Presence symptoms and conditions

I have been on Yasmin for two and a half months now. It was prescribed to me by my doctor as a means of treating 2 cyst that developed because of my endometriosis as a means of avoiding surgery. He put me on it for 3 months but because I forgot to start the second pack for 2 weeks I had to start the 3 month period all over. The first month I took Yasmin the side effects were minimal but since I started taking it in May I have gotten a constant vaginal itch and pain, my eye sight is blurry, stomach feels sick and I get stomach pains, neck pains, shoulder pains, leg pains and hip pains, pains in my face, little or no lubrication during intercourse, constantly have to urinate, stomach feels like its tightening and has gotten really big, gets short of breathe easily, bad headaches, I feel as though I would pass out any minute when I am standing or walking, I am disinterested in everything, I get nausea, I have lost all interest in sex, I feel bloated all the time, I have lost all taste in my mouth, feels very tired and fatigued all the time, I feel very sad for no reason. I keep feeling sick all the time and have lost interest in food. When I am sitting I feel the pains in my legs and hip even more. I am falling into a state of depression and it is beginning to show at work. I am also gaining a lot of weight, rapidly, and really don't know what to do about it because I am very careful with the things I eat, how they are cooked and the time I eat also and I do exercise. I really don't know if I should continue until I finish the 3 months to see if it works for me or if I should stop taking the Yasmin and ask my doctor to try something else. I just don't feel altogether right now.

Long term prescribed for Mycobacterium Chelonae. Seems to slowly diminish presence of this bad bug. Affects my vision slightly...blurry, increases fatigue.
J. Mar 31/09

I had excruciating muscle spasms in the legs when taking synthroid. My physicians argued that Synthroid or T4 was all that was needed because my body would produce T3. This simply is not accurate information for everyone. The muscle spasms became so severe that I went to the Cleveland Clinic in hopes of resolving this issue. This was a waste of time; the docs could only confirm the presence of muscle spasms in my legs and offered no other options. Finally, while reviewing all my lab reports and the related symptoms, I discovered that the muscle spasms only occurred when I was taking synthroid for hypothyroidism. I switched to Armour thyroid and the muscle spasms ceased. I urge everyone with hypothyroidism to find a doctor that can think outside the box.

Hello Everyone,

Reading your stories has brought tears to my eyes. I have received my first shot two months ago, on October 20th. Since October 24, I have had nothing but struggle. I am 25 years old and have been in good health my entire life. The only thing I have ever had a struggle with was UTIs, approximately 2 times a year. However, they were gone with the first dose of antibiotics, within 24 hours. Couple of years ago, my gynecologist had completely cured me from that annoying disease through a course of medication that I took for two months. That was not a very easy process but I was free at last. I did not have a care in the world. However, my nightmare came back after the first Gardasil shoot. Exactly three days later, I woke up with severe pains in my lower abdomen, as well as all the other common symptoms of a UTI. Honestly, being as careful as I always have been with UTIs, I did not put Gardasil and this infection together. I went to my doctor. She tested me for a UTI, said I had a small presence of bacteria in my urine, and released me with a prescription for Macrobid. After a week of taking the meds, things were not looking up. It has been two months, and things have not gotten better. About two weeks ago I started searching for other causes of this pain that is resisting going away. I have been on three courses of antibiotics and going back to my doc tomorrow, after coming across this discussion. I have never experienced pain like this before, having considered myself a veteran of UTIs. I thank you for sharing your stories and advise everyone to think twice about having these shots or taking your children. I am not going back for another dose of this nightmare! I don't even know when I will feel normal again. Everyday starts with a thought: "Will I feel pain when I go to the bathroom today?" I am now completely sure that Gardasil had everything to do with my recent condition.

Why does Singulair cause these symptoms? I am going to give my explanation which is only a HYPOTHESIS. This should not be categorized as any thing but an educated guess. This is not backed by scientific research because nobody will do any research that would appear to anger
Merck even if people are suffering in the thousands.

1. The original research that preceded the development of Singulair (montelukast) seemed to focus on the theory that asthma was caused by an unusual immune response to certain pathological stimulus. There are many references to the observation that a high percentage of asthma sufferers are people whose asthma is caused by fungus. Many people suffer from asthma and are told that they are allergic to dust mites. Dust mites can live only because the fungus aspergillus pre-digests the
food source that dust mites can then absorb. Other sources of fungus occur in the home due to dampness or problems with wood rot.

2. The body's immune system fights certain categories of pathogens such as bacteria and fungus by creating nitric oxide which kills them at the site where they try to enter the body. The mast cell is the immune cell that is responsible for the production of nitric oxide. Mast cells are found in the skin, airways, intestines etc. The mast cell is capable of many different types of biochemical functions that are designed to signal other cells or other chemical responses. When the mast cell knows that pathogens
are present and nitric oxide is NOT produced, then it signals other immune cells to be sent to the site of the infection. Thus in the case of asthma, it is known that excessive numbers of eosinophils appear in the airways and these cells create inflammation.

