Renal failure symptoms and conditions

I was placed on Topamax, off label, for suspected bipolar illness (now disproven). My cognition, word finding abilities, memory has been so adversely affected that I am now on disability. I had 5 kidney stones due to the development of Renal Tubular Acidosis, nearing renal failure (a side effect doctors don't warn patients about). This in turn led to osteomalacia, softening of the bones, only discovered after I broke all three major bones in my leg and snapped off my foot stepping off the lowest seat of a bleecher. I've suffered tingling in arms, hands, legs & feet (nerve damage), lesions in the brain, muscle spasms, heat & cold intolerance, insomnia etc... Although I lost weight, I gained it back (then some) as soon as I reduced the dosage of 800 mgs. Upon stopping the drug to save my kidneys, thus my life, my kidney function returned to almost normal within a few months, although there is residual damage. All other side affects remain two years later. Losing weight is not worth dying! Beware of this drug being used off label! I would never trust this drug!

I was taking Topamax for about 4 years for chronic/daily migraines. It helped tremendously after I had taken almost everything else with no success. Then I had an episode where I ended up with 5 kidney stones. They passed but my neurologist wanted me off the Topamax in case that was the cause of them. I went off and my headaches came back with a vengeance. I had them daily until I begged my primary care doctor to put me back on Topamax. I honestly would rather have stones than daily headaches. I am a mother to four and have a husband and a job. I can't live with daily migraines. After being back on it for about two weeks the headaches have disappeared. I take 200 mg twice a day. I do have memory loss and loss of words big time. It is VERY frustrating. I feel stupid. But I can live with that. I have tingling cheeks , lips and hands. I'm sensitive to sun and have to wear my sunglasses a lot more now. I now talk in my sleep- a little nervous about that :) I lost weight last time around but haven't yet this time. I am very happy, not sure if that is the RX or just me reacting to not having headaches. I guess you have to weight the side effects with the benefits. The choice is ultimately up to you. Good luck everyone!

I took 20 mgs a day for 5 days in September of 2006. I developed a terrible cough, but worse than that, severe chest pains & shortness of breath upon exertion. I still can't go up & down stairs; my pain is brutal and it's going on 3 years since it all began. Before I took the lisinopril, I hadn't been having any chest pains or trouble breathing.

Is there any hope of recovery? My doctors all say they've never heard of this kind of side effect; that lisinopril is a very common drug; it's clear that I have reduced lung function & definite pain & symptoms, but there is no way to isolate the exact thing causing it or to figure out how to make it go away; just to control the symptoms.

My theory: the lisinopril triggered an autoimmune response in which my body physically tries to reject my own lungs. Any thoughts on that one? I had been taking cozaar as an ACE inhibitor to slow the rate of my renal failure; I have type 1 diabetes and hypoparathyroidism, and while I needed meds before this episode, all I had to do then was manage my diabetes & I was able to live normally. Since this, it's been nearly impossible to do ANYthing. I am at the end of my rope & I want this to stop. But 3 years later, and while the shortness of breath is improved, the pain is actually worse now. I could sure use some advice & support. I'm on my way this week to get set up with a new dr. because we've moved, and I'm going to have to go through this whole thing again. Also - I'm trying to compile a list of other people who have had side effects with chest pain & shortness of breath. Also anxiety & panic attacks as collateral damage.

I was prescribed Topamax for prevention of migraines, since they are getting worse, and my usual meds didn't seem to be doing the trick.

I only took it for 9 days at 25mg dose (1X per day) and at day 8 I awoke with the most HORRIFIC back/side pain, I could hardly stand. It worked for my headaches, but now I still have back pain, and I have to call the doctor, as I am showing serious signs of KIDNEY DISTRESS.

To the best of my knowledge, I did NOT have any issues with my kidneys before taking this med, but I may now. I was told about many of the side effects, but NOT this one. I sure hope this drug hasn't pushed me into some kind of renal failure. I would rather deal with the migraines any day. Thanks, Topamax!

I have been on Lisinopril for approx 5 years, during a routine year end blood work-up, I have developed a problems with my creatine levels 1.48 and Glom Filt Rate, Est 37. My physician had me do a 24 hr urine for further testing but insisted that I no longer take the Lisinopril. Several of the tests have come in and he advised me that I have only 50% blood flow to my kidneys. It appears to me that the Lisinopril has caused some kidney damage. I also have a great deal of muscle pain, but do to my age (55 years) I thought it was jus a part of the aging process. What do you think?

i have been on this for 5 weeks topamax and am now very depressed and anxious and having suicidal thoughts and bad upset belly and am now coming of it does anybody think that this is the cause

shakes,high levels of electrolytes,acidosis,severe diar,renal failure,labored breathing

I just finished my seventh day of Avelox today for rhinitis (sinus). The dry mouth and throat is very bad. I wake up about twice a night to drink water. My mouth and throat gets so dry. It even gets dry and sticky throughout the day. I am drinking so much water. I have noticed about an hour after I take it, I get dizzy and become very anxious. I even start thinking about all of my symptoms and begin to freak out. I have had about two panic attacks this week. I do not like the changes it has done to me. I have also been very emotional and sad. I think I have cried about three times this week. I am glad I am finished...no more depression! My sinus infection is better though.

There has been at least two documented cases of women having extremely high acid levels due to taking Xeloda. These high levels ultimately caused their deaths. All drugs cause side effects but death is not one listed in any of the literature that Roche presents with this drug. If you are taking this drug please make sure that your acid levels are checked regularly and if you know of someone who had the same complications from Xeloda please contact us.

