Rhuematologist symptoms and conditions

I am a 30 year old nurse and know first hand how birth control pills are individual. I was on many before Yasmin. 6 months ago I started Yasmin because it was the new hype in birth control medicine since it reduces length of period, flow of period, and reduces acne.
I don't think the ingredient drospirenone that's included in Yasmin (a potassium sparing drug, and diuretic, another form of the same type is Spironolactone) works for me.
Ever since I had experienced these symptoms:
Anxiety-heart palpitations, suspiciousness, racing thoughts.
Headaches-tension, leading to muscle spasms in neck and shoulders.
Dizziness-Vertigo type spinning sensations
Ear fullness-popping and cracking without losing hearing.
Fatigue-no motivation, especially for an early riser and a person who works 12 hr shifts.
Chest tightness, lump in throat feeling, could be due to increase in stomach acid (HCl).
If anyone else has vertigo, or dizziness, I would love to know!
Thanks,
Good luck with trying a different form of birth control.

I have had so many shots of
Corticosteroids/NSAIDS/Steroids:

Triamcinolone Acetonide, Kenalog, Depo-Mardol, Lidocaine, Marvaine, Toradol, Epinephrine, Bextra, Xylocaine, Isovue.......on and on and now I do not walk hardly anymore.

I am married, no sex whatsoever! I stayed away from my husband for 3 years almost, living at my apartment. I just moved out by Eviction March 2, 2008. I did not pay rent for one year. I applied for disability since 1995. Won ALJ decision September 2006. I appealed the case being opened back to 1995. I wanted it go go back futher. Just appealed it again in 2008.

Okay, I am a simpleton out here needing a HERO to Take A Stand and Advocate for me.

I do not live with my husband. I live at his mother's home so that he comes and takes cares of us at the same time. She is 90 now. Can you imagine this? I have been reduced to a cripple.

I am a prisoner laid to rest by the BIG DRUG COMPANIES MISLEADING ME, IN NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE DISEASES THAT WOULD ATTACK ME IN THE ONLY LIFE THAT I HAVE.

I wonder if my hip bones have collasped. I have terrible bone pain.

I waddle like a duck, side to side with extreme pain until I freeze up and fall, but mostly, I live with a cane at my side when going out and about.

I now need a wheelchair.

From 1980's, 1990's and now all the way to 2008. I have all medicals.

It was not until 2003-2004 that my life took a turn for the worse.

Hips pain, arms pain, shoulders pain, pain in the Thorasic area to the tail bone area, right groin pain/pubic area pain/gentials, stomach sores/cut out, pain on the scalp, calves feel hard in side/stiff at all times, hamstrings are short,open sores have been on my face, arms and neck lasting for 4-6 mths, low back pain....all of me has been injected with the above crap.

I was doing quite well in life until 2004 when this Orthopedic doctor had shot my left shoulder 3 times.

After this June 2004 event above, and by September 2004 I had walking problems, blamed only on Fibromyalgia, DX 1989.

They took one blood test for Polyrheumatica.

I was fed 20 something meds in 2004.

By 2005 I was devestated in life, health and even wanting to be alive. For one full year I lived on the pot, using Lidocaine up the butt 3-4 times a day for the pain.

Now, looking back at this part, no wonder I had extreme skin blisters, hives, rashes, extreme sweating....this Lidocaine for rectum pain was harming me and no one took me off of it. I finally had my pharmacy tell me this was so wrong to be using 134.00 a month for over one year for pain. I stopped!!!! he seemed to say that I was being harmed.

Suddenly, at my clinic, all of my primary doctors began to do trigger point injections weekly, monthly and for 4 years for my Fibromyalgia comlaint. DX in 1989.

Many NSAIDS for one year, 2003-2004.

In 2003 I had a new denture and a few teeth extracted so that I smiled great when got married April 2003.

By August 2003 I was off the State HMO, had housing city of salem voucher for 5 years at my apartment and was planning to move out and be at my husband's home, but...by September 2003 I was already in some medical exams, new meds and was being normal to a point.

By late 2003 to mid-2004 I was feeling strange about my health. I felt as if I was being sucked dry of any fluids, weird to say, but it felt as if...hard to explain.

I was dizzy, vertigo, some balance problems and like itching, sweating and extreme fatigue. I felt like i was melting. My muscles felt like jello. I had no ability to stay upward on my spine.

I did complain to my dentist and doctors that I was feeling numb on my face and gums by may 2003.

After 2 years, leaving room for a possible lawsuit on the dentist/OS, I filed, had one deposition and my lawyer walked.

I had laughing gas for teeth extractions/numbing shots.

