May 3th
2009
6:07 PM
I am a part-time professional singer and attorney. I developed an odd cough-variant asthma this winter at age 42 -- it had scary breath shortness and wheezing plus lots of phlegm coughed up. I had never before had the shortness/wheezing/asthma, though I have always had allergies and occasional bronchitis following a cold. The asthma/allergy specialists put me on Advair 500 twice a day with each attack, plus an oral prednisone burst/short taper, nebulized (not just rescue inhaler) albuterol (beta 2 agonist), and antibiotics (a different one each time). I also take Claritin, Rhinocort and Astelin for my allergies. I had four attacks of asthma this winter that were treated this way; after the fourth, they put me on Advair 250 maintenance for a month. With each attack, I would get hoarse, have trouble sleeping, and get odd muscle cramps I never had had. The hoarseness was worse each time, but I was able to sing through it at my regular gigs. I attributed the side effects to the prednisone. With my fifth attack, they told me to ramp up the Advair to 500 and do all else the same, but as an experiment to see how this would alter those side effects, I decided to treat it with everything but the prednisone. The hoarseness, sleep trouble, and muscle cramps were all much worse. I found this site, noted the recommendation of several other singers to try Asmanex instead of Advair, and asked the docs about it. They agreed that all these symptoms could be related to the Advair and gave me Asmanex 250 twice/day instead instead of the Advair, plus all the other meds for the attack. The symptoms went away within a week, although it took a little longer for me to get over the asthma attack this time. I am extremely grateful to this site and all the users posting comments. I can sing again, sleep again, and exist without weird muscle cramps during treatment of my asthma. Thank you very much.
-- By jgoldsbo | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
January 17th
2009
11:24 AM
Having breathing problems since taking yaz?-- I have been reading all the postings on ladies having breathing problems. It has been maybe 7 years ago now, but I feel a necessity to share my story. I had been on Yaz for 2 months. I became short of breath to the point I could not walk across the room without having to sit down. My primary dr did an EKG and immediately had me rushed to the ER for test. I was sent to different specialist and over $10K in test were done within a week. By this time I WAS ON OXYGEN! They ran blood work, test on my heart, lungs and checked my legs for blood clots. I ask my GYN if it could be the Yaz. (the only med I was taking) and he said no- never heard of such. I took it upon myself to stop taking it and guess what!---I immediately was better. I turned my oxygen tanks in, doctor's never diagnosed me and I never heard from them again. I am 34 and have always been healthy with the exception of this incident which praise God was resolved "in time".
However, I would like to share that I now have a Mirena. The first 5 years was great, I had it replaced in May 08 and I believe this second one is not agreeing with me. I bled for 5 months, have a very heavy feeling in the bottom on my stomach, lower back pain, & fatigue. My appt is Jan 29th to have it removed. ******
June 10th
2008
5:55 PM
PRAISE GOD for all of the stories shared on this site. And I've only read page one. My husband called me back today to say that he "googled" Singulair and found some interesting things (to say the least). While we were on the phone, my three-year-old was in the throes of another meltdown, kicking me, hitting me, throwing whatever he could get his hands on. My older two boys, 8 and 12, were ordered, once again, to lock themselves in their rooms to avoid being hurt by him. He will throw stuff, bite, hit, kick, and, at times, spit on us. This disturbing behavior is rather constant lately. He is like a mad man. Very scary.
Caleb has been on Singulair since about age 1, when he was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Unfortunately, we initially equated his rages with the onset of "terrible two's" and dismissed his behavior to a chorus of "oh, he's just a boy!" My husband felt, at times, that I was just not disciplining him properly. I intuitively knew, having raised two other boys, that this behavior was abnormal, even for severe tantrums. We received a variety of suggestions from his pediatrician, caregivers, and grandparents, all to no avail. We have several calm days but things always deteriorate back to insanity. He is VERY unpredictable.
