Then i realized symptoms and conditions

I have just started taking Yasmin for a month. So far, I have not found any of the side effects mentioned here. Previously, I had been on Ortho-Tricyclen for over 2 years..However, I never thought that birth control pills could have such so much side effects until my doctor asked me to consider taking Yasmin and I went online to research this pill before I started taking it.. and then, I realized that Ortho-tricyclen gave me all the side effects mentioned here. Ortho-tricyclen made me severly bloated, I was constantly craving for food (which of course contributed to weight gain), I had a lot of acne on my cheeks (I have always had great skin), on top of that I had mood swings, felt depressed, and fatigue most of the time. I could barely get myself to wake up in the morning while I was on Ortho-tricyclen. Now, that I switched to Yasmin, things are much better for me. I didn't feel any side effects mentioned here so far, and I managed to get my skin to clear up and lost some weight too but as far as I know it could take a few months until the side effects kick in so, I will keep observing for symptoms for the next few months.

I have been having chest pains every afternoon since July 13th, which was right after the doc prescribed me Toprol-XL. I have had SOOO many tests and they can't figure out what the problem is. The chest pains happen in the afternoon while I'm walking, I don't mean walking for exercise I'm talking about walking to the bathroom or just to the other room and my chest feels like it is about to explode. I accidentally quite taking the Toprol for about 5 days. My husband had knocked my pill bottle off the cabinet and out of sight out of mind. Well, Saturday was the first day in over 2 months that I didn't have a chest pain. I didn't have any problems for the 5 days, then I realized that I had been forgetting to take the Toprol and started it back up and the chest pains have come back. Has anyone ever had this same problem?

I am 43 (female) and have been on Singulair for a couple of months now and the benefits have been AMAZING! I have chronic generalized eczema and pronounced facial flushing which led to swelling and Rosacea. Since starting Singulair (with a Zantac and Reactine) my skin is almost always cool (it's been YEARS). The benefits for me have been as great as what the steroids do for my skin. I can tolerate more triggers and the freedom and self-esteem boost is unquestionably life changing.

But recently I started to bruise, over every-little-thing -- even a blood pressure cup created a ring of broken blood vessels. Then about 3 - 4 weeks ago I started getting deep lower leg pain, and cramping in my calves and arches. This grew more regular, and my hips joined in and I am now rarely without the pain and deep aches. Then the weakness started, it was most pronounced in my dominant hand, I can hardly write or hold a pen now. Typing is difficult now as my hands and forearms are so weak. Yesterday I couldn't pinch my fingers to pick up a potatoe chip! My arches are curled with aches, I am weak all over and getting really uncoordinated. Going up the stairs is a chore, going down is just wacky -- it's harder than going up I am so wobbly and my knees want to give out. It's getting so pronounced that I realized that this must due to something I'm taking and the only thing I'm taking new is Singulair so I decided to Google "Singulair Side Effects" and the first link I clicked was Carrie's post, which I replied too. Then I realized there was more and have been reading all the other posts.

I am grateful that it is just side effects and nothing more sinister. This weekend the accumulated symptoms had me a bit frightened. I was washing my hands and it felt like I sprained my fingers doing it. The ligaments just sort of let go and things began bending the wrong way. It happened when I bent over to put something in the dishwasher, it was like the rib cage lost it's shape for a moment (I don't know how else to describe it). THAT felt bizarre and got my attention. Not being able to pinch my fingers to pick up a chip was the final clue that something is going wrong here. I will stop taking the Singulair now. It's a shame this happened, it was really doing it's job for me. The price of the side effects is too high though.

I have been a user of the nuvaring for 6 months now. The worst side effects for me was WEIGHT GAIN, and ACNE! I gained about 20 POUNDS in 6 months, no extra change in diet, no decrese in activity ( I work out 3 times a week as a matter of fact!) I have also never experienced facial acne in my life (not even as a teen) until I began using the nuvaring, and its really bad! It took me up until recently to determine what changed in my life to cause this change in me, then I realized I switched to the nuvaring. I was on the orthro-evra patch before and it kept me depressed, moody, and I NEVER-EVER, wanted to have sex. My sex-drive increased with the nuva-ring, and my depression sub-sided too, a little. But what nuva-ring has done to me physically is not worth keeping.

