Muscle tendon symptoms and conditions

They deleted my prior post. Apparently I included too much information that might be helpful to someone. I took Cipro and it's in the same class of drugs as Levaquin. If you want to know about herbal remedies that may help you, type in my name on this forum followed by dot com. That's the closest I can get to giving information without being censored. Sorry.

Yes, I have been taking Vytorin 10/40 for about 10 months, and it did reduce my cholesterol and triglycerides to 'normal', however, I slowly developed (initially) some 3 months back, problems in my left solder, diagnosed eventually as 'rotator cuff' ligament damage, however, it came on slowly and progressively worsened. I had not done anything strenuous to develop such a condition. It became so bad that I was basically redd to using my right arm. On top of this, the muscles in my lower arms became sore and felt strained even lifting a glass of water was painful. My Doctor was informed of increasing on-going muscle problems, did an emzine muscle test, which turned out to be 'clear'. And I also lost my sexual drive gradually.
I went off taking Vytorin a week ago on my own gut feeling, and my arm muscles and left shoulder have improved. I am also hoping no permanent damage. I am moving to a much higher exercise regime to 'burn' cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, and in the mean time look for 'natural' solutions as well.
I am not impressed with the medical responses I got, along with miss-diagnosed muscle / tendon supposed 'rotator cuff' serious problem that developed in my left shoulder, which I suspect may never be the same functionally. I recommend looking at other alternatives and natural remedies, this is my course of action. MM

MY HUSBAND HAD A HORRIBLE REACTION TO AVELOX AFTER TAKING 4 DAYS OUT OF TEN, HE CALLED THE DR. COMPLAINING OF MUSCLE/TENDON STIFFNESS AND PAIN. THE DR. DIDN'T SEEM TO CONCERNED SO HE TOOK IT FOR 3 MORE DAYS AND STOPPED AFTER DOING SOME RESEACH ON-LINE. (THANK YOU MEDICATIONS.COM OR HE MY HAVE TAKING THE FULL TEN DAYS.) NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE THE MUSCLE PAIN, HE ALSO SUFFERED FROM, HALLUCINATIONS, EXTREME MOOD SWINGS, WEAKNESS, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, LOSS OF APPETITE,(LOST OVER 20 LBS.), CONFUSION, PARANIOA, EYES WERE DISTANT(ZOMBIE LIKE). I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY HE WAS PRESCRIBED AVELOX, HE HADN'T EVEN BEEN ON AN ANTIBIOTIC IN OVER 15 YEARS. HE DIDN'T NEED ANYTHING THAT STRONG, AS HE 'S BEEN A HEALTHY 58 YEAR OLD MAN. I TRULY HOPE IT HASN'T CAUSED ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS SUCH AS LIVER DAMAGE. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF SO TIME WILL TELL. BOTTOM LINE NEVER TAKE AVELOX. 08/16/2008

My husband was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 14, 2008. He was given Avelox via IV in the hospital and a 7 day pill prescription when he came home. Even in the hospital, he complained of muscle aches, but no one keyed on the antibiotic as an issue. When his breathing was better, he assumed he should try to do physical activity...but when he tried to play some golf one day, and do a little deck staining another, he payed for it with severe joint pains...even then, no doctor said anything about the antibiotic. He has lost over 25 lbs since this began, and has lost absolutely all muscle tone in his body..

He's stopped trying to do anything, but the last month has been terrible for him...every joint in his body hurts--he can hardly walk, there were days he couldn't lift a fork to his mouth with one hand... I brought him back into urgent care on Aug. 9th...that doctor was the first to mention that it could be a side effect of the Avelox he had taken 3 weeks before...

Since then, we have been to his primary care doctor, who doesn't think "the Avelox has anything to do with it. Now that I've googled it and seen the new FDA warning, I can't understand any way it wouldn't be at least part of the problem!

He's been give Vicodin for the pain, and they're running more tests, but I intend to go into the doctor with every thing I've seen on this..I don't have a problem with them using this medication for his pneumonia, but am so frustrated that they didn't tell warn us of this side effect--especially when he's tried to tell them what he's feeling.... I just think he would have been so much better by now if they would have switched him off of the drug as soon as he noticed the pain..

If you are having musculo-skeletal symptoms such as soreness, arthritis, tendons, etc., they have known about those side effects for eleven years.

Toxicol Pathol. 1997 Nov-Dec;25(6):635-43.