3. Singulair was developed for asthma and later allowed to be prescribed for other reasons. I believe that montelukast probably creates a source of nitric oxide that prevents the mast cell from signalling for other immune cells to arrive at the source of infection. I arrived at that conclusion from studying the chemical structure of montelukast, the chemical structure of the gene cysLT1 receptor, and the chemical structure of the cell wall of fungus which would be what the mast cell uses to determine "what to do in order to kill the fungus."

The researchers who invented montelukast first had to clone the gene-cysLT1 receptor meaning that they had to be able to identify the gene and replicate it. Then by trial and error they had a find a "chemical"
that would bind (connect chemically) to the cysLT1 receptor. The theory would be that montelukast would take the place of the fungus or other pathogen and thus prevent the gene from reacting to produce the
responses that the sick patient with asthma produced. Merck says in the literature that montelukast binds with the cysLT1 receptor in order to prevent the mast cell from signalling the eosinophils to arrive in excessive
numbers that cause inflammation. I believe that montelukast is also causing the production of an amount of nitric oxide that is actually killing the pathogens that are present. For one thing, I would think that it
would be dangerous to incapacitate the immune system in that way without providing a way to kill the pathogens. I don't believe that the asthma response is just allergies to something like dust. Pollen from trees and flowers is loaded with fungus spores.

4. IF, IF, IF, montelukast does actually produce nitric oxide, then it does so by binding with the gene. Any place in the body where a molecule of montelukast encounters the cysLT1 receptor (a gene) then the corresponding molecules of nitric oxide are produced before the liver enzymes break the montelukast molecules up. Nitric oxide is TOXIC and
INFLAMMATORY. So let's look at the symptoms in regard to the location of the cysLT1 receptors. The location of these symptoms would not be places in the body where the mast cells normally encounter fungus or bacteria. The cysLT1 also has other functions in that it communicates with the cysLT2 receptors. Obviously, nitric oxide
should not be produced in these locations because of the signalling effect of nitric oxide on other physiological functions.

a. intestinal pain - the cysLT1 receptors are located in the small intestines
b. leg pain actually caused by vasculitis - cysLT1 receptors are found inside blood vessels- consistent with the fact that montelukast causes
Churg-Strauss
c. some people who didn't have asthma develop asthma - the cysLT1 receptors are in the airways
d. nightmares, depression, neurological damage - when montelukast penetrates the blood brain barrier probably due to unusual conditions of blood pH or electrolyte imbalance then nitric oxide in the brain causes neuron damage and excitoxicity

5. Why do some patients not experience side effects? Probably because genetically they are completely compatible with the model that researchers created when they cloned the cysLT1 receptor gene. I didn't not find any information about whether researchers knew that there are many different variations of this gene.

6. IF, my theory is even close to being correct, then why doesn't Merck do anything about researching these side effects. Maybe because nobody in the company knows how this drug works but the researchers who created it. All of the Merck literature is very vague about any biochemical information.

Again, this is just speculation and hypothesis. I have made an attempt to put this in simplistic language and therefore sacrifice scientific accuracy. But, I think that you will get the point.

SINGULAIR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS. DOCTORS SHOULD JUST REALIZE THAT
THOSE PATIENTS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MODEL FOR THE DRUG.

4 months ago started on preastatin 20mg increased within 1 month to 40mg; could not stand up without help; stopped statins at that time. CPK done 157, this was done to show me I wasn't in danger of rhabdomylysis, I continue to suffer with swelling R leg and severe pain. Leg is still swollen 4 months later.....I am professional RN in ICU ,,can't really do my job as necessary...Should I file for disability; or does someone have an answer to provide relief for this malady???

Yes, I have been taking Vytorin 10/40 for about 10 months, and it did reduce my cholesterol and triglycerides to 'normal', however, I slowly developed (initially) some 3 months back, problems in my left solder, diagnosed eventually as 'rotator cuff' ligament damage, however, it came on slowly and progressively worsened. I had not done anything strenuous to develop such a condition. It became so bad that I was basically redd to using my right arm. On top of this, the muscles in my lower arms became sore and felt strained even lifting a glass of water was painful. My Doctor was informed of increasing on-going muscle problems, did an emzine muscle test, which turned out to be 'clear'. And I also lost my sexual drive gradually.
I went off taking Vytorin a week ago on my own gut feeling, and my arm muscles and left shoulder have improved. I am also hoping no permanent damage. I am moving to a much higher exercise regime to 'burn' cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, and in the mean time look for 'natural' solutions as well.
I am not impressed with the medical responses I got, along with miss-diagnosed muscle / tendon supposed 'rotator cuff' serious problem that developed in my left shoulder, which I suspect may never be the same functionally. I recommend looking at other alternatives and natural remedies, this is my course of action. MM

Concerned citizen!!!
Just had to share the news! 3 months after stopping singulair and taking omega 3 (for last 3 months) has resulted in my 6yrs olds cholesterol going down from 236 to 202! Absolutely no diet change, in fact he has been eating worse due to throat condition/tonsils. Makes me go HMMMMM!!!