Last Thanksgiving, Caleb (age 3) was kicked out of his daycare setting for biting and hitting. Once I witnessed him run as fast as he could into a group of playing children, falling on them, kicking them. He would walk up to sweet little girls half his size and push them down as hard as he could. It was a nightmare. My husband had to take 3 weeks of leave to stay home with him while we prayed and searched for new care. We had him evaluated and he was staffed into the "developmentally delayed" program in our school district (for poor adaptive skills and personal/social behaviors). We recently had his tonsils removed, hoping that some of the sinusitis symptoms and behaviors would improve. They really haven't. This past week we have been looking into the Feingold diet. We have been PRAYING for answers. The last time we spoke with his developmental neurologist, he recommended a trial of Risperdol (sp?). We feel like more meds would be like a band-aid, not a solution. But his rage is becoming unbearable.
So, that brings us to today. I was so moved by your accounts. Unlike so many of you, we don't have much of a "before" to go by. But his "after" sounds VERY much like what you have all described. It's probably the pure rage that I see on his face that is the scariest part. And at the same time he seems desperate and vulnerable. He truly seems to snap. If we had pool chairs, I can just picture him throwing them (citing another post :).
We are going to throw the Singulair away. He will never, ever have it again. Even if this isn't the cause of his problems, I certainly don't want to exacerbate any behaviors with this toxic medicine. I will post again just to let anyone who's interested know if this changes his behavior. I am praying that my entry will help someone else, just as all the other postings have helped me. I have renewed hope.
I have copied many of your comments to a Word document. I will be sharing it with a high ranking officer at the medical clinic/hospital on Keesler Air Force Base. I hope that he will discuss this with his staff and that perhaps we can at least make a difference here. I, too, will be filing a report with the FDA. I can only pray that this medicine has not permanently altered his developing brain.
-- By calebsmom | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
February 22th
2008
8:51 PM
I have been on 40mg/day of Lipitor for 5-6 months and this is how I feel: totally drained - no energy at all - horrible lower back pain - I've been in physical therapy for the past 6 weeks. My neck muscles, back muscles and hip muscles were in constant spasms. Right after beginning Lipitor I woke up with vertigo and still have the dizziness. I was convinced that I must have some horrible disease and was dying at age 47. I stopped taking Lipitor 3 weeks ago and starting taking fish oil, vitamin c, coq10, b vitamin, daily vitamin - the muscle spasms are a little better - still have lower back pain, brain fog, some dizziness. I am so tired all the time - it's so difficult to work a full time job right now. Has anyone else had these same symptoms? Does anyone know how soon I should start to feel better?
-- By angie1961 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
February 22th
2008
2:28 PM
My poor 6 yr. old daughter has been taking this awful medicine since December. She has been complaining of stomach pain, headaches and not being able to breath. I called my doctor a few weeks ago to see if it could be from the Singulair she was on.. they told me "probably not". During her dance class she had to sit down because her stomach hurt so bad. I was writing everything down that she was eating (we have an appt. w/an allergist in 2 weeks.) .. thinking maybe she has food allergies now. She is constantly trying to clear her throat and telling me she felt like something was still coming down her throat. Until I found this site, I had no idea why she was behaving this way. I started putting blankets down on my husband and my floor because of her "bad dreams". This little pumpkin has always been an awesome sleeper, but at least 3x's a week comes running down the hall crying about her nightmares. I walked into my docs today with a print out of Merck's own website listing the side effects of this horrible med. She looked at me and said "you get the credit for diagnosis on this Mom!".. Praise God He led me to this website! My poor daughter will playfully start to feel better now that we have taken her off this junk!
-- By tammy3 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 21th
2008
11:48 AM
Thanks for all these posts! My 4 year old daughter has a history of allergies which have in the past led to sinus infections and bronchitis. We used Xopenex and Pulmicort with the nebulizer along with Vazobid and Delsym and cleared up the bronchitis during Christmas 2007, but her pediatrician suggested her taking Singulair as a preventive medication for her allergies. This medication has turned our household upside down. She has taken it every night for 3 weeks and the side effects are the same as others have posted.......aggressive behavior, severe defiance to simple tasks, nightmares, stomach cramps, wetting accident at school (first time ever), weight gain, bruising, and vomiting. When told "no" she replies with wanting to kick me and tells me she doesn't want me as a mom anymore. The devilish behavior is intolerable. She was never like this before she started taking Singulair, and I am so thankful that I found this website quickly enough to put 2 and 2 together, and I am taking her off of it TODAY!!!
