Allergic reaction to medication

[Zena166]

Hi everyone. I’ve been struggling for a few weeks with allergies to medication. Following a HA last June was on ticagrelor aspirin bisoprolol 1.25 lisinopril 2.5. Pravastatin 20. Vit B12 as I am vegan. RAbout 6 weeks ago I started getting ascending pins and needles and numbness starting in my toes going to my knees (I was diagnosed 7 years ago with Guillain Barre Syndrome a rare neurological condition that reacts to infection and drug allergies). So I knew what it was. By accident I forgot the Ticagrelor one day and the pins and needles subsequently subsided quite quickly. I also had had a massive nose bleed so knew that was an issue. They stopped Ticagrelor and started clopidogrel however at the same time the lipid clinic started me on Rosuvastatin 3 times per week. At the same time I was taking antibiotics for a UTI. Now my whole body feels wrecked. The pins and needles came back with a vengeance into a full blown GBS attack. Which is scary as my breathing and heart rate affected. Rosuvastatin stopped and I was ok. Then another attack a few days later so stopped clopidogrel. Again everything has settled but the pins and needles are back. Not as severe as I have some sensations still. But nothing feels right. So at the moment I am only taking bisoprolol. Lisinopril. And aspirin. And Vit B12. I was told to wait at least a month before starting pravastatin again as Rosuvastatin needs to be flushed out Sorry for long post but I am so tired with these weird neurological symptoms. A bit scared. A lot fed up and a very small amount of sorry for myself!! I am having blood tests to check mineral and vitamins deficiency. An MRI scan to check thoracic spine. Inflammatory markers all normal. So I just wanted to know if anyone else has had an allergic reaction similar to any of aspirin bisoprolol or Lisinopril. These are the only ones I haven’t stopped. Of course it may not be medication related and something else completely different. Any suggestions appreciated thanks. Zena

[Kirsty131]

Oh Zena you poor women, you are so strong for so many on here including me! I only had problems with bisoprolol, horrible drug, made me breathless and dropped my blood pressure so low I collapsed and it didn’t even touch my arrhythmia! Is it possible that the antibiotics are causing an effect on the other drugs maybe?

Maybe make another appointment with your GP to discuss all your concerns and whether you can come off a few temporarily to give your body a rest especially while you have the UTI

I wish you better and you have every right to feel sorry for yourself x

[Zena166]

Thanks Kirsty. Yes have finished antibiotics. It’s a blooming nuisance! It’s only today I’m feeling sorry for myself. It will pass. Just frustrating having felt so well! Hope you’re ok. Take care. Zena x

[CraftyGirl72]

After a recent Heart Failure diagnosis I have had bad side effects to all three drugs they have tried.

Enalapril - killed stomach as I'm lactose intolerant.

Ramipril - I was dizzy, falling about and generally couldn't cope with life.

Yesterday stopped Bisoprolol after 6 days as it made me breathless. The strange feeling in my chest was more than I could bear (I have been coping with mum's passing at same time).

Good luck finding the right drugs, I am going back tomorrow or Friday to see the verdict on mine.

I feel better off them all and never felt ill before it was discovered.

Take care.

[Zena166 in reply to CraftyGirl72]

Thanks. It’s hideous isn’t it! Hope all is going ok with you. Take care of you as I know how much grief can take out of you. Thanks. Zena

[jimmyq]

Wow Zena! What a state! I feel so sorry for you.

The amount of time you spend on here helping other people is amazing. I wish I could help you but I'm not a doctor. Try to keep your feelings positive and keep in touch.

[Zena166 in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmy. Feeling less sorry for myself today!! Although it’s still a bummer! (Am I allowed to say that on here!!). Yes will keep updating stuff! And have got more of a positive hat on today. Even though it’s freezing here in Newcastle!! Brrrrr. Thanks Jimmy for your support it does help a lot. Zena x

[sandrann]

Hi there Zena..what a lot to cope with..gosh you really don't do things by half and my thoughts are with you and do hope you soon get sorted.. with all the advice and support you've given folk on this forum I wish I hope someone can likewise assist you.

Sending you hugs.

[Zena166 in reply to sandrann]

Thank you Sandrann. It was just really helpful writing everything down as well as hoping for insight. Hugs much appreciated. Thank you. Take care. Zena x

[gal4God]

I get pins and needles and told it’s related to my heart condition so deffo tell ur doctor but if it is related to meds they can change meds. Tell ur doctor ur vegan wen I told my cardiologist I was vegetarian he thought it was cool but advices me to get a balanced diet that had vegetarian foods that give ur body the same nutritional values as meat eg. Paulses or soya.

[Zena166 in reply to gal4God]

Thanks. I am strict with my diet so probably don’t get enough relevant nutrients. Awaiting the results of blood tests so will take it from there. Just tiring!! Thank you. Hope all is good with you. Best wishes. Zena

[gal4God]

I eat a lot of pulses e.g chickpea and lentil curries taste nice and are good for me. I kno they are vegetarian but unsure if they are vegan I guess u would have to make it with coconut milk which to me sounds nice and tasty and I believe is Heart healthy.

