Fluroquinolones symptoms and conditions

1) Stop going to the doctor for "sinus infections". This is one of the most over diagnosed, over treated, self-limiting illnesses in the world. Because 90% is viral, it's also the leading cause of antibiotic resistant bacteria in out-patient medicine. Get some Afrin and blow your nose.
2) Avoid taking fluoroquinolones (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox) as an outpatient. These powerful drugs should be used to save lives in the hospital. The leading exception would be a urinary tract infection that is resistant to all other antibiotics.
3) All fluoroquinolones can cause tendon ruptures, especially the achille's tendon in patients over 65. This is a devastating injury, though rare with this class of antibiotics.

On 7-15-08 I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital.3 weeks to the day later I had a abscess next to my bowel that had to be removed and again was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital,both times I got very sick right after I was given Levaquin and when I was discharged on the 2nd.trip I was sent home with Levaquin 500mg pills.After taking 2 of the Levaquin pills I again was so sick and could not keep anything down so I called my DR.and explained to him what was going on and I was told I had to keep taking the Levaquin.After a few more days had passed I went into the office to see the DR.and again told him how sick I was and that I was unable to go to sleep,again I was told to continue the Levaquin and that my hormones were out of balance and that was why I was unable to go to sleep.On 9-2-08 I finally went back to work after being off for 7 weeks. I still was suffering from insomnia and was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night but was feeling better.On 9-30-08 I had a follow up with my primary care DR.my blood pressure was 211/160 and my pulse was 177 and also had a bad cough with wheezing and was sent straight to the ER.I was admitted and for the next 6 days was given Levaquin thru IV and the more I got the sicker I was to a point I thought I was dying.I ended up with a rash all over my face and finally on day 7 a Lung DR.came into the room and took one look at me and said "oh my god,we have to take you off of that antibiotic")
I was sent home on day 8 and after being home for 3 days all of the Tendons in both legs,ankles,arms,hands and right shoulder were inflamed to a point where the DR.was afraid that they were going to rapture so I was on complete bed rest for 3 weeks.I am now suffering from both ankles swelled and ache all the time along with all of the minerals in my body have completely bottomed out along with the calcium and potassium and also now I have several inflammatory markers in my blood and have to go see a Rheumatology & Arthritis DR.My lungs have also been damaged from Levaquin and I am now using 3 different inhalers and I have never had a breathing problem previous to this.Now for those who have commented that we should have researched the drug before taking the meds in my case I was unable to do so being as though I was given it in the hospital ! I still have no idea how much damage I will be left with and what will be permanent.I will post again when I find out more on the damage that this drug has done to my 44 year old body.

LEVAQUIN SIDE EFFECTS - As I posted yesterday, after taking one Levaquin - 750 mg, I had hallucinations, sleeplessness, extremely severe headache, and now today I woke up with "thrush mouth/yeast infection" in my mouth - plus aching gums and teeth.

Please, FDA or drug company that makes this, read these boards. This is the TIP of the ICEBERG. Think of the thousands or millions who don't take time to report the side effects of this drug. It would not surprise me if suicides and death are not brought on from LEVAQUIN.

I am thankful I had the good sense to stop this drug after one dose or I might be dead. The hallucinations and headache were the most horrific of my life. I can't imagine what I would be like if I had taken all 7 pills.

I took my first dose of Levaquin at 6:30Pm on January 3rd. Soon after I developed a sunburn like rash, puffy eyes that got really bloodshot, a severe-severe headache, fainting, low blood pressure (70/40,) pain and heaviness in my knees that made it difficult to walk, pain in my back in the midsection, a ringing so loud in my ears that I thought something must have been banging on the house, and sensitivity to light and sound. The headache was so bad that I the air blowing through the vents at the hospital was painful to hear. I was in the hospital by 2AM, and remained there for 4 days. Mainly because the staff did not believe that the Levaquin was the culprit and gave me another dose once I was feeling a bit more like myself..