Practically symptoms and conditions

I was prescribed adderall a few years ago for mild ADD, 10 mg once a day, and it was great at the time. My grades went up and everything else was good for about a year. I decided, though, that I wanted to go off of it, as I was sick of feeling like I relied on a pill.
Well, I went off of it, for the next couple of months I started getting panic attacks and depression more and more frequently until I reached my worst point-- for 5 days I couldn't eat, sleep, or even get off the couch. I couldn't recognize myself in the mirror and felt no joy at all whatsoever.

After that for about a year things were okay, but I wasn't quite myself. I didn't enjoy things like I once did, and I was plagued by constant worrying about things that I didn't need to worry about.
Soon I started taking it again, and became addicted again for a few months. Once again, went off of it, had a bad few months, things got a little better.
Then I started again. Now, for the past few months I go through weeks at a time when I take it and weeks I don't. I'm trying to quit once and for all.

My point is that this drug really had an enormous impact on my life. It changed me in a lot of ways I didn't like, made me sort of emotionally numb-- in fact, the only time I felt pleasure and joy was practically when I took the drug.
I am not the kind of person who gets addicted to things easily, and I'm not sneaky or secretive, but let me just tell you:
The other day (since I don't fill my perscription anymore), I wanted some adderall and I actually picked the lock on my mom's drawer to get to hers.

That's extremely out of character for me, and it freaked me out.

Nobody ever warned me about this drug, and people act like it's no big deal, but it almost made me kill myself.

Other than that, I have always been an honest, happy, motivated person.

Mine was put in about a month and a half ago. I haven't stopped "spotting" since. I'm usually not one to complain of side effects and try to ignore them, but the moodiness is awful! My husband has been practically begging for me to get it removed. My skin has also broken out a lot more than normal. I think that healthcare professionals should really be more honest about the side effects. I'm getting it removed today. When I called my doctor's office and mentioned the emotional part, the nurse (which I love) kinda blew it off like it really wasn't caused by Mirena. I can't find another reason for it...
Didn't gain weight like a lot of other ladies, I actually lost a few pounds so I guess that's one good thing about it.

Never really having stuck with any other type of birth control before, I started using the NuvaRing about 6 months prior to my wedding. I had consulted my Dr. about it asking what would be ok for me knowing I am forgetful and didnt want to take the pill everyday. He said the NuvaRing was my best option and proceeded to tell me some of the pros and cons about it. As a very persistant bride, I didnt really listen, just said "Great, sign me up!". Well the months go on and I never really had the urge to be with my soon to be husband, I just assumed it was because I was too involved with the wedding plans and everything else. The wedding day comes, everything perfect as I wished, then there was the night of the wedding... NOT everything I wished, I was "tierd", but I did what your supposed to do the night of your wedding and got practically nothing out of it. The entire week of the honeymoon, I bet we had sex MAYBE 5 times, 5 times!!! Thats how much you should be having in one day on your honeymoon. I just ignored it and figured it was the sun and alcohol, big mistake! We have now been married 6 weeks and probably have sex twice a week if we are lucky. My sweet new husband has been very good about this, any other guy would probably kill their wife by now for this. Finally, our solution, one of my best friends who is a nurse was listening to me wine a complain about all of this. I mean, what girl who loves their husband and is attracted to him wants to have no sexual desire, not me! So after she finishes listening to me, she starts to tell me all of the horrible things she has heard about the NuvaRing, she in fact was about to start on it before she heard all of the negative symptoms. She has heard of many relationships falling apart due to this "oh so wonderful" birthcontrol. In fact, some people have said they used to have sex 5 to 6 times a week and once they started this it went down to maybe once or twice! Not how I want to live my life or marriage. I suggest to all of you out there that are either researching the NuvaRing or have been on it, DONT DO IT!

