Stress level symptoms and conditions

Well, I have reading lots of reviews about this pill since my doctor prescribed it, and being a science teacher, I have to say I am disappointed by how little many women who have issues (or not) go into specifics about their situation. So, I am going to be detailed here about this. Maybe if your situation is similar to mine, this could be helpful... :)
-I am 23...nearly 24 years old.
-5'10", 140-145 pounds.
-Very active, I at least ride my bike and/or go for a walk every day, and I try to work out at least twice a week. Healthy eater, but I still like to indulge...pretty much everyday.
-Non-smoker, rarely drink.
-Occasionally have coffee, mostly a tea drinker, avoid soda and dairy products.
-I have never used birth control before.
-I have been sexually active for approximately 3 years with one partner. We have always used condoms.
-I am on the last week of my first month.
-Reasons for going on the pill:
-Although very regular (comes approximately every 35 days like clockwork), I have very heavy and long periods (*Lots* of clotting, eight days long-my mother had a history of her periods lasting as long as two weeks as she has gotten older, I would like to avoid this.)
-Intense migraines and headaches, generally around my period.
-Intense cramping, diarrhea, and bloating before and during my period.
-Lack in energy, decrease in sex drive, and increase in stress level/unhappiness before and during my period.
-My doctor actually had me start the day AFTER my last period.
-I take it at 8:00 each night (set my alarm so I don't forget).
-Since starting Loestrin 24 Fe:
-Increase in energy level; however, I have found it more difficult to fall asleep. I also get very hot at night.
-Two headaches in the past 24 days, compared to the at least 3 severe ones I would get a week.
-Increase in sex drive, though I think we are both feeling a little less "afraid" of having any accidents, so that may be the difference.
-Breast slightly swollen (like they would be around my period before) and only slightly sensitive, but nothing unbearable.
-My mood has been generally good. Less stressed. Pretty happy lately.
-No pre-period cramping or diarrhea, but lots of bloating; however, I am always bloated and gassy because I have some digestion issues.
-No weight gain yet other than the normal water weight that changes daily regardless.
-Eyes are little dry, not tearing up when irritated. I am not sure if I can cry, and I used to be able to at the drop of hat.
- No real nausea.
-Skin is the same, actually my complexion looks slightly more even. My breakout zones (blackheads on my nose and chin are still there) haven't changed, but no whiteheads have appeared lately.
-Some breakthrough bleeding by the second week, but barely anything. If you had the kind of periods I had, a spot of light brown is nothing at all. I usually don't even need a panty liner.

All in all, I have been pretty pleased so far.

I am a recovering heroin addict. Everyone thinks I am sober. However, I feel differently. I have been taking Neurontin for about a year now and am completely addicted to it. My doctor began prescribing me 300 mg. 3x a day. when I realized it gave me a calming, relaxing, energizing feeling. It made me feel like I could handle anything. My kids, work, cooking, the laundry, my emotions. Everything was perfect, I was in total control. I convinced the doctor I needed more, "MY BACK PAIN BECAME IMENSE!!" I am now up to 900mg, 3x a day and am honestly popping 15- 20 pills at a time. I am so disgusted with myself. I have tried to stop and feel trapped. When I take my normal dosage I feel extremely dizzy, anxious, confused and disconnected. My stress level is very high. I feel like the world is coming down on me. My body hurts. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I cannot handle reality. I found this website. looking for help, an alternative, someway to help me get off this shit. I get headaches and SEVERE diarrhea. Neurontin is extremely addictive, physically and mentally!!!

I started using the NuvaRing in 2003. I am still on it and now really having second thoughts. When I started usign the nuvaring I was already taking the anti-depressant Lexapro (not sure if it's spelled correctly). Since I started taking both of the medications around the same time, I could not decipher which symptom went with what medication. I was experiencing numbness in my face, hands and legs. I was also very fatigued, had a candida related rash for 6 months, and gained weight.

Yet, through these symptoms my period was easy, painless, and short. So I quickly assumed it was all related to my anti-depressant. My doctor prescribed me Prozac and most of the symptoms I had been experiencing went away. But for the next four years I had numbness in my face and hands the week after my period, the first week I had a new ring in. During that week my doctor prescribed me to double the amount of prozac and it cured most of the numbness and nausea. Yet taking more prozac seemed to really affect my short term memory.

Last November 2008, I decided to ween myself off of the anti-depressant. By January I was totally off of Prozac. It is now February 16th 2009 and it is the week after period and just got a new ring. Today I am experiencing major numbness in my face, hands, and legs. I am having terrible headaches, vision problems and have no energy. After reading all the posts tonight I realized that all these years I have been on the Nuvaring I have mistaken its side-effects for other medications side-effects. I am really trying to cleanse my body of medication b/c my stress level and lifestyle has changed.

