Achilles tendons symptoms and conditions

I took levaquin for 2 weeks to treat a infection, i am 26 years old and have never had muscle pain for longer than a couple days after working out...now i have moderate pain in my rib area and muscles near the groin area and even upper leg, and have done hardly any physical activity while being treated...i have seen no improvement for a few weeks now, but think my infection is gone... going back to my doctor tomorrow...need help

I have just finished taking Levaquin for a 10day treatment for pneumonia. In the last 5 days or so I have noticed stiffness in my achilles tendon (no pain) until I get moving. I have also notice a tremor in my hands and no muscle weakness and shaking in my triceps and quads. Of course I hadn't read the precautions to this drug before noticing these symptoms. I contacted both my pharmacist and physician and neither seemed concerned and told me if I was really worried to go to the emergency room. I am wondering if these symptoms will disappear since I am no longer on the drug, how long it will take, and how long I should worry about tendon damage----is the possibility of rupture forever???

I started using lipitor from my doctor, it lowered my cholesterol all around but I started to have lower back pains. At first I thought it might be prostate cancer, but after having to MRI's done they found no cancer, thank god. But I went to an orthopedic surgeon to see what the problem was. He looked at the mri's and saw lower dics hitting my nerve endings. He also thought that it might be muscle problems so he gave me 3 epidurals and that helped for a while took away about 50% of my pain, but I still have the pain, It is hard for me to get comfortable when I sit or even when I am sleeping. I don't want to think that it is the lipitor that is doing it to me but after talking with others I feel it is time to talk to my doctor about it. My doctor said that lipitor is the safest one that will do very little harm to my liver. I am not a doctor so I would not know.. My cholesterol level was 246 at one time now it is 175. I am now facing possible spine fusion to help correct my disc problem. But will also ask doctor to prescribe something else.

Alan

My husband has COPD and was prescribed Levaquin along with prednisone for bronchitis. He developed acute tendinitis in both achilles tendons and then the right achiiles totally ruptured about 6 weeks later. It has been a nightmare for him.

It is so important that everyone who has suffered an adverse affect report it to the FDA. Unless they receive these reports, they do not know how serious this problem really is and most doctors are totally oblivious.

An element of the side effects of Singulair that are listed here are musculo-skeletal symptoms. Quinolones such as levaquin are known to cause those issues. Singulair is a quinoline, while not the exact same category, their roots are similar. It makes the possibility that the symptoms have a common cause worth pursuing.

Here is an example of some poor rats in Tokyo that were selected to prove that the symptoms in humans were real. Maybe we should tell the levaquin board that at least some of their problems have been known since 1997.

1: Toxicol Pathol. 1997 Nov-Dec;25(6):635-43.Links
Toxic effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats.Kashida Y, Kato M.
Drug Safety Research Laboratory, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. JDN07402@niftyserve.or.jp

Quinolone antibacterial agents have adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system in humans, consisting mainly of myalgia and arthralgia, and additionally of tendon disorders and rhabdomyolysis. The present study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of quinolones on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats using light microscopy, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Single oral administration of 900 mg/kg pefloxacin (PFLX) or levofloxacin (LVFX) was found to induce lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane, in addition to articular cartilage in the fore- and hindlimbs. Articular cartilage lesions were not necessarily associated with changes in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane, or the reverse. Among all lesions, the ankle and elbow showed the highest incidence and severity. Changes were more severe in the PFLX than in the LVFX group. Lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane were similar and characterized by edema and increased number of mononuclear cells, many of which were positively stained with BrdU, as well as vascular endothelial cells in the Achilles tendon sheath and synovial membrane in the ankle. Electron microscopic examination revealed an increased number of fibroblasts and macrophages and collagen deposition in the matrix of the synovial membrane and tendon sheath. Capillary endothelial cells were hypertrophied, increased in number, and stratified. These results suggest that quinolones have toxic potentials in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane in addition to articular cartilage, and that local vascular hyperpermeability may contribute to the development of these lesions.

PMID: 9437810

I'm a 46 years old male normally good shape,I was put on Lipitor due to high cholesterol and family history of heart problems.I've been on lipitor for four years , 2years on 10mg, 1 years on 40mg and 1 year on 80 mg.
The last 6 months I have been experiencing severe archiles tendonitis to the point where I can hardly walk. I am extremely disatisfied with this drug and have read a lot of complaints regarding this drug.

Has anyone else experienced this side effect?

Please reply to this post.

