October 29th
2007
9:48 AM
I started taking NIASPAN last Wednesday night 500mg and on Thurday night I awoke at 330am feeling like I was on FIRE. My whole body was burning and my skin was turning redder and redder by the minute. I jumped in the cold shower and stayed there for 45 min. I then started getting the shakes and very rapid heartbeat and my tongue was purple. I advised my doctor that I will not take this medicine and proceeded to throw it out. Can you imagine the long term affects of this medicine. How can a rapid heartbeat and burning feeling be actually good for you. I AM OFF THIS MEDICINE AND ADVISE anyone else to think twice about going on it.
-- By eddie212 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 19th
2007
5:29 AM
In June I found out I had actue renal failure. One of the many medications I was given was prednisone. After a few weeks I grew so weak, tired and in a lot of pain. I even had to take a medical leave from work(4 months).
I was told to expect the moon face, hunchback, the acne..However, my sypmptoms worsened to point I didn't want to eat(lost 30 lbs) could hardly move and had to be hospitalized(almost went on dialysis). They flushed me out for a week at the hospital and avoided dialysis.
Once out of the hospital I proceeded to keep the weight off, but the side effects just mounted. I had thrush in the mouth(the worst feeling), sleeplessness, I had every side effect listed and I mean all with the exception of hallucinations and depression. The miracle was that what I was expecting weight gain, moon face did not happen.
Around September my doctor started weaning me off prednisone b/c I told him I cant take it anymore. Wouldn't you know it the minute I started getting weaned off the medication I got the moon face and acne. I cant beleive how much acne I have and the moon face and extra chin that came along with it are not cute. In 3 days I gained 10lbs and feel like I'm gainiing everyday. This might bring on the depression that has yet to occur. Why is this happening now that I'm being weaned. I started at 80mg a day and now I'm down to 30mg and next week down to 20mg.
I know this drug did its job and I pray that I dont have to be on it at all once the weaning process is over, but this is hell. I really feel doctors should tell you everything that you can expect. I didnt know enough about this drug(I know there is the internet I should have used it) and had I known then what I know now I seriously might have asked for some alternatives. This drug may be a miracle in the medical community, but for those of us who have to take it, its hell. Does anyone know how long it will take for the moon face, acne, and weight gain to go away?
October 6th
2007
7:26 PM
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????
-- By lml380 | Reply | Private Message me
May 2th
2007
5:51 PM
I was diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and was prescribed 500mg Levaquin ( because I am allergic to most penicillin-based products) once a day for one week. On the fourth day I began to experience stiffness and pain in both feet, especially the heels, and also in my calves, and knees. I also had pain in my neck, at the base of my skull.These symptoms proceeded to worsen to the the point that I could barely walk on Sunday and had to go up and down stairs two feet at a time. I worked from home yesterday and took a Naproxen because the pain and stiffness was so debilitating. Today the symptoms have somewhat subsided, but I still feel stiff and can't walk or climb stairs very well. I was so deparate to figure out what was wrong with me and entered all search words that applied to my problem to Google. My search return included numerous sites connecting these symptoms with Levaquin. I found the PI and it is true. I have to say I feel better just knowing why this happened. I never suspected that the antibiotic was responsible. My question is this: has anyone else ever had this happen to them and what were you advised to do to "get back to normal"? I hope that these responses to the medication will go away now that I have finished the prescription. Please advise.
Ruth
April 19th
2007
8:22 AM
My GP put me on Advair in the summer of 2006 because I was having trouble with so much phlegm in my throat and losing my voice by using Combivent. I also have a weakened voice as a result of asthma medication. For the first three weeks the Advair was great. Then one weekend at our cabin, I had a severe asthma attack -- to the point that my husband wanted to pack up and drive an hour to an hospital emergency ward. I thought it was from something in the cabin or in the air. As a result of some research on Advair, I truly believe that it was from taking this medication. Not realizing this, I have continued to take Advair at the advice of my GP. I then noticed that my skin was very itchy, mostly on my legs at that time. My GP said it was excema. It started spreading to my hands, wrists, elbows. I started reading about the side effects of Advair -- from the insert that comes with the discus -- itchy skin is one of the side effects listed. In December 2006, I went to the lung specialist that has been treating me for asthma for several years. I asked him about the itching and mess on my wrists, etc. He indicated that it was excema and not a reaction to the Advair -- and proceeded to write me a presription for more Advair. In January 2007, I went back to my GP because I couldn't stand the itching and red blotches anymore. She wouldn't give me anything to relieve it, but sent me to an allergist. I asked him about the mess my skin was in and he told me that it was very rare that someone would react to Advair in this manner and he didn't think that was the cause. He decided that I was allergic to dog and cat dander. Just the other day I was finally sent to a dermatologist. She was appalled at the condition of my skin, as the ithing and redness had now started to spread to my upper arms, under arms, breasts and stomach area. I took some research about Advair with me to this appointment. She has now taken me off the Advair for a two week trial and given me an ointment help with the healing. Finally, a specialist that really might think the Advair is the cause of this itching all over my body. I sure hope that these doctors will realize that I really have an adverse reaction to Advair and will find another medicaiton that will be suitable, but not cause the problems I am having now. my voice is still strained, but I am sure as the Advair leaves my system, this will improve too.
