Taking the time symptoms and conditions

it's been about 2 months since my Mirena REMOVAL and I am just now starting to see a clearing up of my skin on my face and back. My skin was so bad. I had cystic acne on my back and arms and oily skin on my face and back. It's so nice to scratch my back without feeling thousands of bumps lining my neck and back.
*I feel better emotionally too. I am not getting irritated or angry as easily as i was when i had mirena in place.
*No more odor or discharge
*i'm still losing my hair but I think it's starting to slow down
*My knees don't hurt as bad as they used to.
In General I feel better and i'm getting better every week. I am sooo glad that i had it removed and that my life can continue now without such horrible side effects. It seems like it's taking a long time but that's ok as long as i'm making progress. I had it for 20 months so it will probably take a little longer to be cleaned out of my system .
Good Luck ladies.

The best drug out there !! No I am not ignorant enough to make these cart blanche statements like some of these posts---Millions of people have used this drug successfully like I have. Just because it works for one individual they should not recommend it to the world nor if it causes you personally some harm YOU SHOULD NOT POST A STATEMENT THAT INFERS IT WILL HARM EVERYONE--IN-OTHER-WORDS GET A LIFE!

I know this is long, but I could really use your help, so I would appreciate you taking the time to read through to the end. (thanks :-) )

First, I want to thank everyone posting. I needed to read this stuff because I'm absolutely terrified of what's happening to me. I'm on the second week of my very first pack of Loestrin- my very first birth control pill EVER. I didn't want to start, but my OBGYN encouraged me to, once I told her I had 8 day long episodes of clots, cramping, vomiting and just sheer misery once a month. She said this would help if I'm sure to take it as recommended.

So I took the first one the Sunday after my period started, at 8:45am and have taken it religiously since. I have not changed my diet or routine. I exercise and eat fairly well. And there are no particularly stressful factors in my life. I am also quitting smoking- just down to 2-3 a day instead of 10 or 15.

Now that I've been doing this for 2 weeks, I think I would rather suffer what I had before. At least it was predictable! I have been bleeding for 5 days now. And this is NOT my time to be on my period. I'm sad and tired. I have back pain and on-and-off cramps. I have nearly no sex-drive. My boyfriend and I had sex at least 4 times a week and I masturbated on the nights we didn't. And although he is INCREDIBLY supportive, I can tell he feels lost and helpless around me. I don't want him to touch me, hold me, or even breathe on me! Normally, we are very affectionate and I am active and fun. Now, I just want to be left alone. I feel fat, unwanted, dirty, depressed...the list goes on.

I feel as though there is something seriously wrong with my body, because I shouldn't look or the feel the way I do or bleed like I am. I called the doctor and she said that I should give it till the end of the month. But 1 month is a long time to live with a depressed quality of life. 1 month is a long time to cry yourself to sleep with alcohol and Motrin.

I feel angry that the best the medical society can do is give us something that is trial and error, fully aware that it may hurt us, though temporarily, and make the lives of the people around us miserable. I am concerned the even my doc is in the pocket of some pharmaceutical company to give me a drug that she said would help and has only hurt.

Or maybe I'm just paranoid...

Anyone have any encouraging reasons why I should continue this? My sister, who was on Ortho for a while and DIDN'T like it, suggests that I stick out a little longer and I trust her opinion, but would like more. I'm open to suggestions or comments. (Especially if you know a way to stop my period so I spend less days of the month on it than I am on...)
Thanks :-)

I am SO glad I ran across this site.I am not crazy! My Mirena was put in about 3 months ago after my gyno finally put it together that my birth control pills were causing menstrual migraines. I will say the Mirena helped with the headaches, but lately I have not felt like myself. I have gained 10 lbs. in 3 months (even though I have been eating well and exercising more to avoid this side effect), my hair is oily, I have little dry itchy patches on my skin, fatigue, joint pain, no interest in having sex (after we do have sex sometimes I get horrible cramps and pain, like when the Mirena was inserted) I am super moody, and have anxiety/depression/anxiety problems, bloated almost constantly, and I feel like I can't focus or concentrate on anything! I called my gyno this morning because I do not want to feel like this anymore, and told her about all my symptoms. The only thing that makes sense to me is that Mirena is causing all my problems, since I never had any of them until I got it put in. The gyno tells me its not Mirena, that it definitely does not cause all that, and to get my thyroid checked because that is my problem. However, after reading all these stories, I am convinced that it is Mirena, and I am definitely getting it out. There is no way so many women can only have Mirena in common and have the same problems, even if they are not listed as side effects on the Mirena brochure.
So I am definitely getting it taken out, but I am curious about experiences after having it removed. How long till you feel like yourself again? Do the side effects go away quickly? Does it hurt more or less than getting it put in? Does the weight come off easily?
Hopefully this post helps someone as much as the other posts helped me. Thank you all for taking the time to post.

