Processed foods symptoms and conditions

Are there any meds that are safe? I was taking 10mg norvasc. I started taking 20/25 mg lisinopril. I was doing ok on the norvasc but the added lisinopril has almost killed me. They had cut my norvasc down to 5 mg then to 2.5 mg when I started the lisinopril. 4 days ago I stopped the lisinopril and added back 2.5 mg norvasc. Back to 5 mg. The side effects seem to be letting up. Now im wondering is all of my meds are killing me. I can't live without them. My BP sores. Im so scared of what I should do. Im afraid of all my meds.

I have been taking 20mg Lisinopril for six days for 140/100 BP reduction. Muscle cramps, muscle pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears (which I already had, but this medication has made it MUCH worse),some heart palpitations...generally scary and, on balance, I am going to find some other solution. Frankly, this is like taking a slow acting poison.

Hello. I haven't posted anything in a couple of months, but as usual, I'm always searching for more information on natural supplementation that may help your blood pressure. If you're interested, please e-mail me and I will send you the information links. Take care :-)

I am a 49 year old female who started on 10 gm Lisinopril 2 weeks ago for high blood pressure. I've had a couple instances of light-headedness and headaches, nothing serious, but I have developed a real bad dry cough that I can't control. Sometimes it's bad enough I gag and almost vomit, and am loud enough I can be heard all through the office - very embarrassing. I've gotten up in the middle of the night to leave the bedroom so I won't disturb my husband. Other than the cough I have no complaints and actually feel better now than I did before I started. I read somewhere that iron supplements help the cough and I have started taking these to see if it's true; so far I think the cough is not as bad but still as frequent. It's only been a couple of weeks so I want to keep going for a few weeks longer to see if things get better or worse.

NO SIDE EFFECTS: POSSIBLE HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS had very serious sinus infection. two weeks of anit-biotics with no result, symptoms got worse, before taking levaquin for an additional two weeks. within three days was back on my feet. i previously have taken the supplement MSM for continual joint pain in past years, and was pleased to find a wide array of other health benefits from taking it. Having two kids, building a home and busy work schedule led to neglect of my heath supplements. (not smart) Resulting in immune dysfunction, chronic sinus infections over the last two years. After realizing that my health was was in ruins, i decided to start taking my supplements again around the time of my course of levaquin. started taking my multi's again and more importantly my MSM ( similar to chondroitin or glucosamine) Note: I recently read that MSM has been proven to help the body fight infection, as it is required to be present for the body to fight infection. MSM is simply (organic sulfer) found in everyday food we eat. with processed foods and preservatives this element is removed. To make a long story short, after first taking levaquin, I did have some minor joint and back pain (among other things) started taking MSM and effects were diminished, and then gone. After reading what others went through, i made the correlation between the two, and with my previous history of joint pain i would think that i would be a prime candidate for these symptoms. It worked for me, it may work for you, and the worst case scenario is that is doesn't work but you become stronger and healthier from taking it. Brief History. I use to love to play basketball. after joint pain and swelling could only play once a week, and couldn't even walk up stairs the next day. after taking MSM continually for a couple of weeks i was able to play daily, for as long as I wanted. a true miracle. The good news: its at the health food store, it's really cheap, and its a completely natural supplement. take 1000 mg daily with meals or without. its worth a shot for no symptoms.

I am 34 years old. I am a pharmacy tech. I have asthma and allergies. I have taken singulair pretty much every day since it came out on the market. I've had asthma since i was about 10 years old. I took theophylline as a kid. Steriods on and off especially during times when my allergies are bad. I still use Advair during the fall and spring. Every drug has a side effect. However breathing is pretty good damn thing. Do I have days when I feel low? Yeah. Do I sometimes have nightmares? Yup. Are "natural" products the answer. Not always. The fish oil that some of the posters are touting can also cause GI problems. Some of the natural products contain herbs and other plant derivatives that can be harmful for a child that suffers from allergies. Not proactively treating asthma can be deadly. Some of the parents are suggesting steriods as the answer - those can cause weight gain, growth suppression and can lead to a worsening of asthma.

