July 22th
2009
8:57 PM
My husband stumbled across this website and first I would like to thank everyone who have posted their experiences on the NuvaRing. Because of you guys I now know I'm not losing my mind.
I started the NuvaRing March of 2008 and I started getting dizzy spells May 2009. I actually got my first dizzy spell when I was driving. Everything started to spin very fast!! My husband had to grab the wheel and tell me how to slow down and how fast to do it. That was the scariest thing ever!! My head felt a numbing sensation in my head. I had a pain above my left eye and it would shoot up my head and down my neck. The dizzy spells would come whenever, once every 8 days to twice in one day. I have had an MRI and an MRA done and nothing. The docs have had me on so many migraine meds to try to get a handle on this and nothing has helped. My longest migraine lasted for 14 days, that was in May. This month (July) I got a migraine on the 13th, took the ring out on the 21st, and had a dizzy spell this morning but this afternoon and especially this evening I feel amazing.
Since getting on the NuvaRing, like so many of you, my sex drive does not exist. It has caused so many fights between my husband and I. Its hard to tell him that he is still attractive but I can't explain why I'm not excited. So thank you for writing your experiences. He got to read that I'm not the only one and I wasn't making it up.
These last three months have been hell for my family and I. I have been like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So much tension has caused everyone to walk on pins and needles when they are around me.
So lets sum it up here, after being on the NuvaRing for 14 months I started getting dizzy spells, migraines, nausea, neck pain, twice I've puked because of the room spinning so damn fast, and very very VERY low sex drive.
I'M NOT CRAZY!!!! :)
-- By amb316 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 15th
2009
9:21 AM
started this 7 days ago for a prostate infection... I thought i've been going crazy this week until i saw this post..im having a horrible reaction to this stuff..although it does seem to help my prostate...it leaves the rest of me in bad shape. First off ive been getting lightheaded like every other day to the point as i think im have a panic attack but heart isn't racing...I've gotten diarrhea 3-5 times a day i go now...i had a bagel the other day for breakfast..it was the hardest thing to eat as i felt sick to my stomach and knew i had to eat something so forced it in..today i had a banana and some grapes and 15 minutes later was throwing it all up. I just called my doctor and asked for a change in antibiotics as this thing has lead me to believe there was something wrong with me although my doctor seems to think these side effects don't generally happen...i come here and see they happen EXACTLY how i have been feeling and just hope this doesn't last much longer in my system!
-- By stmfdups | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
July 8th
2009
11:13 AM
This is a good forum and I am thankful I came across it. I had hardly ever taken medicine (other than cold/flu medications) in my life. I am a 36-year old male and in pretty good shape. My wife and I had been under considerable stress in recent years after our baby son passed away. Plus, we are both teachers so the everyday nature of our jobs can be stressful. I had frequently gotten a sensation of chest tightness and it was very uncomfortable. My blood pressure was elevated at times (130/80 or 140/90 range). One time it shot up to 153/93 and that scared me.
The doctor ran an EKG on me. Everything normal. Then, I wore a 24-hour Holter monitor. Again, my results were fine. He then prescribed me 10mg of lisinopril. After I started the drug, the chest tightness seemed to worsen. I always have this squirmy feeling inside, like body parts are moving around in my chest area. It is hard to describe but it kind of feels like parts are pulsating or are inflamed at times. Weird. I would wake up at night and start feeling nervous without thinking about my situation. The tension would just come on quickly. Other symptoms are dizzyiness, anxiousness, headaches and fatigue. One of the other forum writers said he or she felt tired all the time. Same here. All I want to do is lay around when I know I could be doing something constructive. I push myself to get up but it is difficult. Lastly, this drug also definitely affects sexual performance.
Now, I have quit the drug after taking it for 2 weeks. The final tipping point was when I was doing a morning walk/partial jog yesterday. I jogged the second half and when I slowed down to walk, I immediately got dizzy and had blurred vision. I managed to get to the front of my house and fainted. I remember making a grunting sound as I fell flat on my face in the yard. Luckily, I landed on the grass. I got up slowly, walked into the house and laid on the carpet. I felt very fatigued all day. Granted, I had only drank water before I went out and my blood sugar was probably low so that played a role. But I also think the lisinopril has screwed with my system and might have caused this since I have never had that happened before.
