Time of year symptoms and conditions

I'm 21 and have been on and off birth control since the age of 14. I've always had terrible periods. My cramps are cripplingly bad and cause me to projectile vomit. Birth control I've been on in the past has made me gain unexplained weight fast (which I always lose as soon as I go off of it). As someone who has struggled in the past with eating disorders this is definitely not a pleasant side effect for me so I generally avoid the pill. In the last 6 months, my periods began getting worse again (they sometimes calm and spike depending on time of year, diet, etc). So I recently went to the obgyn after being off the pill for a couple of years. They did tests on me and discovered I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, uterine fibroids and the cysts on my ovaries are constantly rupturing and leaking the fluid into a cavity in my pelvis causing a build up and more pressure and discomfort. So the doctor prescribed that I take Loestrin24fe. I'm only halfway into my second packet and already it's been a nightmare. As bad as my periods used to be, at least the majority of the pain was only for one day. About a week ago, I experienced extreme nausea. I was waking up ever couple of hours in the middle of the night to vomit. I've had a constant uncomfortable feeling in my uterus (kind of similar to mild cramps), my chin has broken out in pimples (which is really rare for me), I'm by no means overweight but I've been exercising 2 hours a day for several weeks and have mysteriously gained weight, I've been moody and teary, had continuous headaches, my sex drive has dramatically decreased and my vagina sometimes feels uncomfortable, slightly itchy or painful (and this is with just sex with my husband by the way, I don't have an std or random partners or anything haha) and then to top it all off, last night I almost fainted. I had a sudden fever and broke out in a sweat and then felt really itchy all over. Especially on my back. My husband looked and said I had broken out in a rash covering my back and spreading to my chest. I drank some water and went to bed and I guess I slept it off because I feel okay today. Bottom line is that I wouldn't recommend this pill to anyone. I've had unfortunate side effects with BC before but none like this. Only problem I'm having now is deciding whether to finish this month's packet or just quit halfway through.

my ob/gyn recommended this IUD highly..said she had it in herself and it was great for all her patients...i read the physicians brochure on the mirena website and i think that should have been provided to me...if i had known that this thing causes blood pressure, anemia and blood sugar problems...i never would have gotten it since i already had those problems to begin with...i wasn't given enough info..i wish i had researched this better beforehand...the nurse wrote me last night and said it needed to come out as it has caused a pelvic infection from the insertion...this wasn't put in for birth control..as i haven't had anyone to be with in over a year anyway..it was put in to stop heavy bleeding...sounded like a great idea...i have every symptom you guys have had except fot the acne and hair loss issues...the anxiety and pain is the worst ever ..and sweating...geez...how long after it comes out does one get back to normal...i'd rather hear it from your experience...than listen to the "experience" of my doctor...i used to have the copper T and if it's still avail..i'm getting it back...i don't like the idea of hormones running loose that don't need to be...also if you read that brochure it increases breast cancer rates for some...and lots and lots of other symptoms...i expected the breast and abdominal tenderness and maybe some mood issues considering it was a hormone...but this is ridiculous....i'm 43 and feel 143! if i had the nerve i'd pull it out myself...but with my luck...something i need might come with it..lol ..don't need the reproductive junk anymore since that did it's job and there are no returns...i checked..lol...thanks for listening

I was really happy that a little light went off in my head and I decided to research Aviane and Alesse. I have suffered from depression in the past and that is why my family physician had prescribed this low dose birth control. As I am approaching menopause years this was intended to level out hormones as I was beginning to experience increased troubling and symptomatic times of the month. I am only half way through my second packet and I have just experienced the worst week I have had in a long time. I didn't want to get out of bed, I am desperately sad, anxious about the future, crying uncontrollably, and have had an outbreak of pimples the likes of which I have never had in my life. Oh, did I mention hot flashes? I thought the tightening waistband was the depression and inertia, and I thought the depression was due to the regular suspects this time of year; lessening daylight hours, ANOTHER birthday on the way, dysfunctional Christmas to mention a few. This was no regular bout of seasonal depression I realized while crying last night for Will Farrell's hard luck in Taledega Nights.

