Putting on weight symptoms and conditions

I was on Zyprexa a few years back and I gained a lot of weight with it due to increased appetite. In my case this was not a problem as putting on weight was something I needed. I am back on Zyprexa for a couple of weeks now. My appetite has increased again and I suffer from tiredness a lot. I have been suffering with headaches too but i'm not sure if this has anything to do with the Zyprexa. Headaches are not a side affect reported on the leaflet that comes with it so is it possible that Zyprexa is causing these headaches?????????????????

I have been on Metformin for 6-7 months 500mg 2 x daily, and have puffed up like a balloon with significant weight gain of at least 45lbs., no desire to do anything physical as I have no energy,stomach upset and increased bowel movements, flatulence and absolutely no sex drive. I am going to discuss this with my doctor but before I do in their any other medications other then Glipizide for type 2 diabetes? I keep putting on weight like I am my blood sugar will be way out of control.

Hello, I had the Mirena inserted in May 2008 and have just had it removed, August 2009. I do not have any children and was 25 at the time insertion. It was a terribly painful experience. The doctor gave me multiple pain shots inside of my uterus, tremendous cramping, bleeding, etc. and, when she was cutting the strings, accidentally snipped the inside of my vagina. Needless to say, the thought of going through that experience alone was enough to deter me from wanting to have the Mirena removed.

Over the next year, I went through a significant lifestyle change (SF to LA). I attributed many of the symptoms associated with hormones to this shift: weight gain, depression, anxiety, aggression, fatigue, joint pain. I always had some cramping pressure in my uterus and my periods became cramping events that took me out for a few days each month.

In the spring of 2009, I became concerned that these experiences were not just a change in environment. In addition to the Mirena, I have a congenital autoimmune thyroid condition (currently hypo), that I monitor 2-4x a year. I took multiple tests and started exercising and adjusting my diet in an attempt to balance things out. Regardless of the exercise and diet changes, I kept on putting on weight. I have suffered from the flux's of thyroid my entire life, but was flustered by my inability to effect any positive change.

I didn't associate the Mirena to these challenges until I began to do research on the internet. I believe that an IUD may aggravate thyroid and autoimmune symptoms (foreign object in the body). I also think that it is compounding my weight gain tendencies. After a three week late period, terrible joint pain, extreme bloating, cramping, and blister like acne, I went to the doctor today and he removed the IUD without any question. (This is NOT the same doctor who inserted the device). He was extremely supportive and sympathetic. I simply told him that I did not feel well and he suggested the Mirena's removal and did it IMMEDIATELY.

Unlike the insertion, removal was a breeze and I was amazed that my uterus instantly felt relieved. My body has been relaxing since then...a little sporadic cramping, a bit of a headache and nausea, but nothing significant. Emotionally, I feel much more grounded (though I'm sure this will shift ...as always!). For birth control, I am going to be taking Yaz for now, starting immediately. He recommended not having sex for a few days and using a secondary BC method for a month.

I am going to start cleansing my body through increasing my water intake and sweating (exercise and sauna). I am also going to see a homeopathic specialist next week to help with the hormonal shifts. I will check back in and share my Mirena removal experience. Take care, and listen to your body.

