July 4th
2008
6:44 AM
I finally don't feel so alone. I got into poison ivy on June 1. On June 12th I finally went to my md to get something to take for it to go away. I had been treating it with calamine, topical stuff and taking Benadryl.... She gave me a shot which actually made it all go away within two hours. BUT, she also loves giving out pills, so she gave me the Dexpak. I took it for 7 days and my heart was beating uncontrollably. I didn't get REM sleep for 5 straight days. I took myself off. Cold turkey, yeah, I know you're not supposed to do that, but that stuff was killing me. So finally after having a meltdown in my office at home, my husband and I went back to her to see what she could do for me. She said oh, just go home, drink some wine and get some sleep.
I went home, drank two glasses of wine (which after doing research is NO combination with with high powered drug and she should have known better!!) Took a really hot bath, tried to get sleep. My husband took off work for three days to try to get me sleep.... finally we went to the ER because my heart wouldn't stop pounding so fast. The ER drugged me with some serious sedatives. I had a reaction to those and had a panic attack in the ER, so their solution: strap her down (bruised my wrist) and take her to a psychiatric unit for "symptoms of schzitophernia." So I was basically in a room with a bunch of people that can't control themselves. I did get 8 hours of sleep and regained all cohesive control. I was still groggy from the sedatives, but I knew what was going on. The nurses were the rudest people I have EVER been in contact with. No wonder the patients were in fits! After 5 hours of me and my husband (who was downstairs with my Mom) they finally released me. I talked to the discharge nurse and she said that if I sign a form releasing myself "against medical advice" that insurance might not pay for it. I said, are you kidding me? I would rather pay to get out of here than sit here one more minute with these people.
It was the worst medical experience I've EVER had. I have since fired my md. She doesn't know it though because she hasn't BOTHERED to call to check on me!! So, I am not going to a psychologist and my obgyn to make sure those steroids didn't screw up my brain or my endocrine system as we are trying to have a baby. Yeah, that was my first thought too... why would my MD who KNOWS we are trying to conceive do this to me?
Whew. Anyway, so my advice is to make sure you have someone around you at all times that can monitor your heart beat and write down EVERYTHING that happens in case you have a situation like mine. I journal all the time, so it was easy for me to explain to the shrink.
Okay, good luck out there!!!
-- By melbean | Reply | Send Private Mail
June 27th
2008
6:14 AM
I have just been switched to Synthroid (by my Endocrinologist) after being on Armour for 4 years. I have to tell all you out there that think "Armour" is the save all drug..and believe me I am not an advocate of Synthroid either because I have not been on it long enough to know what possible side effects I might have..however when I first started on Armour I felt like I did before I had been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism ..then about 1 yr ago I started to gain rate rapidly like 40lbs in 6 months feeling sluggish, off and on skin problems, puffy hands, face, feet,hives, pimples in the back of my head almost hive like,some hair loss that is noticeable to me as I have had very thick curly hair all my life now it is getting noticeably thin and It is making me very nervous...My Endo put me on .75 mcg Synthroid and .5mcg Cytomel which she calls a "controlled Armour"..Armour does not stay consistent with your T4's and T3 levels and that is what cause my thyroid to become suppressed and these are the symptoms I was experiencing...she also put me on Spironolactone which is a mild diuretic to lose the puffiness in my face,hands,and feet and so far so good...Like I stated earlier, I am not an advocate of Synthroid or Armour our any drug for that matter, I just want to find what is right for me and stick with it..and if Synthroid doesn't work for me, then I will try something else...Just remember one very important thing.."You" are the only one who knows how you feel and Dr's are not God they can't fix everyone that is why its very important to read about your disease and find out what things might work for you..I suggest getting this book I bought that was recommended to me by my Endocrinologist called "Screaming to be Heard" Hormone connections women suspect and doctors still ignore written by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD...its a fabulous book and I am sure all you women can relate to this book...its all about us....Most important thing is to stay healthy eat a well balance diet and exercise..also find out about the foods that only worsen thyroid problems...