In hindsight, I suspect I have a problem with anxiety and that was the culprit for my problems before I took the lisinopril. As far as the chest tightness and anxiety is concerned, I will do my best to manage my anxiety with natural remedies (the herb Valerian works okay) and commit myself to better diet and exercise.
Does anybody know how long it takes for lisinopril to completely exit my system? I drink a lot of water. In my case, I took it for approximately 14 days.
-- By twhewett | Reply | Private Message me
June 17th
2009
3:46 PM
I'm 15 years old and i've been taking prednisone for a few months, and from what i've read i'm on a really high dose. i was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and another autoimmune disorder concerning my muscles at the same time. my doctor told me prednisone was my only choice; it was either that or i would lose the ability to walk. he told me there'd be side effects, but i had no idea it'd turn out like this or i would have fought harder for another course of action. i started out on 30mg twice a day, and since then was weaned down to 20mg twice a day and now i'm down to 30mg once a day. i've been looking up a bunch of information trying to figure out if there's a way to lessen the side effects or any hope at all that they will get better. apparently there isn't much. after reading a bunch of these stories i gotta say i'm not feeling great about this. i totally understand everything everyone is going through. i'm sure you can imagine what it's like being smack in the middle of high school with a huge puffy face, acne so bad on my face, chest, back, neck, and shoulders that wearing a bra could put me in tears, and mood swings so bad i've lost friends over it. everyone knows how brutal high school can be, where appearance and attitude are everything. and i try to tell my doctor about it and he literally looks at me like i'm a whiny teenager and says "you're just going to have to deal with it." and people like my mom and my closest friends don't get it either. nobody understands how beyond frustrating it is. i'll get into the worst moods and not have a reason for it, but i'll stay angry for hours or burst into tears over someone looking at me the wrong way. it'll get to the point where i have to isolate myself from other people because the abrubt mood changes get so bad. as bad as i hate to admit it, the pain from the arthritis is gone now and supposedly my muscles are doing better too. developing arthritis caused me to have to quit cheerleading, something i've loved doing for 6 years, because the pain got to the point where i couldn't get my arms above my head or bend my knees. however, i'd almost rather deal with the horrible joint pain than deal with the side effects of prednisone. if your doctor gives you and alternative method, take it. i've always been confident in the way i look and really outgoing and happy and now i sometimes catch myself thinking about suicide. that's shocking to me because i've got so much going for me, but this medicine makes me miserable. and when i complain about it, anyone i'm talking to just looks at me like i'm being a cry baby. my mom does too, she'll say things like "you just have to do this. i know it's not what you want but to be honest i'm sick of hearing you bitch about it."
i feel a little better knowing other people feel the same way - like nobody gets whats going on with them. the prednisone does give me days of really great euphoria and days when i feel like i could run a marathon, but waking up in the morning to the acne and huge face puts me to tears every day. i have to pee all the time, usually getting up at 2 or 3 am. i don't sleep well anymore and i do sweat all the time. which also sucks being a teenage girl. i'm always hungry, and when i eat i never feel full so i don't know when to stop. my neck and face have put on so much weight that when people see me in the halls or out and about they ask me what happened. mind you these are people i don't talk to, just ones i know from classes or whatever. and it's pretty bad when teenage boys i've never really talked to ask what happened to your face. kind of a blow to the ego, or whatever is left of it at this point.
i'd like to know if, as my dosage gets lowered, the side effects will diminish and when i'm off the prednisone completely if they will disappear altogether. any help there?
or if there is any way to help the acne or puffy face
my doctor just put me on something called methotrexate or something like that to help wean me off the prednisone, and does anyone know what those side effects will do? or if they'll affect the prednisone side effects?
