September 21th
2009
5:14 AM
In reference to my Sept. 20th posting, I have been asked to describe the
"warning signs" of oncoming seizures that I have. To review, I was struck by lightning while serving in the Marine Corp in 1977 and have had seizure disorder and myoclonic jerks and inner ear problems since that time. As I stated in the post on the 20th, I have been tried on "all" of the seizures control medications and they all make it difficult to function as an educational administrator. The best medical advice I ever received was to keep a diary of everything I could remember leading up to a seizure. This included any activities I had been doing, what I had eaten, what time of day it was, any stress or problems that I was having. We are all different and probable all have different triggers. In my case, I learned that as a seizure approached, I would become more light headed or dizzy (I have inner ear problems all of the time secondary to being struck by lightning, I just recognize when they are getting worse) The ringing in my ears increases, (I also have tinnitus all of the time also from the lightning, and over time you get use to it, but I can notice when it increases) When these signs start, I stop what I am doing regardless of what I am doing, If I am in a meeting, I take a break, if I am driving (I drive locally or with someone with me) I get off the road. (In 30 years, I have never had a seizure while driving and actually have never had a traffic ticket in that period, I try to be very carefully with what driving I do, knowing that one occurrence will cost me my licenses.) I try to rest and be quiet, if the dizziness and tinnitus continue, I take two ten Mg Valium tables and lay down. If I am by myself, I will call some and let them know where I am and how I am doing. The valium probable stops the seizures about half of the time and I believe that it always make them less sevier. I have warning signs once or twice per week, and have to take valium on the average of once per week, and will have a gran mal seizure once or twice per month. With Lamictal, I believe the seizures are less frequent and less sevier as long as I keep the dosage low enough to not block my warning signs. I believe everyone's seizure disorder is different and some may be like mine and be able to learn warning signs by keeping good records of what you can remember leading up to the seizure. Always do everything under the direction of a Dr. that you trust and have faith in. The more information you can give your Dr. the better your individual treatment can be developed. If you can develop warning signs, the seizures are much easier controlled and you can live a much better quality of live.
September 20th
2009
12:30 AM
Gran-Mal Seizures and myoclonic jerks for over 30 years as a result of being struck by lightning while serving in the Marine Corp. Have tried "all" of the medications and most made it difficult to do my civilian job. (School Administrator) The best advice I every received was to keep a diary and record everything I could remember happening to me before a seizure. By doing this I have been able to develop a warning system of oncoming seizures. (Same think as most people saying they can feel a headache coming on,) I can live with the myoclonic jerks as they only occur once or twice per day. The seizures while at work or driving are a different matter. (I have warning signs for seizures on the average of once or twice per week, and around one per month goes into a seizure.) Most of the medications other than Lamictal cover up my warning signs and I simply refuse to take them. I work very close with my family Dr. who understands my case better then most Neurologist I have ever had. Neurologist want to give any drug at a strength that will stop all seizures and that can and often does result in side effects that prevent normal live. Lamictal in low dosage, 25mg twice per day may make my seizures less sevier. Any higher dosages causes many of the side effects others have described on this site, but for me the biggest problem is that it blocks my warning signs of oncoming seizure. I get 20 to 30 minutes warning of oncoming seizures and many times can avoid a seizure by just stop doing what I am working on and taking a break and resting. If that does not work, I take two 10 Mg Valium and find a soft place to lay down, the valium will stop or lessen my seizure and I will sleep for one or two hours, and wake up. Sometimes I will have a seizure after taking the valium, but I am in bed or resting and usually under observation. My key has been to learning the warning signs of an oncoming seizure in time to get to a safe place and by always having the valium with me. We are all different individuals and our medical problems are different. Share everything you can remember with a Dr. you trust and attempt to develop warning signs of an oncoming seizure is the best advice I can give after over 30 years of living with a seizure disorder.
-- By marinew4 | Reply | Private Message me
April 27th
2009
8:18 AM
I have been on the nuvaring for almost 3 years.
The first year was great! I hated taking a pill everyday, so at first i opted for the Depo, which was great for a year, but i really didn't trust it and not having periods made me uneasy.
The nuvaring seemed like a blessing! I had no trouble for the first year and a half. I recommended it to all my friends. I didn't have any side effects, and I loved the convenience!
