June 8th
2008
10:26 PM
Im 24 years old, i've been on NuvaRing since April I a can say that my husband has noticed I scream, and I seem to be in a bad mood all the time.
I do have headaches, sharp pains on the left or right side of my head, strange discharge that is smelly, the pins and needles feeling in my left leg that some of the other women here are talking about. I've never been known to have a temper, or have headaches, sinus problems, or pins a needles in my legs, or any kind of 'smell'. I have also been sooo sad, empty feeling.
So I know it has something to do with this product. I'm just happy I was sitting here on the computer and stumbled upon this site after I typed Nuvaring in the search. This product may work for some woman but it is just not for me.
June 5th
2008
9:55 AM
Update.... well my 6yr old son came off Singulair on 3-29. His sinuses drained finally (only waiting past year for that to happen) 9 days after coming off. His sinus problems have been gradually going away. He is now only taking claritin and sudafed when absolutely needed. BUT he started with sore throats. He never had a problem with tonsils only adenoids which they took out in Feb. Now since stopping the Singulair his tonsils have become constantly infected and twice the size so he will be having them removed in July. Some of the antibiotic don't seem to be working as he has been on them so much over past year. Im wondering if the Singulair was hiding the fact there was a problem with the tonsils as well.
-- By sp2008 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
June 4th
2008
12:54 AM
I have had at least four Kenalog shots over the past three years due to sinus infections. The shot provides great relief and a noticeable improvement within 24-48 hours. I have experienced absolutely no side effects. I am so thankful that something like this is available to patients. I was aware that some patients had experienced deep indentations in their flesh at the site of the injection, but I do not personally know anyone who has had a problem with this type of injection. When I have needed relief from severe sinus problems, I can say with certainty that this has helped me tremendously.
-- By kellyhawk | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 30th
2008
10:10 AM
Hi, all. I'm 30 and have been taking Yasmin since Oct. 2006. Yesterday, I finally went to my OB/GYN and asked to take me off it. I can't believe it's taken me so long to realize it was the cause of my many health problems.
Like others have said, I've had many side effects but never connected any of them to Yasmin - until a friend was thinking about using it and told me she'd read it had bad side effects such as mood and GI problems. Once she said this, everything clicked.
Immediately after starting Yasmin, I started gaining weight and had terrible depression. Crying ALL the time. I thought both were because I had started a new job that was very stressful, and I've had struggled with depression my whole life. But this was severe enough that I've had thoughts of suicide and my actions really worried my husband. I asked my doctor to increase my Prozac dosage.
In June 2007, I started having migraines. The first one was so bad that my husband took me to the ER and had me get a CAT scan. It was clear, but the migraines have continued about once a month since then. I've been prescribed Maxalt for when they occur.
Also in 2007, I started having GI problems, especially bloating, cramps, heartburn, gas, and quick-onset diarrhea. The diarrhea got so bad, I'd have to leave parties, work, etc. One day, I didn't make it to the bathroom in time (thankfully, I was at home), was in tears, and my hubby said to see a GI doctor. I got the full workup, including a colonoscopy, which was clear.
In 2008, I started having Restless Legs Syndrome and extreme fatigue. It'd get tingles/pain in my calves when watching TV, in movies, on airplanes, and when asleep. I would sleep 12 hours and still be exhausted. I'd go to bed at 7 or 8 p.m. Finally, I had a sleep study in March 2008 and was diagnosed with RLS and was prescribed Klonopin.
This spring, I've had terrible sinus problems and headaches. I've had allergies before, but never this bad. My Allegra isn't working anymore. I have incredible post-nasal drip and sneezing. Go through Kleenex like crazy. My doctor prescribed Nasonex.
And finally, since Oct. 2006, I've gained about 60 pounds while on Yasmin. I chalked it up to stress from a new job and planning a wedding. Yes, I gained weight WHILE I was engaged. In the time between buying my wedding dress and my wedding, I gained so much weight that my dress had to be let out. I thought it was because of stress, not exercising and a poor diet - but now I realize it shouldn't have caused me to gain THAT much weight. I've continued to gain weight since I've been married.
Now that I put this all together, I realize I am on THREE NEW MEDICATIONS, increased my Prozac, had a colonoscopy, a sleep study, and a CAT scan, and gained 60 pounds ALL since I started Yasmin.
