April 13th
2008
11:16 PM
Alright. After observing my daughter for two full weeks after discontinuing Singulair, I have decided to share our story.
Our daughter started taking Singulair last August (2007) to relieve her allergy symptoms. I'd like to add she is an identical twin, whose sister did not need to take the medication, for she had mild allergy symptoms that were easily relieved by taking Allegra. So we clearly have a side-by-side case study where one twin took the Singulair and the other did not. About two weeks later we noticed changes in her behavior and thought it was due to the new school routine and changes, etc. Then she started not eating, and when she did eat, she ate very little. Both girls are in a select soccer league are physically active 4-5 times a week.
Long story short - she stopped eating, lost weight, stopped growing and is now 2.5 inches shorter and 15 lbs. lighter than her identical twin. They are fifth graders, I might add, so 15 lbs is ALOT of weight at their age. She was withdrawn, known to have deep depressive episodes, reacted adversely to everything and, in general, wasn't acting herself since last August. She was not enjoying life at all.
She is usually a quick-witted child, one with a sunny disposition and who interacts with others very well. She is joy packaged in a colorful bottle, ready to share her thoughts with you.
We took her to her pediatrician, a nutritionist, a psychologist and all said she was clearly depressed and that is what led to her changes in eating. No kidding, I thought. But why? What has happened that could have changed her so drastically?
I had never felt so far away from my child as I had with her during this time period. We are a close family and we pride ourselves on being able to freely express how we feel.
My dear mother-in-law saw that the FDA was probing the side-effects of Singulair with children and she mentioned it to me, because she knew that is what my daughter was taking was taking. I never thought about the connection, because I take Singulair. I will add I also take an antidepressant and have made an appointment with my doctor to discuss all of this.
After talking with our pharmacist and getting an exact date as to when she started taking it, I called her pediatrician and discussed it with him. We had not been to him since October, because we took her to everyone else (psychologist, etc), so he had not known exactly what was going on with her mental health. He did, however write in his notes (and told me when I called), "Discontinue Singulair if symptoms persist." Hmmmm. Exactly why I wasn't told this from the beginning, I don't know and am very bothered knowing he wrote that on her chart.
Well, after taking her off it two weeks ago she is now back to her happy, connecting and eating self. People (her father, twin, and I included) noticed a change in three days from stopping use of Singulair.
She has changed IMMENSELY since getting off the Singulair that it has been easy to pinpoint her taking that medication as the reason she has been absolutely miserable for the past SEVEN MONTHS. I thank God it wasn't longer and that she didn't suffer any longer than she already did, but it was a true hell to watch her go through what she did and to watch her decline and to not know (professionals included) what to do. Words diminish how we felt and how we feel now after having her back.
So there you have a side-by-side comparison. One identical twin thrived while NOT taking Singulair and the twin who did take it suffered terribly, physically and mentally, while she was taking it.
The allergy relief she experienced was clearly not worth the internal suffering she endured while taking Singulair. I wish we could turn back time and give her those seven months back.
-- By nran | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
December 10th
2007
12:02 PM
I am so glad I found this site. This is my second Mirena and I am having such problems!! I also have an under active thyroid and thought the way I have been feeling was something to do with that, but now I think it might be my coil. I loved the first one and had hardly any problems. My problems started when I needed a new one and got an infection, which made me tired and low, then I had my new Mirena fitted (& i have never felt such pain - had my first one fitted at the same time as having a laparoscopy - spelling??) and a lot of my troubles started. I have a lot of the symptoms others have listed and my main two at the moment are extreme tiredness and bad leg cramps and leg muscles aching. Have had loads of blood test for other stuff which are all showing nothing. My GP cant think of anything else and so is referring me back to the Endocrinologist. But the more I think about it (and read), the more I think it might be the Mirena causing a lot of my problems. I am in two minds whether to have it removed straight away though, because periods are also a living hell for me (only 1 good week in every 4), so I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place :-)
-- By kazatthemadhouse | Reply | Private Message me
October 29th
2007
9:48 AM
I started taking NIASPAN last Wednesday night 500mg and on Thurday night I awoke at 330am feeling like I was on FIRE. My whole body was burning and my skin was turning redder and redder by the minute. I jumped in the cold shower and stayed there for 45 min. I then started getting the shakes and very rapid heartbeat and my tongue was purple. I advised my doctor that I will not take this medicine and proceeded to throw it out. Can you imagine the long term affects of this medicine. How can a rapid heartbeat and burning feeling be actually good for you. I AM OFF THIS MEDICINE AND ADVISE anyone else to think twice about going on it.
