Risk factors symptoms and conditions

I have used Nasonex for about two years. Last spring, I developed vision problems which I didn't attribute to the Nasonex. In the fall, I was diagnosed with a cataract and glaucoma in my left eye.
I did not have any known risk factors and take very few medicines, so I believe the Nasonex caused the cataract and glaucoma. The first eye doctor never mentioned that the Nasonex could be causing my eye problems so I continued to take it until recently when I discovered it was probably to blame. I am now facing cataract surgery and the new eye doctor I went to told me I have the eye of someone 20 years older.

Yasmin is great! I am 30 yrs old and have been on Yasmin for 4 years and my periods are reduced to a light 5 days (they used to be 8-12 days and heavy with clots). I have no more menstrual cramping as I did before. I have not had any pimples for 4 years. I have lost 15 lbs since being on Yasmin, but I also attribute that to being physically active and eating correctly. No change in moods, sex drive is better, boobs are bigger, energy is great. I am normal weight, healthy and active. I have no medical problems or risk factors. I just want to inform any of you that had problems with DVT, blood clots, or stroke..that all birth control pills (any brand) carry an increased risk of thrombosis. That is not a side effect unique to Yasmin. You are 2-3 X more likely to have a thrombotic event on OCPs when compared to women who are not on OCPs. Risk of thrombosis related to pregnancy is actually MUCH higher, 5-10 X compared to women who are not pregnant or on OCPs. So I'd stick with my OCPs to avoid the nastier side effects of pregnancy..

I don't want to scare all of you, but I thought I should share my recent experience. I am 40 years old and have never tolerated birth control pills very well. I experience major headaches that make the effects not worth the pain. As I was approaching menopause, I developed an ovarian cyst and dysfunctional bleeding and anemia. My periods could last up to 8 weeks at a time. I was desperate. I was put on Yasmin and was told to give it 3 months for my body to acclimate to this drug. I had a headache EVERY day that I was on this pill. 2-3 times a month it would flair up into migraine status. After 2 months and 1 week, I had one of those headaches that didn't go away. I went to the doctor 3 times to figure out what the problem was. I had a stroke and it was not diagnosed for 9 days due to the fact that I didn't have many outward stroke symptoms. I had a blood clot in my brain that blocked my sinus, sigmoid, and jugular veins. My neurologist said that most people would not have lived through this and that I was lucky to be alive. Please warn your friends and family. This is so dangerous. The only risk factors that I have are my age (40) and my weight (200 lbs) at 5' 7. I did not smoke, rarely drink, I'm not on medication for any other thing.

Just wondering if anyone else has similar side effects ... I have had Gall Bladder symptoms but all the tests say my gall bladder is working well. (Blood, sono and MRI with contrast) It all started a few weeks after the mirena was inserted. Extremely Severe pain in my right side that last for 8 to 12 hrs. Seems to feel slightly better with a few crackers (unlike gall bladder) and seems to move lower as it gets better (also unlike gall bladder). It does not move around to my back like gall bladder should or usually does. Gall bladder made sense since I have the risk factors ( women over 30, just had a baby etc)

Anyway, Anyone else having the right side pain? Thanks!

For all of you that has had problems with Yasmin or Yaz, I'm sincerely sorry. I'm really curious though to all of you, has anyone that read the leaflet that comes with the birth control box, have any problems? If you read that it may increase potassium which may cause serious heart and health problems so it would be good to get your potassium level checked before taking it. Side effects usually go away after 2-3months, has anyone have problems longer than that and ended up finding out what was the problem? I just wanted to know because my girlfriend is about to take it...and I wanted to know if one knew about the effects of this pill, and what precautions they had taken. Okay, thank you.

Hi,

I started Yasmin generic (ocella) 3 weeks ago. After a few days I developed a headache that feels like constant pressure around my temples, eyebrows and in between nose. It does not go away with pain killers. I have no history of reoccurring headaches and when I have gotten one advil usually takes care of it.

After 2 weeks I decided to stop Ocella to see if that was the reason. I still have the headache a week later. I went to the dr. yesterday and he said it wasn't a sinus headache which I thought it might be. He said it might be a migraine even though it doesn't sound like a typical one. If it doesn't go away this weekend I'll have to get a Cat scan and maybe MRI. Does this sound familiar to anyone who got headaches from Yasmin? My dr. said BCP wouldn't cause a headache but several people on this site described it as a side effect. Input much appreciated.

Thanks!
C.

I posted a story on January 16 about my 16 year old daughter who turned out to have Factor V Leiden. She went on Yaz and nearly died a few weeks later. Factor V Leiden really is very common. Especially if you have Scandinavian blood or red hair. But it affects all races and ethnicities at lower levels. If you want to read more, the New York Times had a good article on February 24, 2008. It was about the decision whether to get a genetic test before going on birth control. B. A.

