Avelox and legs

My doctor prescribed Avelox 400 mg tablets to treat pneumonia. I was warned by the pharmacist not to take it with my morning vitamins, so I took it 1/2 hour before bed time - needless to say I hardly slept. I started itching all over, my arms started tingling, my heart was racing a hundred miles an hour. Believe it or not I took another one the next night, and yep it happened again, I thought I was dying. My blood pressure dropped to 99/78 and my pulse was 50 - my normal vitals are 120/60, and pulse is 95. It seemed that within minutes my pulse jumped to 115 and my pressure was 138/90. I guess that is what an anxiety attach feels like. Then to top it all off, it felt like someone was pouring water in my veins, this feeling of rushing water ran from my fingers up my arms in into my shoulders then my heart would jump again; I had weakness is my legs and felt nausea the entire next day. I contacted my doctor with no return call, so I discontinued the medication. I do not believe the benefits of this medication out weigh the side effects. I will not ever take this medicine again. I will pray for healing for all of you, God bless and keep smiling.

this is probably the worst thing Avelox caused, besides death, which would have happened without help..

7th day on Avelox for sinusitus - massive pain back of my head, sweating so much my clothes were soaked, threw up 2 times, legs were uncoordinated when trying to walk

Called 911 - paramedics took blood pressure - guess what.. 210/180.. something was definitely wrong. Rushed to hospital - passed out in ER - woke up with wife and family present - CT scan found my brain bleeding and brain surgery was performed to remove the clot..

But wait, it gets better... 2 days in the ICU my brain swelled from the surgery and the fluid stopped circulating.. I was semi conscious in the ICU for probably 4-5 hours and nothing was done. My wife came in early in the morning and thought I was sleeping, but could not wake me.. The nurse said that a doctor was called and will be there later. I'm DYING right before their eyes in the ICU!!! My wife demanded I get a CT scan immediately. If she didn't I would have stopped breathing. Later CT showed my ventricles enlarged with fluid backed up so much that my brain and brainstem was ridiculously squeezed so much, my head was all ventricles and barely any brain showing in the CT. I attribute my current brain damage to this episode.

A shunt was placed in my head for about 3 days.. basically a needle is inserted into my brain and left there to drain the excess fluid.. After my condition stabilized, the shunt was removed.

Spent 1 week in the hospital, then transferred to another hospital to stay in for inpatient PT and treatment. I didn't know left from right, had double vision, was throwing up constantly, was hot, then very cold, my legs hurt, had hallucinations (was believing certain things were happening, that really weren't) was incontinent, had a new catheter inserted every single day, was taught to walk again, had to use a wheelchair.

I had always been healthy, was vegetarian and did not smoke cigarettes.. I exercised regularly, did not use drugs (i.e. - cocaine or methamphetamine which can cause high blood pressure leading to a stroke)

Didn't know what happened to me, but realized I had to be there.. After 1 month, decided to go home (the hospital was becoming too stressful, somebody was always screaming and yelling at night and the daily catheters were uncomfortable), to be back in the lifestyle I knew.. my wife, my granddaughter, my house, my dog, cats, and other pets were sorely missed.

Once home I found that I couldn't do what I used to anymore - could not mow the lawn, drive, speak well, walk properly, had double vision, a tingling on my face, a metallic taste in my mouth so bad that good food tasted bad.

My wife set me up for physical therapy three times a week daily outpatient at the hospital I was at. Vomited regularly from the daily dizziness.

This was most disturbing, I developed a pain in my left hand and left shoulder, to the point where I could not raise my arm above my head and had to sleep with my arm straight down for at least a year. After playing guitar for 30 years, I found myself unable to play my guitar anymore. My left hand had lost all its dexterity and was not usable. I did not realize what happened to me until my wife explained the entire thing to me.