i'm constantly obsessing over gaining weight and what my skin looks like and what i eat and how heavy my face feels and the occasional pressure in my eyes to the point where i just want to be put out of my misery.
and after reading other people's stories i really don't understand why this drug is still given out as freely as it is. but maybe all doctors are like mine, they just don't get it.
best of luck to anyone who's on prednisone, my heart goes out to you; i'm right there with you
sorry this became like a book it wasn't meant to be this long
June 7th
2009
2:53 PM
I take a combo of Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety. The medication helps control my anxiety problems, but now I suffer from severe headaches, upset stomach and weight gain. The biggest problem was my headaches. My Dr. suggested stretching exercises for my headaches and stiff neck. The stretching seemed to relieve my overall headaches, but would a trigger spot for an incredible flash of pain when I turned my head a certain way. I've found that resistant pressure seemed to help tremendously.
For example: If my headache was in a specific place just behind my left ear, I would place the heel of my left over the pain and push my head towards the heel of my hand and hold for ten seconds. If it was general tension in the back of my neck that is causing the pain, I would place the heel of my hand on my forehead and push my head toward my hand and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat as necessary. Hope this helps.
I see there are a lot people suffering from headaches so I thought I would share what kind of works for me. Does anyone else have any "works for me" stories?
-- By eric_thats_me | Reply | Private Message me
June 6th
2009
2:31 PM
These are not new side effects but a confirmation of some I've read. Two most disturbing are: the inability to cry which all my life has been a major way to release tension; weight gain and an inability to discipline myself to stop eating; addiction to sugar; lack of motivation; can't stick to anything. when I first started taking it my body "vibrated" but that stopped after a couple of months. However, my head sings all the time. It does cause heartburn so I have to take an antacid (but I also take other blood pressure meds which may add to this). I do generally feel better and now after nearly two years on Zoloft, my motivation to take on projects has increased. I exercise every day and it has helped with depression and anxiety but not with sleep. I'm afraid to go off it because of withdrawal symptoms I may have to suffer; so for now I'm going to continue taking it. It does cause weight gain and does lower motivation but since I'm 74 years old, I don't need to worry about sex drive. Hope this helps.
-- By seniorcitizen | Reply | Private Message me
April 14th
2009
5:52 PM
As mentioned in a previous post, I started Topamax the end of October. Since then, I have lost 25lbs, I am 5'2 & weigh 90lbs.
I have been taking 50mg's, but as of last week, I have cut back to 25mg's. It has been really stressful for me because I am scared about getting my migraines again & possibly going thru the HORRIBLE side effects I went thru when I got on the pill.
In the last 8 days, my anxiety level has been really high. I have been taking more (sometimes 2x a day) of my .5mg of Xanax. I have felt myself gasping for breath from time to time. I think that my headaches come from tension/stress, my jaw tenses up. The headaches feel like brain freezes. I am also able to verbalize my thoughts better, so I don't feel so stupid.
My goal is to be more clear-headed, gain 15/18 lbs & hopefully my complexion will clear up. I will probably stay on 25mg's 2 more weeks before getting off. I will let ya'll know how it goes.
-- By rebecca731tx | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 7th
2009
10:15 AM
mind completely clustered, confused, mouth hanging open, staring at wall, from 50mg dose 12hr ago. woke up like this. no, im not kidding. no joke. i talking with slurred speech and the back of my head has kind of a tickley tension
-- By khamelion81 | Reply | Private Message me
March 25th
2009
7:28 AM
Have been taking this medication for 6 weeks. I feel awful. My head feels sooooo strange. I feel like im on another planet. very bad tension and it feels like my brain is shaking inside my head. Doctors assure me its not the meds but i didn't feel like this before.