-- By ginaabel | Reply | Private Message me
November 30th
2006
1:24 AM
i have just come off Doxy after about 4 days with severe heartburn ("im going to die" kind of bad), nausea, loss of appetite, headache, sore eyes, extreme fatigue and weakness, confusion, constipation and stomach cramps (felt as though i was getting my period..badly..)
When i first started taking them i initially noticed a feeling in my throat, somewhat like when you swallow a large pill without water, that didnt go away but proceeded to "move" down my throat for about three days, making swallowing uncomfortable. I then stopped taking them for unassociated reasons (social commitments involving alcohol-antibiotics and alcohol not a good mix) and felt fine. Once i began taking them again the feeling returned and on the third morning (2am) i awoke with incredible heartburn and it all went downhill from there.
-- By d3v1l1shly_s3xy666 | Reply | Private Message me
June 24th
2005
11:21 AM
Im a 39 year old male in good health, diagonosed 2 days ago with Epydidimitus of my right testicle, possibly bacterial. My GP prescribed a 4 day dosage of Levaquin after giving me 3 sample 500mg tablets, told me to keep out of the sun and to call him if there were any reactions like a rash/sunburn. When I enquired as to whether I could continue my daily 2 mile bike rides, he suggested I not and I concluded it was due to the Epydidimitus. There was no insert in the sample packs, I filled the prescripton and would pick it up later that day.
However, at work I proceeded to do an Google search on Levaquin at Ortho-McNeil and was alarmed at what I read. I found this site and concluded that I didn't want to take fluroquionones for my illness and now understood why bike riding wasn't a good idea (possibility of Tendon Ruptures!!!).
I called my GP's office, spoke with the nurse and requested an alternate antibiotic. I was told the GP would be get back to me. The next morning his nurse called and instructed me to either take the Levaquin or see the in-plan urologist. An co-worker told me he'd requested not to receive Levaquin for a UTI, as it gave him leg cramps after he'd stopped taking it. I called a drug-rep friend of mine, inquired about Levaquin, was told it was being given out "like candy", most widely prescribed AB, safe, he's taken it, etc. But he'd also seen side effects and was surprised my GP wouldn't prescribe an alternative. He put me in touch with a PA at my urologists office, who called me back within an hour. The PA agreed that it was reasonable to prescribe something less powerful, as fluoroquinones are usually 2nd or 3rd line drugs. He agreed to see me the same day. I then called my GP's office to request that he get on the phone for 5 minutes at his convenience to discuss an alternative drug, but only received a call back from the head nurse who would relay the message!?? The PA did an exam, explained that quionones are often prescribed at his office after a patient hasn't responed to other antibiotics prescribed by a GP. His prognosis was the same as my GP, however he also suggested I get an ultrasound in addition, just to be sure.
End result, I was prescribed Doxycycline 100mg/2xDay for 14 days and will follow up in 3 weeks.
DON'T GIVE IN WITHOUT A FIGHT! If these drugs are unsafe, and there is even a 1% chance of major complications (Levaquin 46% of all patients reported adverse effects of some sort), why take them unless absolutely necessary! This is a family of drugs, that while being very powerful, was originally approved as a 2nd or 3rd line of defence, when other AB's didn't work. GP's may be prescribing them as wide-spectrum cure-alls without knowing the frequency of adverse side-effects. They already work 10+ hour days, why would they hop online to investigate negative effects reported to non-profit watchdog sites? We're not doctors, so what do we know...right? WRONG! Do your homework, ask questions, be considerate but firm. You have the right to ask for alternative treatments so long as you are informed. God Bless, best wishes.
-- By ampersant | Reply | Private Message me
September 16th
2004
3:40 AM
I have had 3 shots at 6 month intervals and the last was probably about a year ago. My doctor and nurse did not inform me of any side effects.
My hayfever remained and I developed a rough patch of skin on top of right buttock which developed into a dent. The skin inside the dent which is about 3 thumbsizes wide and deep is uneven and looks celulittey it is often a purpley colour. I was sent to see a specialist dermatologist at hospital who proceeded to do a biopspy. Still no mention of kenalogue... The biopsy was inconclusive and they decided I may have morphoea which they treated me for - unsuccessfully.
I recently saw a specialist for my hayfever who found out about my kenalog jabs and warned me off it saying it was dangerous for muscles. I put 2 and 2 together saw this site and realise now that all I have been mistreated for morphoea, put through a biopsy and all for nothing. Kenalog has caused my indentation.
I am angry and considering legal action - they have wasted my time for the last year of not knowing and being mis treated and more importantly why are we not told that this drug poses such unpleasant side effects. I would never have had it done if I'd known!!!!
Our doctors did not give us all the information about this drug so we could make an informed choice! We are victims of thier neglect!