However, now i am experiencing some serious side effects, and thanks to this website I realize I am not the only one. I have two concerns that i link to the BC: depression and no sex drive. Some days I just want to lay in bed, and sleep. I do not want to leave the house, or see anyone. I have told my BF (of 3 years) that i just need some "me time". I am fatigued and show many symptoms of depression.
I am only 24 years old, and i have NO sex drive. It has taken a tole on the relationship with my boyfriend. Many nights i try to get in bed before him, so i can appear asleep. There have been so many nights where i would tell him "i'm sick", "i have cramps"... sooo many excuses. When we do have sex it is usually forced, and i do it because i haven't in a week!
This past year I have also had digestive problems, which seemed to have appeared out of no where. Im not sure if I blame them on the nuvaring, but I've noticed a few other people have mentioned it as well.
-- By mwoodford1 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 3th
2009
7:43 PM
My Daughter was twelve when she got her first and second Gardasil shot. The first shot went well other than the normal irritation after the injection. The second shot hurt a bit worse and for longer after, but we thought nothing of it. Slowly, she started to get very down and very tired, it was around the holiday season so we thought maybe she was just stressed out. Then, she started bleeding vaginally. There were no "warning signs" that she was starting her period, so we treated it as a Urinary Tract infection, and that's what the doctor's told us it was, until a month later, she got it again and we found that it was her period. She also started having MAJOR stomach issues, having two colon scopes, and many other tests (as well as tests for Urinary Issues as well). All have so far come back negative, but all this started occurring exactly ONE MONTH after her second shot. Needless to say, please read her about her other symptoms, and the other posts on this site and others. Gardasil, does not seem to be as safe as they say.
-- By sweetpea14 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 29th
2008
10:34 PM
I'm 21 years old and have two beautiful girls me and my husband decided that we didn't want anymore for at least 5 years and then maybe we would talk about it we decided that the Mirena was a good idea because im terrible at remembering to take pills since i haven't never really took anything on a regular daily schedule anyways i had the mirena put in about 2 weeks ago and i was in the ER yesterday for strong abdominal pains also running into my back they wasn't sure if it was from my IUD or if something else ive been having cramping mood swings, and really bad headaches. After reading some of the things all i have written me and my husband have decide it needs to come out thanks for all the warning signs it really helps out to know that your not alone and ill be the first to agree that i would recommend the Mirena!!!!!!!!!
-- By mom_of2girls | Reply | Private Message me
July 26th
2008
6:09 PM
The first time I went on Wellbutrin, I had a really bad reaction to it. I had insomnia, horrible tremors, apathy, I felt like I was walking around in a cloud. I went on to try other medications. Now I'm taking a combination of Prozac and Wellbutrin and it seems to be working. My depression is under control. I don't have the apathy or zombie feeling anymore, but I do still have the tremors, though they aren't as bad. I get some mild insomnia, but taking it in the morning helped with that, and lately I've found that a little bit of coffee in the morning (not too much, don't need to be MORE shaky) helps with a lot of my side effects. I do have the confusion and concentration issues too. It hasn't caused any severe problems, it only seems to really happen in casual conversation, where I'll completely forget what I wanted to say. It's annoying, but way better than depression, and not severe enough for me to stop.
To those people who are telling others to stay away from this drug, or any drug for that matter, don't forget that there is a reason there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants. Everybody's body chemistry is different, so their gonna react in different ways. Also, the people who don't have issues with side effects rarely go looking for sites like this....
Just something to think about.
May 15th
2008
6:14 PM
My four old son has been on singulair for about two weeks. The change from wheezing/coughing attacks at night and terrible allergies during the day has been amazing. They are almost non-existent to this point a great plus. However, a i stress however his behavior and speech has been VERY INAPPROPRIATE and quite frankly it concerns me. He now states "im a bad boy" and "i dont listen" and his mornings are very testy to say the least. Granted these sound like normal 4 yr. old sayings that he would pick up from other children on the playground but how do you explain them happening almost simultaneously with his taking singulair. I find it very hard to believe that it is a coincidence and that these are normal things for a 4 yr old to say/do when all other things have remained the same. My advice is to diligently watch your child for these warning signs and find other remedies if you have reservations. Im not promoting natural cures but i am leaning toward a diet change for the whole family and consulting my doctor for food allergen testing. I hope this helps. Be Well.
