Rotator cuff symptoms and conditions

I am a 54 year old, very active female. Had a UTI and was given 750 Levaquin. I have taken 10 days worth and began having a sore swollen ankle, followed by right knee pain, followed by shoulder and arm pain. I have never experienced muscle pain to this degree before. I am scheduled for a doctor appt in 3 days. I started trying to imagine what could be causing this. I took a shot and looked up Levaqin side effects this morning, after another night of no sleep and severe shoulder pain. Well guess what, from everything I just read I think I found the source. The problem now is how do I get my life back???? The one thing I am sure of is it's time to stop taking the poison!!!

I had a viral infection and was put on Levaquin 750 mg. After being on it for 5 days my joints began to hurt. I didn't think the medicine caused it and I continued to take it. Until the 7th day I began to research and found this web site. I quit taking it. I was unable to stoop down and it hurt really bad to walk up or down stairs. Regular walking was some painful. I also had some pain in my wrist. I've been off the medicine for 6 or 7 weeks and I'm still having bad joint pain in my knees. I'm unable to perform normal activities. I'm not saying Levaquin caused it; but it's just that when this started was while on it. If anyone knows how long this might last or if it causes permanent damage, please let me know! I will be going to a specialist in 1 week to get this checked.

I received a Kenalog shot 2 weeks ago for the inflammation of a slight tear in my right rotator cuff. About 5 days ago, my face broke out in an oily, inflamed, painful acne. This happened once before when Kenalog was given to me for severe allergy symptoms. I am not interested in any lawsuit action, but will think twice before allowing another injection for any reason. The reduced pain seemed worth it, but I have to wonder what the acne response is indicating.

I have been taking Lipitor for around ten years, up to last summer. In the spring of 2003 I began having severe pain in my heels and it was diagnosed as Plantar Faaschiitis. Last summer I suffered a severe rotator cuff tear, with no connection to any injury. Recently I have a small tear in my right rotator cuff. Even though it a small tear it is fairly painful. It seems to me that it is highly unlikely that all three of these conditions would occur in one person with no external reason. Does any one know of any connection with lipitor and orthopaedic injuries or break down? I have been told that there is a connection between Lipitor and connective tissue breakdown but haven't seen anything in writing. I have discontinued using all statin drugs and zetia.

I am a reasonably healthy 51 year old carpenter. A couple years ago my doctor prescribed Lipitor to bring down my cholesterol levels. I took it for over a year and then stopped, not due to side effects as I hadn't heard that there were any. I just don't particularly like taking pills all the time. After a few months passed I had blood work done and the doctor put me back on Lipitor. I noticed that I felt weaker and more sluggish than I had for the past few months. I still had not been advised of any possible side effects. I continued to feel weaker till one day while working I picked up a piece of equiptment that I have been using for over 30 years, so I was quite used to picking it up and carrying it around. Only this time when I picked it up my bicepts muscle tore completely off ! After getting an MRI on my bicepts and rotator cuff (which had also been giving me problems), I underwent surgery to have them both repaired. I have been out of work for 2 1/2 months now recovering. I'm told it will be another month at least before I can try to start working again. I am self employed so I get no pay to sit and recover. I WISH THAT I HAD VISITED THIS SITE A LONG TIME AGO.

I must add my recent experience with Prednisone to this forum:

I have been suffering from constant lower back pain and a torn shoulder injury (rotator cuff) for the last several years. A week ago I got a slight case of Poison Ivy. My doctor gave me Prednisone - starting at 60 mgs. a day, tapering down to 10 over 12 days. I was unsure as to whether I wanted to be on a steroid , especially after reading some of the testimonies here at this forum. But I went ahead and took it. I must say this has been one of the most amazing experiences for me.
Not only did my Poison Ivy immediately begin to go away, but lo and behold, practically ALL my back pain and shoulder pain went away. I also found myself with this amazing positive mental attitude. I began to get up and enjoy my job everyday (normally I am somewhat depressed and stressed out). It was such a major change for the better - I feel like I have been living the resurrection!! Yet I know it is only due to absence of pain and increased energy brought on by the Prednisone. I feel like a happier, younger version of myself. Prednisone has even helped me sleep better! So, evidently, for some people, prednisone is a wonder-drug.
I did note a very slight manic edge at times, but never unmanageable and always very positive. As soon as I decrease the dose, the pain and inflammation in my back and shoulder starts to return. What a shame that this drug causes osteoporosis and other long-term affects. I wish I could stay on it forever!!