In the next few weeks I spent each day trying to put "2 and 2 together" and figure out why this happened to me. When doing research on strokes, I realized that certain things happened to me that were not consistent with having a stroke. In my brain damaged condition, I remembered taking the antibiotic Avelox, based on a physicians prescription. I researched the adverse effects and to my amazement, the listed side effects were consistent with what happened to me.

I began a quest to file a lawsuit - was unable to find a lawyer willing to tackle such a huge case.. although one lawyer did file before the 2 year time limit expired.. I had MRI's performed on my hand and shoulder which revealed scarring and previous ligament tearing.

During the time of having more outpatient and in home therapy, I regularly visited a psychologist and my physician confirmed that the Avelox most likely caused the brain bleed, tendon tears, and other mysterious symptoms when I presented him with my research. I was unable to work and my only income was from monthly Social Security Disability benefits that didn't begin until 6 months after the incident.. leaving me with no income and unpaid bills for 6 months. The mortgage payments fell behind and soon foreclosure notices arrived. We decided that an alternative would be to sell the house.. it could not be sold after 1 years attempt, so my wife and I moved to an affordable apartment. I put household items in a storage facility. I either sold to pay bills or threw away much of my personal things,since I was devastated by what happened to me, I didn't think I was going to survive long after reading statistics on strokes.

While in the apartment, I needed an income and was forced to take what was in the scpoe of my limited ability. I accepted an early morning paper route and then made deliveries for a courier company using my own vehicle.. That was a 12 hour work day. Being completely upset over what happened, losing everything including my house.. I decided to attempt to escape the overwhelming things that happened and were still happening. I found a house for rent that was less than the apartments rent, except it was in North Carolina. At the time that seemed perfect, a 3 bedroom house located in a far away place where I could forget everything that happened and make a fresh start. Only problem is my wife not want to go, but I was adamant upon doing it. She helped me move everything, including all storage items.. I had moved to North Carolina, but soon found being alone and unable to find suitable employment unbearable. I was being contacted for back rent owed, but could not do everything alone - I became more depressed to the point of feeling suicidal, so I called my aunt in NY and she said just leave everything and get myself to her house. I did, leaving everything behind, and stayed with her for a month until my cousin invited me to stay with him.. which I did. I stayed with him for 3 months, all the while searching for employment.

With help from my family I moved back to my familiar area in NJ in the summer of 2008. I had lost everything..unable to be physical with my wife and being seperated for 18 months, she has requested a divorce. Currently I live by myself and am still slowly recovering, yet my left arm and hand are uncoordinated, my talking is difficult, slurred and gravely (diagnosed with dysarthria), my balance is bad and am dizzy every single day for the past 4 years.. Although brain damaged, I am attempting to rejoin the computer support business again.

My entire past, everything I knew and did, everyone I knew, who I was, etc.. is all a strange hazy memory. If I don't take a sleep aid, I wake up around 4am with racing thoughts, unable to sleep.. My depression and anxiety are so bad, it is difficult to function and interact with others. My psychiatrist has diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder and prescribed Zoloft and Xanax.

Upon proper research, I have to blame the prescription and subsequent use of Avelox for causing the brain bleed which led to my life being completely and utterly destroyed. My intentions are to file suit against the manufacturer Bayer and/or the hospital for allowing me to die in the ICU

I am a 62 year old male who works out and is in good shape. I developed a case of diverticulitis and was prescribed a 10 day course of Avelox, 400 mg. per day. I began taking the pills and they worked on the diverticulitis. However, after 7 pills, I developed pain above and below the knees and down at the ankle. This pain is in the tendons. It feels like a permanent Charlie Horse. I went to the doctor today and his belief is that I do indeed have a side effect, since I am in otherwise good health, the pain is in both legs, and the onset coincides with taking Avelox. Unfortunately, he said they do not really know the mechanism of this reaction; they don't know how long it lasts; don't know if it goes away, etc. Now I must really watch myself for who knows how long because of the danger of popping a tendon. This is incredible to me. Seven pills and perhaps permanent damage? I am wondering if any of the people who have posted tendon issues have improved or gotten worse after time.