I was excited to learn that my doctor would allow me to get Mirena as I have never had any children. He said that it would be more uncomfortable but besides that there was no reason I should not have it. I was 22 when it was inserted and I still don't want children for a long time, if ever. I had been on NuvaRing since I began birth control but I was about to lose my health insurance so I thought this was the best bet. I started putting on weight and I attributed it to the fact that I had just lost a lot of weight and after a few months of getting too comfortable at barbecues and holidays, it was catching up to me. I got that pair of pants thinking it would just be til I got it back off. I started exercising more than I ever had and was eating well and nothing. I started getting down on myself. I tried to explain to someone that it wasn't the way I looked, it was how I felt. I said I never felt so heavy, like my body was dragging at all times, and I've been heavier than this in the past and didn't feel this awful. I kept attributing it to one thing or another, the worse it gets the worse I eat and now it is by my own fault. I was getting depressed around the holidays and usually love everything that comes with it, yet was happy to work this year. I've been avoiding everyone. I've had the worse cramps I've ever had. I can tolerate pain...piercings, tattoos, the whole shabang. I was literally doubled over that it would stop me in my tracks. I usually avoid painkillers as they give me nausea but even after taking muscle relaxers and ibuprofen I could barely function, in fact I was happy to try to sleep it off. I have been bleeding for well over a month now, when I usually only bleed for a few days. When I wasn't "bleeding" I was spotting which was actually something even less appealing. The only headache I've ever previously had were after wisdom teeth extraction and I now get headaches almost everyday. I'm rambling, but I could go on and on. I've been so tired that I drag all day but I can't sleep. It's been suggested that I might be anemic and I try to eat well and take vitamins and nothing is helping but caffeine which just makes my mood swings worse, and like I said I try to eat well. I don't drink soda and have a sensible diet (outside of the past few months getting worse and worse anxiety about my weight). I'm not a cryer and have found myself sobbing while "PMSing" if that's what you call it when you feel like there's no more "pre" because it's almost constant, and saying that I know these thoughts are absurd. A year ago if something was wrong I'd have taken aggressive steps to improving my mental health. I love everything in my life. I've got a great job and everything, but something just doesn't seem right. I heard a lyric that said something along the lines of, "Everything's right but something's still wrong." I actually found myself telling someone, "I'm not sad anymore. I've just accepted that I'll never really be happy...at least I won't allow myself to be for long." I just haven't felt myself in a long time. I've had the worst UTIs I've ever had, more than one but one that was almost enough to encourage me to have it removed then. Again, I attributed it to something else. I had been on vacation and since I had recently had it inserted thought it was natural, considering that a-little-more-frequent-sex-during-vacation-thing. I work with mentally ill patients, who seem to be comfortable saying just about anything that pops in their heads and they have commented, not only on my weight, but on my facial hair. I mean I don't have a mustache growing, but my normal peach fuzz is turning into peach furr. I've had absolutely no sex drive, none. Not to get too personal, but I usually thoroughly enjoy masturbating. I don't even enjoy that. I actually forced myself one day when I was feeling down, thinking my lack of it was affecting my mood due to hormone levels. That's about the only thing I want to occasionally do, again thought the lack of sex drive was due to body issues but now I'm not so sure. My man actually told me one day he thought I was being more aggressive at one point, but it was because as he was getting intimate I almost had to force myself to get it over with (nothing against him). He comes near me just to hug me or sit near me and I pull away. I know I've rambled and rambled and rambled. However, I just didn't put all of these things together. I thought this might all be in my head, stress, etc. etc. Just reading this gave me so much hope. Like I said, I've barely been said anymore. I've been able to say that I'm happy with a frown on my face...I know everything IS right in my life, but it hasn't FELT right in a long time. Thank you all for this. I will be sure to come back and note the aftermath when I have it removed. I don't have insurance anymore, but I am going to see what I can do about getting it removed as soon as possible. Just for a comparable point, last year at this point in time (pre-Mirena) I was at about 133 pounds. I had leveled out at about 140 and been steady for awhile. I had Mirena inserted last November and now, in mid-April, I am a little over 160. I will be calling my doctor today. I thank you all again, so SO much. I hope this helps someone else as much as it did me.

Thank God I am not crazy! I am so glad that I found this website and now know that other women are experiencing the same things that I have been experiencing with the Mirena. I had my Mirena put in a little over 3 months ago and almost immediately started feeling like I had aged 15 years. My back was killing me, my knees have never stopped hurting, I have acne in places that I have never had it before. I also have had heart palpitations and almost passed out at a Disney On Ice Show for no apparent reason. The headaches were not that bad at first but they are getting worse and last week I had a major migraine headache that made me sick to my stomach. I had to call my husband home from work because I was worried that something was going to happen to me and I was home alone with my 2 daughters. I have naseau daily and sore breasts which led me to think I had gotten pregnant. The mood swings have also been terrible. I am short with my husband and my daughters. I also do in home daycare and have had no patience with my daycare kids. I have not felt like myself at all. After I had my baby girl in August 2008, I ended up being 15 pounds below my pregnancy weight but within the 3 months of having the Mirena, I have gained 20 pounds! I have cut back my caloric intake but the weight just seems to keep packing on. That is when I started connecting the Mirena to my problems and found this forum. I am convinced that my problems are from the Mirena and my husband and I have decided to have it removed. I could go on and on with the symptoms but these are the major ones.