I'm so thankful to have found this site. I have been taking oral contraceptives sinc the age of 17. I'm now 30. I've never had any problems, but approached my new GYN several months ago about switching to a "better" pill since I noticed was getting more cramps and a heavier flow after taking Ortho-tricyclen for 5 years. Prior to that I hadn't had any major issues. I began taking Yasmin in October...starting this January, I've been experiencing multiple stomach issues...gas, bloating, pain...all the time. Already having had GI issues, I went back on my old medication and made an appt with an internist after having diarrhea every day for about 1.5 months. She switched me to new GI meds for GERD. I also complained of my fatigue, weakness, lack of motivation, hair loss, headaches, irritability and some symptoms of depression. She checked me for hypothyroidism and that came back negative.

On my drive home I felt defeated and racked my brain for what could be the cause of all this. Being a mental health clinician, I immediately started thinking of any emotional issues that might be the root. Then I realized that the difference in the last few months was Yasmin. I made an appt with my GYN, and unfortunately, she didn't believe that this may actually be causing these side effects. I even told her of websites such as this, in addition to (DUH) the manufacturer's own publication. She tried saying it might be Seasonal Affective Disorder. She reluctantly agreed to switching me back to Ortho upon my request.

Although I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my (suerly overpaid) physicians, I find validation here and truly believe that, despite the manufacturer's contention that this pill is "the one" that doesn't cause these side effects, it's all relative. We're all unique and our bodies react differently to different things. Thanks again for the posts!

I've been taking Avapro for HBP for years with few side effects. But my MD suggested I try LiSINopril so I could save money, since Avapro is fairly expensive. After taking Lisinopril for a week, I thought I was having a very bad episode of a condition I have called Irritable Bowel. I thought that maybe my underwear were too binding, so I went to Wal-Mart and got a larger size underwear. When I got home, even the XL underwear were binding! Then I realized that my whole lower abdomen was extremely swollen, as well as the pain in my lower abdomen. That's when I went online and saw that abdominal pain and swelling is a side effect. This stuff is poison, I agree! I'm stopping it tonight!

I TOOK SINGULAIR FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF LAST YEAR WHEN I FIRST DEVELOPED ASTHMA. SINCE ASTHMA WAS NEW TO ME, I JUST THOUGHT I WAS MOODY AND PANICKING OVER THE ASTHMA AND NOT THE MEDICENES USED IN THE NEBULIZER, THE ADVAIR OR THE SINGULAIR. EVENTUALLY I STOPPED TAKING THE SINGULAIR AND STOPPED DOING MY NEBULIZER (I KEPT TAKING ADVAIR) JUST BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING MY MOOD SWINGS AND PANIC AND THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE MEDICENE. I ALSO COULD NOT SLEEP AT NIGHT AND DID NOT KNOW WHY. WHEN I STOPPED THE SINGULAIR AND THE NEBULIZER I FELT MUCH BETTER AND WAS ABLE TO SLEEP AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS I STARTED DOING THE NEBULIZER AGAIN SINCE THE ASTHMA WAS FLARING UP AGAIN. IT SEEMED TO HELP ME AND I DID NOT FEEL ANY OF THE FEELINGS I FELT THE LAST TIME. JUST THEN I REALIZED WHAT I FELT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE SINGULAIR. JUST TWO DAYS AGO I WENT BACK TO THE DOCTOR AND SHE SAID I MAY NEED A MICKEY MOUSE DOSE OF THE SINGULAIR (5MG) AND A LOWER DOSE OF THE ADVAIR. TONIGHT IS THE SECOND NIGHT I TOOK IT AND I SUDDENLY GOT THE RAPID HEARTBEAT AND A MINIMAL PANIC ATTACK. I TOLD MYSELF I WOULD NOT LOOK ON THE NET BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST MAKE ME NERVOUS BUT I DID ANYWAY. I FOUND THIS SITE AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS I DID ESPECIALLY SINCE I FELT LIKE I WAS NUTS WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO MY PULMONOLOGIST AND HE LOOKED AT ME LIKE THERE WAS NO WAY IT COULD BE THE SINGULAIR. THIS SITE CONFIRMED WHAT I WAS THINKING. YEARS AGO I HAD A VERY BAD REACTION TO A DIFFERENT DRUG (ACCUTANE) AND AFTER 3 MONTHS I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT. A LOT OF THE DRUGS OUT THERE WORK WONDERS AND ARE MEANT TO HELP OUR CONDITIONS HOWEVER, EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR BODIES AND WHENEVER WE FEEL SOMETHING THAT IS NOT LISTED IN THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MEDICENE DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. ALTHOUGH THE SIDE EFFECTS I HAVE FELT WITH SINGULAIR ARE NOT AS SEVERE AS I HAD WITH THE ACCUTANE IT IS STILL ENOUGH FOR ME TO STOP TAKING IT. I WILL GO BACK TO TAKING THE HIGHER DOSE OF ADVAIR AND I WILL DEFINITELY LET MY DOCTORS KNOW THAT WHAT I FELT WAS THE SINGULAIR AND NOT ME.

