Sensitive stomach symptoms and conditions

In 1998, my father died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage. I was only 33. This was devastating to me being a single daughter who still had aspirations of having him walk me down the aisle and all. I became extremely depressed and cried all the time. I was prescribed Paxil by my GP in this state of mind. No psychology or counseling offered first. And nothing was said to me about it being an addictive drug that would be next to impossible to stop taking. Nothing was mentioned about the long-lasting side effects. It was only a few weeks into it though that I realized if I missed a dose or didn't take it on a scheduled time each day, I would experience these "brain lapses" or "shock type feelings" in my head. I couldn't think a thought through without confusion. Having a conversation was like being a walking-talking robot that was short-circuiting. My other symptoms from this drug was the weight gain (about 30 lbs by the end) and the total absence of libido (not that I didn't want it but that I was totally numb in parts that I wasn't before), which was not normal for me. It was like many of you have stated... sort of a no-feeling zone ... and I decided this drug was NOT for me.

It took me at least 4 months to taper off 20 mg of Paxil. The side effects included severe trouble thinking or remembering things, anxiety attacks, more gain weight (which I attribute to low energy or enthusiasm for most things), angry outburst, easily tearful, then the feet swelling. At first it was just my left foot that would swell up and I attributed it to maybe a hereditary condition and dismissed it being any part a Paxil withdrawal symptom.

Another blessing I feel is a result of my Paxil is a very sensitive stomach. I have GERT (or acid reflux) most of the time. The GP put me on Protonix which helped the acid problems but then my hands and feet would go to sleep at night. I didn't think that was a good payoff so am not taking that either.

The edema increased to an almost daily occurrence for both feet. Sometimes they are so swollen I cannot bend my ankles and my hands and face are swollen too. Over the past 7 years, my GPs have prescribed varying kinds and doses of diuretics to help elevate the fluid in my system, which at first helped some, but now it doesn't even effect the edema in my feet. The only thing that helps really is to wear a closed shoe (like a tennis shoe) or -- which instead forces the fluid up into my ankles. Just yesterday I was told that compression hosiery is the only fix beyond maybe losing weight (I am not obese but am about 45 lbs overweight at 185) and that the diuretics were really not necessary.

When I exercise on an elliptical machine both feet go to sleep after only 15 minutes. I am much more active now and play tennis 3-4 times a week and when playing my hands and feet get numb.

Ten years later, I have chronic (almost daily) edema in both my feet and in my hands and face sometimes. I am way more active and exercise regularly by participating in sports (tennis and other running sports) but I do not lose weight. I still get the numbness in my hands and feet when I exercise for any length of time.

In the past 3 months I have had my blood tested for any and all problems - diabetes, low B12, high sodium, cholesterol, heart Doppler exam, CT of abdomen, and more. I am healthy as a horse from the results, but I am still having daily edema in my feet. I was told by a friend living in Italy that they prescribe a drug called Daflon for circulatory improvement. It seems this drug is not available in the U.S., probably because it is known for having no adverse side effects. I did find that a natural plant extract called Pycnogenol is supposed to help with circulation and other inflammation. It is also known as a Vitamin C "action-helper."

The reason I am sharing my side effects from Paxil, is that before I took this drug, I had no known problems with my circulation and I feel it is what caused it. I also have the ongoing trouble of remembering things. I feel this drug did a number on my body and I was only on it maybe 8 months. I can't imagine what someone on it for years will face. Thing is, I was sad about my father; I wasn't suicidal. They prescribe something that has long lasting results to someone that is in a weak state of mind and then don't warn you that there are so many serious repercussions -- no. 1 being that this drug is chemically addictive to your body's delicately balanced system. NOW because of deaths and Paxil-related murders the FDA has questioned this drug's safety.

You have to wonder if the doctors are really thinking about the patient or if they are just promoting the latest new drug for some personal gain of their own. I feel like a live guinea pig and there's no solution to the side effects I'm left with.