I took Avelox, on the second day i woke up with red itchy spots all over my legs,,, they started to spread and became so swollen,,, for the 4 days i walked with my legs being in so much pain and burning sensation around those spots,, then spots turned more like stones,, they harden so bad ,, i couldn't even sleep,, by accident i forgot to take my 4th dose and on the next day i noticed that swelling came down a little ,,, i still went to doctor and she said to me ooooo i am so sorry,, this is so rare but it is a side affect to Avelox, and obviously i stopped the medication,, I have checked with Nutritionist and Natural Care doctors,, and i was told that the best way to flash this antibiotic out of your system would be drinking a lot of water and also get Natural Aloe juice,, in Organic Health stores, and drink 8 oz,, 4 times a day...!!!!! Try it,,, it works

My husband developed a bad, really red rash on arms, legs, back chest and face after 3 days of being on Avelox. I did not know what this was from as he takes several medications, but this was a new one prescribed for chest congestion so I decided to look it up on the internet. Lo and behold, lots of other people have had this problem as well. He took another Avelox today before I found out this info.... hope he does not get worse! Looks like this is a common side effect of this drug. He won't take another one ever again!

I was prescribed Avelox day before yesterday for an upper respiratory infection and took it for two days before calling and asking to be switched. I experienced severe sharp pains in my hips, lower and middle back, and a few in various places in my legs. My eyes can't tolerate light and I am experiencing right arm numbness, weakness, and disorientation with movement. I'm sure this drug works just fine for some but my pharmacist says some people are just not good candidates for it. Shouldn't there be some sort of process for finding out who those people are instead of treating us all like guinea pigs? I feel like we operate within a medical system that decides to shoot first and ask questions later.

I WAS ON AVELOX FOR 3 DAYS SEVERE PAIN IN MY STOMACH COMES AND GOES, MY LOWER BACK IS IN EXTREME PAIN I THOUGHT I HAD THE SWINE FLU , I CALLED MY DAUGHTER , SHE FOUND THIS PAGE I AM SCARED TO DEATH, I HOPE IT WEARS OFF . I CANT EAT OR DRINK , I AM TRING TO DRINK WATER TOO GET IT OUT OF MY SYSTEM,
DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW LONG IT LAST , I AM VERY IRRITABLE , MY LEGS ARE LIKE RUBBER .

Avelox 400 MG was prescribed for me after treating a severe upper
respiratory infection and a terrible coughing that was unproductive.
I was exhausted from the coughing and had gone to the Dr. for 3 days
in a row for a penicillin injection, while also taking a milder antibiotic. He took me off of it and prescribed the Avelox when I was not responding to treatment. .
I took the first pill at 6:30 in the evening ( one per day for 7 days ) was
the script. In reading the pamphlet that came with the script, I was
already frightened of the side effects, before coming online to read the horror stories. I am a strong person mentally, and physically I do not
generally have side effects with medication. About 6 hours after taking the first pill, I went to bed hoping I would not have hallucinations as others said they had. Somehow I went right to sleep and slept for nearly 8 hours. No hallucinations.
I was fine all the next day, even beginning to cough up some of the phlegm etc that was down there. I figured the medicine was working to break it up a bit and was glad. I took the second pill at 6:30 that evening and went to bed around 12:30. I found it harder to get to sleep, and woke up several times with my throat very dry, and drank some more water. I wound up a total of about 4 hours sleep and was up at 5:AM. Around 9:00 AM I sat down to watch some news on TV and within a few seconds of having turned the TV on, a horrible panic came over me which I had never experienced in my life. My hands were shaking, and my legs had turned to rubber, and my MIND, it was as if I were someone else and could not think clearly at all. The feeling worsened until I thought I would not be able to return to my normal self. Tried to be calm so as not to add to the situation, but found I had no control over it. This episode lasted about and hour and a half. It was now 3 hours ago that it happened, and my legs are still a bit rubbery, hands still a bit shaky, but my mind is clearing up. I called the doctor and told him I wouldn't be taking any more of these pills. I don't mind a few mild side effects if that were the case, but certainly nothing that plays with my mind. I am now terrified of these pills and would not recommend them to anyone. I pray I will be able to get better on another antibiotic that has worked for me in the past.
M. 05/16/09

