Factive symptoms and conditions

I started taking Levaquin 500mg on Jan. 28,2009 after having it prescribed fby my cardiologist for a lung infection, after he conducted blood, urine and heart ecosonogram tests over the three previous days. I had an infection, everything else was fine. I am 55 and have mitral valve prolapse and have been treated 20 years ago for atrial fibrillation, hence my primary care doctor is a cardiologist. Willingly starting the treatment of one tablet a day, I noticed insomnia the first and subsequent nights, tiredness and probably depression as my friend and wife said I was acting a bit "needy" and anxiety. My family commented on my anxiety as did my friend who I only email and phone. My infection noticeably improved so I was feeling better and marked it up to having been sick, until the 4th day when I starting having shortness of breath and I noticed a feeling I knew well but had not experienced in 20 years, my heart area hurt in a mild way and I felt flutters, just enough that I pulled the medical paper for the Levaquin and read the side effects bar. Low and behold all my side effects were listed. "Rare but could happen in patients predisposed to heart problems" On Monday Feb 2nd I called the doctor with my concerns but he assured me that is was not the Levaquin but he made me an appointment to check things out. So one week into the 10 day course of treatment I had another checkup only to find an erratic heart beat but on the slow side not the pounding which is normally associated with this problem. So now my doctor "who is a friend" so I am not a number, wants me to start on an anticoagulant"Coumadin" to ease the pumping in my heart and then further exams and medication for "life" for my fibrillation! Problem now is I have one more pill of the Levaquin of the 10 pill series which I "should take in 10 minutes ( I just found this site)! I have decided not to take any more test or medication of any kind until I feel this Levaquin is completely out of my body. Does anyone have any ideas how long that could be? P.S. My heart still feels like it did earlier in the week!

Sadly, I am just another case among many it seems. I am a 26 year old female who was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a UTI at my urgent care center. I have health problems to begin with and did not want any more. You know, I’ve had to take all kinds of meds over the years, including harsh ones, but it was never so bad as to prompt me to write comments on the internet about it. What does that say about Cipro? When I got home from the doctor I read the paper before swallowing the pill, which included the description of side effects. Unfortunately, it did not include the truth about what could happen to you while even taking this drug for a short time. If there had been some kind of warning about the strength and potential risk of taking this drug, I most likely would have steered clear from it since I am sensitive to medications and already suffering. The paper led me to believe false information, listing some common antibiotic side effects, and I ended up starting treatment. Some of the negative effects I experienced while on this medication for only 2 days were: severe muscle/overall body weakness, difficulty breathing, fatigue, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, anxiety/nervousness, restlessness, mild carpal tunnel pain, slight vision change, stiffness, pain, an overall feeling of terrible heaviness, including of the chest, and possible heart palpitations. It felt like the medication was damaging my body; like it was eating away at my muscles or something. I've never had chemotherapy before, but some how that's how I would imagine it. It felt like it was doing damage to every cell in my body. The worst part is the weakness and altered thinking right now. I hope these symptoms go away completely. I felt better after quitting the drug, but not completely. I am just thankful for my hope in Jesus Christ. Even if things don't improve, I am comforted that He cares for me. I am going to be praying for this terrible situation where doctors are just handing this out for common problems without giving proper warning. May fewer and fewer people have to suffer because of Cipro and this class of drugs. I am also going to report this to the FDA and hopefully to my doctor’s office. I would like to see clear and extensive warnings on this drug, if not for it to be taken off the market. My personal advice to any one who is currently on this medicine and experiencing side effects would be to: drink milk or eat other dairy products to lessen the symptoms. It seemed to temporarily help me.

Update on my post of Aug. 11th. I did see a neurologist who was a bit skeptical, but after looking it up did acknowledge that this drug can cause tendon ruptures, etc. Later that week he did a nerve conduction study, both the one with the needles and the one where they shock the muscles. He was happy to report that I did not have any "nerve" damage. I had already told him that I did not think I had neuropathy as the numbness had gone away and was just replaced by the constant pain in my joints, etc. I then went to see my rheumatologist who was also just as skeptical that the drug could be causing all the pain I was describing. She said she had had three patients with tendon ruptures, but nothing else. I really don't care what she believes, and I told her so. I know what happened and what horrible pain I have been in ever since. I hate to report that the pain in my feet, knees, hands, hips, back and now my neck are not any better. My insomnia is some better, but I am taking more Lyrica. I tried a different antibiotic yesterday for the sinus infection called Clindamycin. OMG! I took one pill and within a few minutes had unbelievable heartburn. That lasted for 12 hours, along with reflux, burping, weird stomach noises. Now, I can't take that. Doctor called in a prescription for Augmentin this morning. Afraid to try anything now, but guess I will give it a shot. Is anyone getting any better from their joint or muscle pain? Some encourgement would be good. Thanks.