Hi, had two epidural shots..first one went fine..worked really well..after the second one..my face has been swallow for over 3 weeks now..rash all over..water weight gain..back of my neck is all swelled up..there are days that i can barely walk on my leg..due to the swelling..i have been to 16 doctors and no one could figure out what is wrong with me..im thinking this is some reaction to the epidural shot that i had..I also have been bleeding..period i guess for over 3 weeks..spotting..does anyone know when and if this ever goes back to normal..what doc i need to be seeing to correct this problem..if anyone has any information that could help me..im 27 female mother of one..that has never had any medical conditions like this ever..so i have to assume that this is from the shot..i tried calling the doctor that did my shot and he said its not because of him and now will not return my phone calls..im at a loss on what to do..please email me at ****** if anyone has been through this and knows if this goes away on its own..what i need to do..anything thank you for taking the time to read my story.

D.
long island, NY

There should be warnings about this! The doctor should have told me that this could happen..it is not worth what we all have been through!! sorry just venting.

Except for having high cholesterol (310), I'm a 29 yr old healthy active female, very petite and weigh 98lbs. My mother has had a quadruple bypass and 4 stents at the age of 54, high cholesterol is just hereditary in my family. My doctor put me on 40 mg of zocor. The first week taking zocor I started feeling strange, a little soar here and there and very tired at times, also I have become very forgetful. It's been almost 2 months now and I have severe pain in my legs. First it was the right leg and now both legs, the pain starts at my lower back all the way down to my cav. I have a burning painful feeling sometimes numbing feeling, its driving me crazy!!!! I can't stand for too long cause I feel tons of pressure on my lower back pushing down my legs, It feels like my sciatic nerve. I went to my doctor and he said he is 95% sure that this is from the zocor medication, he told me to stop it right away. This is my first day without it, I know I need to do something to prevent what happen to my mother, I'm on a strict healthy diet, staying away from all fatty cholesterol filled foods, but there has to be a better way then taking statin drugs! If anyone has some ideas of what kind of alternative meds I can take, please help.

Oh and by the way I have had the Gardasil shots and I have had NO side effects and I feel great!!! I think people are just looking for excuses to blame Gardasil!!

You know when you have an "a-ha" moment? well I appear to have had one tonight not quite sure why. Had a mirena put in April 2008 due to very heavy periods (changing super plus tampons every 40 minutes for 3 days straight) told that Mirena would be the solution for me. well it did help with the bleeding but have just realized in going through these postings that my increased feelings of depression (have been on Wellbutrin for the last 12 months) feeling like I am sliding into a deep hole, increased weight that despite running aprox 8 hours a week I can not lose a pound, constantly feeling bloated a 300% increase in my migraines leading to a need for prescription migraine meds, and a constant uncomfortable feeling in my perineal area - all seemed to come together to point to one thing tonight. Mirena. I am calling my OB to make an appointment for removal asap. I will take the bleeding over the migraines, depression, weight gain, body image issues, downward spiral any day. Thank you to each and everyone of you for taking the time to contribute to this site. While I recognize that this has been very positive for many individuals, clearly it is not for everyone and that would include me. Wishing all of you that have had a negative experience full return to "normal" and better physical and mental health.

Been on Zocor for two years went from 20mg to 40mg and since being on the 40mg I have increased leg & foot cramps so severe @ night that I have trouble getting out of bed, the foot locks up. Even getting up after sitting is a problem, sometimes my feet and legs go numb and I even fell a few times. I get very tired during mid day. The newest problem is my sight, I have notice that there is a blurriness that I don't know if it ever clear up, after telling my doctor this she said it was the arthritis and to take arthritis nonasprin and to stop the zocor for about a week, I am going to stop period.

