June 3th
2009
2:09 PM
Okay so I'm going to say something good about Advair HFA. I have been on it for 6 months. And, yes, in the beginning I had leg cramps, heart palps, slight depression and hoarse throat. Early in my treatment my doctor dropped my dose down to 1/2 of what I was taking. Suddenly those mentioned side effects went away and the only thing I find slightly annoying now is the hoarseness of my voice and some increased post nasal drip...but all I do is pop a few guaifenesin mucous thinning pills and up my water intake and that goes right away. I think it's important to realize that inhaler technique is VERY important in decreasing the amount of side effects one can expect to have or not have. I have found that if my technique is good every time, I am able to get by on less medicine - meaning less side effects. Still 12 hour dosing and proper sleep, nutrition, and stress management are in order. For me this is the best thing out there....and I have tried everything! Not EVERYBODY will have a bad reaction to a medication. Thumbs up to the makers of Advair HFA!
Good day.
-- By tiger37 | Reply | Private Message me
April 22th
2009
8:37 AM
I was on Topamax for migraine a few years ago and had to go off of it because my insurance changed. I was crushed!! I was on a lowww dose- only 25mg. morning and night. It helped soooo much- and really- the only side effect was some weight loss and the tingly fingers and maybe weird taste in foods.Also- and maybe it's because I;m relieved of constant headaches- I have MORE energy and even better breathing, seemingly!! ( just now had a problem spelling 'taste'- and have read where that is a side effect but think for me it's just being 51 and a tad flaky with menopause. :) ) I'm back on it now- 25 mg. morning and night- and am very happy. The several times a week migraines ( the real thing) are gone- as are the constant floaters I get in front of my vision, and the things like vertigo and photo-phobia that I have constantly even when I'm not in a full-blown migraine. I just don't get the fatigue, headaches, etc. other people do- in fact, almost nothing by way of side effects. That is no doubt due to the low dose and also because everyone's system is different. I am lucky to have found the one med which nails my migraines! I've read all the posts and am definitely upping my water intake, however- thanks for that head's-up! It never hurts! I would say that anyone with intractable migraine should at least try it- although at a low dose. My doc is very cautious and started at the lowest possible end luckily for me.If you're one of the fortunate people who toleates this med it definitely works beautifully to prevent the majority of migraines in chronic sufferers! It IS expensive, though-even in it's generic form- and I really hope to keep affording it!!
Blessings- A.
January 25th
2009
10:49 PM
I've been taking Januvia for about 2 months and have experienced sever constipation. I don’t seem to have an urge to have a BM. I have increased my fiber and water intake with no success. I’m also taking Metformin, so I was used to having diarrhea. Since taking the Januvia, I need to take meds to have a BM. I’m also experiencing numbness down the outside of my thighs. I have trouble sleeping throughout the night and I’m very anxious. I don’t know if my problem in the Januvia, but I do know that I did not have these problems until I started taking the Januvia. I’m planning to stop taking the drug for a few days and see how I feel.
-- By pleasehelpinva49 | Reply | Private Message me
July 4th
2008
6:57 PM
I started SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 tab 2 days ago. I have bad feelings about this drug and today is 4th July and the weekend. I will quit it to get some other drug for my UTI. But it won't be for 3 days because the doctor is out till Monday to get another drug. Someone tell me a drug that does work for UTI. Someone mentioned Amoxicilln? Can that be used? The headaches are awful. I can't seem to empty my bladder at night so I never really sleep since I pee every 20 mins a few drizzles. I also was given that drug that makes the pee orange. It is Phenazopyrid 200mg. It relieves pain, burning or irritation of the lower urinary tract. Someone offer us info on a positive good drug they have used to help UTI. Thanks!