I thought that GAS/SHOTS was to be blamed, maybe the tools they used, or the water and I worked this case to the bitter end, sad to say, that a Lawyer Walked On Me.

By 2004 I did not know what hit me with my health issues..dentists/new meds/new marriage/new doctors involved.

I was in a drug stupor, taking almost 30 drugs from this clinic in 2004.

Prescribed and the samples of Vioxx, Mobic, Celebrex and Bextra.

I had so many Toradol shots to my spine and hips at this clinic and thought they had crippled me.

This doctor humiliated me.

Told me that I was a nut.

I now needed long term counseling with all of the body ailments they all told me. My primary doctor told me many times that NONE OF THE SPECIALIST NEEDED OR WANTED TO SEE ME FOR ANYTHING.

Nothing was hardly affecting me when I got married April 2003. I was a knock out!

The Gastro doctor had me on his 3 drugs also, including that daily Lidocaine up my butt. He did the endoscopy and colonscopy, bloodwork and he said I had Atrophic Mucosa.

He was in direct conflict with my Neurologist who did his own work and he claimed that I was Gluten sensitive, a Celiac now. He gave B12 shots and Folic Acid on top of all the other crap that I was taking.

The Hospital did a spinal tap and may tests.

The pain specialist did his epidurals 2 times.

I have had every NSAID they prescribed me.

I had sleeping pills.

I had anti-depressants.

I had Vicodin to Percacets and then they tried to get me on Methadone. One week on that crap was all.

I notice that Depo-Medrol, Marcaine, Lidocaine was mostly used thru out my life.

The pain specialist above that I used in 2006, also shot me with the epidurals 2 times before 2006, and the O.H.S.U. also shot me with all the above when they DX me with Fibromyalgia 1989.

Then many Toradol and Kenalog shots.

I live with daily diarrhea since 2005-2008.

My legs are always red every day with any walking, sleeping, sitting, balance is off, waddling gait.

My feet pain is as if I walk on glass or rocks....sharp pain now for 4 months.

Arachnoiditis fits me well. I have spoken with the doctor/expert that can test me.

I have been searching since early 2004.

I have no way to know who or what to blame.

I even thought that the MRI's Contrast Agents harmed me starting from the past to now.

I left the clinic that stole my life from me and now have a new doctor at Kaiser Permanente.

I am scared of all doctors now.

I have 4-5 meds right now.

Not one doctor or specialist will DX me. I have a thought below...

I fought the medical community WORLD WIDE back in 2002-2003 with the President Dr. Richard Willner, of Retired Association of Physcians and Surgeons. My two other sisters were in this heated debate.

I was told to expect danger at any time after this online 30 page cruel attack by the doctors on my wrongful death of my mother by her doctors/nursing home/hospital.

I proved this case.

The lawyer in Portland, Or. Judy Snyder told me I did extremely well proving this death was murder...but the Medical Consultant who did the summary of this death was hushed up!!! Later on, after another summary by Medical Consultant, she told me that we would be lucky to get $10,000 for a Nusiance Claim. I tried to get one Lawyer before the statues ran, but no luck. I heard that the Elder Abuse Statues ran for 7 years and to try for that. Oh well, I tried.

Joanie K.

I am soooooooo glad to have found this site. I, like many, many of you, also thought there was no way in the world all my symptoms were being caused by the Mirena IUD, because all of my doctors have told me time and time again that the level of hormones being released by this thing is SOOOOOOOO tiny that it couldn't possibly be causing all that's happening. I had the Mirena inserted in February 2007... by August of 2007 I started experiencing hives all over my body that began as a burning/tingling in my hands and feet, and within a matter of a few weeks had spread to my entire body. I now have had this on-going rash (hives) that never has fully gone away for the past 9 months. My doctors all could not tell me at all what was causing it. I have been taking antihistamines like crazy to keep it "in check" but some days even those do no good. My grandma and mother kept telling me to get this IUD out, but I told them it couldn't possibly be from it due to what the doctors had told me and because I'd had it in since February and didn't get hives until August. However, I truly believe this MUST be the cause, as it's the only new thing in my life during that time period... I've always used the same soaps, ate the same foods, and NEVER have I had any outdoor allergies. It MUST be the Mirena. In addition to the hives, I CANNOT LOSE WEIGHT, have stayed at 174 pounds since having this inserted. I have tried exercise, dieting, etc. and notice NO changes. Due to the ongoing hives my body is going through a constant fight against this allergy, and as a result, my neck has a giant cluster of enlarged lymph nodes that will NOT go down in size. Probably because my body never gets rid of this foreign body so it's continually tried fighting it and just can't so they stay swollen. I had my lymph nodes biopsied and I do NOT have cancer... I am going tomorrow morning to have it removed immediately and I will be absolutely STUNNED if it turns out to not be the cause. I am THAT certain the Mirena has caused all of this. I would NOT recommend this IUD to ANYONE. It is absolutely the worst thing I've EVER experienced in my life. I plan to get in contact with the attorney mentioned in an older post below about the class-action lawsuit. I have spent 9 months of living in pure misery with burning, itching, red and swollen hives all over my body, living in total anxiety not wanting to leave my house and have others see me and think I have a disease. Not to mention all the time and medical costs that I have incurred from seeing doctor after doctor that can't diagnose me.

