I was given a 10 day dose of LEVAQUIN for a mild bronchitis/respi...

I feel terrible for what you are going through. I too was poisoned by this stuff and I can't express the anger I have towards the people who continue to extol the virtues of this "wonder drug". Just look at the 4thposting below yours or go read the pharma reps board. They really are criminals and have absolutely no consideration for the damage they cause others. Maybe the baseball bat idea is a good one.... only we should use it to extract some meaningful understanding from others. I am 48, my bicep completely ruptures (distal bicep tendon rupture) and my life has been robbed by Levaquin.

Thanks for replying to me. I've been meaning to add my comments to this site for a while now. I would say I'm not going to take this sitting down, but actually I have to, if you know what I mean. I am a filmmaker and am hoping to turn my one voice into thousands with a short documentary I am making about this drug. If you are interested, stay tuned for my other postings in the future about my documentary. Maybe if I do nothing else in life, I can help get this and the other dangerous fluoroquinolone drugs that destroy people's lives off the market. Thanks again!

I read your posting as I have read so many others. My poisoning occurred in Feb 06 and each and every day begins in pain as I hobble out of bed. I feel each and every joint, tendon, and moving part. Some more than others on certain days, some days better or worse than others. I am 42 years old, was healthy, strong and active. Now I struggle to get through my work day, strive to be the Mom who does it all for my 12 yr old son. Just participating in his extracurricular activities takes everything I have and he literally gets me out of bed in the morning. I am so sorry you have joined us. I am happy to hear about your plans to film and document this dangerous drug. Count me in whatever capacity will help. Take care and stay strong! Don't let it bring you down and by all means don't let them WIN!!

Your story sounds like my story, only I have not had the MRIs yet. I now refer to my left leg as my "bum" leg and I can't believe this happened to me. I am sad beyond words and can't believe these pharmaceutical companies can continually get away with this. So many of us have turned in medwatch reports yet nothing is being done by the FDA. They aren't going to do anything until this happens to them!!!

Miserableknees, I had a similar reaction to Levaquin January 2007. Too many things have happened to my body since taking Levquin to go into again. However, I wanted you to know the cartilage damage I woke up with after my 3rd pill, turned into two total knee replacements. I had ortho surgery but the damage was to severe. I still ache all over, have weakness and no energy. I have ok days but mostly not. I get to work but everyday is tough. I keep thinking I will wake up one morning and feel the way I used to feel. Tomorrow, I am bringing all my information (internet...) to my Ortho doctor. I am hoping the medical people will get on board soon and quit prescribing this drug. It is like playing Russian Roulette with our lives. Good luck to you, Sally

I too have had side effects with the Levaquin. I was initially diagnosed with bronchitis and was prescribed inhalers and prednisone and when I did not get better, I went back to the hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia which started my problems. I was given Levaquin for 10 days at a high dose and when I did not get better, was put on an additional 10 days. I had shoulder surgery in Feb 2008 for arthritis and a small rotator cuff tear, and after May 2008 I started finally feeling no pain in my shoulder. But after taking about 4 days of Levaquin in July 2008, I was turning onto to my back from sleeping on my surg. side of my shoulder when I experienced a pop and sharp pain in my shoulder which has continued on to this day. Now I have to go back to my doctor for an MRI to see if I tore the rotator cuff. Also after almost 2 weeks of Levaquin, I experience such intense pain to both my knees and lower back that I felt 90 years old ( I am only 54 and am a paramedic) to where I could not get up out of a chair, or the toilet. Every step was excruiating. I went back to the doctor after I looked up Levaquin and it's side effects and was given high doses of prednisone which has amazingly helped my knees and back but not my shoulder. The pain was so intense that I seriously considered retiring on disabily from my job. Now I hear that prednisone and levaquin can cause more side effects, so what am I to do. I am consulting an attorney as my life style is seriously altered as most of the above comments have reflected. AND I TOO WAS NOT TOLD OF ANY SIDE EFFECTS. SOMETIMES I THINK I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE THE PNEUMONIA THAN THIS SIDE EFFECT.
THANKS FOR HEARING ME OUT.