Acetazolamide and Tingling: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bob...
• November 20, 2008

Acetazolamide for Glaucoma "In a pretty critical situation after cataract surgery, this drug brought it totally in line. Side effects for me were mild, though annoying. Of all of the side effects, a spacey feeling for about 10 minutes the first two times, and tingling fingers and toes. All in all, worth it for short-term treatment."

• Bob...
• November 20, 2008

Acetazolamide for Glaucoma "In a pretty critical situation after cataract surgery, this drug brought it totally in line. Side effects for me were mild, though annoying. Of all of the side effects, a spacey feeling for about 10 minutes the first two times, and tingling fingers and toes. All in all, worth it for short-term treatment."

• bir...
• February 15, 2017

Acetazolamide for Mountain Sickness / Altitude Sickness "After several bird tours flirting with 10,000 - 11,000 ft elevation, I became suspicious that I was susceptible to altitude sickness. A redirected flight to La Paz, Bolivia (and some unscheduled ascents near Cochabamba) convinced me I was. Typically, I serve as a human altimeter, within minutes of reaching 11,000 ft, I'm puking my guts out. Diamox has been a wonder drug in preventing altitude sickness on tours I've been on since Bolivia. I've traveled from 8,000 ft straight to 14,000 ft several times with no altitude sickness symptoms at all. 125 mg before bed is all I need. Tingling and bad-tasting soda symptoms are greatly reduced at that dosage compared to the 250 mg I initially used."

• Lee...
• April 11, 2021

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been diagnosed with IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension), they put me on Diamox. I am a rarer case because I am a thin woman compared to most. They hoped the Diamox will help bring down the fluid. I started on 250 mg twice daily. Anything carbonated tasted dull and metallic. My entire body will tingle and go numb, but at different times throughout the day, multiple times. The worst experience for me is I am peeing all the time, and my face is also breaking out, and my hands are numb and tingling for hours throughout the day. Overall, the pins and needles in my feet up to my knees are so painful. It feels like glass or knives, and this is no exaggeration. I am left in tears, and it happens many times a day on each leg, and I wake up out of my sleep several times a night. My neuro said it gets better over a span of 2-3 months, and now it has been 5 months. He upped my dose, and I am absolutely miserable. My neuro says I cannot stop unless surgery because it will lead to permanent vision loss."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

For Glaucoma "I was only prescribed this medication for 3 days following an eye procedure. I generally steer away from any prescription meds as much as possible. I experienced horrible tingling hands and feet, mild nausea, a little lightheaded. The worst symptom was extreme fatigue. Very relieved when the 3-day course was up."

• Dej...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2017

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri in February 2015. When I got pregnant with my son, I gained over 60 lbs. I had him in May 2014 and didn't have any symptoms until October 2014 when my eyesight went out for a second or two, and it didn't happen again. I didn't pay it any mind until January 2015 when it started getting worse. My vision would go in and out for about 2-5 seconds at a time. I finally saw the ophthalmologist, who said my optic nerves were swollen and referred me to a neurologist, who had me do an MRI, one spinal tap (where my pressure was so high at 44, so they relieved some of the spinal fluid down to 20), then they finally decided to put me on Acetazolamide 500 mg ER. The only cons were the metallic taste and tingling."

• IIH...
• January 24, 2010

Acetazolamide for Pseudotumor Cerebri "In February of 2008, I was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension due to a rare side effect caused by minocycline prescribed to me by a dermatologist. This medication, along with my lumbar puncture, has stopped my vision loss. The side effects have been very difficult at times. I have experienced all of the common side effects, including loss of appetite (lost 40 pounds), tingling from hands to elbows and toes to knees, and intestinal problems. Brain pressure remains high, but vision is saved. Overall, just glad to be alive and without a shunt. Be well."

• Say...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2015

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "Good. It's only been two days, but I feel much better already. My foggy head feels like it's clearing, my eyes feel clearer, my headaches are minimal, and I feel great. I'll come back and update in a few months, but I just wanted to offer my positive experience because all you ever see here are negative reviews. Yeah, I've had a bit of tingling, but it's really nothing - just like normal pins and needles, which I was getting anyway, so I can't even tell if it's this or not; even if it is, it's not distressing in the least. I think I'm coping well because my neurologist said to me, 'the people that don't do well on this medicine usually misinterpret the side effects as dangerous. They're not.' Now, I feel perfectly safe with the side effects."

• Big...
• October 23, 2015

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "In the ER for the 2nd time with a horrific headache. The first time I was told my migraines escalated. I knew my body well enough to know this was no migraine. I started this medicine in the hospital for two days and can say this is the first time in over 6 months I have not had a headache. I can tolerate the tingling and the weird taste carbon has now, but that is a minor inconvenience compared to head feeling like it's in a world champion soccer game."