-- By concerned_dad | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
May 1th
2008
2:03 PM
My grandfather at 86-years-old was prescribed Avelox for bronchitis. The warning on the medication listed by Bayer, the company that makes the drug, states that extreme caution should be used when administering to the elderly. He was also prescribed prednisone, which is a drug that is listed that should NEVER be mixed with Avelox. My grandfather took his own life on April 22, 2008, with no warning signs. He was fine when my grandmother left to go to the store and when she returned, she found him. No other family should have to go through what ours has been through in the past nine days!!!! Do not take AVELOX!!!! We just want to prevent one family from going through what we have been through by warning people about this horrible drug. Doctors need to pay more attention to warning labels and drug interaction- someone needs to stand-up and take some responsibility for medications that harm rather then help!
-- By missingpapa | Reply | Private Message me
April 10th
2008
3:16 PM
NuvaRing caused me to have a heart attack at the tender age of 32. I had begun using it for the second time after the birth of my third child. My only advice is to pay attention to your body and how you feel. There were warning signs but I didn't heed them as I should have; I chalked it up to being ill. At any rate, the ring caused a blood clot to form and it traveled and blocked a major artery to my heart. As a result I am on aspirin, blood thinners, and blood pressure medicine for the rest of my life. Luckily, my response to the heart attack was quick and no lasting damage was done to my heart. I can't help but be fearful that something like this could happen again even though my cardiologist assures me that my heart is 100% normal. I do suffer from anxiety now, though i'm not sure if its related to the medications i'm on or not. Just be careful and alert your doctor if something doesn't seem right.
-- By dhurd | Reply | Private Message me
March 31th
2008
6:41 PM
We've been searching and wondering for the last 4 1/2 years what happened that November night that our 15 year old son suddenly took his own life. This boy was a fun, loving, jokester that was loved by everyone he came in contact with. We always had a stream of kids in and out of our home. He had just gotten his drivers license, went to homecoming and played on the football team.
Andrew had been on Singulair for about 3 years. He would get the stomach aches, leg cramping, odd sleeping habits and moodiness at times, but we attributed it to a young boy going through puberty. He also experienced the shakes which we were told were from the inhaler.
We had no dramatic warning signs nor was there a note. It all happened so fast that evening. He walked out of the house and 10 minutes later he was gone. Our whole community was in disbelief and devastated.
After speaking with Miller's and reading many, many testimonies on numerous sites, We feel we may have our answer to our years of wondering.
March 30th
2008
2:50 AM
I have been on here for 6 months now. Please read the rest of my postings. My son is now 5 and doing great! I have my child back. He has been off Singulair since October 07. It took a few days to see little improvement. It took a month to make strides. And now we are almost home. Thank God. I too until I found this website was so distraught. My son had every test in world, comes from about as stable as you can get happy loving catholic home. We eat healthy organic foods and I am a medical professional to top it off. So for anyone to get on here and questions a parents "parenting" or to call them ignorant for not stating their complaints until now is simply a moron! I see the side effects first hand this has had on children. I too was unaware of the problem myself until my son became the victim at only the innocent age of 4. Merck knows what is going on. There needs to be a class action lawsuit. I am so proud of Kate whose son became the victim of Merck who took his innocent life. She went beyond blogging and took it to media. Imagine if all of us became motivated enough to realize the drug company used and abused our children or selves. Write oprah, bill o riley, merck the fda, everyone. Everyone I come in contact with I warn them. I email everyone I know and urge them to forward it and so on. The one god given duty that we were given was to protect our children. WE NEED TO DO THAT!! I am so proud of the parents who are speaking out and realizing their kid is not a pyscho. Kudos to you!! I am holding Merck responsible for this traumatic event it caused my entire family let alone my four year old son. They owe us big time, not just for the medical bills that endowed for all the tests, doctor visit, and psychiatric visits. But also for our mental anguish!! Be active and we will make progress!!!
-- By emtjenny | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 7th
2008
8:48 AM
I was prescribed this drug as an after operation precaution. I only took the tablets from Thursday- Monday after seeing the posts on this site!
