Side effects after several years
 

I asked this question in a roundabout fashion before, but can someone developed side effects from a drug after being on it for years?

Almost 5 years ago I was prescribed Gabapentin for SFN. After about 2 years I had to switch to Gralise (extended release Gabapentin) because of constipation. Things have gone okay on it, until fall 2013 I developed severe sinusitis that resolved after a few months. Then last spring I developed GERD and was put on a PPI. I've never had so much as heartburn in my life. Once again last fall I developed severe sinusitis that won't seem to resolve. I am now seeing an ENT who thinks Gralise could be a factor drying my sinuses. Recently I had to switch PPIs because the GERD came back.

Out of desperation and thinking the Gralise was a factor I voluntarily dropped my dose from 1200 mg to 900. It seems to be relieving some of the sinusitis.

A good optometrist I see says he has heard stories of folks being on drugs for years and suddenly develop side effects. My pain doc takes an indignant tone disagreeing she's never heard of this.

So have you heard of this - developed side effects from a drug after being on it for years?

I (and my wife, each) was on Toprol XL, a beta blocker type of blood medication, for 2-3 years. I have been prone to anxiety/panic attacks for most of my adult life, but I was getting anxiety that was worse than before. I finally had a panic attack that my prescribed benzo wouldn't touch, in a dose that was 1 & 1/2 times that I was supposed to take in a single day. By chance I checked a website called askapatient.com which has patient ratings & reviews of drugs. I discovered that 1 in 3 patients who had taken Toprol XL for the long term (2-3 years) had complained of anxiety. I called my Dr that day & got off it, and my wife got off it too, as she had gotten edgier. Felt much better in several days.

Metformin
 

Unrelated to the post but I tell the tale for benefit of any that may apply. Metformin use over time has had occurence to block B-12 absorbsion. I always advise any diabetic on this med to be tested for B-12 level. 400 is on low end of acceptable level. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Dac122
Sorry I don't know anything about the particular medications you're taking but the conflicting info from your physicians is obviously confusing. I've found in the past with side effects that the pharmacists who dispense them often have more accurate knowledge than doctors - they are trained to know the unusual side effects not just the common ones. If you have a regular pharmacy that you go to just go in and ask if you can talk with the dispensing pharmacist. Hope this helps

I was on ACE inhibitors for over a decade for blood pressure. Then my doctor put me on lisinopril (another ACE drug) with less liver side effects, and 3 yrs later ---POW a massive reaction.

These reactions are typically in the studies and occur early in treatment. For me, it just added up... bradykinin excess until I had a massive reaction. No more ACE drugs for me EVER.

It did alert us to the genetic condition I have had all my life, which were called by "other diagnoses"...and now is more accurately labeled as hereditary angioedema (HAE).