Thank You

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I was put on Levaquin 750 mg. for 7 days for a sinus infection. After a few days, I was soooooooo sore in every muscle and joint of my body, that I didn't even want to get out of bed. Since I am self-employed and the only one that does my job, (custom sewing and alterations of clothing), I had too. One Friday, shortly after taking the Levaquin, I was in the bathroom, and I had to get my husband's attention to help me get up off the commode, my right leg would not let me raise up. I went to the doctor that was on call, and he said that Levaquin is like using a Elephant gun, and that you can tear a tendon, cartilage (sp?). I was put in a brace and sent for an MRI, which showed nothing other than fluid. Then I was sent to an Ortho. He gave me a cort. shot and had me to come back in 2 weeks, well the shot helped for a few days, in 2 weeks he gave me 3 options: 1: another shot, 2: surgery to see what the MRI and x-rays missed, or 3: learn to just live with it. I opted for the surgery and had it on December 31, 2007 and was informed that my cartilage(sp?) was torn in 2 places with 1 place having a "floppy" place that had to be take off. Now I have to take p.t. and get "back" to where I can work, I can't even drive now, it is my right knee, and the pressure to press the pedal is VERY painful.I have to depend on my husband to do for me and I don't like having to do this. I have never had any problems with my right knee and the doctor asked me how I did this and I told him this happened while taking Levaquin, and he was looking straight at me when he asked, when I answered with Levaquin, he just said OOOOOOOOOO, and looked straight at the computer screen. That told me that I'm not the first that he has seen or heard about. While my husband was in the hospital, there was a nurse, that said that she had heard a lot about the terrible side effects of this medicine, but had not yet met anyone that had been affected.
I also have been very moody, and short tempered since taking this medication. I have no patience, and that is not me at all.
I have also got my right ear stopped up and a ringing in it. I have also had this since taking this so called wonderful cure all antibiotic. Someone should have to pay for everything that everyone has had to go through with, PAIN and ALL. If there is a Lawsuit, count me in. I've never been affected this way with any medicine. It should be taken off the market immediately. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.

BEWARE OF TENDON RUPTURE DUE TO BACTRIM / LEVAQUIN
I had a UTI that was resistant to Bactrim. After ten days of Bactrim I was put on ten days of Levaquin. Ended up with white blotches (I am dark-
skinned) all over my body. But that's not all. Then my Achilles tendons nearly burst. Horrible pains I couldn't imagine how it was caused. Come to find out that both Bactrim and Levaquin have tendon rupture as a side-effect (never heard it from the doctor or pharmacist though). Since I was on both for a total of twenty days... I suppose I was fair game. Medicine is often a good thing for many who could not reduce or alleviate their ailments without it -- but I would have really liked to have known my increased risk of tendon rupture BEFORE the fact. The odds are probably quite remote for anyone to experience tendon rupture when taking these antibiotics, but were elevated in my case due to the immediate back-to-back, double-dose of Bactrim and levaquin. I hope this posting can prevent my experience from happening to someone else.

I was given seven days worth of Levaquin for a bad strep throat infection. I was frightened reading about some of the side effects, but I've had strep before and had a very hard time getting rid of it. The doctor at urgent care said Levaquin was "primo" for getting rid of infections, so I took a chance.

About the third day on the drug, I started to have minor tingling, burning, and "pins and needles" feeling in my hips and ankles. My knees were also slightly affected. I quit Levaquin after five days. I'm recovering, but my achilles tendons are still stiff and sore. I've definitely lost a step or two on this drug and wish I'd tried something else.

My doctor said joint pain was a "rare" side effect of Levaquin, but it sure doesn't sound like it reading this and other boards on the subject. This is scary stuff and should be avoided if there is any possible alternative.

Who would think an antibiotic would have such effects? I have been experienceing pain in my shoulder for about 3 weeks. This began less than 2 weeks after taking Levaquin for 2 weeks. In addition to that, I experienced side effects during the treatment. This include chest pressure and rapid heartbeat.

Yesterday, I saw an orthpaedist who diagnosed me with a rotator cuff injury.
I have one month of physical therapy to endure 3x per week now. If the pain doesn't improve in 2 weeks, then an MRI will be done. If it is ruptured, there will likely be surgery.

I am a healthy 35 year old woman with no history of shoulder problems. The doctor and others have asked what did I do to hurt myself. My answer is that I made the mistake of taking a drug that shouldn't be on the market. I don't lift weights and I didn't pitch 9 innings before this. So the only connection is a drug whose website states "ruptures of the shoulder, hands, and Achilles tendons have been reported...".

