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My son is 16 years old, a wrestler, and was in excellent health. ...

Posted at 1:47 AM on Nov 28, 2007 by martinsmom, #25285
My son is 16 years old, a wrestler, and was in excellent health. He developed sinus issues and had surgery on September 17, 2007 (he had a headache on the left side of his head which the ENT said was due to sinus issues). After sinus surgery, the doctor prescribed Levaquin for 10 days. After 4 days, I called his doctor and told him he was getting worse and not better. The doctor said not to worry. After that he had sleepless nights, felt like the room was moving away from him, became dizzy and light headed. Then the joint pain came. First in his thumbs, then wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. He developed severe headaches in the back of his head. The headaches were moderate to severe and with him 24 hours a day. He became extremely weak and his dizziness continued. He was tested for many diseases through numerous blood tests, had a spinal tap, MRI, MRA, CT of the spine, CT of the sinuses, x-rays of the knees, and an EEG. All came back normal, except his sinuses were still swollen which is normal after sinus surgery. He has seen numerous medical doctors (primary, pediatrician, two neurologists, allergist, two Ear Nose Throat) and is now seeing a pediatrician in UCLA and has appointments to see more UCLA doctors. He has been out of school now for a couple of months. Luckily, the school has him on home instruction and sends teachers to the house and he is maintaining his honors classes. To give you all hope, he does appear to be getting better, but it is a very slow recovery. Up until two weeks ago, some days were okay and some days were pretty bad. It comes and goes like that. At first I never suspected Levaquin, but stumbled across the side effects when I was trying to research what was wrong with him. The only thing I found that had helped some people was taking high doses of magnesium (the kind ending in "ate" is better absorbed). I was and still am nervous about giving my child a lot of any type of vitamin, but no one was able to make him better, so I gave him 250 mg three times a day for three days. It could be just a coincidence, but about 3 days after I stopped giving him the magnesium, all of the joint pain was gone except for his knees, which still hurt if he bent down. After a couple more weeks, he still had severe headaches, knee pain, some dizziness and some weakness, so I thought I would give it another go and gave him magnesium three times a day for 4 more days. After the 4 days of magnesium, he started on a new medication called Lyrica. His knee pain is almost gone and his headaches are minor with only an occasional flair up. I can see in his eyes and how he reacts that his is feeling better than he has in a long time. He has always been a happy kid, but I can tell he has his special spark back. For the last two weeks, I just give him one 250 mg of magnesium a day, multi-vitamins, and Lyrica. By the way, one of the blood tests I requested was for magnesium, and it showed his level was normal. So, I have no idea if it is time that is making him better, the magnesium, or the fact that he is taking Lyrica. He will still continue to go to the doctors, none who believe Levaquin could be a cause, until he is completely back to normal. I believe that Levaquin was likely a culprit in his overall health issues, especially since no one can figure out how my healthy, energetic son suddenly became so ill he could no longer go to school. For the past two weeks now, he has had good days mixed in with okay days (no bad days though!!!) He has had only 2 weeks so far of better health and we hope it continues to get even better. Good luck to all of you and my prayers are with you. I hope somehow this will help someone.
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Reply 9 months ago on Dec 01, 2007 by susana, #3188

Doctors need to warn you about side effects.My son was 12 when he was given levaquin.before that he had spent the summer as a Junior Lifeguard in the ocean.He was strong and vibrant.After the Cipro,he was in so much pain he had to crawl to get to the bathroom.He had to be homeschooled the rest fo the school year.He eventually did completely recover..That was 5 years ago.I reported it to his doctor,but for all I know ,doctors don't have to report any drug side effects to anyone.

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Reply 9 months ago on Dec 07, 2007 by happyinhouston, #3304

I took Levaquin in January 2006 for a sinus infection. Though I had taken it once before, within three days of this treatment I was feeling light-headed and could not get my thoughts together. I felt 99.9% sure it was the medication because the reaction was so extreme and I was not taking any other medication. For two years I have been suffering with joint pain, pain in my spine and neck (so bad my husband had to help me out of bed some mornings), numbness and pain in my hands (used to be so bad I couldn't write, type, or hold a book for more than a few minutes), vibrating in my lower spine and legs, and (at the beginning) very confused thoughts for several months. MRIs, spinal taps, and blood tests all came back normal. I was a very healthy 35 year old that suddenly felt 90. I had trouble walking because of a pressure in my lower spine. My endurance was very low, and I missed a lot of work. Physicians will not say that it could be Levaquin (though one ER doctor did say it looks "like a toxic reaction to Levaquin"). I think they fear a lawsuit when all most people want is relief! I don't want money; I want my health! To all of you out there suffering from this medication I can only tell my personal story and hope that you find some relief soon. After three months of intense pain, I found a neurologist that was willing to listen to treat my symptoms (did not say it was Levaquin, but I did not care at that point. I know what it is, and my husband knows that his wife of 9 years didn't just change from energetic to "crippled up" overnight, for no reason) starting a low dose of Klonopin, many of my symptoms decreased. I had to add Neurontin almost a year later because some of the symptoms (which cycle - some good days or weeks and then a bad few days or a week) worsened. I am now having less pain and mostly good days. Some days I am back to where I was before taking the medication. There is hope. It's been almost two years, but I am walking three miles a day, and recently hiked up a small mountain. Excersize, a good neurologist (keep searching if you're not satisfied), Klonopin and Neurontin (never wanted to take them, but it's made such a difference), and a supportive husband have made all the difference. Don't give up hope. We who have suffered (not those who haven't and have NO idea what it's like to live with the pain) are behind you!!!

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