Avelox and good luck

I am a 34 year old woman in Texas.My daughter got sick at School and so it spread and we all got it.I have a problem with my spit glands backing up.I don't know the medical term,anyway.I went to my ear nose and throat specialist and he said I had fluid in my ears and had a bad sinus infection so he prescribed me Avelox.This is my fourth day on it.I have noticed every since I started taking it I have a nasty taste in my mouth.My mouth is dry most of the time.But it seemed i felt a little better.I was on the computer talking to my Mother and BAM! Immediately my lymph nodes are very swollen,My neck,there is a huge bump on the right side of my neck,A bump where my wind pipe,I am dizzy,I was trying to write down everything and I kept misspelling everything,It feels at times I am out of my body if that makes any since,The pain is like someone beat the crap out of me and I am bruised all over randomly on different parts of my Body,I keep getting what feels like vibrations in my hands,My eyes at times feel like they are going out and in really fast,I still have extreme whizzing even after using the inhaler,When I cough you can hear stuff in there but it will not come out,I feel like I can't catch my breath,My back feels bruised at my shoulder blades..If I would have seen this site before I took Avalox I would have never taken them.
I feel like we are all just experiments to see what the drug does to different people.There's gotta be something we can do about this.This is not right.We need answers like,What are the long term effects.????
Now I am tired I feel like it has made me so tired but I am to afraid to go to sleep in fear that I won't wake up.I have 3 kids and I am not ready to die.I am suppose to be going to a pep rally tomorrow at my Kids School but instead I will have to spend my time in a Hospital.This is B.S.
I am so happy I found this web site.I thought it was just me.About a year and a half ago they found a mass in my lymph node and the doctor said after I get better he will set me up with another ct scan to see if it has gotten any bigger.It is 2 x the size since I was at the doctor's 4 days ago.This is ridiculous!
Thank You,A.

I am just in shock. I have been on Avelox for 7 days now, and I can tell you that the side effects are not worth it. I still feel sick and have the bad cough. Now, I also have Thrush. But the weirdest and most upsetting part of this was that I didn't notice any of the other symptoms. So I went all week, talking a mile a minute, sweating, dry mouth, hallucinations, etc. Then on Saturday, a few of my friends staged an intervention. They actually believed that I was taking Crystal Meth - ICE. I was heartbroken, confused, and mad. I knew I had not done any illegal drugs, but several of my friends were convinced.

I went to the doctor today and found out that it was the Avelox. However, I had already taken today's dose. I even told the doctor about the situation with my friends and asked if this drug could be related. He said no, it must be the steroids and sent me on my way. As luck would have it, the pharmacist saw me in the store and approached. I asked him if Avelox could make me feel the way I was feeling. He told me that I should have never been prescribed Avelox and Effexor as they had drug interaction issues. He also told me that my symptoms were disclosed on the pamplet. The problem was that I got the Avelox as samples after the Augmenton didn't work.

So, I came home took the meds for the Thrush and watched tv. I haven't slept since Thursday, nor have I eaten since Saturday. I am hearing and seeing things. Now I am scared to go to sleep because I may not wake up. My heart is beating fast, I can't stop talking, dizzy, blurred vision, disoriented but extremely happy given the circumstances, paranoid, jittery, extremely thirsty even though unable to pee.

This is just horrible. I am not a drug adict and do not do Meth/Ice or any drug like that, but now my best friends are doubting me. They don't understand or believe that an antibiotic could do this and how am I supposed to prove it to them? It looks like, just because I got sick, I may lose some of my closest friends... Remember, most drug adicts and alcoholics DENY it first. Great, huh. Now everyone is going to be watching me to see if I am on drugs. I feel violated because evidently I got all high on this antibiotic, didn't enjoy it, and now am suffering the consequences.