[Zena166 in reply to gal4God]

Yes I need to increase the variety of stuff I eat. I tend to just stick to fruit and vegetables! Very boring so I need to add things like lentils and chickpeas. Thank you Take care Zena

[FeetheBookworm]

hi Zena, sorry you’ve been so poorly with side effects. I’m also on Bisoprol as have HF. Also take Losarton, Ivabradine and Spirolactone. Have terrible difficulty sleeping despite being exhausted. Was also on another fluid tablet but was taken off when start d having dizzy spells

About 3 months after being diagnosed had all sorts of infections; UTI, acute sinusitis (and infected under nostrils), mouth ulcers, and conjunctivitis. All at the same time and net on for about 3 months and wasn’t until I begged a locum at pit surgery to sort it out that I got 2 types of antibiotics which finally did the trick. Also have dreadful problems with my face which means any creams I put on my face can burn it and then peeling. This comes on periodically - as do any of aforementioned! Joy.

When I had my pacemaker fitted had an infection in the wound and had to go to Cardiology for about 8 weeks to get dressing changed and inspected by the consultant until it finally healed.

I’m thinking of stopping the Losarton as BP has been normal for years.

I am going to take on board the suggestion of improving the carbs by going back to pulses. Trying to lose some weight which has crept on and probably cut too much out which doesn’t help with tiredness.

Take care. Fiona

[starchild8862 in reply to FeetheBookworm]

Hi there. After four years of taking Losartan I finally went to the doctor about my very dry skin. I also had hives coming up on my back. Face burning more in the sunshine also.

He said it was probably the Losartan. Going to see what else I could take instead. Doctor gave me some excellent ordinary cream (no steroids) which is certainly helping.

[Zena166 in reply to starchild8862]

Thanks starchild. Lisinopril is the next on my list to change! It’s such a pain going through each at a time! Actually I hadn’t thought until you have mentioned the sunshine it got worse on the bank holiday when it was sunny. (We don’t get much in Newcastle! ). Thank you. Hope all settles with you. Best wishes. Zena

[Zena166]

Gosh Fiona that must have been awful especially the problem with the cream. Although life saving the drugs are pretty heavy duty. But it’s difficult separating them out from each other. Take care of yourself as well. Thanks Fiona. Zena

[alheart]

Hi Zena,

I suffered from "pins and needles" and muscle spasms in my leg and feet for ages. GP did some investigations and changed my Lisinopril to Candesartan, Had no symptoms or problems since!

Worth discussing with GP.

We all act differently to health problems and persistent niggles are the worst. Keep trying to relax and keeping talking about such "niggles"

Hopefully they will get you sorted.

[Zena166]

Thanks for this. It’s the next on my list to change! It’s just such a faff trying to identify which one! Thanks. Take care. Zena

[Ronniesue]

Just seen your posts Zena. I do hope you’re feeling a lot better now. I’ve been wondering where you were as you are the one who always has empathy and good advice on here. Stay safe and well Zena xx

[Zena166]

Hi Ronniesue. Had a rough time but have got to the bottom of it. Am feeling much better. Although I have an ear infection at the moment! Never ending!! So I have identified all medication that is a problem. Ticagrelor Clopidogrel And Rosuvastatin gives me Guillain Barre symptoms. But the main culprit has been Lansoprazole the gastric tablet. Made me have ‘the jitters’. So I checked all side effects and right down in rare side effects is ‘feeling jittery’. Stopped it and feel better for it. See my GP on Monday to have something for reflux as eating gaviscon regularly!! Just got to sort out the ear now! Lovely to hear from you you. Hope all is good with you. Love and hugs. Zena xx

[barniecroft in reply to Zena166]

I have awful stomach problems too, the Drs or specialists always put it down to IBS. Once an attack starts I can go months with nausea, lack of appetite etc. My recent HA hasn't helped as stress starts it off. I had Lansoprazole and it too made me twitchy and jittery. Strangely the best thing for my stomach is fibrogel

[Zena166 in reply to barniecroft]

That’s interesting. I might try that. They have prescribed ranitidine which works in a different way. So Will try that. I may give fibrogel a go if it doesn’t work. Thanks for that. Take care. Zena

[Sootycat]

Zena I am so similar.

When I had my heart attack and stents in hospital I told them I was allergic to Ramapril and all statins. Oh no you can't be they said. So I had a full blown allergic reaction and had to have antihystamine and steroids.

In the following 2 weeks I had 4 different statins.

I am also allergic to aspirin.

I too have pins and needles in feet and toes from Ticagrelor.

I was a vegetarian for 40 years but my cholesterol is too high.

I feel so sorry for you as we know our own bodies and allergies. Sometimes with the medical profession you feel they think one size fits all. If you are quirky or different you feel a nuisance. On the other hand they try to help.

What I think is so frustrating is the lack of follow up. Just nothing. No one.

I don't know what the answer is just keep trying and hope it all gets better.

Sending you love and support x