September 30th
2008
3:53 PM
I aged ten years in a month. My legs lost any muscular power and I needed help to get up our 3 steps to the front door. My eyes are sore and my balance is also affected. What I do not know is how long am I going to be affected like this. I began to think that I was starting with either motor
neurone disease or Parkinson's disease.
Muscle weakness, loss of balance, bad dreams,anxiety, irritability.joint pain.sore itchy eyes and difficulty focusing on printed pages.
A., Yorkshire, England.I am 69 years old and prior to Singulaire I was pretty fit for my age.
September 25th
2008
8:31 AM
I cant thank you all enough THANK YOU. I am 45, have 4 older children and have had the mirena for twelve months. the nurse who encouraged me to have the mirena and fitted it told me to ignore the booklet , that side effects were very rare as the drugs don't go into your blood stream. I cant believe i fell for that, i mean it doesn't make sense. since having it in i haven't stopped bleeding bits,im covered in a rash that the doc says is a viral infection, i have incredible mood swings, joint pains, cramps, depression which i have been taking st johns wort for, shakes,headaches,dermatitis on my hands, forgetfulness, crying, numb hands and feet,weak ankles that tend to just go all of a sudden which makes me feel really stupid. Blurry vision and feeling a inner hotness behind my eyes,some mornings i feel like ive got a hangover even though i don't drink. As for sex forget it i mean why would my hubby want me!! and its the last thing i feel like. I cant believe hes put up with me and my nasty moods. Ive been married for 24 years. I never thought that all these systems were due to the mirena, until i looked it up and stumbled onto this site, i must of read all of the posts, and look twice a day to see if there are any new ones.I have had to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment to have it taken out, but thank god i had it taken out this morning. I couldn't believe how easy, quick and painless it was, maybe i was lucky that the strings were easily found. I feel sooo relieved to finally have it out and only feel slightly crampy. I cant wait to get back to normal. This is the fist time i have ever posted anything on the internet so please forgive me if my typing isnt up tp scratch, its taken half an hour to write this. I feel i have a lot to make up for with my family and my very lovely hubby and hope that these systems go quickly. I will let you know and please keep up the posts i need the encouragement, and im sure others do too.!!
-- By kazsmart | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
September 12th
2008
12:35 AM
To anyone new to this site whose child is on Singulair and having problems consistent with the adverse reactions to Singulair documented on this site: take your child to the doctor as soon as possible and tell them you believe that your child is having an adverse reaction to the drug. Do not let yourself be talked into believing that Singulair does not have these side effects. Too many of us right here can confirm that it does. Even though the prescribing information for this drug has been updated to include a warning about these adverse effects, and the FDA is conducting an investigation into the safety of this drug, not all doctors are aware and some are simply unwilling to believe. If you hear "anecdotal evidence", "highly unlikely," or "I've never seen it happen" uttered during your visit, know that your doctor is making excuses for not knowing accurate information about this drug.
Doctors may attribute your child's behavior to their personality or developmental stages. But any child on Singulair should be removed from the drug if a consistent pattern of different or abnormal behavior is present. Most children do not fly off the handle for no reason, have night terrors, prolonged, violent temper tantrums, and act anxious, angry, sad, hateful, disconnected, or withdrawn most of the time. Most children do not have behavior problems that consistently leave you feeling like the worst parent in the world and completely mentally exhausted at the end of each and every day.
Tell your doctor that you want them to prescribe another asthma maintanence medication with a documented low risk of side effects. If your doctor trivializes your concerns or refuses to honor your request, FIND A NEW DOCTOR! YOU are the expert on your child, not someone who sees them a few times a year for a few minutes at a time.
After Singulair has been stopped, watch for a positive change in behavior over the course of several weeks. Make sure you have rescue medications on hand in case needed.
Most importantly, GO WITH YOUR GUT. "If something doesn't feel right, then something ain't right!"
