Saddest thing symptoms and conditions

Hello everyone,

I have been feeling certain things lately so I thought "let's see what Google thinks it is". I typed in "bloated, tired, swollen legs, increased breast size" and the first site that pops up is this website. I actually thought I might be pregnant because and was surprised to see "Yasmin Side Effects" instead of "signs of pregnancy". I have taken Yasmin for almost 7 straight years. I was off it for 1 summer and probably one other month total in that whole time. I haven't really noticed any huge changes until recently and, like I said, it hadn't even crossed my mind that the things I was feeling could be from Yasmin. First of all, my breast won't stop growing and are so, so sore. I actually just bought my first D bra tonight, after being a C since probably my Junior year of high school. My legs and specifically my calves tend to feel extremely tight and stretched lately. I thought this was from running & exercise in general, yet I've exercised intensely & frequently for 4 years and this is a recent feeling for me. I have noticed for about a year that spider veins have started appearing on my legs. I thought I was just inheriting this from my mother, who has a lot of spider/varicose veins. My sex drive has definitely decreased significantly over the years I've been on Yasmin, but again, I thought this was normal or "just me". I go through periods where I have quite an appetite and can eat bad foods yet not gain weight. Then I go through periods when I seem to have the same eating patterns as normal and I'm exercising normally as well, yet I always feel bloated and fat. Plus, I have no appetite during these times. I also go through cycles where I have horrible stomach issues (I get a "bubbly" feeling, have had really bad cramps on occasion). I thought this was a side effect of coffee but now I'm wondering...

I get my period next week and then I think I'll stop taking Yasmin to see if any of these problems subside. Does anyone know any type of birth control that doesn't cause side effects?

Good luck to everyone!

I talked to my childs Dr today and she had no idea about all the problems with Singular but she did recommend that I take him off of it for a couple of months just to see if it helps with some of his symtoms or all of them.. But I also find it very discomforting that drug reps that promote these drugs to dr offices usually have no pharmacutical background at all that all they do is go tell the drs what they were told about the drug.. I think there needs to be guidelines in place for drug reps to have some sort of pharmacutical knowledge and background before taking these drugs to drs to get them to give it to us as adults and more for our childern something needs to be done. How many people have to be hurt before they take notice...
My thoughts a prayers go out to everyone who is dealing with this nightmare if you all are having as much problems with your children as I am we and mostly our children need all the prayers they can get.....

I was on Effexor XR for more than three years. Just calling these symptoms "side effects" doesn't seem powerful enough. The saddest thing is, these are normal, will most likely happen to you, and are for the most part, unpleasant. Consider the following before starting this medication, and if you're on it, listen to what your body is telling you.

Side effects-

Favorite foods.- Forget about 'em. Chances are anything and everything will make you want to vomit. After awhile you won't want to even eat just because it's easier.

Sleep- Everybody likes sleep right? Of course,when you can get it. Should you manage to avoid and/or get past the insomnia, sickness, and dizzy feeling, you'll be visited by nightmares. Vivid, horrible, put the movies to shame kind of nightmares.

Hair- That's right folks, a rare, but noted side effect is hair loss. Head, eyebrows, everywhere. Don't worry it grows back in patches with the help of special shampoo.

Withdraws- Heaven forbid you miss a dose. You'll get to experience your disorder in a whole new way. Too tired to be awake and too shaky to be asleep. Intense migraines accompanied by sickness. (Not just the normal "Hey I feel kinda woozy." sick. The " I can't stand or sit down, I feel like I need to throw up constantly." kinda sick. Shakes get more intense, mood swings are pushing insanity, and paranoia is through the roof.

Paranoia- This is a side effect you get to experience during both regular dosing and withdraws. The walls are closing in, everyone is out to get you, suddenly something you did wrong when you were four comes back to haunt you, and the worst part being.....might as well be real.

Shakes and Brain Tremors- You know that tingling feeling when your foots falls asleep? Imagine that in the middle of your brain. Now, try to focus, read (anything), watch TV, ha ha you can't without it leading to a headache. Holding a pencil used to be such a mundane task, now it's like holding on to a tattoo gun. Squiggle pen drawing anyone?

Memory Loss- We all forget things. Did I lock the door? Where did I put my keys? Try forgetting where you just were, where you work, the phone number of anyone that can help. Effexor XR can cause confusion and effect your short term memory.

I experienced these symptoms for years. It was no picnic.Effexor XR was prescribed to me for depression and mood stabilization. Wondering why I stayed on it so long? It worked. Helped my depression, no more mood swings. I was told the side effects would go away or become less as the drug build up in my system. Yeah, I'm still trying to choke that one down. They didn't stop. Granted, not all of them got worse, but guess what.....When you feel sick physically for so long, you start to, GET DEPRESSED.

There is no reason why anyone should feel both physically and mentally ill. It's life draining, literally. This is not a bashing session. There are the people out there that take Effexor XR no problem. If you're one of them, stick with it. This is your medicinal savor, but if not, GET OFF Effexor XR and keep looking. There are other medications, with less or no side effects. You might have to go through a few, it might be worth it.

Parents, if you adolescent is complaining of any of the drugs more intense side effects, please listen. Effexor XR still isn't "recommended" for anyone under 18. The drug can have serious long term effects in adulthood, even after discontinuation.

I just wanted to give an update for the ladies who are coming off Yasmin. I was on it for 5 months in the summer/ fall of 2004. I got off of it in September of 2004. Now it is a year and 4 months later and I can say 90 percent of my problems are gone. I had it ALL ladies, pretty much anything you see on this site, but my main problem was anxiety and panic attacks that were crippling my life and making me suicidal. I had never , ever felt that way before an Yasmin almost did me in. I went off it after being prescribed antideprerssant/ antianxiety meds that I refused to take because I KNEW I wasn't crazy, and had literally gotten that way overnight. It took a good year for most of my anxiety to wear off. I still have occasional bits and pieces of it now and then but it is manangable. I also read every book out there on anxiety to help me learn some coping methods that worked for me. I think that the saddest thing is the permanent damage that it did to my relationship with my husband. We were plannign our wedding then and it really caused so much unnecessary tension and irritability and drama for us both. I have not gotten back on any pills or anything since getting off yasmin because i am afraid. I also havent had any soda, tea, or coffee in an attentmp de-caffinate myself so I will have less anzxiety also. For those of you getting off it , yes, it will take time. But i PROMISE yu there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will get better in a few months, just hang in there.