Sinus polyps symptoms and conditions

October 22, 1998 I had resp. failure (with intubation). My new pulmonary doctor put me on Singulair 10 mg once a day, a few weeks after. Within time, I started to have numbing and tingling in my face, arms, and legs. March of 1999 the symptoms worsened and started causing pressure in my face, arms, and legs, and anxiety started to kick in. I was told I had neuropathy and to take mobic. Symptoms getting worse, and went to a rheumatologist in June 1999, and he was suspect of singulair. The doctor thought that what I was experiencing was due to the singulair. He (the rheumatologist) discussed this with the pulmonary doctor and the pulmonary doctor did not believe this to be the case. Not forgetting, in March of 1999, I had a ct of the sinus area, and low and behold 1/3 of the cavity was and probably still is full of polyps.

As time went on, symptoms getting worse, and not one bloody doctor could figure out why I was feeling this way. In addition, at times, I was put on steroids for my asthma (not including my inhalers).

Two years ago, my body went into shock, leaving my left side very different than my right side. Affecting: my head, my face, my eye, my ear, my esophogus, my lungs, my arm, my leg.

I have been depressed and anxious not knowing what the heck was going on with me.

Recently ruled out thyroid, and lupus, and possibly ms.

Last weekend, I reviewed the letter from the rheumatologist (dated 1999) and the ct report from March 1999 (regarding the sinus/ polyps) and made copies to present to a pulmonary doctor that I have recently been seeing.

This past Monday the 10th, I had my appt with him. He knew of my situation from the last few visits (in addition, I had met him this past March for a pulmonary rehab program, and thought he seemed to be knowledgeable and compassionate). While waiting for him to enter the exam room, he had read those reports before entering.

The doctor looked at my hands (red as a beet and swollen) and said "You have Churg-Strauss Syndrome, and get off the singulair."

I had done my homework from a few weeks ago, where I looked up untreated polyps.
Untreated polyps, can turn into vasculitis. There are many types of vasculitis, to include Churg-Strauss Syndrome.

I then cross ref CSS and singulair, and low and behold, BINGO!

I have been suffering for ten years, physically and emotionally because of this drug!

There is also recent updates from the fda (fda.gov) regarding singulair, of which most recently includes anxiety and depression.

I suggest before taking singulair, be aware of the side effects. As soon as a side effect comes up, contact your doctor. Also, be aware of existing conditions (like me, sinus problems and asthma) for this could lead to churg-strauss syndrome.

This info is indicated on the actual disclosure (the paper insert that indicates studies, side effects, etc...) not the handout that is given with the drug.

By the way, I am now working with a new rheumatologist in Los Angeles (Cedar-Sinai affiliated) and a new neurologist.

mdklezmer

I'm an adult female with severe sinus polyps, adult onset asthma and allergies. Initially Singular seemed to be helping my nasal polyps, when nothing else helped in any way. I made several attempts to use Singular, and proved repeatedly that this medication did, in fact, cause me severe side effects - even when I used a childs dosage. While using an adult rx for Singular, I immediately began experiencing horrific nightmares (which I have never had in my entire life). I also had extreme knife like pains in both ears, which made me feel like I had a severe ear infection, chest pains where it felt like a cinder block was lying on my chest, and migraine like headaches (which I've never had). I stopped the medication after about a week and the nightmares went completely away, but it took me a couple weeks to recover completely because I developed what felt like a respiratory infection and ear infection as soon as I stopped using it. Because Singular seemed to slightly reduce my nasal polyps on my first attempt, my allergist suggested I try using it again - almost a year later. When I first began, I completely forgot about the negative side effect and why I stopped using it in the first place, and just gave it another try. I again experienced the same horrific nightmares, ear pains, but this time got a strange rash/cluster of blisters under both eyelids which my eye doctor confirmed was an allergic reaction to something I was using. Singular was the only medication I had changed. My allergist thought I should give it longer to see if the symptoms went away (because they probably weren't caused by this medication - and were due to something else ???). Fearing going to sleep, I decided to try taking the medication in the morning instead of night, and had my physician reduce my rx to a childs dosage (5mg). The nightmares lessened, and the blisters under my eyelids went down, so I continued using Singular for about a years time. What I didn't realize, was that over this time I was becoming depressed, fatigued, and became easily agitated and short-tempered, which was very different since I was normally a very happy, energetic mom. My nasal breathing seemed to be slightly improved, so I just kept taking the medication - not realizing that it was causing all of the other problems I was experiencing. I became so fatigued and depressed feeling, that all I wanted to do after I got my kids off to school was to sleep until it was time to pick them up in the afternoon. I was also experiencing stomach pains for unknown reasons. I was certainly not myself. I didn't realize that while I was using Singular I had lost complete interest in everything that I normally loved in my life. And please note I'm 45 years old, and I was using a childs dosage. ( I can only imagine what this medication does to a child. )Fortunately for me, I accidentally forgot to refill my prescription for a few days and noticed that my depression started to improve. I decided not to refill my rx and stay off it to see if I continued to improve - and I have. Unfortunately, even though my depression has all but gone away, I'm experiencing symptoms which must be from withdrawal of the medication - and they are just as scary as the side effects were. Now that I'm not taking Singulair any more (and I've made no other medication changes), I have extreme fatigue beyond belief, and ache everywhere. My muscles are in such pain that I'm having difficulty doing things I would normally do. I have extreme weakness in both arms and legs, and my back aches almost constantly. And strangly enough, my asthma and allergies have slightly improved since stopping Singular - I thought for sure my allergies/asthma would worsen when I stopped completely - but they did not. All I can say is - please trust what your body is telling you - even if your physician tells you otherwise, and do not use this medication or any other if you experience adverse side effects to it. I would never give this medication to a child that wasn't old enough to tell me what he/she was experiencing, and would document the childs temperament, ailments if any, and what changed once the medication was started - and discontinue it immediately if even one adverse side effects occurred. One last note - I am still experiencing vision problems, which I feel are due to using this medication. Hopefully, no other permanent damage to my body will result from the Singular that I've already used - and I hope you Singular users will recover completely too from its dangerous side effects. Wishing you the best of health!

