my fingers which later turned into muscle cramps all over my arms and legs. I had to position them a certain way just so the pain could be bearable. I took several pain killers and none worked. By 8pm, the pain was just horrible. I couldn't fall asleep, I was just hurting everywhere. The next morning at around 6am, I took more painkillers and this time they started working and I fell asleep. I woke up at 10am and the pain was gone. My eyes are still bloodshot but my body no longer hurts. It literally took 24 hrs for the side effects to wear off. I just can't understand how one pill can do this to someone and still have it on the market!

I started taking Loestrin24 Fe in July...At this point I'm on my 4th package....The first 2 months, I missed my periods (even though I had some bleeding but not when I was taking the placebo pills). I would usually get some bleeding on the 2nd of week of active pills. My third month was normal, I was so happy. Unfortunately, now I am on my 4th pack and 15th day onto it, I have some really heavy bleeding with terrible cramps (cannot deal without taking pain killers). Today is my 3rd day of bleeding and really bad cramps which makes me really scared.....Don't know what to do...Any suggestions???

I found this site 12 months after beginning Doxycycline for acne. A year ago I was the happiest person that I knew. I was a junior in high school and was very involved, liked sports, and had many friends. Me and my girlfriend were happy and to be honest, I had literally not felt happier.

A week ago I had come to the end of my rope. I literally decided to commit suicide. I finally reached out to God for help and I feel like he has saved me. About half an hour after praying for help from where I was I found this site. So, without further adieu, I am going to detail how horrific and absolutely from hell this drug is. ****PLEASE, I BEG YOU, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR ANY OTHER SIDE EFFECTS DUE TO THIS DRUG, PLEASE CALL THE FDA SIDE EFFECT HOTLINE. THIS DRUG IS FROM HELL***

I broke up with my girlfriend because I would sit at home and think for over 12 hours at a time that she hated me. As a result of this racing thoughts, when I saw her or went on a date, I would have nauseating anxiety for literally no reason... This anxiety continued for about a year until I had almost lost every friend I have ever had. It wasn't their fault, just that no one else knew how to respond to this sudden change in me.

Racing thoughts were terrible. I couldn't sit in a room without thinking thousands and thousands and thousands of negative thoughts from hell. I would think of how my family, and my friends, and my girlfriend all hated me. Now, after discontinuing this medication, i realize that it is all a lie.

The depression was horrific. I would literally have rather had a serious physical disease for the past year instead of feeling like this. I wouldn't go to parties, I would sit home and cry. Mind you, NOTHING happened to make me feel like this. Absolutely nothing. I thought about suicide about once a week (at least). I honestly didn't know what to do.

Mood swings were awful. I would change life goals and life core beliefs within minutes. Everyday I would become a different person at least 10 times throughout the day. I would go from nice, to sad, to motivated to start my own business, to thinking about signing my soul to Satan all in one day. These are just a few of the horrific thoughts. Dark thoughts, thoughts from hell.

I can report no physical side effects, but honestly I have been through so much that I can't stand it with this drug. I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for helping me realize that this drug can absolutely ruin lives. I think everything happens for a reason, but people, hear me. I write with tears in my eyes right now and I look back on all of the lost time and all of the friends and all of the opportunities that have literally flown passed me. Just know that you are not alone. Stop taking this drug! And start raising awareness!

I've had it in for 7months now and all they did was put me on menopause pills for 2 weeks to stop the bleeding. And if I complained to the them about pain of any kind they said take a couple pain killers. I had a irregular pap which I've never had in my life and they said wait til next year to see if it clears on its own. I don't even think my c-section has healed enough for the iud and they said it was fine I think it was just a scam! I'm still bleeding still in pain and I don't think 23 yr olds should be on menopause pills. Those jerks didn't even tell me what kind of pills they were I found out on my own. I worried that it will only get worst.At time I feel like I might faint.What does one do if the doctors try desperately to find way for you to keep it in?