Singulair has never made me feel like I've wanted to kill myself. I was more depressed and angry as kid when my asthma did not allow me to partipate in normal childhood things. I was sad and hated life when I couldn't keep up with friends at recces because I was having trouble breathing. You have to outweigh the costs with the benefits. I am more irritable when I have asthma flareup then I am on a normal day. For me, I choose to breathe. And singulair has been helping me for almost a decade.

I'm not saying the medication isn't causing these symptoms but maybe there is an underlying cause to your child's depression.

Any drug has a side effect. But without medical research and the medications that come with them - people would still be dying of simple diseases and we wouldn't have vaccinations. As a society, as a whole, we are a culture that looks to someone else to fix things and then blames the people who try to fix it. We need to stop being the "hot McDonald's coffee'" society.

I have been on prednisone continuously now for 15 years. I was put on it in March of 1995 for a lung condition called chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. I was 122 pounds when I first started prednisone. Now 15 years later I am 197 pounds. I am 35 years old with osteoporosis. I have dealt with depression, terrible headaches, stomach ulcers, hormonal imbalance, hair loss, swollen feet and ankles, I now wear glasses when I didn't before, I have thin skin now that looks older than my 35 years, I deal with night sweats, and in the summer out in the heat my very round moon face turns red as a beet. But, no one can get me off the prednisone. I have seen many specialists, and within 1-2 days of starting to wean past 10mg I get so sick I have to be hospitalized, I literally can't breathe or live without it. I hate this stuff and what its done to me, but I have no choice but to take it or I will die. Doctors have tried alternate medications, nothing but prednisone works. If there is ANYONE who has had to be on it as long as I have or have had success in getting off it after being on it for so long, I would love to hear from you.

I have been on Synthroid since 1983--varying dosages. Side effects have included: weight gain, heart palpitations,adrenalin misfires, extreme reaction to heat (sun burns) and body feels hot all the time, fingers go numb in cold weather. Just recently have not been able to regulate dosage--fluctuating between hyper/hypo. I would like to try a new medication with few side effects. Anyone had any luck finding a different med that works?

I am 21 years old and I was on Yasmin for three in a half months (i stopped the last pack half way through). The first month i was on it, i had a lot of leg pains especially at night and sometimes to the point where i couldn't sleep. I went to the doctors and told her about this and she said it had nothing to do with the pill. My leg pain stopped after the first month i was on it and for two months i was fine. At the end of the third pack i began to get leg cramps again, but this time it was different i had little sharp pains here and there and tingling and my legs became extremely itchy. In the matter of two months i got spider veins and cellulite on my upper legs. Before the pill i had NOTHING on my legs. I searched the internet and found that birth control can cause spider veins because of the hormonal change so I thought my legs were itchy because of the spider veins so i stopped using the pill and made a doctors appointment. Three days after stopping i got my period for the second time that month. I also broke out with lumps that are red and extremely itchy. The doctor told me that the bumps are eczema and i also have a lymph node, which she said is from the eczema (which i find very strange). Two days after i broke out and got a lymph node, i got sick with a fever, extremely soar throat and a swollen neck. Today is my 7th day off the pill and im still sick. Hopefully i get better. But from being a 21 year old whos 95 pounds and having nothing wrong and starting this pill and getting spider veins, cellulite and then eczema all around the same time, i feel like im aging before my time. If anyone else has had any similar effects please let me know. Thank you.

I've been on Abilify for over a year...first 10mg. I'd take it in the am, get the kids to school, then sleep....but not sound....like a stoned sleep...in and out while I watched tv on the couch...I guess like in the 70's....doing acid or something lol. I couldn't function all day til it wore off in the afternoon when it was time to pick them up. Then down to 5mg. Oh, I'm taking it for migraines, but I'm borderline bipolar II. I don't get manic. I just get depressed. So this ability has taken away all I like to do. No more crocheting for cancer patients or for baby gifts, no more craft shows, no more aerobics......no energy......period. I don't laugh. I've lost all my personality. All for what? To get rid of migraines? Oh, it made me gain weight, too. And it worsened my acne. I'M 43! I take Topamax, too, so btwn what I learned about the side effects from that and this....I'm done! My snap at the kids attitude and the hair falling out and the acne and weight gain are too much for me.....better find some new meds for depression and migraines.......anticonvulsants are out for me. I hope you all have better luck than I did with Abilify.