-- By zsmom | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail
August 26th
2008
10:44 AM
Hi l have it all too and more!! I am so fed up :( lm cracking up! Does any one get sternum area pain cramps? They scare me the most l cant move :( Sick of docs passing me off grrrrrr
-- By niecsey | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
August 25th
2008
12:37 PM
Update on my post of Aug. 11th. I did see a neurologist who was a bit skeptical, but after looking it up did acknowledge that this drug can cause tendon ruptures, etc. Later that week he did a nerve conduction study, both the one with the needles and the one where they shock the muscles. He was happy to report that I did not have any "nerve" damage. I had already told him that I did not think I had neuropathy as the numbness had gone away and was just replaced by the constant pain in my joints, etc. I then went to see my rheumatologist who was also just as skeptical that the drug could be causing all the pain I was describing. She said she had had three patients with tendon ruptures, but nothing else. I really don't care what she believes, and I told her so. I know what happened and what horrible pain I have been in ever since. I hate to report that the pain in my feet, knees, hands, hips, back and now my neck are not any better. My insomnia is some better, but I am taking more Lyrica. I tried a different antibiotic yesterday for the sinus infection called Clindamycin. OMG! I took one pill and within a few minutes had unbelievable heartburn. That lasted for 12 hours, along with reflux, burping, weird stomach noises. Now, I can't take that. Doctor called in a prescription for Augmentin this morning. Afraid to try anything now, but guess I will give it a shot. Is anyone getting any better from their joint or muscle pain? Some encourgement would be good. Thanks.
-- By sls68 | Reply | (4) replies | Send Private Mail
August 22th
2008
8:54 PM
My son, who just turned 14 this month, was on Singulair for over 2 years.
He was diagnosed with reactive airway disease and possibly Asthma--and prescribed this awful drug-even back in 2004. The doctor said how wonderful this med was and prevents any further attacks.. So, for 2 years-every night, he took this mood altering, destructive drug. He lost all interest in school, his athletics-soccer, skateboarding, biking..in fact became almost a vacant , very unhappy, child-had stomach aches, joint pains and reflux--why--I brought him to the doctor and Pediatric center so frequently--all they kept saying his --his asthma is better, much be other issues...Even after the March 2008 suicide--his doctor said-that is just an isolated incident-just monitor him--It is a good drug. Right, month by month his behavior escalated to wanting to die, no reason to go to school-he said he was stupid and a failure and why don't I understand there is no reason to his life. A usually happy fun-loving boy -my son- didn't want to live. Nothing made him happy-I started to believe what the doctors said--maybe something or someone at school (bully, pedophile??) caused this change. Terrible nightmares and vivid dreams...Until this past July, I asked him want to go to the library for some books or dvd's...he went ballistic-threw everything off his computer desk and tried to break his chair. He is not an aggressive boy but this behavior was becoming a daily issue. Along with everything flying off his table, was his bottle of Singulair pills. It then dawned on me..I have been poisoning my only son. The child I know and love and gave birth to returned within a few days--although I am worried sick about further asthma attacks --all the doctors can prescribe is a steroid drug-asthmex or Pulmicort.. I cannot understand nor comprehend why this drug is being prescribed for children and young adults. The guilt I live with is terrible as my son has lost 2 years of his life--
and thought there was something really wrong with him-At least we woke up---in time--how about some other parents..thinking it's just normal adolescent behavior for their child or their fault???
August 15th
2008
12:19 AM
I came to this group and posted my bad bad side effects on July23rd.
I got the IUD removed. Felt a lot better immediately, I had my periods, regular flow stopped after 4 days, feels good that I don't spot anymore. I feel great as a person, No more mood swings , no more snapping at the kids. Fog is lifted, lost weight, no more joint pains. I am glad it works for some people but for people like me it just does not work, for the 4 months I had it was the most horrible period of my life.