I had been getting what i thought was heartburn on the day after my operation and assumed that the burning in my throat was from the tube placed in my throat during the anaesthetic. How wrong was I! By Monday night I was unable to eat or drink even my own saliva was buring me right down to my Oesophagus. I began to think that this was not normal as my breathing was getting weaker than normal-( i am asthmatic) constantly feeling dizzy, and to feel like someone was pouring acid into me ?? All sent warning signs. So i read the leaflet in the box to see the side effects. Surprise surprise i was getting the severe reactions to the drug. If only i had looked sooner! So i called my local gp first thing Tuesday, who advised i was being silly and that it was not the doxycycline!!! Even though i told him about the side effects. He then told me to continue to take them! Well I was not convinced and contacted the gp that operated on me and he told me to stop taking them immediately due to the severity of the side effects i was having. Its been 4 days now and the most i have managed to consume is 1/4 of a pot of yogurt. I also am a single parent with a 2 year old to look after so I am really struggling with the effects from this drug! I have seen that others are still affect by this for days after they have ceased the treatment. I just hope it calms down soon so that i can eat something. I am terribly drained and in so much pain, not to mention having to put up with the pain from the operation! I would advise that the first signs of discomfort on this drug stop taking it!
October 21th
2007
4:48 PM
I have been taking this for 3 days and I am a little worried. My legs feel kind of tingly and sore (started about an hour after i took the 1st pill). I am not swollen or anything...this is pretty much my only side effect, but I can't get a hold of my obgyn to ask her about it, since I have to wait 2 months to get an appointment with her...I dunno. The leg cramps can't be a blood clot this soon? This site is really worrying me now.
It is not a shooting pain like they say in the pamphlet Warning Signs, just kind of a dull pain. I had a lot of leg cramps as a child and this feels just like it, but more mild.
-- By njc1986 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
October 7th
2007
5:50 PM
I lterally just starting taking Yasmin today. I used to take Tri-phasil, but found it just wasn't keeping my mood in check over the last 6 months, not to mention I was suddenly getting 2 periods a month. So, I stopped taking the pill for a month, and after seeiong ads for YAZ ended up with Yasmine after visiting my Dr.
My questions for the ladies with symptoms of anxiety and mood swings: Did you not have these symptoms before starting the pill? If so, are you saying that Yasmin made them worse?
Also, I would be curious to find lout what BC pills you NOW use, and how the hormone dose compares to Yasmin. The Tri-phasil I used to take was stronger than Yasmin. If I begin to feel any side effects using Yasmin, I will have to assume that I just need something stronger and will begin with Tri Phasil again.
October 7th
2007
11:31 AM
In April of this year I was prescribed Avelox for bronchitis,The first time prescribed was for 5 days, did have minor hives but didn't put two and two together....my infection did not improve so doctor wanted to try one more 5 day Avelox treatment. The first night of the second Avelox treatment ended in ER with anaphylatic shock. Warning signs started about 15 minutes after taking pill, excessive itching of hands and then thighs,nausea, sweating, gray coloration of face and then severe short breathing.
-- By morninglory2 | Reply | Private Message me
July 18th
2007
1:17 PM
Had total thyroidectomy 9 months ago and started taking Synthroid immediately thereafter. For the last 4 months I have noticed significant hair thinning. I have always had very thick, healthly looking hair but now it's just dry and brittle all of the time. I always feel tired and bloated around my stomach area in particular. I have always been a size 4-6 but have inexplicably gained 6 pounds in the last month. Is there an alternative to snythroid without these side effects?
-- By delaney | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
April 25th
2007
4:46 PM
Extreme moodiness, one day I love everybody, the next day I hate everybody, from my husband to my co-workers, even the lady at the gas station. Causes either extreme paranoia (from my husband is having an affair and Im going to get fired) to the other end of the sprectrum, TOTAL whimsical carelessness! Not me at all! Im typically very grounded, very stable, very predictable, very reliable, very easygoing, the office manager of a large corporation, with my husband for almost 14 years.
on a good note, I have lost approximately 6 pounds in 2 weeks. However, my feet, legs, fingers and hands tingle frequently to the extent that it is quite annnoying. Pins and needles annoying, at any given time. During traffic, in a meeting, its caused me to drop things.
After reading various posts, it causes concern to nerve damage. Its not worth the risk. I am going to back myself off of my prescription. If you are on topomax, and see any warning signs, Consult your physician!!
