Systemic symptoms and conditions

Hi,

I had a systemic allergic reaction to an allergy injection. I was treated at the hospital with Benadryl and Prednisone. I was told to continue to take both, but still was having problems with sinus inflammation related to the reaction a day later. I saw my Dr. who told me to up the Prednisone and start taking Singulair.

Well I started having side effects worse than the sinus inflammation I originally had within a few hours of taking the Singulair. I totally chalked them up to Prednisone side effects, since that drug has so many issues. But the side effects were different than those listed from Prednisone, and different from the last time I had to take Prednisone for an allergy attack. I had INTENSE head pressure (not just the sinuses, but everywhere), muscle tightness/pressure in my neck muscles and at the base of my skull. I don't know if this was a side effect or not, but I had freezing hands and feet, also VERY cold.. except my face was hot. I also got hot flushes occasionally in my body, like on the backs of my thighs. I also felt "out of it".. very dizzy and slow to respond. I was also very confused by why my sinus inflammation was not really responding to the Prednisone since it is such a strong anti-inflammatory. Well, I stopped taking the Singulair last night after reading this site, and I am feeling back to normal! Even my sinuses have unplugged. I suppose this could all be something besides the Singulair, but I am not chancing it again.

II have been on Statins for many years. Started with Zocor which caused two large muscle knots in my side. I talked to my cardiologist and was told it couldn’t be, as it would be more systemic. I asked him for a CPK check and he telephoned me and said get off of it at once. In the meantime I broke two ribs swinging a golf club. I was switched to at least three other Statins with the same results, muscle pain. I finally ended up on lipitor. My CPK was elevated, but my cardiologist said that the benefits of 10 mg. of Lipitor trumped the slight CPK elevation. All went well for a couple of years. During that time I participated in a Lipitor study and was monitored for approximately six weeks. Results were Ok until the dose was increased from 10 to 20 mg. I was immediately dropped from the study. Three weeks ago my cardiologist increased my Lipitor to 20 mg. and added co Q-10 300mg. It took four weeks until I developed severe muscle pain in my lower back and shoulders and neck. My doctor will not accept that Lipitor is the cause. I took myself off of it a week ago. I am now almost pain free. He appears to be avoiding communication with me. He also was one of the Dr. participating in the Lipitor study. I would hope that many MDs read this entire list of problems attributed to Lipitor.

A pharmacist heard my breathing and told me I was over medicated. My doctors prescribed 20/12.5 Benicar, olmesmartan, twice a day for systemic hbp and Toprol once a day for pulmonary hypertension. I gradually stopped taking the Benicar because I could barely function, felt like I had been beaten down all day, had the sharp pains from one point to another and couldn't remember anything short term. I'm also allergic to sulfa which is an ingredient in olmesmartan. I'm only taking Toprol. I feel 200% better. The "charlie horses" aren't nearly as bad and the sharp pains and muscle tenderness are gone. My short term memory is better as well. I drink lots of water and take a potassium supplement. As a result, I retain much less fluid.

I have been taking 40mg prednisone every other day for myasthenia gravis, Isaw My doctor yesterday due to a bright re rash that is barely raide..not real itchy is spreading from start point of inside my arms..like opposite elbows. It is also under my breasts, in my belly button. He seemed stumped and thought it might be a side effect of prednisone catching up with me . I have a steroid cream he has me applyin 2 x day and now it is on my neck this am and I AM SEEING TINY BLISTERS AND different shapes.

I wonder if I could have a systemic fungus or infection the prednisone hides and how do you tell if you have a prednisone rash or fungal infectio, '

Thank you, Joan G

Systemic allergic response manifested as severe urticaria lasting more than 5 days. Required steroids and supportive therapy.

Advair is a drug that is delivered in 100/250/500 microgram (1.0 x 10-1 g) doses to the lungs. Research has show that there is no systemic residual fluticisone (steriods) found in your circulation. Unlike prednisone it is delivered straight to the lungs, acting only on the lungs. As for the long acting bronchodialotor salmeterol, it is very similar to albuterol chemically but acts for a longer period of time. I don't think advair is causing all of these problems. Have been on this for over 2 years and significantly controls my asthma and the two components of advair have been used safetly for many years. They have been proven in clinical trials and have brought great relief to many.

Try working out and eating better. Stop worrying about yourselves and do something interesting. It will take your mind off your weird side effects, that are mainly created by your mind.