I was put on Loestrin 24 a year ago after I told my Dr. that I was getting more and more migraines every month during my period. (I've had them since I was a kid, now 27, but they were beginning to come more and more frequently in recent years and most often during my period.) The pill seemed to be working like magic, my migraines lessened more and more and I was experiencing less mood swings and depression than I'd had in the past near my period. My periods have been 3 days tops and very light. I thought I had found my miracle BC and felt like the $60.99 I've been paying every month (no Ins!) was well worth it. WELL.... this month is a totally different story. I got period on Monday, when I was supposed to, and I still have it today, Saturday. I have never in my life had a 6 day period until now...esp since Im on this "3-day period" pill. Mon-Wed was the same as it's been for the past yr, light and a breeze as far as periods go. Wed night I had practically no bleeding and thought my period was at it's end, like always. Well I woke up Thurs around 3 am covered in blood. I then went to the bathroom and proceeded to "gush" blood for lack of a better term. I've never experienced such a heavy flow. I've been wearing a tampon AND a pad for the past 3 days now because I'm soaking thru tampons and leaking A LOT onto pads. I hadn't experienced any pain until today (day 6!@!@#!@!) and can't believe I'm still bleeding and so heavily! I did call my Dr. just yesterday and explained my situation and how abnormal this all is for me and was told to continue taking my pills as directed and "see what happens" next month! If I'm still bleeding like this tomorrow, the 7th day, then I seriously think I'm going to go to the ER. I'm freaking out and can't understand what in the world is happening to me out of the blue. I've had normal, regular periods ever since I started menstruating at age 11... 16 yrs ago! Has anyone else gone through anything like this????

I've been taking atenolol 6 months now and my basic complaint is the coughing. I have to practically sit up in bed at night. At first I thought it was just the usual summertimer postnasal drip causing the cough so I put up with it. Have to take ricoloas or some kind of drops all day to keep the cough down. I've heard other pills like this all come with the cough. If there is another that DOESN'T maybe someone can get back to me a nd let me know.

I have a doctor who isn't very communicative but if I complain about something he does what he can to try something else. This time, however, I'm doing my own research and so far have come up with zip as to any replacement. In fact, my blood pressure isn't much better. Was in the office for another reason the other day and it read 138/100.

Thanks!

Girls everywhere . I have one question and please you can reply in private or on here, whatever you like. Did any of the doctors that prescribed Yasmin to you ever give you a hormonal test? I have been going through really bad emotional mood swings for a white but did not have insurance so never really go myself checked out. So last month I went back to my home country and visited a gyno(where medicine is not so overpriced) who has been recommended to me by numerous people and he did a bunch of hormone tests on me concluded (by blood work) that I have a hormonal inbalance. Before the tests were done he obviously asked me a bunch of questions and I warned him that last time i had gone on a losely prescribed birth control(which is was suppose to be very low hormone dosage) I went practically nuts. After seeing my results and finding my inbalance he has prescribed Yasmin to me because apparently I have too much estrogen and other things I couldnt really understand because I am not a doctor but I think one of the things it does is to block some of these hormone from going to your brain. So My point after all this rambling is that ALL of our bodies are different and all birth controls are different and have different hormones which could drive a normal person insane with or without taking the pills SO my suggestion if you are having trouble with Yasmin is to get your hormone levels checked, Yasmin may be the devil to you but its probably because you dot need certain components that are in it or lack some. Get real tests done!

Hi.. I have been researching birth control pills for a while now, as I knew I wanted to take them for acne and irregular periods. The doc gave me yasmin so I narrowed my googling and got a bit of a scare, after all the discussions I've read it almost seems now that it has a life of it's own.. it is a "DEMON PILL" that "RUINS LIVES" and it's "NOT WORTH IT" .................. but as someone who has never been on birth control at all before I'm trying not to be convinced that it will do nothing but make my problems worse, and I think I'd like to put it out there that you only hear the negative in places like this and all potential side effects ARE already listed right in the package. Everyone is different.. so I'll continue to try to read comments by girls who have been on it for as long as me.. So far it's only been a week, but already some girls describe horrific side effects of which I've experienced NONE. Maybe it's mind over matter lol I'm quite determined to have this work for me. Anyway just saying to anyone like me who is reading these.. if it's been prescribed to you don't be afraid to try it just because it didn't work out for someone else, NOT saying horrible side effects don't happen, it's very clear that they do.. but don't let the negative convince you so easily that all of a sudden it's all yasmin's fault that your life sucks.. try believing it might make it better!

