Work stress symptoms and conditions

I started taking YAZ in May 2008, after I told my doctor that I wanted to regulate my period (basically because I was going on scuba diving trip and didn't want to have my period) - I also told him that I was kind of b*tchy lately and maybe there was a pill that could help that as well. He prescribed YAZ - I went on my trip, no period (very light periods also)... In September 2008, I went to a cardiologist for heart palpitations, chest pains, shortness of breath (never thinking that YAZ had anything to do with it). After a huge array of tests (cat scans, blood clot scans, blood work, stress tests, etc...), he didn't find anything, but advised me to take 1 baby aspirin per day. About a month later, I started getting dizzy spells. I stopped taking the aspirin, figuring that's what was causing that (still never thinking about the YAZ - basically, because I had never had a problem with any other birth control pills). I took my last YAZ in January 2009. It seemed that my ill conditions slowly stopped.... Then, last week, in June 2009, I bought a pack from my almost expired prescription because I was going on another scuba trip and my period was scheduled to come when I would be away... I took a pill on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (got my period, but it was very light), but by Sunday, I was so dizzy again, I could barely stand up. That was 3 days ago; still dizzy, but I'm writing off YAZ for good - it seems like that was cause of my health problems and it really isn't worth it just so I can plan a vacation around my period. I will be looking into alternatives to YAZ - I would advise if you have any of these symptoms, to do so as well.... Good luck! L....

I am a 36 year old woman living in hell for 3 months now.

In early October of last year I was admitted to the Hospital with diagnosed bronchitis a possible pneumonia. I was given Avelox which is a member of the Fluoroquinolone drug family. At the time I was in sever distress, could not breath, and was extremely weak from the infection. I stayed in the hospital for 6 days while they gave me Avelox along with various other meds to treat my symptoms and was released after finally getting a clear chest x-ray. The drug had done its job. But it was a week later that hell started. I was re-admitted to the same hospital with sever abdominal pain. They told me that I had hepatitis due to a reaction from the Avelox. My Dr. Also suspected I could have Wilsons Disease so he prescribed a liver biopsy, to say the very least this was a painful procedure. The biopsy came back negative and the liver function began to return to normal just as the pain everywhere else began.

joint and muscle pain
headaches
insomnia
uncontrollable twitching
arm and leg numbness
neck pain/spasms
a mass on my left breast (further diagnosed after mammogram, CT and Biopsy as a side effect to the Avelox)

My internist, Rheumatologist and the liver specialist all suspect “Post infection pain syndrom”.

However, after hearing now 3 separate times from 3 seperate Dr's about the possible side effect of Avelox I did a little research and every single one of my “symptoms” are on the lists of dangerous side effects for this drug. Now none of my Dr.s can tell me if I will ever get rid of the pain I am in. None of them seem to be able to do ANYTHING but treat my symptoms. By treating the symptoms all they can do is pain management which means pain killers. I simply can not function day to day with most pain killers so I am forced to live with the pain.

More drugs than I have ever taken, Dr.s visits, time off work, stress and a standard of living that simply put is not living, not to mention the tremendous outlay of cash...to say the least I am frustrated.

I'm 43 years old, 5'3" and weigh 165lbs. My doctor started me with Zocor 40mg. I stopped sleeping through the night about a week after taking it, but thought it was work/stress related. About 2 weeks after taking it, I could only sleep for about 3-4 hours, wake up, and then lay about another 2-3 hours hoping for sleep again. I didn't think any of this was drug related. After two months of insomnia, I began suffering very bad neck and back pain. It felt like someone stabbed me in my spine and it was excrutiating to roll over or get out of bed. I thought maybe it was my bed/pillow. I ran out of Zocor and my symptoms went away in about a week. I figured this was all stress related. After a month off, my doctor insisted on increasing my dosage to 80mg. Within 2 weeks of the increased dosage, the insomnia returned, my eye developed a "twitch," and I started feeling pains/aches again in my neck, shoulder and back. I refuse to take this drug further.

I am so relieved to come across this forum. I have been on Yasmin for about 3 years. After reading several postings here to my husband, we were both horrified to hear that I wasn't the only one having strange issues without a clear cause. I too have had heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, uncontrollable mood swings, inability to concentrate at work or deal with normal work stress, back pain, trouble falling asleep, low sex drive, and most recently, horrible depression. I have been to psychiatrists, allergists, chiropractors and physical therapy - all to try to find the cause. I have just gone off the pill, and have noticed improvement so far, and am very excited to see it hopefully improve. Hopefully I will be able to find a hormone-free birth control, instead of dealing with this. I can't believe doctors do not discuss these possible symptoms with their patients. I never would have thought bc pills would cause anxiety, depression, etc. A huge thanks to all of you for your candid comments... and helping me find an answer to my life-altering side affects!!!