Avelox! :-(
I don't no where to start.. I initially went in to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis and was prescribed Avelox. I had been on antibiotics before but never this one. Well I took my 1st dose and with in 30 minutes my mouth was consumed with a very bitter acrid taste. As I continued on taking 1 pill once a day, by pill 2 and 3; I was waking up in the middle of the night in a pool of sweat shaking the glads under my neck aching. It seemed that the floor and room was spinning. Pill 4 and 5, I experienced burning head ache, it felt like acid was slowly being poured over my brain and the diarrhea that I initially had in the beginning got worse not just watery but now slimy and mucusy along with the burning head ache that I'm having trouble even typing this comment, I have extreme heart burn even spiting up bial in my sleep. I have all of this going on while trying to make it to the bathroom room, room spinning and my heart is pounding and my legs are shaking so bad I can barley let my self down on the toilette. Pill 6 and 7, I have slurred speech and I can barely complete a sentence much less write this comment so please for give my typos. I've been lying in my bed thinking that I'm dieing trying to figure out witch one on my family members I should contact because something bad can happen and I don't know how bad it will get. As of right now 6:30pm central standard time May 7th I'm considering going to the emergency room! I just hope there is no permanent damage. I will have since discontinued my prescription and will let you know how it goes.

I have taken Avelox before with only minimal side effects nausea and diarrhea were the only ones I got but they were enough. I have been suffering from chronic sinus and ear infections for going on two years now. My doctor gave me samples again of avelox on Monday. Last night I had to be rushed to the hospital. After throwing up all day I got a severe headache. I felt dizzy and out of sorts all day but when I couldn't take the headache anymore I tried laying down. With this medicine you can't take any pain relievers so I thought if I just went to lay down maybe it would ease up some. Well it didn't, and before I knew it I was shaking uncontrollably with tremors and could no longer put sentences together. My head hurt so bad I just wanted to stab myself to make the pain go away. At the er they gave me an IV with something to help with the headache.Anyway after taking a Ct scan and not seeing anything on there the er doc gave me the ok to go home and gave me a script for pain meds. I was having hallucinations, anxieties, and could not speak correctly. I am still having trouble making sentences, I am stuttering, which I have never done before. And I can't get words to go together to make a sentence. The Er doctor wants me to follow up with a neurologist. My tremors still haven't stopped and now I sound like the guy from rain man when I am trying to make a sentence. This is pure torture and I feel like I am in someone else's body.

I have a history of sinus infections. After two rounds of Augmentin did not clear up my latest one, my doctor finally gave me the steroid pack and Avelox. He had tried to avoid the steroids. I have had them so many times. I finished my steroids 5 days ago and my Avelox yesterday. I read the side effects and did as it suggested. Since it mentions low potassium would not be good I ate a banana every day and had some orange juice to keep my potassium levels up. The drug warms against taking any pain killers such as Aleve, Advil, etc. One earlier reviewer admitted taking Aleve and had a bad reaction... well.... bad move.... I have had no real side effects that I can say for sure are Avelox related. I did feel a little less focused at times, but was not obviously groggy or woosey. I did have a little abdominal discomfort that I usually do not have with drugs, but it was short-lived and only occurred 3 of the 10 days. Many people have bad effects because they do not follow the warnings against anti-acids, pain killers, low potassium, etc. Some people are more likely to react to any medicine, while others like me rarely have a side effect. My tendons did not hurt... nothing.... People who are out of shape, have a poor physical life style, etc. sometimes help contribute to the drugs reactions by being in basically poor physical health to begin with. America is one of the fattest, out of shape nations out there due to our abundance of everything. The majority of persons can take Avelox with no real issues. I will take it again. I truly feel concern for those who had problems, but sometimes we are partly guilty by how we don't take care of ourselves when we are well...... As with any drug, some persons will react no matter what... It's often just a matter of inherited genetics...... Be safe everyone, and take time to evaluate how you take care of your body and really decide to do better. For the record I am almost 58, 5-9 158 pounds and work out semi-regularly.... Take care of that temple God gave you. Its the only one we get on this Earth,,,,,,