Thank you all for making me feel as if I'm not alone. I thought this was the way I was supposed to feel. 6 years ago I experienced a sudden heart attack with no symptoms at 42. A new doctor put me on Lipitor about 2 1/2 years ago as a precaution. The heart attack was genetic as I was about an 80% vegetarian and walked about 8 miles a day. My mother had her first heart attack at the same age. I always had weight problems as a kid, but slimmed down as an adult. After the Lipitor, I have gone from a 32 waist to a 42, joint pain, sleep problems, lack of concentration and the constant feeling as if I have been run over by a Mack truck. You all are giving me the confidence to go with my instincts and stop taking this med. along with switching to a doctor who will listen to me and not tell me to get a personal trainer of which I cannot afford. By the way, I still walk my 4-6 miles a day even in the snow and rain. For me, it's always been my best form of exercise. Again, thank you all for not making me feel alone.

I have been on mirena now for 10 months. I was on the depo for 10 years prior. I loved my depo adn only went off of it after Kaiser said I could not do it any longer. I was told that mirena was a god send and a lot like my depo. I can say that the combination of depo and mirena I have not had any period at all. but that is where the happiness ends. I have experienced moths of breast pain. it hurt to touch them let alone put anything on them. after about 6 months and numerous trips to the vet it disappeared. then I got a small rash on my neck and by my arms. went to dermatology and since then I have been there, or to my primary or an allergist every week since then. the rough severley itchy skin is constant. remarkably every 29 - 32 days it fades for 2 days or so and just when I am sure it is going away wham back it comes and each time it is getting worse and worse. having never had any skin problems before I believed the doctors tha tit was folliculitus, then they said dermatitus, then they said uticaria and then hives or the last straw i was causing it that it was in my head. i just got a new allergist and while she doesn't knwo if it is my mirena she can tell me I have histamine levels that are off the chart. my husband is allergic to a lot so we already use free & clear everything and my housse is spotless but I am still being told it is soemthing I am doing to myself. I have also been reevaluating my things and I relaize I have been experiencing a lot of numbness and joint pain. so much so that my primary sent me to a rhuematlogist and he ran every test for lupus, and many other diseaeses adn even cancer. I was going crazy. Iwas beginning to think maybe I was mental. I have since been researching mirena and I am finding it so much more than what the pamphlet says. I finally got the nerve to call my ob, adn she ahs since been researching things with me and we know for sure that no matter what next week I get my mirena removed. I am just feeling so alone and depressed. I am 33 years old and instead of enjoying my new marriage I am contemplating a divorce becasue I do not want him to be stuck with soemone who might be crazy. seeking support and anyone else who feels this way.

I have terrible sinus problems, which my doctor put me on Leviquin for. I took a twenty day dose of it, and this is the worst thing I have ever been through in my entire life. Excrutiating pain in feet, ankles, knees, elbows, fingers, and also stabbing pains all over my body. Also sweat perfusely, and I wake up every night from nightmares and/or pain. When I wake up I can hardly move my fingers, or stand up to walk. Also I have numbness all over, and now I have high blood pressure which I never had before. My doctor thought I had rhuematoid arthritis, but the test was negative. He said he doesn't think that it is from Leviquin, but after reading all these stories, I am positive it is. It has been a month since my last Leviquin, and I am still not any better. I have to lay down on the couch about every hour because of this pain, and I don't want to do anything or go anywhere anymore. I guess now I have to see a Rhuematologist. I just don't know what else to do, and I am afraid to take any more pills than what5 I am already taking. I am very depressed over all of this.