I had a viral infection and was put on Levaquin 750 mg. After being on it for 5 days my joints began to hurt. I didn't think the medicine caused it and I continued to take it. Until the 7th day I began to research and found this web site. I quit taking it. I was unable to stoop down and it hurt really bad to walk up or down stairs. Regular walking was some painful. I also had some pain in my wrist. I've been off the medicine for 6 or 7 weeks and I'm still having bad joint pain in my knees. I'm unable to perform normal activities. I'm not saying Levaquin caused it; but it's just that when this started was while on it. If anyone knows how long this might last or if it causes permanent damage, please let me know! I will be going to a specialist in 1 week to get this checked.

MY SON IS TAKING THIS MEDICINE ANDHE IS STILL HAVING OUTRAGES,AND HISDOCTOR HAS UPED HIS DOSAGE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO

This note is regarding some measures for healing and pain relief. I have been in pain due to taking Levaquin three months ago. My pain is widespread. I have peripheral neuropathy. My whole body is tender and sensitive. All of my joints ache. It's hard to walk or sit for long. My pain is still disabling but it has improved. I thought that I would share with whoever may be interested what has helped my pain the most. I see a chiropractor every week and I also see a Chinese doctor every week. The Chinese doctor does therapeutic massage (deep tissue) and he also does acupuncture weekly. The acupuncture doesn't hurt as much as you might think. Other things that I've found that are helpful are warm Epsom salt baths and any topical cream that warms the area such as zostrix. Creams for muscle soreness may work also. I try not to take pain medication because it can just lead to other problems . If I have to take something I take either excedrin or Tylenol. NOT ibuprofen. Also, the body can't heal as quickly if it is being bombarded with offending agents. Therefore I have eliminated the following: Sodas (regular and diet), nutrisweet, msg (read the label), bleached flour, caffeine and many other things. I try to avoid sugar and I use stevia as much as possible. I have done a lot of research regarding nutrition since this happened to me. What I have come to realize is that good foods are like medicine. I have to supply my body with the proper nutrients and it will heal itself. Lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, lean meat (I don't eat red meat). I avoid fast food and processed foods. The rule of thumb is that if nature made it it's good for you. If man made it...read the label very carefully. I hope that this info will be helpful to some of you. My prayers are with you all.

chris

Water retention, abdominal and thigh cramps, fatigue, mental fog. Try juicing greens, eating almonds, blueberries, garlic, eating the majority of foods raw, take plant sterols, lots of fruits and vegetables, fish oil, Complex B, and other supplements as needed. This happens because we are not eating the right foods and because we are eating mostly cooked foods, and in this way, we strip the foods from their medicinal value. We come from the Earth, and the Earth feeds and protect us. We are drifting too much away from nature and indulging into to much sugar, and processed foods which have so many preservatives, which can lead to many chronic and deadly diseases, including high cholesterol. Eating mostly raw foods allows for a high content of enzymes, minerals and vitamins in their natural form, to work to repair tissue and keep us healthy. And the best of it, I have as much vegetable juice as I want. I prefer to take the fruits in the morning. In addition, I have found that drinking Barley grass, even the bottled Green Magma, has been extremely beneficial. When I juice I am never hungry, and my body thanks me as to, "tabout time."