-- By eddie212 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 18th
2007
6:26 PM
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.
-- By hanswagner | Reply | (7) replies | Private Message me
April 4th
2007
11:29 AM
"Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place" 04/04/07
Thank you for all of your shares! Has anyone experienced Diarrhea as a result of taking Yasmin 28? I have been on it for 4/5 years. I started taking it because my GYN diagnosed me with endometriosis and my periods were heavy and sooo very painful. So, at first it was a relief; my periods didn't last as long, were not as heavy and the cramps were lessened. HOWEVER, ever since I have been on the Yasmin, I have been certainly very moody, and I have had moderate to severe tummy pains a lot of the time, and spontaneous bowel movements including diarrhea! I have tried every medication from anti-spasmadic meds to anti-anxiety meds to homeopathic remedies and probiotics. I was diagnosed with IBS many years ago but the symptoms grew soooo much worse ever since I started the Yasmin!! After being on Yasmin, it was as if my whole gastro system broke down; I have seeked help & testing from gastroenterologists since I developed ulcers due to h-pylori bacteria, diverticulosis of the intestines, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)and I even developed a hiatal hernia and have to take prevacid daily ever since I started taking Yasmin! I eat healthy, I am 33 years old, I don't drink or do drugs and I don't smoke. I swear I am beginning to think all of this may have been caused by the Yasmin since none of it was occurring before I started taking the Yasmin 4.5 years ago!? I think I want to get off of it now, but I am afraid to take any other birth control due to suffering from more side effects. Although I do want to have children with my boyfriend when we get married in a few years, I am in fear of getting pregnant now if I get off the Yasmin. I don't even know if the rythym method truly works. Help?!
February 15th
2007
9:35 PM
I Started taking Lisinopril a week ago. I been a zombie every since. I just found out it is Brazilian snake venom. The first time I taken it my bottom lip swelled. I was given benadryl. I cannot hardly function. I have nausea, i been vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and right now. I feel like I have something in my throat. Feel like my tongue is swollen in the back. I feel like i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Because If I quit taking it. My pressure will rise. So, what's a girl to do?
-- By janicepeagler | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 31th
2006
7:13 AM
Hello everyone. I am a 44 year old female who began taking Singulair for my asthma about 6 months ago. At first I would start and then stop taking Singulair after about 1 week due to sore joints. However, Singulair worked wonders for my asthma.
About 3 months ago I decided that if I wanted to breathe without constraints, I would just have to tough it out. Well, after 2 weeks of taking Singulair, I could barely move because every single joint in my body ached horribly. Including my wrists, fingers, ankles and face.
My primary physician prescribed Nabumetone Tab 500mg for me. Although I still have some soreness of the joints, I am better able to bear it with the Nabumetone.
For some reason my inhalers stop working for me so I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I continue to take the Singulair because I really like being able to breathe well.
-- By atsmc1 | Reply | Private Message me
October 7th
2005
11:00 AM
Hi, my 6 yo son started on the 4 mg singulair about three months ago after being hospitalized for three days due to a seizure. After many tests and massive iv antibiotics it was determined that his sinus infection (for which he was taking an antibiotic at the time) had irritated his brain and caused the seizure. He has struggled with sinus infections ever since age 1 and taken way too many antibiotics. After starting the singulair we noticed that the next time he got a cold his nasal passages stayed open and after blowing green mucus for about three weeks he was better without an antibiotic. We thought singulair was a God send. But out of the last nine weeks, he has had green snot coming out of his nose for six of them. He also frequently complains about mucus in his throat. But the thing that sent me searching on the internet was that now he is complaining of stomach pain. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. He can't handle any more antibiotics, but I don't like what the singulair is doing to him either. I welcome any thoughts. BTW, we did have him allergy tested recently and he his highly allergic to dust, but nothing else.
Julie
-- By justabranch | Reply | Private Message me
August 13th
2005
8:25 AM
My mother, in her late 70s, was on Lipitor for some years. She has been taken off the Lipitor when blood tests showed gross abnormalities. She is on a Vitamin B12 therapy for severe anemia and other medications for the complications that has caused. One of the most obvious signs that things were NOT right with her was her rapidly degenerating MEMORY. It was scary. I told her she HAD to address this to her doctor. It was part and parcel of the effects of Lipitor.
