August 2th
2008
2:13 PM
My son suffered from pneumonia at age 6 months till age 2. They had him on Flovent and Singulair from the age of 1. For as long as we can remember, he has been an aggressive, mean, bitter, angry child. The slightest thing would set him off. The doctors had just had him tested for tumors and cancers and other serious head related problems because he was constantly complaining of headaches. All tests came back normal. Then we heard that Singulair can cause ADD amongst many other side effects, including headaches. We took him off of Singulair and after only 2 days off of it he was a completely different little boy. He is happy and loving, calm and patient. He isn't dissolving in a fit of rage at the simplest thing. We can not believe the difference in how he is acting.
We found about 2 years ago a natural supplement that has really helped control his and my asthma and allergies. It is called OPC-3. It is an incredible anti oxidant that helps with so many health problems! If you would like more info, just let me know. It has been a life saver for our family and many others! Here is a website where it can be found.
******
It is under the health and nutrition tab on the left side.
Good Luck!!
July 14th
2008
8:09 PM
2 yrs. ago my husband had been on Vancomycin for an infection from a hip operation. He had an allergic reaction and was given Levaquin in the ER. Not long after the dose was given, he was not able to walk at all his fever spiked and he said he was blind at one point. It did not last but since then he had been slowly declining. He has trouble with his inner ear balance and he can hardly lift his right foot to clear the floor. He bearly feels anything from the knee down on both legs. We have been to many specialists/neuros, MRIs, nerve conduction test and there is nothing to show what is the cause. Can anyone tell me how we could find out for sure if Levaquin may be the culprit.
Sue
-- By sue58 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 6th
2008
4:48 AM
Sorry, meant to say -"The warning packet and the website for Avelox both state not to combine Avelox and Prednisone, as well as using caution when prescribing for the elderly, which i see some of your doctors have NOT done"
-- By eric808 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 5th
2008
8:52 AM
On 7-1-08, I went to the doctor for ETD(tubes blocked) and a Sinus infection. The doctor prescribed Avelox for my symptoms. I began taking this in the evening and by the following morning I developed mild stomach pains. I went through the day in discomfort but did not think that I needed to go back to the doctor. By the evening (2nd pill) the pain in my stomach increased 10 fold. The pain would come in waves about every minute. It felt as if someone was sticking a knife in my stomach.
This continued through the night and into the morning. At 8am, on th 3rd, I was back in my doctors office to see what was going on. They told me to stop taking the Avelox and put me on a different medication. I then went and spoke with the pharmacist who suggested that I try some over the counter gas relief medicine. I took the gas relief medication and it decreased the pain to a mild stomach ache.
It is now the 7-5-08 and the mild stomach pains are still here. I thought about going to the E.R. to have blood work done to see if there is some sort of medication that can counter-act the Avelox. I will wait one more day. I will never take this medication again.
-- By setrak7 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 4th
2008
10:04 AM
within two days of taking metronidazole for a gum infection i had horrible pins and needles the worst crushing headace ive ever had anxiaty panic attacks and couldt sleep for a week this medicine is the nastiest side effects ive ever had .i just got back from hospital where ive been for two days as my symptoms were so bad docs thought the infection in my gum had traveled to my brain, but after a ct scan,lumber puntcture, blood tests all came back clear they decided it was the tablets. it will take me a long time to get over this , i would advise anyone with a history of panic attacks,depression or headaches not to take metronidazole.
-- By 111111qqqqqq | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 1th
2008
2:37 PM
My Dad,a 78 year old highly functioning man, was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday evening, June 25, with a case of bacterial pneumonia. They gave him his first dose of Avelox, at 10:00PM. Twelve hours later, he was hallucinating, agitated, had an irregular racing heartbeat. He also had severe tremors, shaking. They gave him more medication for his heart and transferred him to the cardiac unit. They put him on a blood thinner, heart medication. Tested his heart and examined his brain. All tests came back negative. Thank God my father's heart is strong, or we probably would have lost him. 3 days later, I was on the internet researching Avelox, and noticed immediately that all of his problems were side effects of this drug. My family notified the doctor immediately and demanded that they switch my father's meds. The doctors did so reluctantly. They had never heard of these kind of side effects related to Avelox, even though it affects almost 3% of the population. My father had his last dose of Avelox on Sunday. Today, Tuesday, he is still having some "visions" and is confused. I don't know how long it is going to take for these side effects to disappear. The doctors are no help. This medication has caused my father and family severe stress, and prolonged his stay in the hospital. It has cost the insurance company extra money, since they had to do unnecessary testing on my father to try and determine the cause of his symptoms. He was also given additional meds that he never would have needed if they had just prescribed Zithromax from the beginning. AVOID AVELOX - IT COULD KILL YOU!