I was given Avelox by my Allergist three weeks ago because I had yet another sinus infection, she had me come in and pick up some samples she had with 5 days worth of 400 strength Avelox.
The night of the third dose I was awakened by numbing and tingling and pain in my right arm from the elbow down to my hand, I had never had this before. I called the nurse the next day and she said to stop taking the drug which I did. I figured now that I stopped taking the drug the symptoms would go away.
A few days later I was out shopping and within a few hours of walking around I began to have so much pain in my right foot/ankle/heel that I had to come home, I could not put my foot down.
Then within the next few days my knees began to hurt, behind the knee and in the side. It has been 3 weeks now and the foot pain is better but my hand,elbow and knees are bothering me so much I can't sleep. The other symptom feels like nerve pain in my legs, hands and fingers. I am really troubled by this, I am a very active healthy 62 year old Woman, I have not been able to exercise all of this time.
I went to see my Allergist who prescribed the Avelox and informed her of all of these symptoms. She said that this was a rare side effect and that I was particularly sensitive. I asked her if the symptoms would go away soon and she gently said that it would take time.
Then she said that she had prescribed Avelox to her husband a few months ago, she said he had the same reaction as me (how does this translate to a rare occurrence?) and that he was slowly improving. She thought I should go to a Physical Therapist or a Rheumatologist, I told her I can't afford that.
At this point I am scared I won't get back to how I was before. I have had knee surgery in the past but my knees were doing fine until this.
Have other people slowly recovered as my doc has suggested will happen?
I don;t know what I should be doing at this point. Help!
S.

I just finished a 7 day course of AVELOX. Dr. prescribed it for a sinus infection. Had some side effects, mostly feeling out of it, dizziness, confusion, and mild anxiety. I also had some minor numbing feelings. I took my last pill on Thursday (2 days ago). I am still feeling a bit out of it with pressure in my head. My legs feel like they keep falling asleep.

Can some help me and tell me how long it took for the side effects to subside?

Thanks

I had a little case of pneumonia and the doctor prescribed avelox to me. since the first day i took it i experienced numbness in my legs and i was feeling very weak, i thought those symptoms were from pneumonia so i continued to take avelox. after taking avelox for 6 days i saw my doctor and i told him about everything i was feeling, numbness in my legs and arms, tingling in my whole body(even my lips), and i felt very weak. my doctor gave me some tests and everything seemed to be fine. but i kept feeling really bad, i started to get chest pain. i went to the ER and they ran some tests, they told me i was fine. they told me to go to a neurologist. later that day i read on the back of the prescription and i saw that everything i was feeling i saw as side effects on the prescription. By the time i saw that i have already taken all of the medication. now i'm waiting to see when the side effects will go away. i wonder why any of the doctors i went to didn't know these were side effects from the medication, i will never take this medication again.

I took Avelox for the first and LAST time today!! I have had 4 ear infections in the last 4 months. My sinus drains into them every nite. My ent prescribed Avelox b/c she want to kick the heck out of this infection. I was abit nervous about taking a different antibiotic because within the last 2 yrs I've developed food allergies. I took it and drank a big glass of water with it. Very soon after I started to feel strange. My throat felt tingly and I felt very anxious and thought I was going to throw up. I calmed down enough to get my son to a neighbors house and get to the ER. Of course I had to wait there I did get a hold of my anxiety. Right below my adam's apple inside my throat felt like the pill was stuck there. I would feel like it was a burp or gas that just couldn't make it out. My stomach felt queasy. I thought I might puke in the waiting room. 4 hours later I am home and feel like crap. My body is achy. My head feels like I've taken percaset(sp) I'm shakey and tired. Climbing the stairs it hard, my legs feel like sandbags. The dr. in the er said he doubted it was an allergic reaction because of how fast it came on. Reading about others experiences makes me think the DR. is wrong!! I did take it on an almost empty stomach. My co-pay on this crap was $55!!!!