My younger sister has had the Mirena for over a year and claims to not have had any problems. However, I know she is battling depression and she is putting on weight. I guess it is a medicine that works for some people but not for others.

I have an appointment to have mine removed tomorrow. I may not have given it enough time but it is my body and it is my decision. I just hope my doctor respects my wishes. And I pray that I will get to feeling like myself again someday. Thanks to everyone that has posted because it definitely sheds new light on the situation. I will come back and post after I have the IUD removed. God Bless!

I am 29 and mother of a 5yr old Angel and 5 mth old Ayden. I started the NuvaRing after I had my son. I liked it for the first month, but the second month was not good at all! See, I was hoping to skip periods to avoid the pain that comes from my endometriosis, and PMS which seems I have had all my life! And of course, it came highly recommended from my doctor's office as well. I started to loose weight pretty steadily in the 6 weeks that followed the birth of my son, but all of a sudden the seventh or eighth week my weight remind stagnant and I actually gained 10 pounds since having it out for only 4 weeks! I have been putting on weight in my mid section and tummy area. It has become difficult to loose any weight even with working out, but the worse part has been the drastic mood changes, irritability, problems concentrating, migraines I don't wish upon anybody, acne, leg cramps, bloating, and horrible post partum depression that I think-now that I have read all your side effects that it wasn't the overwhelming feeling of having the now 2 children and having to return to work even after having 12 weeks of maternity leave after my son was born. I am relieved, and happy that I never put in the 3rd months ring. I think the NuvaRing has a lot to do with it all. I have been off the NuvaRing now for about three and a half-going on four weeks and the side effects have only seemed to become worse. It has put a strain on my marriage because my husband doesn't understand whats going on with me and I have refused to take my Lexapro because I am scared of what it may do to me with my hormones and mind all out of wack...I am desperate to find something that will make this STOP. I am not sure what my doctor may recommend, or if I would even take anymore recommendations from them. They must know that this is happening, right? I guess thats a question we should ask our doctors.

I had been on Yasmin for about 2 years and it was great. I had no adverse side effects. My periods where shorter and lighter and I did not have the horrible cramps I had before getting on the pill. I loved it. Then about three months ago the pharmacy switched me to the generic, Ocella, which the pharmacist insisted was exactly the same, but beware it is not! I have gained about 15 pounds, I had to go up a whole bra size because my breasts are so swollen, my breast are tender and ache most of the time, and as of right now I have been bleeding badly for two weeks and I have never bled when it wasn't time for my period. My OBGYN said the generic was most likely the cause. I know the generic is cheaper but do not take it. Yasmin is well worth the extra money. I am getting back on it immediately! A lot of people do blame the pills for stuff that would have happened anyways. So do not be scared to take Yasmin. Everything isn't for everyone but it was good for me. It's done it's main job which is to keep me from getting pregnant and isn' that the reason most of us take birth control for? So put up with a few side effects, at least you don't have a baby to deal with!!!

During the three weeks I was using 150 mg. Wellbutrin, ringing in the ears gradually increased, mild headaches on top of my head, occasional light spasms around my mouth, constipation, and bladder problems. My sleep was unaffected, and my depression did not lift. My dose was increased to 300 mg, and by the fourth day, I was having serious facial spasms, intense headaches, louder and constant ringing in the ears, almost 'round-the-clock wakefulness, anxiety, difficulty thinking and completing sentences, pounding heart, amplification of sounds, jitters and quaking. I felt like a car, perpetually idling so roughly that all my parts were about to rattle right off the chassis. On the fifth day I took nothing. I've had some chills, a little nausea, headache, neck-ache (Isn't that weird?!) and some ringing, but at a lower volume that's hardly noticeable. This is the fourth day with no Wellbutrin, and I haven't had facial spasms at all in the past couple of days, have less nausea, and the very funky smell produced in my urine from the second week I was on the meds has calmed down. If I'm still in a depression it's been overshadowed by the most awful side effects I could have imagined. It felt like the spector of death was overtaking my body by day four of that 300 mg. dose. I had been on a hefty dose of Zoloft daily for almost ten years and never experienced anything unpleasant other than weight gain, my reason for trying to switch meds because I couldn't quit putting on weight no matter what. I am going to try SAM-e, and suggest that anyone looking for a natural alternative, with the prospect of few and insignificant side effects, do an online search. Whether I find success with the SAM-e, or if it falls short of what I need, I'll post here to let you know what happens. A month ago I thought the depression was the end of the world; I think the cure was worse than the disease.