I have woarned all of my friends and co-workers about this drug. I am now on a crusade to prevent others from falling victim to this drug. I understand that the risks to the few outwiegh the rewards to many. However, when you are one of the few who is affected, your viewpoint changes. I am an educated woman and did read the side affects prior to taking the drug. I knew this was a possibility but it was "rare". Who knew an antibiotic could be so helpful and harmful at the same time!

I have been taking 500mg of Levaquin for the past 24 days. Now I have severe pain in both achilles tendons and lower calves of my legs. None of my regular doctors have made any connection between the pain and the Levaquin. I just called a new medical resident on staff at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and he told me to stop the medication immediately because it can, in rare cases, cause the tendons to rupture. He said new research shows that Levaquin can damage tendons in some patients.

I'm posting my comment here on the Levaquin site because I too was poisened by this drug one year ago. I experienced horrible joint and tendon pain and even a year later I am still experiencing problems with both Achilles tendons. What I wanted to talk about today is Levaquin's horrible sibling Cipro. Here it is...the honest facts...In late Dec 2006 my dad was diagnosed with chirrosis of the liver. On Jan 8, 2007 he was admitted into the hospital to have fluid drained from his abdomen as a result of his liver not functioning well. My dad was given 400 mg of Cipro through an IV over the course of one hour. I wasn't there with him at the time because I would have never allowed the doctor/nurse/whomever to administer that to him. He was released from the hospital two days later and was ok by all accounts. On Jan 18, 2007 my dad was rushed to the hospital ER where we were told he was in complete kidney failure (renal failure). His liver was also failing. My 70 year old dad died on Feb 13, 2007 from complete kidney and liver failure. At one point over the weeks he was slowly dying I looked up Cipro on the internet and was horrified to read that Cipro is notorious for causing acute renal and liver failure. Another Flouroquinolone, Tequin, was taken off the market last year for causing the same thing. My dad had a "sick" liver to begin with and I cannot comprehend whay a doctor would prescribe a drug to him that is known to cause liver failure. Yes my dad had a liver problem, but besides that he was in excellent health. I do believe that one day my dad would have died as a result of having liver disease, but I truly believe that the Cipro he was given caused his kidney and liver to fail so soon and so rapidly. Beware my friends....beware. May God bless us all who have been affected in one way or another from this crap that is STILL on the market.

Hi,
Earlier this week, I started taking Levaquin for strep throat. My regular doctor was out of town , so I went to a walk in clinic. Anyway, two later, I woke up with the worst spasms in my left shoulder and arm. I could barely lift my arm without screaming out in pain. The next morning, my right arm and shoulder were affected as well. I have had depression and bouts of sudden tears over the past five days. I read what you wrote after looking up side effects on the internet, and called my own doctor asap, since he had returned to work by then. He said that Levaquin was a very strong drug, and overkill medicine for strep throat. I mentioned my pains and he said that he knew Leva quin caused damage to children and teens, but not to adults. So I took it again, but the next day, the pain increased. It was a Saturday, so I called the covering doctor who said it was probably my Lipitor causing the pain. I told him I had taken Lipitor for three years without difficulty, he said that side effects from it can suddenly crop up. However, he did take me off the Levaquin and gave me the 5 day Z-pack.
When I picked up the new prescription at the drug store, I asked the pharmacist about Levaquin, and she said that more and more cases of damaged Achilles tendons and shoulder and arm problems were being reported due to Levicon. She asked if she should put it as a drug I am allergic to on my chart at the pharmacy. I said emphatically to list it. I went home and through out every levicon I had left. Obviously the makers of Levicon have kept this side effect pretty quiet. It is listed as a precaution, but it doesn't seem to stress enough what damage it can do.
If doctors aren't aware of this, the general public certainly wouldn't know, and yet so many cases are written up on the internet.
I think that it wopn't be too long until there IS a major law suit.
I hope my pain doesn't last, but if it lasts more than a week, I won't sit back and do nothing. I care too much about others who could be affected adversely by a dangerous drug.