I just wanted to openly share that I got some very encouraging responses from women on this site and it makes me feel SOOOOO good to just have support. So, I wanted to respond in an open forum and share a bit more of my experience:

To the women who wrote me:

Thank you for your response. You have no idea how good it makes me feel to know I'm NOT alone. My doctor truly IS ignorant and I am promptly switching. When I told her about what I'd found on line she was sure that it was all made up. She said she also googled the Mirena issues that I had talked about and found plenty of women claiming the same thing, but she said that doesn't make it true. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??? I mean really, I had no idea there were women on-line saying this about Mirena, so how would I even know to make up the SAME side effects as hundreds (probably thousands) of other women?!?!?! She should realize that they call it "practicing medicine" for a reason! And my Mirena cost my insurance company $1000.00...hmmmm...makes me wonder how much of a kick back the doctor's get for pushing it off on people. And I say "pusing" for a reason. I didn't even mention before that the doctor who put it in (the same OB who delivered my 3 month old) sat with me for 2 hours "convincing" me that my concerns about the device were uncalled for and that I should "go ahead and get it". I should have followed my own instincts, but went ahead and did it because my doctor (and her nurse) were making me feel stupid for worrying about the possible side effects, of which I had no idea that there were SO many. They only lead me to beleive there could be pregnancy symptoms and ectopic pregnancy (of which i was worried about that the most because I had already had a miscarriage where they thought it was ectopic). But against my better judgment I got it anyway....

So, when I went to take it out, I went to the OB that I had seen for all my prenatal visits because I didn't want to face the doctor that had pressured me. I figured the first doctor wouldn't want to take it out after only 10 or 12 days. I also thought the other OB (who knows me better and knows I don't have a history of any of the symptoms I've described) would understand and give me better advice as to why it might be happening. But SHE TOO didn't understand and had NEVER even heard of what I was telling her. I mean, really, you should have seen the way she looked at me during the visit. I think she would have had me committed right then and there if she could have. And even though I left there feeling better inside myself, I still wondered if some how I had made the whole thing up in my head. But after finding this site and reading your experience and the experiences of many other women, I truly feel so much better about my decision. I'm SO glad that i didn't wait!

There is another symptom that I didn't post before because it's a very morbid one. I would be watching TV or taking a shower or browsing the Internet and all of a sudden I would have a picture of myself lying dead on the bathroom floor from suicide. This truly freaked me out because my mind never goes to thoughts of suicide, but it was during the near two weeks of having the Mirena and it was happening more times than I care to admit. It was awful! I didn't even tell my doctor that part. She surely would have had me leaving her office in a straight jacket then. I mean my entire experience on Mirena was like an episode of the Twilght Zone. CREEPY!

To ANYONE considering getting this SOB removed...DO IT! DO IT NOW!!!! It was well on it's way to ruining my life and I only had it in for nearly 2 weeks. If you just got it and you think that it's too soon for the device to be causing your symptoms...IT'S NOT! It started causing mine right away and it only got worse!!!! Get it out!!!

And thanks to the women who wrote me and encouraged me. I SO appreciate it!!! Like I said before, it's nice to know I'm in good company and I'm not alone. THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE!

Astonishing! My 8-year-old daughter, whose age your 6-and 9-year- old perfectly bracket, began mentioning "depression" yesterday; a word we didn't know she KNEW.

It became a real concern at dinner tonight, when we had 2 favorites, French bread and broccoli, (and spaghetti, which she also likes). She wanted none of it, and said she was depressed and it was causing her not to be able to eat, though she said she had "eaten anyway" yesterday even though not wanting to. We have never discussed depression or its effects with her! She DID learn to speak long before her peers, so after stressing enormously during the meal, during which we asked her if there were "mean girls" (only one, especially mean, anyway; only a few mean, etc.) we were pretty upset, and she had red face & tears, all very unusual.

We DID wonder if this weekend's weekend's 1 a.m. trip to emergency room for strep throat and amoxicillin injection (she asks for injections, these last 3 years, being quite a food connoisseur, she can taste oral meds mixed with ANY tricky bait) but always got Rocephin; even one in each leg, last time, as her weight called for double injections, as it is apparently an unusually irritating injectable....So we questioned her closely about whether her throat or any part of her still hurt, or if she felt sick. Negative. (as I write this, she informs us she was depressed from Thursday; she received injection at 1:45 a.a.m. in the wee hours of Thursday morning)

Back to narratie: we had been gratified for ONE simple injection this time, and "--cillin" part of drug name, plus familiar milky oil suspension appearance of intra-muscular drug reminded us of OUR days of painful but unusually effective "plain vanilla" penicillin shots, which we reassured her about (yeah, we've paid our dues too, daughter) after the typically achy injection.

