October 27th
2007
4:11 AM
I took levaquin, cipro and avalox in a 4 month period due to a severe sinus infection, back in Jan to april of 2006. I had tolerated it most of my life, but at that time, I had had 'neck surgery due to 2 pinched nerves, left shoulder operated on, major tears, due to extreme 'flat roof roofing repair' for 6 months trying to save our 'dream home from satan'. (we lost it, foreclosure)
I complained to my dr the next day, (and most every week) he ignored my halluciations, (actually "snickered" in my face), mood altered, ignored my complaints of feeling like a hot rake tearing my muscle and tendons apart. pain, told me to continue taking it:(, blame me for listening and NOT doing research soon enough, I learned later the dr is supposed to STOP the drugs immediately to rule out tendonitist to prevent pernanent irreverable damage AND it's not to be given to 'muscle challanged people'). after that 3rd round in a 4 month period, I told him I'd rather die than to take them again. mom always told me I was allergic to pennicilin, I wasnt, it helped clear my infection.
I now have hodgkins lyphoma, (affects men mostly, i'm female, 51 yrs of age), I shouldnt have 'this cancer'. My face started breaking out w/2 types of skin cancer, basal cell, and precancer A. keratosis eveywhere. I was 120 lbs, cut muscles, always had been physical. Now, flab, lost mucle strength everywhere. Every day now is filled w/severe pain and NO dr will listen, I've been called crazy so many times, I could puke. The dr's dont WANT TO KNOW because of the extensive lawsuits that will exist due to them NOT knowing side effects and stopping meds, it's their 'brotherhood', protect each other no matter what the patients 'cost' is, as in mine, complete mind and body destruction:(
To MOST people, this drug is okay. To many of us, it's a life destroying slow death. Cant work, cant get disability. Have reached for 'help to heaven' so many times, but never followed through:(. I still HOPE for some dr to listen and do necessary tests so I can sue the crap out of my previous g.p. He should have known . HOPE is a forbidden 4 letter word, yet I cuss like a sailor.
Peace my fellow quin sufferers, Sandie in S.C.
August 12th
2007
7:24 PM
Are you for real? While I can understand what you are TRYING to say, this posting lacks any degree of understanding of the problem. Obviously you have not experienced what some of these people (myself included) have experienced.
Just out of curiosity, if someone starts taking a medication and it is determined they are going into anaphylactic shock, should they continue?
Also, your own posting references "last-line of defense..." and there lies the problem. The FDA is approving things based on political motivations rather than objective criteria, drug companies are legalized pushers looking to make a buck, and doctors are overzealous and overworked so they are handing it out like candy. Last-line?? Not quite.
Bottom line, this stuff is poison to some people and not only should they stop, they never should have started on it. Read "Bitter Pills", read the web, talk to "good" doctors, but get some information before running off at the mouth.
-- By antileviquin | Reply | Private Message me
August 12th
2007
6:39 PM
Uh, I have read a number of postings where people are PROUD they stopped taking this last-line of defense antibiotic. Read up and be prepared before you take it. Stopping short only breeds drug resistant bacteria. If people didn't do this, we wouldn't need these horrible medicines.
You, and all the others that do the same, are RESPONSIBLE for this medication's existence. Had you kept taking that Amoxicillin back, when you were a spry 18 year old, instead of stopping when you "felt better", there wouldn't be a constant bacterial arms race.
Stopping these medications mid-treatment is a disservice to HUMANITY.
Keep it up, and next time you get a staph infection, you might find there are no antibiotics that work anymore.
-- By med-private | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
April 30th
2007
9:18 PM
After less than two weeks on Lisinopril I felt terrible. I told my doctor, but he insisted that I continue to take it because "it was so good for my heart." I do not have a heart problem.
Over the next year, I fell multiple times; and was seen in urgent care for hives, facial swelling, and other symptoms of allergic reaction. I was ultimately referred to an allergist who diagnosed an allergy to Lisinopril.
The drug did not control my blood pressure, and in fact could have caused anaphylactic shock. I was prescribed Epipens to carry at all times, in the even my airways closed at a cost of $500 out of pocket before Lisinopril was identified as the culprit.
I personally know of two other women with the same experience. The drug is not as great as it is made out to be by the medical profession.
-- By jlehman001 | Reply | Private Message me
March 10th
2006
8:12 AM
My husband got put on Lisinopril for high blood pressure and developed the cough that everyone seems to get. He was taken off of it and was put on another medicine and the coughing stopped. Later I was put on Lisinopril for having too much protein in my urine. The first time something happened was that my throat felt very swollen and it was hard to swallow but it went away within 2 hours and I ignored it. The second thing that happened was that my upper lip swelled three times it's normal size. I took some Benedryl and after about an hour it went down. Two days later my husband rushed me to the ER because I couldn't breathe, swallow and I was feeling dizzy. I tried to take some Benedryl but I couldn't swallow it. It turned out I was going into anaphylactic shock. The ER doctore told me it was because of the Lisinopril. He told me that the swelling of the throat and breathing problems were a common side effect. I discontinued taking it and since have had no problems.