-- By kimouse | Reply | Private Message me
February 26th
2009
7:47 PM
I am a 25 year old with Factor V Leiden and was told by doctors that the Mirena would be the best birth control for me since I can't take BC pills anymore. I had the Mirena inserted Nov. 2008 and am having it removed next week. I have had a horrible experience with it. My obgyn told me that the chance of experiencing any side effects was rare since the hormone stays in your uterus. The insertion was extremely painful which I expected since I have never had a child. In the past 4 months I have gained 15 pounds despite regular exercising and eating a low calorie diet, I have a constant stinky discharge, acne across my chin and sides of my face, my hair is falling out, I have no energy and am incredibly tired all the time, have been experiencing nightmares, and have sharp cramps that make me double over in pain. I am a newlywed and have never had any psychological issues. Now I am in therapy for anxiety and depression and after reading all the posts, I now am convinced that this is also a side effect of the mirena. I used to have a healthy sex life and now I have no desire to have sex or be touched by my husband with is causing tension in our new marriage. I was trying to stick out the side effects to see if they would go away since I paid so much money ($600) for the mirena. When I spoke with my obgyn about my side effects she said they were not caused by the mirena because the hormone is directly in your uterus. I am so frustrated! I feel like I have been lied to by my doctor. I am hoping that after removal of the mirena I will feel like my old self again!
-- By joy54321 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 29th
2009
11:55 AM
My husband has been on Lamictal for about 5 weeks now. He was taking Lamictal in combination with Abilify. He feels lousy. He has headaches, stiffness in his neck and a as he puts it "his eyes feel like they are constantly in the staring or bugged out position" His doctor first took him off Lamictal and lowered his Abilify but he still felt lousy and tired. His doctor then took him off Abilify and back on Lamictal. He felt better for about one day. He also says that he feels more anxiety and tension since being on these meds. Does anyone have any suggestions?
-- By bipolarwife | Reply | Private Message me
January 20th
2009
1:54 PM
Like many of the women on this site, I am so relived to have found out that the symptoms I have been experiencing are because of the NuvaRing and not me. I just had a baby 10 months ago, so I have been telling myself that the depression, lack of energy, and serious loss of sex drive were because of the pregnancy hormones. 2 days ago I took out the NR for my cycle and noticed that I finally felt attracted to my husband again. Also I have had a slight stinging sensation in my vagina on a daily basis, which is 10x worse when I have sex. I didn't realize that loss of sex drive was a side effect for the NR, it has put some serious tension and anxiety between my husband and I and nothing is worth that. I was worried about our future because there were times when I didn't even want him to touch me. Obviously something I never felt before and was very worried as to why I felt this way. My husband has also been pointing out that I seem depressed lately and rarely get excited about anything. I am not going back on the NR and expect to see some improvements.
-- By cmbla | Reply | Private Message me
December 21th
2008
2:39 PM
Hello all,
After reading all of these testimonials I suddenly feel more sane. I tried the Nuva Ring for one month and within the first week noticed a dramatic shift in my emotional stability. I had a panic attack and was unable to stop crying for hours. For weeks afterwards I felt not like myself all day, and was having one to two panic attacks a day. Also, I no longer had those little brilliant moments of happiness when I know that I'm entirely me. I really like myself, and usually have self-esteem but some how I forgot who I was, and forgot how to get back to that place. When I removed the ring after three weeks (as instructed) I decided to never put it back in. Within a few days I felt more like myself. I even had some glimmering "me" moments. Regardless, since then I still am much more anxious. I have trouble sleeping, an inability to relax, tension in my jaw, depression, and (worst of all) panic attacks. I can't shake this fear that something terrible is about to happen... but I know that it is just anxiety because my symptoms keep changing. One day I think that I'm hypoglycemic, and the next day I'm afraid that I had a seizure in my sleep. It all boils down to general anxiety, and panic attacks which ALL started when I began the NuvaRing. I have been off the Ring for one month now and I really want my life back. I have had my period post ring, and I'm sure the hormonal levels are just falling back into check- but I really need some reassurance from someone who understands. Could any of you (or all of you! the more the better!) please let me know how long it took your anxiety/depression symptoms to subside????? Please. I really need some hope that this will get better, because the hopelessness is part of the depression.
Thanks,
A.