Within 5 hours of first dose, I had "severe body aches" like those with the flu. My joints and muscles hurt so much that night that I had to call my parents to help me take care of my kids the next morning. I told the doctor who prescribed it, and he said to try to stick it out for the week...what horrible advice! Thinking it was crazy advice, I reluctantly took doses 2, 3, and 4 and experienced the joint/muscle pain each time, but I guess I just somehow tolerated it as if I had the flu. My hands became rather puffy as well. After the 5th pill, I woke up in the middle of the night with HORRIBLE joint and muscle pain, which was so awful that I could barely move; I was able to move a little bit, with extreme pain all over my body--particularly my knees, wrists/hands/thumbs, feet, and shoulders. I felt and heard unnusual snapping, cracking, and popping all over my body when I would move around at all. I stopped the med immediately, and noticed some improvement over the next several days. It has since been 9 days since the last dose, and I still have considerable pain in my knee, my thumbs/wrists, and arms. Unable to do my regular exercise, I tried gentle swimming and light water aerobics several days ago, but found even that to be too painful to do. I'm still unable to pick up my young children, drive without pain (mostly in right knee and muscles connecting to it, when pushing the brake) and am still somewhat limited in typical daily activities. Also, for the last 5 days or so, I've had a strange nodule present on a tendon in my thumb which has been hurting since taking the antibiotic. This has been a very frightening experience, to say the least.

iv been diagnosed with crohns 2months ago iv now been on prednisone for 4weeks i started on 40mg and now down 2 15 the last week my ankles have swelled up and now my right ankle is so painful to touch and walk on, and nothing is making it better, pain killers don't work, massaging it doesn't work, putting deep heat on it so to night i iced it for 15 mins and put a heat pack on it several times the pain went away for 10mins and came back its so painful im almost in tears, im down 2 15mg now so im not eating as muchas i was b4 i wasn't getting full i just keeped eating, my mood swings arnt as bad iv got moon face as they call it and i hate it as theirs no shape at all 2 my face, im getting pimples as will iv retained all this fluid and i feel like a marshmallow can someone please tell me that this pain will go away or is their something i can take 2 make it go away this is the worst medication in the whole world when i get off the prednisone and i have another flar up id rather have the runs and stomach cramps then all this drama iv been having in the last 3weeks iv also changes my whole diet and its made a huge difference 2 how i feel

i got my mirena IUD in last year, Ive been getting a lot of the side affects like headache,mood swings,depression,weight gain,hair lost,nausea,really bad sharp pains,insomnia,and really heavy periods and, i couldn't feel the string...so yesterday i went to the hospital with the sharp pain and they did a CT on me.....get this, they told me that the IUD is in the pelvis,however, it is outside of the uterus and adjacent to the sigmoid colon and, a low density lesion in the adnexal region probably representing an ovarian cyst which has ruptured!!!! so they sent me home with some pain killers and told me to call the doctor that put it in......ohh yeah and I forgot to tell you they said i need to have surgery to remove it.(how nice!!!) GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY

I am so glad to see that so many have had a good experiences with the mirena, me... not so much.
I had it inserted roughly 3 years ago (my youngest was 4 at the time and I was and still am in a committed monogamous relationship) and since then I have gained about 30 pounds that I cannot get rid of(despite a very healthy diet from a nutritionist AND working with a personal trainer), very moody, tender and lumpy breasts (it hurts to even sleep on my stomach) mostly around my "period" (as I only have very light spotting, but I can still tell when it is)bad acne, fine peach fuzzy hair over my face, chest, and back along with course dark hairs on and under my chin. But, the biggest issue I have had were/are the ovarian cysts. I have never had them before the mirena, and within the first year had one on each ovary and had to go to the ER. Since I know what they are now (and don't want another $3000.00 hospital bill) when I get them it is debilitating, but I can wait it out with pain killers at home till they rupture or go away.
Even with all this I was hesitant to have it removed, but after reading this site (and a few others) I think it is time. I really wish it would have worked, but apparently my body just doesn't agree with it...