Below is the latest ADR report on Singulair from the United Kingdom. I deleted side effects reports by very small numbers of patients in order to keep the post briefer. This shows the total number of reports since Singulair was approved in the UK.

I don't know the total number of prescriptions for Singulair in the UK. It is considered expensive.

Drug Analysis Print
Drug name: MONTELUKAST
Drug name: MONTELUKAST Report type: Spontaneous
Report run date: 13-May-2008 Report origin: UNITED KINGDOM
Data lock date: 09-May-2008 08:00:02 PM Route of admin: ALL
Period covered: 01-Jul-1963 to 09-May-2008 Reporter type: ALL
Earliest reaction date: 01-Jan-1997 Reaction: ALL

Cardiac disorders-TOTAL 64
Palpitations 29
Myocardial infarction 6
Tachycardia 6
Diarrhoea 84
Dyspepsia 24
Abdominal pain 98
Abdominal pain upper 22
Nausea 84
Vomiting 52
Dry mouth 15
Asthenia 13
Fatigue 45
Malaise 32
Sudden death 1
Pyrexia 10
Chest discomfort 12
Feeling abnormal 16
Influenza like illness 17
Irritability 18
Drug interaction 13
Chest pain 13
Arthralgia 59
Myalgia 38
Muscle spasms 24
Pain in extremity 14
Balance disorder 10
Lethargy 16
Somnolence 23
Psychomotor hyperactivity 25
Headache 221
Dizziness 68
Neuropathy peripheral 7
Convulsion 6
Epilepsy 7
Dysgeusia 7
Hypoaesthesia 6
Tremor 18
Nervous system disorders TOTAL 526
Abnormal behaviour 13
Agitation 12
Anxiety 18
Aggression 30
Depression 23
Insomnia 58
Abnormal dreams 12
Nightmare 49
Hallucination 21
Sleep disorder 15
Psychiatric disorders TOTAL 364
Asthma 36
Allergic granulomatous angiitis 43
Angioedema 12
Swelling face 12
Erythema 13
Pruritus 32
Rash pruritic 17
Rash 55
Urticaria 33

TOTAL NUMBER OF REACTIONS 2841
TOTAL NUMBER OF FATAL ADR REPORTS* 19
TOTAL NUMBER OF ADR REPORTS* 1489

Now a new side effect, I have posted other side effects that were enough to get off the remicade. I went in and had another surgery because the side effects of this drug was killing me.{see other effects I posted under Jbill} So now the Doctors are looking into Brain damage. I am going to have a MRI done to see if this is a reality, I feel as though I have lost my wits. this is not something that I came up with, it is starting to show up in others and is talked about among the doctors that treat us. I used remicade for approx 4 years and feel like it is a dangerous drug. It can work pretty good but would not take it on a regular basis. I will not take it again.

My 5yr old daughter was prescribed Singulair in Early March of 2008. The first week she was on it she was marching around her humidifier completely oblivious to our presence in her room. Other evenings she would wake up crying saying she had really bad dreams or we would hear bizzare talking in her room! Talk about creepy! We have never had these issues EVER! The doctor told us that the medicine can cause bizzare dreams so we started to take it in the morning after breakfast. A few more weeks on the drug we noticed an angry, impatient and then sad child. She started saying things like I feel sad inside but could not tell us what was bothering her. She would just say I feel sad. My husband and I got really concerned and the only medication she was on was Singulair. My husband went online to look up information and saw postings. We immediately took her off and she has been off of it for about 2 1/2 weeks and is a brand new child! She sleeps at night, she has fun at school with her friends and all seems normal again. Just wanted to share our story!