Within 5 days of beginning course of Geodon, 40mg daily, doc doubled my dosage to 80mg, began to have problems. Intensely manic, easily frightened, insomnia, terrifying dreams. I decided to get out of hospital ASAP and decide if to quit taking Geodon.
On day six already my face was twitching, was irritable and manic, pacing, increasingly manic throughout day, decided to skip evening dose, keep total dosage same as before, 40mg. Began tripping around midnight and it was all downhill from there. Sleepless all night, by morning I had convulsions, increased heart rate, fear and anxiety, psychosis, uncontrollable crying. Had another seizure 12 hours later. Slept a little with help of Valium. Next day developed Parkinson's like symptoms, had my father not been there to help me, Lord knows what would have happened to me. Still awake in day 3 of withdrawal. Hoping the worst is over.

My 84 year old who is in a nursing home was recently prescribed Lisinopril for BP. He is also suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer, as well as stomach ulcers. He has been severely dehydrated, does not sleep well at night, very fidgety, and has become more confused. He is now close to renal failure and the doctor says it's because of the drug. In many of these comments, I find that the drug is sometimes prescribed for kidney disease. I believe that this drug generic or not should be taken off the market. I feel that doctors are experimenting with some patients just to see what side effects with patients.

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?

I'm posting my comment here on the Levaquin site because I too was poisened by this drug one year ago. I experienced horrible joint and tendon pain and even a year later I am still experiencing problems with both Achilles tendons. What I wanted to talk about today is Levaquin's horrible sibling Cipro. Here it is...the honest facts...In late Dec 2006 my dad was diagnosed with chirrosis of the liver. On Jan 8, 2007 he was admitted into the hospital to have fluid drained from his abdomen as a result of his liver not functioning well. My dad was given 400 mg of Cipro through an IV over the course of one hour. I wasn't there with him at the time because I would have never allowed the doctor/nurse/whomever to administer that to him. He was released from the hospital two days later and was ok by all accounts. On Jan 18, 2007 my dad was rushed to the hospital ER where we were told he was in complete kidney failure (renal failure). His liver was also failing. My 70 year old dad died on Feb 13, 2007 from complete kidney and liver failure. At one point over the weeks he was slowly dying I looked up Cipro on the internet and was horrified to read that Cipro is notorious for causing acute renal and liver failure. Another Flouroquinolone, Tequin, was taken off the market last year for causing the same thing. My dad had a "sick" liver to begin with and I cannot comprehend whay a doctor would prescribe a drug to him that is known to cause liver failure. Yes my dad had a liver problem, but besides that he was in excellent health. I do believe that one day my dad would have died as a result of having liver disease, but I truly believe that the Cipro he was given caused his kidney and liver to fail so soon and so rapidly. Beware my friends....beware. May God bless us all who have been affected in one way or another from this crap that is STILL on the market.

RENAL FAILURE

i have been on pred for 3yrs. following surgery for retro peritoneal fibrosis. started at 30mg twice a day experienced over appetite, excess energy. weight gain after 2 1/2 yrs i had a full hip replacement, due to effects of prednisone. i am now on 05mg i should mention that the rpf caused renal failure. kidney function was reduced & pred was the only drug that stabilized my condition. would be interested in any help finding another drug in place of pred. i am 69 yrs. old & in fairly good health otherwise.

Transient volume overload
Pulmonary edema
Renal failure
CHF
Hypotension (from excessive diuresis)
Sodium depletion

I can understand some peoples concern for others stopping their medication without completing the full peried of time.. However, sometimes, it is unavoidable.. My mother is terminally ill. She has a bed sore that involves a staff infection. They put her on Levaquin for one week. She experineced sever stomach pain, overall body pain.. You couldn't touch her without her crying out in pain.. She would barely eat or drink. At one point the nurses thought she might be having a heart attack as the whole left side of her body had shooting pains up and down it.. I asked then if they thought it might be the antibiotic as it started the day after she took the first dose. They didn't think so.

A couple of weeks later, the infection in the sore resurfaced, and they started her on another round of Levaquin. Same exact symptoms, only this time she started getting body swelling, she could not hardly swallow, and was terribly short of breath.. It was horrible, but again dispite my concerns, they made me continue the med with her and even wanted her to have an extra weeks worth..

After 8 days, I had had enough.. My mother was suffering extensively, it was as if this medication would kill her before her terminal illness would.. I INSISTED that they take her off this med...Three day have passed.. She has some of her appitite back, the swelling went away, you can touch her now except that her heel is still very sore. She is alert and can swallow again.. NO ONE will tell me is wasn't because of Levaquin.. No more shortness of breath.. All the serious side affects have diminished greatly.. I have recently read that people with heart disease as well as mild renal failure should be watched closely with this med.. My mother has both as well as COPD...Why did they even prescribe this med for her??

Coincident with the administration of Toradol, post surgery, I experienced internal bleeding at the surgical site, had to receive 4 units of blood, had renal failure and almost lost my life to renal failure and circulatory shock. Following the second surgery to stop the hemorrhaging, I remained in ICU for 2 1/2 days

I am a 62 year old male I have been in excelent health all my life. Ive been on zocor for 3yrs and complaining to to my cardioligist for two years about leg pain and cramps.Ive been off zorcor for 6wks with little or no improvement, I have severe leg pain and spazims my arms are numb my face is twiching my chest is giving me similar symtoms which scares the hell out of me. Ive had to take zanax anti depressant meds. How long will it take to go away? After reading about all the other people with the same symtoms, it's deplorable that the doctors are still handing this stuff out to paitienst. HELP! HOW LONG TO GET RID OF THE PAIN. LETS GET TOGETHER AND SUE. JERRY