And aside from the medical problems and prescriptions, my lifestyle has changed and I use many over-the-counter drugs. Of course, I'm overweight. I use antacids about 5X a week for heartburn, simethicone about 3X a week for gas, Advil about 2X a week for headaches, sleep all the time, have unusually strong depression, still have diarrhea, and have terrible sinus/runny nose constantly.
I feel so stupid that I never connected the dots. And I realize as I'm typing this that I sound like a hypochondriac because of all my drugs and doctor visits! Most of all, I'm outraged, and truthfully, very sad, that I got married at a very heavy weight because of Yasmin.
I'll post again in a couple of weeks to let you know how I'm feeling off Yasmin. I pray it's much better. Thanks for this forum to share our experiences.
-Katie
-- By ready2fly | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 27th
2008
8:44 PM
Just a follow up- I have been feeling sooo much better since I stopped NuvaRing. When you're on it, you think- "Can this really all be related to a little hormone ring?" The answer is yes! I was having sinus problems, respiratory infections galore, and crazy hormone stuff, the doctors had a hard time believing it was all relate- even though it's all listed as side effects and just as soon as I went off, I got better. You know yourself and your body and you know when things are not right. NuvaRing may be for some people, but it definitely was not for me!
-- By caberk131 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 11th
2008
7:48 PM
Been on Advair only a few months. MY mouth is on fire and I awake to my tongue almost sticking to the roof of my mouth. I never really had asthma but I started with a cough after a bad case of bronchitis. I started with Albuterol and the advair next.
I'm going to try to stop this because I'm sure that this is why I feel the way I do?
Has anyone else had problems with their mouth. Doesn't look like Thrush but it sure hurts.
May 6th
2008
9:24 PM
May 2006 I stopped taking Yasmin after being on it for a few years. I was having bad sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and post nasal drip but never thought it was because of Yasmin. I went to a ENT doctor and the tissue in my sinsus cavities was so inflamed he recommended surgery. I also had a deviated septum and bone spur which were corrected. After the surgery (August 2006) I felt great. I exercise A LOT and it was now so much easier because I could breathe without all the fluid buildup. I kept thinking what a miracle the surgery was. March 2007 I started taking Ortho-tricyclen and quickly gained 10lbs in 2 months. I also had mood swings mostly feeling down. But I was still able to run and exercise more than I had in many years. March 2008 I went in for my annual exam and after mentioning my side effects from Ortho-tricyclen my doctor recommended going back on Yasmin since it had worked before. Two days after starting Yasmin my sinus problems and headaches returned. I was so low on energy and my chest felt tight. The only good thing is that I lost my appetite and in one month I lost 7 of the 10 lbs I gained on Ortho. I stopped taking Yasmin this past weekend in the middle of a pack. I am feeling better and have not had a headache this week. I was also able to run yesterday which felt so good. I hadn’t exercised in a month because of my lack of energy and difficulty breathing. Had I not been on it before I would have thought this was just a bad allergy season. I am convinced Yasmin was the cause of all my sinus problems and headaches.
-- By emilyas | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 24th
2008
1:18 PM
I am very scared right now and concerned, but recently I have been sick for the last 3 weeks or 4 weeks. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he prescribed some Amoxicillin for my sickness. He said he couldn't identify what I had so he gave me a broad based anti biotic. For about a week I took it and didn't get any better. The medicine caused me to get dizzy spells after sleep and before sleep. So this week I went back to the doctor and he said the medicine wasn't helping me and my white blood cell count had gone up. So I had to get some blood taken . Then the nurse couldn't find my vain easily. She managed to get a little blood though and took it for lab samples. The doctor came back and said I needed to take some Avelox and gave it to me. So for about two days I took it and I felt ok, but later the second day I started having a panic attack for no reason. I told my dad I needed to lay down.
After that, my dad made me some food and I laid down and watched TV and the feeling soon left. I was really feeling sick so I got a cold rag and put it on my forehead. I was looking forward to my mom coming home from Wednesday night church. I fell asleep for about 30 minutes. Then my mom came home and woke me up and we talked for a bit and then I went back to sleep.
