I went to my doctor on Monday December 17, 2007, because I was ex...

Read all Levaquin side effects

Posted at 5:56 AM on Jan 02, 2008 by queensoccermom, #26000

I went to my doctor on Monday December 17, 2007, because I was experiencing a fever, chest congestion, with an extremely painful cough. He gave me 7 sample blister packs of Levaquin 500mg, and a sample Pulmicort Flexhaler 180mcg. He also prescribed a cough medicine for night time if I needed it. He said I had bronchitis or a possible pneumonia he couldn’t hear. I also used a nebulizer with Abutrual. On December 23, 2007 I awoke with the most intense pain I have ever experienced. My wrists, finger, toe, elbows, knees and ankle joints all hurt. My muscles in my legs and back burned. My hands, fingers, feet, toes, and shins felt like they were “asleep” or the worst pins and needles ever. My husband went online and found out that is was most likely caused by the Levaquin. And thankful I was taking TWO steroids! So when I called the company that makes Levaquin they told me to stay in bed! When I asked them how long this could last they said 1 week to two months. As of today, the pain in my fingers, toes, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees, which is like tendinitis is mild to moderate. The burning in my muscles in my legs and back is still intense. The “pins and needles” is affecting mostly my hands and feet and my left leg from the knee down. I also still have a deep pain under booth knees. I have also experienced a periodic facial twitch on the left side, below the eye about 1.5 inches. I am weak, and completely unable to get around do to the pain in my legs and feet. I am furious that my doctor prescribed a medication that could cause these problems without warning me, as samples do not come with warnings. I feel disabled, angry, and would like to know what I am supposed to do now!! Has anyone found anything that helps with the pain?

REPLY TO THIS POSTING | Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate

Reply about 1 year ago on Jan 02, 2008 by helen950, #3775

I;m sorry this happened to you but please send in a medwatch report by going to www.fda.gov. I have suffered for 3 years now. Were you taking steroids? you are not supposed to take steroids with levaquin. also you shouldn't have been taking nsaids (advil, aspirin etc.) It can cause a worse cns reaction. make sure your dr (?) marks your records so that you NEVER take another fluroquinolone again. Let us know how you're doing. Helen

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate

Reply about 1 year ago on Jan 02, 2008 by queensoccermom, #3778

Thank you Helen. I have already sent a report to the FDA. I also called the company that makes Levaquin and reported my side effects. Yes I was taking not one but two steroids that my doctor gave me. I was not taking nsaids, just Tylenol.

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate

Reply about 1 year ago on Jan 02, 2008 by martinsmom, #3780

I have posted this before, but will offer this again. Please let me know if this helped at all. I didn't try this for my son until he was about a month into the pain since I was hoping a doctor would find something that would help, but that never happened.

The time to get better is different for everyone. For my son, his joint pain is now gone after 3 months. I gave him the below vitamins for 3 days in a row, then waited a couple of weeks and gave it to him for 4 days in a row. After the first round, all of his joint pain except in his knees went away. After the second round, he could walk around without pain in his knees, but going up and down stairs still hurt. I gave him a third round and it had no effect. It was either time that helped or the vitamins. I don't know, but it is worth a shot. I am not a doctor, so you might want to check with yours to make sure it is okay for you to take these. I got them at GNC, but I'm sure you can find them elsewhere. Let me know if you did this and how it worked for you.

Calcium (One tablet three times per day)
Contents: Calcium Carbonate 600 mg, Vitamin D 200 IU

Potassium & Magnesium Aspartate 250 (One tablet three times per day)
Contents: Monomagnesium DI-L-Aspariate 250 mg; Monopotassium Aspariate 250 mg

B-Complex 125 with C (One tablet three times per day)
Contents: Vitamin C 125 mg; Thiamin 125 mg; Riboflavin 125 mg; Niacin 125 mg; Vitamin B-6 125 mg; Folic Acid 400 mcg; Vitamin B-12 125 mcg; Biotin 125 mcg; Pantothenic Acid 125 mg; Choline Bitartrate 125 mg; Insitol 125 mcg; para-Aminobenzoic Acid 75 mg

Selenium (One tablet three times per day)
Contents: Selenium 100 mcg

Private Message me | Add as friend | Flag as inappropriate