What makes it worse is that people I love now don't trust me, and I didn't even know what was going on

I had a 103 fever Thursday went to my doctor Friday she prescribed this to me and I started taking it same day - that day - hardly any side effects until later that night...took a shower and I looked like I had spider webs all over me - then the real fun started...I started to swell up, I have not slept since that first night and needless to say, I have stopped taking the Avelox now. My fingers are so swollen they are like coctail weenies and it is hard to type - my legs are so swollen it hurts to wear shoes and I have bright red dots all over from my knees down. Is this permanent???? I'd rather not have this look for summer. : ( I feel like I am all "craked out" for lack of a better term but I am exhausted form the no sleep, etc. Oh yeah and the best part of this whole thing, I am so itchy I want to peel my skin OFF. Who the h*** lets this remain on the market?? Better yet - why do doctors keep prescribing it knowing all this - oh yeah I forgot MONEY...
I really hope all of this goes away? I am terrified cause most of the posts I have read thus far say most people deal with this for weeks +!!!!

I am a 36 year old woman living in hell for 3 months now.

In early October of last year I was admitted to the Hospital with diagnosed bronchitis a possible pneumonia. I was given Avelox which is a member of the Fluoroquinolone drug family. At the time I was in sever distress, could not breath, and was extremely weak from the infection. I stayed in the hospital for 6 days while they gave me Avelox along with various other meds to treat my symptoms and was released after finally getting a clear chest x-ray. The drug had done its job. But it was a week later that hell started. I was re-admitted to the same hospital with sever abdominal pain. They told me that I had hepatitis due to a reaction from the Avelox. My Dr. Also suspected I could have Wilsons Disease so he prescribed a liver biopsy, to say the very least this was a painful procedure. The biopsy came back negative and the liver function began to return to normal just as the pain everywhere else began.

joint and muscle pain
headaches
insomnia
uncontrollable twitching
arm and leg numbness
neck pain/spasms
a mass on my left breast (further diagnosed after mammogram, CT and Biopsy as a side effect to the Avelox)

My internist, Rheumatologist and the liver specialist all suspect “Post infection pain syndrom”.

However, after hearing now 3 separate times from 3 seperate Dr's about the possible side effect of Avelox I did a little research and every single one of my “symptoms” are on the lists of dangerous side effects for this drug. Now none of my Dr.s can tell me if I will ever get rid of the pain I am in. None of them seem to be able to do ANYTHING but treat my symptoms. By treating the symptoms all they can do is pain management which means pain killers. I simply can not function day to day with most pain killers so I am forced to live with the pain.

More drugs than I have ever taken, Dr.s visits, time off work, stress and a standard of living that simply put is not living, not to mention the tremendous outlay of cash...to say the least I am frustrated.

My 20 yr old daughter was given Avelox 400mg to take one per day for 7 days for a sinus infection. Two hours after taking the first pill last night she became very drowsy and extremely nauseous and vomited several times. Her heart was racing and she felt unexplained anxiety as if she was having a panic attack, and couldn't sleep most of the night. Why don't doctors think before giving out medications!? Or at least warn the patient of these side effects which appear to be VERY common!

I was hospitalized on Christmas with a severe infection of my colon, so when I got discharged 5 days later the doctor prescribed Avelox 400 mg. for the last 7 days it has been hell. I cannot catch my breath even if I'm just sitting there, my chest is very tight, and it feels like my heart just wants to give up from trying so hard to breathe. I keep asking myself should I call an ambulance because it gets so bad with the anxiety that I cannot catch my breath. I'm 34 and in good health. but tonight after taking Avelox for 7 days I finally decided to research the side effects just to see if this was causing all my problems. This drug should be outlawed or the doctors prescribing it should sit down for 5 minutes and tell the patient all the possible side effects. where is the compassion in these doctors these days.

My eighty year old wife wa given ten Avelox tabs and told to take them one each day for her lung infection.
She has taken them five days along with a cough syrup which contains codeine.
The result is that she has been sleeping about eighteen out of every twenty=four hours.
After finding this site, I stopped her from taking ant more of them.