Now I feel good, but my mood swings and attitude when I had Mirena had already made a dent in my life . Relationships with my loved ones are spoiled. They are coming back to me and I am at loss to explain that the mood swings were not My character but Mirena. Nobody believes me and they probably think I am haughty and crazy too... Ahh ...... What do I say...... I used Mirena to help inturn has turned my life upside down, I wish somebody had told me before I got that. the 4 months I had it has altered my life permanently........Somebody has to raise this awareness and make it known that some women do get affected very badly..... Not worth it for women like me. Not at all.....
-- By zvap | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
August 14th
2008
7:21 PM
My husband was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 14, 2008. He was given Avelox via IV in the hospital and a 7 day pill prescription when he came home. Even in the hospital, he complained of muscle aches, but no one keyed on the antibiotic as an issue. When his breathing was better, he assumed he should try to do physical activity...but when he tried to play some golf one day, and do a little deck staining another, he payed for it with severe joint pains...even then, no doctor said anything about the antibiotic. He has lost over 25 lbs since this began, and has lost absolutely all muscle tone in his body..
He's stopped trying to do anything, but the last month has been terrible for him...every joint in his body hurts--he can hardly walk, there were days he couldn't lift a fork to his mouth with one hand... I brought him back into urgent care on Aug. 9th...that doctor was the first to mention that it could be a side effect of the Avelox he had taken 3 weeks before...
Since then, we have been to his primary care doctor, who doesn't think "the Avelox has anything to do with it. Now that I've googled it and seen the new FDA warning, I can't understand any way it wouldn't be at least part of the problem!
He's been give Vicodin for the pain, and they're running more tests, but I intend to go into the doctor with every thing I've seen on this..I don't have a problem with them using this medication for his pneumonia, but am so frustrated that they didn't tell warn us of this side effect--especially when he's tried to tell them what he's feeling.... I just think he would have been so much better by now if they would have switched him off of the drug as soon as he noticed the pain..
-- By jogrif316 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
August 8th
2008
2:49 PM
OMG! I thought I was losing it. Have had the Mirena since April and have gained weight (an entire dress size) for NO REASON, been foggy, moody, no sex drive, joint pains, cramps, etc.I thought I was alone, Did I mention EXHAUSTED all the time and acne on my face and back-sever enough to get antibiotics from the dermatologist?
I also suffer with PCOS--does anyoen else on the Mirena suffer with PCOS? Would be interested to see how it has affected you. Tried BC pills and after awhile they stopped working then switched to the YAZ--DO NOT GO THERE--the worst Pill ever--so not many options for those of us with PCOS. Just can't wait to go to the DR and get this thing out.
August 1th
2008
12:59 PM
Hi, Had a KENALOG injection about 2 months ago for chronic hayfever, since about a week after I had the shot, I have had various joint pains in the leg in which I had the injection. It started in my hip, then my ankle, even at times my big toe joint! Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so how long should this last? I can't exercise, even walking a short distance is painful. I have 2 young kids and this is not helping!!
Sarah, Hampshire, UK
July 30th
2008
1:08 AM
insomnia every night for months,nausea,sweating,joint pains,palpitations,hot flushes,and feeling like my whole body is very tired.I also felt numb down the left side.
-- By rf7 | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 23th
2008
11:54 AM
Why do I think I landed here, I have been having very bad mood swings mostly relating to anger and dissatisfaction in everything and everybody. Put the mirena in April 2008, braved it out for 4 months with the
1. spotting and all the time kept thinking that my
2. fatigue and no interest in everything was due the stress of having 2 kids, work and the pregnancy weight that I have to shed.
3. I am hungry always (maybe since I am breast feeding the baby)
I had a copper IUD between my first and second son,
4. I don't remember how that was ( am I in a mental fog?). must have been better than this one. I never wanted anything hormonal. I don't want pills. Dont even know why I went with this then. I know the doctor convinced me saying it has very little hormonal effects
Yesterday, I just lost myself over a silly issue, now I feel I am going to lose my wonderful relationships with people. My 3 yr old asks me If I am not angry any more uh!!!. Why cant I call the doctor to get it removed when I doubt it could be the IUD.
5.I am lazy( another symptom).
Do I have to wait a little longer or take it out and maybe get my self back.?