I've just returned from the pharmacy and the pharmacist agrees with my decision to stop taking the pill immediately and contact my doctor first thing tomorrow. I hope there is an alternative pill, but after the week I just had I think I can put up with a day or two or bitchy rather than an entire month of being a fat, cranky, pimply, curled up ball of useless.

Thanks for having the information available, it seems like there are more stories than not about what I have experienced.

I just started Januvia as a supplement to Actoplus Met, While my blood sugar, especially in the morning, has shown a significant drop, the day after I took the first pill I noticed a sore throat and woke up the next morning with something like a cold or flu, but without nausea, etc. My wife said it might be due to the Januvia and there is no doubt that they fit the most frequent side effects. However, it's that time of year and there is something going around. I was at my doctor's office on Monday and could very well have been exposed to something there. I noticed the next day that I didn't feel that well and thought it might be low blood sugar, but when I checked it, it was fine (103). I am a pilot and the FAA has certified Januvia with a minimal waiting period. While my blood sugar has been within acceptable range, my doctor says he wants to keep it that way, hence adding Januvia.

My son is three and a half and has been taking singulair for a little over two years. But only when his seasonal asthma flares up or when I know it is that time of year that he has problems. While taking singulair he has always complained of headaches, stomach and leg pains, and of course it never occured to me that it could be a perscribed medication. However after hearing the affect it had on another little girl and that leading me to research it to find all of these postings from other parents. What really brought on the investigation is the last week. My sweet little boy turned into a monster. He kicked, hit, screamed, pinched, bit, scratched or anything he could do to physically hurt you. We were all freaked out by this because he is such a sweet, gentle little boy, one of his teachers made every excuse she could think of. Because this was not in his character at all, then of he did it to her. She described it as a switch going off inside him. I believe he was also hallucinating, he told me someone told him to do it. This is by far the most scary thing I have ever been through and will never give my son singulair again. Further more I am going to pass this information along to all my friends and family and hope and pray that it makes is to everyone so this madness this perscription medication causes.

I started taking this BC pill about two weeks ago and after reading some of the posts I've gotten a bit nervous. It is the first pill I've ever taken. For the most part things seem to be going okay. I did feel a bit more emotional, but it's the holidays so I have to put the blame on both the pill and the time of year. I figure my body is just getting used to the pill. However, I have experienced a bit of an increase in appetite, which I am not happy about because I just lost around 20 lbs and have no desire to gain any weight back. I take my pill about the same time every morning, give or take 10 minutes. I have felt a bit nauseated on a couple of mornings but it doesn't last very long for me at all. However, yesterday I started to experience spotting/semi-bleeding. It's not a normal flow, but I am getting cramps as if it were my normal period. I don't want to have two periods a month, light bleeding or not. I figure I'll test it out for a few more months, give my body time to adjust. If the increased appetite and the mid-pack bleeding still happen after my third month I'll talk to my doctor. How long does the mid-pack break through bleeding seem to last for people?

After suffering a week with a nasty cold I went to my doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. As well as an antibiotic I also got Vi-Q-Tuss for my cough. I took it as ordered at bedtime. At first I was feeling a bit tipsy, but it did stop the cough. I started to feel drowsy so I went to bed and as some have complained....I cannot sleep. I also seem to have a side effect that I haven't seen here yet....I am VERY cold. Freezing to the point of shivering uncontrollably and nothing seems to warm me. I was under many blankets, mind you I live in Florida and it is not yet cold outside despite the time of year, in fact we had the air conditioner on during the day today. But, thankfully, no nausea or vomiting. Even though these side effects are a bit bothersome, I suppose it is a small price to pay to stop that painful cough I was dealing with, so long as the effects don't worsen. I will however ask to try something different next time I need a cough medicine. There has got to be something else I can take that will work at stopping the symptoms without causing such weird adverse effects.

In January I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). I was put on 60 mg prednisone and an array of other meds to help with pain, inflammation, water retention, and stomach problems from everything. I've lost some vision from the TA. I've experienced the weight gain, the moon face, stomach problems, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of memory and concentration, and generally feel miserable. The brain fog is awful! I don't trust myself doing much of anything these days!

When I was first put on the prednisone it completely took away all my TA and PMR symptoms. I could walk and get up and down again, didn't have the headaches, and didn't hurt all over.
My doctor tried to taper my dosage about 6 weeks ago and all my symptoms returned and increased as I went down on the prednisone. He upped me back to 60. That time the symptoms didn't go away. They lessened but were still there.