I've been on Topamax for about a year. I think the worst thing that happen to me is I totally forgot my childs given name. We have called him a nick name all his life but I'm his mom!!! I was so upset I thought I was going crazy! I still get headaches daily but I know topamax has been the best meds I have been on so far. I have heard that if you combine Relpax with topamax it helps so if anyone has any information, let me know.

Practically the same as everyone else. I have PAD (so they say). So, I 'm not really sure whether the extreme pain in my calves and hips are a result of that (I don't think so), or the Zocor. I'm coming off of it immediately. I'll find something else to take for my cholesterol. The pain in my legs have definitely gotten worse. I've been on Zocor for 3 years. Started on 40 mgs, now on 80 mgs. I honestly think it's the Zocor that's causing the pain and not the PAD. Also have trouble with blurred vision and I just feel tired all the time. I hope this is not permanent, but I'm so afraid that it is. Also on Lexapro for depression. No wonder. I've made up my mind that if a label says "FDA approved", I don't want any part of it.

My son is 8 and has Autism. In the last two months he has been taking Singulair. In the last two months I have noticed him progressively getting very aggressive and unable to tolerate disappointments etc. He's been very whiney. It's to a point where he is out of control with his moods. He hauls off and hits me, other kids and adults. Like a monster has taken over. He can't seem to calm down and it's hard for him to tell me what is going on because of his Autism. He has never been this extreme and had such a long bout of horrible behavior. I forgot he had started this new medication for his allergy related asthma/wheezing. I did not figure it out but I am convinced this may have been the trigger for his uncontrollable behavior. We had a huge embarrassing incident today at camp where he ran into the school he was not suppose to be in, then came back and pushed this boy and attacked his Mom by pulling her arm nearly knocking her over, pinching her arm and squeezing it very hard! I was shocked at his behavior. Kicked and hit me and the counselor and squeezed my boob really hard,lifted my shirt up several times, just totally out of control. I had to lay on him practically to control him and I cried in shock and fear and wondered if this was my son! It took a long time to calm him down. He is going off the medication today and we are talking to several other doctors and going to a neurologist. He has sleepless nights too and dry mouth. Please watch out if you already have a child with issues. Worried and sad Mom!

I've been on the pill since early January. I got put on it so i wouldn't get pregnant and to regulate my period. About a month ago i started having real problems with it. I've had a headache every single day... and it doesn't start until a little while after taking the pill and in the mornings before i take it im fine. I've been feeling really sick after i take it to the point where i feel like i'm going to throw up but i haven't actually yet. I'm depressed and having horrible mood swings. i'm starting arguments and yelling at my boyfriend for the stupidest reasons but i just can't stop i dunno whats wrong. i'm barely 18 and i used to be the happiest person you know. i know i need to be on some form of birth control but im worried that all other pills are going to have similar effects. It's practically ruining my relationship because i get out of control angry within seconds at times. Last month i missed a pill... but you what? That whole day i was headache free so i know the pill is whats having an effect on me. I'm having trouble sleeping, i wake up multiple times throughout the night which never used to happen... even though the pill eventually gives you shorter periods, it messes you up. its not worth it.

while taking adderall xr 25 mg. twice a day i have experienced numbness or a tingling like feeling in my right thumb. anyone out there had this with adderall xr? i can't imagine what else it could be. i also have severe headaches and seem to live off tylenol!!!

I've been on synthroid since October 1996. My ankles are always swollen. That didn't start til I started the medication. My Endocrinologist keeps telling me that it has nothing to do with the meds. My TSH levels are constantly being taken. He says to cut down on salt. I don't eat much salt and besides, I know people that practically eat whole pigs and they don't have swollen ankles. Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions, I'm desperate!!!

