Sherry 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.

I started taking Lisinopril about 10 months ago and now I have had severe redness and heat in my face, neck, and chest. I have constant headaches and my eyes are bloodshot most the time now. I have quick sharp pains throughout my chest arms and legs/feet a lot. I get blurry vision and disorientation every time after taking this stuff.. My heart rate varies from high to low but it feels like my blood is extremely thick no matter if I eat or not, I also get extreme nausea after eating even a salad with no dressing. I hate this stuff so much and it scares me to no end. I have major anxiety disorders anyway but this crap makes it worse. I think I am dying everyday its so nerve wrecking and I am only 25yrs old!!!! I recently stopped taking this junk for about a week but still took my Xanax for my anxiety and my face and neck aren't hot at all most the time anymore only when I move around and work a lot but not bad at all. My heart rate is normal and my blood pressure is staying about the same but maybe bout 8 or 9 notches lower than when i was on this stuff. I think someone is really going to get hurt on this stuff and we are all going to see a commercial on TV saying to call a lawyer for cash rewards because of med induced illness or even deaths... I'm going to the doctor and telling them to give me the most expensive effective and less side effect BP med..

I get horrible migraines from all birth control. I was told this one would not have as much side effects, but i am starting to see migraines come back around the time I get my period. Is their any birth control that won't do this?

I too was prescribed this horrible medication. I was to the point where I thought I had lung cancer or throat cancer. The coughing was horrible. I am a Supervisor and every time I talked to one of my workers I would break out in this horrible cough. I also had the night sweats, horrible dreams and weakness. Thank God for this website. I stopped taking this poison two weeks ago and the coughing is starting to subside, along with the weakness and fatigue. I will never take this medication again. Thanks for the website and the wonderful postings. I think if I had continued on this drug it would have killed me. Sherry in FL

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August 6th, 2007

Ok so I have been taking lisinopril since July 20th, against the advice of my husband who is an RN. He said the side effects were hell and had long term effects. I however was convinced that my physician new better. I have had the weird dreams, night sweats, nausea, horible abdominal cramps. This mornig I woke up with a swollen face, severely swollen tounge to the point I could not swollow and was drooling. My lymph nodes and neck swollen as well. Needless to say we went right to the hospital before I stopped breathing. When I told the doctor what I was taking he said to immediately stop it, as it was a rare side effect of the lisinopril. GREAT Something to cure me almost killed me. After a cortisone shot and a week of prednisone I should be back to normal. Im going to listen to my husband now, eat less salt and excercise more. Valerie from Roanoke VA

Dear Jasmine, (later on something for "foggyhead", too!!)

that heavy chest feeling have posted the most women I've met hiere within the last 2 years!! Seems to be a very common (side-)effect of that pill.

But as I also posted here earlier the heavy feeling CAN be caused for example by an iron deficiency (which also can be caused by the diuretic effect of Yasmin on top of your monthly bleeding!!). Also breathlessness, changing of your finger nails, weakness, tiredness, and so on can also be symptoms for it. Very important: The iron deficiency CAN cause anemia, but even if you don't already have anemia the iron deficiency may cause the above mentioned symptoms.

So I think it would be a good idea to get your iron levels checked and especially the "Ferritin" (hope it's called so in English, too). It shows the situation of the iron storage in your body. Try to google a bit over "iron deficiency" and the symptoms, I bet you'll find yours... Just a thought, which perhaps might be the solution and I think it's worth a try!!

Jasmine, I remember one lady here, Sherry, whom had gotten pregnant shortly after stopping Yasmin. She also had very severe side effects and posted a lot here. I wonder how she might be doing today... But you see there is hope to get pregnant even after this nightmare.

@foggyhead:

Well, I think you meant "Virginia", not Laura. Virginia had been off Yasmin for 15 mos now. But I think you didn't read the whole post.... First she was telling, that she physically is doing completely fine! And as I can say, I'm doing nearly the same way as Virginia now, I've been off Yasmin for about 17 months. And I hope you NOW read further:

Yes, there are still some problems, and YES, they come up every month around the same time, BUT: I (and I guess Virginia, too) am definitely NOT in the same stadium as I was a year or longer ago! I'm back working, singing, gardening, going out and the list goes on.

What I try to say is, that you might (and I don't say WILL!!) still have some problems after such a long time, but they're definitely not as they were shortly after getting off Yasmin. And I also met so many women here, who didn't have ANY problems after such a long time. Not every woman is the same. Every body is different.

So please don't loose hope! Hang in there and you will be better, I swear!!