-- By paughn | Reply | Private Message me
July 15th
2006
4:41 PM
When did the dizziness and vomiting start for anybody here?... The only side effect I've found so far--and I just took my second dose a few minutes ago--is paranoia. And this paranoia AND anxiety seems to be about the drug itself and side effects. Normally, I don't gie these things a second thought and have never had side effects to any antibiotics before.
Just wonderig when these things set in and any early warning signs of them.
-- By gman760 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 15th
2006
2:05 AM
I've been using nuva ring for a little less than two months. At first I LOVED it!! Finally I didn't have to think about a pill every day. But in the last few days I have developed serious inflammation and burning in and around the vaginal area. Sex is like torture, not to mention urinating. Look, if you have problems remembering your pill, nuva ring might be perfect. Just don't ignore the early warning signs like i did and know that vaginal infection, discharge and headaches are some of the most common side effects.
-- By linderclar | Reply | Private Message me
March 24th
2006
6:39 AM
Wish I could join in by making a helpful contribution about the negative side-affrcts of Lipitor, HOWEVER, I've been on lipitor 20mg for about nine years and I don't feel any negative side-affects. This med is credited with lowering my LDL cholesterol to a safe level. I am very much interested in learning of these side affects, just in case I should be missing out on useful warning signs.
-- By civicassociation | Reply | Private Message me
December 26th
2005
4:38 AM
Hi Chrissy,
I know exactly how u feel....I have had these AM I DYING issues for the past 6mths before i linked them to they Yasmin and i am still soooo worried that something is wrong with me nut 6weeks post Yasmin it does not seem as bad but still comes and goies but thinking back itis an improvement of the month that i stopped yasmin and i was having my husband ring me everymorning at 7am as ithought that if i died in my sleep at least the kids could tell their dad if ithey couldnt wake me as each night i was sure this would be it for me ...that i had some serious life threatening disease or i was on the verge of a massive heart attack and all these symptoms were the warning signs of my heart stopping.
I am still internally thinking hey high blodd pressure must be bad but seeing on the posts the women that write that they had high blood pressure also post yamin gives me reassurance that they were alive when they wrote that so hey i am gonna make it ( see another negative yamin effect).
this site has saved my life and i am always here now also for anyone whom needs me... it reminds me a little of pay it forward the ones before me found hope here , i found hope from them and maybe i can help another...
April 24th
2004
4:38 PM
My 18 year old daughter had been on Yasmin for about 5 weeks. Yesterday we spent 5 hours in the emergency room due to a blood clot in her leg - a potential side effect of all birth control pills. I am not blaming Yasmin because I have no evidence that is has a higher risk than any other. But I write this as a warning to anyone else on the pill to be aware of this potentially deadly side effect. for your own safety, find out the warning signs so that if it should happen to you, ou can react quickly. We were lucky. Several days of intravenous blood thinning medications and 6 months of blood thinning pills. And no more hormones for the rest of her life. But still I count us lucky. I felt I had to share this with others.
Thank you.
Yasmin (5) NuvaRing (3) Singulair (3) Lamictal (2) Avelox (2) Mirena (1) Wellbutrin (1) Biaxin (1) Topamax (1) Lipitor (1) Synthroid (1) Gardasil (1) Naproxen (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1)
October 6th
2009
6:19 PM
Ladies:
I needed to post this warning right away:
I visited my gyno today (was able to get in for an ASAP visit), and she told me to get off of Yasmin IMMEDIATELY when I told her that I have had facial numbness etc.. She was very concerned, and here is why:
I have been experiencing migraine headaches with what are called "auras". I know it sounds weird, but you can look up "migraine auras" and you will find plenty of information.
I know that many of us have had these symptoms and not known what they were- numbness and tingling, visual disturbances, strange smells etc. This is what those symptoms are- migraine auras.
****According to my gyno, if you have auras you need to stop taking Yasmin or any other birth control right away.****
Getting these symptoms and continuing to take the pill, according to my gyno is (and I quote) "ASKING FOR A STROKE". They are warning signs that our bodies send out and it is extremely dangerous to keep taking ANY hormonal birth control, ESPECIALLY the combination pill.
If you had any further doubts, stop now. Please. I am not trying to scare anyone, I am just concerned and wanted to warn those who are experiencing these side effects.
Best of luck to all of you and hugs.
M.
-- By meaganj | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me