My beautiful 11 year old daughter was on Adderall XR 20 mg per day for 4 years. After about 2 years she started to develop some minor facial tics. After 3 years the facial tics were worse along with severe head shaking and she also started to develop trichotillomania (obsessive compulsive hair pulling). The hair pulling continued until she was almost bald. Her grades began to drop and she withdrew herself from her friends and family. Finally, we took her off the medication in October 2007 at age 12 and she immediately stopped the tics and hair pulling. We have found 3 other families whose daughters have developed these same symptoms after being on this medication for at least 2 years. We have filed a report with the FDA as our own doctor had no idea that this medication was causing the hair pulling. Now 5 months later her hair is growing and the tics are approximately 97% gone. We have taken her to a homeopathic doctor and she is doing absolutely great now. Marks have gone up and she is smiling and socializing. I am so happy we have our daughter back. The side effects of this drug was definitely not work it.

im tore all to pieces my 22 month old had a sandpaper feeling type rash thats been there 4 2 weeks . a few days prior to the rash he had a slight caugh and stuffy nose. his dr said it was a viral rash. then a few days later developed a temp of 103. we took him back to the ped. she said he had a upper respitory infection and fluid in his left ear, she prescibed omnicef. the rash seems to be more prominent now. im very worried. she did a cbc and the white count was 15000 and the platelets were slightly elevated. she wasnt worried though and said it was a viral rash, let it run its course. so? i dont know if i should be worried or not>help

Reynauds (cold hands & feet), weight gain, joint pain, just plain feeling lousy! Over two years had gradually ramped up from 12.5 to 50 mg.. Since January tapering down, presently at 12.5 mg., on the way to zero.

As of this writing, it hasn't hit the main stream media in the U.S. yet, but earlier today the Brittish press was reporting the fact that in the U.K., doctors are being told to STOP prescribing Beta Blockers. Toporol is a Beta blocker.

Almost everyone corresponding here (including me) apparently has had problems with Toporol. But before whipping out their prescription pads, how many of your doctors have ever asked you anything about your diet, and things like stress in your life which effect your own individual requirements for nutrients and trace minerals??? Probably next to none, because nutrition has not been a part of their medical training.

I am not going to claim anything more than the following might be something you ought to look into.
By any chance has your doctor ever suggested that you take calcium? Even if they haven't, in recent years, calcium has become the darling of the supplement and food industry. Calcium enriched this, and calcium fortified that; it's become a food industry mantra. Calcium is good and very necessary, but simply taking Calcium is not enough. Ca needs helpers if it is even going to do YOU any good. Calcium needs the presence of Magnesium in the proper balance. It also needs the presence of the sunshine Vitamin D. It also needs an acid environment to be properly absorbed. Minerals frequently work in tandem. An excess in one mineral can cause a deficit in another.

Anything in the form of a pill, capsule, tablet, or caplet is something that I dispise having to take. But two days ago, when I woke up in the early morning noticing an attention getting arrythmia, I recognized that I had been neglecting what I shouldn't have been for too long. I got up and took a dose of Ca, balanced with a dose of Mg in the ratio of 2:1, and within a couple hours, there was no further fluttering, and I haven't noticed any irregular fluttering since. Just remember, whatever the cause of my heart's hop, skip, and jump may not be the same cause as that of your's.

Basicly, the heart is a muscular pump whose action is regulated by electrically charged minerals in solution called electrolites. When those electrolites are out of balance, it doesn't work like it should. Period.

Back in the sixties it was noticed that people living in hard water regions (high levels of Ca & Mg in their water supply) had less heart disease. Those living in soft water regions (lacking minerals), had more heart disease. This is not rocket science.

Don't know which is worse, the complete blockage in my sinuses, or the Biaxin. This is the second course of antibiotics I've taken this month to cure it and this antibiotic is the worst.....metallic taste in mouth that never goes away and wakes me up at night to remind me of it's every lasting presence, diarrhea, constant upset stomach (like I'm hungry, but not), yeast infection - the only upside to it is that my moods are better (not worse). I only have 2 more days to go. My provider told me to reduce my Biaxin to 1 perday instead of two (to cut out the metallic taste), but I'm just gonna suck it up and finish the meds. Sounds like others have similar complaints about the drug....which they could fix the metallic taste and the diarrhea - then I'd be happy.

In the evenings, my legs become exceedingly heavy feeling as I try to walk around the house or whatever. Also, I feel a hyperactive presence although my pulse and heartbeat don't necessarily rise. I also experience some angina. I am mainly concerned with the heaviness in my hamstrings and the body rush.
I am also on plavix, ace inhibitors (metoprolol), beta blockers (enalapril) and prevacid.
I had a heart attack July 5 and have been on this medication since then.
Thank you for a response.
jerry tuckwin

After a heart attack in Jan, 2004, I was put on 5 mg of Lisinopril for bp and relaxing of the blood vessels. From Jan-April I had a bad back-ache. For the most part, it has since gone away. Since Jan. I have had numbess in my left leg and a constant dripping nose. Since Sept. I have had a burning in my chest. I thought it was the beginnings of bronchitis but after reading this web-site I'm sure it is the Lisinopril. It is a constant presence, worse in the morning after taking the medication. So far I can deal with the side effects but am worried now that a new one has appeared. Will it ever end?