He's trying to taper again, and I'm down to 30 mg now and feel worse and worse. My sed rate has been normal, so the doctor thinks it's from the prednisone. Does it mimic all the TA and PMR symptoms? I also am having a lot of hand and feet cramping.

Does anyone else have these two illnesses? I would be interested in your experience. I want off these meds! Anyone found an alternative approach that's helped?

God bless!

I was diagnosed with a kidney disease when I was 14, and was put on prednisone on and off for a few years. After being free and clear for four years, my kidney problem is back, and I am back on the prednisone, 60 mg a day for the past month. My doctor said I can wean myself off and go to about 40 mg a day for the next two weeks, but this is when I used to have relapses in my condition. I am looking for ward to getting off of the prednisone though, my face is so swolen, and I feel like I look like a bobble-head. My cheeks are so full, and I have the worst double-chin. At first, the prednisone gave me so much energy, which was fine with two kids at home, but now I am just irritable and tired. I am starting to gain weight in my stomach now too. This time of year is the worst too, because the prednisone reall effects my immune system. I have to worst cold, and I had to get a flu and pneumonia shot.

The worst part of the prednisone is the swollen face though. There is no way to hide your face. The weight gain in m stomach can be hidden with a bigger shirt, but I can't seem to hide the ound cheeks. I wish I knew how to apply my make-up to hide it, but I can't It's awful!

Unbelievable, I am amazed by what I am reading. I started searching for Toprol side effects tonight because I am a 43 year old woman who is usually very active in the garden this time of year. I have been taking Toprol XL since last September. I can't work in the garden more than fifteen minutes without being out of breath and dizzy. I have no desire to push my lawn mower. If you knew me, you would know there was something seriously wrong if I do not want to mow the grass. I have gained 15 lbs for no apparent reason. I can relate to just about every one on this list. I feel awful most of the time, barely able to keep my eyes open. I also get occasional charly-horses in my legs and more often in my feet. I thought those symptons were due to my weight gain. I have tried to lose some of the weight but it won't budge. I have tried vitamins and trying to get more sleep. Nothing works. I take the Toprol for episodes of severe tachycardia in a-fib. I also have an enlarged left atrial chamber with an aneurysm. Is there some other medication I can take without these side effects???? I have immediately made an appointment to see my cardiologist. thank you for having this forum, I now know what is wrong with me.

I was prescribed lisinopril just before Christmas 2005 and it has certainly brought my bp under control. However I have also had a tickly cough which comes and goes, and as another writer mentioned, appears on one side of the throat and then the other. I thought this just a normal illness for the time of year especially as I come into contact with lots of people where I work. However I recently saw an article which connected coughing to this drug and now I have looked on this site I realise that this is a fact. I will seek advice from my doctor and hope he can find an alternative.

Hi,
I haven't written in awhile; I guess I've been trying to not focus so much on my horrible weight gain. Like Sherry, I'm 6.5 months off and the weight has not budged. I'm now shaped like a PEAR when I used to be tall and lean. BUMMER, especially this time of year!
Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions about how to get this weight moving? I eat right and get plenty of exercise. Wish there was an "antidote" for the darned pill!

Merry Christmas to All!
Rita

Hi,
I never had asthma before, but was prescribed Advair because of a single wheezing incident at night. (My allergies have always been horrible this time of year) Six weeks later, I was tired, my face was breaking out and my entire body was swollen. I felt like a sausage. I had this dry hacking cough and that mucus-y feeling at the back of my throat that I could never clear. I started to get very lethargic and depressed. Normally I'm at the gym at 5 am, but I couldn't get out of bed to do much of anything, other than go to work and come home. The pharmacist said it's not the Advair. I went to an internist. She said it wasn't the Advair. Then I found this site and stopped taking it. Four days later all my swelling is gone, no more coughing, I have energy, and I'm not depressed. When the internist got indignant and told me she had been a physican for X number of years, I told her I have been in my body for 36 years, and that's longer than she's been a physician. I can't believe that some in the medical profession haven't heard of all the side effects people aren't experiencing.

I'm glad it's over.