I want to go to the doctor and discuss other alternatives since I feel terrible and have been on this for so long. If I hadn't had gone off the other medications I never would have associated my symptoms with the NuvaRing. But now it all makes sense.

I had muscle aces and pains most of that time but near the end of the 3 weeks I would loose the use of my left arm for periods. I would feel faint and very weak. I have had restless leg since I was a child but my legs got much worse during the 3 weeks. Finally I remembered that if you had muscle weakness you were to stop Zocor so I did. The daily muscle weakness gradually went away but I developed severe restless leg and had to go on Requip. I also started having face spasms and “turrett” type spasms in my legs that would travel up into my arms and hands. My hands would clench and I couldn't talk plain. My head would jerk and my body would shake inwardly as if I were freezing. These symptoms were worse when I was stressed or got too hot. Eventually I had to quit my job, it was very high stress. Five years have past. I now stay home and garden and paint. I very seldom leave my home and my stress level is low but when I do get into a stressful situation I still have to deal with the “loss of control” over my body. My sleep is a nightmare every night. My restless leg syndrome is getting worse and I've had to increase my Requip and will probably have to do so again soon.

My cholesterol is very high and my doctor keeps trying to get me to go on some meds for that but I would rather die than add to the painful, exhausting struggle I go through now because of what Zocor did to me.

I love my NuvaRing. But don't get me wrong, I have had severe side affects (vaginal swelling tenderness, chronic yeast infections, Vaginitis, painful sex, gas, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, no sex drive, engorged breasts, clear skin, leg cramping, you name it I have probably had it) with it some of the effects are just normal for birth control or my not so perfect lifestyle). I have been on NuvaRing for 2 and a half years. I have had many drastic changes in my life while on the medication. I will not blame it on the Ring, but I won't say it was something else.
I loved the NuvaRing when I first got on it. It was strictly for BC, not to regulate my cycle or bypass cramping or anything else. The first year I was on it, I was a sophomore in college. My stress level was normal for a college student on scholarship, I was anxious and sleepless even before starting the NuvaRing. So when I started it, I remained the same. The first few months were fine. After a while, I began to get easily irritated and snapped easily. Again I was a college student, handling more than I should have. I had 18 hrs. in courses, a full time job, and a part-time job. So I just thought it was me, it couldn't have been my BC. Again sleepless and anxiety were a way of life.
I have always struggled with weight. I'll admit I was 198 lbs. when I started NuvaRing. I am slightly ashamed to admit that I now weigh 255 lbs. Granted: I have poor eating habits and exercise for me is walking to my car.
But this year something changed. I graduated college (cum laude) and started my career. I don't feel the stress of college anymore and I thought I would have no anxiety, my sleeplessness would dissipate, my patience back, and frankly would return to what was normal for me
Now for some of the negativity.
My parents have noticed my irritability and my weight gain. (who hasn't its pretty obvious). They never said anything, until I one day just couldn't take it anymore. I yelled at my parents (I have never done anything like that before) and I cried all night. The next day, my boyfriend called and I for some odd reason did not want to talk to him, yelled at him, and hung up. Not really a nice way to treat someone you love so dearly.
I have been short tempered and honestly don't see why anyone puts up with me. After I yell at people (the anxiety and short temper) I always feel so bad and end up crying for hours. Even the little things will make me cry. I was always an emotional basket case, but I was never a crier. I now cry for no apparent reason at everything.
Because of my gift of forgetfulness: a few months ago (5 to be exact) I forgot to take my ring out for the one week. I put it in a week late. Ever since then my body has been out of whack. I have suffered major depression. I struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. I can't wait to get off work to come home and crawl back into bed. Not exactly the thoughts for a new college graduate doing her dream job. Some days my depression will control my life. Other days I feel like a normal person. If you ask anyone who knows me typically; I am a fun loving easy going patient person. I mean I gotta be: I became a special ed teacher. Lately I have suicide thoughts, as I lay awake for hours.When I fall asleep, I feel I could sleep for days. I attempt to get 8 hours of sleep a night, but usually end up with 2 maybe 3. Then there are days I will sleep all night, come home from work and go to bed at 4pm and sleep all night again.
I also have noticed that I crave food 24-7. I kept attributing it to my way of coping with everyday stress and my eating my emotions (emotional basket case, I know) I feel like I am constantly starving.
Why is it now that something has changed so dramatically. It is just me and my chaotic emotional basket case life or is it something directly linked to my method of BC? I have no honest idea, but I feel much better knowing that others out there have had great experiences with NuvaRing, and something then goes wonky. (for lack of a better word).

Does anyone know if maybe they changed the formula or something?

I hope this helps someone.