Links Toxic effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats.Kashida Y, Kato M. Drug Safety Research Laboratory, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. JDN07402@niftyserve.or.jp

Quinolone antibacterial agents have adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system in humans, consisting mainly of myalgia and arthralgia, and additionally of tendon disorders and rhabdomyolysis. The present study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of quinolones on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats using light microscopy, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Single oral administration of 900 mg/kg pefloxacin (PFLX) or levofloxacin (LVFX) was found to induce lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane, in addition to articular cartilage in the fore- and hindlimbs. Articular cartilage lesions were not necessarily associated with changes in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane, or the reverse. Among all lesions, the ankle and elbow showed the highest incidence and severity. Changes were more severe in the PFLX than in the LVFX group. Lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane were similar and characterized by edema and increased number of mononuclear cells, many of which were positively stained with BrdU, as well as vascular endothelial cells in the Achilles tendon sheath and synovial membrane in the ankle. Electron microscopic examination revealed an increased number of fibroblasts and macrophages and collagen deposition in the matrix of the synovial membrane and tendon sheath. Capillary endothelial cells were hypertrophied, increased in number, and stratified. These results suggest that quinolones have toxic potentials in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane in addition to articular cartilage, and that local vascular hyperpermeability may contribute to the development of these lesions. PMID: 9437810

An element of the side effects of Singulair that are listed here are musculo-skeletal symptoms. Quinolones such as levaquin are known to cause those issues. Singulair is a quinoline, while not the exact same category, their roots are similar. It makes the possibility that the symptoms have a common cause worth pursuing.

Here is an example of some poor rats in Tokyo that were selected to prove that the symptoms in humans were real. Maybe we should tell the levaquin board that at least some of their problems have been known since 1997.

1: Toxicol Pathol. 1997 Nov-Dec;25(6):635-43.Links
Toxic effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats.Kashida Y, Kato M.
Drug Safety Research Laboratory, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. JDN07402@niftyserve.or.jp

Quinolone antibacterial agents have adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system in humans, consisting mainly of myalgia and arthralgia, and additionally of tendon disorders and rhabdomyolysis. The present study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of quinolones on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats using light microscopy, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Single oral administration of 900 mg/kg pefloxacin (PFLX) or levofloxacin (LVFX) was found to induce lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane, in addition to articular cartilage in the fore- and hindlimbs. Articular cartilage lesions were not necessarily associated with changes in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane, or the reverse. Among all lesions, the ankle and elbow showed the highest incidence and severity. Changes were more severe in the PFLX than in the LVFX group. Lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane were similar and characterized by edema and increased number of mononuclear cells, many of which were positively stained with BrdU, as well as vascular endothelial cells in the Achilles tendon sheath and synovial membrane in the ankle. Electron microscopic examination revealed an increased number of fibroblasts and macrophages and collagen deposition in the matrix of the synovial membrane and tendon sheath. Capillary endothelial cells were hypertrophied, increased in number, and stratified. These results suggest that quinolones have toxic potentials in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane in addition to articular cartilage, and that local vascular hyperpermeability may contribute to the development of these lesions.

PMID: 9437810

I have been on Levaquin over 6 times in the past 2 years for upper respiratory infections. I just came off another levapak 750mg for 10 days and my biceps were feeling really tight. I mentioned this to my doctor but he said it was a common side effect. After researching this today I am shocked about the tendon damage. I have had distal bicep tendon surgery on each arm on separate occasions in the past two years. Now I am terrified this is going to happen again. None of the surgeons could figure out why someone my age (41) could do this twice in under 2 years. Has anyone found a way to reverse this? I am terrified to go back to the gym or even lift anything. My biceps are so sore and I have been off the Levapak for 3 days and my biceps seem to be getting more tight and sore each day. I can't face having another surgery. This drug should be taken off the market.

I can not believe I found this web-site. I honestly felt like I was going crazy and that this was in my head. I was prescribed Levaquin for a sore on my finger to fight infection. I was taking 750mg every morning, once a day. The morning of the 8th day, I woke up and felt like I had been ran over by a truck. I felt foolish telling my family even the "back of my knees hurt." By the evening of that day, after laying in bed for just 45 minutes, I couldn't put down my right leg or put any pressure on it. I haven't taken the Levaquin for 24 hours now and it still hurts to try to open doors because my hands are so cramped. Does anyone else feel dizzy? All of sudden I just won't beadle to focus and my head hurts, only last a few seconds, but it is definitely there. Does anyone feel they have long term pain or affects of this drug? This is unbelievable that so many of us fell this way. Just yesterday I was at the doctor because of the pain. He instructed my to stop taking the Levaquin and told me, he has never hear of anyone feeling this way, but it is listed as one of the side effects and is very rare. Apparently it isn't that rare!! Glad I found you guys.
Stacy

Similar to P.O.W. interrogation. Great torture. After two months, my muscles were in a perpetual state of motion. Starting with but not limited to my calves, my muscles would turn into tight knots anywhere, anytime, for no apparent reason. Constant pain and muscle cramping, exhausted, vomiting, losing weight. Sent to multiple specialists before my 6 month asthma recheck. Diagnoses ranged from viral syndrome to fibromyalgia. One quack actually told me that my job(E.M.T.) was too stressfull for my age(34) and that I should change careers. Symptoms started to resolve about 2 weeks after stopping the Advair, completely resolved after 2 months, One year for the muscle/tendon damage to heal, psychological damage still uncertain.