I started taking Yaz in January or this year, I was on it for 2 months when I called my doctor and said that my appetite changed so much I had practically stopped eating. I couldn't finish a meal and sometimes I'd have the feeling of being really hungry, but then when I sat down to eat, I'd become so nauseated I was afraid I'd get sick right at the table. My doctor then switched me to Yasmin and it was a world of difference. My only side effects would be interrupted sleep (very minimal), periods of tiredness, leg cramps and strangest of all, an increase in sex drive. I can probably right off the side effects as being contributed to my mild case of sleep apnea, working 40+ hours a week and being young and in love. They aren't bothersome enough to stop taking the medication. As like all medicines, its not for everyone. I think the benefits I'm receiving far out weight the small amounts of side effects I do experience, my skin has cleared up, my periods are now regulated and not so severe and best of all.. I'm not pregnant. Hopefully the other women here will find a BCP that suits them and new hopefuls looking for answers wont be too afraid to try Yasmin. Its changed my life for the better... like all medicine, its trail and error, don't rule it out before you try it. Good luck.

I have been taking Lamictal for just over a year. Some of the side effects have been noticable for a few months, but others seem to just be appearing and getting worse. I have loss of balance and coordination, my vision is gettng worse, I have a hard time concentrating and finding the right words, I forget how to spell common words, I have short-term memory loss and feel spacey. I can always figure it out, but it takes longer. I began doing Pilates every day about 3 months ago and still cannot get the routine down and it is just as hard for my muscles as it was in the beginning. I can't seem to lose weight and have horrible acne on my face. I had 2 seizures before beginning Lamictal and am suppose to be on it for 2 years before trying to go off. Without insurance though, I am unable to do follow-ups w/ my neurologist and she seems unconcerned and unsypathetic to my situation, not giving me the time of day. She never even told me all of these side effects could develop, much less that they might begin long after I started taking Lamictal. Has anyone had these side effects after having taken the Lamictal for so long then stopped taking the Lamictal? Will these side effects go away after I stop taking it??

Night sweats! Horrible! Depression and sadness, yes...but never linked it to the ring. On the ring for 7 weeks when experienced racing heart and shortness of breath. Friend who is a nurse suggested it could be related to the ring. So immediately I removed it. Started having horrible night sweats immediately and have continued practically every night for 2 weeks. Have had xray, ekg, blood tests....nothing abnormal found. Convinced it was from NR.

5 days ago i was prescrebed omnicef for the treatment of bronchitis. i have been experiencing increasing fatigue while on the drug. today i woke up practically incapasitated with muscular fatigue and mental confusion. i called to convey the side effects to my doctor and pharmacist and they both said that fatigue was not a side effect. i am so disturrbed by this side effect because i actually had more energy last week when my bronchitis was untreated by an antibiotic. after a self directed study of the drug, i discovered that omnicef actually dramatically decreases the amount of carnitine in the body. carnitine is necessary for the proper metabolic process of fats into energy. i am suspicious that the withdrawl of carnatine in an already ill individual is responsible for the lathargy and mood instability that so many on this web posting have attested to.

I've been using the NuvaRing for about nine months. I had used it about 3 yrs ago for a 1.5 yr period. At first I noticed similar symptons to the first time that I used it- very intolerant to alcohol, slightly depressed, naseaus frequently. But wasn't too concerned- I have a number of stomach problems, so I though that it just was agrivating that, and didn't worry too much. Then last month, my period came 20days after the previous, for about 15 days, with extreme itchness around my vulva. (Before going on the ring I would get my period every 33-35 days for about 3 days-no cramping, which increased to 30days/8-9 day length with light cramping on the ring) Now again, 13 days after I put a new Ring in I got my period again- really heavy. I'm going to try and see my gyno this week about it.
The most concerning thing is that my Cholesterol has increased 30 pts since last year- I'm practically vegan- only eating cheese on a rare ocassion, an active rock climber and road biker, and eat less cheese then last year, so it's a drastic increase. Also, my Triglyceride level was high- which I have never experienced before.
Also- about 4 months into using the ring I had an ovarian cyst pop in me. It was a random occurance that I ended up in the ER for and had never had anything like that occur before- can't say for-sure if it's related, but it was really scary and I couldn't move for about a month of my life.

I'm sorry so many of you have bad experiences with Adderall. My side effects went away in about two weeks.

The amphetamines in Adderall have been used for 70 years, so if they were that dangerous, they would not be around today and one of the top 10 most prescribed pediatric drugs in America.

