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I am a 36 year old woman, and I have taken Singulair for the past...

Posted at 11:27 PM on Aug 26, 2009 by autumnsparrow, #44041
I am a 36 year old woman, and I have taken Singulair for the past 8 months. I got a lung infection over the winter, and the clinic I went to put me on the 10mg Singulair. It helped my lungs and got me over the worst of the infection, but I never anticipated the side-effects. For several months, I attributed what I was feeling to hormones (like severe PMS) and the stress in my life. I started to have thoughts of death, especially at night. I also began to have a hard time leaving my house. I would have panic attacks, worrying that the window was left open, the stove was left on, and god forbid there was a dark cloud in the sky (I became convinced that a terrible storm would come). Several times, I nearly got in a car accident racing to get home after work. Then, I started to obsess over getting sick. I was convinced that I would get some terrible disease and die soon. The fears and anxiety got worse and worse until one day (a rainy day), I quit my job of twelve years. It was a good job. I was happy with my work, and I made more than enough money. I ended up moving across the country back in with my estranged husband, because here I would not have to work. I could stay home all the time, away from germs and storms and anything else bad. That was three months ago. Still on the Singulair, I began to obsess over death. The panic attacks were so severe that they triggered asthma attacks, and not being able to breathe triggered more anxiety. I stopped sleeping at night. In three months, I've slept four nights. I began to have nightmares that made me wake up screaming and violently lashing out. I had to urinate 5 or 6 times every night. I developed severe stomach pain and nausea. And I had leg pain (actually, I hurt everywhere, severe pain). I had headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Slowly, I began to realize that it might be the medicine. I started to research, and yesterday, I took my last pill. Since then, I have not had one panic attack. I have not had one asthma attack. I slept last night with no bad dreams. I know what's happened now, and I'm so sad that I lost so much of my life because of this drug. I really had a good life...friends, a home, a great job... Now, I'm very tired. My body is very weak and still hurting. I'm shaky. But I believe in time, those effects, too, will go away. I feel like my body has been through a war. I'm grateful that I didn't kill myself. There were a couple of really bad days when the urge to be violent towards myself was overwhelming. One day, I punched a fence, making my knuckles bleed. I think I could've killed myself, and I know it was Singulair. It's going to be better now. Just as a note: what helped me withdraw without any major worsening of asthma was Advair 250/50 twice a day.
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Reply 2 months ago on Aug 27, 2009 by kate2, #22543

You are one lucky woman, so now spread the luck by reporting this to the FDA.You can find the link on www.parentsforsafety.org there is alot of great and helpful information that you can share with your Dr.
I as a parent was not so lucky,we lost our son to the awful thoughts he was just to young to fight them.Please help our fight for stronger warnings on this drugs label report right away. Good luck to you and God Bless you in getting your life back .
Kate

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Reply 2 months ago on Aug 27, 2009 by flindy, #22545

So glad you made the connection,good luck in your recovery,it does take time.The first weeks great strides,but some effects appear to take a little longer.My sons anxiety held on,but is much improved now,over a year not on this poison.Please as Kate said report this to the FDA children as young as 6 mnths get this drug,and it is wrong/

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Reply 2 months ago on Sep 08, 2009 by fufomom, #22834

Please research about Advair before you take it too long. I've been on Advair for 3 years. I use the 100/50, once every other day. I've tried to stop but I can't. I have panic attacks, I have numbness in my hands, tingling fingers, pain in my joints. Advair has an ingredient that can cause fatal asthma attacks. After what you have been through, Advair is not what you want to switch to. Talk to your doctor and see if there is something else that can help you. Best of luck.

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