When a side effect of a med is insomnia (small vent)

[yoopermom]

don't you think your doctor would give you head's up? I went in yesterday and was diagnosed with sinus infection/double ear infection/noise in the lungs and was prescribed Levaquin (which I've taken before) and Advair. At 4 a.m. when I was STILL awake, I was ticked! Just called the dr, and she confirmed that, yes, insomnia can be a side effect of Advair. Thank God I only have a $20 copay and didn't pay $175 for it! Urgh.

Oh, and I have overnight company coming in three hours.

And there's REALLY nothing on TV, even with hundreds of channels, at 3 a.m.

Thanks for allowing me to vent...

Terri

 

[DizBelle]

Whenever I get prescriptions, there is always a leaflet with information about the drug and possible side effects. Did yours come with such a leaflet? Did you read it?

Barring that, the internet is FULL if information about prescription drugs.

 

[yoopermom]

Yes, I read the leaflet, but when there's a bajillion possible complications, I tend to figure the doctor knows best. (I have one of those DMIL's who is paranoid about the list, and says, "but I could have a heart attack from it, even if that only happens to .01% of the people who take the drug.")

The dr. was very nice when I called and suggested either taking it at 5 am and 5 pm, or just one dosage in the a.m. Since I just got to sleep at 5 am, I chose the second option.

Off to clean the house!

Terri

 

[ckay87]

I agree - there is a difference between common side effects and possible side effects. And some side effects are more important to know about (such as insomnia or drowsiness). And I agree that doctors should generally be more proactive about discussing drugs with a patient rather than just writing the prescription and running. But, it sounds strange, but I think I heard that a pharmacist understands drugs better than doctors.

I was prescribed an albuterol inhaler once for bronchitis. I don't have asthma and I hadn't known anyone who used an inhaler. It worked great for me, so I was puffing all the time. Imagine my surprise when I didn't sleep for 3 days! Once the heart palpitations began (because I also upped my caffeine intake to get through the workday), I found myself back at the doctor's who said "oh yea, that can happen if you're not used to using an inhaler." That would have been great to know right up front!

 

[yoopermom]

Note to self, no Diet Pepsi today, do not want heart palpitations (and I was going to have one to get myself reved up, too!).

And, yes, you worded that better than I did, difference between common and possible side effects...

Terri

 

[Aimeedyan]

To be fair, all meds have possible common side effects that are easily found in your leaflet or on the medication website. If you are concerned about it, you should ask to speak to a pharmacist each time you receive a new med. My pharmacy always asks me if I'd like to anyways. It would take a minute of your time and you can ask them what the most common side effects are.

I've been on Advair for years without any issues. Albuterol and Advair are very different drugs; having a coke while taking either at a normal prescribed dosage is not a problem. Most asthmatics drink soda You just should not overuse either.

 

[james'mommy]

I was on Levaquin for a while for recurring sinus infections. The insomnia was awful. I remember taking sleeping medications and still not being able to sleep.