(What a question to an obvious answer)
Confused!!! lazy!!
July 22th
2008
1:40 AM
I was a healthy 42 year old male who took Levaquin for a sinus infection. The same day as the Black Box Warning was issued; I was having my third tendon reattachment surgery. I have to wait at least 6 weeks before I can undergo yet a fourth tendon rupture reattachment. At least it takes my mind of the Achilles Tendinopathy, joint pains, headaches, uncontrolled muscle twitching etc. I consider myself one of the lucky ones since so far it has not affected my kidneys, liver, heart, eyes and other side effects that many are dealing with from this class of drugs. I would urge a real journalist to take the time and look at the real number of cases. The Fda numbers are misleading. The clinical data coming from other counties are showing much higher rates of tendon ruptures and other life threatening side effects.
-- By taylor810 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
July 17th
2008
9:26 AM
I had Mirena inserted after the birth of my 2nd daughter - November 07. Things were going ok (at least that was what I thought) until about two months ago. I really did not think about the Mirena much. Maybe that was because my sex drive has been soooo gone that I have only used the benefit of the Mirena about 3 times. The problems I guess really started when my period disappeared. That happened 3 months after I got in inserted. I thought that was going to be great because my periods usually last 7 days from start to fully finished. But with this thing, I did not bleed but I definitely was still having a period. Bach aches, mood swings, headaches, bloating, etc. I started to think something was really wrong when I got a headache that lasted about a week, and I don't normally get headaches that last longer than a few hours. I could not figure out what was wrong with me. I even went to the emergency room to have them tell me that there was nothing wrong and it was probably just stress. I started to think that maybe it is the Mirena. I started doing searches on the adverse side effects of the Mirena and thank God I found you guys. I have most of the symptoms described here and other Mirena side effect pages. I will be having this awful thing removed in about two weeks. I don't know what my husband and I are going to do about birth control. We both do not want anymore kids but I am only 28 and do not want to have my tubes tied.
Headaches
Joint Pains
Low Back Pain
Mood Swings
No Sex Drive
Massive weight Gain (I have not lost any of my baby weight plus i put on a few more pounds)
Breasts Double in Size
Fatigue
Dizziness
Depression (low self-esteem)
My feet have even grown (probably because of the weight gain)
June 3th
2008
1:34 PM
age 72 had MI angioplasty and stent.On lipitor for 3years but recently noticed increase in muscle and joint pains and then lightheadedness and walking unsteady and tending to go slightly from side to side.Also a tendency to have nasal congestion.I am an MD and will stop the statin and assess the progress.
-- By kwt1 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
June 1th
2008
3:22 AM
Hi, I decided that I would write as this site has been really helpful to me. I too have had most of the side effects as a lot of you have listed. I had my mirena in for almost 3 years and I have experienced weight gain about 15 to 20 lbs, hair loss, definite lost of sex drive, bloated stomach (and I never had a stomach before), joint pains, very bad acne on face and back, constant bladder and yeast infections, I read where someone else had rough skin on feet and I also experienced that and never had it before, palpitations,chest pain, bad back pain, dizzy a lot, and tired a lot. Well I had mine removed 2 days ago and it hurt really bad. The doctor could not find the strings at first and had to probe around for a while and eventually used clamps to find it and pull it out and I was in severe pain but the doctor did find it and got it out.When I left the doctor, I was feeling pain down there but I could deal with it and started cramping right away in office. yesterday I was cramping bad in the morning and early afternoon and then it stopped. I also felt like I was about to get a migraine for the last 2 days. I have not had any bleeding yet and at first, like the day of removal I felt "funny" in my body but now I feel okay. I think if I would have left it in longer that I would have had to get an operation to get it out. The side effects just got worse and worse.Also I posted here a few months ago maybe around 6 months ago and at that time I was having a lot of these symptoms too but didn't think it could be the mirena but the bad acne and bloated stomach and weight gain =, I knew that was from the mirena. I too, like a lot of you have been to the doctor countess times for other problems just for them to say all tests are normal. I know that my problems came from the mirena, Well good luck everybody, I will post again later after its been out for a while for an update. God Bless