I want to encourage those that are thinking of getting off this drug that the side effects will wane some over time -- you can't do it cold turkey or you will pay the price -- but don't take it any longer than you have to because the long-term effects are not worth it. Better to learn how to deal with your emotions and find something that will be a boost for you in a healthy, non-drug related way (or at least natural), than let this Paxil industry continue.

To guest 41494:

Yes, I realize that I might sound like a Country-Life salesperson!

But I also like NOW Foods, Solgar, and Solaray.
And please note that I favor very specific supplements, not necessarily everything these makers have.
If I'm looking for a new supplement, yes, I look first to these brands; however, I have found some items from each of them that I also don't like.

So, in direct answer to your question, I'm just a patient with no investment in any of these brands.

I have spent several years comparing various nutrional supplements.

In my lisinopril weakend condition, I can really tell a difference that others who are stronger/healthier may not notice. So I just call it like I see it.

For example, before finding the Country-Life Target Mins zinc, I tried many other zinc formulations, that were either ineffective or irritated my now very sensitive stomach (due to lisinopril).
I specifically remember two of them: I tried a Whole Foods zinc that made me feel sick (kinda flu-like and mild headache) and I could not take it long term.
I also tried a Country-Life Maxi Zinc 100mg that I found very hard on my stomach and also not as effective as their other one.

And, yes I take supplements with breakfast, lunch and dinner, and some in between meals too. Before lisinopril, I used to just take ordinary vitamins with dinner. It is not fun to be in this situation. Thanks lisinopril!

hi jamie11477.
make a note of your levels you can then keep an eye on it over the next year. ask if you can have your free levels checked too,it just gives you a good base for future comparisons. i am also really struggling with weight gain, i have gained 2.5 stones since i stopped yasmin but to be fair when i was on it i could hardly eat a thing as i was so ill both physically and mentally. i could not eat sugars or carbs as they sent my heart racing...that doesn't happen now so i have to take some responsibility for the weight although it is definately disproportionate to the amount i eat. i seem to gain 4 pounds in a week sometimes without eating anything bad at all. i have read up on low progesterone levels,that can lead to weight gain especially round the middle which is where mine is. as i said in my earlier post i am going to up my dose of vitex (at the moment i am only taking a quarter of the dose recommended on the bottle as i am still a little worried about messing with my hormones as i know my anxiety was triggered by messing with my hormones! i also seem to have a really sensitive stomach and most things give me an upset tummy.

sarah

I just started taking the Yasmin pill for 2 weeks now and the things is I though that it was just me and not the pill. But the dizziness, itchiness, blarred vision and the sensitive stomach aches including the vomiting and a whole lot more made me visit the web to read up more on the pill. As this was the only thing that I've changed in the last 2 weeks. I came across this site and it shocked me. The reason is that I now know for a fact that it is because of the pill. Everything I read here is what I feel. So I AM STOPPING AND WILL NOT CONTINUE FURTHER. What shocks me even more is that the doctors claim that this is such a "good" pill to take. Don't they know. Why do the prescribe it then.

Thanks for the site - It think I will be "normal" again.

I have been taking Doxy off and on for about 3 years to treat mild adult acne (began at 34). When I first began it, my symptoms came under control right away, just taking 100mg once per day (as advised by my doctor, since I am known to have a sensitive stomach).

There was one morning that I got up early for a hair appointment, and took my pill with a glass of water on my way out the door. Bad idea! I felt a cramp on my left side that felt like a pulled stomach muscle, and since I lift weights, I dismissed it as an overworked abdomninal muscle. By the time I arrived home form my hair appointment, two hours later, I was in so much pain, I could barely get out of my car. I staggered to the house, believeing I was having pains associated with a kidney stone. Severe! Ended up being sent to the ER for a CAT scan. They found nothing, and urinalysis showed only signs of dehydration. This has not occurred again, as I am careful to drink lots of water now.