-- By kmueller | Reply | (6) replies | Private Message me
May 21th
2008
12:30 PM
HEY!! WOW!!! THANK YOU LORD! I thank everyone for posting! I have been taking Lisinopril for 2 days and just after two days I noticed the following, YES TWO (2) DAYS!:
Extreme Dizziness
Lightheaded
Increased Heart Rate
Awful Headache
At first I thought these were PMS symptoms but I have become great at combating these with exercises and fruit - as soon as I get my heart rate up and build a sweat and eat some fruit, I am fine. BUT I tried this the other day and I felt so groggy and fatigued. And I am a stickler for not taking medications, even OTC Pain Relievers, I believe in "Au Natural"... anyway I went to the park and walking up a simple hill, I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Then the headache seem to have gotten worse as well as the nausea. For breakfast I had a Kale Smoothie (OJ, Kale, Pear, Ice Blended) and didn't go for the walk until about an hour later. I consumed some water and started at a slow pace, but that didn't help. I also felt very tense and anxious and I thought WAIT A MINUTE! So I started to retrace my 'steps' of what I had eaten (Sunday Night: Red Beans w/ Brown Rice, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Turnip Greens) I said, okay nothing out of the ordinary there. Monday and Tuesday light meals such as a Falafel and Salad ... so I said let me read the side effects of this medicine and sure enough, the Nausea and Dizziness was on the printout from the pharmacy! I said okay this is it. I am not taking this stuff anymore, it's only been TWO FREAKING DAYS!! I'd hate if I take it longer. I am going to call my doctor to schedule an appointment to go over these symptoms, and opt for another prescription. In the interim, I am increasing my water intake and drinking prune juice as well as raw leafy veggies to help with the detox. And moderate walking to get my pores opened up. Thanks again and I appreciate all of your comments. Be prayerful and take good GOD care! LS, 28 year old black female
-- By conia28 | Reply | Private Message me
April 28th
2008
1:24 PM
My story:
First of all, thank you all so much for your postings. I, as well, am sitting here in tears finally realizing that I'm not the only one going through this. I am 32 with 3 kids (13, 11, 7) and with the exception of my pregnancies always used Depo-provera for my bc method. I was lucky in that I never experienced the terrible weight gain and side effects that many women using Depo often did. After my divorce 5 years ago, I finally decided to stop the birth control. I was not sexually active and it seemed like more of a hassle just to not have a period any longer. The two years I had no bc in me...I felt fantastic. Normal, balanced, happy. Then I met Matt. I decided to try bc pills again, but as historically is normal for me...had severe breakthrough bleeding. (14 day periods..even on Yaz)
So I went back to the depo this past September. I had a little weight gain, and some mild acne. Not severe, but enough to make me talk to the doctor about it at my three month check. So he tells me about Mirena! The same hormone base as depo, but since it sits intra-uterine, the hormones are not quite as systemic, and my symptoms should decrease significantly.
SHOULD! but DIDN"T!
Periods: Since I had already been on depo, I simply did not have periods. I did have some mild spotting right after insertion...and did notice a slight brownish tinge occasionally, especially after intercourse, but nothing significant. It wasn't until the end of February (2 months after insertion) that I noticed a "period." It was nothing more than spotting and only lasted 3 days. But then I had another one 2 weeks later, and again 2 weeks after that.
Weight: My starting weight, late August 2007, was 145 pounds. My last doctor visit on April 7 weighed me in at 175. From September to December on depo...I gained about 10 pounds. From December through now...I'm up another 25 pounds. Please keep in mind that I used to work out anywhere form 2-4 times per week. Around mid-February, I increased to 4-5 times per week...and for the last month have been working out 5-7 times per week. (I'm not any kind of health freak...and am irritated because I don't feel like I have a life anymore. My life consists of working, kids, and my flipping treadmill!) Over the last month, I have also decreased my caloric intake to 1200-1500 calories per day. I'm still gaining.
Acne: Plus the acne went from mild to severe. To the point that I ended up going to a dermatologist in early March and am now on my second course of treatment with no luck. The next course is Accutane...which if you don't know about...simply google it. I have no intention of putting that in my body!
Depression: So I call my doctor and of course they say it couldn't be the Mirena. Now I'm feeling really crazy and Matt's wondering what he's gotten himself into being with this girl who cries at Hallmark commercials, and is moody, and always in a bad mood, and now is getting worse because she can't fit into anything in her closet, and is dreading summer not only for the fear of getting into a bathing suit...but if I go swimming I'm absolutely dreadful of people seeing what my face and skin looks like with no make-up due to the acne.
Pain: Shortly after the first of the year, I noticed pain in my lower back...I figured it was due to shoveling the drive and whatnot...just everyday things. Then the pain in my shoulders started; the right one especially. (I'm a healthy 32 year old. I cut down a tree in my yard by myself two summers ago.) Joint pain is not an option and rather new territory for me. So I go to the doc who wants me in PT 3 times a week...anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections...the works. (I settled with anti-inflammatories.) I had never even heard of this as a possible side effect until I read it on these postings.