Well, today I got curious about my medicine and looked it up and found out some terrible news. The medicine I am taking has actually landed people in the hospital. I found a site where people who had taken it posted what the side affects were. They all had reports about having anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and muscle aches.It was then I realized that my medicine is what caused the panic attack the day before. I called my dad instantly and told him about the bad side affects. He didn't really seem to care that much. He listened to me though, which is a step up from my mom. Then I called my mom and explained to her. She just ignored me and didn't care. I was crying and I felt so terrible and frustrated. I was just trying to explain to her that my medicine caused very bad side affects and even thoughts of suicide. She didn't really seem concerned though, she said she'd call my doctor and talk to him about it.
Right now my parents and I are just really stressed about this whole thing. I refuse to take my medicine because of it's dangerous side affects... but if I don't have any medication at all I won't get better. I'm just in a really bad situation and I am just so depressed I feel as if I could burst!! Everyday I feel like utter crap and my vision is screwed up and I don't have an appetite so I have to make myself eat. Also, my white blood cell count keeps getting higher and if something isn't done soon what I have could be very dangerous.
I keep praying to God... but it doesn't feel like he hears me. I am in great emotional pain, my parents are never home and I'm lonely the majority of the day to , and being sick doesn't help. I am starting to experience a bit of the thoughts of suicide.I keep convincing myself I need to live and I'll get better and I don't need to die. It's hard though I am fighting with all my might to keep it away.
-- By pookiepoops | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
April 14th
2008
8:03 PM
I have't been on any birth control for the last 5 years. Now after only 10 days I notice something changing. I first strated out with a sore throat then aches, headaches, nausea. Thought I had a cold but no one else in my family got sick plus I don't have the sinus problems usually associated with the cold.
I'm not giving up yet. My GYN recommended it to take care of some of my problem, but now the old problems look more appealing to me than the new ones.
April 9th
2008
7:40 PM
I really wished I had found this site yesterday morning instead of today. I was prescribed Avelox for my sinus problems and was a little unsure about taking it. I decided to take it anyway since I had not ever had any reactions to any medicine before. About 20 min. of taking the first dose I was dizzy and lightheaded, thought I was going to faint. I did manage to drive to my child's school to pick her up and had to use a room to sit down in because I couldn't breathe and my lips and face was swelling. Someone took me to the ER and they gave me steroid and benydryl. The freaky feeling has left me but my chest is still fluttering and I am feverish and have no energy. I have never felt this way in my life. I hope the side effects end soon. This stuff needs taken off the market.
-- By abcmom | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 7th
2008
5:44 PM
I would be interested to know how many of those who took Singulair needed to take antibiotics more frequently than they did before they took Singulair. I'll see the response then I will tell you why if it turns out that is a predictable side effect.
-- By concernedcitizen | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail
March 31th
2008
2:27 PM
I have been taking Singulair since it has been on the market. At first along with Advair (that's another disappointment) and now with Loratadine. I have had huge problems with depression, suicide thoughts and horrific mood swings since starting Singulair. It has affected my job performance as I have no motivation to do the work. I have lost interest in being around other people and just want to stay home. I have headaches like no other headaches I ever had; experience anxiety and anger for no apparent reason; sinus problems and troubles with my tonsils getting hard, hurting and producing much crypt fluid. I really don't feel at all like me and this has caused me real concern and diminished my "friend pool" and respect among colleagues because I am erraditic in moods, avoid contact and my anxiety and lack of confidence anymore induces incessant talking. I have read many of the posts and feel so sorry that children have suffered so much taking this drug. I have been in cognitive behavioral therapy and my family physician has a real concern for my well-being and really tries to remedy my depression. I have stopped taking Singulair for 2 days and I know it is awfully soon to make any sound conclusions, but I feel stronger today and better able to cope with people. Being a teacher, I should hope so. I would have never believed that a drug for asthma/allergies would have such untoward effects. Singulair along with Advair should be removed from the market or at least only given to those who show no apparent emotional effects, it's not worth losing a life over.
-- By moosiegirl | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 30th
2008
10:45 AM
GREAT DRUG. HAVE TAKEN FOR 2 YEARS WITH SUPER RESULTS FOR MY SINUS PROBLEMS WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS. I DISCOVERED THIS R/X FROM TAKING MUSCINEX WHICH HAS SAME CONTENT. NOW MUSCINEX HAS THE ENTIRE MARKET IN EXPENSIVE OVER THE COUNTER SALES. VERY SUSPICIOUS !!!