-- By jstearns1234 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 26th
2008
10:59 AM
I was prescribed avelox for mastitis and a UTI. I was fine until after the 3rd dose, I had MAJOR anxiety attacks that would start from my head down through my legs, like a tingling sensation. I felt as if I was going to fall over or faint. I then had tremors or the shakes. Doc said to continue the med after telling him how I was feeling. I then couldn't take the symptoms and went to the ER and they said the same thing, continue taking it. Now my gut feeling was to not take it, but I had a bacterial infection and didn't want that to get out of control, so I took the 4th dose. The next morning, it was the same thing all over again, tingling/dizziness from my head that would run through my whole body, and the shakes again. I went back to the doc and they told me it was safe to stop taking it. It has been 3 days since I stopped taking it and I still feel terrible. Very tired, my head just does not feel right. I hope with each day that it gets better. What a nasty drug this is and For anyone that reads this, please take this warning seriously, you do not want to feel like this. Oh, one more side effect, I had the tight chest also.
-- By jazzy28211 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
June 22th
2008
4:13 PM
First let me say, i have taken Avelox twice before and had NO side effects whatsoever! It worked great on my pneumonia the last two times (a yr apart) and i recovered very quickly. However, this time was different. I usually only have pneumonia once a yr Jan or Feb time frame, this time i have gotten it thanks to an unthinking oaf (who knew we have 7 little ones at home) and came to visit with a rip roaring sinus infection. I get pneumonia when everyone else gets sinus infections, who knows why? This time my dr. prescribed the usual Avelox for 10 days and the very first dose i was ok for the first hour and after that, wham i was in the bathroom with diarrhea and almost immediately began to vomit to the point where i could not control it, and then my hands and feet turned red and itchy was gone the next morning. I feel lucky compared to some of these people, and i have many drug allergies so i do understand it can be quite aggravating, but any time you have any type of reaction to any meds you should IMMEDIATELY discontinue and then call the doctor. any doctor who tells you anything else should be FIRED!! My husband and i are both EMTs and let me tell you, if your doctor doesn't discontinue use of a medication that causes reaction of any kind--let alone a severe one needs to go back to school. Anxiety attacks, etc. that some of these people have had are NOT minor, they are not side effects, it is an allergic reaction, to a medication. If it were me, i would be firing that doctor immediately or getting a second opinion. Common Sense is so rare these days, if it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't. Do not be afraid to shop around for a new doctor, YOU are their bread and butter, You are still a customer and there are so many out there these days you can find one that IS what he or she should be, concerned about You and YOUR health,
not one who speaks over you or disregards your concerns or symptoms! If your doctor keeps you on a medication that you are allergic to--FIRE him or her and find a new one!
June 20th
2008
10:48 PM
My husband is in Nepal right now with a sinus infection. His doc gave him Avelox to take with him 'just in case'. So, with the blessing of the nurse practioner via phone, he took the Avelox. He called me in tears. I've been married for 7 years and believe me, my husband is never 'in tears'...he experienced an initial, intense flush on nausea and then became panicked, hyperventilating, paranoid, dizzy, and weak. I thought he was having a complete nervous breakdown. Then, the more I thought about it...it somewhat echoed a reaction that I had in the past to epinephrine...at the dentists office I was given a beta blocker with epinephrine in it, and immediately began to feel extreme panic, tears, shakiness, shortness of breath yada yada...and I'm someone who really could care less about the dentist. So. it turns out I'm "epi-sensitive" - anyway, upon recalling this...I mentioned to husband that perhaps he is not going insane, and instead is a having a reaction to the Avelox. So I checked online and am blown away by all of the horror stories. WTF? Why is this even being prescribed to people???? Why aren't we getting together a major class action lawsuit? I am just enraged. I called the emergency line to the doc's office...got a different doc, who said he never would have prescribed this antibiotic for sinus/ear infection.
WTF?!
That is specifically what is was prescribed for!!!
He said to take a benadryl and monitor symptoms - and that if there was ANY swelling to get to a hospital, pronto.
Spread the word! We are being experimented on with this drug.
What a nightmare.
