Medication Side Effects

i would like to ask, thanks for having time in reading and answering this one.. I was on contraceptive pill for about 4 months now and I was wondering if I could take a diet pill with a couple of hours in interval, because I really do gain weight, please... Thank you so much

I have been getting hp's for last 25 years, but ever increased in the last 2 mos, happening daily, after eating, after strenuous work, etc,

I was on an antibiotic cipro which I thought caused it, and changed to clarithromycin, which seemed to make the hp's continue, don't know what its from, but I am going to checked out

js

3 Weeks ago, I went to the dentist to have my impacted tooth removed. He has given me Augmentine antibiotics and Ponstan SF painkillers. I have drank the Ponstan 3 times a day bet. 4-6 hours and for a week. On the 7th day, my stomach was really paining beyond words. I was rushed to the ER. The doctor said it is bad to drink painkillers as well antibiotics all at the same time and in a very near time interval. Since then on, the pain in my upper stomach never vanished. The cramps pain alot especially in the morning then it subsides through out the day but still there is a constant pain. I went to the first doctor and I had endoscopy. He saw erosions in my stomach and concluded it was Gastritis. He gave me Prevacid and Vometa as my medication. After 1 week I went back to him and he is hesitant why the pain has not yet lessen. I got fed up I went to a 2nd doctor. He told me not to be worried. He gave me Mucosta, Pantoprix and Ganaston for my Gastritis. Now almost a month, I cry every morning because of the pain and yet nothing has been changed. I have been taking my 2nd medication for a week now. But how I wish there is at least little improvement. I'm waiting to finish my meds. Next week and go to see the doctor again. I am very depressed because nothing seems to work. Has anybody experienced the same experience as mine? Can anybody please help me how to go through this and at least feel a little relief. I am drinking camomile tea for 2 days now. I'm trying everything I can to improve my situation. I need to be well since I need to Migrate to another country. Please help me in your own little way. THANKSSSSSS!

Articles about side effects of medical drugs

-Average drug label lists whopping 70 side effects

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43141690/ns/health-health_care/?ocid=twitter

-Bad Events From Drugs Are Common

More Than 700,000 People per Year Visit ERs Due to Adverse Drug Events

http://www.webmd.com/news/20061017/bad-events-from-drugs-are-common?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Oct. 17, 2006 -- Experts from the CDC and FDA estimate that every year, more than 700,000 people visit U. S. emergency departments because of side effects, accidental overdoses, and other adverse drug events.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/296/15/1858.short

Conclusions Adverse drug events among outpatients that lead to emergency department visits are an important cause of morbidity in the United States, particularly among individuals aged 65 years or older. Ongoing, population-based surveillance can help monitor these events and target prevention strategies.

Alain

I agree with the diet. If you have frequent bouts with gout, it shouldn't be too difficult to discover whats causing it.

My husband has a pretty bad weakness when it comes to chocolate peanut butter cups not one or two at once.. It was the whole package!

Anway, his gout would flare up on a bi-weekly basis. After we moved in together, he put on quite a few pounds and started cutting back and he behaved hisself. Really, when it came to meals nothing changed. Then I realized it had to be the chocolate. I tested it one night.. We both sat on the couch and pigged out on peanut butter cups. Sure enough, next morning he woke up ready to cut his own foot off!

He misses it badly but not enough to go through that again! Good luck finding your trigger food(s)!

You may be surprised to know that it's not too much meat or heredity that is causing your gout. You are likely consuming too much high fructose corn syrup, which is NOTORIOUS for raising uric acid levels AND causing hypertension. It IS all related to diet, you just haven't been given all the facts. Read labels, they stick corn syrup in everything from bread to catsup and more. Good luck!

My best friend had a terrible infection and let it go to long before seeing a doctor. When he finally went the doctor he only gave him and antibiotic and vicodin. He started acting almost insane so we took him to E.R. He was on the verge of death the doctor should have called the ambulance is what E.R. said!