By dinner tonight, our daughter seemed so upset, and yet so unusually grown up in saying she was "depressed" and that she had prayed that it end, to no aviail, I got up from dinner and Googled "amoxicillin, depression" and VOILA, "two daughters" response and next response so amazingly similar, I printed them and took them to dinner table, to have her read aloud to us complimenting her on how grown up she was to describe herself as depressed. (Also, she received 5 minutes of reading towards going to Fiesta Texas on a reading program! but, how many kids will have "Amoxicillin and depression--5 minutes" on their reading logs, I wonder...Her pre-med sister called while she was reading, another treat! God is good.

Thanks for taking time to post this! I am only now learning that there is no need to argue or feel alone, confused for long about much of anything anymore, or rely on just one friend or medical practitioner--Until they censor the 'net, just GOOGLE IT. Bless you. -- And, any men, google "bladeless vasectomy" or "******" and read my 8-year long compendium of vasectomy side effects doctors don't know or don't talk about.

Ednorandrewrowe, and wife, and much-cheered-up daughter!

I am a 44 year old female with diabetes. I have high blood pressure and as a precaution was prescribed simvastian(zocor). I have only been on it for about 3 weeks...I have been feeling tired and very moody lately...but yesterday I woke up with my right leg swollen from the calf down my foot with severe burning pain and numbness. Now I have experienced Neuropathy in my left foot for years and somehow thought maybe this pain and numbness and swelling had to do with that...until this morning when I woke up to a severe pain in my right calf ( I immediately thought blood clot).. well I have a doctor's appt tomorrow to see what this is....right now Im sitting at work in so much pain and discomfort I want to cry...my feet are burning, my right leg and right shoulder are in burning pain...and my hands are numb and burning and in pain. I have to sit for hours at a time and cant just take a break when I need too...Ive only been taking this medication for 3 weeks and can not believe that all this pain and burning is from one little pill. Has anyone else had severe swelling from this medicine. Any other diabetics taking this medicine and having the same side effects? Im certain they are going to want me to stay on this medication and at this point after reading all these wonderful post, Im going to stop...Im even having difficulty in typing this post my hands hurt so bad. Im so angry that when I asked my Doctor about side effects he never mentioned these. he told me about being nauseated, constipated and so one...Ohh and I have also gained about 10 pounds in 3 weeks without changing my eating habits...anyone else have that? Thank you for letting me vent here. I was scared to death until I found this site. I was seriously considering leaving work and going to the ER room...Now Im just going to stop taking it and waiting this out till tomorrow....

My experience with Zocor was related to increased difficulty breathing; SOB was present with all exertion no matter how light. After awhile, I just stopped doing much of anything. The smallest exertion, such as getting ready for bed {brushing teeth, hair, washing face and putting on a night gown} invoked labored breathing and a pounding heart. After a week off the drug, the symptoms all by disappeared; now, 4 months later, I am up and around, walking longer walks and not short of breath. My problems may have been related to muscle weakness, but the heart is a muscle and the lungs function in conjunction with the heart.

I've been on 10 mg of Lipitor for approx 2yrs. A few months back I began experiencing severe constant right hip pain. A could walk through it, but had many sleepless nights due to the unrelenting deep pain. I had difficulty lifting my right leg without support from my arms. I'm 54 and otherwise in pretty good health. I stopped taking the Lipitor about 2 weeks ago and while I still have some pain it has decreased about 75%. I can sleep at night and am even pain free some of the time. If anyone has had a similar experience would appreciate knowing and if the pain eventually subsides and any suggestions to support the healing process.