Hi, my name is Eva and I am 27 years old.
I am a mother of 2 and had Mirena IUD inserted a few months after my 2nd daughter was born. This was 3 1/2 years ago.
Since then I have developed Eczema on my hands (which is the least of my concerns). More importantly I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease (hyperactive thyroid function) last year.
I had developed a goiter on my neck (enlarged Thyroid) , my hair was very brittle & my eyes were always dry and itchy.
Since then I have undergone Radioactive iodine treatment to destroy my thyroid. Reading all of your posts seriously made me angry and I teared up because I definitely think that there is a link between Mirena and thyroid problems. It makes sense that your body would try and fight off any foreign object in your body and maybe that send the thyroid into a out of whack mode ?
I am currently researching if there are any clinical studies out there on this possible connection. If anyone would like to join me - pls. contact me at ******
I have an appointment to have my Mirena removed in a few days, I sincerely hope that it will make a difference in my health.
Best regards,
E.

After being on Lotrel for several years and doctors adding a pill for every side effect I got (14 prescription pills a day), I had to retire from construction at 47 yrs old due to muscle damage and weakness. After witting lotrel and getting on a different blood pressure pill I've been able to quit 10 other pills including arrhythmia pills for my heart! I'm 53 now and can't sit upright, stand, or walk comfortably for more than 1/2 an hour. I wish I had figured it out sooner. I used to b e able to lift 300 lbs and now can't lift more than 20 :

My side effects: slow but severe muscle loss, lethargy, severe coughing particularly at night to the point of separating ribs, muscle cramps, difficulty swallowing/choking, severe tachyarrhythmia. It is a dangerous drug, fortunately I figured it out before it killed me! I was on it for eight years and and my health deteriorated. I had to quit working 4/2003. I had gotten so bad that I qualified for Social Security 6/2006. After testing with neurologists and against my doctors recommendation, I quit the Lotrel 9/2005. I appear to have permanent muscle damage, but my energy level has increased with some increased strength, coughing/choking stopped, arrythmia is almost completely gone (was able to quit two dosages per day of Rythmol for arrhythmia, muscle relaxants, pain killers), and the swallowing/choking problem is completely gone. The side effects came along over a period of 8 years and have devastated my health. Doctors kept prescribing pills for every side effect not realizing they were caused by Lotrel. I was at a point where I spent at least 20 hours a day laying down or asleep. Now, although I have lost 90% of muscle strength, I am fairly active most of the day.

I'm 21 and I've taken Yaz for 7weeks. During the first 2weeks I took it at lunch time - within hours I'd feel nauseous. I changed when I took it to before I went to sleep - this seemed to work with the nausea which eventually completely subsided.

I had spotting for the first packet but after my first period on YAZ the spotting stopped.

By the time I started the second packet I became aware that my sex drive had plummeted and I no longer was initiating sex with my boyfriend. I also noticed that I was thirsty a lot more & craved sugary drinks like soda/pop which I never shopped for until YAZ.

I've also gained 6pounds.

The strangest side effect I experienced was a heightened sense of smell, for example - I cannot tolerate the smell of steak cooking - it makes me ill.

On the positive side- My skin has improved.

When my period is approaching I am no longer angry or overly emotional.

Prior to taking YAZ I would have severe menstrual cramping the day before the period began and three days following (at least). I had to take pain killers like panadine fort but for the first time I needed no medication and I only had cramping for day one. A huge improvement!

The biggest plus for me with YAZ was the decrease in the length of my period - it went from 7-9Day to 4days max.

If I gain more weight & it if it gets to the point where I reject my boyfriend when he wants to be intimate then I'll stop YAZ but at the moment the positives I’ve experienced are just too valuable to consider stopping.