I am a male 45 years and used simivastin another statin for three and a half years. Over this time i had severe muscle pain at time then about 4 months ago the muscle pain in my legs came on with a vengeance. It started in both thighs then calfs got very tight sore ankles feet and eventually got in to my arms. A deep achey sort of a pain and an irritability that casesa feeling like a toxin in my inside elbows that makes me want to stretch all the time. I feel very weak compared to my former self. I tried many things to alleviate the pain but nothing really took the pain away or even decreased it much. sometimes i would lay and groan in agony. I especially noticed that draghts and weather changes made me feel worse????. I stopped taking the simivastin 6 weeks ago. I have not had a lot of improvement but must admit thet i have been trying to push my self over this and probably done more damage. My ck levels are normal but my liver enzyme is increased a little. I started also to take q10 and L- carnitine along with magnesium. I might be improving a little each day but nothing definite. I saw a rheumatologist who has no diagnosis and isn't to committal on whether the statin is to blame. He put me on celebrex which has finally given me some relief. Can anyone relate to the worsening of symptoms with cooler changes in weather? and is there anything else i could do to hasten recovery? Thank you to all contributors on this board although it is the first time i have contributed this board has been a scores of help to me.

I’m a 52 year old female diagnosed with bi-lateral pulmonary embolisms three months ago. I’ve been on Warfarin for those three months. The reason I’m searching this blog is because I experience chills at about 4:00 am every morning. It’s interesting to hear of others having the same issue. However, I have not experienced other side effects mentioned: weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, depression... One thing that I’ve not read about here is the actual physical effects from the embolisms. I do experience shortness of breath and fatigue but I attribute it to the healing process that is occurring in my lungs. I have a wonderful doctor that told me that the road to recovery will not be easy and there will be some set-backs along the way. She listened to my concerns about shortness of breath and prescribed a couple of inhalers that I use to make my breathing more productive. She told me me to exercise “gently” to help my blood circulate to aid the healing that needs to take place. I admit that it’s hard to exercise when I’m not feeling my best but the benefits are worth it. I’m now feeling better than I’ve felt in three months. I also reduced my calorie intake knowing that with my limited activity my metabolism would slow down and weight gain would be a risk. So I ask the people writing in with side effects to look at their situation honestly and see what changes they could make to help their bodies heal. Those with PE and DVT, are you exercising? Are you overweight and need to alter your eating habits? Do you still smoke? We need to take responsibility for our health. I am a healthy, active, non-smoker. My PE’s are probably the result of starting Hormone Replacement Therapy four months prior to my PE’s. I have no other risk factors. Once I’m off Warfarin my doctor will run blood tests to see if I have other clotting factors, meanwhile I’m doing all that I can to help my body heal. I wish everyone here well and hope that your health improves.

Hi, I am a 45 year old male with high cholesterol. prescribed 20mg. of Lipitor to control it. Am having a strange twitching muscle in my right calf since I started the meds. Forearms hurt, trouble sleeping, twitching in my sleep, apparently, tiredness. I'm worried about going off it. My dad died of a heart attack. Would it hurt to try going off it for about 3 months?

60 year old male on zocor for approximately 10 years. taking 80 mg daily.
only recently (within the last 18 months) i noticed some changes going on.
first i had joint pain in my feet, both feet, same areas. the foot pain went away but then the pain traveled up to the back of my legs, behind the knee,
when the muscle or tendons attach. every time i sat for awhile, then got up, the pain was brutal. that lasted about 3 months. later the pain shot up to the joints in my hands. both hands, same place on both hands. when i rotate my thumb or move it, the knuckle area of the thumbs, same place,
hurt bad. i will confront my health care provided at the va on these issues.
she disregarded my previous remarks and said arthritis, hands and feet and perhaps i overextended something at the gym on my behind the knee issue.
i think she is wrong. recently i had a severe cold and did not take the zocor for two days. the thumb pain subsided substantially. i resumed and the pain came back. now it feels as if the pain will travel back down to behind my knees again as i am beginning to feel a pull. any others out there with these issues???

In 2006 at the age of 38 after 4 years on Yasmin I had a mini-stroke. I am writing a non-fiction memoir about my experience and am very interested in hearing from anyone who has had a bad experience with Yasmin (or indeed, any other hormonal contraceptive.) I invite you to have your story included in my book. I am particularly interested in incidences of blood clot and of course, stroke, plus any withdrawal symptoms experienced from the drug. Please email me at ****** including your full name, age, location, a brief gynecological history, and the main facts of your experience. Thanks!!