-- By polly.tidyman | Reply | Private Message me
July 30th
2004
6:44 PM
Delusionary hullucinations. My grandmother Avelox took right before she went to bed, awoke in the night to use the restroom and saw people all over her bathroom floor. She proceeded to kick at them, screaming and crying. Was afraid to get off toliet to go back to bed because she was afraid of stepping on these people on the floor. Also had hot flashed. Hullucination continued the next day when she professed to seeing "Something or Someone" in her flower pot. Affraid to be alone.
-- By hdhn2003 | Reply | Private Message me
March 30th
2004
1:48 PM
My son is almost three and he started taking Singulair about a month ago. In the last week he has started complaining of stomach aches almost daily. He has pretty much stopped eating. He has also had severe behavior changes. Last night he tackled his four year old cousin and proceeded to wrap his hand around her neck and choke her!!!!!! He has started talking in his sleep (he sleeps with me so I know it has just suddenly started) and wakes often in the night. He has also started talking about 'monsters'.
The scariest thing of all is when I called the doctor today the doctor said "I have never heard of Singulair causing behavior problems but go ahead and take him off of it and we will see what happens". Either he is seriously mis-informed or all of us who are expericiening problems are crazy!!!!!! you decide.
-- By tffny1973 | Reply | Private Message me
April 13th
2003
9:09 PM
On Monday, April 7 I went to my doctor because I had developed bronchial infection and a nasty cough. My doctor, to whom I have been going for at least 15 years, prescribed levaquin. Monday night, around 8 pm, I took my first dose. The levaquin was in a vial with 7 500 mg tablets, one per day. By 8:30 pm I began to have stomach pains, nausea, and a headache. I felt lousy. I went to bed around 9 pm because I felt so bad. The symptms got worse. By 11 pm I had rapid heartbeat, extreme perspiration (I was soaked), complete sleeplessness.........could not sleep at all, muscle pains and aches, extreme anxiety, face welling, continued nausea and stomach pain. I didn't know what was going on! At around 2 am I awoke and went to my PDR The Family Guide to Prescription Drugs, 6th Edition, Three Rivers Press, NY. On Page 319 of this book I found levaquin, and under the section: Most Important Fact About This Drug, I read the following, "Levaquin has been known to cause dangerous allergic reactions as soon as you take the first dose." This blew my mind..........if I had read this first, I would never have taken this poison. Cyanide also has been known to cause dangerous reactions as soon as you take the first dose!!! What are these pharmaceutical companies and these doctors trying to do with us? Make us their guinea pigs?? On Tuesday, I was completely washed out.......no energy at all, nauseated, in pain, shivering, heart beating like crazy, restlessness, huge headache.....very sick. I called my doctor and he told me to not take another pill!! Believe me, I didn't need a doctor to tell me not to take another pill...........he then proceeded to prescribe an antibiotic which I had taken a few years ago when I had pneumonia, which caused to ill effects, and which took care of the problem quickly and well. Why in the world, didn't he give me the same medication?? Could it be that the doctors are wined and dined by the pharmaceutical companies to encourage them to push certain new drugs and try them on their patients? This levaquin is new, no generic......costs alot........the one that I was finally prescribed is 10-15 years old, generic, doesn't cost much...........could that be the bottom line? If so, we all had better read our prescription guides very carefully and question our doctors very thoroughly before taking any new medication. The Prescription guide places levaquin in the quinolone family of drugs, there are five other drugs in this family: cipro, floxin, maxaquin, noroxin, penetrex. I have advised my pharmacy to place all of these poisons in my profile so I will never be prescribed these drugs again. Today is Sunday, March 13, and today I am starting to feel like myself again. The bronchitis has been relieved because of the new oldie but goodie medication...........and today the effects of the levaquin have finally startd to diminish. This drug took one week out of my life........one painful, nauseous, anxious, restless, tired, sleepless week. It's a shame what the medical and pharmaceutical professions are doing to their patients.........making guinea pigs out of us.........if we are stupid enough to let them.
-- By mlatapie | Reply | Private Message me
April 30th
2003
12:11 PM
I had been on advair since it came on the market. I have suffered from increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. I complained in Nov. to doctor who proceeded to decreae the dose. I continued to have the same symptoms and in addition was having bouts of tachycardia and possibly skipped beats that were very disturbing. I again went and this time was told that by decreasing the dose that it was only the steroid and that the salmeterol was the same in all. Duh, why did he decrease the dose when it had no affect on the salmeterol. Now he decided to stop it altogether. My heart rate is back in a normal range and my blood pressure has come down to a very good reading. I do not have the the increased heart rate. However what I am experiencing is an increase in pain due to arthritis in my joints. i am wondering if this is because I have stopped the advair and the steroid that is in it. Has anyone else had that reaction after long time use of advair and then stopping it.
-- By nurseiris | Reply | Private Message me
Levaquin (3) Advair HFA (2) Niaspan ER (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1) Kenalog (1) Singulair (1) PredniSONE (1) NuvaRing (1) Avelox (1) Loestrin 24 Fe (1)
November 1th
2007
8:19 PM
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!
-- By renee2141 | Reply | Private Message me