December 8th
2008
12:58 PM
My doctor decided to switch my medication from Actos (15mg. daily) to Januvia (50 mg. daily) to try to get better blood sugar levels (120-130 mornings). Took Januvia for about three weeks. After two weeks, started experiencing sleep disturbance (waking every few hours), chest pain, digestive distress (could barely eat toast and eggs), anxiety, and flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, headache) which I thought was my fibromyalgia flaring. Went online yesterday and found this website which described many of my symptoms. Never associated them with Januvia. Did not take medication yesterday and feel 95% better today. I will not take this medication again. Also, Januvia did not lower my blood sugars. In fact, morning readings were higher (140-165).
-- By rufusmom | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 22th
2008
9:45 PM
I never thought about the side effects of mirena. I had mine in over 4 yrs. and now I've realized the maybe everything that I've been going through could be because of it. I've been depress, moody, in pain all over and I feel like no doctor knows what is going on with me. I have gain a lot of weight, I'm heavier now than I was at 9 months pregnant. I'm a 36 year old married mother of four, my youngest is five now. My main concern is that lately, I've been feeling this terrible pain on my upper back and neck. I feel my bones crack with every movement, they crack even when I breath. A few weeks ago I went to the doctor and she order an x-ray of my neck and it showed some deterioration of the bones. I've been so worried, even thinking that it could be cancer or something. Now after finding this website I am wondering if it could be the Mirena.
-- By lizdr28 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
October 8th
2008
12:52 PM
It's been suggested that I take Fioricet with Codeine for tension induced migraines. Anyone out there tried this treatment?
-- By kdpeddie | Reply | Private Message me
September 23th
2008
7:13 PM
I was on the ring for 2 months after taking out my IUD. I was very hesitant about using a hormone type of BC...but he insisted that i try it...so i did...i gained 5 pounds...i had absolutely noooooooooooo sex drive at all! in which before i had the ring i did....then i was horribly moody all the time...i was so depressed and all i wanted to do was cry...i couldn't take it anymore so i took it out and i will never ever use it again. I highly recommend do not use it. It put tension on my family and my husband because i was so moody all the time. DON'T DO IT!!!!!!
-- By meggyadair04 | Reply | Private Message me
August 27th
2008
12:54 PM
I started on 50mg just over a month ago for anxiety / panic attacks. I don't feel so anxious any more and haven't had a panic attack since I started :D. At first I kept yawning all the time but I'd expected this and it went away. But recently (for a couple of weeks now) I've had persistant jaw tension. That's the only side effect I notice now. It gets better and worse but it's really bothersome. Does anyone know if that will go away or if I should try lowering my dose?
-- By riggix | Reply | Private Message me
August 20th
2008
2:44 PM
I am so glad I found this website. I had the Mirena inserted on April 14, 2008. Since then I've been having anxiety attacks and I'm always tired no matter how much sleep I get. My mom had an accident 2 days after Mother's Day (May 13th) and passed away on July 17, 2008 so I thought my issues were related to everything going on with her. On July 24th (the day after her funeral) I was transported from my doctor's office to the emergency room via an ambulance because I was having chest pains for about 7 hours. After 2 EKGs, and blood work, they could not find anything wrong (thank goodness) and I made the doctors aware that I had the Mirena. I haven't had chest pains since then but I googled Mirena side effects because I still have bouts of anxiety and I am extremely tired. After reading the posts I think my symptoms may be related to the Mirena. I will have a talk with my OB/GYN and see what she thinks.
-- By njaka | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 24th
2008
11:57 PM
This is an update to an earlier post. I have decided to have my Mirena removed, appt is 7/2. Can't wait. Couple more side effects I have but didn't connect until reading this board are: tension like headaches, anxiety, breast from D to DD, and slurred speech occasionally. Slightly Slurred speech is the big one I had googled it before, but never thought it could be connected to the IUD.. wow.. this thing is like poison.
-- By lyla | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 22th
2008
8:40 PM
Wow...
i have been on the nuvaring for about a week now AND AM SO GLAD I AM READING THESE I have had all the same side effects and was freaking out thinking am i pregnant or what ever..
i believe that the side effects everyone has been talking about are so true.