I'm having my Mirena removed today at 3:45pm!!! When I had mine inserted 3 months ago I was excited about the prospect of not having to worry about birth control for a good few years. Sounded too good to be true and in my case it was too good to be true. Immediately after insertion I had serious cramping but it wasn't THAT bad. It was livable, my fiance helped out with our now 11 month old fine. I had "spotting" which I wouldn't even call spotting I had my period for about 2 months straight. NO sex, no nothing. Within a week I started breaking out on my face, I've NEVER had acne before but my face was covered in little spots. Then I noticed within the 1st month I gained 10lbs. I was exercising the same & eating the same just putting on weight. Went back and my doctor told me it was nothing, maybe I was gaining muscle... UM NO. She told me to wait it out for another month and if it doesn't get any better she'd take it out. I waited another month and another 5 lbs and I made my appointment which was 3 weeks from when I called. So finally here I am today... ON my 2nd period of this month, almost debilitating cramps, a whopping 15lbs heavier than I was 3 months ago, acne all over my face, NO sex, moody evil woman. AT this point I'd rather have another baby than go through the hell that I've gone through the past 3 months. All I'm hoping is that I loose the weight, acne and bad attitude I've been sporting VERY quickly! I'll check back in, in a few weeks to let you all know how I'm feeling.

Try out the mirena but listen to your body ladies! If you feel uneasy about getting the mirena then don't get it.

Heavy chest, find it hard to breath, palpitations, weight gain around my stomach and hips (I've never had a problem with putting on weight prior to having the coil fitted) mood swings, very, very tender and sore breasts. Lack of Sex drive or being attracted to the opposite sex...

I had Implanon inserted in June 2008, I just had it removed Sept 17 2008. The first side effect was that I gained weight. My appetite increased and I felt like I was constantly hungry. Within the first month I got an Urinary Tract Infection, the infection was so bad that it transferred to my boyfriend through sex.. After a month I started bleeding and it lasted 4 weeks, not spotting just bleeding. I lost my drive for sex, I felt bloated and was too tired ALL THE TIME!!! I was crying over everything, I felt depressed and stressed about everything, my head hurt all the time. My whole body just felt off. I wasn't myself at all. One morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat. I went in for strep test and tested negative. They said it was just a viral infection. A few days after that my muscles started to hurt. My left knee and hip joint began hurting so bad that it was hard to walk and get up out of bed in the morning.(The Implanon was inserted in my LEFT arm). Occasionally I felt tingling in my left arm and fingers. I then notice my left ankle was getting swollen and at that point my whole body felt like it was shutting down.I started to run fevers and thats when I looked up the "possible side effects of Implanon" online. As I read I realized that I had every single side effect even the uncommon more severe ones, but it seemed like my symptoms were multiplied by 100. I called my doctor and she immediately had me come in to have the implanon removed. Today is Sept 22. I have been on bed rest since the implanon was removed. It turns out that my body had rejected the Implanon, treated it like was a foreign object.

I'm very curious to read all these side effects! I have some strange symptoms going on and it only occurred to me after weeks of them that they may be caused by the Mirena IUD. Apart from constant annoying spotting and a bit of a dull ache in the pelvis now and then, I thought I had no other symptoms but I can see that my fuzziness in the head, low grade anxiety and stress that I've been feeling lately may be related. I've also been ravenous and am putting on weight but can't seem to stop eating junk. My energy levels are low and I have body aches and fatigue and find it hard to work out. But has anyone had achy joints in the hands and feet? .....tight tendons in the ankles & archilles and sore bones in the feet.......a feeling like swelling/tightness in the joints in the hands? I thought I was getting arthritis but maybe it's related to the IUD. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks

My M.D had prescribed Singulair approximately 3 months ago. I was extremely hesitant to take it and did research online before i made my final decision. I am/was fortunate not to have many of the side effects as stated in the other postings. Upon filing the second refill, I noticed I was putting on weight. My eating habits and daily routine has not changed prior to taking Singular or during taking the course of taking the pill. I started to become very concerned and I too found this site. I can tell you for a fact, that there is a very definite side effect of weight gain. I have gained weight all over my body, not only limited to the stomach area. As a result, I too, will NOT continue taking this pill, not only because of the weight gain, but in addition to the fact that my allergies are still bothering me. I am going to try Zyrtec, which is now an over- the -counter allergy pill. Zyrtec, until last year, was by prescription only. In final, to all those that are complaining of weight gain and various serious side effects, you are not crazy, The symptoms you are experiencing are real. Good luck to all of you.

I was just prescribed lisinopril a few weeks ago, for HBP, my pressure was always low but, I recently had a malfunctioned defibrillator change and my BP went very high, so the MD put me on lisinopril. I have been on it for about a month now, but the only symptoms I have been getting is severe fatigue,sleeping a lot and very thirsty. Are some of the symptoms putting on weight, I don't want that, and I did or have not had a bad cough. But sleeping is bad and very tired all the time. Should I ask my MD to change my meds? I did have 2 heart attacks and two by pass surgeries, l4 years ago one in 93 and one in 99. Then my heart weakened and I came down with arrhythmias after passing out. They inserted a pacemaker/def. thanks to medtronic after the pacemaker and def. were recalled I had to get another one, but if this drug is causing everyone a lot of problems I don't want to take it. I do get up a lot during the night (constantly going to the bathroom) due to thirst and am constantly tired I am 51,and came down with this disease (it is a childhood disease and have had it since I was l9), but it is a scary one, heart problems. They never ran in my family. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am going to get my blood taken on Tuesday to see if this Lisipril is working or not. Thanks for anyone help, I really need it on this new drug. Thank you.

Julie

Having read all the other peoples comments, am feeling a little less like I am going mad! I am 33 and have no children and had the Mirena coil fitted 18 months ago to combat VERY heavy periods and a dangerously low iron level (i suffer from PCOS). All seemed to be going well for the first 6 months or so- still bleeding but less heavily and a little bit of weight gain, but nothing too scary. Then 9 months in I got what seemed to be a very bad case of herpes the doctor didn't do a blood test, but did give me medication and pain killers.....I have been with my partner for 4 years, we are both faithful and I have never even had a cold sore before!
In the past 9 months my period have been getting more frequent again (one every couple of weeks for about 5 days) but not as heavy as before AND I am getting a very swollen every month with dry itchy areas and sometimes a blister! Does anyone know if it can cause a dormant herpes infection to become active? I am also putting on weight more and the mood swings are getting more pronounced....lots of uncontrollable for no reason and my sex drive is either very high or not there.
I think I will get it removed, but I am scared of the effect this will have on my periods........can anyone help!

I haven't taken this drug yet I am about to go get it from the store and I do not know when to take this medication. Morning or night? I already have racing thoughts at night so I do not want to be more awake at night than I already am. I also suffer from a weight issue, is this medication going to help me loose or gain weight? I cant afford to gain a few, I can afford to loose a few. I also suffer from back pain now so I do not want that to increase. Anyone have any helpful tips for me?

I got it put in about a year and a half ago... gained 5 pounds in the first week... was so bloated I looked pregnant for a month... doctor convinced me to try it for at least another month. I did... weight came off and bloating went down but I spotted for at least a couple months. Also, I lost a ton of hair... but that stopped when I stopped breastfeeding. Since then everything has been fine. My periods were lighter, but I did spot a lot after sex. A couple months ago, I started getting what I thought I recognized as ovulation pains in my sides. I also started gaining a lot of weight (15 pounds in 3 months) and now I have no periods (not even any spotting). I hope this is just for some time. I am constantly hungry and trying not to eat so much but nevertheless I keep putting on weight.