Virginia, I remember your name somehow, I think we have already met here, too, a few months ago. One question: Do you have a normal cycle back? Are your problems somehow rising around ovulation and shortly before your period starts or even within it??

Best wishes!

Silke

Hi everybody, Sherry, Lisa, Sophie and all the other wonderful ladies here!!

Thank you so much for your kind posts. It feels so good hearing, that my posts are somewhat able to help so many of you. That's what I supposed them to be!! Your posts nearly brought me to (happy) tears!! :) Well, if that agony had only one sense, then that I know use my experiences to help others, who are going through the same nightmare, as I did!!

And believe me, I'll keep on posting here as much as I can, if someone is in need for help!

Sophie, I fear you were right... The last 4 days I felt totally miserable... I felt so weak and tired and dizzy, and the anxiety also rose up a bit. And now you helped me with one little sentence in your post: I didn't know, that it was pretty "normal" to feel that way during period, as I didn't have one regular period WITHOUT pill for about 10 YEARS until you wrote, that you're feeling the same during period! The bleeding you get during taking the pill is just a withdrawal bleeding which you can't compare with a natural normal period!! So I think it will take my body another few months to get used to that hormonal changes during period again... But I'm sure I'll stand this too!!!

Well, today the weakness is getting a bit better, but the tiredness is still lasting. But I think I lost al ot of blood during the last week, because this first period after 1,5 Years was really heavy... And nevertheless I'm still happy to have gotten it finally! The two weeks before my period started I felt so good! I was fit and worked in my house like crazy! :) But also my breasts were hurting very bad, so I already supposed something could be happening with my body...

Ah Sophie, you asked about the eye problem: YES!! I have that, too!! Sometimes it feels, as if I couldn't look straight ahead and as if my eyes were always moving. And as I read in many german websites, it's pretty normal during period to be very "nervous" for some women (that's how this eye problem feels to me: Like a very heavy nervousness)!! This should go away within a few days after your period!!

Sherry, I'm so glad to hear that you and your baby are doing fine!! I had thought about you now and then during the last months and wondered how you might be doing. Please let us know when your baby is here!! I wish you all the best for the birth!! I'm sure your body will be recovering completely from Yasmin after the pregnancy!!!

Virginia: So good to hear, that the Valerian has worked for you, too!! It's definitely better than taking those chemicals for calming down!! And I promise, some day you won't even need the Valerian any longer!! :)

Ok, ladies, I'll stop for today. I feel a little tired again, but as I know now that is really normal during a period! I have to get used to those things again after such a long time without a normal hormonal balance!

All the best to you out there and hang in there! We're on the right way to a healthy new life!! God bless you all!!

Silke

Hey Silke,
Congratulations.
My happiness for you is beyond measure. You truly show us that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, albeit a long and arduous tunnel.
I know I haven't posted in a while, but just to update you, my baby is due next month god willing. (which is a miracle in and of itself as I wasn't ovulating after getting off the pill.) I gained a lot of weight and I believe it's because of the yasmin. I hope that after the baby my body will start healing itself and I will go back to normal, but time will tell.
Good luck and many hugs to you. Your an inspiration to us all.
Regards,
Sherry

Silke, Chrissy and all
Thought i would give a little update. Month 5 things going ok, although this month on day 15 of cycle i have had bad palps and severe bloating but for the first time since going off yasmin i have got an appetite back and have not lost it while i have had my period. Still get symptoms but again not as bad a before and fears are getting less. Blood pressure was 140/90 last night when i had checked as i had chest infection and considering it was taken after no sleep for a day, i had been on the rush all day and felt tlike hell i guess it read ok just wondering how long it will take to hit the 80 point again, any feedback from high blood pressure would be good, eg how long it took and what your readings are, Im hoping its on the way down as last time i had it taken in a relaxed state it was 150/100 so fingers crossed that maybe its finally coming down, hope SILKE AND CHRISSY AND SHERRY are going well and TWO GIRLS MOM how are you???? Hows the blood pressure. Blurred vision is still there SILKE how long till yours evaded.

thanks for the read girls
take care
Lisa

Hey Sherry! :)

Nice to hear from you again. Yesterday I was thinking about you and wondering, how you might be doing with your pregnancy. I hope everything is fine!?

