June 25th
2008
2:33 AM
I have been on Topamax for 2 1/2 years at 250mg for migraines and have decided to get off because of side effects. I have had all mentioned: mood swings, dehydration, not sweating,tingling, dizziness, loss for words, short term memory loss,numbness, fatigue, GI problems, anorexic weight loss,rage... And this all began from the starting 25mg dose!
The migraines decreased from 24 a month to 12, at best down to 6 or 7, but I seemed to hit a plateau then back to 15.
I saw three different doctors and all wanted to simply increase the Topamax or add another med (Depakote, beta blocker, etc.)
Finally, I found that a problem with my neck may be causing the headaches and treating that has reduced them enough for me to try and get off the Topamax. I still rely on the Relpax to get me through the bad days, but I'm hoping I can get free of the Topamax for good!
I just encourage anyone thinking of starting Topamax to investigate all possible migraine causes before starting!! Topamax doesn't cure the migraine, it only blocks the pain! And the side effects are not worth it if you can find another way to alleviate the problem!
November 14th
2007
6:48 PM
I took Yaz for 7 days. In that amount of time, I began experience the most horrific symptoms I have experienced in my life. They included: chest pains, nausea, vomiting, arm pain, and the feeling of imminent death (these caused me to go to the emergency room since they are classic heart attack symptoms for a woman); leg and arm weakness; lethargy; migrane; panic attacks; severe insomnia, diarrhea, and vision problems that caused my contact lens perscription to change and night time vision had profound halos when driving, etc. I was literally unable to stomach any normal food portions I was so nauseous. I normally run 3 miles and could not even make it to the gym for weeks. I was afraid to stay home alone with my 4 year-old and 17 month-old for fear something would happen to me while they were in my care. At the ER they found low potassium levels (which makes no sense given Yaz has a potassium sparring diuretic component). In another blood test, I had elevated iron, which I have never had previously.
I am 35 and have been on bcp's periodically for 12-15 years. I have never had any of these symptoms prior to this experience. I have never had anxiety, depression, or any other underlying health condition. I immediately stopped taking the pills once I made the connection. So far, my recovery has been slow, but at least it is improving. I resent that my ob/gyn and internist both said that the pill would be out of my system in 24 hours. The effects are clearly long lasting (I am approximately 7 weeks off of Yaz).
Finally, my eye doctor, of all people, said that he has seen and heard of people having problems similar to mine and that it was understandable that I would have anxiety when I felt like I was dying from a heart attack. No one perscribing this medication bothered to tell me of the diuretic component or any component that was going to affect depression. I am attorney and have always thrived under pressure, not turned into a panic attack ridden mess like this medication caused.
As for the previous post who stated these are common symptoms described by women, at 35, I know the difference between my normal body function and the hell that began when I started taking Yaz. Unless you have experienced this, then you clearly would not understand. I appreciate that Yaz and Yasmin have worked well for some, but that clearly has not been my personal experience. So, I write this not to discourage someone who has had a positive experience, but to provide support for anyone else who has suffered like I have.
-- By jbaxendale | Reply | (9) replies | Private Message me
February 23th
2007
9:38 AM
Sarah
I cant get on the other site from home
Well alot of people said I seem better but in actuallity in some ways yes some ways no
I still have not returned to work as tasks overhwelm me even the simpliest things
i also have issues with bad mood swings
I have bad thoughts every few days and it terrifies me!
I still seem to walk in a fog not feeling like me
But the ups and downs are the worst I cant seem to get a plateau or a even time of it
I will be sad than upset than agitated than ok than feel like me
I feel like I have PMS almost everyday
The scary thoughts are like I will just drift off and get really sad out of the blue out of no where
And last night I was talking to my sis and she was upsetting me and I got really agitated than I just felt like leaving my home and just going far away I didnt do it but I really felt it and stopped myself
I have never ever had bad thoughts of dying or leaving or running away
It scares me
September 6th
2005
8:15 AM
i started on citilopram 4 weeks ago, and mentally im a changed man, i had depression and panic attacks and now i couldnt be depressed if i tried to which sounds great but its a liitle strange as i sometimes feel i am missing part of my emotional spectrum, like normal people feel down sometimes and i should still be allowed to feel down every now and then but these tablets wont let you.! physicclay tho i have had a few strange side efects, in the first week i felt shaky and detached and had blurred vision and actually felt a little high (which was nice) but by week 2 i fellt fairly normal and now only get the side effects when i forget to take a tablet otherwise i remain on a plateau. I also smoke pot and often became paraniod after smoking, the best thing is now i can smoke pot to my hearts content and get the high but none of the paranoia and that is fantastic. if your a pot smoking paranoid ~I highly recomend taking 20mg citalopram has anyone else ever experienced this???
-- By kingofgibralter | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
June 2th
2009
10:19 AM
I have been on Levoxyl for about 2 1/2 years. Before I was on levothyroxine, but my new endo said the generics don't work, so he insists on the name brand. I've been taking it in the morning on an empty stomach, and have been battling extreme daytime fatigue ever since. At first I thought it was because I was unhealthy. I had LAP-band surgery, and I use a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, and I lost 50 lbs, but I've hit a plateau that can't be explained by my food intake, and the fatigue is so debilitating. My GP is adjusting my anti-depressant to see if that makes a difference, but so far no. On my own I decided to start taking the Levoxyl at night before I go to bed. It's only been a couple of days, but I have noticed a marked improvement. I'll talk to my endo about it, and hopefully he'll be at least willing to consider the change.
On a side note, anti-depressants are the best medicine ever discovered. If you are feeling at all depressed, talk to your doctor. Whether the Levoxyl contributes to it or not, the anti-depressants help. I never want to go back in that black hole again.
-- By melswain | Reply | Private Message me