• Bro...
• March 6, 2017

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I've been taking this medication regularly for the past month and want to cry. I'm 20 years old, a healthy female, and was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri. I call my mom nearly every day complaining of a new pain. From the horrible tingly sensation in my hands and feet to the horrible confusion, and now extreme pain in my abdomen, I'm ready for this all to stop. I'm on 500 mg daily and can't even operate my vehicle! I am always so out of it it makes finishing my homework assignments difficult, let alone the constant new pains I always complain about. I am pretty tough, but when it comes to seeing my doctor every week due to the side effects of this medication, it's not worth it."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2015

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have had a less than par experience from this drug, but if you have been recently diagnosed with PTC, I would highly encourage you to try this as your course of treatment. Everybody reacts differently to medications and has different limitations in how far they're willing to go to get help. I was diagnosed in April of 2015, but have had it for 4 years. Nothing ever showed on MRIs, so they kept giving me migraine medicines, but nothing ever worked. Once I was diagnosed and took the medicine, the pressure went away, but the side effects started. Tingling and bad-tasting carbonation is something that you can deal with when the bowling ball-sized pressure in your brain is gone. The worst side effect for me was the spacey and drowsy-ness I felt."

• Cin...
• April 25, 2016

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been on Diamox for ten years. Side effects are horrible. And I also have noticed more and more side effects the longer I take the meds. Without this medication, I have seven to eight episodes weekly. It really is a miracle drug! For the tingling sensation, I take EmerNC, it's a vitamin and immune booster. I don't drink any sodas at all or anything that has bubbles. I also found a whole list of medications and food you can't take while taking Diamox on Pinterest, and as long as I stay on top of everything, I feel better."

• bas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2018

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "This medicine helped my migraines stop, but it caused me an insane amount of fatigue when I started it and when I stopped it. My hands, legs, feet, and sometimes other body parts tingled nonstop. Sometimes the tingle was so strong, it actually hurt. My hands tingled so much that I couldn’t write, so I had to use my computer to take notes instead. The one good thing from this medicine was the horrible migraines I’ve been suffering through never once occurred."

• Pen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 3, 2015

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I've been on and off this medicine since 2006, I was told I'd be able to stop, but it has not happened. It helps so much with the IH even with the tingling and taste issue side effects, I don't know what I'd do without it. I've had two spinal taps, and I really do not enjoy that experience."

• CHE...
• December 22, 2013

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed on a Wednesday, and by Thursday, I had started taking this medication. It did not kick in until the third day when I finally woke up without a headache. However, after one day of the pill, I have seen its side effects. All beverages with carbonation are now out of the question, they taste horrible. Pepsi tasted like soapy dishwater with a hint of bleach, and I noticed the tingling in my lips. The tingling in my lips and legs, however, does not bother me. I just find that my legs fall asleep faster if I'm not moving them. When my lips tingle, it kind of makes me laugh, it won't freak you out. Hoping that by the end of the week, the headaches are completely gone!"

• Kei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

For Glaucoma "I was diagnosed with intermediate uveitis 5 weeks ago and recently started on Diamox 2 weeks ago after my eye pressure started increasing from the steroid drops I am on. The first couple of days I was much more tired and almost foggy-minded. Also had to urinate much more often. Then after the first couple of days, my body got very used to it. The only main symptom I have now is light tingling in my feet. My eye pressure was down from 39 to 28 in a week's time."

• Thu...
• February 27, 2016

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "Have been on Diamox for 3 weeks. Started on 250 mg bid for one week, then increased to 750 mg for 1 week, then increased to 500 mg bid for a total complete dose of 1000 mg a day. Numbness and tingling of hands and feet started almost immediately after the 1st dose. With the increase to 750 mg, (500 mg in the am and 250 mg in the afternoon), I started getting horrible knee pain in both knees. I still have a pulsing sound in my right ear. Constant, remains unchanged. Optic disks and papilledema and retinal damage due to IIH. Have not seen any changes or benefits due to this medication at this time. The side effects are rough. I was told by the neurologist my body would automatically adjust over time to the side effects. Not sure how much longer I can continue on the med."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2019

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri two months ago, and I have been on Diamox for about six weeks. So far, I have a love-hate relationship with this drug. It got rid of my “snow” almost immediately, but the flashing lights and blurriness are still there. Any improvement is great in my opinion. The problem is with the side effects. I have gotten used to the weird food and beverage tastes, and the tingling in my hands and feet is annoying but bearable. I have completely lost my energy. I am tired all the time, and it is very difficult to find the motivation to get through work and do what I need to get done. I feel like garbage a few days a week. I’m really struggling, but I am going to try to learn to deal with it."