My 7 year old female Siberian Husky, Niceah is suffering with her second serious flare-up of IBD. She was taking 20 mgs. of prednisone every 12 hours for several days. We are now down to 12 mgs. daily and working towards 12mgs. every other day. She is lethargic and her body and belly have swollen frightfully to the point where it is difficult for her to lie down without grunting and sighing. She pants heavily. She drinks and eats constantly. Her nose is dry. Her tummy grumbles all day and night. I have been boiling chicken breast and mixing it with sweet potato and Enzymes & Probiotics. I am currently working with a holistic advisor concerning Niceah's diet once she has weened off the prednisone. The side effects of this drug are frightening and I am so worried that something more permanent and damaging will occur. Has anybody experienced this?? If so, I would appreciate any advise. Robin. copher370@aol.com

I have had the SAME EXACT THING!!! The 1st time I had the shots I was at a knee specialist. He stated that it wasn't cortisone but a different med that does the same thing just better for you. Never could pronounce it!!! I started going to my family doctor to get them cause I trust her fully. However I got cortisone shots from her and was okay that evening. Woke up the next day and face was on FIRE, HOT, RED, FLUSHED all the above. BP was 170/102 was ILLLLL to my stomach like in knots and the WORST HEADACHE I have EVER had in my LIFE!!!! I will NEVER EVER do this again its HORRIBLE!!!! I took Benadryl and just knocked my miserable self out. Today is day 3 and I am still red and still major headache!!!!! Your not crazy and your not alone this is from the shots!!!

I am 16 years old, and I am on my second week of YAZ. I do not recommend this product to ANYONE. I am aware of the fact peoples bodies react differently to different doses of hormone, I am also aware you should give it some time for your body to acclimate to new drugs, but what i have been experiencing is close to unbearable. I went on the pill to end my terrible periods. They would be extremely irregular, i would have cramps so bad i would have to miss school, and i would have severe clotting (most likely due to laying down during my menstrual cycle.), and to clear up my acne. As promised, my skin is clearing up nicely. Although on the worse end,I have never had a migraine in my life and i have had one for almost 3 days now! Since i have started YAZ i have been on my period for the past two weeks, and it shows no signs of stopping soon. Also, I have had zero sexual drive since i have began YAZ, and as a sixteen year old girl I know for a fact that it is NOT normal by any means. I have always been a naturally thin girl, now i cant eat enough, and i am gaining weight on my stomach and thighs, which is making me extremely self conscious. Anyone who has taken the time to read this, thank you.I am just trying to warn girls my age about what might be in store for them if they begin this pill, and seriously consider if it is worth these side effects.

I recently lost my brother Marty to ALS. Marty asked me to tell everyone about his experience and I promised I would. Marty began taking statin drugs in his early 40's. He took them off and on at the suggestion of his PCP. It began with Lipitor and progressed to Crestor. In Dec of 06 tests revealed elevated muscle enzymes, he was also having pain in his left leg. His PCP called and told him to discontinue the Crestor, which he did. The pain continued and other symptoms began to materialize. Symptoms included muscle weakness, toe drop, fasciculations and continued pain in his leg. In June 07 after many tests he received the diagnosis of ALS. He passed away in August 08 at age 52. He believed as I do that statins caused this most horrible disease in him. He also believed that cholesterol is a symptom not the causal agent of heart disease. Now you must decide.

I wanted to post an update on my contact with the Congresswoman's office , which I am communicating with.The ALA study we were all so upset with,was originally done by Merck,what a surprise!The FDA did contact me and state that they look at all the available data and have even reviewed this site.I am reiterating how important it is to contact your representative in Congress,they are trying to form a coalition for better notification practices.Our Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand is working with other members and looking for more to contact her office, that have families they represent.Also the Parents United for Pharmaceutical Safety and Accountability group that Jenna has formed is a very important tool.I will hand deliver it to Washington if we get enough people to get involved.The FDA is taking more time than we would all like but,if they have hired more staff and hopefully that alone will expedite this investigation along.I hope the awareness level rises when WBZT out of Boston airs our stories.Again Please Make a nuisance out of yourself with your Congress Rep. it will help to make it a law to expedite important information on added side effects to the doctors and pharmacist .All of us need to come togehter as one voice and it will make a stronger statement.When the advocacy website is up and running,we can all help by taking the time to contact those who have posted to sign up and get involved.The importance of this was stressed to me by the Congresswoman's staff.I also walked in a Suicide Awareness and Prevention walk over the weekend,I took the opportunity to hand out flyers I printed. They contained information on the serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts and actions, so people that may have had a loved one die from suicide and taking SINGULAIR could make the connection.Many have not made the connection and they are unaware of the link!!!!!!!
I am looking for all avenues to travel, any ideas are appreciated.I have scanned a print out of a sheet that is an alert to post in schools and emailed it to Jenna,if you would like a copy send me a private email and your email address.A family member worked with the School nurse in her hometown and made this a communication tool.You can start at that level and just white out the name of the town and the nurse add your own or nothing just the alert.We went to all the local schools and there is no liability it just states the facts,good for the bulletin board in community centers also!Do what you can to help,it is grass roots efforts that brought this country to what it is now.Even through disappointments we still have the freedom to try to make change.Kate M.

