Singulair & Stiffness - Asthma Message Board

Tomorrow · 09-19-2003, 08:41 AM

Hello

Everyone,

I usually post on the back pain boards. I am also have asthma and was born with it. I have had bad attacks over the years and on occasion ended up in the ER. Last year I started to advair/diskus 250/50 and it has worked wonders for me. I hardly ever take my abuterol inhaler and haven't used my neublizer in quiet some time. I was prescribed Singulair in May to help with the allergy season. As you will see by reading my signature I do suffer many lumbar and cervical problems. I also had lumbar surgery this past June.

About 6 weeks ago I started suffering from extreme stiffness of my legs. I assumed this was from my surgery. However, someone did email me telling me their horrible experience with singulair and leg stiffness. He told me that after he discontinued the medication that the stiffness went away. I am not ready to give up this medication as of yet. I stomach and back muscles at this time are very week from my surgery. If I was to cough right now I would experience so much pain in my back, so that is why I want to continue with my med.

I just wanted to ask if anyone else had a related symptom while taken singulair. Any responses will be greatly appreciated.

Take Care.

------------------
Cervical MRI 10/02
Loss of cervical lordosis with reversal of the curvature.
C4-5 and C6-7 disc bulges resulting in flattening of the ventral margin of the cord.
C5-6 there is a left foraminal herniation which results in moderate foraminal stenosis In addition, there is flattening of the ventral margin of the cord due to bulging disc.
Cervical Epidural 5/19/03

Lumbar MRI 10/02
Lumbar Lordosis
L5-S1 disc herniation with moderate thecal sac deformity.
L4-5 disc desiccation with bulge which results in mild thecal sac deformity and mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L2-3 disc desiccation with Schmorl’s nodule of L3.
Lumbar Epidural 1/30/03
Lumbar Epidural 2/12/03
Lumbar Epidural 2/26/03
Lumbar Discogram 5/23/03
Lumbar CatScan 5/23/03
Posterior Fusion & Infuse on L4,L5,S1 6/30/03
Lumbar X-Ray 7/24/03
Lumbar X-Ray 8/27/03
Still no pain relief....

ammom1 · 09-21-2003, 12:39 PM

Tomorrow,

Singulair cleared up my allergies and breathing better than anything I've every taken... but, it also made me miserable. I was weak and exhausted. It was such an effort to put one foot in front of the other, my legs were weak, stiff and tired. Then, I started getting tingling in my arms and legs and that was it, I stopped taking it.

The symptoms you are describing can be caused by Singulair. And, from what I understand, when a person progresses from the weakness to the tingling, it is imperative they stop taking it. There have been incidents of vasculitis in rare individuals taking Singulair.

With all the other unfortunate problems you have had, I wouldn't add Singulair to the mix. It cannot be taken by everyone.

Tomorrow · 09-22-2003, 03:56 PM

Hello

Ammom1,

Thank you for your reply. I have also been weak and exhausted. But I thought this was from my anemia. I cannot believe that this med can cause all these symptoms. My doctor is now having me go to a cardiologist and I now my heart is fine. I stopped taking singulair yesterday, actually I threw the bottle in the garbage. After a couple of days I will come back and post. Hopefully I will have some improvement. Again thanks for replying.

Take Care.

plm · 09-22-2003, 08:22 PM

This might sound like a stupid observation... but it's too bad you threw the Singulair in the garbage. It's horribly expensive and surely someone could use it.

Tomorrow · 09-23-2003, 06:04 AM

Hello

Plm,

Thank you for your reply. I sure can understand your reasoning for your post as I know how expensive this medication is. But if this med it doing to me what I think it is, I wouldn't give it to my worst enemy.

Have a great day.