-- By vigsmith | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
February 15th
2008
11:18 PM
I took tetracycline in 1986 and shortly after had a massive brain aneurysm that I believe was triggered by this drug.I advise strongly that this medication and others in the tetracycline family be recalled and taken out of existence.I am very blessed to be alive and the F.D.A. is admittedly not doing it's job.PRAISE GOD this site exists! The poor #%stards,they've got us surrounded!
-- By irisherin | Reply | Private Message me
December 5th
2007
12:28 PM
We took our 16 year old son to Urgent Care as he was very sick and a high fever. The Urgent Care doctor prescribed Levaquin 500 mg. After the 2nd pill my son could not speak clearly, his jaw was very strangely crooked and he could not hold it in place, his face muscles were twitching, I was so scared I thought he was having a stroke!!! I rushed him to ER and the doctor said they could not believe that a doctor prescribed this to a minor as that is illegal without a parent consent!!!! This drug is NOT to be give to minors and I cant believe that the Urgent Care doctor did not tell us that along with any side effects it may have. I know I should be informed myself, but when we rush our child to the Urgent Care because he is sick, we trust the doctor when he prescribes just an antibiotic!!!! I am wayyyyyyyy more upset and mad that the doctor did not mention AT ALL that this drug IS NOT TO BE GIVEN TO MINORS WITHOUT A PARENT CONSENT. If we had knows this we would not take a chance on it. I would want a normal antibiotic that my son has taken before. If it is harmful to kids, I don't recommend an adult take it. Children are not done gowning and all kinds of things could have happend to my son. I was never more scared of anything in my entire life, my son was crying cause all the SUDDEN he could not talk and his face was all distorted.... so scary. PRAISE GOD that my son is all better now except for a cold, still and he is very athletic and seems to be getting better with no aches or pains. The ER doctor did recommend Benadryl and when my son took this his symptoms went down and the drug was out of his system in 2 days. I know he will be great as that is what we PRAY for but I thought this was very good info to pass along. If anyone experiences these symptoms you now know someone who has been through it and what the ER doctor recommend for us. Take care, please be healthy....
-- By awefuldrug | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
December 4th
2007
2:54 AM
As I write this, I'm on my fourth day taking Levaquin 500 mg. prescribed by my doctor for severe nasal congestion, sore throat, difficult cough. I have bouts like this on a yearly basis that start around Thanksgiving till late spring. I do remember taking Levaquin before though didn't notice anything bad (yet). As I read through different messages, I now come to realize that maybe I should go back and check the time I took Levaquin because I've been suffering from so much muscle aches and pains for a quite a very long time now. Since I started taking Lipitor 3 years ago, I'm inclined to think my pains were due to side effects of Lipitor. That's just another issue.
As of yesterday afternoon, on the third day of taking Levaquin, I was informed by my pharmacist that I OVERDOSED since Friday and Saturday by 2000 mg. I was prescribed 500 mg. one tablet per day. Whoever typed "Take one tablet every day by mouth after meals" in the pharmacy must have too many "ssss" in their pockets. "After a meal or after meals" are definitely not the same, don't you all agree? I didn't just read the label and followed instructions as I understood it. The pharmacist confirmed what I read back to him as typed. I thought pharmacists know how a certain drug should be taken. But that's another story to tell. I'm too concerned learning about the bad effects of Levaquin for me to find time and question a pharmacist integrity.
I called my doctor first thing today and told them of this oversight (should it be mine or the pharmacist?). I was told to continue with the medication and call them how I'd feel in a couple of days. So I took just one tablet today. That was easy.
Now after reading all these different bad things happening to people taking Levaquin, I am thinking of the future. Should I be worried about the bad side effects of Levaquin taken exactly as prescribed? What about those 2 days of overdose? I guess, I have to find that out myself in due time as I will not stop from finding out more about this drug.