When I told the hospital how much pain he was in they gave him more vicodin for the tremendous pain. He became even worse mentally. They finally gave him emergency surgery and he got well quickly except he seems to have lost a lot of memory since then. Is there anything he can do to get rid of what the vicodin did to him? He has always been very sharp.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Jill,
Bone scan is done by injection isotops of Iodine. You should take Iodine supplements to push the radioactivity away. Antioxidants also might help you. The so called modern medecine is irrational and Doctors believe it's rational. There is no serious studies about theses new scans and imageries. Some studies show that there is a high risk of cancer from CT scan. They use so much radiation that can cause all kinds of cancer to detect cancer. What a joke.

WARNING!

Last December I had a radioactive tracer injection (TecheScan) prior to a bone scan. I have been extremely unwell ever since. I have been told repeatedly there are no side effects to this medication and therefor my health problems must be caused by something else. I have looked up the (rare) side effects of this injection, I have many of them. The quality of my life is nil. I am getting gradually worse. I am now unable to eat. I am 68. Has anyone else had a problem with this medication. Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Jill

I took Naproxen Sodium for pain relief from joint pain. After taking it for two weeks I developed a very painful mouth. My doctor states I had burned my mouth with this medication. It has been a month now and I still can't taste my food. How long will it take for the taste to return? What can I do to enhance the taste of foods?

Hey. Thanks so much for the info and quick response. I failed to mention the prozac I'm on is time released 40mg I've been taking for a bit over a year. I hear if you don't taper slowly enough you will get side effects like brain zaps and nausea weeks later when it is out of your system. I also am considering taking 5htp when its finally out of my system. I will definately start with the omegas though. I know b complex helped. I have realized what an unhealthy diet really does.

Please get yourself on omega 3's now. Your brain is screaming for healthy fats. Omega 3's are absolutely necessary for cognitive function and to feel energy and healthy. If you are deficient in omega 3's you will have many symptoms such as depression, phobias, poor judgement, slow cognitive function, and the list goes on. You are definitely deficient in omega 3 and today's diet over 90% of people are. The fats people eat today are horrible, inflammatory and create disease. I know that my health improved drastically after consuming omega 3s and coconut oil. These are the only two fats that anyone should consume. Although, I do consume olive oil as well, but high quality olive oil. The brand I use is made so that the molecules are intact and the oil is healthy and safe. In fact this company produces so many beautiful products and no, I am not connected to them in any way. The name of the company is Napa Valley Naturals. Use their products as they are amazing. About coconut oil, please research this oil as it is the best oil you can consume and need in your body as it removes disease in all areas from your heart, thyroid, brain, digestive tract. This oil is amazing and gives you the gift of health if you eat it everyday. I just use it instead of butter/margarine. If you research it you will know how amazing it is. Oh about getting off the prozac, please just slowly wean yourself off dropping 1 pill a day until you are done. Good luck, Ellen

Hi Richard, Personally I never got relief from muscle twitching by using foot soaks or baths with magnesium in them. Although I have never used magnesium chloride only epsom salts. It certainly helped with muscle pain though. For me I found the magnesium had to be taken internally to work for the twitching.

I have had ocd for about 14 years. I went on lexapro and switched to prozac and it was helping. I've been taking them for a bit over a year. I began taking vitamins after learning nutrition in school ( a few months ago)and was feeling so great at one point. I had energy, phobias decreased, more motivation, less anxiety in general). When I ran out of b complex I realized I am more anxious and I'm convinced its the b complex that worked so great. Anyway my question is does anyone know how to transition like wean off the prozac and only take vitamin supplement without brain zaps and other side effects? also if anyone knows how long I have to wait before trying 5htp? I know you are not supposed to take it with prozac because you can risk seritonin syndrome. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Well it's been two weeks since I started the Magnesium soaks and it doesn't seem to be doing any good. Anyone know how long it takes for your body to get the full effects of this? One site that sell the oil says 6 to 12 weeks but people on here have said it works for them in a few days. Last night was awful my body was twitching all over. I got very little sleep the mental side of this is worst I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm still thinking the Bystolic may have triggered this. Any thought and prayers would be welcome. Thanks. Richard

