Fact sheet symptoms and conditions

On 8/1/09 I entered the ER with unremitting high fever and was diagnosed with a UTI. My EKG was normal. The doctor wanted to give me Levaquin and said it was a broad-spectrum antibiotic and there "no side-effects." I said I wanted to be informed before I took the med- wanted to know the action and side-effects. The nurse said I could look up the drug on the Internet when I got home - their info was in the computer and they could not print out a fact sheet. The doctor said that I could take the prescription to a pharmacist after discharge, and he would explain everything in detail. I asked if he would substitute a different antibiotic - the answer was "No, this is what you need.This is a crowd-pleaser - you only have to take it once a day. " In desperation to feel better, I took the initial dose. Within 1/2 - 3/4 hour, I experienced an irregular heart beat, ringing in my ears and head "fullness." I was no longer hooked up to the monitor, so asked the nurse if she would reattach me. Her response - "Everyone has irregular beats, your EKG was normal." I would not let her take out my IV until my symptoms had abated (within 3/4 hour).
Having found out by the lab that I did NOT have a UTI, 2 days later I called the ER (to see what they would say),and they said to continue taking the Levaquin - that's what the doctor had wanted me to take Clueless, totally clueless.
Needless to say, I only took one dose and will never take another dose and now have it as an ALLERGY, to make sure I never get it!

I have taken my 15th tablet this morning.

I already knew i was sensitive to new products, and if a small percentage of people have side effects, I'm likely to be one of them.

I browsed through the potential side effects on a my fact sheet and then put the paper away and focused on the positive effects i was looking forward to. I was keen for improvements of any sort!

Well here i am on day 15 and had to start googling to see if it is my imagination or something else.

I commend those women who stick it out for 3 months, but i just can't risk waiting around for an improvement or for it to settle.
I can handle the mid nausea that comes and goes, even the breast swelling, which has been quite extreme. I got a rash -acne like - on my face, initially my face became abnormally greasy too- like i had olive oil on my face! But the following is just not on. i can cope with physical issues, but not mental ones.

1. Moods- Depression and irritability - what a change- I am angry, nasty -want to leave my husband, say mean things to my young children. Don't care about my kids. No warmth. Feel overwhelmed by usual tasks like housework. Feel really negative about everything in my life. Feel sorry for myself for anything that is not positive or terrific. Don't feel motivated, don't care. Resent things that normally i would just go ahead and do.

Foggy brain- can't think clearly

My husband has clinical depression so this is not helpful- two of us being self centred can't work.

Anxiety- unbelievable. I'm like another person- I allow irrational negative thoughts take over. Each day is different, some worse than others.
I've been tempted even a week ago to ask for anti-depressants for anxiety and depression when i saw my doctor for something else. i thought I was going mad.

Fatigue,- some days i just don't want to do anything.

Sleep- a couple of unexplained nights of insomnia and really negative stressful dreams.

Probably other symptoms.

Everything described is an extreme and unbearable change in me, and this effect took place probably with 24 or 48 hours (I didn't keep a diary unfortunately, but the symptoms began almost immediately.

I wish it was a good experience but i am not willing to wait and see what my mental health will be like in a month or two. Not with young kids who need a mum. I just took a herbal laxative to hopefully flush out the Yaz I took this morning. No more for me.

I took Levaquin for 5 days (500mg). By the end of that time I was having
extreme joint and muscle pain. Diagnosed for Pneumonia while I was
out of state over holidays. Upon going to my home doctor she immediately
knew this was the Levaquin and after 10 days of prescribed steroids I seem to be past this. THERE WAS NOTHING IN MY DRUG BOOK OR
IN THE INFO AT THE DRUGSTORE THAT ALERTED ME TO THIS SIDE
EFFECT. Please be aware of this. Also stomach bloat and pains.