Mary

Hi,
Earlier this week, I started taking Levaquin for strep throat. My regular doctor was out of town , so I went to a walk in clinic. Anyway, two later, I woke up with the worst spasms in my left shoulder and arm. I could barely lift my arm without screaming out in pain. The next morning, my right arm and shoulder were affected as well. I have had depression and bouts of sudden tears over the past five days. I read what you wrote after looking up side effects on the internet, and called my own doctor asap, since he had returned to work by then. He said that Levaquin was a very strong drug, and overkill medicine for strep throat. I mentioned my pains and he said that he knew Leva quin caused damage to children and teens, but not to adults. So I took it again, but the next day, the pain increased. It was a Saturday, so I called the covering doctor who said it was probably my Lipitor causing the pain. I told him I had taken Lipitor for three years without difficulty, he said that side effects from it can suddenly crop up. However, he did take me off the Levaquin and gave me the 5 day Z-pack.
When I picked up the new prescription at the drug store, I asked the pharmacist about Levaquin, and she said that more and more cases of damaged Achilles tendons and shoulder and arm problems were being reported due to Levicon. She asked if she should put it as a drug I am allergic to on my chart at the pharmacy. I said emphatically to list it. I went home and through out every levicon I had left. Obviously the makers of Levicon have kept this side effect pretty quiet. It is listed as a precaution, but it doesn't seem to stress enough what damage it can do.
If doctors aren't aware of this, the general public certainly wouldn't know, and yet so many cases are written up on the internet.
I think that it wopn't be too long until there IS a major law suit.
I hope my pains don't last, but if they persevere for more than a week, I won't sit back and do nothing. I care too much about others who could be affected adversely by such a dangerous drug.

Took Levaquin for 5 days as a prophylactic measure to prevent infection from a prostate biopsy. Experienced severe Achilles tendon pain and itching and swelling in both feet after the 1st 2 days but did not originally attribute it to the Levaquin. The pain has finally subsided after 12 weeks but some swelling remains. Could barely walk in the beginning and still have some balance problems.
I take no other medications and do not jog or exercise strenuously. I had a heart catherization 1 week ago and all is OK (no blockages). I have been to 4 doctors and only one would say that it might have been the Levaquin. Meanwhile I have been left to my own devices. Found some exercises on the internet to strengthen my Achilles tendons which have helped and found that lotion and massage have helped my feet.

I took levaquin for bronchitis. I have been taking it for 7 days not. on the second or third day, I began to have pain in my knee joints, the my achilles tendons began to ache, and then my calf muscles tightened. I was walking like a 90 year old cripple. I now believe all of this was caused by levaquin, especially that my chiropractor could not find any mechanical reasons for all this to happen. I will see my doctor tomorrow to see if I can stop taking thiis medication immediately.

I WAS prescribed 500 milligrams of Levaquin for 21 days. After 14 days on the medication I could barely walk. My achilles tendons felt like someone had hit me with a baseball bAT. That was in January. It is now August and I still have pain. My thighs hurt and I can barely lift my legs to walk up stairs. My knees ache severely, but it is mostly the weakness that is bothering me. I always had strong legs. Now I find it difficult to get up from a sitting position. I can't imagine what it will be like in a few more years. I am under a new doctor's care and am trying to weed out any other causes. I plan to sue if I do not regain the strength in my legs.

I am a 60 year old male who was prescribed Levaquin for a bad sinus and brnchitis infection after the Zithromax didn't knsok out the infection. After day 10, my legs and feet swelled up and my achilles tendons were so sore I could hardly walk. Called my Dr who said to get off the Levaquin. That night my right Achilles tendon ruptured completely. I had to have surgey, was in a cast and now an aircast. Out of work for 2 months now and just returned to work. My life has been turned upside dwn and I feel like a victim. The pharmacy leaflet didn't say anything more than "if you have any paid in muscles or tendson call your dr" Went on to Mfg website and only after I made the connection and had ruptured my Achilles. The drug company should be held responsible for this. This drug should be taken off the market . It is very dangerous.

HOLY COW there's alot of Levaquin joint pain happening...
I don't usually experience medicine side effects so this is scary and confusing, and I'm so glad to have found this forum.
My experience with Levaquin started with a Lupus flare two weeks ago, for which I was put on prednisone, and diltiazem for pulmonary hypertension, and a diuretic to decrease edema. The prednisone left me vulnerable to some crud that whipped up a big pneumonia 6 days ago, so I got to spend a couple of nights in the hospital... Having cultured the bacteria from the pneumonia my doc decided to prescribe Levaquin 500mg/day and the joint pain began less than 48 hours after my first dose. EXCRUCIATING bilateral knee pain radiating upward from the feet, at 4am... I was crawling down the stairs to get to the Tylenol and it took forever.
So I asked him about it this morning and he said it usually just affects Achilles tendons. Hmm. I should have asked for a new antibiotic but I thought I'd tough it out with Tylenol - so - tonight I did just that, had 1000mg Tylenol before bed and yet still had some severe foot pain.
Now, I think I'll stop this Levaquin adventure altogether and get some new med, hoping the side effects will GO AWAY!!!!