I was never allergic to anything in my life until I went around this cat at the age of 33. I sneezed and got a really scratchy throat. I thought it would go away, but it turned into a cold. I thought the cold would go away, but it turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia. I was jogging everyday at the time and realized something was wrong when I couldn't finish my run.

I was hospitalized for two days and upon discharge I was stocked up with a cocktail of drugs: Singular, Advair, Albuterol inhaler, and Claritin. Needless to say, I took them all, because I was scared of dying. Thank God I'm not a good medicine taker, because I missed many doses and only took them as needed. I think this is why after 3 years I have only started to see the effects of these meds in the last 8 months.

Okay... I have major joint stiffness(all over) especially neck and fingers, heart palpitations, nervousness, short patience, horrible memory, lack of motivation. Oh my God! The weight gain...Please!

Before this, I was completely healthy. After reading this I will reduce myself to my inhaler and Claritin. I notice they are cool. Otherwise, if I keep my stress level down my breathing does really well. It would probably help if I got rid of the cat. Shhhh...Don't tell anyone. LOL.

I have since put my self on a juice fast using a high powered juicer to cleanse my system of all the trash the doctors gave me.

God bless you all and I speak life and breath into each of our lives.

BreatheWrite.

I hope this helps someone.

I was never allergic to anything in my life until I went around this cat at the age of 33. I sneezed and got a really scratchy throat. I thought it would go away, but it turned into a cold. I thought the cold would go away, but it turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia. I was jogging everyday at the time and realized something was wrong when I couldn't finish my run.

I was hospitalized for two days and upon discharge I was stocked up with a cocktail of drugs: Singular, Advair, Albuterol inhaler, and Claritin. Needless to say, I took them all, because I was scared of dying. Thank God I'm not a good medicine taker, because I missed many doses and only took them as needed. I think this is why after 3 years I have only started to see the effects of these meds in the last 8 months.

Okay... I have major joint stiffness(all over) especially neck and fingers, heart palpitations, nervousness, short patience, horrible memory, lack of motivation. Oh my God! The weight gain...Please!

Before this, I was completely healthy. After reading this I will reduce myself to my inhaler and Claritin. I notice they are cool. Otherwise, if I keep my stress level down my breathing does really well. It would probably help if I got rid of the cat. Shhhh...Don't tell anyone. LOL.

I have since put my self on a juice fast using a high powered juicer to cleanse my system of all the trash the doctors gave me.

God bless you all and I speak life and breath into each of our lives.

BreathWrite.

Today I decided that I am not taking Lisinopril anymore. I was sick with flu like symptoms about 2 months ago. I went to my doctor and and was treated for a bronchial infection. I was prescribed and antibiotic and also a blood pressure medicine. My blood pressure was high and had been for some time. The illness did leave but now I have new problems. For some reason the first bottle was a white pill, then changed pharmacy, and now a small peach colored pill. The side effects were worse on the white pill, less but still life altering on the peach pill. Since taking the medicine here are some of the things I have experienced.
- severe coughing, so bad that my neck back and head where killing me;
- loss of bladder (not sure if from coughing or additional side effect);
- hair falling out;
- tightness in my chest;
- difficulty breathing (using inhaler multiply times a day vs. when sick or 2 or 3 times a year);
- muscle pain;
- memory loss (small black out periods with no recovery of the memory for that time);
- feelings of dread; some intermittent periods of severe, some mild confusion;
- sleeping so soundly did not hear people in my home all night, loud music, doors opening and closing, in my room standing next to me talking (normally a very light sleeper);
- confusion for 15 to 20 minutes upon waking, did not know what time it was, where I was, what day;
- falling asleep at desk of if parked in my car;
- digestive issues, severe gas, intermittent watery stool and constipation;
- short tempered, inability to cope with my normal ability to function in high stress level on job (I actually left my job of 8 years on a week ago);
- strange feeling in the middle of forehead and intensifying to almost a muscle kind of pain just in the center.
- the worst was the yesterday, I felt like I did not want to live...just like quitting, thank GOD my children love me so much that they kept trying to keep me engaged in conversation and stayed with me all afternoon until it finally passed. I did not take the medicine yesterday or today. I called my Dr. to have my chart updated today that I will NOT be taking this medicine anymore. I will walk everyday and get on a diet that is fat and salt restrictive, I want to live and do it sanely.