I've been taking 25mg of Toprol twice a day since the middle of February this year. Since then, my joints ache so badly, I'm so tired I can't function, and the nightmares! I thought for sure the Grizzly bear in my dream this morning had me for sure! My blood pressure is a bit lower than usual, but I haven't had the chest pain or noticeable irregular heart rate since I've been taking Toprol.
I guess to get a little, you've got to give a little. sigh.

I have been taking Synthroid since Jan. 2006, am on 100mcg per day and all test results have been 'normal', I have been told to take this medication in the morning an hour before eating anything, if I do this...I have headache all day, I can't eat after an hour because I am so sick at my stomach there's no way. I feel hungry, but feel like if I eat it's coming right back up. Am having serious joint pain in hips, knees, elbows and wrists, my neck hurts really bad as well. I wake up to arms asleep anymore and just feel like I haven't slept in months...am very weak and very tired all of the time.

I have found that if I take my pill at night this gets a little better, but holy cow, don't tell your Dr. your taking it before bed...no, take it of a day. (don't know why this is a major thing?)

Anymore I feel like I am walking around with flu symptoms constantly, and the Synthroid hasn't done anything weight wise with me, because I was so HYPERthyroid before the RAI, I was very thin and looked like a bag of bones, have been waiting and excited about putting on weight...at one point I stopped taking the Synthroid and let myself go HYPO just so I could gain weight, it worked and I got up to about 130 pounds, was very HYPO so they told me critical that I get back on meds...I lost it again because it makes me so sick I can't eat.

NO-ONE can tell me the Synthroid is not the cause of this problem, if I stop taking it I feel WONDERFUL, but my test reults are bad. After a while of course my feet become numb and I end up having some bad hypo symptoms, have tried breaking pills in half....oh Lord no, need it all...

Have been told they are thinking about raising my dosage again anyway, I can't do this, I will break down in the office if they try to raise it. Right now my TSH is fine but my T4 is 'a tad bit' off. I am already an emotional wreck, if they raise my dosage I am going to try and go a different route with this, am on my 3rd Dr. at this point anyway...

I was on Yasmin for over a year and a half and had horrible side effects,no sex drive, could not have an orgasm, got brown spots on my face,weakness in my arms and hands,thoughts of suicide , and severe depression! Everyone keep saying I was crazy and a hypochondriac! I finally went off it and thought I would feel better until I started putting on weight! 7lbs in a month. My depression is better,sex drive came back ,but this weight gain is horrible. I have always watched my weight because I have a slow thyroid. Has anyone else notice weight can after stopping Yasmin? If so PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

HI, this is to answer the message from guest 13393, don't worry too much about putting on weight after you stop taking yasmin, I haven't, on the contrary. True , I only stopped four weeks ago, so it might come, but sofar I have lost 3 kilos (6pounds? sorry I don't know, being French). I am no longer bloated, it feels really good to become my own self again. Stop taking that poison now, you surely won't regret it. ANyway, you will have to one day, and believe me, the sooner the better. Yesterday I had a look at a photo of me dating from February, I just couldn't recognize myself, I looked like a bad special effect form a horror film, like when someone is pumped up and about to explode...

Post your symptoms since stopping Yasmin!!!

Hey everyone it's Kay21 here and I just wanted to post my 3 month off Yasmin update. Because stopping the pill is a hard decision, I figured we should all post are updates here to help/support those who are planning to stop or who have recently stopped Yasmin.

I have been off of Yasmin since April 17. As some of you already know, I was experiencing horrible side effects while on Yasmin for 3 years (particularly stomach problems, vaginal dryness, muscle cramps, increased blood pressure and heart rate and anxiety).

The first 1 month off of Yasmin was okay. In fact, I felt the best I had ever felt in a while. My blood pressure and heart rate decreased and the migraines and muscle cramps went away. But when I hit the 2 month (8 week) mark, I felt HORRIBLE. I was severely depressed and anxious. I was crying all the time and felt a severe sense of DOOM! The physical symptoms also started to become problematic. The acne increased and I started growing more facial hair. The worse symptom, however, was that I started losing a ton of hair. I would lose stray hairs all day (probably about 200 a day). Since I have hit the three month mark, the hair loss has gotten MUCH WORSE! Now I am losing CLUMPS of hair all day. I have seen several doctors about this. Some say it's because of stress and a few (a derm, GYN and endo) say that hiar loss is common after stopping bcp. I have already loss about 1/3 of my hair.