I am always a happy person..and since i got on the ring i have become depressed and my boobs have gotten bigger and fuller and very very sensitive..
and i'ts made me unreasonable and snappy.
and I feel like I have no life..
it's really awful.
I"M SO GLAD i came across this sight and have heard other womans opinions on the ring..
because i don't feel so alone.
it's just a relief to know i'm not the only one.
This has also caused a lot of tension with my boyfriend as well because I feel so different and weird and strange like I never have before..
April 23th
2008
7:17 PM
Hi, I'm 40. had mine fitted end Dec. have had one bleed which lasted 3 weeks now due again but just having aching, ibs and nausea probs with cramping when moving out a chair or exercising.Last time i had that I was pregnant! Definitely have felt lightheaded, vertigo feeling and even visited an osteopath as thought it was my neck as had had lot of tension. Friend has one and said she feels fine & loves it! Got to give it 6 months she said. So I wait in hope that i will feel better. Don't miss the heavy periods, so thats a bonus! Have put on just under a stone in weight so that is annoying. All round tum area. think it probably affects us all slightly differently and all doctors have differing opinions. I will give it a bit longer, but no one should put up with feeling awful all the time. Listen to your body! thanks Jo
-- By jomarea17 | Reply | Private Message me
April 1th
2008
8:59 AM
I have been reading all of the responses for a few days now. My 9 year old son has been on Singular for a few years now. I took him off Singular on Friday night. He has always been my moody and difficult one - not bad, he was very sensitive. He was hard to wake up in the morning for school. He was often grumpy and would cry at the drop of a hat. Some days he was more pleasant than others, but we never knew what would set him off. Some days he could be downright nasty. Little things would get under his skin and annoy him - especially anything his younger brothers did! He would cry for no reason and when asked would say, "I down know why I am crying, I just don't know."
When he woke up on Sunday morning, he was different - much happier and easy going. Throughout the day we saw a different child. He has gotten up each morning without complaint, got ready for school, packed his bag, and got a snack for the day. When he couldn't find his school bag, he didn't flip out and blame everyone else (which would have been the normal reaction.) Instead, he found it by himself! He is no longer arguing about everything. He is nice to be around.
I'm still holding my breath and waiting for something to happen. My husband is convinced that Singular has to be the cause - what else would have caused this dramatic shift in his behavior. I want to see how he is over the next few weeks. As each day passes, I am believing more and more that this drug caused these behaviors and getting angrier and angrier
-- By momof3boyz | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
Zoloft (11) NuvaRing (6) Mirena (6) Yasmin (5) Lisinopril (3) Kenalog (2) Topamax (2) Wellbutrin (2) Singulair (2) Advair HFA (2) Ultracet (2) Vistaril (1) Januvia (1) Lamictal (1) Citalopram Hydrobromide (1) Sulfamethoxazole (1) Entocort (1) Sectral (1) Dicel (1) Fioricet with Codeine (1) Bactrim DS (1) Lupron (1) Levaquin (1) Crestor (1) Zocor (1) PredniSONE (1) Prilosec OTC (1) Imitrex (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1)
September 2th
2009
4:15 PM
I just had my first shot of Lupron yesterday. I have an oversize uterus and will need to have it removed. I am 40 and do not plan on having any more kids, so that is cool. I am taking the shot to shrink my fibroids down to have the less invasive surgery because they are extremely huge at the moment. The same day I took the shot, I felt extremely drowsy and had to lay down to take a nap. I woke up and felt full of energy. The next day, slight tension in the neck and headache but that is it so far. I have some Premarin Estrogen tablets to take just in case of the hot flashes and night sweats but I am not taking those things unless I have to. I already had severe hot flashes and night sweats before all of this, so I am use to it..so its not a big deal..I also already had severe mood swings, extremely lethargic, and bouts of depression before all of this, so I really want notice the difference. So, so far, so good. I am not experiencing any side effects from the shot as of yet that I was already going through, anyhow..Each person is different..
-- By denise3664 | Reply | Private Message me