I started taking Lisinopril about 10 months ago and now I have had severe redness and heat in my face, neck, and chest. I have constant headaches and my eyes are bloodshot most the time now. I have quick sharp pains throughout my chest arms and legs/feet a lot. I get blurry vision and disorientation every time after taking this stuff.. My heart rate varies from high to low but it feels like my blood is extremely thick no matter if I eat or not, I also get extreme nausea after eating even a salad with no dressing. I hate this stuff so much and it scares me to no end. I have major anxiety disorders anyway but this crap makes it worse. I think I am dying everyday its so nerve wrecking and I am only 25yrs old!!!! I recently stopped taking this junk for about a week but still took my Xanax for my anxiety and my face and neck aren't hot at all most the time anymore only when I move around and work a lot but not bad at all. My heart rate is normal and my blood pressure is staying about the same but maybe bout 8 or 9 notches lower than when i was on this stuff. I think someone is really going to get hurt on this stuff and we are all going to see a commercial on TV saying to call a lawyer for cash rewards because of med induced illness or even deaths... I'm going to the doctor and telling them to give me the most expensive effective and less side effect BP med..

I was prescribed to take 30mg/day (Prednisone) to try to reduce the inflammation brought upon by Ulcerative Colitis. I have taken Prednisone before....up to 60mg/day, when I was first diagnosed with UC. I don't really remember all of the side effects I experienced, but I do remember my calves and feet swelling, a bit a of moon face and very little weight gain due to the UC. Does anyone have any suggestions to how/and when I should take the daily dose of Prednisone (early morning, with food...what kind of food)? Also, I would love to hear from anyone with Ulcerative Colitis and how they are coping with the disease. From their diet when in remission to during a flare-up! Thanks...

I was a 2:42 marathoner. I used a synthetic varnish containing isocyanates, pentanedione, organic solvents, in one 7-hour session; the company-recommended respirator did not in fact prevent transmission: Severe chemically- induced asthma, plus neuropathy, plus, plus.

I've used Advair 500/50 for six years. There have been many diverse effects from the chemical exposure; I'd not questioned any being Advair side effects. But the raised blood pressure was not initial, and certainly not a priori. Diminished hearing, diminished eyesight, anxiety. Again, not to lump in, but these questions are new for me. But the point I'd like to bring before this group is this: In August I was diagnosed with ehlichiosis , and was prescribed 28 days on doxycycline. They recommend eliminating many possible antagonists to the doxycycline. My respiratory capacity had been continually diminishing. My ongoing physician said this was to be expected and recommended only the next more powerful steroid. Not a good solution. Before all this I was strong; repaired myself. In the absence of constructive answers, wondering if the Advair was weakening me, making me dependent, I quit the Advair as well on beginning the doxycycline. Today is eleven days post-doxycycline. Eight days ago there began with increasing severity, a terrible wracking deep cough producing dark yellow mucus. Painful. No fever. Grevious throat from the wracking, but I question whether this is a cold or infection. It's just in my lungs. Maybe it's as though I've thrown off an epithelial coating. These past two days the quantity of deep yellow mucus is not as ready, but the wracking and coughing is more severe. And my lung capacity, my respiratory capacity, is frighteningly diminished. Until these past two days I'd considered this an infection, especially post-doxy. But it doesn't feel like an infection. And I'm scared. Is this because I quit the Advair abruptly after long regular use? Have any of you had a similar experience. Can you discuss the effects of abruptly discontinuing Advair. Have you stayed off it. What's happened to your respiratory capacity. Have you any professional studies, trials or experience to recommend. Thanks.

OKay, I don't know if this has anything to do with Mirena or not, but I have had my implant since August 2006. Typically I am a very happy, healthy person. I eat extremely heathy (almost all organic, tons of vegetables & fish & almost no processed foods). Anyhow, for the last 6-8 months have have become VERY moody. I am often grumpy, I cry everyday, I have pain in my joints (I believe it to feel like arthritic pain). My finger joints are always sore. I am a fit person & am uncapable of opening a jar anymore. And, I have this nagging pain in my lower back to the left of my spine. Like I said, I'm not sure if this is because of my mirena implant, but I take no other medication, I don't even take OTC pain meds. I'm only 27 and consider myself to be very healthy. I'm not sure what else it could be. I suppose I will have it removed & see if I can become a normal human being again. I appreciate anyone else who can share their experience...I just want to know if I'm crazy or not???