I looked at my medicine cabinet this weekend. I feel like I could run a pharmacy out of my home. Medications for acne, joint pain, depression, anxiety. Plus the cost of co-pays and deductibles. And it hit me. With the exception of my Claritin for seasonal allergies...every medication I am now taking is simply to combat the side effects of this T-shaped hormonal vehicle snuggled in my womb! The I saw the Special K commercial: "Who's going to win? The bathing suit? or you?"
Well guess what! I decided it's going to be ME!
I finally decided I've had it and have an appointment on May 6th to have it removed. Matt can wrap it or snip it...but I can't keep doing this to myself. I've made a decision to use no form of hormonal birth control. I'm thinking about trying the FemCap which is basically a silicone cervical cap. It needs to be used with spermicide, but no hormones!
The idea of feeling like I did last year again is the only thing keeping me going right now. To be happy, and confident, and just feel balanced and whole again...I'll post more later after it's removed. In the meantime...if anyone has heard of any class action lawsuits with Mirena, I'd be interested to know about it.
Good luck to all of us!
-- By nyrek | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 26th
2008
10:40 AM
I´m 55 years old, and been taking Diovan 80 gr for more than three years now. Never had any problem, and my blood pressure is really under control. But lately I´ve been experiencing dizziness.Decided to reduce the doses to half a pill per day, and felt better. Did several tests with a cardiologist, and all seems OK, except that my blood pressure was again a bit high, and he recommended me to continue with the 80 gr doses. The Doctor attributed the dizziness to low mineral water intake. So I am now drinking 2.5 ltr of mineral water a day, but besides going very often to the loo, the dizziness did not disappear. Is it possible the Diovan is the cause.
-- By conrado207 | Reply | Private Message me
March 19th
2008
2:26 PM
I've been on Topamax since Sept 2007 and the only side effects I have had were at the beginning were the tingling in the hands and feet when I was brining my dosage up. Soda tastes awful but I no longer drink it and that is a godsend after being a heavy drinker of it for years. I do find there are time when I can't find the right word to say, or I forget what I was doing, but I deal with it. I have lost 20 pounds since being on the medication. After being on it for 6 months the tingling is gone, I usually counteracted it by drinking plenty of water in the morning, that got rid of it. The drug has taken away the migraines, and regular headaches I have suffered from for years. It has also stabilized my moods and taken away my anxiety issues. I'm 36 and have never felt better. Topamax is definitely not for everyone. For those that are suffering, please do contact your doctors and try to get off the medication.
-- By capricorn2oo8 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
February 1th
2008
5:28 PM
I took Yasmin for 2 years and about 6 months after starting Yasmin I started getting migraines at least 3 x per week and sometimes 5 x per week (before not even really getting many normal headaches). I thought it might be my birth control and saw my OB who referred me to a Neurologist who put me on a medicine for migraines. About another 5 months later I noticed I had a small bald spot in my hair line. Saw a Dermatologist who diagnosed it is alopecia. I immediately stopped Yasmin and migraine meds and decided to get an IUD (GREAT CHOICE!) My migraines stopped almost immediately, however my hair loss continues to progress. I now have 3 additionally bald spots on my head and areas on my scalp that are very thin. I feel great otherwise, no headaches, no depression (other than losing my hair), no anxiety, appetite is normal. I'm so desperate to find someone else that has had this specific problem as no one believes the hair loss is connected to Yasmin. I just pray after awhile the hair will grow back. Please if anyone has experienced this same situation please post what might have helped you get through it and if it does ease up! One more thing - I have scalp pain, like burning on the front and top and back part of my scalp, wide spread, not only in the bald areas.
-- By lacygirl4 | Reply | (9) replies | Private Message me
August 3th
2007
7:37 AM
anyone experience problems with urination,bladder or prostate
-- By dranreb | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 24th
2006
5:28 AM
Hello All,
I am now on day 10 off Yasmin. Yesterday, I had the most emotional day since getting off the Yasmin. I had all these PMS symptoms...my breasts ached terribly! I still have insomnia. And I was a crying mess yesterday.