Maria, as I said I tried everything to cure my Gout. No luck. As far as the meds. The Hytrin is for both HBP and prostrate health. The Fosinopril dosen't have the water pill in it so I don't if it leaches out Magnesium or not. The Bystolic stopped my heart for skipping beats and pounding. But if it's causing the muscle spasms I'm sure there's another med I could take that would do the same. Thanks for the replies. RICHARD

JB, I tried every Gout remedy out there from change of diet, ACV, cherrys, green tea, baking soda, you name it I did it. Nothing worked. It's not all about diet. Even vegatareins get Gout. If there's a history of it in your family you can get it. It can also be triggered by high blood pressure pills that have a diuredict in them. When your in so much pain you can't walk 15 feet to the bathroom without it bering tears to your eyes. And that goes on for months. You will try anything to take the pain and swelling away. The Pred. did that for me but it may have also started my heart acting up. The Allopurinol keeps the uric acid level down and the Colchichine (which I hope to get off of in the next few months) keeps the pain at bay. The Terazosin and the Fosinopril are for high blood pressure and I've taken them for years with no problems. That's why I'm leaning toward the Bystolic which I started about 10 weeks before the spasms kicked in. I'm going to call my heart doctor later to get his thoughts on this but since he put me on the Bystolic I'm sure he'll say it couldn't be that. I would like to hear other opinions on this. Thanks Richard

Hi Richard,

I would be asking the Dr why you are on three medications for blood pressure one of which has as a possible side effect of Hypomagnesemia. This may explain the twitches. Also why the two different medications for gout. As gout can cause hypertension you may not need the meds once your gout is gone. Gout can be treated naturally. Cherries or cherry juice are amazing. There is info here about gout, just do a search but tick the highlight box to make it easier.

My husband got gout out of the blue one morning, the Dr put him on Voltarin even though he had previously had a stomach ulcer, well it took only one tablet for the stomach pains to start. We got a bottle of cherry juice and that fixed it. At the time we were away from home so diet played a part in getting it. Five years later not one more bout. Some studies say 8 cherries a day, whilst some say only 6. About 15 years ago my father started on the gout meds, since then he still gets bouts of gout even though he is on meds. He now takes other meds for side effects. He would not try anything natural so he continues on the roundabout. Good luck in finding your answer.

Sounds like you have gotten into the vicious circle of trying to cure one thing & now chasing side effects from the drugs. Unfortunately, drugs do not cure. Even one of your doctors said that. For your original problem, gout, it's a diet related dis-ease. Clean up your diet. Then you can get off the drugs. Bet the other problems will disappear.

I'm looking for input from anyone who has ever had anything like this happen to them. First a little background. This last year has been the longest and worst of my 58 years. It started with Gout that took 8 months to get diagnosed. I was put on Prednisone, Allopurinal & Colchicine. The Pred. caused my heart to pound and skip beats so I was put on Bystolic for that in June, although it zapped my energy my blood pressure and heartbeat were fine.

Then the first week of Sept. The muscle in my left eye started having spasms with caused my vision to bounce all over(very upsetting) I went to two different Md's and an Ophthalmologist, then to a Neurologist who did an MRI(which turned out fine) They all told me to stay calm and it would settle down in a week or so. Well it took just over a month before it stopped.

Then about a week later I got a little twitch in my left thumb, in the next couple of days I had them in my toes, arches, calves, knees, thighs and just about any place that has a muscle to twitch. I went back to the Neurologist. He says that I have Myokymia and wanted to give me an anti-seizure drug to try, he said it wouldn't cure it but it might help. He said it was more like a band aid. I took a pass on it for now. I started Transderal Magnesium Therapy 12 days ago hoping for some relief from this, thinking I might be magnesium deficient. So far there may be some slight improvement. I also asked all these doctors if any of my meds would have anything to do with this. I got a no from all of them.

Anyway here's my list of meds. Terazosin 5mgs, fosinopril 20mgs, allopurinol 200mgs, colchicine 0.6 mgs 2 X a day and the last one is bystolic 5mgs that was added to the mix about 10 weeks before all this started. If anyone has any thoughts or input, it would be greatly appreciated.