I'm a 47 yr old male who has constant sinus problems and recently( 2 weeks ago)had a bad sinus infection. I exercise regularly and am in pretty good shape(or so I would like to think). I have never had a bad allergic reaction that I can remember to anything. I was given a 10 day supply of Avelox to clear it up as I was supposed to go in for a sinus operation tomorrow. While I was on the Avelox last time, I don't remember experiencing any significant problems and I wasn't the best patient. I doubled up on doses in the beginning figuring it would work faster, took it on a empty stomach, drank a few beers over the weekend, etc. I went off of it a week ago and then this week I started to feel some cold symptoms coming on. Then yesterday at my pre-op visit my ENT gave me 2 pills (1 per day) to take prior to the surgery to "be on the safe side". I took one at 5 PM last night on an empty stomach and headed off to martial arts class. By the time I got there 20 minutes later I was feeling funny. I tried to work out but I felt lightheaded and had severe stomach pains. Then I had a hard time catching my breath under the slightest exertion. I normally jog 2-3 miles a couple of times a week with no problems so I was concerned. I left class and barely made it home. The only reason I didn't have a full blown anxiety attack was because I have suffered with them for years and recently feel I have been able to control them better. When I got home I was beet red from head to toe and my wife wanted me to go to the ER. I realized that it was a reaction to the Avelox and basically rode it out but it took about 3-4 hrs before I felt better again. I'm still not right today and I canceled my surgery for tomorrow. Now the ENT doctor wants to put me on something else before the surgery and I'm wondering if that's going to cause any problems.

Oct. 9,2008. I was given Avelox Monday Oct 6,2008 from my family Dr for a sinus infection . I went home & took the prescribed dose of 1, 400 mg tablet, and15 minutes later I felt a burning sensation coming from my toes to my face , I was having problems breathing , I suffer from asthma when I have any kind of sinus or cold type illness. ,I thought that was what was happening,but the inhaler did not help,, I couldn't stand up ,I couldn't sit up , I couldn't talk , I went into seizures,& started puking . I honestly thought I was dying , I couldn't even call 911 , thank God for memory call, my mother called 911 as I was home alone with my 5 year old granddaughter .
I was so incoherent ,I couldn't tell the EM"s what happened, all I could get out was anti.. The EM's thought I was either overdosed or having cardiac arrest . In the ER,the doctor's gave me all the anti allergens ,and I started coming out of it. I was soaked w/ sweat from the burning, I couldn't
speak right, it was if I had a stroke . My legs and body hurt so bad, I never experienced this much pain . 4 days latter I still am not alright . My entire body was red , I was so afraid to take even an Advil the next day . Then I heard the ER Dr. told my husband they're having a lot of problems w/ this Avelox! I asked an attorney if this is a suit and he said not unless it becomes a class suit! How on earth did the FDA approve this stuff ???
I would tell everyone ,this stuff is not worth the risk ! I came close to dying over a sinus infection ! DO NOT USE THIS AVELOX !

Prescribed avelox for sinus infection, 10 days worth, have taken 5 days, shortness of breath, weakness in limbs, gaseous stomach, Sinus infection feels a little better, but the shortness of breath has me a little worried. Anyone experiencing similar side effects to this medication?

I went to my primary doctor last Wednesday. He gave me samples for a 5 day regime of Avelox to treat a head/chest cold. Well, the cold does seem a little better, but, I would have never traded that to the side effects I am experiencing now! I took my first daily dose of Avelox last Wednesday. On Friday I thought I had dry skin. By Sunday I was itching so bad that it was almost unbearable. My eyelids are itching, burning and swollen, my forehead looks sunburned from the itching and scratching, my chest, stomach, back and thighs feel tingly and are itching NONSTOP. I am taking an antihistamine, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I hope this goes away. I cannot imagine what this drug does to people that have allergies and sensitivities to medications. I have never experienced an adverse reaction to medications before this. I would never recommend this drug to anyone.