I had pneumonia 3 times in 2004 and was prescribed Levaquin every month for 3 months. I began having terrible burning sensations in my arms, then legs and hips. After 2 months I was unable to even get out of bed. Lab tests showed high levels of inflammation in my system and I saw 3 different autoimmune specialists trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Then I had bronchitis 3 weeks ago and was put on the Levaquin again. My still present muscle pain became excrutiating and my finger joints started hurting. Then I realized it was the Levaquin!! Thousands of dollars and hundreds of tests later, I am sure it was the drug. It is time to start an active campaign with the FDA to get this medication off the market. Maybe a few major law suits will get the ball rolling.

Does anyone know what percentage of women taking Yasmin experience the terrible side effects you all have here? I just began taking Yasmin a week and a half ago, and am now terrified! I woke up this morning with a rash-type thing all over my face, predominantly on my forehead. I thought at first that it was a serious breakout that had just occured overnight, but then I realized that the little bumps were almost like little blisters all over my face!! It looks like terrible acne and is red and hurts! Has anyone else experienced this? Should I switch already? What has been an overwhelmingly positive alternative pill for most of you all on here? SO glad I found this board! Thank you!

I was prescribed Singulair along with Loratadine for my allergies when my insurance company stopped paying for Allegra. My doc said there had been success treating allergies with Singulair even though it was for asthma. I've been taking it for more than a year. I ran out and since we live in the country we can't always get to town. I thought a day or two of missing it won't kill me and I'll just deal with the allergy symptoms if they get worse until I can pick them up in town. Well, it's been three days and today I feel GREAT! I seem to have so much life in me! I'm not moody or irritable! I feel ambitious! Then I began to wonder why the mood change? Today isn't any different than any other day. Then I realized that it was the third day of no pills (and by the way my allergies are no worse than when I took the Singulair, so it really didn't help) so I got on the 'net and started researching about possible side effects of Singulair. I found this website and am shocked at the side effects others are experiencing as well. I didn't even think there were side effects with this stuff. I guess I won't go pick up my prescription since I can live with a stuffy, itchy and sometimes runny nose, but I sure don't want to give up this wonderful feeling of life I'm experiencing without the Singulair!

I have had chronic hives for 3 months and couldn't think of anything that could be causing them. Then I realized I changed bc pills around that time. I still don't know if it is due to Yasmin, since I just quit them 2 days ago after feeling suicidal. This pill I believe is the reason for MAJOR mood swings, depression, and almost divorce. Hopefully my hormones will return to "normal" and I can return to my normal happy self. Good Luck to all of you!