I went to my gyno yesterday as well and she said I was the first woman to come to her with these "complaints" about Yasmin. I felt so stupid...especially since I had seen her just two months earlier thinking I had a yeast infection. (Infact, it was simply the extreme dryness from the Yasmin.) I simply never thought the stuff going on with me (hair falling out, insomnia, zero sex drive..) had anything to do with my gynecological health...so didn't mention it. I just thought it was "me". So bizarre how this all works out.
Luckily, my boyfriend is being very supportive and realizes this is my detox period. I'll have good days and bad days. :(
Has anyone else suffered from this insomnia? And when does it stop?? I can honestly say, I can only remember 2 specific nights in the last 5 or so months that I had a solid nights sleep. :(
P.S. I am looking into getting the Copper IUD. I got a lot of information about it..I just need to check and see if my insurance company will cover it. IF they do not cover the IUD, I will have to pay for it out of pocket. It'll be around $750 total to get it inserted. While it's a lot of money upfront, the IUD is good for 10 years. So it will pay for itself in less than 2 years...seeing as my health insurance doesn't pay much for my BC. I was paying $40 a month anyway. ugh. The injustice. :(
-- By lildahlia | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 25th
2006
1:32 PM
rjrcows,
it sounds like you may be dehydrated,yasmin has a strong diuretic effect,up your water intake to at least 2 litres of water daily to avoid any worsening of side effect or kidney problems. hope that helps.
sarah
-- By flowerbabies | Reply | Private Message me
September 13th
2005
8:28 PM
To Gypsi--
Thank you so much for your advice about Diurex helping with moon face!!! I stopped taking prednisone on Sept. 9th. I have to go on business trips and meet a lot of new people at work... and I was dreading it, feeling & looking the way I do. I am terminally on a diet so constantly watch carbs/fats/calories. Will be even more strict now!
One question... I thought I read on here that we should drink a LOT of water to combat side effects? But I also know water retention is a problem. So I am confused what to do about water intake? Again, MANY THANKS. Sanndiego
-- By sanndiego | Reply | Private Message me
March 23th
2004
8:16 PM
"may include mild sexual side effects..." can you say delayed orgasm? (They happen about a week late.... : )
I was given effexor to help with chemo-induced menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. I also had mild depression from Taxol. This is one of the strangest legal drugs I have taken.
Whether it was increasing or decreasing the dose - at times I feel like maybe I'm allergic to it or something. In any case night sweats are starting to sound pretty good after a few episodes of feeling like I'm going to pass out or total lack of coordination.
My Dr is definately getting a kick back from the drug companies... she basically whipped a big bottle of wellbutrin out of her back pocket and said "here... try these instead...".
What a bizarre society we live in. I wll be increasing my water intake and excercising more instead of medicating.
Sorry for you folks who have to be on stuff like this forever... and that you have good luck in finding the "right" chemistry.
-- By purple.hayes | Reply | Private Message me
Yasmin (3) Lisinopril (2) Mirena (2) Topamax (2) Diovan (1) SMZ-TMP DS (1) Effexor (1) Januvia (1) Advair HFA (1) PredniSONE (1)
July 15th
2009
10:00 PM
Major hair loss (even my eyelashes have thinned out. Talk about upsetting), nausea, seriously bloated stomach, gassy, bacterial vaginosis (the second in my entire life), 2 week periods, breasts grew a half size so far, foggy headed, vision seems off when I drive (focusing it harder).
I posted some of my side effects last week. Today I got Mirena removed! I was sweating it b/c it hurt bad during the insertion 2 months ago, but it wasn't that bad. Hurt a little but it was quick and easy. They used long tongs to pull it out. I'm bleeding now a little bit but I've been bleeding for 10 days already from being on my 'extended' Mirena period, so I don't care. I'm just glad it's over with. My doctor said I didn't have to explain why I wanted it out. It was my choice. I mentioned again to her anyway the hair loss (probably a third of my hair in just 2 months), and the bloating (I look at least 3 month pregnant and I haven't really gained but like 2 lbs. I think it's from progesterone. Progesterone has to be causing this gas too b/c I had that side effect years ago when I was on progesterone). She said it's all possible side effects and that everyone is different. Some women do well on it and some don't. I'm just bummed b/c I could never have sex anyway b/c of the long periods and the case of BV in between those. These past 2 months have been a big waste of time and energy/worry. I can tell my husband is glad this saga is over with. With 2 young children I need to focus my energy on them and be clear headed. Good luck! I won't recommend this to my friends.
-- By marylandgirl | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me