-- By ramrod | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 28th
2008
8:47 PM
Started Levaquin 500 mg for 14 day treatment 4 days ago for chronic ethmoid sinusitis (15 months of battles!). Within 1 day, my symptoms were significantly better - and now 3 days later are about 95% gone. Only strange side effect happened on day three (3rd pill), got severely nauseated and dizzy and felt disoriented within 20 mins of taking the pill, but all subsided within 3 hours. Might have happened because I had taken a Zyrtec the night before - I believe that the 2 don't really mix well. Have been fine since (not taking Zyrtec with it again!).
Do also feel a little tendon pressure in my knees and elbows, but is very little and doesn't bother me at all.
March 28th
2008
6:43 PM
I'm a 35 yr male and have been dealing with depression/anxiety for years due to current & past issues in my life. This post IS dealing with singulair side effects but want to give some history as to why I think it's singular and not something else. For the past 2 or so years I've been using xanax which has worked fairly well in controlling my anxiety, but my doctor preferred I stop taking it because of it's potential for abuse. I've been on SSRI's before and I hated them, so I did some research and decided to try wellbutrin which works differently from the SSRI's. I was still using xanax while ramping up on wellbutrin the end of February. To my relief, the wellbutrin started working wonderfully - felt like I could cope with life, increased energy, better mood, with no negative side effects (actually some positive ones) - the only problem I was having is I traveled during this time frame and developed a bad case of sinus rhinitis due to the climate changes. I've had chronic sinus problems my whole life so it's no surprise. I tried most otc meds and nothing was helping. In the meantime I was feeling so much better (other than the rhinitis) that I decided to start tapering myself off the xanax. When I got to the point where I'd stop taking the minimal dosage I would start getting physical withdrawal symptoms (headaches, dizziness, etc) which is fairly common after taking for a prolonged period of time. The side effects were strictly physical - no excessive anxiety or psychological craving My sinuses were still really bothering me so I had two reasons to visit the doctor - try to get something to relieve my sinuses and to get a short supply of a benzo with a longer half-life to ease the withdrawal from xanax. The doctor gave me a prescription for a month of diazepam and 9 weeks of singulair samples. That was 3 weeks ago. I immediately begin using the singulair, but still had some xanax left so I decided to continue on a minimal dosage and use it up before I went to fill my rx, which I just started several days ago. Coinciding with when I started taking the singulair, all the positive benefits I was feeling from the wellbutrin just suddenly stopped. My depression and anxiety came back worse than they were before - another persons post describes the change in me: feel very anxious, fearful, reclusive, depressed, that everything is going to go wrong, or is always wrong. I'll have extreme anxiety about small everyday things. I’m unable to concentrate. I've also become more irritable, argumentative, and aggressive. I have difficulty falling and staying asleep. I also experienced a very noticeable decrease in sexual energy after a very noticeable increase which is a side effect of wellbutrin. I can even understand the rationale for suicide just to be free of this emotional nightmare - not that I would do it - but can understand it. I couldn't figure out why I went from finally feeling good about life to suddenly feeling worse than ever before. I guess I didn't realize it right away because my sinuses were much better, but I know these symptoms began occurring very shortly after I started to take the singulair. I was trying to figure out what was going wrong with me and yesterday I did a web search on 'singulair side effects' (since it’s the only variable I could think of that changed within that time period) and came across this site and several similar ones. It blew my mind how many people were talking about the exact things I was feeling. Yesterday was my last dose. Does anybody know how long it takes for this crap to work its way out of your system after 3 weeks of use???