Wellbutrin worked well for 1.5 years. I upped my dose to 300 but then I realized I was getting more foregetful and had hair loss. This could also be attributed to ADD and menopause but I had also developed a terrible smell. Even other people noticed it, I cannot describe how foul it was. Part of it was I had become constipated but it didn't smell like you-know-what. I became isolated becase of it -- what good is it to be not depressed if you are alone? Was taking metamucil but finally quit the Welbutrin. I think I have other health problems, but avoiding welbutrin and also a number of foods now I smell good again. That was the most miserable health problem of my life!!!! Am moderately depressed, but trying healthy living style etc. I think my hair is getting fuller. Oh, and I wasn't exactly dizzy but sometimes I felt "unbalanced" on the Wellbutrin.

I was on Estrostep for two years - my first experience on the pill. It was very uneventful, though my periods were light - in one case so light it never showed up. This led to a pregnancy scare.

The real reason why I wanted to switch to something else was because I wanted larger breasts (I can't even fill most A-cup bras), and I thought a pill that was consistent with the estrogen would fill the bill. But I told the gynecologist I was feeling more depressed on Estrostep. Note that I told her I am clinically depressed and am taking Lexapro. She gave me Yasmin.

What happened? I since I've started taking it, I've had a very hard time getting out of bed. I work a night job, so it technically shouldn't be a big deal, but I have lots of things I need to do before I go to work in the afternoon (including exercise to help me manage my depression... needless to say I haven't been working out lately). And even after I have my 9-10 hours of sleep, I still feel tired and fatigued. I also have had a harder time keeping my attention. I chalked these up to my depression and the onset of colder weather, then I realized I didn't feel THIS bad on Estrostep!

My anxiety also has increased at times. I had an embarassing outburst in public in front of my boyfriend, set off by a very trivial matter. My periods are thick and heavy, requiring frequent tampon changes. I cramp more (I had no cramps on Estrostep), and I even feel bloated! My acne worsened.

And - as it would turn out - my breasts did not grow larger.

I'm amazed at how commonly prescribed this pill is (and how relatively few people take Estrostep). I don't know if I'm going to switch back or try something new, but my Yasmin days should soon be over.

My Gyn told me to try this new "great" pill. It was Yasmin. So I tried it for two days then I realized I didn't research the pill. So I started to research it and I stumbled upon this site. After reading everybodys posts I decided to stop taking Yasmin. Since I stopped taking my pill after only TWO days of being on it, Ive had my period 4 TIMES in the last month and a half!!! WTF!!! That is too much for 20 yr. old to handle!

I think I've taken my last Lipitor. It did help my cholesterol, but after reading this site, I'm scared. And off to the natural foods store for remedies.

Have been on 10mg. Lipitor for over 1 1/2 years. I've experienced some of the "usual" side effects- arthritic type pain in my hands and hip joints, pain in the bottom of my feet, weight gain, gas, but chalked it up to getting older (I'm 54) and not exercising as much as I should.

But it's the bruising that's really been a problem. If my arm touches the inside of the kitchen cabinet while reaching for a dish, I have a bruise on my arm. A slightly harder bump and my skin is torn and I'm bleeding. My clotting times and liver enzymes are normal and my Dr. has no clue what's causing this.

I never associated it with the Lipitor until I saw a neighbor with the same red bruises up and down her arms, and she said "Oh, it's from my statin drug." Then I realized that I never experienced this problem until about the time I started on Lipitor. Has anyone else experienced similar side effects from Lipitor or other statins

I have had Kenalog shots for about two years now. I started having the shots for plantar facitis(foot pain). I realized the shot also cleared all my hayfever and sinuitis. Then I realized the 80 mg. shot was also stopping all the pain over my entire body. I have arthritis and severe back and neck pain. My orthopedic Dr. says my back is shot! I have been in so much pain that I could not stand it anymore. Most of the shots have been in my hip or buttock. The only side effects I have had is a rise in my blood pressure and increase in appetite. But I have never had any pitting or discoloration. I have had a shot every 6 to 9 weeks over the past two years. Needless to say, I know these shots aren't healthy to my bones, but I couldn't function without the shot. I'm sure everyone has different reactions and some have to be more severe than others. Believe me I have read these side effects and I have looked for the spots, pits, and discoloration. I have none to this date. Nor have I had any bleeding.