I was given Avelox July 2007 .. within a week started getting severe leg pain in both legs .. making walking too difficult and painful... This pain has stayed with me 24/7 since I took the avelox over a year ago.. I have been to over 12 Doctors this past year trying to get help...and spent a small fortune with many tests done..now diagnosed with fibromyagia, osteoarthritis, cardioapathy, torn knee meniscus, adrenal fatigue, and i.b.s. which all developed after given Avelox... Not one will acknowledge that I may be suffering from a severe reaction to Avelox ... though they have no answers and have not been able to help me.. I have tried acupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy, and steroid injections.. nothing has helped.. I am now seeing a Holistic Dr. and being treated for many hormone vitamin, and mineral deficiencies .. .I It has been a nightmare year with this 24/7 pain.. homebound.. because too painful to walk..and I also have constant gastric discomfort and insomnia. I feel my body has suffered from a very toxic reaction to the Avelox and just want to warn others out there too.... Please think twice before taking any antibiotics from the quinolone family...There are less toxic antibiotics that can be given.. not worth taking the risk of suffering serious reactions from these very poisonous antibiotics..

I am very scared right now and concerned, but recently I have been sick for the last 3 weeks or 4 weeks. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he prescribed some Amoxicillin for my sickness. He said he couldn't identify what I had so he gave me a broad based anti biotic. For about a week I took it and didn't get any better. The medicine caused me to get dizzy spells after sleep and before sleep. So this week I went back to the doctor and he said the medicine wasn't helping me and my white blood cell count had gone up. So I had to get some blood taken . Then the nurse couldn't find my vain easily. She managed to get a little blood though and took it for lab samples. The doctor came back and said I needed to take some Avelox and gave it to me. So for about two days I took it and I felt ok, but later the second day I started having a panic attack for no reason. I told my dad I needed to lay down.

After that, my dad made me some food and I laid down and watched TV and the feeling soon left. I was really feeling sick so I got a cold rag and put it on my forehead. I was looking forward to my mom coming home from Wednesday night church. I fell asleep for about 30 minutes. Then my mom came home and woke me up and we talked for a bit and then I went back to sleep.

Well, today I got curious about my medicine and looked it up and found out some terrible news. The medicine I am taking has actually landed people in the hospital. I found a site where people who had taken it posted what the side affects were. They all had reports about having anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and muscle aches.It was then I realized that my medicine is what caused the panic attack the day before. I called my dad instantly and told him about the bad side affects. He didn't really seem to care that much. He listened to me though, which is a step up from my mom. Then I called my mom and explained to her. She just ignored me and didn't care. I was crying and I felt so terrible and frustrated. I was just trying to explain to her that my medicine caused very bad side affects and even thoughts of suicide. She didn't really seem concerned though, she said she'd call my doctor and talk to him about it.

Right now my parents and I are just really stressed about this whole thing. I refuse to take my medicine because of it's dangerous side affects... but if I don't have any medication at all I won't get better. I'm just in a really bad situation and I am just so depressed I feel as if I could burst!! Everyday I feel like utter crap and my vision is screwed up and I don't have an appetite so I have to make myself eat. Also, my white blood cell count keeps getting higher and if something isn't done soon what I have could be very dangerous.

I keep praying to God... but it doesn't feel like he hears me. I am in great emotional pain, my parents are never home and I'm lonely the majority of the day to , and being sick doesn't help. I am starting to experience a bit of the thoughts of suicide.I keep convincing myself I need to live and I'll get better and I don't need to die. It's hard though I am fighting with all my might to keep it away.

I will never take this drug again - I was prescribed it for bronchitis along with prednisone. I have severe asthma and have been taking prednisone for short periods without problems since childhood. My first and only dose caused hives, itching, dry heaves, and severe chest pain and heart palpitations. Ended up going to the hospital by ambulance - Where I was ignored for 5 hours - apparently they thought I was seeking narcotics (overheard one of the nurses) for the chest pain. Ridiculous, I don't suppose my body covered with hives was faked too - I know that some people abuse medications but I am not one of them!!! I didn't even ask for pain meds. Anyway, I still feel pretty shaky today...but relieved that they gave me a different antibiotic - Hopefully the prednisone will help with the allergic reaction. Good luck to all of you and get well!

had a sinus infection after a cold- z pack did not work - was given prednisone and 21 days of avelox - after 7 days had a lot of dizziness and lightheadedness - feeling hot and warm - tongue feels hot and inflamed and worst headaches - no more sinus infection - stopped the drug - anyone know how long it might take for headache to abate after stopping this drug.?? please email me at marlenie1955@yahoo.com. thanks.