-- By alleekat219 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
May 30th
2008
5:54 PM
Wow! So glad and sad to find other sufferers. I wish our doctors would listen to us and take us seriously! Why are they stuck on forcing Synthroid on us? At this point, I think I'd rather not take any Synthroid. I stumbled upon this site while looking for something I might take to counteract the effects of Synthroid. I had to halve my 112 mg pills because of the side effects: frequents headaches, bloating, weight gain, irritability and anxiety, dry mucus membranes (eyes, nose, throat, etc.), allergies, muscle fatigue, achy joints. Of course, my doctor is slowly upping the dosage again, because my TSH is chronically high, but I feel like sh*t, physically and mentally. I used to feel so much more normal and like myself before I was diagnosed and "forced" to take Synthroid.
-- By poingosiba | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
May 14th
2008
9:01 PM
This medicine is horrible for me! I gave it a long while to give it a chance. Rapid weight gain, hair loss (ongoing), terrible aches and pains, hives, dead tired, terribly hot, irritable...the list goes on and on. After getting pro-active with my health care provider, I have now changed to Armour and now I'm remembering what 'normal' feels like again. I've lost all the weight I gained, my hair and skin feel much softer. I can't believe the amount of people that feel bad on this drug. It seems to be bad-mouthed all over the internet. I guess as long as the major drug companies retain it as the 2nd or 3rd best selling drug in the States and continue to fund, wine and dine and court physicians, we're never going to get rid of it. I chose to dispose of every single one of those evil pills. Armour stepped in to change my life for the better as Synthroid was slowly destroying me.
-- By dlo | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
May 13th
2008
5:14 PM
I am on my first pack of Loestrin 24 Fe. I was doing okay except for constant breakthrough bleeding. This past weekend I was at a rehearsal dinner and wedding where I did a fair amount of drinking. On Monday I started feeling weird. By Monday night I was so weak and tired feeling that I couldn't lift my head. I've been laying on the couch for 24 hours and I still feel like the life has drained out of me. I"ve also had a stuffed nose and post-nasal drip since I started the pill. I went to the doctor this morning and they decided I needed iron pills to counteract the bleeding and an antihistamine and singlulair for the nasal symptoms. I'm now totally afraid of this pill!
-- By magentamoon1 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail
May 7th
2008
9:49 PM
I have been taking 40mg of Lisinopril daily for over 5 years, which has successfully lowered my blood pressure. I thought the drug was fine - however, I do occasionally experience ED, and to be sure of successful performance, I need to take 50 mg of Viagra. My testosterone levels are fine. My doctor has ascribed the ED to my 3 - 4 glasses of wine each evening - saying that if I reduced the wine intake to 2 glasses, the problem would go away. After reading these accounts, I'm not sure it is the wine. I did experience severe leg cramps at night for 2 - 3 years - but those have stopped, and I have not had any of the other symptoms mentioned.
-- By riverstone66 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 6th
2008
4:55 AM
I have experienced many of the same issues with Loestrin, bloating, random spotting, weight gain, moodiness, and loss of sex drive. However the side effect that I haven't heard but one person mention is what happens when you drink alcohol while on this pill. I have a low tolerance to begin with, yet now that I am on this pill I will get a hangover after 1 or 2 glasses of wine. It really has varied but at one point I only had two drinks and the following morning proceeded to throw up three times. I am changing to Yasmin because of insurance reasons but am happy to try something new as this pill has only greatly complicated my life.
-- By carrie86 | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 17th
2008
4:12 PM
Well here is the male point of view. My spouse had her Mirena inserted Monday 4/14 like the FDA website says she had cramping and spotting. Literally the next day 4/15 the first mood swing hit. It did not matter what I did it aggravated her or annoyed her. Before the Mirena we were having sex 2-3 times a week. Zero sex this week. This morning 4/17 she reported her first bloating. She said she thought she had gas. What baffles me is most of the symptoms reported on this site are listed by the FDA as side effects common to more than 5% of test subjects. So why are your doctors telling you ladies this is all in your head? My spouse’s doctor said that Mirena was known for low weight gain, yet from the post that is like the number 1 common side effect. Am I every going to have sex again? Last night I did everything I could to seduce my spouse, flowers, wine, caressing, you know all those things men are not good at, and nothing....I got snubbed :-(
I'm going to give it some time but god I hope her case will be different. I'd rather wear condoms than deal with the moodiness. God forbid she gains weight (she just lost 15 lbs and that weighed heavy on her decision) that will throw her into a real mood.