Signed the Mirena petition which all of you should too. So many people who are on it with no side effects as well as doctors do not believe us and it is very frustrating. Both my OB/GYN and the neurologist I have been seeing don't think the Mirena is responsible for my dizziness/foggy head, anger/anxiety/moodiness, body tingling, however my symptoms started exactly 3 weeks after I got Mirena inserted. Never had these issues before. Have had the Mirena removed and hope these horrible symptoms go away!

I want to know if anyone has experienced severe joint pain while on Doxy. I was prescribed this med on a Monday. I (like an idiot) doubled up on my first dose Monday evening because I know you can do that with other antibiotics to jump start the process. What can I say? I don't like being sick. Well....Tuesday morning, I took my 2nd dose and went to work. Very soon after taking the second dose, I broke out into a very itchy rash all over my back that soon spread to other parts of my body. I called my doctor and was immediately taken off the Doxy and prescribed Augmentin. Later that night, I began aching all over. I woke up in severe pain throughout all of my joints, and was in a terrible mood.....obviously. As the day progressed, the pain continued, but seemed to be moving randomly about my joints. My ankles would hurt for a while, then my arms, the my shoulders, etc. That night, I took a Benadryl (still itching from the rash a little), some ibuprofen, and went to bed. I woke up feeling a lot better. A lot less pain in most of my joints. It was a good day. However, today, Friday, I am still in some pretty bad pain in my hands. Anyone else have a similar experience??????

Can anyone tell me if you can just stop Lipitor cold turkey or do you have to stop it slowly? I have been taking Lipitor for 5 years now and I have been trying to find out what is causing my leg weakness. I mentioned it to my doctor who said it si just a fact of getting older. The problem is getting worse and I noticed it started about 3 months after taking the Lipitor and has steadily gotten worse. I am 49 years old a little over weight {which I am working on}. I also noticed my asthma which I haven't delt with since a small child has come back. This may or may not have to do with the Lipitor but the pain in my knees and legs I believe do. It really hurts in the joints of my legs and sometimes in my shoulder area.

I have a history of sinus infections. After two rounds of Augmentin did not clear up my latest one, my doctor finally gave me the steroid pack and Avelox. He had tried to avoid the steroids. I have had them so many times. I finished my steroids 5 days ago and my Avelox yesterday. I read the side effects and did as it suggested. Since it mentions low potassium would not be good I ate a banana every day and had some orange juice to keep my potassium levels up. The drug warms against taking any pain killers such as Aleve, Advil, etc. One earlier reviewer admitted taking Aleve and had a bad reaction... well.... bad move.... I have had no real side effects that I can say for sure are Avelox related. I did feel a little less focused at times, but was not obviously groggy or woosey. I did have a little abdominal discomfort that I usually do not have with drugs, but it was short-lived and only occurred 3 of the 10 days. Many people have bad effects because they do not follow the warnings against anti-acids, pain killers, low potassium, etc. Some people are more likely to react to any medicine, while others like me rarely have a side effect. My tendons did not hurt... nothing.... People who are out of shape, have a poor physical life style, etc. sometimes help contribute to the drugs reactions by being in basically poor physical health to begin with. America is one of the fattest, out of shape nations out there due to our abundance of everything. The majority of persons can take Avelox with no real issues. I will take it again. I truly feel concern for those who had problems, but sometimes we are partly guilty by how we don't take care of ourselves when we are well...... As with any drug, some persons will react no matter what... It's often just a matter of inherited genetics...... Be safe everyone, and take time to evaluate how you take care of your body and really decide to do better. For the record I am almost 58, 5-9 158 pounds and work out semi-regularly.... Take care of that temple God gave you. Its the only one we get on this Earth,,,,,,

I am 29, super fit and healthy. I'd been taking Yasmin for 6 months, in addition to having a high blood pressure 3 months into taking Yasmin, in the last month, in addition to a high blood pressure I started getting rings in my vision (lasting 5-20 mins and then returning to normal), i had problems with my hearing, i started getting dizzy after very light exercise and lost my breath, i found i was slurring in my speech or having trouble getting the words out, i felt pressure at the base of my head. The problems with my vision led me to getting a CT scan and the docs believed I had a small blood clot in my brain caused by Yasmin.