My daughter is 8 and was prescribed Singular AND Zyrtec for asthma/allergy maintenance. She's been on both meds for 7 months. I have seen a steady decline in her ability to learn. Prior to these meds, she knew her addition math facts. Now, she forgets simple equations (3 + 4). Her mind wanders, she is unable to focus, and homework that should take minutes takes hours.

In addition, her emotions are all over the place. My little girl who once loved nature and held wiggly earth worms in her hand now runs in terror from any bug. She is frightened of everything.A tiny scratch makes her emotionally distraught for hours. She obsesses over slights from friends and withdraws to her plush toys.

She's also created imaginary monster friends: werewolves, vampires, and other ghoulish creates. She tells me of the living dead who cut off part of your skull and eat your brain and so you become part of the living dead. This is from a child who has never seen, watched or been allowed to view a horror film of any kind, who still watches Noggin and PBS on TV, and who, 10 months ago, wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up.

Like others, the first symptoms were nightmares and night terrors. She also experienced itching, which I thought was due to her ballet leotard and tights (why do we look at everything but the meds?--because we trust the doctors!!!). Then, toward the end of school, came the stomach and headaches, so frequent, in fact, her teacher emailed me that my daughter was going to the school nurse too much and wanted to know if something was wrong. Her teacher also said my daughter seemed very spacey in class. No behavior problems. Just drifting. Very inattentive.

Like others, my daughter had her tonsils removed prior to going on these meds. Like others, my daughter was seeing a specialist--a pediatric allergist--for treatment. I discussed adverse effects for all medications with the allergist.

Like others, Dr. Allergist said there were none for either Singulair OR Zyrtec. My daughter had been prescribed childrens' Claratin (Rx for liquid form) by a pediatrician when she was 5 and exhibited the same behavioral and learning problems she now has for Singulair and Zyrtec. Again, Dr. Allergist said there were no side effects, that Claratin had a different active ingredient (I don't recall the name, something like lurderine) and to keep away from online Web sites, as they will only scare me. Ha! She also said ignoring my daughter's asthma posed greater harm than treating it. This is for a child whose asthma was non-existant until she began Claratin.

From my research, I'm wondering if the meds used to treat allergies and asthma actually contribute to lung ailments. Since starting these "meds," my daughter has had pneumonia and bronchitis. She did not have any lung ailments prior to Claratin. In fact, she was perfectly healthy.

Has your child experienced the same? Have you?

As another alternative for action, I am contacting my PTA and am pushing from that direction. These meds affect our children's abilities to learn. Teachers care. I urge all parents to discuss your situation with your child's teacher and push an agenda with your PTA. Collectively, the PTA can be an influence (it already has a nationally recognized presence with solid reputation). Forget the medical community (for now--drug reps "buy" doctors). I am telling friends whose kids have asthma about Web sites. I am writing to my Senators and the FDA as well.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post. We can collectively push forward to get action soon for our children. Please, do not just sit and read. Take action. Your kids need you to.

Welcome a board singulairsurvivor. I received back an email from the woman at the lung association,she was of course sorry for our experiancr,and went on to say the scientist that reviewed the data were some of the best,and the association has no ties to any product.then as i am watching the updates on the hurricanes,i am inendated with singulair commercials as once again it is allergy season,so what a windfall for Merck that this article came out this month and not next....Coincidense i think not shame shame shame on you.To all those unsuspecting people about to get their prescription .i am sorry

I am astounded that this study of old data is being used to reinforce the message that Singulair is not connected to depression / suicide. The study is disputed by the fact that those suffering from the life threatening and incurable "Mental Illness Side Effect" see a complete return to normalcy within 7-10 days off the drug.

My own personal story, like many others, was a complete and total nightmare for my family over many years. In short, I went from a 10 year successful career as an art director with tremendous responsibility at a top international arts museum, to 2 years of full-time disability unable to leave my home with crippling anxiety/panic/depression. I was very lucky to have a loving wife and supportive doctors intervene before I took my own life.