-- By detersde | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
March 19th
2008
10:22 PM
I have severe allergies. They are so bad, my ears hurt and I have massive headaches. I thought I had sinus problems as well. My new doctor said it wasn't sinus problems, but my allergies got worse. She put me on Singulair. It took a week for it to get in my system. It "worked" for about three. But I noticed I had an excessive amount of mucus. I was a mucus making factory. I was not sleeping through the night. I kept getting up, coughing, and spitting up clear, thin mucus. It was horrible. I started taking Mucinex and Pseudoephidrine HCI - but with no luck! My coughing was so bad, my eyes would hurt. I had terrible headaches. All this in a month. I was so dejected, I stopped taking everything but the Singulair. I was still going into fits of coughing! All day, all night - it was affecting my work (I'm a teacher - so I was constantly scaring the kids by erupting into a coughing fit that ended with me spitting up mucus and my eyes watering). My sister had been on Singulair and she told me one of the side effects was weight loss. I guess my coughing and spitting up mucus worried her; she looked at the side effects again. She told me two of the side effects were headaches and coughing. Needless to say, I've stopped taking it. I can't wait until it's out of my system and i can get a good nights sleep
-- By victoriama | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
March 19th
2008
11:10 AM
I am a 51 year old female who has been taking Advair 500/50 for a number of years now. About a year ago I got a severe sinus infection and have been battling recurring bouts ever since like clockwork. I've lost my sense of smell and my voice sounds like I am sick 24/7. The ENT I went to was absolutely clueless on asthma and allergy medications and their side effects. She told me my sinus problems were caused by my allergies. They may have caused the problem but I should be healthy enough to recover in a week or two not a year or two!!! I have NEVER have a sinus infection before taking Advair. I also now have been diagnoses with Osteopenia and a recent blood test showed elevated blood sugar and cholesterol. My GP says it is a side effect of Advair. I have also recently went thru a barage of tests because of an irregular heart beat and palpitations. I am a triathlete and marathon runner, eat a healthy balanced diet and work hard at trying to keep my weight in check. There is no doubt in my mind that Advair is the cause of these health problems.
I decided to come off Adbvair cold turkey. For about a week I felt exhausted (an understatement). I did experience a few episodes of tightness in my chest but using a puff or two of albuterol was all I needed. I take peak flow readings ever morning and actually had some of my highest readings in months, after stopping. Best part of all, I am starting to get my sense of smell back and have been without symptoms of sinusitus for the first time in over a year!!! My energy is coming back. But the big test will be when I start back training at full throttle.
When I was prescribed Advair the only thing I was told was to make sure that I rinse my mouth out after taking it. No reason and no education on the short and long term effects. This forum is AWESOME!!! This is the first site that I have encountered that gave me honest hard facts and information I can work with. THANKS TO ALL who have posted!!!
March 18th
2008
2:50 PM
I have been having upper respiratory and sinus problems over the past few months and it all seems to line up with starting the Ring. The first month was alright and since then I have had this series of severe cold symptoms, my glands are swollen and I'm coughing all the time, I'm weak and run down. I was put on an antibiotic and that was during my off week. I was better by the end of the week and put the ring back in on Friday- started getting sick on Saturday and worse Sunday-Tuesday. I did take the ring out on Sunday, but my doctors seem to think it's just a bad cold season. However, I look at the package insert and see that Upper Respiratory Tract Infection and Sinusitis are listed as side effects. How would they be listed if there weren't other people suffering from this too?!? After finding this site and reading about other side effects, I'm taking a break from birth control pills/meds. I feel like I don't understand my body at all and I need to take back control from the doctors and their magic medicines.
-- By caberk131 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
January 27th
2008
10:05 PM
I have a daughter who just turned 11 and has been on Singulair for 1 year. I can't say exactly when she turned into devil child, but she did. She went from fun loving, happy go lucky and VERY EASY GOING to a miserable, irritable, cranky girl. I've been using the must be her hormones phrase... Not saying that some of it is not her hormones but her behavior sometimes is beyond anything normal. From the minute she gets up in the morning till bedtime any little and I mean little incident can put her in a frenzy. I've been considering counseling for her until a family member asked me if she was on any meds and that maybe it was that. What a horrible mother I feel like that I never thought of that. I don't give my kids anything without looking it up and I never did with this one.. It has helped her so much . The last time I took her off in 2 days she was wheezing.. Well I'm going to try again because my whole family can not bear her mood swings anymore. I'm going to wean her off by using it every other day and eventually down to nothing, CAN'T WAIT.. I'm going to try something new although I'm not sure if it will help the asthma part, it's the neti pot. It's has an amazing success rate for sinus problems. I'll follow up in a couple of weeks to post how all is going.. Wish me luck...