June 20th
2008
9:44 PM
I had a really bad case of strep throat because I thought it was a cold or flu and didn't go to the doctor for 12 days...but then I finally went because my throat hurt so bad and my glands were so swollen. I don't have insurance and maybe that's why the doctor gave me ten free samples of avelox right off the bat instead of just prescribing penicillin. I took the first dose and I would say my sore throat and swelling were 80% gone within the FIRST THIRTY MINUTES. So, definitely this is a very strong antibiotic compared to the Z-pak (zithromax) I've taken for bronchitis before. It's now day 4 and I have to say I am reluctant to take it for 10 days!! I haven't had any severe reactions, just bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, and some tiredness. And pretty strong nausea for the first hour, so I have been pushing the dose time from 9am to gradually later at night where I am not so sensitive. I am 33yrs old, healthy and eat well usually so I think my strong constitution has kept me from some of the more severe reactions I see above. HOWEVER, I do feel that it's a bit too strong! Surely there must be some way to lower the dosage of this antibiotic? I feel that it's worked well, but it just is too much like a SLEDGEHAMMER!
-- By strepgrrrl | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 19th
2008
12:03 AM
I WAS PRESCRIBED THIS MED. 1 WEEK AGO FOR AN EAR INFECTION FIRST SYMPTOM WAS STOMACH PAIN, EVEN THOUGH I ATE WITH IT. THEN DIZZY, HOT FLASHS, REALLY TIRED, DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED. THE PAST 3 DAYS I HAVE HAD PAIN IN MY MUSCLES IN MY ARMS AND MY HANDS ARE REAL SORE WHEN I TRY TO GRASP SOMETHING. I TRIED TO TAKE A WALK WITH MY HUSBAND 3 DAYS AGO AND MY LEGS FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO, LIKE LEAD. REALLY HAD TO PUSH.MYSELF TO MAKE IT BACK HOME.I FEEL MORE ANXIOUS THAN USUAL. AND WAS WONDERING WHY. WHEN I READ OTHER POSTS, I NOW KNOW WHY. LUCKILY I HAVE SOME XANAX TO RELIEVE IT. MY EAR IS FINALLY FEELING BETTER, BUT I PHYSICALLY FEEL TERRIBLE. I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH THIS STUFF. AND NEXT TIME, I WILL NOT LET THEM GIVE ME THIS ANTIBIOTIC. IT MAKES YOU FEEL WORSE THAN YOU FELT , TO BEGIN WITH.
-- By susieqz | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 18th
2008
5:30 PM
I was prescribed Avelox for an infected insect bite. I took my first daily dose Saturday evening. I woke up Tuesday morning with large painful welts covering my neck. They were very itchy and hurt very badly. Today is Wednesday and they are continuing to get worse and spread. I just made the connection today that this rash is likely due to Avelox. Im a healthy 27 year old and Ive never had any allergic reactions to medicine before. The infection in my arm went away quickly, but the rash on my neck is terrible.
-- By mts2522 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 17th
2008
8:54 PM
I am on my fifth day taking Avelox. Today I noticed some increased anxiety and my ankles hurt?! A throbbing and frightening pain.. both ankles. I've already called my doctor and will go see him tomorrow. I did not do anything strenuous at all that would cause this. The anxiety is killing me!
-- By vonb | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
June 13th
2008
6:19 PM
I am in the family with the 86 year old man that committed suicide because of this drug. He was my father and I will never be able to see him again. This drug caused such severe side effects for him that he did not know what he was doing and killed himself leaving his wife of 59 years, 7 children and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had everything to live for and had no effects of depression or other problems until he started taking the medicine. The drug made him sicker instead of better. My family has asked that we received a drug screening from the Medical Examiner to determine the combination of drugs that were in my dad's system at his death. He was also prescribed prednisone, which we have since found out should that the drugs should not have been given together. I would like to take this doctor to task for his incompetence in prescribing an elderly man medication that could cause this result. I am very angry at the physician and will pursue legal actions when we receive the Medical Examiners information. No family should have to suffer the loss that we have had and no experience the void that we have in our lives. My father was a healthy, 86 year old man with a family history of living past the age of 100. We figured he had another 20 years to go. I know that my taking legal action will not bring back my father but I would like to somehow make this drug side effects public knowledge so this DOES NOT happen to another family. This weekend is Father's Day and my only way to talk to my father is standing my his graveside. I should not be doing that. I should be celebrating another Father's Day with him at his home. This drug and his doctor caused his death. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG....consult your doctor if he even mentions it in a course of treatment. I would like to be able to present evidence to the Food and Drug Administration of the terrible effects of this drug and the combination of drugs that are given with it. My daughter even said she would like to be the one presenting our family story to Congress during hearing concerning removing this drug from the market. That is my goal....this drug should be removed. I have contacted the Food and Drug Administration and suggest that everyone else do the same. If they get enough complaints, they will have to open a dialog on the drug and some of the families will have the opportunity to speak about the effects of the drug on their lives. I will always miss my father and love him dearly. I know that he was not in his right state of mind when he committed suicide and that the drug caused his actions. My mother found him that day in April when she came home from the store. She will never be the same nor will our family. Again, DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!
