September 23th
2008
12:59 AM
My 9 1/2 yr old son started Singulair in July 2004 when he was 5 yrs old.Looking back now we realize that he started showing signs immediately. We only gave him Singulair in the fall when he had the most trouble with his asthma. His asthma was under control immediately but was not worth the damage that was done. He complained of pains in his legs that I just thought was growing pains. He would sometimes run a fever with no other symptoms of being sick and then the fever would go away. He would also feel like he always had to go to the bathroom, especially after he went to bed. I gave him Singulair at 7pm before he went to bed. The biggest change we noticed in him was the signs of attention deficit. We first noticed that he kept getting out of his seat at dinner time. No matter how many times we told him to sit down he would sit down and then a little while later he would get right back up. We realized after a while that he wasn't doing it to be defient he just couldn't help himself. I asked his Kindergarten teacher if he had trouble sitting in his seat or with attention but she didn't think he was any worse than any of the other Kindergarten kids. In 1st grade, at the beginning of the year, his teacher said he had trouble keeping his attention but then by January she said he was a different kid. We usually stopped giving him Singulair in December. The same thing happened with his 2nd grade teacher. I question his allergist in the fall of 2nd grade but his allergist said Singulair wasn't the cause for his ADHD symptoms. When his 3rd grade teacher contacted us in Oct 07 with the same complaints I realized that it must be the Singulair. I looked online for Singulair side effects and came across this website. I couldn't believe it. I was so disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner but we took him off Singulair immediately. I called his allergist the next morning and questioned him for a second time and he told me that sometimes parents of kids with ADHD just look for something to blame for their childs behavior. I couldn't believe he said it to me. We made an appointment at Children's Hospital Boston to have him evaluated for ADHD just in case but couldn't get an appointment until Feb 08. When we had him evaluated he had been off Singulair for over 3 months. The neurologist said he did not have ADHD. When I asked him if he thought Singulair could have been to blame for the symptoms he was showing and he said there was "compelling evidence" that showed Singulair does cause ADHD symptoms in some children. We were happy that he did not have ADHD but were so sad that we gave him this medicine for 3 years without realizing what damage it was doing. My biggest fear now is that there may be long term damage. All his symptoms have gone away but sometimes he still seems a little out of it and I don't know if it is just his age or his personality or if it might still be some long term effect from the Singulair. He is such a sweet, loving, caring boy and I hope that I didn't do any long term damage by giving his this horrible medicine. I hope that something will be done soon to get this medicine off the market. My prayers go out to all the families who lost children on this medicine. I can't even imagine the pain you are feeling but I thank you for getting your story out and saving other children! I am thankful that I was able to get informed by this website because God knows my allergist wasn't looking out for my son! His asthma has been under control since being off Singulair and just seems like a happier child over all!
Thank you!
August 22th
2008
8:54 PM
My son, who just turned 14 this month, was on Singulair for over 2 years.
He was diagnosed with reactive airway disease and possibly Asthma--and prescribed this awful drug-even back in 2004. The doctor said how wonderful this med was and prevents any further attacks.. So, for 2 years-every night, he took this mood altering, destructive drug. He lost all interest in school, his athletics-soccer, skateboarding, biking..in fact became almost a vacant , very unhappy, child-had stomach aches, joint pains and reflux--why--I brought him to the doctor and Pediatric center so frequently--all they kept saying his --his asthma is better, much be other issues...Even after the March 2008 suicide--his doctor said-that is just an isolated incident-just monitor him--It is a good drug. Right, month by month his behavior escalated to wanting to die, no reason to go to school-he said he was stupid and a failure and why don't I understand there is no reason to his life. A usually happy fun-loving boy -my son- didn't want to live. Nothing made him happy-I started to believe what the doctors said--maybe something or someone at school (bully, pedophile??) caused this change. Terrible nightmares and vivid dreams...Until this past July, I asked him want to go to the library for some books or dvd's...he went ballistic-threw everything off his computer desk and tried to break his chair. He is not an aggressive boy but this behavior was becoming a daily issue. Along with everything flying off his table, was his bottle of Singulair pills. It then dawned on me..I have been poisoning my only son. The child I know and love and gave birth to returned within a few days--although I am worried sick about further asthma attacks --all the doctors can prescribe is a steroid drug-asthmex or Pulmicort.. I cannot understand nor comprehend why this drug is being prescribed for children and young adults. The guilt I live with is terrible as my son has lost 2 years of his life--
and thought there was something really wrong with him-At least we woke up---in time--how about some other parents..thinking it's just normal adolescent behavior for their child or their fault???