Now, I was on Lipitor for 2/3 months...I immediately got what my doctor NOW has called Restless Leg Syndrome. It never went away after stopping the drug (6 mos ago). I am BACK on Lipitor and immediately upon taking it again, I started getting a worsening of Restless Leg, which inclucded severe and many nocturnal charlie horses which would awaken me throughout the night. I have only been on Lipitor for 2 months now and I am noticing muscle "tightening" in my arms (from the elbow down), too. I was given Quinine Sulfate for the Restless Legs...which I don't believe is in itself a separate disease, but a side effect of the Lipitor. I also have hand tremors. (Nerves or Lipitor?) Now, I became a vegetarian, who eats NO red meat (ok, a bite of a burger a few times a year...lol), uses soy products, veggies and beans as the mainstay of my diet. I have excluded, over the past 10 months, all saturated/trans fats and cholesterol from my diet. My cholesterol readings are like a ping-pong ball. Good, too high, too low, good, too high. I'm between a rock and a hard place re taking the Lipitor. My family is genetically predispositioned to higher than normal cholesterol levels. Yet, the doctor feels the enormous stress in my life during these past 10 months (which hopefully will start to disipate within the next month) has caused the cholesterol to be high....the higher readings began with the increase of stress.
What does one do? Is the muscle cramping and the inability to sit down for more than 15 mins a serious issue? Does it get worse? I assume it's time for a second opinion. It's a Catch 22: each side-effect can be attributed to yet another "disease" in itself. I, like most of the people on this site, have attributed most of my symptoms to "getting old".
June 14th
2003
5:26 PM
Istarted my second round of Levaquin yesterday along with Metrodiazanole
for treatment of ongoing diverticulitis. I was hospitalized the first week in May, admitted via the ER. I spent 4 days on IV without food , liquids or solids. Upon discharge I was given prescriptions for the above drugs for a 14 day period. Finishing up the week before Memorial Day. I began to experience weakness and pain in my knees(I have had arthroscopic surgery in the past two years and was doing well. The pain progressd throughout my joints and into my lower back, Raising myself up off the bed and walking has been wery painful I was also told that I was now somewhat anemic. When checking with My gastroentrologist's physician asistant, my docter is never personally available, I expressed my concern, I was advised there was no incidence of pain or joint problems connected with this drug. I then contacted my orthopedic surgeon and after he looked it up told me my concerns were indeed valid. As you can imagine the other docter told me this was all my imagination and would not consider an alternate plan. This morning after my first dose of levaquin, I became extremely flushed. experienced pressure in my skull and sharp pain with dizziness. I have been unstable on my feet , dizzy nauseous and in pain that even Darvocet does not relieve since I first started this treatment last month. I feel as if I am between a rock and a hard place. I need to heal from diverticulitis but at what price? Three years ago I was treated for this same condition with metrodizanole and cipro, I felt nauseous and flu like, but not as bad as this time
Singulair (3) Yasmin (1) Lipitor (1) Omeprazole (1) Levaquin (1) Niaspan ER (1) Lisinopril (1) Advair HFA (1) Mirena (1)
December 7th
2008
8:41 AM
I am 39 years old and have been on Omeprazole for 6 years. I have had the worst year ever. I was always a healthy and fit guy until 2008. I had chronic headaches and extreme fogginess which led to me having an MRI and seeing a chiro(all negative). I had chronic chest pain which led to EKG's, stress tests, ER visits, and tons of blood work ranging from cardiac, glucose, liver, renal, thyroid, etc...(all negative). Did gastroscopy and found esophagitis and gastritis. Upped the dosage of Omeprazole. Then I started getting tremors, muscle cramping, muscle pain, fatigue, blotchy red skin, and continued fogginess and lightheaded.
Did I mention i still have constant heartburn despite all the Omeprazole. I have done everything...tilt up head of bed, bland diet, no coffee or alcohol, no eating late evening etc....
Doctor put me on Fluoxetine (Prozac) for all my stress and anxiety from these crazy symptoms. After seeing this site and reading all your testimonies I am now thinking it is from the Omeprazole!!! Scary thought to stop since my chest pain and heartburn can be pretty severe and constant. What do I do? Feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place here.
-- By deuce928 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me