My 30+ year run with Prednisone
My experience began back in the 1980s when I took 2 aspirin for a headache one day and landed in the hospital with difficulty breathing. I was diagnosed with Chronic Asthma Triad (Aspirin Sensitivity, Sinus Polyps, and Asthma). My doctors (Allergist & ENT) prescribed Prednisone to help with the asthma and control sinus swelling in does ranging from low 15mg up to 80mg per day with weening off periods lasting weeks to months. Over the next 9 years I underwent 12 sinus surgeries ultimately obliterating all of my sinus cavities. Chronic asthma continues today and I have now developed additional lung disease I was followed at UCSC Medical Center in San Francisco after being diagnosed with Bronchiolitis Oblitersans, at which time I was fully disabled, unable to work at all for almost 2 years. This was the most difficult period in my life.
Over the years dealing with chronic sinus disease and controlling my lung and airway diseases I have made many trips to the ER and experienced many hospitalizations. I have not been off of Prednisone since this all began. With so many doses of steroids both by IV and by mouth with tapers in doses ranging from 120md daily (by mouth) to a low maintenance dose of 5mg per day. Believe me when I say that I know the side effects of this dug all to well. Initially I experienced bloating in the face and body, a rash that still remains today. I have developed significant bone density loss and now experience joint pain full time. From a mental side effects stand point I am in a state of fluctuating brain fog, memory loss, and confusion. At times I get baffled easily. I continue to experience mild to severe mood swings.
I am currently working full time with great difficulty and at this time taking 40mg of Prednisone daily to control my difficulty breathing and severe shortness of breath.
Of all the side effects it is my memory loss that has been the biggest impact on my ability to work and communicate clearly, I am having difficulties performing at work and at home. I had no idea this medication could have such an impact on daily living.
The bottom line? Prednisone truly is a two edged sword, on one hand a wonder drug and on the other a destroyer of mind and body.

I am so glad i found this site. I was convinced i was developing severe arthritis at age 39. I was put on a 3 weeks course of levaquin in November to combat a sinus polyps and sinus infections. Shortly after, i started complaining to my husband that i was afraid i was getting arthritis. Had the aches and pains through December and then got another sinus infection in january. Was given another course of levaquin and the 2nd day into it, i awoke with terrible pains in my wrists, knees, ankles and shoulders. I called my doctor and got prescribed another antibiotic. It is now February 7 and the side effects linger including sleeplessness (benadryl can get me to sleep) and dry mouth. My symptons kind of come and go - my joints will feel fine for a couple of days and then randomly the pain returns in my ankle, or hands and feet (sometimes all 3). I wanted to encourage many of you that although this is irritating and uncomfortable, you will get better in time - it is a slow process to get this drug out of your system. I have done lots of research and have found that taking 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesium a day can help clear the poison from your system plus taking acidophilus to restore your healthy bacteria and echenasia goldenseal to restore your immune system. Plus and most importantly drink LOTS of water. I have learned that depending on the severity of your reaction - that getting back to normal can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years (for the most severe reactions) But more than likely, it will be a several months. I am feeling better and the aches are tolerable. I am thankful i figured out it was the levaquin or i might be in really bad shape right now. I have two small kids, work part time and don't have time for this!!! I have also learned that you can take this medication one time and suffer mildy and then the second dose can knock you out - so even if you didn't react severely the first time, i urge you not to take it again. Anyway, i would love to hear from others how long it took to get better. I am 2 weeks into my recovery and feeling hopeful and lots more educated. I will never take meds for granted again. Hope this helps. Blessings........