April 7th
2008
12:04 AM
I have been on the Nuvaring for three weeks now and I feel like absolute garbage every single day. I am so bloated that my pants don't even fit anymore, I cry all the time over stupid little things, I'm mean to my boyfriend, and I never want to have sex. After having one or two glasses of wine I will immediately fall asleep wherever I am. I am so depressed that I don't feel like going out, going to work, or going to the gym. I was going to suck it up and try it for the three months perscription that I have, but after reading this site I definitely will be taking it out this week and never putting it back in. Its nice to know that I am not the only one suffering from these side effects, I thought I was going crazy.
-- By dolly5 | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 4th
2008
3:41 PM
3 weeks after putting in the NR, I went to work explaining to my co-workers that I "had a hangover" and needed to eat some bread , as my 3 glasses of birthday wine from the night before really had done me in. After a baegal, and an energy drink, I noticed my eyes had this weird kinda haze, and my head over my ears was really starting to ache. The worse it got, I finally voiced to the girls how "weird" I felt, and with their own experience, we figured out it was a migraine. A migraine? I had never felt a headache like this before. this alone made me anxious, and made my heart palpitate (which I was already familiar with) I left work early because I was having difficulty concentrating, and i felt bad for having everyone work in the dark with me. I got home and did nothing but sleep ALL night into the next morning. When I woke, it felt like just breathing was making me more nauseated by the minute. I vommitted all morning, had no lunch and am still queezy 6 hours later. I was glad to find this site to answer the question of this being due to the ring or not. I took it out, with no plans to re-insert, and my stomach is still in knots. as a nurse my advise to other women is: reconignize the common/small symptoms, before the big/scary ones occur.
-- By jmeb | Reply | Send Private Mail
March 5th
2008
3:00 PM
I was prescribed Avelox for pneumonia, which I had a severe reaction to. I was driving in my car with my kids and suddenly didn't know where I was. I was so confused and pulled the car over and vomited. I rushed home and was launched into a full-fledged panic attack. I was then given Levaquin and I was fine with it other than some mild malaise and a little dizziness for the 7 days of 750mg, but my symptoms just came back soon after and I developed a sinus infection and was put back on the Levaquin. I took one 250mg pill yesterday and had the same thing happen, severe fatigue, weakness and numbness in my hands and arms, dizziness, confusion, panic attacks, blurred vision and severe diarrhea. I felt floaty and out of it for the rest of the day and night. I woke up this morning and I feel much better, other than some left over anxiety about taking the prescription. THE GOOD NEWS is that my symptoms are gone now that the antibiotic has been metabolized and secreted from my body. I did see some floaters in the shower today, but I believe they were because I strained my eyes when looking to far to the right. I drank 2 glasses of wine to help with the increased heart rate and insomnia that the drug caused--worked well!! I would never, ever take this antibiotic again.
-- By daydreambeliever | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
February 4th
2008
9:37 AM
I started having panic attacks while taking Percocet. I am a chronic alcohol user, and I am saying this just in case it rings a bell for anyone. I have since stopped taking Percocet (about 3 days). I was a habitual/recreational user ... meaning that I took them when available, but I did not always have them. Since my last dose, I have been having recurrent panic attacks that are very scary. They include physical symptoms (heart pounding, cold and hot flashes, feeling of difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking) - and the much more scary mental symptoms (fear of death, walls closing in, inability to think or concentrate, vivid dreaming, fear of people, etc.). It appears that some other people have had issues like this, but not everyone. Can someone share their story with me. Has anyone had similar experiences ? Do they go away at some point ? Is it withdraw (I am not sure since they started while I was using them - but continued after I stopped) ? I have heard that it just takes some time, but it is very scary. I get some relief by drinking ... in fact almost complete freedom from most of the symptoms, but I can't just drink all day. Please help.
-- By telewheels | Reply | (5) replies | Send Private Mail
January 28th
2008
8:59 PM
I've been on Effexor for at least 6 months. At first it really helped with my depression and anger issues and it sort of curbed my appetite so I was really happy. Then that stopped, I gained at least 20 lbs if not more, I have recently had severe stomach pains and headaches. Also, don't ever drink on it. Even when I have 2 glasses of wine I turn into a crazy person alcoholic even and drink so much (almost obsessive) that I black out and usually loose control of my ability to hold in urine and pee the bed. I was NEVER like this before, EVER. I've stopped taking it and yes the rage is back, but at least I'm not peeing the bed.