I've been very concerned with the amount of meds I'm taking and now its seeming to come home. I have a large patch of 'ringworm' on my ankle and I'm developing rashes on my inner thigh and ribs. My doc told me it was because I have a suppresed imune system due to the drugs. My skin is also very dry, very thin and tears at the least little thing. Yesterday, while horseback, I brushed by a tree limb and tore two gouges in my arm, both about an inch long and V shaped. They are only through the skin which seems to have a consistency of a ripe tomato. Needless to say, I've very depressed. I've always been very active with synthroid.

Protonix (causes cancer), Prevacid and Prilosec are called the IT's. If anyone over 50, takes for long periods of time, the side effect is a HIP FRACTURE. I know people suffering right now with hip fractures, including my son age 31. My husb. Suffers SO much from Acid Reflux/Heartburn, but I will not allow him to take any of the above 3 meds. Please assist. Rita

can you take atenolol and eat a high potassium diet?

I want to ask Bee how taking the 5-htp is working now. I have weaned off SSRI medications and have just started taking 5-htp. I heard you have to take B6 in order for the 5-htp to work.

Hello Ripples from Denver,

The loss of your Armour thyroid supplements comes from your good old FDA suddenly making them illegal (after years of its saving peoples lives) because they have never been studied or researched. Of course this translates to Armour thyroid being a natural substance is not patentable, but the synthetic version synthroid is. Never mind that Armour's natural product has been proven effective by its track record all these years and that is probably much more testing than synthroid ever got. We may never know how much more effective the thyroid supplement is that the synthetic one, because the FDA isn't too swift about releasing the unwanted side effects of the patentable drugs, even after they are well known.

If you doubt this, look up acetoaminophen (Tylenol) which is supposedly much safer than aspirin. There is lots of literature now about Tylenol damaging or destroying the liver at normal dosages, especially when used on an empty stomach or for prolonged periods.

The latest thing I read on that one was that normal dosage elevates the liver enymes with normal dosage for 1 week. That elevation indicates liver damage.

One thing i was always told not to mix with my SYNTHROID OR ARMOUR was decaffeinated coffee or tea. the decaf process does something to the med. not sure what, but i took the advice because it was from two aunts and they knew their stuff.

Thanks for your comments, Linda.

My old endo's nurse had told me that there was a chance that with the Armour that I could get swine flu more easily. Couldn't believe it. I've checked with two pharmacists and my naturopath, they say that this is untrue. I wonder if my endo is just in the pocket of the Synthroid manufacturers. Well he's my "ex" endo anyway.

Yes, been trying deep breathing and listening to self-guided meditation cd's for anxiety, that seems to help. I may pick up a bottle of the St. John's Wort too. I've also lost my job of 15 years so that is probably contributing to my anxiety as well.

The clock cover up idea is good, I've tried that too, I just turn it face down. Since I don't have to get up to go to work right now, it's not earth-shattering if I have a restless night, but it can make me a wreck the next day.

Took an epsom salt bath last night then used the progesterone cream, this seemed to work for a few hours, along with 1000mg fish oil, 500mg vit c, 400mg magnesium and 200mg gaba and two aspirin since I was sore from a hike. Went to bed but didn't fall to sleep, so I took half of the 50mg pharma at like 2am. Beware, those make you really sluggish the next morning.

Yes, it's taking effort to feel better Linda, but it's great to read your posts(as well as others). Makes me realize that there's people out there also struggling, getting better--and this helps. One warning, if you're really sleepless, sometimes it's not great to "over google" your symptoms, it can sometimes just make you more anxious!

THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG HERE! SYNTHROID OR ARMOUR SHOULD NOT BE MAKING YOU ANXIOUS OR NERVOUS. PLEASE, GO TO ANOTHER DOCTOR AND HAVE HIM RUN A FULL THYROID PANNEL TO SEE IF YOU REALLY NEED THIS THYROID MEDICATION.