• jlm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2020

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been on Diamox since July 2019. I take it to treat my idiopathic intracranial hypertension. I was getting really bad headaches, and my vision was blacking out. I started on 250 mg once in the morning and once at night. I noticed almost immediately that my vision wasn’t blacking out anymore. I was still getting headaches, which I didn't think were going to go away because I have been getting migraines since I was 7 years old. At first, the side effects were very prominent. My hands and feet would tingle all the time and go numb. I was always hearing a loud swooshing sound followed by a ringing in my ears. It has been over a year since I started taking Diamox, and now I take 1000 mg once in the morning and once at night. I still deal with migraines, but the pressure in my eyes has decreased significantly. My feet still tingle sometimes, and the ringing in my ears still happens. I would rather deal with those two things than lose my vision multiple times a day."

• Mik...
• June 22, 2018

For Glaucoma "I took this medicine once, and the side effects are horrible. It decreases my potassium to the point that I felt the pressure on my head, and it feels like I was about to collapse. My whole body started to feel numb, and I was shaking and scared. (I was about to panic when I felt that numbness all over my body), but I stayed calm and rested, but I can still feel the tingling sensation. I pee a lot, dizziness, and I feel like it triggers my anxiety. But this medicine helped my eye pressure. I just took this once, and I will never take that again. Earlier, I went to my ophthalmologist, and he is kind of shocked that I said I was about to collapse, and he said that I shouldn't take that medicine because of the side effects. Right now, I can still feel the tingling in my fingers and foot. I just ate a banana, and it helps..."

• Est...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2017

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "All I have to say is that this pill has made my life so much better. Three years ago, this pseudotumor cerebri started after having my firstborn. I was at my heaviest at 245 lb. Ever since, I've never been the same until now. Although I deal with the side effects (sleepy, muscle weakness, tiredness, tingling), being sleepy has been the worst to cope with because I'm a mother and I have things to do, BUT at least some days I'm able to function well, and that's better than nothing. I also take potassium, which helps a lot for the tingling! I hope one day I no longer have to take these pills and finally have my life back and enjoy it! BTW, I'm 21 years old."

• Nur...
• January 25, 2014

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri almost two years ago now, and I've had a spinal tap done after a year of crippling, painful headaches, blurred vision, bright red inflamed eyes, and dizziness. The spinal tap, unfortunately, went wrong, and I had a spinal leakage from the high intracranial pressure, with an absolutely horrible spinal headache, so I had to have a blood patch, then put on acetazolamide. With the painful tingling sensations on my face, arms, and feet, I couldn't sleep, and I pee all night. I take 1500 mg of it, 3 pills a day, and although it's helped clear my eyes, my headaches, and the wind tunnel noise in my ears from the fluid is still very loud. I'm totally off balance, and I have forgetfulness all the time, not to mention I'm always tired."

• VPe...
• September 3, 2017

For Glaucoma "For lowering pressure, the medication is very effective, however, the side effects are a nightmare. I get tingling sensations everywhere, dehydration, increased urine, drowsiness. It doesn't help that I'm also a teenager who needs to concentrate on my studies, so it's a miracle I managed to get through school recently."

• Cri...
• July 28, 2010

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I have been taking this medicine for a few weeks now. My neurologist looked in my eyes and caught the pseudotumor cerebri. He immediately sent me for a brain scan and a lumbar puncture the next day. He thinks it was caused by minocycline, which I had been taking for my acne. I am also having to see an optometrist on a regular basis to check for vision loss. My neurologist took me off propranolol (headache preventative), the antibiotic, and all my prescription face creams. I am on 750 mg right now but will be on 1000 mg in a few weeks if tolerated well. My massive headaches are gone, the heartbeat in my ear is gone. The only side effects I have are the tingling in my hands and feet, sodas taste flat, my appetite is gone, and I am tired a lot. I have to have blood work often."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2014

For Pseudotumor Cerebri "I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri a little over 2 months ago, after many visits to doctors, nurses, and hospitals. Then an amazing neurologist who finally gave me an answer as to what was causing all my problems. I have since had 2 spinal taps and have another still to come, she is looking at doing bi-weekly. But since starting this medication, I have regained most of my vision, which I had lost most of. I do miss my coffee, but tea still is okay. I have an allergy to the pills, so I take medication to stop the hives and itching, and sometimes the pins and needles in my legs bring me to tears. My face tingling makes me giggle, the twitching in my face does drive me crazy, but really it's all better than going blind or getting the shunt."