-- By yasminnixon | Reply | Private Message me
November 11th
2005
8:52 AM
On OCt. 20th, 2005 I received injections of Kenalog with lidocaine and epinephrine (total 2cc.s) into 6-8 sites in atypical scar tissue and lesions. Ten minutes later I went into anaphylactic shock and was given 2 shots of benadryl in my hips. Didn't help much, 911 was called and the paramedics injected me with more stuff and I was taken to the emergency room. Ever since then, the muscles under my left eye constantly twitch. The doctor thinks I was allergic to the lidocaine and wants to give me more Kenalog injections. I have no prior drug allergies. Did anyone else get an allergic reaction to Kenalog?
-- By susan925 | Reply | Private Message me
May 3th
2004
10:29 PM
August 21th
2003
10:41 AM
I am on Levaquin, but my side effect is from reading these posts, not taking the drug. I have no patience with people that have no common sense. Yes, doctors should tell you about the drugs they prescribe, but it is your responsibility to ask about potential side effects, interactions with other drugs you are taking, etc. It is also your responsibility to read the detailed informa tion that comes with every prescription from a pharmacy that lists possible side effects, which ones are likely to go away after a dose or two, and which ones you should contact a doctor about. If you get the drug as a sample at your doctor's office, stop in at a pharmacy and ask for the information sheet or get on the internet and find it.
All antibiotics cause dstomach upset and sometimes diarrhea because they kill all the bacteria they find, the bad ones causing your infection as well as the good ones living in your digestive system that keep you healthy. All antibiotics can cause yeast infections for the same reason. As some smart European posters to this list suggested, eating yogurt with live acidophilus cultures or taking acidophilus pills from the healthfood store may mediate this effect.
Lastly, even if your doctors don't have common sense about the symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should know the signs, because severe reactions can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death. Rashes, hives, itching, dizziness, and shortness of breath ARE NOT SIDE EFFECTS! They are warning signs of an allergic reaction. You can become allergic to any drug at any time, even if you have taken it with no problem many times before, antibiotic allergies are very common, and it is vitally important for you to know what drugs you are allergic to because not every doctor reads every word in your medical file. I am allergic to sulfa drugs (which I learned from a severe case of hives while taking Bactrim), yet a doctor prescribed Celebrex for a knee injury, and if I hadn't known that Celebrex contained sulfa I would have been in trouble instead of safely taking sulfa-free Vioxx.
Bottom line, you are responsible for your own health, no one else. Know the difference between signs of an allergic reaction, standard side effects, and rare side effects that should cause concern. If you're concerned, CALL YOUR DOCTOR, HEALTH PLAN, or PHARMACIST rather than posting on an online newsgroup. It could save your life.
-- By bkantrowitz | Reply | Private Message me
May 22th
2003
6:40 PM
I was prescribed Levaquin for sever Sinusitus. Almost one hour after the 2nd dose I began experiencing tightness in my chest that became progressively worse. At the 1.5 hour mark on day 2 I was in anaphylactic shock and had to be taken to the ER in an ambulance.
I am 41 years old and have know of an allergy to both Penicillin (from age 2) and Quibron (from age 15). I was saved with multiple doses of benadryl, adrenaline and another med I cannot remember.
November 21th
2002
1:23 PM
Anaphylactic Shock- My mother was given an IV prior to surgery and after receiving only 1/20th of prescribed amount had a very severe allergic reaction, felt dizzy, passed out, had a seizure, turned brilliant red, drastic drop in blood pressure, she could have died. (Surgery is being postponed, but she will be in I.C.U. for a while)
-- By lmuff | Reply | Private Message me
Levaquin (6) Kenalog (2) Lisinopril (2) Hespan (1) Atrovent (1)
June 10th
2008
11:27 PM
About 2 years ago, I had an injection of Kenalog in my knee. I was having knee pain and it was diagnosed as a miniscus problem. The doctor decided to see if the Kenalog relieved any pain. 15 minutes after I had the injection, while driving home, I felt warmth in my crotch area, then under my armpits, and then the itching started. I was having an allergic reaction.
-- By rintwin | Reply | Private Message meBy the time I got home, I went into full anaphylactic shock. My daughter called the paramedics and my blood pressure was 50/10.I barely had a pulse. I spent 31 hours in the ER and 5 days in the hospital. This kind of reaction is rare but very real. FYI.
Rindi B, Carlsbad, Ca.