-- By stressedanddepressed | Reply | Send Private Mail
October 10th
2007
12:23 PM
Hello,
I am a 37 yr old male and have been on Lisinopril 20/25 for about 6 months now. I was asked to switch because the medication I was on before was not approved by my insurance carrier and this medicine is one tenth the cost.
I have never really put all of this together until I found this site. I have become increasingly confused and find normal tasks more difficult. I have always struggled with slight depression and anxiety but it has become much worse. (One of the side effects I knew nothing about before this site.) I constantly have the feeling I am going to dye or that something terrible is going to happen to me or my family.
My wife asked me yesterday if I felt that I was more confused lately and she said I was not acting myself for the last few months. Now I may know the validity of that question.
My other bothersome side affects are the feeling of a lump in my throat that I can not cough out; irregular heart beat and occasional high BP with pounding heart beat; Numbness in one or both hands; Mood swings and loss of patience.
I have just attributed these symptoms to getting older but now I know I am not going crazy!!!! Thank God for this site.
Good luck to everyone else...
October 3th
2007
4:30 AM
AFter coming off Lisinopril (see that section) i am so much better. I just take a small dose of Bendrofl.... at night and feel alive again!!! Do have a little trouble with hand joints,but find this worsens after eating tomatoes, citrus and wine..... all to be avoided with gout.
-- By libramoon | Reply | Send Private Mail
September 14th
2007
7:57 PM
A very disturbing side-effect of Topamax for me was a black-out period after having a couple of glasses of wine. I spent the evening with my boyfriend. We watched a movie, had a lucid conversation, consensual sex, and I remember absolutely nothing of the entire evening - scary. My boyfriend is quite upset by this, as am I.
-- By bipolar12 | Reply | Send Private Mail
September 12th
2007
2:08 AM
After only one week on this drug (2,5mg dosage), which was prescribed for high blood pressure, I experienced swelling of the knee joints, accompanied by pain. I understand this is "gout" caused by precipitation of uric acid in the joints. I stopped takig it immediately, but the residual symptoms are still there two weeks later. Fairly useless to give a medication for HBP that prevents the patient from walking!!!
-- By davidheath | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
August 3th
2007
9:19 AM
I was given Bactrim after a laser procedure to my face. For the first seven days, my only symptom was a very red face which I unknowingly attributed to the laser procedure. On the eighth day, my face was very much improved in colour which I later realised was because I had accidently missed two doses of Bactrim. When I recommenced with the Bactrim the next morning, within a few hours my face was intensely itchy and red and I broke out in a rash all over my torso. At this point I became concerned and did some internet research, only to realise my symptoms were all Bactrim related. Apparently sulfite allergies are relatively common amongst the population, and I now know why I get a flushed face when I drink beer or wine.
-- By kylie74 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
July 5th
2007
1:14 PM
2 weeks on Topamax and really ill with the fact beer tasted like liking metal. So I drank a few liquor drinks for the fourth of July- I only drink probably once every three to four weeks when we get together with friends. Got violently sick after four drinks- throwing up. Never done that before- so I guess soda, alcohol and food are out of my life- Wonder if I can tell my husband NO SEX is a side-effect because it will cause violent bouts of vomitting. Smile- what a trade off- migraines daily or side effects?????? Damned if you do- damned if you don't- but on a brighter note- these are things I can live with unlike cancer, parkinson disease etc. Just wondering if anyone else having marked side effect from drinking alcohol while taking the topamax?