My story: I was prescribed Avelox for a small infection from shaving (foliculitus). I started taking this antibiotic the following day, it was a wednesday. Saturday night while bowling, I had what I consider to be a panic/anxiety attack, where I felt a disconnection happening between my mind and my body. I just wrote that instance off as just that, an anxiety attack. Well on monday I had a full blown attack and felt reality slipping away, and felt completely disconnected from my body and my surroundings. Everything became surreal. I went to see the prescribing physician, and she told me to stop taking Avelox, and that, this can happen to some people. Well I stopped taking it on that wednesday, and now its friday and I still feel completely disconnected from my body. I am scared and need to know if this will go away, I don't want to feel like this anymore. Does anyone know how long I will have to deal with this feeling?

I started taking Avelox on Tues for a sinus infection. For the past few days I have felt "out of it" very tired and depressed. At first, I thought it was the sinus infection, but I have had enough of them to know better.
I have talked to my doctor and three pharmacists which have all argued that Avelox is well-tolerated by most people...but it sounds like it can really do a number on a few. I took 3 doses and I'm DONE! I hope I feel better soon!

I finished up the whole ten days. Taking it at night with a Xanax helped everything go smoothly. I had no dramatic pains, no wierd brain occurrences -- nothing like that at all. I did have some anxiety at the beginning, but the Xanax helped. If you have no other choice, it's ok. I might take something else next time if given the choice... Sounds like a lot of people have had major problems -- hope they all clear up. Good luck.

I had Avelox prescribed after severe pneumonia. It kicked the pneumonia, but there has to be a better option. I am a little scared right now. I took my fourth (and last) pill this morning, feeling pretty good. The last 3 nights I have not slept despite being wiped out from pneumonia and type A flu. I was hallucinating mildly, as soon as I close my eyes or turn the lights, I get a real light show and weird images coming at a frantic pace. My heart races, my neck feels stiff and pressured, I can not concentrate, and I just feel too weird to describe.

1 hour after taking the medicine this morning, all these symptoms returned, stronger than before. I now feel a bit depressed. I started studying Avelox as soon as these symptoms returned. If you are reading this, I hope you were smart enough to research Avelox before taking. There is a ton of scary stories about this poison on the internet. I am now experience heart palpitations every couple of minutes, though I have had arrhythmias before, but not consistently. I have looked at a lot of websites with patient feedback on drugs, and I never imagined that anyone would proscribe a medicine with so little positive feedback and some many horrible stories. Good luck to all of you who are in my shoes.

After exactly 2 hours of ingesting the Avelox 400mg. pill, I suddenly felt a sensation of vertigo as I was standing in my kitchen talking with my young daughter. This was followed by extreme dizziness. I had to lie down for the next hour and a half as I had no balance. I felt slight nausea as well. I spoke to the pharmacist on the phone and she said these symptoms were fairly common (2-5%) and I should try to continue taking the drug the next day, "if I could stomach it." It was very hard speaking to her as I was also experiencing severe confusion; it was hard to form my thoughts and to string them together into a sentence. I went to bed feeling groggy but slept okay for most of the night; only slight insomnia in the early morning hours. The next day, I felt physically and mentally disoriented; I was incapable of driving my daughter to school and my mind felt completely "zonked out of it" -- "stupid" -- like my mind was almost a blank. It's a shame because my sinuses and bronchitis felt a bit clearer already -- but I simply could not go through that experience again -- I have a life to lead and can not spend 9 more days incapacitated, lying on a couch and incapable of looking after my 4 year old daughter. I usually take medicines just fine and am not prone to side effects, so this experience took me totally by surprise.