-- By lcj125 | Reply | Send Private Mail
November 25th
2007
12:27 AM
side effect: bleeding at urethra
For a long-term sinus infection that has drained my energy, I took my first pill in the Leva-pak about noon today with a large glass of water. Ate lunch. Planned to vacuum, but it was difficult to get into and around in our garage (we made a space for a car to go in now that mornings bring frost outside.) So I ended up moving things around in the garage. Major moving around, some stuff heavy. I was thrilled to have energy and strength to actually do something at last and to think of how long I had been listlessly surviving and at times even bedridden before this magical pill.
About 8:30 I came in to pee and found my undies bloody. Bravo, I said to myself, 10 years post menopause and I got my period again. This is the drug of youthfulness: energy and menstruation. Fortunately I still have a few sanitary items around for female friends who visit, so I got to be one of my friends.
But it seems that the blood is coming from the urethra, not from the vagina. And I have some discomfort there. So I recalled that the drug pakage said to drink plenty of water and realized that I hadn't had any more drinks since about noon or 1. I drank another glass of water and headed back to the garage.
I finished up the garage (who said I'm obsessive?) about 9:30 and came in to find out more about the new drug. I saw that the pack said right on it that drinking plenty of liquids PREVENTS THE FORMATION OF CRYSTALS IN THE URINE. So I drank 2 more glasses of water, thinking maybe crystals have formed in my urine and are cutting into the tissues of my bladder and urethra making them bleed. Guess these crystals must be softer than kidney stones or maybe much much smaller, because I've seen the pain folks get with kidney stones, and I would not be sitting here reading your experiences and now typing up my own to share with y'all if I had as much pain as kidney stones cause!
Anyway, with those two more glasses of water, I came online to see the deal with urethral bleeding caused by Leva-pak, and what do I see. Well, the first website I went to said about reading the pharmacist's paper that came with the L-pak. (My doc calls it L-pak, and I hope it's not gonna be L for me as it has been for most of y'all.) Now I wondered if the pharmacist had even put one in. Went and looked and sure enough, there it was, and it said to drink plenty of water "to prevent the formation of crystals in the urine." No further info about those crystals or their side effects. Some words about bleeding but totally vague, like does drinking water cure bleeding?? Who knows?
That paper the pharmacist put in my bag also said that one of the side effects can be "excitement". I thought, that's my side effect, and I am very happy about that. Garage is too. Hubby is too. Life is good. Leva-pack is good for me, for us for the world.
Anyway, back at the puter, eventually I found y'all and your many stories of pain and suffering caused by Levaquil. But, lo and behold, NOT A ONE OF YOU HAS MENTIONED MY BLOODY SIDE EFFECT. That goes to show what drinking plenty of liquids can spare you. Save ya a quarter wasted on sanitary pads you coulda given your female guests. Save ya from washing blood out of your undies again. Save ya from worrying about whether to call the doc (pharmacist is home in bed by now and tomorrow is Sunday. It figures.) And whether to take another pill.
Sheesh, it's a slow business trying to type up my story for ya, now 11 and time for more water, I figure. Be right back again...ok. I see the bleeding continues but it's a LIGHT DAY.
Well, now I've read this whole webpage top to bottom, and I feel pretty worried about taking enough of this Levaquil stuff to get exploding tendons and total nerve damage and pain and suffering and crippling and insanity and death by anaphylactic shock if I take another one.
I probably will take another one, just being sure to drink plenty a water too. Excuse me a sec while I go get another, as it is now after 10....okay I'm back now.We'll see as time goes along about taking any more. And if I am a good scout, I should come back and provide the REST OF MY STORY in a few days.
I saw that someone here said that Cipro is a fluoxosomethingorother too. I don't know why the doc didn't pick Cipro for me today instead of the Leva-pak. Maybe the last drug rep in his office gave him some good lines about the advantages of L as opposed to C, who knows? Anyway, if Cip and Lev are in the same family, I must say that as a postal employee, I am ready to take Cipro at the drop of a hat if our new machines spot anthrax in the air where we work. Sounds like those postal employees who died would have survived if the docs had recognized what was wrong with them and given them the Cipro early on. At least, other people who showed up sick afterwards with anthrax exposure got Cipro, and most of them survived, I heard.