The last few years is a blur of toxiPharmacological hell. A frustrating long string of tests, medications and treatments were attempted without any success... much to the consternation of my care givers. Not one of the dozens of doctors that I saw raised any question about the 10mg of Singuliar they knew I was taking daily.

Financial ruin, forced me off medical insurance. So I stopped all the psychoactive medications and came full circle back to suicidal ideation with more determination. A few months later, in March of 08' I could no longer pay out of pocket for may asthma medication Singulair and was surprised to find the mental illness begin to lift. A few days later the stories broke on the wire that this drug was perhaps connected with the unfortunate suicide of Cody and other teens. A week or so later, I felt myself again after many lost years.

Merck may have quietly updated the patient info several times over that period, but they made no attempt (still haven't) to reach out to prescribing doctors and pharmacists to let them know about potential issues. It seems that Montelukast interacts differently in individuals, and while it may be beneficial for many folks it is criminally dangerous not to increase the awareness of the side effects.

My General Practitioner pointed out that the original Montelukast study was quite large as these things go, but considering that it is prescribed to millions of people it is truly an irresponsibly small fraction sampled over a short period of time. Adding insult is the fact that these studies are conducted by the very company that seeks to benefit from positive findings.

The ALA has done a terrible disservice to the people the ought to represent. Downplaying the verifiable risks of suicide by recycling old data is completely and totally heartbreaking. I am ashamed to say that since I've been off the drug, I have been so preoccupied with trying to rebuild my life that I haven't been as forthcoming an advocate for the issues associated with Singlair. Misbelieving that others would take up the charge of spreading awareness and information so that new patients and their families would at least know the risks and be ever watchful.

Since that no longer seems the case, I offer myself and my well documented medical experiences with this drug, to anyone trying to get the message out. The media will pounce on the ALA study, giving many families a false sense of security.

Be well.

I have already posted my side effects to Garasil previously...I have severe alopecia. This started over a year ago and is getting progressively worse. I just wanted to take a minute to urge all of you to do TWO things.

1) Submit your side effects to the FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS); here's the link: https://secure.vaers.org/VaersDataEntryintro.htm

2) Call & report this to the MERCK National Service Center: 1-800-NSC MERCK (8am - 7pm ET)

Thank you for taking the time to do this, I know that it can be time consuming; but maybe we can prevent someone else from having the same miserable experience.

I've been using the Nuvaring off and on for almost six years. I started using it after I had my son in 2002, and I never had any problems with it. I used it for a couple years, had to stop b/c of my insurance. I went back to it after the birth of my daughter, in early 2006. I started having a lot of problems around December, 2007, but I didn't even think that it could be because of the nuvaring, since I had been on it for so long already. I was having stomach problems, awful headaches, horrible anxiety, depression, mood swings, had no energy at all, horrible burning pain after sex. I started having spotting and periods that lasted for up to a month, and would pass huge blood clots. I talked to my obgyn in February and she told me to just switch my rings right away instead of keeping it out for a week for my period. That stopped the bleeding for about two months, then my period came back with a vengeance. I bled for over a month, stopped for a week, bled for a few more weeks. It was ridiculous. I've finally given up on the ring after yet another month-long period. I took it out a week ago and I have finally stopped bleeding. I've noticed a difference with other symptoms as well and I really hope my body gets back to normal soon. I found this site last week when I was trying to decide if I should stop using the ring or not and I couldn't believe how many women had the same symptoms that I've been having. I never realized that all of the problems that I've had were all due to my birth control. Now I'm stumped as to what birth control to try next. I've been reading up on them and they all seem to have horrible side effects like the ring. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

To all of you here I would suggest that you also read messages for the others statins such as for instance Lipitor, Zocor and Simvastatin as all statins have similar side effects.

I have written several messages there (Swedish). I have nothing to do with the health or pharmaceutical industry.

Just an ordinary lady in her sixties who have experienced side effects in people close to me.

That made me look for information. It started in 2003 and continues to this day because I think it`s necessary.

I hope you will be able to read some of the books that I mention in my messages to enlighten yourself.

Unfortunately the names of the webb-sites have been replaced with ***' but if you google for the names of the writers I am sure you will find them.

Good luck!