THE OTHER POSSIBILITY IS THAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO THE THYROID MEDICATION OR THAT YOU ARE TAKING IT WITH SOMETHING ELSE WHICH YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU COMBINE THINGS TOGETHER YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO THE COMBINATION -- WHEREAS YOU MIGHT NOT BE ALLERGIC TO THEM ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. EXAMPLE: COFFEE AND MILK AND THYROID MEDICINE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FIGURE THIS OUT BECAUSE YOU CAN BECOME ALLERGIC TO YOUR OWN THYROID GLAND. THAT IS A VERY SERIOUS DISEASE -- HASHIMOTO'S DISEASE!

Hi - I haven't spoken to my endo in years....he felt he got me regulated a year or so after radio-iodine and turned my treatment over to my family doc....when I asked my then-doc about using bovine thyroid tissue, he scoffed and made some sort of comment about AIDS coming from monkeys---I haven't had much luck conversing with the 'traditional' docs about alternative treatment...that particular doc was 'supposed' to be an osteopath, and I didn't think that meant he would not be open to non-drug treatment....

Sorry to know about your anxiety - I have to engage in a lot of 'self-talk' when I'm feeling anxious; I take a lot of deep breaths and really focus on what matters in my life...I would recommend St. John's Wort-honestly, I have had very good experience with it and it may take from several days to a few weeks to notice a change; it's not something you can take once to feel the effects, necessarily.

Regarding your sleep difficulties, I've found it helpful to simply cover the digital display on my bedside clock; it's amazing how that little bit of light can disturb me if I happen to wake up during the night, which I do at least once nightly due to being too hot; that's partly an estrogen thing (I believe) and partly having a husband who throws heat like an inferno...hot epsom salt baths help me quite a bit also.

Keep on keepin' on Ripples! - I believe you'll settle into a routine of feeling better. It's just taking quite an effort, isn't it?

No, I quit using the Synthroid the day I started the Armour, so I guess I'm not really weaning. Didn't know I was supposed to do that, is that what your endo said to do?

Yesterday was rough, super anxious, super worried. I called the naturopath, she suggested a small dose of pharma grade anti-anxiety drug, just for nights. I ended up taking 50mg of it, but feel sluggish today. At least it works. I also tried gaba earlier in the evening, but that didn't seem to help, although I only tried 200mg (they recommended 400mg). Hopefully today is better but it seems like this is cyclical, every other day is good--that is, I expericence less anxiety. Hopefully it'll settle into a daily pattern.

Hey, glad to hear you're feeling better. I'm wondering, though, if you're taking the Armour in addition to the Synthroid? Or will taking Armour allow you to wean yourself from the Synthroid? I'm considering asking my Doc to work with me if I try some kelp....have you any experience with that?

Went to the NP/naturopath, she said it may be lack of estrogen/progesterone as well as the Synthroid medication. She's trying me on 50 mg troche of progesterone (that's a gel-like lozenge you dissolve under your tongue) just for the anxiety and sleeplessness. I tried 1/4 tab yesterday during the day and it worked great. She also prescribed Armour 30mg (as I have a-fib) and I'm taking this as well. Am also using the progesterone cream topically, and overall my axiety levels have seemed to drop--just since yesterday, and I'm not worrying about everything. I'm hoping the Armour starts taking effect in about a week, so that I won't have to take the progesterone forever, although maybe that's not a bad thing. NP/naturopath wants me on estrogen, says it's the best thing ever.

A local pharmacy hand-compounded both prescriptions, btw.

Here's to a clearer head!

Yes, do please keep us posted....I like the Flower Essences and my experience with homeopathic tablets has been very good. Once 'regulated' I was on 225 mcg of med for several years until my M.D. reduced to 200 mcg about 6 months ago...I feel quite a bit better, tho' still have bouts with exhaustion and racing heart!

Linda,

Had my bloodwork done last Tuesday, my TSH was 6.56 (they didn't test the T3 levels). The nurse wanted me to UP my Synthroid from 50mcg to 75mcg. She said that there may be more anxiety as a result of the higher dosage :/ and that I should get a full bloodwork panel done in one month.