-- By shay08 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 24th
2008
11:51 PM
I have taken 100/50 Advair off and on for several years and hadn't noticed any problems. Three weeks ago I was switched to 250/50 strength Advair following a bad cold which I believe had become bronchitis but my NEW doctor believed was an asthma attack. I don't have asthma "attacks". I just have asthma which is always under control except for when I am exposed to smoke. Even then it isn't that bad. I just use a puff or two on my inhaler and I am good to go. So, I don't think I even needed to be put on the 250/50 strength! Right away, even with careful rinsing, I started to develop a sore throat. I had a constant cough, had to constantly clear my throat to try to speak and it hurt to talk. Within two weeks, besides the throat and congestion problems, I felt miserable as if I had a severe case of influenza: major headache, sinus and teeth pain, joint pains, severe fatigue, chills, burning eyes and blurry vision. I also developed an itchy red rash on my buttock and felt as though I was beginning to get a UTI. Because I felt so lousy, I told myself I didn't have to take the Advair which I knew would just make my throat feel worse. So, I went a whole weekend without the Advair and I started to feel better. Then on Monday morning, I took the Advair (which immediately made my throat hurt) and later went to see the new doctor in the afternoon. (We didn't discuss Advair because I hadn't made the connection and, obviously, he didn't either.) The doctor said I was negative for a UTI and thought my rash was cellulitis. He prescribed an oral antibiotic. I haven't taken any Advair since Monday a.m. because I read about its side effects on the Internet on Monday evening. My throat feels better. It is so good not to be constantly coughing and clearing my throat! The rash didn't respond to the antibiotic, but it did respond to the anti-yeast infection skin cream I decided to use on it. Unfortunately, the antibiotics DID give me a vaginal yeast infection and now I am also treating that! I am wondering if there is a connection between my skin yeast infection and the 250/50 Advair or if Advair just causes thrush (a mouth yeast infection)? Also, my eyes still burn and I still get blurry vision. Could I have a yeast infection in my eyes? I'm wondering because I have read on the Internet that steroids--just like antibiotics--can cause yeast infections. If so, then maybe thrush is not the only type of yeast infection that 250/50 Advair could cause?
-- By sideeffectssadie | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
May 23th
2008
8:00 AM
Today is one week since removal. I am feeling much better mentally-calmer-no more interterminal. I am gaining energy little by little and the joint pains are slowly going away. I have been spotting off and on for the last week and a couple days after removal i had put on 2lbs (most likely because i was having a "period"). The spotting seems to have stopped and the 2 lbs are gone today. Hopefully, more weight to come off in the future. At least now I feel like i have the energy to work at getting the weight off. It is funny how people react to you when you tell them that an IUD cause all these issues. Most people just nod and smile and think you are crazy. It's ok. I know that we can't all be crazy-we tell the same story and now documentation is coming out from other countries that perhaps there might be a problem with this product.
Something to note- the test studies on this product were done in Finland and Sweden on a group of women ages 18-35. I had this inserted in my early 40's. Am I the test study for my age group????
Have faith ladies-we will all get better soon.
May 22th
2008
7:12 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline 2xday for seven days. On the third day I started to feel very sick. However, it was not until the 5th/6th day that I began to suspect I was having a reaction to the antibiotic. I have never had a negative reaction to any medication ever. My symptoms started with severe nausea that lasted all day, and extreme tiredness. The symptoms continued to get worse....muscle aches, joint pains, elevated blood pressure, back & neck pains, unfocused vision, confusion, dizziness, loss of appetite, muscle tremors that woke me from sleep, depression, and anxiety. When I discussed with my doctor that I suspected it might be the medication I was dismissed and told I was developing a virus. They had prescribed this medication often with no problems. I decided to try to stick with it for two more days. That was the biggest mistake ever. I can't really describe what it did to my head, but all I could think about was that I was dying. I guess severe anxiety and paranoia. So, I finally stopped taking it.