To Spoiled Rotten,
Apparently you can't read all that well or don't know how to do research, maybe you should have been on Adderall as a kid. RITALIN, CONCERTA, FOCALIN, DAYTRANA are all Methylphenidate, which IS NOT AN AMPHETAMINE.

Be a Big BOY/GIRL and do your own research about these drugs. Real research, not a side-effects website where people who know nothing about the drugs themselves hear something from someone, who knows someone's sisters friend who ABUSED their medication.

ALL DRUGS can be bad. You can die of an aspirin overdose. It's how they are used. Adderall and Ritalin are "very safe" when used properly" (Driven To Distraction).

I'm sure 99 percent of you don't even know what ADDICTION really is. This is a huge health problem in America. Yes, the addictions, but MORE so the ignorance and stereotypes of people with them.

African American 47,
You DON'T just get addicted to a drug. You can BE DEPENDENT on a drug, and not an addict. Cancer patients take very large amounts of NARCOTIC pain killers and THEY ARE DEPENDENT on them. For pain relief and physical dependence. They DON'T crave the drugs though.

So with SPOILED rotten's philosophy, the 20,000,000 people on Adderall or Ritalin (NOT AN AMPHETAMINE, similar, but not the same thing) who's quality of life has been improved 100 fold just like mine. I would have benefited GREATLY from medication but did not get diagnosed until 3 months ago at the age of 24.

Medication IS NOT for everyone, as "it doesn't work very well for about 80% of people who take it." (Driven To Distraction, Dr Edward Hallowell).

IF anyone has questions about ADD read "Driven To Distraction". The Author(s) both have ADD themselves and are psychiatrists.

Too many people with ADD refuse medication because they think "oh no, I will get addicted", which is 99 percent of the time not the case for ADD. They miss out on at least an option that could help them immensely.

I am so irritated with the ignorance and lack of knowledge from people who bad mouth things they know really nothing about. It didn't work for me so I am going to demonize the drugs and spread lies that they turn kids into zombies and cause them to shoot up schools..........C'mon, you're how old? I'm probably 1/2 your age and I have twice the common sense.
I'm not saying your a bad parent Spoiled, but your NAME IS Spoiled....you seem to be on a high and mighty chair, and you seemingly have a very self centered mind. Doesn't work for you then it must be the work of the devil.

Learn how to do research, form educated opinions, maybe read a book. Use your rights as a patient to see a different doctor if you don't agree with one. Do something productive.

The first time I got on singulair, the effects were practically magical. My once severe allergies and asthma seemed to completely diminish, and in the springtime, I regained my sense of smell, which had always been compromised by severe nasal congestion. However, I did suffer some serious and frustrating side effects. I was unable to digest foods for the first few months, and had diarrhea nearly every day.

I am not starting it again this spring, and have noticed constant bloating and stomach discomfort, and have had some difficulty falling asleep in the last week or so. I'm not sure if I'll stay on it, since I've been feeling pretty sick with the side effects.

I have been on the Nuvaring for 8 months, and I finally got to the end of my rope tonight and removed it forever.

The biggest problem for me was the loss of sex drive. I didn't realy attribute it to the ring at first, but I now have almost no sex drive whatsoever. I almost loathe having sex with my boyfriend - I feel like it's a chore. When I do feel like I'm in th emood, my body sort of betrays me; I can't lubricate myself very well, and once we get started, I don't really feel "into it."

The other problems I hadn't really even considered were side effects of the ring, but here are some other things that have been bothering my life within the past 8 months: swollen breasts, intense lower back pain, total loss of energy. Much like the woman who posted before me, I used to be very physically active - I was running 15-20 miles a week, and since I started the ring, I have felt very lethargic. Running and exercise used to be a huge part of my life, and now I get to the gym once a week if at all and then I'm there, I don't feel the same energy I once had...

The lower back pain was indescribable. It was so terrible at one point that I had to take off work for two days because it kept me awake at night crying in pain. I practically lived with a heating pad on my back for two weeks because it was so terrible. When I went to the doctor, he found it strange that I couldn't attribute the pain to a particiular incident... I wonder now if it was a result of the ring.