My Dr. gave me levaquin July 5th, for a cough that had lasted 3 1/2 weeks. I took the first dose same day. Started having muscle pains in my legs next day, but continued the medicine because I thought I needed it to get rid of my cough. The pains continued to get worse; I couldn't staighten out my legs or put my full weight on them. I stopped the Levaquin after the 6th day. The pain continued for the next 9 days, after which it finally started to lessen. It is now 2 weeks since I stopped taking the medicine, and I still have some pain in my legs, although I can straighten them out and put my weight on them now. I would not take this medication again unless it was the only way to keep me from dying. I am 75 years old, but have not had any pain in my legs prior to this. Funny thing is that my chronic back pain did not bother me during this time.

I was prescribed Levaquin,by a dermatologist, 500MG for 10 days for a skin infection. I began to have severe muscle/tendon pain within a few days. I took it for 9 days. I stopped taking it 8 days ago, and still have severe arm pain. I feel like I've been doing more than 100 pull-ups. I find it difficult to carry a bag, as it adds to the pain. I've tried Naproxen, but it doesn't seem to help. The pain is worse earlier in the day. I talked to my primary Dr. 2 days ago. He thinks it is from the leaquin in combination with Crestor", a cholesterol lowing drug I take. I also take Femara and effexor. I'm wondering ifanyone has had drug interaction problems when taking levaquin, or if this pain is just from the one drug.I am also experiencing unusual (for me) fatigue, and wonder if this is related to Levaquin also.

i am 22, and before the levaquin and tequin i was healthy and normal.
Last november while visiting family for thanksgiving, i came down with strepthroat. i couldnt get an appt with tricare so my mother gave me some tequin, she had used it for strep throat. Since then my life has been a living nightmare and it has been the worst year of my life. I took the tequin for 4 days. on the 4day, i left to go back to VA where i live. I got horribly sick that day, but thought nothing of it as my husband and son had gotten the 24 hr bug while we there. pretty soon i started having anxiety attacks and chest pain left and right. The came the stomache PAIN. I thought i was having appendicitis. I ended up going to the er once sometimes 2x a month for things like severe abdominal pain and chest pain, anxiety attacks going out of control, and unbearable migraines (which i had never had before.) i was diagnosed with lots of different things, IBS, Ulcer, pulled muscles, chest wall pain, and once even gall bladder dysfunction. So as a result of all that i have been perscribed all kinds of things for the pain the nausea the headaches the unbearable insomnia etc.
These things caused a major rift in my marriage. My husband has at a few times talked of divorce bc he couldnt stand the hypochondriac *as he put it* that i had become. I have thought i was going crazy, have contemplating hospitalitizing my self etc. Recently my PCM and I decided to try a perscription for depression. One of the major symptoms of depression is"persistand physical symptoms that DO NOT respond to treatment. Such as Headaches, digestive disorders and headaches." so i tryed it. Then a week ago i stepped on something outside and went to get a tetanus shot. They perscribed levaquin 750 mg a day for 5 days, and gave me a 750mg dose at the hospital. That was Monday. it is now 430 am on friday and this week has sucked. My side effects have included insomnia(even with my nightly ambien), nausea, burning/tingling in my entire right arm, chest pain, a sinus infection, knee pain, back pain, shoulder/neck stiffness, headaches, jitters, something kinda like blurred vision..like right on the verge of not being able to focus. Constipation, pain in my hands, and almost overwhelming fatigue.
regretably i had already taken todays dose, and i started feeling bad again so i decided to look up all my current meds online to see if maybe it was an interaction of sorts. I tried the levaquin last, as it is an antibiotic. After reading 9 pages of nothing but negative comments i decided to flush the remainder of the bottle of pills down the toilet. I plan on filing a compaint with the FDA. This is poisin and I cannot belive with all the side effects it is still on the market. I cannot believe that for almost a year my life has been a living, tormenting hell. And all b/c of something that is supposed to make things better? If you read this please stop taking the pills and see your doc about another alternative. I agree that the drug should be taken off the market and soon. i also agree that a class act lawsuit should be filed. These side effects LAST A LONG TIME, they interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis. I am very interested in talking with others about the problems with the side effect, and the longevity of them. My yahoo email/ID is ******* i would appreciate and be thankful for any advice, and i would also like to be in contact with others who have suffered as i have suffered.

Cipro is in the same family as Levaquin and I've had adverse reactions from Levaquin, including muscle/tendon pain which have continued long after I finished the med.