Outer ear infection symptoms and conditions

Easter weekend (April 8. 2007) i came down with an outer ear infection. The Othorhinolaryngologist whom I consulted discovered that I also had a severe maxillary sinus infection and put me on Levaquin 500 mg, one tablet for ten days. After three days of taking Levaquin my neck and shoulders began to hurt severely keeping me from sleeping. On day seven I noticed signs of tendontitis in my right Achilles tendon. A day later the left achilles tendon also had symptoms of tendonitis, as do my aductor tendons in the groin, my hips hurt also, so do my fingers and wrists. I am absolutely MISERABLE and unable to sleep even now, six days after taking the last Levaquin. I was caught by surprise: how could a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotic cause me to walk like Frankenstein's Monster? But taking Levaquin was the only thing that had changed in my life. I did finally find the insiduous tendonitis connection ("If tendeness of tendons or rupture occurs, stop taking Levaquin immediately") that was NOT mentioned in the flyer from the pharmacy about possible side effects. I am certain that the Nose/Throat/Ear specialist doesn't know about the fact that prescribing Levaquin might clear up a sinus infection but keeps people from being able to walk and puts them into absolute misery because of severe tendonitis pain all over the body. I do hope this will wear off as it is almost causing me to contemplate that this is no way to live. Friderun Ankel-Simons, D.Sc.

I began taking Levaquin, 500 mg @ 1-per-day as an substitute dosage over Amoxicillin after a follow-up visit to my personal physician. I was given the Amoxicillin as part of a regime after a visit to the emergency room the Sunday before with a swollen face due to an outer ear infection--the attending called it: "Swimmer's Ear gone Wild."

He prescribed Levaquin, to knock out one ear infection I had contracted the week before (which wasn't healing fast enough) as well as a new infection (middle ear) which began to bother me on Thursday.

I am an avid cyclist and felt good and fit enough to participate in a 100 mile bike ride on Sunday. 62 miles into that ride I had to retire due to extreme leg cramps (both legs) of which I had not experienced in my 25+ years of cycling.

In fact, it's Tuesday, I'm back at work and the legs are still sore.

I know some of you will say I should not have gone riding, but I am physically fit and always ride with a heart monitor to keep my pulse in the proper range.

Other side-effects include bouts of anxiety, followed by depression, insommnia, and diarrhea.

I will continue to take the meds, but will refrain from riding (except for shorter distances.) until the infection subsides.

Thanks