Im a 33 yr old stay at home housewifey. Ive been taking zoloft for 1 week and 1 day. It is a miracle drug! I feel so relaxed and nothing in the world bothers me. I however i did get a couple brain pains and couldnt sleep for about 5 days. I was taking zoloft in the afternoon but was told to take it first thing in the morning so it can help you sleep at night. I started taking it the the am and the past 3 days my sleeping has gotten better, i toss and turn a couple times. I do still feel very fatiqued but only in the mornings and then it disapears by like 10 am. Loss of appetite whitch is good because i can now lose the 25 pounds i have gained over the holidays haha! I feel was feeling depression the first few days of taking zoloft but now its gone. My stress level isnt that bad like it was. I do feel like im in a dream but in a good way. I feel like im on a happy cloud. I love taking my happy pill (zoloft) it is helping me ALOT!
I am a quiet person by nature and now i find myself taking up a storm!
I was terrified of the carpenter bees outside whitch we have a ton of. It took me 1/2 hr to get to my car to pick my son up from school just about everyday. And i sat in the car for almost an hour trying to get back in the house. Now i find myself getting into the car with no problem and no fear of them. I actually stood on the porch with the bee in front of my face talking to it haha, they do not sting but are extremly nosey insects!
Sex drive is still good so far.
Zoloft is working wonders with me. Its not for everyone as i read all the experiences from people , BUT ITS WORKING FOR ME!
Zoloft is working wonders!

Hi there!
I have to say, I am so happy that I have found this website. I feel like I'm crazy!! I have been taking Yasmin for a little over a year or so and within the past two month I have noticed significant stress, anxiety, depression (which I have NEVER experienced in my life). Although, over the past year I have noticed I have been tired, overall low energy, and snappy for no reason. Really high strung. I never knew why.

I do have to ask though, those of you who have stopped taking, or switched from Yasmin...have you noticed a shift in mood for the better? Have you noticed a difference in depression? I am planning to make an appointment for my OB/GYN tomorrow to get off this pill. I just want some hope that things will indeed get better, you know??

I might have mild FIBROMYALGIA, but on this drug I felt like I got hit by a truck. I am on my 3RD WEEK. Terrible pain/weakness in all my muscles, the trigger points for FM were very tender. It may be that FM is getting wose due to stress, but this all happened on Yasmin.

"Spacy" and not paying attention. I blamed things on my stress level. No interest is sex due to the pain and hurting.

Very depressed and not wanting to do much (mostly because I hurt!) I can't ride my horse w/o pain afterwards.

No nausea, some stomach trouble. Acne is not better or worse.

I am getting off it this weekend and going to see if it in fact the pill.

Women with CHRONIC FATIGUE AND FIBRO be warned to keep an eye on things.

My wife, Cathy a 52 year old beauty just started taking Topro-XL and what a major difference in her mood. She is currently complaining of being overly tired, lack of concentration, memory loss or attention to detail has slipped. She has also experienced an increase in weight gain or water retention. In either case, it has been extremely hard for her to loose this weight. She has always been extremely fit and athletic, but lately she has a lack of interest in most activities. Since she has been taking this drug, I have encouraged her to spend more time meditating (with me), exercising deep breathing excercises, which seem to reduce her stress level. Since we have been doing this type of excercise, she has cut her perscription of Toprol in half. Soon we hope to be completely off this drug. More to come!!

My daughter is 5 years old and has been on singulair for 1 week. i have already noticed a dramatic change in her behavior. she has become irritable, mean, nasty, and emotional. she has had me in tears on a daily basis. she has turned into a monster. we will be calling the doctor in the morning!

THANK YOU< THANK YOU to all who have posted to this site! Found it accidentaly while looking for causes for severe panic attacks that I had been having for about 1 1/2 years. Been on yasmin for about 4. Had alot of stressful things happen in the last 4 four years, husband lost job, family illness's, friends childs death, went back to work and 3 three active kids. Just blamed symptoms on all this. Last year things have been great on the stress level the though panic attacks seemed to get worse. Thought I was losing my mind! Went for all kinds of tests with gyno, all came back normal. Was almost dissapointed that I wasn't sick in some way. They asked me why I was so concerned, told them about panic attacks and never once said it could be the pill. Said I should learn how to just stop thinking and relax. Why aren't they telling us about this. It's almost criminal. I plan to show my gyno this web site next time I go. Went off yasmin as soon as I saw this site last tues. Already the heart palps have stopped. AMAZING! I can't tell everybody how much I appreciate your honesty about this situation. Your comments have made me realize I'm not nuts! Looking forward to a normal life again thanks to you all.
LR

I've been on Topamax for about 6 months now (gradually starting out at twice a day (25 mg - 50 mg - 75 mg then finally ending at 100 mg twice a day). Lost 30 pounds and holding. At times very tired - GREAT not having anymore migraines - but depressed more often and edgy. Snapping at anyone at a drop of a hat! I sometimes take 100 mg a day instead of 200. If my stress level is very high and I do get a migraine regardless - I take my 5 mg of Zomig - it helps and I'm back on track again.