The upshot is that I hope we don't take away the fluoxisomethingorothers until we find somthing better. Law suit perhaps, but not to deny the life-saving drug from EVERYBODY because some folks have bad side effects. Instead, we should find out how to test each person for having trouble taking it. You know, put a little drug in with some of their hair and a little in some of their blood and a little in some of their pee and see if it curdles or grows sprouts or something to show how each patient will react to it. Then tell each one what to expect from the various drugs available for that person's ailment. Then the patient can decide which side effects he wants to sign up for or if he just wants to stick with his original ailment.
I have not decided whether I will take any more of these pills. I will observe my crochety side effect and watch for any new ones that may pop up before I make my decision each day. I am very very concerned about long lasting muscle and tendon pains. I have not been able to hike now for about 3 months due to loss of energy, strength, and confidence. And I sure don't want to miss 3 more months trying to get over exploded achilles, burning knees, seizures, or nerve damage etc.
As a postal employee, I never do any research into cures for ailments. I am fairly experienced with ailments. I cannot provide you with any good excuses for not seeking to find cures for our health troubles.
I feel lucky to have been born when and where I was. I waited until central heat, air conditioning, cushioned seats in heated, air-conditioned autos(spare me from buckboards on unpaved "roads"), and penicillan. That penicillan brought me through pneumonia in 1947. Had I arrived 5 years sooner, I doubt it would have been available to me. Hmmm, I wouldn't a been available to share my story with you folks this evening either. So I must say a blessing for all those who try to improve my health when I go to them for help with my various complaints. Sure, money may be highly motivating for some of them, but Donald Trump and Bill Gates found ways to make money without going into medicine or research and drug development or doctoring.
So far, that's my story, my red flag today.
May THE FORCE be with each of you as you search for the best solutions for your ever-new mind and body problems. May we seek wisdom widely and recognize that what used to work for us often won't work any more because our bodies keep changing. We are along for the ride and hope to make it as pleasurable as possible as we round each curve and surmount each hill.
God bless us all, each and every one.
Christmas is coming...Tiny Tim's words echo through the years.
November 17th
2007
3:55 PM
Boy, after reading quite a few posts I wonder if my problems are linked to my advair use. I started about 2 years ago, 250/50 and have had to go to 500/50 during the spring-early fall because this is the time my allergies are the worst. I have year round allergies, highly allergic to weeds and grass pollen, also molds, cats, dust, etc. I started having problems when I was 15 with asthma, I am 30 now. I've been on multiple meds since I was about 20 for my asthma. During the winter I always have problems with chest congestion, coughing, and sinus problems. About 2 years ago these problems suddenly got a lot worse, and I could not get over sinus infections, I was referred to a specialist, they tried 3 different antibiotics, but as soon as I got off them my symptoms returned. I had a cat scan, and they found my sinus cavities were terrible, full, swollen, etc. He reffered me to another specialist, who I think is awsome. They changed my asthma meds, back to singular, q-var inhaller twice a day, and advair twice a day. My asthma is better, my sinus problems got better and I was able to have sinus surgery about 16 months ago which Greatly improved my problems. I started allergy shots about 1 year ago. Since July of this year I have been having strange problems, which I think are caused by the advair. Lots of times I shake for a few hours after taking my advair and q-var, for the last few months the shaking has gotten worse. In July I suddenly started having problems sleeping, my legs and arms move involuntarily - most of the time violently thrashing around while I am sleeping. I am always tired, and since July I now have severe tiredness in the day, especially while driving, I have to fight falling asleep! Very concerning to me since I have a 6 and 3 yr old, and the 3 yr old is always with me when I start to get to tired (exccessive daytime sleepiness). The leg and arm movements are called Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, similar to Restless Leg Syndrome, but PLMD is usually only during the night, and you don't feel like you have things crawling up your legs or the constant need to move. My symptoms have grown increasingly worse, I had all types of blood work done 2 months ago, nothing was found to be wrong. I've tried different chiropractors, stretching my back/legs before bed, less caffine, etc. But nothing has helped. I started taking Requip about 6 weeks ago, increased the dose about 2 weeks ago, but still having problems. I have had leg and feet cramps for the last month, almost daily, and have periodic leg shakiness during the day, like I have worked out really hard, but I have been sitting! I noticed that Advair lists sleep disorders as a side effect, but doesn't specify what types. I will definately be talking to my doctor about weaning off and stopping advair!
Thanks for having this site and for sharing!