After finding out I had a thrombosis caused by the pill, the rest of my symptoms could be attributed to that. Yasmin has been taken off the market in many countries because of its side effects. Yasmin is indeed evil and I feel fortunate I had a doctor who referred me to a specialist to get checked out. So many doctors will say take pain killers and come back if it gets worse. I will never touch BC pills again.

I was recently switched from a combo pill (that I have been taking for 12 years) to Nora-BE due to migraines with aura. Since the headaches increase my risk of stroke, as do combo pills - they were required by law to switch me.

Unfortunately, since about two days after switching, I have been having eye twitching, severe headaches, vision loss, cramping etc. The eye/headache problems only start about 1 hour after taking the pill.

I went back to the doctor, who will not switch me back, and suggested going to a neurologist (hard since I just lost my job and insurance), and that I was basically out of luck. She also tried to blame it on pretty much everything other than the pill (allergies, caffeine, stress etc.). Apparently it is better for them for me to have increased risk of stroke from daily headaches (and liver/stomach issues due to heavy intake of pain killers now) than one from combo pills that never caused me any issues. I even offered to sign a waiver, but that did not make them budge a bit.

I understand their liability in the issue, but it is extremely frustrating to have headaches this badly daily, as well as having issues seeing (badly enough I cannot read highway signs). It is to the point where I may have to forgo any sex life with my fiance in order to get off these pills - which won't make him very happy :p. That, or go to another clinic, and go through the whole PAP again, as well as the bill, bleh..

I used Kenalog once every year for hayfever symptoms for about five years, two years ago I developed these "dents" at the top of the cheeks on my bum, they turned a dark purple/black, eventually filled out and have gone back to being a normal color, but the pain in my hips and knees is starting to become unbearable. I'm waking at night time with the pain and having to take pain killers during the night to ease the pain. While it was a miracle treatment at the time of relieving my hay fever symptoms this pain is definitely not worth it. I'm 32 years of age and sometimes feel like an old woman rubbing her hips and knees.

Back in October last year i was having really bad pain behind my eyes - they hurt on movement. I went to my doctors 8 times within two weeks - he kept giving me pain killers saying it was a tension headache. The last appointment i had with him id lost the vision in my right eye - they eventually referred me to the hospital. After loads of tests and questions they finally put me on Steroids and strong antibiotics via drip and i had MRI scans but by then i had lost my sight completed and was told i would never regain my sight as my nerves were severely damage. After a week or so on Prednisone my sight was getting slightly better in the left eye which was great i could think about seeing my son again. I have been taking Prednisone along with loads of other tables one for my bones and nerves and folic acid and very strong painkillers etc for months. I tried to reduce my dose as directed and my condition got worse the pain behind my eyes came back and they they said i had C.R.I.O.N so now im back on a high dose and im also taking azathioprine. I have experienced all the side affects of this drug - Round Face (moon face) server muscle cramp - i was unable to walk for 8 hours a few weeks ago i was in so much pain. Terrible bad back - shoulder blades hurts. Terrible spots. Really bad heaches. Eye pain. Water retention. Sleeping problems. Mood swings. Theres to many to list. This drug helped me regain my sight but i cant wait for the azathioprine to get into my system so i can start to reduce the steroid and start loosing some weight and get rid of all the other side affects.