Most recently, I had (under the advice of my dermatologist) weaned myself off by taking it every-other day, then gradually less and less often.

Apparently a monthly hormone surge caused a severe breakout on my forehead, so I began taking the pills twice per day, with a sandwich or something considerable enough to buffer the stomach-upset effects. What I felt was...well, basically over-dosed. "Jittery" as though I'd taken too much of a cold/allergy medication, or had too much espresso. It was very strange, and I kept telling my husband that I just 'didn't feel like myself.'

Then, I felt as if I had a bladder infection, disspite the water I was consuming in great quantites. My regular physician called in a Sulfa medicaion to treat the bladder infection, and I quit the Doxy.

I truly believe the Sulfa is what cleared up the acne, which HAS NOT RETURNED, even a month later. (note: I also use a common brand of 2.5% benzolperoxide lotion; not sure if I can name it exactly in this forum. Lower concentrations are effective and don't make your skin flakey.)

However, for the last 3-4 weeks, a slight tremmor in one or both hands persisted. Since the Sulfa, I have not taken another Doxy, nor will I. If my face breaks out again, I think I'll stick with the Sulfa.

I am now on a mild anti-anxiety medication for the 'jitters' and it seems to be working like magic. But no doctor can explain this to me.

I hope this story offers some insights and help to someone--ANYone--else who has been through a similar ordeal.

Trust your instincts. Don't stop asking questions until you are satisfied with the answers. You are not crazy, and you are not a hypochondriac. Find the help you need.

Hi!

Wow! I had no idea there were so many women out there with Yasmin-caused problems! Here I thought I had a great way to regulate my cycle, and the more I'm on it, the more I'm wondering if it's the cause of my problems.

I started Yasmin about 2 years ago, and after about a year, I found if I skipped a day and had to double-up the next, my mood would completely shift, and I'd feel over-emotional. Other than that, I didn't experience many problems- I loved having a reliable cycle for once. I went off it to try Ortho Trycyclene-lo, and my body did not like it at all. Spotting, weird moods, just not fun. Went back on Yasmin and thought things were back to normal. Months later, and I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, feeling extremely hot- like it was eminating from my stomach, and I'd feel overwhelmingly nauseated- where I felt like I had to vomit, but couldn't- had diarrhea (I have a sensitive stomach), and wound up lying on the cold, tile floor. If I went back to bed, I felt dizzy and anxious, so I wanted to stay close to the bathroom in case I got sick. It would usually pass after a couple hours, but I hate that feeling! I'm starting to notice a pattern that happens at the end of my period/end of placebo time- usually the second-to-last day of my cycle and the first day or so of my new one. I just feel so run-down and blah. It seemed worse when I had a cold and was taking cold meds- felt really nauseated- probably a bad combo with hormones.

Just went to the MD today to get some bloodwork done. I hate feeling so run down- it's like I'm wearing a metal vest that's weighing me down. I feel a little depressed, but it's not as bad as some of the stories I've been reading. So sorry to hear how bad it can get for some of you! My mother once had a cold that turned into bronchitis, and lingered for a couple months- left her with anxiety. I don't want it to come to that, so I've made an appointment with my gyno to get me on a new pill. My MD said Yasmin is obviously not for me, and to get off it A.S.A.P.

Has anyone had luck with the patch? I figure it doesn't have to pass through my stomach, so perhaps won't make me feel as nauseated? I'd hate to have to go back to a life before the pill, when I had no idea when my period would come, if it did (affected by stress), and suffering pms. Now it seems like I've got POST-PMS. Does anyone feel that?

The more I talked to my MD, she said Yasmin must be the popular drug, and gynos are pushing it, because 10 women in her office are taking it. She said some women take low-dose anti-depressants during the placebo/period time to help get them through to their next cycle. Aren't birth control pills supposed to alleviate women from these problems?

My best goes out to all the gals out there who are suffering from Yasmin. It's good to know it's not just me.