June 25th
2008
7:07 PM
My son, now 10...has been on singular off and on, since I don't' know how long...today was the second time he was intentionally hurting his cat. He has told me time and time again about visions while he was awake, violent ones, he argues with anyone and everyone. He has no friends at school. Last year I took him off all his medications to see why his behavior was so drastic, he got so calm, it was like a new boy, but then when he started back to public school...he had to be put back on them again, and again with the singular...
If it was not for this site..I would think my son was sick mentally. But after this...he will see his doctor tomorrow and no more singular...
When I took him off all the meds I told his doctor I was really worried about his behavior and they said it will be okay...he went right back to just out of control. Could not sleep, concentrate at school or at home. He is so smart and he is failing school..not because he is slow, but they kept saying he was add...but when I home schooled him and took him off his meds...he was so great, obdient..not perfect by no means, but just a normal boy...
I hear him right now, in the other room, fighting imaginary people...he seems to go go go..and with no sleep...the dreams in the day time I just thought were his imagination...but now that i hear about other children like him...they are to him real..just like he tells me..he also always tells me how mad he stays..he says all the time I am just angry mom, and I would say at what..he just says everything...
Thank God for this site....now i know..it is not in his head, it is just like I told his doctor...it is his medication..now I know just the one it is..
THank you all..
God Bless all the others here suffering with the same problems...it is just shocking that we as parents and patients, even after telling the doctors, are right...I feel vindicated...I will be printing this off and taking it with us to the doctors...
May 25th
2008
11:40 PM
I've been taking Singulair off and on for about six months for severe allergies. I have begun having bad dreams every night. Some times they will wake me up and some times not, but regardless they leave me feeling unsettled and strange most of the day. This is the second time this has happened. This time I am stopping the Singulair for good now.
-- By dadavis | Reply | Private Message me
March 28th
2008
10:48 AM
My 8 year old daughter has been taking Singulair for 4 years. She immediately began having sleeping problems. I never connected it to Singulair. When she was 5, she had a check-up with her Asthma/Allergy doctor. I received a new prescription and had it filled at Costco. She became more irritable and the sleeping problems persisted. After I had the second refill and had the information sheet Costco had given me, I decided to read the about side effects. That was when I realized she was taking the 10mg dose for ages 15 and up at 5 years old. I knew she was taking a different dose but it was new script because she had been at the doctors and I thought the doctor had just increased the dosage. I called Costco and had them check the original prescription and sure enough they had entered it wrong in their system and was given an OVERDOSE. They did pay for any tests for Physical damage (blood work and liver), and gave me free pills that were dispensed incorrectly. I assumed everything was ok now that she was back on the 5mg. dose again. She has still continued to have sleeping issues and her aggressive behavior has gotten worse. She has consistently had stomach problems, daily! A month ago I had an evaluation done for academic purposes, When the Psychologist was done he was saying she was a sweet girl. I proceeded to tell him about her violent outbursts. Just that morning her brother, 6yrs.old, was walking by her and out of the blue she took the pencil in her hand and slashed across his chest. I told him these were typical of the behavior at home and I had tried all type of discipline to no avail. HE WAS SHOCKED. He said that wasn't her personality at all. After talking to him a second time, He said it was probably a combination of her age, hormones starting to kick in and sibling rivalry! I knew it was more than that but still never connected it to Singulair! Well, as of today she is off the Singulair. I can't wait to see if her behavior changes. I see these posting go all the way back to 2003! If only I had thought to look online first!