Hi All, I am here for the first time in desperation trying to ascertain if my problems are Advair related. I have been on it for over 20 years (started as a study patient). I probably would be dead if it hadn't come along - seriously - and I had been on prednisone a lot. But, to add a voice to what others are saying, I can't sleep, and always wake with the most terrible headache, along with other general aches and fatigue. I was coping so so until I was rear-ended and developed some neck issues. Now I live with never ending headaches and fatigue and a tendency towards depression. Pain killers and sleeping pills get me through the winter months and then in the summer with lots of activity outside I rebound so that I can go through another yearly slide downward. What is really a killer is that I can't get going in the early mornings and have been hassled by my employer who has determined by a psychologist that I am a malingerer because there is little proof of physical illness! If I didn't have a history of having been, and still being, a very hardworking and persistent individual I would think I was going nuts (I'm 60). If anyone has a similar story, please comment further. Thanks

How interesting -- I'm a 56 old female. Went to my Dr. because couldn't shake a chest cold, feeling like lungs not a full capacity. She listened and agreed there was too much wheezing. She gave me an Advair 250 inhaler, although when I asked, said that it would, my lungs would eventually clear themselves up. Instructed me to take twice a day for 5 days, then once a day until I felt I didn't need it anymore. The third night I was up all night with deep ache in my wisdom teeth, some bleeding in the gums, used ice packs and ibuprofin (sp?) to get through the night. After another day and night like that I could only think it was the Advair so stopped it. Saw my dentist 2 or three days later -- pain was decreasing, but wanted to be sure there was no infection. Showed denstist the inhaler but she said it couldn't be that and there were no signs of infection. So -- tried Advair again but again by the 2nd night I was up again with the ice packs, pain killers and bleeding gums. No more Advair for me, and I'm relieved to read that others had the same reactions I did as it means I'm not completely nuts.

I am a school teacher and got hit in the head by a student and suffered a severe concussion. I was having head swelling when I read, listen to any rhythms or use the computer. I get severe headaches after doing these activities which are most of my job. I am on worker's comp at this time and find that the doctors I had were horrible. The first two months I was on pain killers every six hours and they didn't work. Then I thought finally I thought I would get some relief when I got a neurologist. He put me on Topamax 25 mg the first week and then after 50 mg. He gave me Treximet even though I am allergic to Alleve he refused after that to give me anything for the onset of my migraines. I got really aggressive on Topamax. I was spacey. He then doubled my dose to 100 mg. The Dr. just said I didn't want to go to school even though I was getting worse and worse and could hardly take care of myself. . I was still having head swelling and headaches when I read etc. but my memory was gone and I was ready to throw thing and hurt others. My aggression was worse than when I had several courses of steroids years earlier. There were many times that I couldn't talk in sentences. I would forget what I was doing and also get lost. I was like an Alzheimer's patient. I couldn't get to my thoughts no matter how hard I tried. I have just got off Topamax and can now speak in sentences and the aggression is gone but my memory is still not completely back. I couldn't do simple subtraction or addition. I was better at it in the second grade than on Topamax. I couldn't remember 3 words after about ten minutes only one word. I couldn't draw a simple geometrical figure. I had all the same problems but on Topamax the addition of horrible side effects. The only side effect I could have used and didn't get was weight loss. My parents actually had to come and take care of me because I couldn't fill out the paperwork and also I couldn't even talk and was having fits and tantrums like a child. Thank goodness I had a regular Dr. that knew what was wrong and sent me to get weaned off Topamax. At that time I was told it would take 3 weeks to wean me off and there was no way I could go to school until it was out of my system. I kept telling the neurologist my side effects and even wrote him a letter explaining but he didn't pay any attention and acted like I was making it all up. I asked for a change of worker's comp doctors. He didn't like that at all and now I have to go for psychiatric testing before I go to my new worker's comp neurologist. All I want is to go back to school and to be able to do my job. I would have never had the memory, cognitive, reasoning, or speaking ability to get back to school taking Topamax.