I don't think I will continue taking this drug tomorrow. I don't know what will happen but I'm sure my doctor will find a way to fix my upper respiratory problems. He must have heard about other patients complaining about Levaquin. I will make sure he will take my opinion seriously.
To all of your valuable inputs and opinions and warnings about the harsh effects of Levaquin, thank you very much and may you continue on passing to one and all your valuable insights. Count me in!!!!!
Tomorrow will be a new day and I will be on my toes making sure I will fight the harsh side effects as early as I could. I know it will be worth the fight if I kick these damaging effects at its early stage, hoping I will be lucky to do so.
God Bless to all!
-- By luv5057 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 29th
2007
4:44 AM
I began 50 mg Toprol XL 2 years ago then reduced to 25 mg when palps and blood pressure normalized. Had trouble sleeping. Back in August, I began taking the generic version Metoprolol. One day I couldn't feel my index finger and thumb on right hand and immediate began to worry. I also began feeling depressed and was having terrible panic attacks. Sleeping was non-existent. Also, my chest felt as if it was on fire. Throat closed up and had difficulty breathing. Went to Walgreens nurse and she looked at me funny and said it was allergies to try Claritin and Flonase. DID NOT HELP! Went to the Dr. and he too chalked that up to allergies and gave me a shot. That relieved the breathing symptoms but nothing else. He told me numbness was tendonitis and gave me a "pretty brace." Numbness and tingling did not improve in fact went into other arm which caused me alarm. I went to chiropractor for help...nice massages but still numbness! Then my hands and feet started going cold...I'd had it. Went back to Dr and he put me on Xanax for panic attacks, told me I was depressed and need to see a psychiatrist for mood altering meds. I was ready to slug him! The numbness and tingling are insane! The Dr. to appease me switched me back to Toprol XL...no relief then tried Atenolol. The thing is for a few days while the insurance was figuring out what to pay for, I didn't take meds and began improving. Tried Atenolol and symptoms came right back. Called Dr and was told to just stop altogether...no weaning. Terrible tightness in chest could not breathe...miserable and scary. The next day I got a little better. Sleep improved somewhat but still having trouble with muscles tingling in feet up to knees and muscle cramping in right calve and for arms. Wondering how long this stuff stays in system. Seems to me I should be done...I have been off 17 days and am looking for relief for muscles symptoms...also looking for new Dr...anyone out there know how long this stuff hangs out in your muscles and stuff?????
-- By vkb719 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 7th
2007
10:31 PM
I've been on Biaxin for bronchitis for four days now, following a trip to the ER for breathing problems. I thought it was allergies. The first two days weren't too bad except for the extreme thirst and not being able to sleep (and the gas). If I happened to go to sleep I would have weird dreams and wake up again. I don't know if was the Biaxin or the hydrocodone cough syrup. With the third day, I couldn't think straight and I couldn't remember words. Could be lack of sleep, I guess. Conversations were difficult. I felt spacey. At the same time, I felt like I was on fast-forward: hurry up, hurry up, gotta go, gotta go, gotta get it done, faster, faster! This is the fourth day. I'm still on fast-forward and still dizzy and spacey. My blood pressure is up and my heart rate is down. My pulse is 55. It's time for another dose, but I'm not taking it. In fact, I'm going off all my meds except the blood pressure pills in case it's a drug interaction that's not mentioned. I'll call my own doctor in the morning and talk to him. I trust him more than the anonymous ER doc.
-- By sweetdonna926 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
August 6th
2007
5:40 AM
I am 52 years old. Omnicef was prescribed to me for an ear and sinus infection. I took the medication for five of the ten days prescribed. Praise God, I did not take the remaining five days. Otherwise, I believe I would be in the hospital! I missed three days of work due to non-stop diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and rumbling, muscle and joint pain. I cannot begin to describe the pain this medication causes. It was been 17 days since my first dose of this horrific drug and I am still having stomach issues. PLEASE THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS DRUG! I WILL NEVER TAKE IT AGAIN.