-- By lsonuga | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 19th
2007
6:26 PM
I am reading this stuff and find I am very angry with the doctors who don't do the research to see what they are putting into us! I know some who say this is all just overactive parents but I think there is much more to it than that. My 8 year old child has been put on Singulair twice now and I have taken him off both times for what I thought were side effects of this med. After reading all this I know I WAS RIGHT! The first time he broke out in hives and complained of pain on several ocassions. This second time around they told me it couldn't have been the Singulair that caused the reaction and so I tried it again. He took it for 3 weeks before I connected it to constant loose to at worst water stools. He also acted differently and complained of headaches. I will say though his allergies were well in check from this medication and I wish it didn't have the nasty side effects. He finally after almost a month of being off it has normal stools again. The doctor admitted it could take this long to get out of his system. He wanted me to start it again because my child is experiencing the same allergic symptoms that Zyrtec and Flonase don't keep fully under control. Does anyone know how I can stop the stuffy / runny allergy nose with out meds?
-- By fivelinks | Reply | Private Message me
October 18th
2007
7:58 PM
Wow I can't believe what I have been reading. I have had Asthma, chronic hives and alergic dermatitis on my hands. Have been taking, for years, puffers and Reactine daily. My doctor put me one singulair for the second time, the first time being 8 years ago but I could'nt remember why I stoped until the first night of trying the medication again. With in a hour my face felt like I was in a sauna.I could'nt sleep because the air coming from my nose was burning hot. I also felt tired the next day and cranky. I took it the second day on the advice of my pharmacist. He said to keep going for a week to see if this side effect subsides. He had never heard of this side effect but since it happened twice it could not be coincidence. So I took it the second day, the burning was worse and lasted all day. going from my nose to behind my eyes. I was also feeling depressed and tired. i stoped taking the pill last night. today I am feeling a little burning at times when I am anxious and an ear ache. Even though In just two days I could feel a difference with my breathing and hives, side effects are not worth it I am staying off singulair and going to my doctor again
-- By keziah | Reply | Private Message me
July 11th
2007
11:03 PM
My nine year old son was put on Singulair for asthma on June 20th. On the tenth day on it, he started complaining of pain in his upper thigh. Three days later, he woke up crying with the pain and said he felt like his leg was broken. I knew something was wrong; this was not normal for him. (We had tried Singulair three years ago with him, but it caused bad stomach pains within the first week, so we stopped. The doctor thought maybe he could tolerate it being a little older. Wrong. ) I stopped giving it to him that day and by the next day, the leg pain was gone.
I'm glad for the posts I read here. I feel bad that I gave him this medication a second time, never again!
February 9th
2007
8:44 AM
I am now trying Singulair for the second time. It has been a couple of years but the Dr. insisted it would help control my asthma. My problem again is very dry eyes so dry that when I try to watch TV I have to close them. I have tried several eye drops and they only last a few minutes. Has anyone else had this problem?
-- By lulu4536 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 8th
2006
10:28 AM
My 3 year old son has had asthma for all of his life. He was hospitalized twice for severe asthma attacks. Since the second hospitalization, they put him on Singulair. He woke up often during the night with just random crying spells. When the bottle ran out, we never got it refilled. He then slept like a log every night. Then about 2 weeks ago, he had a bad asthma attack again. I took him into the dr. and she prescribed Singulair again for him. She mentioned that it could cause nightmares. So last night I gave it to him for the first time. He came yelling and screaming out of his room twice during the night. After the second time he just slept with us. But after that, he got up 3 or 4 times to get some water. My son is slow with speach, so he couldn't explain anything that was going on with him or how he was feeling. But for a little boy that has ALWAYS slept so soundly at night, I have to link it to the Singulair. And after reading all of these comments, I am convinced.
It may not affect everyone the same, and it may work great for some. But as for my son, I will have to find something else for his asthma.
-- By tonyabramwell | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 28th
2008
10:03 PM
My sixteen year old son, five year old son and three year old son are all on singulair for allergies. My three year old actually has asthma. They have been on the med for about a month. The singulair has been working just great so far as symptoms are concerned.
-- By jefanji | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message meMy five year old has complained of hearing people call him by name...people that were not me, my husband or his brothers. He says he doesnt know who it is but it's not us. Several times a day he says, "Mommy did you call me?" "Someone called me." He has also told me and my husband about a few bad dreams that were very vivid. Needless to day, after the second time my son complained of hearing voices, we no longer have given any of the boys the medication.AGJ Chesterfield, VA