It took three full days with no medication for my nausea and mental confusion to begin to subside. It took a few more days for most of the muscle and back pain to go away. It also took about seven days for the depression and most of the anxiety to quiet down. It is now 11 days with no medication and I still have diarrhea, and minor joint pain. I have also stopped drinking coffee because I an still a bit anxious. I have not really gotten back to my routine yet, and will probably hold off going to the gym until next week.
The most frustrating thing of all is that this medication was given to me as a preventative before a small surgery. All the symptoms I was supposed to be watching for I was having. I am sure this contributed to the anxiety.
At least most of the symptoms have gotten better, and I am hopeful that they will continue to improve. I have researched serum sickness and it says it can take 1-2 weeks for symptoms to subside, and up to several months in some cases.
Good luck to everyone.
-- By hiesersmom | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
May 22th
2008
1:46 PM
My husband had a day fuzzy thinking and memory loss That scared me more then I can explain. With years of Joint pains back pains, loss of patiences and sometimes showing signs of depression for unknown reasons. He has a lot weakness in his arms and legs,he is tired more then ever. I thought he was just being lazy. constant fatigue and the shakes real bad. His knees pop in and out sometimes.
He difficulty with short-term memory and when we tell him things he did or said he has a hard time believing it. Also through the night he has to 'go' more often then ever. I always wondered where it came from.
Lipitor has almost destroyed our life in ways that we hope to be able to overcome in time. This is the only medicine he took so it has to be the BLAME.
May 21th
2008
5:00 PM
I have had the mirena in for almost exactly one year now. I too had bad breakouts, low sex drive, fatigue, mood swings and cramps but they were all less than what I had had on the pill. However, I have LOST weight because the dizzy spells that I have been experiencing lately make me loose my appetite. I also feel like my sense of smell is much more sensitive (especially to gross stuff) near my period.
I would just like to hear from someone who stopped experiencing these adverse effects after having the Mirena removed or someone whose symptoms went away with time before I choose to remove my own.
Every form of birth control has some sort of side-effect, you just have to choose the one with side-effects that you can deal with I guess.
May 18th
2008
12:43 PM
I am 54 years old and on simvastatin for the past year. My nails have become brittle and break off easily. I have never had this problem before.
On the up side, my symptoms of GERD are better and my joint pains have also improved. I also used to have bleeding from gums while brushing (I do realise it is from plaque build up) but that has disappeared since I started simvastatin. When I stopped the medication for a month, the bleeding re-started from my gums. Simvastatin seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect, but I am worried about what it is doing to my nails. If my nails are getting brittle (? dehydration of cartilage), is it doing the same to the cartilage in other places too, e.g. knees and hips etc?
Mirena (15) Singulair (7) Levaquin (7) Advair HFA (6) Lipitor (5) PredniSONE (3) Zocor (2) Avelox (2) Cipro (2) Lisinopril (2) Simvastatin (2) Levoxyl (2) Zoloft (1) Topamax (1) Kenalog (1) Aromasin (1) Lupron (1) Bactrim (1) Wellbutrin (1) Neurontin (1) Vytorin (1) Omeprazole (1) Doxycycline Hyclate (1) Synthroid (1) Yasmin (1) Gardasil (1)
October 1th
2008
5:47 PM
hi there i have been on simvastatin about a year now and have felt so ill since taking them i am now due to have several blood test to see what they can find " as i suffer with nausea, pains in my legs and body /and terrible depression and i cant remember me feeling like this before i started taking these tablets i really don't feel like me no more / and i can easily sit down and cry because off feeling like i do / now i have been told to take double dose because my cholesterol is higher / i have spoke to others of these tablets and they have had same reaction so i have decided on my own thoughts to stop i will tell my doctor.and i am hoping i will get back to my old self i will try and keep my cholesterol in control and i think its well worth a try than to have all these side affects B.
-- By barbieanne | Reply | (5) replies | Send Private Mail