-- By rosera | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 21th
2006
10:16 AM
I have only been on this for about 5 days and I just came from the eye doctor because I had very blurred vision, after looking at me eyes He was concerned of more than a migraine. Possibly swelling behind the eyes wich is called "Adema" part of a side effect on Ovcon. My breasts have been extremely tender and HUGE! A little moodiness and anxiety have also been associated. I am going to see my obgyn today and let Him know what the eye doctor reported.
Praise God He heals us and Comforts us Through His Son Jesus Christ.
September 13th
2005
1:20 PM
Update on 26 yr old daughter who had taken omnicef after sinus surgery. Returned to her surgeon for followup. Given 5th prescription for side effects. Was told to never take Omnicef again due to severe complications. He said it was a great drug, but it doesn't work well for everyone. Praise God that she is beginning to feel a little better. She said the reaction to the drug was so much worse than the sinus surgery.
-- By kk | Reply | Private Message me
May 20th
2005
7:03 PM
I am a 40 year old female who was diagnosed with asthma at age 10. I have been in and out of the hospital , whether emergency visits, or 2 week stays all my life. I found a new doctor who put me on Advair maybe 4 years ago. It has changed my life! I no longer suffer from asthma! I haven't had to use my albuterol but 3 times a year if that! I have only gained 10 pounds. It feels so wonderful to be able to breathe again, that the small weight seems to be an easy trade-off. I am so sorry for the amount of people on here who have found alot of problems with this medication! I am here to let people who haven't tried this know that it can and does work for some of us out here. Praise God!
-- By suzanne906 | Reply | Private Message me
January 6th
2004
7:05 PM
Zyprexa has helped to "calm the storm" that I felt in my head. I have more energy, and I am doing more chores around the house. The only negative side effects that have me scared are nightmares and sleepwalking, which I've never done until starting this drug. Also, I have gained 20 pounds in a month. It is difficult to deal with but not as difficult as what I was dealing with before starting this drug. "PRAISE GOD!"
-- By rtbanw5 | Reply | Private Message me
July 18th
2003
7:07 PM
I am taking 40 millagrams of geodon in the a.m. and 40 at night. after about 3 to 4 hours of taking it I become extremely drousy and can't keep my eyes open. I take it for ocd, and I found out today my doctor is going to increase it to 80 millagrams a.m and p.m. She also said that the side effects tend to lessson on higher dosages and are more severe on lower dosages, that seems weird but if that's the case(I'll find out tommorow) praise god.
-- By malachi743 | Reply | Private Message me
Singulair (3) Advair HFA (2) Levaquin (2) Omnicef (2) Ovcon (1) Tetracycline Hydrochloride (1) Zyprexa (1) Biaxin (1) Toprol-XL (1) Lipitor (1) Geodon (1) Yasmin (1) Loestrin 24 Fe (1)
July 13th
2009
7:04 PM
Hi-First, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has posted here. I appreciate your openness. I'm almost 38, have 3 little girls & a boy in heaven, and am almost done with my 3rd month with Loestrin. I almost quit during the 2nd month because of how it changed my life, but my doctor encouraged me to just stick it out for 3 whole months before deciding, and things should level off. So far, she's pretty right. I felt like I was pregnant basically. I was totally green both months but did not get sick. I was totally fatigued, and it was hard to function daily, especially with homeschooling 3 children. And, the biggest symptom is that it ERADICATED COMPLETELY, my sex drive! That was a big part of my husband's and my relationship and it was gone the day after my first pill. We were devastated. It has put a huge strain on our marriage. But, when I started this 3rd pack, I had my energy back and am no longer tired. I have no nausea at all. And, I can feel myself slowly inching toward wanting to have sex again. Yea! So, we'll see.:-) I had no other symptoms like spotting, headaches, or night sweats, Praise God. I haven't been on birth control pills since 1995, so, I feel a little out of the loop with all these new ones. But, so far, Loestrin is doing ok.-Melissa
-- By melissa37 | Reply | Private Message me