My 6-year-old son took Singulair for 3 months this past Fall of '04 with no side effects. His seasonal allergies were acting up again the past two days, so we decided to start him up again on the Singular for the Spring season. He took the pill at 6:30 a.m this morning. At 3:00 pm, I got a frantic call from his Kindergarten teacher saying that he was having trouble breathing and was having a panic attack. He said he was scared that he was going to die. We rushed him to the doctor, but by the time he was looked at (2 hours) his symptoms were subsiding. The doctor came to the conclusion that both the teacher, and my son, overreated. I believe that he was suffering from a systemic allergic reation caused from this drug. My son has not been ill in 4 years (other than seasonal allergies). I know that he would not overreact, or lie, about not being able to breathe. Nor has he ever had irrational thoughts of dying for any reason. Now after reading through this site, I see that not only was today's episode more than likely the result of the Singulair, but also the cause of his nightmares last fall that mysteriously cleared up through the winter. May God bless all of you who have been, and will be, affected by this drug.

my 15 year developed systemic poison sumac/ivy this summer and was put on high dose prednisone....he became a different kid. Paranoia, angry bouts, aggression, heart pounding, "heard voices", insomnia.....I could not believe it. I am very relieved to have found this website...because it seems that there are a LOT of people who have experienced similar episodes. It has taken a few months....but I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have my son back or not....it was as if he had been snatched away!!! The scariest time in my life was this summer with him.

I had my first trip to the ER for an asthma attack. I was started on Advair only three days ago. Being extremely healthy, except for the asthma, and not taking any medications except for the Albuterol, I was a little concerned about the side effects of the steroid in Advair, especially since I am having difficulty sleeping after only a couple of days of it. Glad I found this site. I will stop using Advair. Too bad, in a way, since it did stop my asthma symptoms and I actually felt normal for a coule of days, but I don't want to experience irreversible systemic damage. I'll guess just put up with using lots of Albuterol during the winter. Thanks to all of you for the posts,

I am so glad I found this site. I have been on and off advair for two years now. I have a serious yeast infection under my breasts that nothing will clear up. Doctors say inhaled steroids are not systemic-nonsense! That's like saying cigarette smoke doesn't go into your blood stream from your lungs-of course it does. Anything in inhaled into your lungs is systemic. Doctors are idiots who get kickbacks from drug companies. Even the pharmacist I spoke to, who should know better, denied this is caused by Advair. I only take one puff a day, and have very similar side effects to those posted here. Joint pain, hoarseness, tiredness and weight gain that never seem to drop. I would like to stop taking it but am afraid that I won't be able to breathe. I studied anatomy and know that half of what doctors tell you is wrong. Do your own research and be an informed consumer. Look at what happened with Vioxx and Phen fen. The drug companies create medicines that are worse than the condition that's treating it. I am a very angry comsumer. Don't believe what the drug companies tell you either. They hide side effects. Get yourself a good PDR and also the internet is a great tool. Good luck to all of you.

I started taking prednisone 16 days ago for systemic poison oak. I should never have started. It made me feel awful in many ways and I couldn't wait to decrease my dosage and be finished with it. Today was the last day. And then I again started having "really bad heartburn" like I'd been having since I started it...but then the "heartburn" changed and I realized I was having severe chest pains. I ended up fainting once and almost fainting again on the way out to the car to emergency with my husband and son's help. During the short car ride I thought I could be having a heart attack...it was very scary. My fingers and toes started tingling and then vibrating strongly. I didn't know what was happening. They got me to emergency where I felt taken care of almost immediately. They were almost certain I was in fact having a reaction to the prednisone. They see this quite a bit! They took all sorts of tests to make sure it wasn't my heart, etc and they started me on an anti- anxiety IV which started helping fairly soon. They sent me home with more of this medication in case I start feeling bad again in the next few days. Hopefully this will be the end of it....and I know I will NEVER go on prednisone again in my life!

Our 4 year old child suffered a 15 minute seizure for the first time, last week. We are very worried and confused. He is a healthy boy; and he has tested normal in his EEG, MRI and CAT. He was taking Singulair 4mg a day - he started two weeks prior to the event. The seizure began with a facial twitching and went all the way to a generalized. What made the episode most freightening was a respiratory spasm making his breathing very difficult. There is no family history of seizure deasease. We suspect our child suffered a systemic allergic reation caused by Singulair.

I meant to say that "ocular" and nasal steroids can become systemic if taken for long periods of time. Of course, oral steroids *are* systemic. Duh!

I've also had more trouble seeing after using 1 spritz of Nasonex in each nostril once a day (for several months). I've also felt progressively more tired. Most concerning, and my reason for being here, is that I developed a Rosacea-like condition. My dermatologist dx'd me with mild Rosacea, which is unbelievable to me, as my family line has nothing like this in it. When I did a Net search on Rosacea, it mentioned that steroids can cause this condition. Also, Rosacea is progressive and can damage the eyes and even cause loss of vision. So, if you suspect that this nasal steroid is affecting your vision, I'd recommend getting off of it. Oral and nasal steroids can become systemic if taken for long periods of time. This is common knowlege in medical circles. I took myself off of Nasonex today and am already starting to feel better.