Thank you, Yasmin takers and victims! I began taking Yasmin in 2004. I had no problems. In fact, all was well, I loved my life, started and finished a master's degree, and got engaged over the past few years, while taking the pill. About a month ago, however, everything changed. I began snapping at my fiancé, crying uncontrollably, thinking about ways to not be around people, and even thought about hurting myself to relieve the emotional pain I was experiencing. I thought I was all alone.

A week ago a friend of mine asked me if we could talk. She had been experiencing some of the same symptoms. I hadn't spoken to her about my problems, because I was embarrassed and felt I could deal with it all by myself. After she opened up, I was able to admit my own overwhelming anxiety. We promised each other that we would get through this together. And so, we began looking for similarities in our lives (diet, work, stress, etc.). Yasmin. We both take it.

Although I know that medication affects different people in different ways, it appears that the drug is affecting a lot of people in a negative way. Maybe we can bind together, and get something done, so that others don't have to experience what we have.

i encountered this site when i specifically searched for yasmin side effects. i could not believe it when i have read all the posts and how relieved i was to realize i wasn't dying or that i wasn't crazy. for the last 2 years i really wondered what was wrong with me, and i spent a fortune trying to find out to the extent that i underwent tumor marker tests last year for my thyroid. i was losing weight erratically, my migraine attacks were severe i literally became an invalid for a week. i haven't slept a goodnight's rest in 2 years, and only last week i thought i was sufferring a heart attack. all along i attributed it to stress at work, stress over my 2-year custody battle over my kids, and many other things. i did yoga, did a lot of meditation thinking i might be emotionally imbalanced. i wake up in the morning wanting to die, i wake up in the middle of the night with this god-awful feeling every time, and i thought that i might be one of those perenially depressed. i really took a good look about my life last week when i was down with severe migraine, nausea, body aches, heart palpitations, diarrhea and depression. what was causing this? nothing in my life, not with work, my kids are with me, i have a wonderful guy who puts through my moods and horrible temper, and a friend said the operative word, hormones. and bingo. this site came along. i came off yasmin 3 days ago after reading the posts. called my trusted doc from home and she confirmed this to be true. i am now sufferring heavy bleeding, i ache all over, and have teriible migraines. i read about withdrawal symptoms but not much. i hope i feel better soon. i wish that more doctors will know about this. and more women. this drug destroys lives.

I want people to know my story. I am an RN of 23 years currently 44 years old. I was on Lipitor for 5 years started at 39. It did it job with lowering the blood levels etc.

Ten months ago I developed numbness, tingling and burning pain in my entire lower legs. I could not stand in one place it made the pain worse. I work ten hour shifts and I am on my feet the whole shift. I remember coming home and I could not stand the pain in both legs. Feet both would go numb. No back or disc problems. They ruled out diabetes. I had developed a perpheral neuropathy. Neuroton does help take the pain away folks. I would take 300mg at night at needed. I had the restless leg at night. My MD did not think much of all this ran the blood tests and that was about it. I kept mentioning it. Mind you my 47 year old MD also takes Lipitor.

Next fatigue exhausting I can't get out of bed fatigue. I have missed more days at my job in the 20 years I have been employed there. I knew something was wrong as I was so exahusted. I could hardly finish me shift. I got short of breath at the end of me shift.

I took MYSELF off the lipitor. Things got better a little. Four weeks later I still have the severe calf pain, fatigue still missing work, . Now more lab tests are orderd.

Ask your MD to do CPK levels on you this tells you if you have muscle injury or damage.Ok I have been off Lipitor for 4 weeks and my CPK level that I asked to be drawn is 1,225 normal high is 190. I have muscle injury and damage. I hope it is reversible. No wonder why I could not get out of bed.

Ask for those CPK levels. I think any prudent MD should check CPK levels along with the liver enzymes periodically.

I still have more lab test pending. I am on steroids prednisone for 10 days. I hope I can make it to work soon -they are shooting up all my vacation time with this.

This drug caused me a lot of pain , emotional distress, time lost from work.......... stress period. With my RN knowledge I have thought of possibly looking more legally into a Pfizer lawsuit. However; I live in Kalamazoo a lawyer my take my case but I would bet not many MD's in this town who their drug reps bankroll in free lunches and lavish gifts may not back me.

Educate yourself from my story and don't have to suffer atleast 10 months maybe 12 by now. I missed social and family events........... I was always in bed and could not get up just to shower and get ready for work.

Any questions email me. Vicky RN