Sorry, I couldn't wait one more month with this kind of anxiety. What seems to help temporarily is flower remedy tinctures for anxiety, and homeopathic sleep aids. I also take holy basil tea at least 3-4x a day.

So I opted to change to a endo/naturopath. I'm keeping the dosage at 50mcg on the Synthroid until I talk to the new doc/pa.

I'll keep you posted.

Hi - have you had bloodwork since the change in med? I wonder if the dose could be reduced??

Synthroid and anxiety

Has anyone experienced anxiety with Synthroid? I recently changed from Armour thryoid to Synthroid and now seem to have constant anxiety. Anyone else?

I don't know anything about aiding a body in paxil withdraw, but if I were you I would do my best to make sure your body is in the best "shape" to handle the change in brain chemistry so the odds of a smooth transition are better. Really, your body was made perfect, but at some point got off track. Put it back where it should be, it is the perfect machine and also capable of miracles!

Think of cutting off sugar, caffeine, bad fats, processed food, drugs. Replace them with real foods, foods that are grown and fresh and alive. Eat high in natural fiber so you have good cleansing bowel movement at least once a day. Lot's of fluids!

Did you know that serotonin (regulated by these meds to change neuro activity)is produced in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, including humans? No wonder people are miserable more and more everyday... you can't produce proper brain chemicals unless your diet is also proper to your genetics and environment!

Good luck, stay strong, this is only temporary. Your brains will re-learn how to function in its designed frequency. You'll get there, but don't hesitate to seek professional help if you few things are just a tad too much.

Paxil/SSRI Withdrawal

I am really hoping someone can offer some help. I had written in a while ago before starting to taper off my Paxil- I was at 20 mg and over a month ago cut it down to 10 mg. I recently within the last week went to 5 mg daily- but I've been having horrible withdrawal. I am constantly dizzy, cannot ride in a car without horrible dizziness/nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and just feeling generally weird and spacey. It took me a while to adjust to the first drop- but for some reason this time seems harder. Any advice would be helpful- part of me wants to go cold turkey at this point bc I'm afraid that going from 5 mg to nothing will be another round of withdrawal since I already feel awful now- maybe it's best to get it over with. I've been off work sick, but am going to have to go in tomorrow- hoping I can handle it. I am really hoping someone can help me. And to those that are considering going on any type of SSRI- take my advice- know that you are likely to have withdrawal which can be extremely debilitating and unpleasant if you ever stop the medicine. I for one am determined to get off of it- but I fear what damage I may have already done from taking it so long- I hope the long-term effects are reversible. NO one at any point EVER warned me about withdrawal- I had to find it out on my own the first time I had to go off my SSRI and I felt horrible and did my own research and finally put the dots together. It was not the ideal way to find out, that's for sure. Thanks for your help!

Numbness after dental procedure:

I had dental procedure and got Novocain shots, came home and waited numbness to go away. And waited and waited, next day started panicking so I went to my dentist. He checked it out told me how its called when that happens, and said its rare but sometimes can happen. When I asked him what should I do he just shrugged. Worst thing is this was front upper tooth, so every movement hurt plus I hurt my gums because I cant feel anything. I didn't do anything because I thought dentist would tell me if there is anything to be done. At last I got sick of it and spent hours of research and found the solution. Vitamin B-50 complex and follow the instructions on the bottle, if you dont feel any change in several days take Vit B-100 complex. You will feel change little by little, sometimes nothing will happen for days but keep at it. It took me several months, some people got better in few days. I know its rare but you never know. So if you are that one person in millions I hope it helps you. Good luck

Get the book "Break Your Prescribed Addictions" by Dr. Sahley. The book tells you how to use amino acids and cutting your dose of SSRI down. I used this without any withdrawal symptoms; this does work.

I really want to get off my SSRI medication once and for all. I have in the past done it and the withdrawal was horrible: nausea, dizziness, the "zaps", you name it, I had pretty much all the symptoms. I was wondering if anyone knows of any remedies to help as I taper off. I have started taking 5-htp and it helps improve my mood and seems to help me focus and sleep easier. Other than tapering slowly, what else can I do? Thanks in advance, I greatly appreciate any help!