Who would think an antibiotic would have such effects? I have been experienceing pain in my shoulder for about 3 weeks. This began less than 2 weeks after taking Levaquin for 2 weeks. In addition to that, I experienced side effects during the treatment. This include chest pressure and rapid heartbeat.

Yesterday, I saw an orthpaedist who diagnosed me with a rotator cuff injury.
I have one month of physical therapy to endure 3x per week now. If the pain doesn't improve in 2 weeks, then an MRI will be done. If it is ruptured, there will likely be surgery.

I am a healthy 35 year old woman with no history of shoulder problems. The doctor and others have asked what did I do to hurt myself. My answer is that I made the mistake of taking a drug that shouldn't be on the market. I don't lift weights and I didn't pitch 9 innings before this. So the only connection is a drug whose website states "ruptures of the shoulder, hands, and Achilles tendons have been reported...".

I have woarned all of my friends and co-workers about this drug. I am now on a crusade to prevent others from falling victim to this drug. I understand that the risks to the few outwiegh the rewards to many. However, when you are one of the few who is affected, your viewpoint changes. I am an educated woman and did read the side affects prior to taking the drug. I knew this was a possibility but it was "rare". Who knew an antibiotic could be so helpful and harmful at the same time!

Get over yourselves. Those 'other' problems could be caused by a variety of things and not necessarily have anything to do with kenalog. I LOVE the stuff! I've received it several times for trochanter bursitis in both hips, for inflammation/pain relief in my right shoulder due to shoulder/rotator cuff reconstruction, my foot for affects of severe gout, carpal tunnel in both wrists, and several other times for inflammation/pain that cannot be treated with oral anti-inflammatories due to diabetic gastroparesis. Mind you, I do suffer from bad stomach cramps for a few hours post injection, but other than that mild side effect, the medication is FANTASTIC and successful in treating my numerous problems. I think you're all just looking for excuses to whine about your problems rather than being glad that you at least have someone trying to help you.
I will recommend kenalog to anyone looking for relief of symptoms I've mentioned. My success rate is 95% +. Sometimes it takes more than one shot or being the individuals we are, we suffer some effects that aren't usual, ut this is no reason to crap on an excellent product that has helped so many, so often.
So get over yourselves and quit your pouting.

To the recent poster who mentioned gluteal pain, yes, I have this too and lower spine. My right shoulder was in burning pain for one or two months and the rotator cuff eventually tore.
My legs are so weak and my left leg is nly 50% of the strenth of my right leg. I drag it like Quasimoto becuase it loks on me. My intestinal tract is so shot I have been going through all kinds of tests at UCSF and now STANFORD and it looks like I might have Chrohns disease. Insomina huge problem. I wake up when I do sleep and my body and especially mhead and neck area "shutter"...like a huge tremoring. My whole body seems to feel gripped inside, tight. It makes me moan without even thinking about it and kind of fighting for my breath. Nerves are shot, can't stand in any lines . Too much fear of gripping and panic. Had none of his until after taking the Levaquin.

I am two pills away from finishing my prescribed dosage of Levaquin 500 mg/day for a terrible sinus infection and bronchitis. Both knees are killing me, and I thought I might have a torn rotator cuff over the last few days. I'm hoping these are all related to the med instead of me falling apart! Do they go away after you finish the antibiotic?

43 yr old male. Started Lipitor about 4 months ago (20mg) and about a week later stated having a dull "tooth ache" type of tailbone pain. Kind of wrote it off until last week as the pain just kept creeping up a notch about every 2 weeks until I finally started doing some research. I have had very localized pain in ONE should in the rotator cuff region and have stopped lipitor and will update in a couple weeks.