-- By ocrsquad | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 10th
2008
11:54 AM
I was in hospital for 16 days - no food no water - had flagyl and levaquin in IV form - i had pancreatitis - my gall bladder is fine - they did every test imaginable to me and gave no reason for the sudden flare-up of pancreatitis - i do not drink at all - my hubby is 27 years into his recovery = the meds made me feel really weird - like my tongue was dissolving like alka seltzer - my tongue was coated totally green- i kept vomiting and feeling so exhausted but i could not sleep - how can they fda approve drugs like this?
-- By pamelat | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 9th
2008
9:10 PM
I was put on Avelox to treat a sinus infection after about the 2nd dose I felt extreme panic and anxiety. I was then put on xanax to calm my nerves because i was so bad. After about the 6th day of taking Avelox I realized it was this that was making me feel crazy, anxious,depressed,panicy and worst of all my stomach constantly felt like I was on a roller coaster ride!!! I quit taking Avelox on my own, today is now the 3rd day I have been off and I feel better, I will admit that I did have some very minor panic issues prior to Avelox but this medication put me way over the edge. Be very cautious when put on this medication especially if your a nervous type person to begin with!!!
-- By girlrul4 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 7th
2008
4:02 AM
I am just starting (hopefully) to come off the Medication Ride From Hell. I I am 61 and take estrogen, diovan, vytorin, boniva, and just started back taking Prozac (1/2 dose) after this fiasco. Two weeks ago today I started having pain in my face like I got hit by a MACK truck for 5 days, especially one tooth hurt if I touched it. Then on Tues, I went to dentist, took x-ray, no abscess. So figured sinus infection. Wed I go to have epidural shots in my back for 3 bulging discs. But I had a slight fever and suspected sinus infection, so they would not do an epidural, for fear of introducing bacteria into my spine which could result in paralysis. OH BOY So this doc gives me tramedol 50 mg for pain in 3 of my discs. Eventhough 2 ibuprophens work great, I can't take advil because of stomache issues. I am sensitive to meds, so a little goes a long way. So then back to my reg doc who gives me AVELOX . And now the nightmare begins......At 7:30 pm I took Avelox and 1/2 half of a tramadol (never took either one before). Around 9:00 pm took another 1/2 tramadol. Figured I was tolerating well. At 1:30 a.m. took a whole one. (RX is 1-2 3 times a day) A few hours later I wake up itching all over. By 5:30 a.m. the slightest move I make I am spinning and nauseous. Fall back to sleep, get up and am having vertigo and nausea. I think maybe a little sprite will settle my stomach. I immediately throw it up. My body feels paralyzed with muscle spasms, pain and extreme weakness. Also pain between my shoulder blades, heart palpitations, sense of panic, extreme heaviness in my limbs, headache and continued dizziness and nausea. Felt as if I had a slab of concrete on top of my chest, as if the muscles would not move to let me breath. Call my hubby home. He takes me to urgent care, they started an IV ad then because of "possible heart symptoms" they ambulance me to the hospital. At hospital, they gave me anti nausea meds in IV. The ride in ambulance was a big blurr. My first time in 61 years ever in an ambulance. They confirmed my sinus infection with a CAT scan which probably ruled out some other things too. I leave hospital around 5 pm and am feeling somewhat better, as all meds are now out of my body for about 15 hours. Fri, no Avelox...took a break. Sat, Sun took it and all the symptoms came back except for the vertigo and nausea which was caused by the tramedol. Skipped Monday, to test theory that it is the drug. Take it Tues, within 2 hours symptoms back with a vengeance and major panic attack out of no where, hearting pounding. I am at work so I manage to get through and when I get home I collapse in chair and can't move. Finally Wed I said thats it NO MORE AVELOX. Thurs, back to doc. She gave me Bactrim DS. I am still having some muscle weakness and fatigue. Woke up at 11:30 a.m. and took pill around 2:00, fell back to sleep around 4:30 pm with spasms in upper back and shoulders, causing weakness in my arms. I hope I can tolerate the Bactrim for the next 9 days and my side effects let up. The doctors and pharmacist look at you like your crazy when you tell them what happened. When I found this site I was so relieved when other people described the same symptoms as mine down to the smallest details. Thanks for being here.