I am just in tears reading these experiences. I took Yasmin for three months and my body just crashed. I've been off for one month and spend most of my days lying on my couch. I can't work anymore (as a massage therapist) and I have two children to take care of.
Not being sure all my symptoms were from Yasmin, I was sent to a rhuematologist who diagnosed my with spondylitis, arthritis in my spine. I believe I do have arthritis, but I think that because my body is out of balance, I got a severe flare up. I'm in pain from the moment I lift my head in the morning, usually starts with a headache, until the moment I drop into bed at night. I am so weak by the end of the day that I can hardly hold myself over the sink to wash my face. And remember, I'm not doing anything all day long.
This has been so upsetting. I cry every day wondering if I'm ever going to get better or worse?
I've seen a natural doctor as well and have researched on my own. I'm taking some supplements and may be adding Pregnenalone and Vita-C to help as well. I'm feel releived to have found this site. It has been validating.
I'll be checking in and hopefully, we can all help each other by sharing our experiences.

I have lived an absolute nightmare since a hospital ER doctor started me on Levaquin in DEC. 2005 after being treated for flu and bronchitis. I fainted 20 mintues later and he said this was due to a "vagal" response. But the next day or two on a continued 6 day dosage of this antibiotic I started having every life and eath symptom described on this board. I even allowed myself to be put on anti-depressants for the first time in my 54 years because so many doctors were just going the psych route after not being able to explain all these symptoms. But EVERYTHING, every symptom I have like the ones described here started in the first two days after I started taking the levaquin and NO OTHER MEDICINE FOR SIX DAYS. I have felt like I was going to die, I was going crazy, I couldn't walk straight, I couldn't sleep for days at a time ( this was almost making me suicidal ) my scalp and arms itched, my legs and calves are so weak and sore I can only walk for about 10 mintues and if I over do this walking my body goes into a major attack full body attack of all these other symptoms. I have had pain in my arms, wrists, hands, Hands get cold, my sensitivity to cold is just unbearable, I have had rashes, and my stomach is so torn apart that GI doctors are saying it looks like beginning Crohnes disease and I have tried so many medicines. My legs seem to getting WEAKER after 6 months! My left leg locks as I walk and drags. My appetite is gone most of the time. My sex drive is about 10% of what it was before, My eyesight even seems to be affected and I have had this weird pulsating shaking up through my left neck and into my head feeling.

I found this website and suggested to my doctors that maybe because all I took levaquin all that first week when all this started that maybe the Levaquin did all this damage and my PCP and Rhuematologist just cut me off like I was trying to bring up some JFK conspiracy theory.

I can promise you this. I am going to try to start a national organization for people who have been severly, life changing damaged, many permanently like me it appears ( I have lost my job and you can't believe the depression I know have ) I take clonazapam just to function every day! There ARE SO MANY VICTIMS OF THIS and we need to get organized. This Levaquin and maybe Cipro sounds like a killer, life ruining drug. Seriously, I called a law firm in San Francsco about this and they laughed. They said "take on the drug companies?, You have got to be kidding me. They are too wealthy and connected. Not one case in 5 years in California. But it has to start somewhere. This is a national tragedy and injustice. If we don't organize then we are just allowing ourselves to be devastatingly hurt here for no good reason except profit and greed.

I accidentally happened across this Website... I was looking for an anti-depressant medication that would help me to, not hinder me from losing weight.

My jaw hit the floor when I began reading the entries. Almost everyone one of them described me to a "T". I am still in shock and almost speechless... You better believe that I will be visiting with my doctor ASAP about getting off of Yasmin.

I was on Estrostep FE, prior to this, because I have to take some form of BC due to PCOS. I was on the Estrostep FE because it has iron pills during the "inactive" phase and helps you to not become anemic during your periods. When Yasmin showed up on the scene, my OB/GYN (who I trust very much) wanted to switch me to Yasmin, because as most other doctors have been - she was fooled by the drug companies into believing this would be the best thing for me.

Granted, at first, it worked miracles. Acne cleared up, I felt a lot better, etc. I have been on this medication for a while now and about a year ago I began to experience severe anxiety and panick attacks (so much so, that I missed work and had chest pains). Of course, it's all in your head, so I was put on Lexapro - which has halped quite a bit, but I also began taking a daily vitamin/mineral, calcium & iron supplements.

I have also become anemic, even though I am taking all these supplements and depiste my best efforts to lose weight, I cannot seem to. I have also experience the ravenous hunger, that some of you have mentioned - which I am sure does not help the weight issue. Not too mention the extreme fatigue and body aches so bad, that they have done multiple blood tests & were even going to send me to a rhuematologist. The aches and pains make it very difficult, if not impossible to exercise, which only exhaserbates the weight issue.

I have become morbidly obese, which I am not blaming on the Yasmin - but after reading all of this, I believe that it definitely has contributed. Like I said, I will be seeing my doctor Thursday and I will be taking copies of these entries as well as this web address to her. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories, I believe it may have saved my life and maybe many others'. I am also going to look into what it takes to get a lawsuit started, with my attorney. I will let you all know what I find out. Thanks again!