September 23th
2007
9:11 AM
I was taking atenolol 20 mg for a while for bp. But that caused sinun problem which meant i took sudafed etc and that further increased bp. it was a vicious cycle. i went off it and now take lisinopril hctz 20 mg. the funny thing is my doctor's nurse was taking my bp with may arm swinging on its own weight and id get 140/90..when i went hom it was around 125/80 or 125/75. i complained to my dr and she realized the problem. she reduced me to lisinopril hctz 10 mg and now i take only half a pill daily.
i get a lot of sinus problems which have never happened to me before and also get easily tired. i have started acupunture and chinese herbal medicins which have done wonders to improving my digestive issuea and headaches. my plan is to get off bp pills completely and only take herbal medicines and eat right.
one warning to people. always measure bp when you are completely relaxed. before i had my machine, i used to walk into Publix and imdtly measure bp and it would always be very high 155/100..etc. always relax and take the third reading..someone told me..otherwise you may have normal bp but be uncessarily on medication which can ruin your lifestyle.
-- By chak007 | Reply | Send Private Mail
August 4th
2007
6:30 AM
I have terrible sinus problems, which my doctor put me on Leviquin for. I took a twenty day dose of it, and this is the worst thing I have ever been through in my entire life. Excrutiating pain in feet, ankles, knees, elbows, fingers, and also stabbing pains all over my body. Also sweat perfusely, and I wake up every night from nightmares and/or pain. When I wake up I can hardly move my fingers, or stand up to walk. Also I have numbness all over, and now I have high blood pressure which I never had before. My doctor thought I had rhuematoid arthritis, but the test was negative. He said he doesn't think that it is from Leviquin, but after reading all these stories, I am positive it is. It has been a month since my last Leviquin, and I am still not any better. I have to lay down on the couch about every hour because of this pain, and I don't want to do anything or go anywhere anymore. I guess now I have to see a Rhuematologist. I just don't know what else to do, and I am afraid to take any more pills than what5 I am already taking. I am very depressed over all of this.
-- By cink169 | Reply | Send Private Mail
June 27th
2007
8:18 AM
My main problem with Lisinopril is the coughing. Coughing, coughing. coughing. I will be fine for 2 to 3 hours and then start with this awful cough. People will actually turn away from me if I am out shopping and a cough begins. I presume they believe it is contagious. Sometimes I end up vomiting and I cannot catch my breath. Coughing at night is really a problem because of lack of sleep. Doctors believe my cough is due to allergies because I have post nasal drip. However, none of the medications they have given me stop the coughing. I never had this problem until I began taking Lisinopril. Lisinopril is my first Blood Pressure medication.
-- By cbrucks | Reply | (10) replies | Send Private Mail
Yasmin (13) Singulair (12) Advair HFA (9) Levaquin (7) Lisinopril (6) Kenalog (4) NuvaRing (4) PredniSONE (3) Topamax (2) Avelox (2) Allegra (2) Advair Diskus (2) Guaifenex (1) Ambien (1) Xenical (1) Flomax (1) Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (1) Bactrim (1) Toprol-XL (1) Remicade (1) Guaifen-C (1) Diovan (1) Prinzide (1)
July 14th
2008
11:48 AM
Have been taking Lisinopril for approximately 6 months. Was previously taking Benicar, but insurance company strongly recommended the generic form.
Have experienced depression, eye problems, extreme leg pain, mood swings, sinus problems tightness in my chest, and severe rash and sores over my entire body.
Went to a dermatologist for the rash and sores. She took a biopsy and the report stated I was allergic to something. Had to use 4 anti-itch medications and 4 pills to be taken internally. Rash never did completely clear.
After having a nuclear stress test, my primary care physician referred me to a cardiologist. My left circumflex artery was 90% blocked, so a stent was inserted.
So I should be feeling alot better with all this being done. NO!! Have had more problems since the stent.
Am going today to the dermatologist again for the rash and sores and am taking the Lisinopril so when the biopsy is done, the lab can check to see if this is the culprit.
Also, am going to my PCP today for the leg and back pain. Am going to let him know I will not be taking Lisinopril anymore. An alternative blood pressure medicine will have to be prescribed.
Thanks for all the information. I will update my situation as soon as I know what is going on.
-- By cwalling | Reply | Send Private Mail