-- By mhj | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
March 3th
2007
5:58 PM
For Allie; I'm a middle aged male who has had asthma all my life. During my mid thirties it suddenly got very suddenly worse to the point of being life threatening. I had been treated all my life by many doctors as being allegic to rye grasses & chicken feathers. They also said that cold weather was a trigger. I wasn't getting exposed to these triggers & it was getting worse day by day. More visits to the doctor, who told me that it was because I was living in an area high in pollens. This dr introduced me to prednisolone & had me on it every day for 4 years. There was no improvement in my condition (i was actually getting worse & preparing myself for a short life) & the solone created a whole new range of health issues for me. Finally, I found a specialist who discovered the problem. I'm allergic to silicilates (i think that's how you spell it?) & sulphates. I removed them from my diet & my condition improved rapidly. It took me a further 2 years to wean off the solone without rebound! My point is; keep looking for the trigger/s until you find them all. If a doctor tells you it's one thing & removing that trigger dosen't fix it, keep looking! I'm sure that I am allergic to rye grasses & chook feathers, but not near as allergic as I am to tomato paste & wine. I mow lawns for a living these days & live a perfectly healthy life. My asthma is completely under control. So much for pollens & rye grasses putting me in intensive care!
-- By kakegc | Reply | Send Private Mail
February 19th
2007
11:22 PM
I've been taking 10 mg lisinopril for about 4 years and never noticed anything except hoarseness and that tickly cough which never goes away until you get rid of that tiny bit of phlegm. Lately, however, I have been a little dizzy and somwtimes really dizzy -- the dizziness seems to come from the back of my head where it meets the neck. Is this where most of you guys are getting it? I'd like to know because I get my meds from the VA and they are pretty resistant to changing medications. The probably would never give in unless I had some solid ammo to give them.
-- By amann99 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
January 26th
2007
1:45 PM
I can't believe how easily they hand out this medication!
I have been under extreme stress recently and have physically been suffering from the anxiety. Went to the ER when my doctor wouldnt see me and they gave me this medication. I took one pill(50mg) at 4pm, felt slightly off, hardly enough to really notice though. However the next morning I was waken up at 5am heaving and wretching, that continued for about an hour. Then the symptoms progressed to rapid heart rate and profuse sweating during the wretching. Continued to worsen, my head felt as though I had drank 3 bottles of wine the night before(hadn't drank at all). I was dizzy and the last thing to happen was my arms and hands began to tingle and go numb. Eventually(4hours later) all symptoms had worn off and only the nausea remained. Have not touched the stuff again. I'll take the anxiety thanks.
January 18th
2007
6:34 PM
the only side effect of this is terrible mood swings... and vommiting 2 times after drinking small amounts of alcohol which rarely has ever happened to me... now twice this week after having wine with dinner... i just started 2 weeks ago, but my mood swings range from raging mad, to sadness and despair, as if i wake up in a gloom every day. I'm not sure how I feel about staying on it after i have read all the other testimonies... i can't take any other form... They all have terrible side effects...
-- By heidsterr05 | Reply | Send Private Mail
September 23th
2006
4:39 PM
I have taken 15 mg of ambien for about two years. Its generally worked fine. One time however I took the medication and couldn't sleep and drank about three glasses of wine and ended passing out on my floor not remembering anything from the night before. Yes, I am an idiot for drinking after taking Ambien.
Has anyone else taken this strong of dosage? Has anyone gone through coming off of Ambien?
-- By patogara | Reply | Send Private Mail
NuvaRing (4) Topamax (3) Lisinopril (3) Synthroid (3) Loestrin 24 Fe (2) Singulair (2) Bendroflumethiazide (2) Levaquin (2) Bactrim (2) Percocet 10/325 (1) Dexpak Taperpak (1) Lipitor (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1) Yasmin (1) Ambien (1) Zoloft (1) Nabumetone (1) Pain Relief PM Added Strength (1) Cardizem LA (1) Levoxyl (1) Wellbutrin (1) Mirena (1) Effexor XR (1) Effexor (1)
September 29th
2008
9:46 AM
I'm on my sixth week of Levoxyl 50 mcg. I've been feeling great, and even losing some fat. I've been able to work my 14-hour Mondays without any caffeine at all as well. My pancreas must have been stimulated to work more efficiently, because I don't wake up hungry, I don't get the sugar crash and shakiness before meals, and I can go longer between eating without feeling homicidal.
The only weird thing: my lips are extremely dry. They're cracked, chapped and swollen so much it looks like I had a lip job. Even a tiny bit of salt hurts to eat it, as well as wine and spicy food. IDGI.
-- By anastasi5 | Reply | Send Private Mail