But, as I said, I threw the towel in, so to speak, on the ring, mainly so my boyfriend and I can get back to a normal sex life. I will update in a few weeks when the hormones have worn off.

I got sick after a business trip and my doctor (not my regular) prescribed Levaquin for 10 days. I only took it for six before throwing the rest out. I had a three-day long migraine (I have never had a migraine before), insomnia, and horrible nightmares, none of which I had ever experienced before. The worst part of it is, it is now more than a month later, and although the migraine subsided, I'm stuck with the insomnia and nightmares when I do fall asleep...resulting in extreme fatigue, memory loss, and practically falling asleep at work! Needless to say, I am scared to drive, though I have to get to and from work. I am a non-smoker, non-drinker, 37-year-old working mom. I'm just hoping that these side effects end soon.

If anybody KNEW how relieved I am to read these messages.... you guys just don't know! I stopped taking yasmin 2 weeks ago because I gained 30 pounds on it in one year. I have stretch marks, total loss of confidence, everything. THEN, when I read your messages I was so relieved to find out that a lot of women got anxiety from them too. For the past year I have been nothing but anxiety. My heart beats fast, I felt short of breath almost everyday, I couldn't drink a cup of coffee without getting palpitations and jitters for an hour, I felt fatigue everyday, I couldn't even have a normal workout routine because I would get tired after 10 minutes. And the WHOLE time I thought it was something else. I had no idea that it could have possible been yasmin because everybody told me it was too low of a dose to do anything. I'm so glad I'm off of it but I'm getting hotflashes and I'm only 19. I hopoe it will be over in a few weeks so I can be normal again. By the way, did anybody else get hotflashes while getting off of Yasmin??

I was on Prednisone for about 4 weeks. 60mg/day first 2 weeks, followed by 40mg/day last 2 weeks. My dose was extremely high (only weighing 105lbs in the beginning) and i had extreme side effects! I gained 20lbs in the first week and a half, my face doubled in size, very depressed, and i got to the point i could only walk a couple of feet then the pain was just to intense! the last time i went to the doctor he didn't quite believe the extent of my side effects and - i quote "well your only on 10's just imagine if you had to take 40mg a day!" so i took my new scrip to the pharmacy and noticed that the new bottle said 20mg. i told the pharmacist that this is wrong i'm suppose to be taking 10mg twice a day.!? he then informs me i must be wrong - that i've always been on 20's (i started with 3 a day then worked down to 2 a day, now i was suppose to work down to one a day over the next 2 weeks!) i then call my dr and he tells me he made a mistake and we'll have to figure it out next week when i'm scheduled and to continue what i was taking!!! well if any of you have had the muscle pain from this drug its almost worse then having the problem you started with! (although i probably wouldn't have lived without it, it was driving me to a point that dying almost seemed better!) well i completely quit the day i found out i was taking double the dose my dr thought i was taking and it has been a month and a half since then. i still have constant muscle pain, stomach pain, and practically no immune system anymore! i don't know how long this will last....but i really hope it ends soon!!

I am 16 years old, i have ran long distance sine I was 11. I started my peroid when I was 12. In the beginnng of 2006 i didn't have my period for 3 or 4 months. then in april i got it again. but a week later i got it back for three days. the last day was May 2nd of 2006. and i haven't had it since and it's the end of december of this year. i went to the dr. and she took test, told me i was aniemic and and nothng else was the mater really. i took these pills but they didnot help me get my period back....at all! then i went to a dietition and she told me to eat this and that...i gained weight and i even practically stoppe running except maybe 3 times every 2 weeks. adn i still haven't gotten mt period. so my dietition thinks it has nothing to do with my eating and running....but we still do't know for sure. now i am go to a gynacologists.
some other symptoms i have been getting since about march or april:
i was told i have a slow heart rate because i run.
i get dizzy or more like lightheaded
sometimes breathing is a little difficult but i don't really think of that as a symptom...it just feels a little different then i have before all this.
sinc a bout a year or so i have been feeeling a sharp pain in by middle back by my lung sometimes when i lay down or even sleeping. it has woken me up before, too.
i hope all of this helps you so you can help me....please...i want some other people's experience and advice too!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!