Well, the weight didn't get off yet but I'm feeling a slight change since about 2 weeks. The gaining had already stopped about 2 months ago. That's from where I everyday went up and down about 2 kg (I think it's 4 lbs). But at the moment it looks as if the weight finally starts do go down!! I didn't want to post this here, yet, because I'm not sure, if it goes on like this or if it's just a little break for me. But I'm writing down my weight every 10 days in a book since september 2005. And looking at my notices over the last few weeks it has really changed into the right direction (down!! :)). So I'm hoping and praying, that it will go on like this and perhaps in summer this year I might wear some of my "smaller" clothes again!! :)

And not to forget: As I didn't eat tons of food to go up 20 kg I now don't eat less than before or doing more exercising than before (well, I'm still not fit enough to do that and my band is doing another "carneval"-tour without me at the moment....). So I think there might finally be a proof for the fact, that this weight gain was all just hormonal!! I feel really delighted at the moment... Let's hope it will stay that way!!

Well, would be so nice to hear from you again and how you're doing. All the best and a big hug to you!!

Silke

Hey Silke,

It's been a long time since I wrote last but I'm reading all your posts avidly and commiserating with you all.

As I already told you I'm now pregnant so I can't really focus on my weight (although i'm pretty fat since I started out with extra 15 lbs) too much but was wondering if you already lost the extra pounds you packed on after stopping the pill. Also I don't see many more guests here posting that side effect so I was just wondering how your doing.
Take care and all the best.
Sherry

Hey Sherry!!!

Congratulations!! Great news!! I feel so happy for you! :)

I wish you all the best during your pregnancy and please keep us updated. I think there's no better way to start a new life and show, that there IS a new life after Yasmin than with a little baby in your arms!! This should give so much hope to every woman here, feeling very bad today. Your story is the proof for that!!

Big hugs and god bless you!

Silke

Sherry,

i gained about 15kgs and its not coming off fast. doing the low gi diet but wanted to know if you had high blood pressure. Mine has been 150/90 and my doc said i need to lose weight and thats why i have HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
he cont grasp i never had it before and i have been this weight before about 3years ago.
Lisa

Hi chrissy,

hope all is well. wanted to ask if as you aer longer off the yasmin the side effects decrease each month......i know they are still lingering but things like mid cycle the larger breasts etc did that subside for you.Also i know the pulse slowed for you at 4mths how did you know did it just sibside or slowly start to go down ....

Silke
does the blurred vision decrease as the months go on???

Sherry,

did you get weight gain and if so did you lose that weight and how was your blood pressure.... with the weight gain

thanks girls

Lisa

Sherry Congrats!!!!
thats great news, hope youre feeling well.......
Lisa

Silke, I'm so sorry you still feel this bad. No my weight gain didn't cease and funny thing is that a while back my doctor prescribed provera which in essence jumpstarted my cycle again. All of a sudden my cycle became crazy like 41 days then 36 and down to 23.
However I just found out I'm pregnant which is great news since I did have difficulty in conceiving. So if I felt like a water blob till now, well I now I truly will.
Good Luck,
Sherry

Well, to the one with the link:

I don't care, what those "medical genies" have put into any list as "uncommon" or anything else.... I know what I've been going through the last 1 1/2 years (!!!) and even before (been taking this sh... for 5 long wasted years without being myself really!!!) and especially how many women also went through the worst torture of their lives and all of the were taking Yasmin.... Isn't that funny!??? :-(

I just can hope, that someday everything about that poison comes out and every woman in the world is warned about that stuff so that no one else will be done any harm by this Yasmin wonder pill...

A few days ago my mother sent me an article of a newspaper where they tell about a study done in America about the pill and testosterone levels in women. As result of the study the last sentence in this report is: "No wonder, that so many women have problems with bcps in this world"!!! I think there's not much more to say about.

Well, to Sherry and many other women asking me some questions within the last days:

My weight didn't go off or at least a little bit down anyway... I'm still dealing with the worst figure of my whole life, still not able to do anything against it because I'm still not as fit as I should or had to be to excercise or go for a walk. Just at the moment I'm feeling again like a water ton shortly before exploding... Some days that eases up a bit and then comes back, seems to change within the cycle. But I either still don't get my period (the last one was around easter 2005)...

Sherry: Do you already get your period regular again??

Well, BLURRY VISION:

YES!! I had and some days still have this symptom, too!! Never had this before taking Yasmin in my whole life!! Seems to get worse, when I'm under stress or getting nervous.

Feeling like your head was under water:

YES!! Definitely YES!! Somedays I felt like my head was pumped up with some cotton wool or water and I'm living with a total fog around me... That has eased up and only comes back, when I'M having the "bad days" of a month. So that also seems to be "normal"...