I took a 7 day dosage of Avelox. I went to the doctor for a sinus infection, and he inturn gave me a seven day sample pack out of his cabinet. How could Bayer be issuing these as samples at doctor's offices. At any rate, I took the full seven day dosage with the only side effect of being slightly dizzy. 3 days after my last dose, I woke up feeling like I had sprained my ankle. Within 2 days every joint, muscle and tendon from my lower back down to my feet was in extreme pain and almost totally immobilized. For 2 weeks I have hobbling around like a cripple in extreme pain and feeling like all my tendons are about to snap. I have been back to the doctor twice, and then to a rheumatologist, and I am going to an othropedic next week. I really hope this isn't permanent.Taking Aleve seems to help a bit instead of Advil or Tylenol, but I do not want to take harcore pain killers in the event that i could end up doing more damage to myself. I just hope this ends soon because it is driving me mad. This drug should be kept locked up in a cabinet to only treat people in extreme cases or taken off the market. I am young and physically fit, and now I feel like I am about 80 yrs on my last leg. Be very aware of what this drug may do to you.

I can't believe I didn't find this sooner! I was on the Nuvaring for about 4 years and just last month traded it in for the Mirena.

At first, I was thrilled to find the Ring as I have a very hard time taking pills because I've always had a sensitive stomach. The patch was messy and sticky so I was excited to find the ring. For the first couple of years, the only problem I had was keeping it in place (it would continuously fall out) so I just got used to having to push it back into place every time I used the restroom. Every. Single. Time. But it was worth it because it made my periods much, much lighter and more manageable (i usually am down for the count for a few days). I also did the ring continuously without taking a week off because I still had some pretty terrible periods.

About two years ago, I started gaining weight uncontrollably, became very depressed, lethargic and achey. One day I came down with a terrible case of bronchitis and was put on a heavy duty round of antibiotics and steroids. After, I started having terrible heartburn and IBS symptoms which lead me to a gastroenterologist. Every test imaginable was performed, but nothing was found. I was told I had a nervous stomach. Unsatisfied, I got some bloodwork done and had abnormal blood glucose levels. My diabetic husband gave me a glucometer and I realized my blood sugars were totally out of range. I ended up at an Endocrinologist and all tests came back normal. I was also referred to a Rheumatologist for my achy body and joints. I found a list of symptoms of hypothyroidism and was convinced this is what I have, so I was put on a very low dose of Synthroid. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and put on a whole mess of anti-inflammatories and pain killers.

Unsatisfied with my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and totally unwilling to admit this is something I have to live with for the rest of my life, I began working with a nutritionist who has helped me get off all the medications (except Synthroid). But still, I hadn't slept through the night in years (getting up 3-4 times a night to use the bathroom), I was terribly achy, irritable, nauseous, constipated and still gaining weight.

Recently, my insurance changed and I decided to get the Mirena. Within a few weeks, most symptoms have drastically improved, my family notices a major change. I actually slept through the night last week, only 3 weeks after using the Ring for the last time. I haven't lost any weight yet, but the fact that I even CAN exercise is monumental. More than anything, I'm thrilled at the prospect that everything was caused by the Ring, the one constant no matter what I tried, and maybe I won't have to live with Fibromyalgia for the rest of my life.

I can't say with total certainty that the NuvaRing caused all my problems, but it is absolutely astounding that all of us are experiencing the same terrible symptoms and none of our doctors have bothered to think that it could be the Ring. I'm angry about this. Why don't they know about these side effects??

Yes these side effects are listed in the package, but they're the same side effects from pretty much every medication... and I don't know about all of you but this thing came damn near close to ruining my life. I couldn't work, sleep, eat, exercise, clean my house, etc. etc. It's no heart attack or stroke, but definitely life altering.

I think health care providers need to be alerted to these symptoms and the possibility that the Nuvaring could be causing it all. It would have saved me thousands of dollars in medical bills and despair. Patients should be warned that the side effects are very real and can be debilitating. I'm almost sorry I found this so late (after I already got rid of it!) but I'm glad I found it nonetheless.

Good luck to all of you!