I am a retired Psychologist and former nurse. In April 2008 I went for a post -op check-up following ankle reconstruction surgery in July 2007 ( nine months after the surgery). I was still having a little pain and a lot of swelling in my ankle. The Orthopedic MD gave me a 1 c.c Injection of Kelalog and 3 C.C. of Lidocaine. He knew I am diabetic and didn't take this into consideration.He didn't tell me what he was injecting just got the shot and put it into my ankle with no information or explanation, telling me about risk factors or getting my consent .Three days later my lower legs became very heavy, weak and numb. The next day these feelings moved 12 more inches up my legs, and continued to move up my both legs anf then up body until it got to the middle of my chest and I was having a hard time breathing. I went to the local University hospital and was admitted to the neurology unit. After three days they couldn't figure out what the problem was and discharged me falsifying the discharge diagnosis saying that I was getting better. The neurology residents and their attending MD's emphatically refused to even consider that the injection of Kenalog was the problem.And so it was with another three neurologists I was referred to see. From then until now six months later my life has been hell. My diabetes has been out-of -control ( I had it under good control before the shot). My electrolytes are crazy, calcium high, potassium low, I have had three MRI's, 2 CKat scans, 2 EMG tests, nuclear scans of my para thyroid glands, at least 100 lab tests, dimpling in both my ankles and lower legs, and the heaviness, weakness and numbness coming and going in my legs so bad that I can hardly walk at times. I contacted Bristol-Myers to ask if there is any treatment. Their response was to get records form my doctor--I thought to help me--- but a phone call to their office made me realize it was to cover their own ass's and they don't give a S--- about me or how this drug had messed up my life.I had to cancel two consulting jobs to do Professional presentations costing me over $5000.00. I am 75 years old and now six months later all I can do is wait until this crap gets out of my system and hope I can get my diabetes back under control. I have been put on at least 6 more medications to control my symptoms including insulin shots. What a nightmare!

I was prescribed Simvastatin 40mg four weeks ago and had horrendous side effects almost immediately eg deep depression, diarrhea, bad stomach aches and night cramps in my legs. Last week my doctor prescribed Lipitor 10mg and I feel no better in fact probably worse. The worst side effect for me is the stomach aches and constant diarrhea and complete lack of appetite. There can be absolutely nothing in my stomach any more. Does anyone else have these symptoms? After reading peoples experiences on here I feel I should stop taking this medication immediately!

Karen

Our beloved daughter has just been laid to rest....she was a gorgeous 22 year old Texan beauty......
She died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism just 3 weeks after starting this piece of **** drug called YAZ...
She was misdiagnosed with pleuracy,....
SPREAD THE WORD TO EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW WHO IS ON THIS DRUG THAT YAZ CAN BE A KILLER...OVER 4,000 SIDE EFFECT POSTINGS ON THIS SITE ALONE...SEE HOW MANY DIED OR ALMOST DIED FROM TAKING YAZ AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION...

Special thanks to the FDA and the Multi Billion dollar companyYAZ for their contributions to killing Americas young women...
God bless all who have suffered and perished from YAZ...

“The first heart disease indicator to be recommended by the American Heart Association in twenty years entails only a surprisingly simple, inexpensive blood test. This high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test takes the traditional cardiac check-up a step further, pinpointing those people who are at a much higher risk than others for heart disease, America’s leading cause of death. From hs-CRP results, doctors gain crucial insight into inflammation of the blood vessels around the heart, a factor not considered until now for patients at risk… People who have suffered a heart attack or stroke and those with at least one risk factor, such as family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking or diabetes, should be tested. While the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control just recently recommended hs-CRP testing as an option for those already at risk, The Cleveland Clinic has used the hs-CRP test routinely for at-risk patients for several years. Hs-CRP is a great test for people with one or two risk factors who wonder if they are really in jeopardy of a heart attack or a stroke (Greater than 3.0 mg/L High Risk for CVD). It’s probably less useful for people without any risk factors.” See entire article: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/news/hot/crp.aspx
Hopefully, your physician/cardiologist will do a C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test, and based on the results of the CRP, consider a low dose statin (5mg Lipitor –split tablet in half or 10mg Zocor), instead of a high dose. See article by Dr. Cohen, Associate Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine and of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego: “Overall, the risk of death was the same with high-dose and lower-dose Lipitor. In other words, high-dose Lipitor offered no advantage in the study's most important category: preventing deaths.” See, www.medicationsense.com (HIGH-DOSE LIPITOR FOR HEART ATTACKS: HOW EFFECTIVE, HOW SAFE?)
Also see, the recent article (Feb. 2008), by Board Certified Cardiologist, Dr. Peter Langsjoen, M.D., FAAC, which details the trouble with statins and the requirement to supplement with 300mg to 600 mg of CoQ10 daily: *******/magazine/mag2008/feb2008_Alleviating-Congestive-Heart-Failure-With-Coenzyme-Q10_01.htm, as well as, CITIZEN PETITION TO CHANGE THE LABELING FOR ALL STATIN DRUGS (MEVACOR, LESCOL, PRAVACHOL, ZOCOR, LIPITOR, AND ADVICOR) RECOMMENDING USE OF 100-200mg PER DAY OF SUPPLEMENTAL CO-ENZYME Q10 TO REDUCE THE RISK OF STATIN-INDUCED MYOPATHIES (INCLUDING CARDIOMYOPATHY AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE). *****/OHRMS/DOCKETS/dailys/02/May02/052902/02p-0244-cp00001-01-vol1.pdf.
In closing, I hope your physician/cardiologist will consider recommending CoQ10 in addition, should he/she make the decision to prescribe the above (Low Dose Statins to reduce inflammation of the blood vessel wall/endothelium). See, the following medical research/article: ******/cgi/content/abstract/57/1/1