Second trip symptoms and conditions

My second trip to this forum. A couple years ago, I developed plantar's fasciitis in both heels and had to give up basketball (at 54), and it took about nine months to recover from that. I had been on Lipitor 10 mg, and, while I can't say there was a cause-effect relationship, I had no problems of this kind before then.

Well, I continued on the Lipitor, and this past fall got horrible impingement pain in one shoulder that evolved to a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Tonight I did a quick google search on this and it led me back to this site. Again, I cannot PROVE anything, but I've NEVER had any trouble with joints and just have to wonder.

I read on one link that Frozen Shoulder is on the rise, and wonder if Statin use is possibly behind it. I'm at the point that I may go off these drugs and go hard core Atkins diet again, the only thing that got the excess 30 pounds I'm carrying off, and also gave me "textbook" numbers on my lipid profile.

I'm starting to think this drug is possibly the problem. It's not worth it to take a debilitating and crippling substance just to be able to eat whatever I want.

Like many patients, I started out on a low dose of Lamictal. Eventually, I was taking 300 mg. This seemed fine for awhile. Then, I started feeling a bit down, so the doctor increased the dose to 400 mg. Increased dosage does not necessarily mean improvement in mood (bipolar). I began to experience a good number of the adverse side effects reported here, including excessive fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, cotton mouth and very bad taste in my mouth, muscle tension (particularly in my legs), forgetfulness and confusion, and sinus and chest congestion. At one point in time, I even had difficulty articulating words.

Though I did not suffer from rash, I have been up in the middle of the night with itching all over my body. I had a few episodes of mouth sores and one pimple on my chin. Many of these have improved since the doctor brought me back to 300 mg. However, they have not entirely disappeared. I continue to suffer from the excessive fatigue many of you have reported here.

I recently had a blood test and learned I have very low levels of Vitamin D and Vitamin B-12. I do not know if there is any relationship between long-term use of Lamical and these test results. However, I do know that low levels of Vitamin D can cause fatigue.

Though I am willing to follow through with further blood tests, I am beginning to understand why some people are tempted to discontinue their medications. I am so tired of being so tired and sleeping so much. When I finally get up, I am still tired and drag through the day.

Sometimes, I think I'd rather have a down day or two than take this medication. I should add, though, that my bipolar is not severe, and that I am only reporting how I feel. I'm certainly not recommending anyone discontinue medications for this or any other condition they may be suffering from. If I were to recommend anything, it would be to get a second opinion if one is concerned about his or her treatment.
If I were to make any suggestion to doctors, it would be this: more is not necessarily better. Send your patients for blood tests (mine were ordered by my M.D. and not by my psychiatrist). Increasing the dosage--at least of Lamictal--might result in a host of negative side effects. Your patients might then become disillusioned with their treatment and give up.

If anyone out there has suffered from B-12 and D deficiencies, let me know. I'll let you know what I find out.

And remember, most doctors are really trying to help us.

Hello fellow sufferers,
Several years ago I had a CT of my face and head due to frequent migraines...They had thought maybe there was a tumor or blocked blood vessels, but to my complete surprise all of that was normal, but I had all the sinuses on the right side of my face completely blocked...The doctor @ that time asked me some questions about my breathing and pain...Of course my breathing through the nose wasn't that great, but I had always taken that as a bonus since I work in the hospital...NO pain really either...Due to the fact that sinus infections have a direct pathway to the brain they decided that I needed Levaquin...On the second day of taking the medication I was in complete tears...The bottom half of my body ached like someone had kicked the %^&* out of me...First off I thought that maybe it was because I had my leg in a full cast and that had just been adjusted so stupidly I continued with the med another 2 days and the symptoms got to the point that I couldn't walk...I called the pharmacy right away and told them of my symptoms and they said they had no documentation of such side effects so I continued thinking it was something else ( they always tell you to complete the full course of an antibiotic so you don't kill off half the "bug" and the other half goes resistant)....Stupid....I finally made an appointment and had my husband literally carry me cast and all down there...The doctor had no explanation for the symptoms I had but did lab work to kinda shut me up and low and behold it reviled that I had full blown arthritis so off to a rheumatoid specialist...We went through my health history and other that the sinus infection, migraines and a broken leg I was fine except for the constant pain from the waist down........It took 7 months to return to "normal" blood test went back to normal too...I had made a second trip to the pharmacy and insisted on filling out a form for side effects and had proof of it with the weird lab tests that had since gone back to normal...This form was supposed to be sent to the drug company (not sure if it ever was).....Thought I would just share my experience with you and hope it helps others...I am an RN with 15 yrs surgical experience and thought I was going nuts when on this stuff...Since then I have always included this as an ALLERGY since it is one of the best and most common drugs used for things like sinus infections and I don't ever want to take this again.
Sincerely,
Debbie