-- By jericka8246 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 6th
2008
11:43 PM
I was given a free 10 day coupon for Avelox by a physician to treat an awful cold that wouldn't go away. He also wrote a prescription for, and I got it filled at a pharmacy, an inhaler. Avelox is the WORST medicine I have ever encountered in my 69 years!! I took it for 4 days and QUIT (today) the *^%(% thing. Who wants to be dizzy, crabby, anxious, short with people, impatient, thirsty all the time, constantly gasping for breath, and NO energy at all?
Bayer should be prosecuted, condemned for creating this poison pill. I can't believe this med it is still allowed for public consumption!??
June 4th
2008
10:12 PM
Starting taking Avelox last Thursday (May 29) after having a sinus infection/pneumonia. Sunday afternoon I was watching "one flew over the cuckoo's nest. I started getting really paranoid that i was gonna loose my mind and started a panic attack and plenty of anxiety. Monday I was hanging out with my amazing girlfriend and started getting really anxious and depressed over basically nothing. Today is Wednesday and I'm really dizzy and anxious as I write this. F#$% this medicine, I'm calling my doc tomorrow to take something else... You're not going crazy, it's just the avelox. PS - Good site to find :)
-- By asherjohnson | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 2th
2008
11:19 PM
I just finished my seventh day of Avelox today for rhinitis (sinus). The dry mouth and throat is very bad. I wake up about twice a night to drink water. My mouth and throat gets so dry. It even gets dry and sticky throughout the day. I am drinking so much water. I have noticed about an hour after I take it, I get dizzy and become very anxious. I even start thinking about all of my symptoms and begin to freak out. I have had about two panic attacks this week. I do not like the changes it has done to me. I have also been very emotional and sad. I think I have cried about three times this week. I am glad I am finished...no more depression! My sinus infection is better though.
-- By mba | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
May 22th
2008
12:41 PM
I took this after landing in the hospital with mono, strep and pneumonia. It seemed to work well to treat all of those (combined with another antibiotic) but it has bad side effects--dizziness, nausea, rash all over (arms and legs especially...and it gets worse in the sun), and i've also noticed little bumps all over my lips. I'm not sure if this was caused by the avelox or the famciclovir they gave me...has anyone experienced any of these side effects with avelox? I'm especially interested in anyone who has experienced bumps on their lips...
-- By cowgirl987 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 15th
2008
3:15 AM
I was recently prescribed Cipro for a UTI. I've been on it for 6 days now. The first night was crazy. I felt excitable and when I finally did fall asleep I had the most intricate, amazing dream, almost lucid. The next day I felt a boost of energy and was running circles around my husband while doing yard work. The third day was when the pain hit, soreness in my elbows, knees, feet and hands. I attributed it to my previous day of insane energy. Right now I'm feeling quite bloated and I have this dull pain that feels like it's in the marrow of my bones. I have a tingly sensation in my muscles and my mind is a foggy, yet racing haze. Two more days of this and I'm hoping for the best. I didn't even know I had a UTI. I just know I was feeling very lethargic and had horrible pains in my left side and bad back aches, which now leads me to believe I had a kidney infection. Hate to say it, but I think I am experiencing the lesser of two evils. What's worse, raging, possibly life-threatening bacteria, or anti-biotic over kill with severely inconvenient side-effects?
-- By jewelergirl | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
May 7th
2008
4:47 PM
I've been on Avelox for just two days of a five day prescription, for bronchitis. Only side effect I've noticed is increased, uncomfortable-to-painful bowel movements; this is to be expected, though, because a strong antibiotic gets rid of ALL bacteria, the good and the bad, and the intestines are infested with the stuff. This also the reason many women (myself included) get yeast infections from taking antibiotics.
Maybe I'm not having as hard a time because I drink 2 liters of water per day, work out regularly, and take vitamins and supplements with every meal.....? Perhaps it's because the newer antibiotics - Avelox, Augmentin, Cefalexin, Cipro - are simply too much for some people's systems to take....? If I were aged, obese, on medication for other health issues, or were otherwise in less than optimal health, I'd might be having a much worse time of it now.
-- By whatdivawants | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
Avelox (19) Cipro (14) Metronidazole (9) Singulair (2) Flagyl (2) Levaquin (1)
August 11th
2008
9:10 PM
After our Singulair nightmare experience with my 4 year old daughter, I looked towards a more natural alternative. I put her back on children's echinacea drops by Herb Pharm - this has always helped in the past with her ear infections. You do need to be sure to give them a 10 day break after about 2 weeks. I also started giving her Primal Defense for Kids by Garden of Life. This is a Probiotic Formula. This product has really been a godsend. Her allergy symptoms are now minimal. No more runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, etc. If you are at your wits end, you may want to try these items. They are working for our family!
-- By lindsaysmom | Reply | Private Message me