Supplements:

Yes, I'm taking Magnesium and kalium some days a week, and should be taking either Vitamin b komplex, but I'm not very keen on putting another medicine in my body since the horror with Yasmin so I hadn't found the courage to take those vitamins, too, until today. Well, even though I know that it really should help with the anxiety and tiredness I still have sometimes (well, very important to say again, that every symptom, that still comes up, is NOT AT ALL as heavy as it was in december/january 2004/2005!!!! That all comes up just in a very slight way!!).

And YES, in my case it's also every symptom getting less heavy after a very bad week, which comes up 2 times every month!! It's really getting less and less every month or sometimes every 2 months, but IT DOES!!!

Take care ladies, and stay strong!!! We're on the right way and everything will be ok again someday, I'm sure!!!

All the best and god's bless for a healthier and strong 2006!!

Silke

Hey Silke, Happy new year to you!
I was just wondering how your weight is going. It seems we are the only two out of all the last posters who are suffering from this weight gain.
Do you have improvement yet. I'm still struggling silke. Everyday is a battle to keep my spirits up whilst looking at my body. I wonder if this is ever going to end. I still have heart palps and irregular cycle. Remember I was only 4 months on this sh... and off 7 months.
Oh well........sigh.........
good luck to everyone out there.
Sherry

Hi,
I haven't written in awhile; I guess I've been trying to not focus so much on my horrible weight gain. Like Sherry, I'm 6.5 months off and the weight has not budged. I'm now shaped like a PEAR when I used to be tall and lean. BUMMER, especially this time of year!
Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions about how to get this weight moving? I eat right and get plenty of exercise. Wish there was an "antidote" for the darned pill!

Merry Christmas to All!
Rita

Hi Witt1989,

I'm glad you feel so much better. I was just wondering if your bloating and weight gain has gone away. I'm already 61/2 months off yasmin and the weight gain is not shifting in the least bit.

Good Luck and take care,
Sherry

Yo Mollie,

Thank God for the winter. Sweaters, cardigans and sweatshirts ya know. Let's definitely keep each other posted. That's basically the only thing that keeps me going nowadays. Tha I'm not totally alone and that things may (I hope) still get better.
Take care,
Sherry

Hello Sherry,

I also gained 10 pounds and went up two dress sizes. (actually 15 cuz I gained 5 right before I went off) Well I guess we'll just give it time. We can be thankful it's winter time and can dress in sweaters and heavy coats!

It looks like we are on the same time line and schedule so let's keep each other posted on our progress.

Mollie

Sherry,

I am just like you I have gained 10 pounds with coming off and went up two dress sizes. (actually 15 pounds cuz I gained 5 before I went of)

Anyway I guess we can be thankful that winter is here and can bundle up in sweaters and coats!

It's nice to hear that you are on the same schedule as me, hopefully we can keep each other updated!

Mollie

Hi Sherry!!

Sad to hear, that you're still not doing better with the weight... But please don't be despaired about what your doc said (1/2 year to let all the symptoms go away...). I've heard from so much women (they've been told so by their doctors!!) that it can last about a year or even longer to get finally back to a normal hormonal balance and fitness and weight (well, I think I've posted this already a few days ago)!! It's so different in every woman!! No doctor should say or perhaps even swear that everything has to be fine again after 6 months off a bcp!!

That's the only thing that keeps me up, when I'm brought down again by all these horrible things that happened to me within the last 3 years and especially withing the last 9 months... (Still got no regular period after getting off Yasmin in february this year!!!).

And I'm afraid that until my regular period is finally back, there'll be either no chance to get off all that "pudding" I've gained, not to talk about the withdrawal symptoms of Yasmin that I'm still hit by from time to time...

So Sherry, and everyone else out there, stay strong and don't lose hope!! I'll try and give it a year as some women said and see, what I'm looking like then and if my scale is finally moving someway down... That means for me, another 6 months (I think about may or june 2006...) with lots of heavy bones to carry every day which gets me sometimes really out of breath... absolutely different from my old self...

And please: It would be so helpful to hear, if there are women out there, that went through the same torture as many of us (the weight gain AND all of the other horrible symptoms) and perhaps are finally doing better after months or even years!! It's so important to share every information anyone can give us about this nightmare!!

Take care!!

Silke

Thanks Christy for your sound advice.
I'm working hard on that water. 9 cups for me today-yay.
Also-not to dishearten you or frighten you but at 7 weeks I also only gained 4 lbs. As the days pass it just creeps up. Funny but since I stopped the pill I basically became wheat intolerant so I can safely say that I don't eat any wheat (bread, pasta etc.) at all. I hope things will brighten shortly. Keep your head up to chris (rita, silke and everyone) and let us know how you're feeling as the weeks progresses.
Take care-
Sherry