I am also really concerned, because I have not had a period since April 22. So my doctor has put me on provera for 10 days to induce a period.

For those who have stopped Yasmin, what have your symptoms been (i.e. increased acne, weight gain, anxiety, etc.). Has anyone experienced hair loss? How long did it take to get a period???

Thanks...

I just start on Wednesday with a 0.05 dosage. So far, I haven't noticed much of anything except for, maybe, a little constipation. Not sure if it's from the medicine or just not eating as well as I should. Some of the side effects that people have been mentioning are ones that I had PRIOR to taking Synthroid. I was putting on weight like crazy, feeling depressed, extremely tired all the time -- to the point where I would just sit for hours, occasional foot and leg cramps, and a puffy face. Hopefully, Synthroid will help with these instead of making it worse.

I've taken Yasmin for nearly two years now and I was always suspicious of it, but really only in physical ways, like putting on weight, having ENORMOUS breasts that really don't suit me and make me so selfconscious and unhappy, cramps that I never had before before and during my periods, leg cramps that I would wake up screaming with in the night etc. I'm actually so angry now just because in Europe they don't advertise its weight loss/diuretic effects, which means for the past two years it didn't ever occur to me that I had to pee every five minutes because of this stupid, hateful pill! But now after reading about all these women, all of them thinking THEY were the crazy ones, or they were to blame or they were neurotic or going mad and not being told by a doctor (my doctor had me in and out of his office in under 5 minutes when he prescribed this for me) that there could be emotional repercussions - it makes me more and more furious at the things women go through for men. I know it's a cliche but how many men would take a pill every day that not only made them infertile for the duration, but made them feel like some of the women I've read about here? The word "depression" in a list of side effects doesn't do justice to feeling like you should be alone because you're too nuts for your closest friends/partner to be near you, or that no one should have to tolerate you, or to cry all the time and not know why you're getting so angry because of something stupid or nothing at all, or afraid of something really minor, or so ugly you don't want to go out?
Ok - I know this is a bit of a rant but this is my first time hearing that other people feel like this too. I know some people probably get on great with it, some people are no better or worse than they were before, but it's the way in which it's prescribed, without any serious warning or education about risks like these, and this idea that you won't be taken seriously by a doctor if you tell them-
I'm very glad there's a forum like this where people can tell their stories in a balanced and open way.
Thanks!

I have been on Lipotor for several years. I am almost 60 years of age, It is easy at my age to put "changes" in your physical being down to "old" age. Could some or all of these changes be symptons of Lipitor damage?

Gradually I seem to be losing the ability to walk. My legs feel as if they are encased in cement. Getting up from bed or a chair, I stumble around until my muscles seem to get moving. Sometimes I seem to get vibrating spasms in my legs.

My whole body has become stiff. I walk from side to side with my arms bent like a wooden soldier. I have lost my elasticity of movement. My wife looking at me walking has wondered what is wrong with me.

Stepping up onto a step ladder one step at a time, I feel like my legs are too weak to handle my body weight. I thought it was due to my increased weight. I had not considered that it was a breakdown of muscle caused by Lipitor. I continue to go to the gym and do not think that my eating habits have changed but I seem to be putting on more weight.

I had a bit of arthritis in my knees before Lipitor but it did not stop me from running for miles. Now I find if I walk on the treadmill for a mile or two that I am stiff and sore all day. I live with joint pain, muscle ache and a weakness in my legs that makes getting up a real struggle. I put this down to having put on weight but maybe I am putting on weight because of Lipitor and that is causing the problem.

I now seem to have a perpetual nasal infection which I have been putting down to the smog. My skin is so dry, at times, it hurts but I was putting it down to the dryness of central heating in winter. I too have floaters in my eyes but have been told they are common at my age whether I was on Lipitor or not. Sometimes my vision is so blurry I have geat difficulty reading.

I am also taking Cozaar, Allopurinol and Gen-Doxazosin.

I am looking at this web site because I am worried. I will now see my doctor.