I took 500mg per day for 9 out of 10 days. On the morning of the 9th day I hopped out of bed but was SHOCKED by the amount of pain I had in my feet! I could barely put my weight on my feet or walk! It was like I was 85 years old!
I stopped taking it immediately but the symptoms continued to get worse over the next 5 days. By the 5th day I had pain in my feet, knees, hands, neck, back and shoulders! I went to the doctor; they refused to believe it was a reaction to the medication so the did blood work. I tested negative for rhematoid arthritis, Lyme disease or any other auto-immune disease. THANK GOD! The doctor still wont say it was the medication. He said it was caused by a "virus" . ya right - whatever! I didn't want to take anything for the pain so I started going to the gym 2x a day,( AM &PM) to sit in the hot tub and steam room. I also drank tons of water to flush my system. I at only foods that are known to be anti-inflammatory such as red grapes, 100% red grape juice, tuna fish, sardines, pineabble, soy milk, flax seet. I also took 1000mg of omega 3 fish oil capsules (iceland health brand) a multi vitamin (geritol brand) extra calcium with extra Vitamin D, and I switched from coffee to green tea. I drank about six cups a day in addition to about 8 glasses of water. I also gave up all foods suspected of causing inflammation such as meat, processed foods, and sugars. I also (for the first time) went to a one hour reiki session with a woman who was excellent. After about a week the pain in gone almost completely, except my feet still hurt a little bit in the morning untili they loosen up. I highly recommend trying this to see if it helps aleviate your symptoms of muscle and joint pain. Good luck.

There are no words to explain how I feel after reading just one page of the posts here. I have a 9 year old wonderful son. About 1 1/2 years ago he was put on Singulair (along with Advair, Xoponex, Nasacort, and Zyrtec - also he got allergy shots once a week). He had severe asthma. Well, not too long after he was on the Singulair he started having HORRIBLE thoughts. Just to name a FEW: He thought he was going to stab me or his younger sister and could not go near a knife or anything sharp, he had thoughts of aliens coming into his room at night and skinning him alive and taking out his heart, he had the most horrific thoughts of violence and as he started getting a little older his thoughts were becoming what seemed to be sexually violent. I immediately went through seeing if anybody at school was hurting him or touching him. Nobody was. Since he lives with just me and my daughter (no visitations with absent father) I knew he was safe at home. He is exposed to practically nothing. I asked my children's doctor what could this be and he told me to just tell him to "stop thinking those things". My own doctor wanted me to put him on anti-psychotics. I took him immediately to a child psychologist that specialized in OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) - after researching I came to the conclusion that this is what he had. I was told that the correct name for his condition is called "Morbid OCD" or "Bad Thoughts OCD". He was in therapy from the beginning of the symptoms. I refused to believe that an emotionally healthy child could develop this condition almost over night. I changed our lifestyle - eating organic, very little processed foods, (you name it) etc... I was able to get him off of all his medications except his inhaler as needed. To my wonder and amazement his OCD had gone away. Well, about a month ago his asthma started to show up again. (Since he was doing so well I started to let him have a little dairy in his diet again and other things I had cut out before). His doctor told me that he was going to get scar tissue if I didn't treat it now and that I had to put him on something or he was going to have complicated respiratory issues as an adult. I agreed to put him back on Singular. Well, to my sadness and horror about a month ago my son started having mild OCD and it has gotten worse by the day. Last night, I was sitting at the edge of my bed and it was like a light bulb went off. I kept asking myself, what changed a few weeks ago. Then bingo, it hit me, I had put him back on Singular. Last night I didn't give it to him. I obviously am taking him off of it and will post again and let you know how he develops. I'm sorry for the long post but after reading "worriedmom" I felt I needed to tell my son's story just in case there is anyone else out there with a similar situation. Thank you all so much. I have hope again. I am going to see how he does with his OCD and post again in about a week.

