Late spring symptoms and conditions

As I write this, I'm on my fourth day taking Levaquin 500 mg. prescribed by my doctor for severe nasal congestion, sore throat, difficult cough. I have bouts like this on a yearly basis that start around Thanksgiving till late spring. I do remember taking Levaquin before though didn't notice anything bad (yet). As I read through different messages, I now come to realize that maybe I should go back and check the time I took Levaquin because I've been suffering from so much muscle aches and pains for a quite a very long time now. Since I started taking Lipitor 3 years ago, I'm inclined to think my pains were due to side effects of Lipitor. That's just another issue.

As of yesterday afternoon, on the third day of taking Levaquin, I was informed by my pharmacist that I OVERDOSED since Friday and Saturday by 2000 mg. I was prescribed 500 mg. one tablet per day. Whoever typed "Take one tablet every day by mouth after meals" in the pharmacy must have too many "ssss" in their pockets. "After a meal or after meals" are definitely not the same, don't you all agree? I didn't just read the label and followed instructions as I understood it. The pharmacist confirmed what I read back to him as typed. I thought pharmacists know how a certain drug should be taken. But that's another story to tell. I'm too concerned learning about the bad effects of Levaquin for me to find time and question a pharmacist integrity.

I called my doctor first thing today and told them of this oversight (should it be mine or the pharmacist?). I was told to continue with the medication and call them how I'd feel in a couple of days. So I took just one tablet today. That was easy.

Now after reading all these different bad things happening to people taking Levaquin, I am thinking of the future. Should I be worried about the bad side effects of Levaquin taken exactly as prescribed? What about those 2 days of overdose? I guess, I have to find that out myself in due time as I will not stop from finding out more about this drug.

I don't think I will continue taking this drug tomorrow. I don't know what will happen but I'm sure my doctor will find a way to fix my upper respiratory problems. He must have heard about other patients complaining about Levaquin. I will make sure he will take my opinion seriously.

To all of your valuable inputs and opinions and warnings about the harsh effects of Levaquin, thank you very much and may you continue on passing to one and all your valuable insights. Count me in!!!!!

Tomorrow will be a new day and I will be on my toes making sure I will fight the harsh side effects as early as I could. I know it will be worth the fight if I kick these damaging effects at its early stage, hoping I will be lucky to do so.

God Bless to all!

I have been using MiraLax for 3 months now. It has helped me tremendiously with my constipation however I have had horriable gas
and bloating I have gained 10 pounds. I am a regular exerciser and weight liftter (toning mostly) . I could not figure how I gained the extra weight. I hav'nt done or taken anything different except taking the MiraLax. I was told it did not make you gain weight or give you gas. Maybe all the studies are not out yet. I don't know but I need to get this weight off fast. Could it be water weight?? from miralax? Please if anyone who has used Miralax or a doctor who has had this problem help. I hate to quit taking Miralax because it really helps me. It has been the best thing I have used in years. I would love anyone to comment or offer advice.

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SINGULAIR.

Our 7-year old daughter has been taking Zyrtec, as needed, for her allergies since the spring of 2005 without side effects. That summer, our allergist recommended she add Singulair. She took it for a short while w/o noticible side effects that we can remember. This spring our doctor prescribed it for her again, along with Zyrtec. We gave her the medicine regularly, not expecting side effects as she has done well with other medicines.

Normally, our daugher is a very happy child. Friends often comment on her ready smile and good disposition. This spring, however, she exhibited uncontrollable anger spells about very small things. She would become upset about something small, and then her anger would build, causing a temper tantrum which lasted hours. As parents, we were very concerned and disturbed by her behavior. We were about to seek professional counseling because we tried many different ways to help her without success. Around this time (late spring), a friend told me about a child she knew who experienced behavior problems while taking Singulair. My husband did a quick Internet search, finding many other similar personal testimonies. As a test, we immediately took her off the medicine, especially because we weren't convinced that it helped with her allergies anyway. After a few weeks passed, our daughter's behavior changed dramatically. She has not had one temper tantrum in three months! My husband and I felt like we got our happy, little girl back! We are absolutley convinced that Singulair caused her behavior problems. If your child or you are taking Singulair and feeling/behaving abnormal, please consider finding an alternative medication. I am sure Singulair doesn't affect all people in this way, but Merck needs to recognize this side effect! Today, I tried to inform them by email about our problems, but their website referred me to my physician (who already knows). Why don't they want direct feedback from their consumers???