Muscle contractions symptoms and conditions

As a prime candidate for osteoporosis I was prescribed Fosamax at least 12 years ago if not longer. At the time I started taking it, my mother was very ill and did pass. That was when I noticed small 'jumps' in my legs at night which I attributed to the stress of the time.

Over the years, the 'jumps' increased in intensity to almost convulsive movements of not only my legs - but my arms - head - neck - torso. There were times when I thought I would be flung from my bed or dislocate my joints so strong were the muscle contractions. It was impossible to get to sleep and I was often woken from sleep by a convulsive movement.

I went to the Seattle Sleep Clinic for help (around 2000/01) after 5+ years of progressive worsening of these symptoms. Unfortunately, the doctor only wanted to fit me into the 'restless leg syndrome' in spite of my constant statement that I had NO feeling of 'creepy crawly, etc' before the convulsion. None. They just whipped me about out of the blue. No resolution.

About two months ago I ran out of Fosamax (actually taking a generic here in Mexico) and (for whatever reason) I did not refill. Since then I have noticed a HUGE lessening in these god-awful, annoying, scary convulsive movements. I have made no other changes in medications nor can I think of anything else that would cause this reprieve. A "milagro" isn't likely.

I haven't seen this side affect listed and am wondering if any other people have experienced this 'convulsive' problem?

Gracias,
Jillian

Just an update! First off, PLEASE I implore you, CONTACT the mfg! They need to submit these side effects to the FDA which can alert and prevent this from happening to other unsuspecting patients like ourselves!

Okay just got back from the dr's (rhumotologist) Good News, Bad News and Good News! First she knew IMMEDIATELY what was going on and this is what happens with this drug (to those who get the burning of the knees and muscle pains) you get tendonitits from the medicine and it works so rapidly it breaks down all your muscles in your legs, joint areas ect. Your arms and hands bounce back easily because they're not weight baring joints for the most part, however, the legs, knees, ankles are not so easy to build back up. The bad news is that this did happen and it is going to take 3 to 6 months of aggressive therapy (my choice on aggressive, I could have done low impact, but I don't have the patience, would rather brave the pain and get it over with!) to build your muscles back to where the medication broke them all down. The other good news is that it will go away (according to dr.) So I am VERY optimistic and have a great outlook now!

To the poster who asked about gaining weight, I lost weight, had nightmare, sleeplessness, tremors and nausia, all that disappeared (tremors being the longest lasting out of them) pretty much after I stopped the medication. The knees, ankles and thigh muscle contractions, are still going strong but I am being careful where I was not before I knew what was going on and now I am looking forward to getting back to the gym and therapy and get this over and done with!

Okay PLEASE again EVERYONE www.levaquin.com will give you the manufacturer's information, PLEASE contact them, PLEASE if they are forced to put warnings on the lables, then someone else will know when to stop taking the medication if they start to feel muscle pain and burning. Thanks everyone and I hope everyone is feeling better!!

Just wanted to update my situation. Well the shaking muscles have subsided a bit (it's been 8 days since I've stopped levaquin) been to the dr's 2 more times and had new blood work done yesterday. One doc says 90% sure it's from the levaquin but wants me to take the doxycyline anyway and then see a rhumatologist. My primary disagrees, did more blood work believes it definitely from the levaquin and is sending me to rhumatologist. They also they are updating their warnings in their office to make sure that it states this is a SERIOUS side effect (she also printed me off all my symptoms that are side effects of levaquin from their computer but say "rare") My knees started to subside until I bent down and BAMN just like it was all brand new, they are burning like no tomorrow! My ankles (achilles) and my shoulder tips (where the tendons are) are still killing and I am getting muscle contractions in my thighs and left arm but not as much, this may be due to the muscle relaxers and motrin. I have also been taking diazapam for the spasms so who knows how I would feel otherwise. I am disguising the pain with medication it seems and my fear is I am going to hurt myself worse. One dr told me that if the tendons were going to rupture then there is NOTHING I can do about it, they're going to rupture, the other dr. disagrees. My primary feels I need to be seen and diagnosed asap with tendon and joint pain and feels as though it's serious, but also believes it will not last as long as the other dr said (about 4 months). I am going to go swimming tomorrow because it's suppose to be good excercise for the tendons and joints. I have been putting hot pack and nuprin cream on the knees and ankles (cold seems to aggravate it and make them feel like they're ripping). If I type (like now) I can feel the burning in my shoulders and my left elbow now. This is a serious disease this medication has given me and the second I see the rhumatologist and I am diagonosed with something I do NOT want to hear (like permanant, or long term) I am calling a lawyer. I am not a sue happy person but who the hell does this company think they are making MILLIONS off of this medication and leaving people disabled or dibilitated for long periods of time. I am too young (early 40's) to be feeling like a 80 year old as a matter of fact my mom is 70 and goes to the gym every day and walks and swims, I was the same way until this medication poisoned me. I have herniated discs in my spine and they are aggravated because I have not been able to excersise that is part of my life and routine and I am furious.

If anyone has contacted this company, can you post it here and let me know what they have said? Thank you all and I hope you are all feeling better!