Hi,My biggest side effects are the hair loss,limb swelling,insomnia,halucinations(unless my dead dog really is a ghost),memory loss,numbness in legs and arms,tingling in arms and hands expecially when I cough or sneeze,sinus stuffiness and infections and cronic bronchitis.Allthough I have these side effects I personally think that I am better off taking the singulair for my asthma(does not help my allergy symptoms at all) than when I was on all the allergy meds and streoids.I used to have a bag load of those and I was allways having attacks,was depressed and thought of suicide but then I did the study for singulair about 15 years ago and thought it was a miracle cure so I waited for it to come out on the market.I know it is not a miracle cure but I don't have to take those other meds anymore and I only use my fast acting inhailer mabee once a month now.I am now 6 months pregnant and will be looking for an alternative treatment from a hollistic/natural Dr. after I have the baby.There has got to be a better way to control this disease,I hope,naturally through diet and other remadies with less or no side effects to treat my allergies and asthma.If anyone knows of such tratments,please post it.Thanks.LR

I've been on Advair for less than one month (22 days exactly), but have experienced several side effects noted here, i.e. acne, fluttering hearbeat. I also noticed a slight wieght gain of 4-5 pounds in 2 short weeks. Needless to say, I have taken my last does as of today. I also think I was misdiagnosed with asthma. I suffer from mild allergies and hindsight tells me I had contracted viral bronchtis, which can mimic asthma symptoms. I have since changed my diet to more natural and minimally processed foods and I feel great (outside of the Advair side effects). I rarely get sick, but this last bout of illness has made me realize that you have to be wary of misdiagnosis and doctors pushing new medications of which knowledge of long-term effects is nil. I've changed my primary doctor as well (I wasn't surprised to find a low rating score by current and past patients, which means I should have shopped around first like any good consumer).

I started at 80mg while hospitalized for Sarcoidosis at the end of May. Prednisone allowed me to breathe. I was advised to keep a low sodium, low fat diet, vegies, fruits, no processed foods, exercise, plenty of water. Following that advise I have been lucky and not gained weight. I do have the "moon" face though. My dosage was lowered to 60 mg when I left the hospital then a week later to 40 mg and it took 2 months at 40 mg for the "moon face" to appear. At the end of this week I will drop to 20 mg until Sept when I see my lung Dr. My side effects seem to be minimal at this point and the prednisone truely helped me out of a bad situation.

Greetings.....I have been on Predisone for a couple of years now.. I have Sarcoidosis and had double vision, lumps all over my body, had brain surgery because they though I had a brain tumor, but didn't. They sent samples to 5 big hospitals in the US and no one could find what it was. I had biopsies on my arm and it's Sarcoidosis.

Take the Predisone my sight can back in one day, but I have gained over 80 lbs., swollen severely, can't sleep well, and my body hurts.

I had Cytoxan treatments ....didn't work
I was on Remacade treatment and even the Dr. didn't realize how much better I was. It was stopped because of painful lumps on my middrift. Big mistake! Now all symtoms have returned and worse.

I was to go back on the Remacade but I had a rash and bleeding from my rectum. Is the bleeding from the Presidsone? Does any know? They said I shouldn't have the treatment because where the bleeding is I could get an infection. I also have/had Rectal Fissure, it that from the Predisone too?

I'm a miracle in Progree....Thank you and God Bless!

I was experiencing all the side affects and more PRIOR to taking this medication. What brought it all to light was having a menstrual flow since Jan. 10th and ending early March. I realize there will be side effects I have to deal with - also we must remember there are other factors involved - do we smoke, drink alcohol, eat processed foods, eat too much refined sugars, caffeine? Given the opportunity as I slept way too much prior to this drug, if one of the side effects is that I can't sleep - I'll have a valerian root tea at 8:30 p.m to be in bed by 9:00. Cut out alcohols, caffeine, etc. Should nauseau arise - eat smaller portions through out the day. Should constipation arise - increase water and a less fiber intake. We as individuals must try to find that fine medium to a balanced lifestyle and not depend on the doctors for all of our answers. Our bodies and chemical equations are extremely complex and will be for quite some time.