I did a ten day course of cipro for a UTI. at about day 6 my thighs started hurting a little and by day ten my calves hurt as well. a few days after that my achilles tendons were killing me and I was put on prednisone for ten days, it actually helped the pain. after the steroid course ended the pain returned and now encompassed the bottom of my feet, ankels, knees, left shoulder, and carpal tunnel in both wrists. My DR said he wasn't sure what to do when this kind of reaction to cipro occurs. as of now I am almost disabled, I can stand only for a few minutes at a time, and I am in constant pain especially in my feet. I don't know what the solution to this is, but I think that Bayer should be held responsible when their product disables someone. I am not trashing Bayer, cipro did exactly what it was supposed to do for the UTI, I just had a bad reaction to it.

I am taking both Lotensin and Maxide. Upon doing some research, I believe that it is the Maxide causing my problem: cramping in my hands and feet (toes and fingers) and tightening with soreness (like cramps) at the back of my ankles by the achilles tendons that sometimes cause me to limp. Following up with my physician.

I took Levaquin for about 2 weeks December 2004 for ear/sinus infections. When the infection recurred in January, my doctor told me to double the dosage and take it for another week. 2 days into it, my achilles tendons started hurting badly enough that I couldn't walk. I got off the Levaquin but have had tendinitis for 6 months now. An MRI found that I have fluid filled cysts on the both tendons, and I need surgery. Don't take Levaquin unless you have no other choice.

If you are a runner, do not take Levaquin without doing some serious research into its side effects. I was prescribed Levaquin after not being able to shake a sinus infection for over three months (it would go away and then come back). My doctor (who is also a runner) said he had seen a lot of resistance to antibiotics, and so wanted to give me something stronger. He prescribed a 5-day, 750 mg dose of Levaquin, and I have taken all 5 pills. I felt better almost immediately after taking the first dose. After taking 2 doses, I felt good enough to go for a run, which I did, and didn't notice any discomfort. However, two days after (4th day of medication), I went running in the morning and felt severe pain in both of my Achilles tendons. All through the day my lower legs were killing me, and when I woke up the next morning, I could barely walk (I took Naprosyn, a prescription anti-inflammatory, which did nothing). I did notice that it gradually got better, even though I was doing a lot of walking, so after taking two days off, I went running again. Only to feel the same pain, but even worse. Runners are stubborn, and will typically run through pain (you could call it stupid), but I couldn't do it because the pain was so severe. I began to worry that I had done some sort of serious damage to my Achilles tendons; when I rubbed them, they made a weird, "gristly" noise. 3 days after my last dose, I notice that I had visible swelling in the back of both of my lower calves (Achilles), and they were still fairly sore and tight to the touch. 5 days after the last does, the swelling *seems* to be going down a bit (maybe I'm just being optimistic), and I have been able to walk the dogs and such, but after reading all these posts, I will not run again until I talk to my doctor. I began suspecting that it was caused by the Levaquin because it happened to *both* legs; I've had lots of minor injuries, but it's usually to one leg or knee or foot; not both. So I was suspicious, and came to this site. After reading the post about the man whose wife ruptured both of her Achilles tendons, I got pretty scared, and feel terrible for her, and feel fortunate that hasn't happened to me, because I honestly felt that it was going to at one point. Without really knowing what's going on physiologically, it seems to me that in some people, Levaquin deteriorates muscle and tendon mass, causing weakness, possibly to the point of rupture.

Also, I concur with many other posts about frequent urination (for a time, I was getting up about every half hour during the night), and also with complaints about joint pain. I had been taking Naprosyn for pain in my hip, and it was really helping. Now, after taking the Levaquin, my hip hurts as much or more than it ever did, and the Naprosyn won't touch it.

If I had read these postings, I never would have taken this drug. I would rather put up with a sinus infection than contemplate the inability to run again. But after reading other things on this site, I suppose that should be the least of my concerns. I am worried about how long these side effects will last, and concerned about permanent damage, or things that haven't even surfaced yet. I am going to call my doctor first-thing tomorrow and tell him what's going on. Thanks to those who have posted and offered insight and remedies.

Folks who are prednisone dependent should know that one of the common side effects is weakening of the connective tissue. Due to the chronic use of prednisone and quinolone antibiotics (cipro, avelox, levaquin) for a severe respiratory disease, I have ruptured both my achilles tendons.