July 13th
2003
1:31 PM
insomnia, anxietyconfusion, loss of focusconcentration, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, weakness, sweating, and labored breathing , restlessness, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, nightmares, and a feeling of being in another world. How can one be awake so long and time seems to fly by so quickly but your not sure what you were doing...I was afraid to move.... The nice doctor gave me 7 pills with no papers. Told me to make sure I took every one . Gave me a prescrition for predisone. I stopped the predisone thesecond day thinking that was the one causing the weird things to happen.... I knew the next morning at 3 a.m. When I found this site. I only took four of the pills . I want my old self back.
-- By gemc2003 | Reply | Private Message me
May 13th
2003
5:19 PM
I took Levaquin for five days in early April as a preventative after minor surgery. I had been prescribed a 7 day course, but stopped after I suspected the side effects were from the Levaquin. It all began with a low grade fever, then extreme anxiety, mental confusion, depression, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, weakness, sweating, heart palpitations, and scariest of all, central nervous system disturbances, strange currents in my left arm and leg, twitches, shaking, jitters and vision problems. I was the most scared I have ever been in my life. I went to my GP and he told me it was "self-perpetuated" because the half life of the drug had passed and the effects should have subsided quickly. (But he was surprised to see my liver enzymes were elevated even after the drug was supposed to have left my body...hmmm.) Well, I was in pure hell for almost three weeks after stopping the drug, desperately wanting to get better, but it had a grip on me that only someone who has experienced it can understand.
I went to a psychiatrist and a neurologist. Both told me it could have something to do with the GABA receptors in the brain. My biggest fear was that it had caused permanent harm. Well, I'm happy to report that now a month and a half later, I feel like myself again. It was a gradual improvement, but it finally subsided at the end of the third week.
I just wanted to share my story in case there is someone who is as worried as I was a month ago, seeking comfort in this forum. (There is not much comfort, I know.) But although everyone is different and the side-effects run the gamut, at least it seems to go away in time for most people. Of course I'm not completely sure that there was no permanent damage...but I feel pretty confident that my body got rid of this poison. My liver enzymes went back to normal as well.
I feel each of us must report everything Levaquin has done to us to Medwatch (the FDA), to our doctors (although they will probably doubt you), and to anyone you care about in case they are ever given this over-prescribed time-bomb. Levaquin is a life saving drug, but it should only be prescribed for people in dire need. It is being marketed to doctors as a preventative and for minor infections, and that is where the real problem is. Ortho-McNeil knows more than they tell the doctors, I'm convinced. There are just too many of us. Imagine all the people who never figure out that the Levaquin caused thier ailments! Or they believe thier doctors who say "It's all in your head."
I hope my story has been of help...and to all who suffer...hang in there. It takes time, but chances are it WILL go away.
May 11th
2003
8:38 PM
Was prescribed Levaquin 500mg by an ER Doctor that could not definatively find the cause of a high fever (103.5). After 3 days on the pills I had to investigate the numerous side effects that I thought I was experiencing. This web site confirmed that they were indeed side effects. They included, insomnia, anxiety\confusion, loss of focus\concentration, depression\mood swings, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, weakness, sweating, and labored breathing. I am glad I stopped taking the pill before full 10 days. It's been 4 days since the last dose, and the side effects have finally passed. Good luck to all taking this evil drug.
-- By cpacarl | Reply | Private Message me
April 2th
2003
9:30 AM
I sent in my side effects of hip and knee joints pain when it first occured after taking only 2 days days of 500 mg tablets. After quitting the antibiotic I immediately began having severe diarrhea and intestinal gas with the accompanying pain. This occurred over a period of 4 days. Other side effects included weakness and severe chills. I have been off Levaquin for 4 days and still have joint pain and trouble walking, although it is not as severe as at first when I could not walk at all. How can this drug remain on the market?
-- By tomjo | Reply | Private Message me
September 20th
2006
4:16 PM
The most striking side-effect has been a VERY bitter taste in my mouth day and night (worst at night). It is exactly like bile (I know from morning sickness days!). I had a headache for the first 3 days on Biaxin, esp bad at night. I experienced hand tremors for the first few days as well for which I have no other explanation. I have had considerable intestinal gas and discomfort and on the 7th day of treatment acute stomach pain for a couple hours. But there has NOT been excessive diarrhea nor any obvious yeast infections. This was my greatest dread.
-- By 14chickens | Reply | Private Message meI am glad to say good-bye to this drug after 7 days of treatment. It did seem to take care of the low-grade fever associated with bronchitis. And my coughing is reduced though not gone yet. My throat/voice box area feel swollen at present. Not sure if this is the drug or the coughing.
Having said all that, I would cosider using Biaxin again, if only to avoid yeast infections!