September 8th
2005
4:49 PM
Having now read many of the postings here I feel very luck. I have had asthma for a lifetime. I have used every medicine known to man and for the most part have been able to maintain a relatively normal lifestyle. Although sometimes I still struggle to breath those times that I feel overwhelmed are somewhat rare.
I came to this website to learn what others might be dealing with as far as side effects and found a bucnh of things listed by others that I had never thought of before.
Advair to me has been somewhat a wonder drug. Till I started taking it my breathing was much worse and I never wanted to be far from my emergency inhaler. I have been on Advair now for maybe 5 to 6 years. I don't even own an emergency inhaler. Although sometimes I wish I did as I still have an occasional flair up.
The things that I have suffered with are a constant and very annoying need to clear my throat. And a loss of voice that just seems to get worse with time.
And yet, If you told me to get up and walk 3 to 5 miles I wouldn't hestitate doing it. And in fact would feel better when I was finished than when I started.
I feel like many others ---- the side effects are a real drag. However ---- breathing is job one. Without a good breath of air what difference does the rest make.
One last thing. I am 58 years old. I had a sister that died of asthma at 28. One thing that I have learned that I would like to share. Part of effective asthma control is controling your emotions. Thinking about it too much ----- always makes it worse.
August 25th
2005
3:45 PM
I can't believe the nonsense going on here with those side
effects. I believe some have become illiterate and professional medical people.
I am sorry but the known side effects are not related to sex
or toes turning upside down. I am on lipitor for many years
and it is the only drug that has gotten me to, I pray, safe
levels of cholesterol. I am averaging around 150-170 now
and my triglycerides and cholesterol were out the roof. They
both are at a good level, and again I pray they stay there.
My doctor is an internal medical doctor with very careful
and precise requirements. He listens to any muscle cramps
I might have had, and they have come and gone, and I
did worry at those times but many of those times it was
probably conditioning and I am an ex high school football
coach and athlete in general for the biggest part of my life.
I am 58. Sometimes, I have a hard time remembering a
name or face, but I take several meds, and I am not as young as I used to be when I could focus on 3 or 4 different
things which was really bad for one's mental health and social
health. Who wants someone not paying 100 percent attention?
My point is that I feel exactly like I did when I went to pick
my car up at a dealer who had repaired it. One of my neigbors started giving me this herbal spill about Himalayan goat milk curing everything! Lipitor is not for everyone. My doctor EVERY 6 months does a thorough liver and blood exam on me.
If you are losing you hair or thinning like mine, welcome to
mother nature. It "aint" lipitor baby ,and those sexual side
effects need to be taken up with a sexual counselor it appears
to me.
Anyone, even with disclaimers, can see that this site once you go to if for some really curious serious intent, is seen
readily as a "natural herbal garden," listing only extremist
side effects for Lipitor.
I am not making fun of twisted toes or sexual disfunction but
please leave it off the herbal network. Go swap if for another
statin and pray that it works and you have no side effects, but
don't tell all those Enquirer type effects. I am sure the herbs would bring your cholesterol down in a week to 150 and cure
cancer, right?
Herbs have a place, but this is not a serious place for someone to learn about Lipitor. Lipitor is prescribed for a
potentially fatal disease or condition. Let it lay there.
Thanks for letting me tell you what I have experienced.
-- By football | Reply | Private Message me
March 21th
2005
5:53 AM
I have been on Topamax since January 2005. Currently on 200mg per day, being moved up to 400 soon. I do experience the numbness of face, which in the beginning I would take an odd childish delight in, pushing and pulling on my face (tending to be somewhat high at those times) and telling people "feel this, it's so cool" because it feels to me at those times like my face is made of silly putty. The high part is mostly gone now, and I behave like a rational adult (mostly). I still have more fun that I used to, but that is a good thing. I was one of those people who took life way to seriously before.
I was prescribed Topamax for several reasons, none of them typical. I suffer severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and have been taking Celexa and Wellbutrin to treat it. Over the course of two months I gained 20 pounds on these meds. In addition, I suffer chronic fatigue and fairly severe mood swings (though nothing like what I had had prior to the medication). In light of all of those circumstances, and Topmax's reputation for causing weight loss, raising energy levels, and behaving as a mood stabilizer, I was prescribed this medication essentially for its side effects. I found out afterwards that it is benificial for chronic pain and migraines. I have had only one migraine since I began taking Topamax, and my lower back and neck problems (due do a broken coccyx and whiplash from two separate accidents) are vastly improved as well.
My craving for sweets is significantly decreased, as is my appetite, though both return with a vengeance when I get royally outraged, as I learned two weeks ago. I, also, no longer care for cola, but I don't understand why everyone complains about that, considering how it leaches the calcium out of our bones and puts us all at such great risk for Osteoporosis. I have lost 11 pounds to date. I'm sure it would be more if I would work out more or eat more than 1000 Calories per day, because I know eating so little slows my metabolism. I do suffer from dry mouth. I haven't noticed and of the blurred vision or memory loss, but despite the fact that I am very intelligent, I have always been a very myopic ditz so I wouldn't anyhow. My blood pressure, which was always low before, causing head rushes and dizziness, has stabilized at 120/60, so for the first time in my life it's normal and I no longer have to worry about falling over or having my vision black out if I stand up too suddenly. For me, I love the things this drug has done, and I am sorry to see that it is not a miracle drug for everyone else too.
-- By zookeeper | Reply | Private Message me
February 20th
2003
10:57 AM
After the 3rd day of 500mg I began to develop intense abdominal spasms. They return each night. Feels as if I am going to explode. I've taken Levaquin before and do not recall noticeable side effects. Perhaps I didn't connect symptoms at those times to having taken an antibiotic. You assume the doctors know what they're doing.
-- By mistercay | Reply | Private Message me
Topamax (1) Advair HFA (1) Levaquin (1) Aviane (1) Lipitor (1)
September 27th
2007
7:40 AM
I've just started taking Aviane, 28 on Sept 2, 2007. Every since I've been taking them, I've had breakthrough bleeding. At first, it was dark in color and now bright red. I can't tell if my normal cycle has started on what. I'm 43 years old, just had my first child 2 years ago. Before, that, I was on the pill for the longest time. But, I have never in those times experienced this side effects. As of today, 9/27, I'm still bleeding. I'm patiently waiting for this weekend to come so I can finish this pack. I will not be taking them again. This is crazy!!!!!!
-- By godsgrace19 | Reply | Private Message me