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 took one pill last night at 8pm and have slept about 3 hours total. I have headache, anxiety, rash,and sinus pain. Avelox was given for a urinary tract infection. My legs snap. snap, snap when I walk. Have pain in knee. All after only one dose. How long till this gets out of your system?

Wow, I was prescribed this medication for a sinus infection that I had been battling for weeks. I took Avelox this morning, about 30 minutes later I started itching all over my body, under my arms on my thighs and my eyes started swelling, I could hardly see out of them, my throat was itching so bad , I started choking ,and my heart started racing, I had a weird strange feeling that I would be sick forever and maybe I was dying. I was home alone so I took two benadryl tablets and looked this medication up on the computer. The muscles in my legs started aching. I started to drink as much water as I could. It has been almost two hours since I took this mediation. I am breathing okay, but my eyes are swollen and very red. I will not take anymore of this medication, I knew I was having a reaction, (sulfa is the only mediation I have ever been allergic to, it is listed on my records) Sulfa made my face swell up so bad, I looked like a cartoon character.
I think I have passed the initial reaction, I hope so anyway.
juniperiam

Feb 27 Being treated for severe sinuitus tk avelox 5 days knee swollen, muscles acheing in legs switched to levaquin took one day knee still swollen, tendons aching, joints ache When will this let up been 2 days+ S.

After 5 days of taking Avelox woke up with a nasty taste in my mouth. It gets worse when I take a breath or lick my lips. It almost tastes like a metallic taste. I can even smell the taste when I breath through my nose. The taste has lasted all day. I also find myself spitting alot and not normal mucas but foamy saliva. It feels like I have some kind of nasty coating all over my teeth. Smoking makes the taste 10 times worse. I was give the 400Mg 5 day dose for bacterial bronchitis. I have had severe musle aches in legs and arms as if I had worked out for first time in years. Tips of elbows painfull if rested on. and sharp pain in left arm.

Took my first dose on Wednesday 11/12/08, and felt amazing. I could not believe how much better I felt when I got up Thursday morning. Took my second dose around lunch time, and noticed that by Thursday night I wasn't feeling too well. Had a hard time sleeping Thursday night as my legs were bothering me. Called the Dr. this morning, as I felt like I might be having some side effects. Wants to see me tomorrow to make sure I'm not having tendon problems. Legs feel weird...just a rubbery feeling, and some mild pain. Makes me feel like I have to move them. Also, felt jittery upon waking this morning. Can't sleep...wake up at 4:30am - 5:30am and can not get back to sleep. I just want to get well, and they give me a medicine that should not be prescribed unless other antibiotics have not worked, and then be supervised the entire time on the medicine. I am so mad, I can't see straight! Now I have to waste more time, going back to the Dr. (not my usual Dr. BTW...I had to go to a "walk in" clinic because I couldn't get into see my normal Dr. soon enough), so that he can tell me my legs are fine, and write me another stupid presciption! I've been dealing with trying to get some meds for almost a week now! CRAZY! Not to mention this crap is really expensive! $60 for 10 stinkin' pills. Would of been $160 if I didn't have insurance. That's a lot of money down the drain! Guess I'm glad I never took my 3rd dose of this stuff, or I might of done some serious damage! DO NOT TAKE THIS...IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!!!!!!

I had been suffering from bronchitis for over a week; my doctor believed that it may have been developing into pneumonia so he prescribed a seven day supply of Avelox along with an inhaler (for my congested airways). About an hour after taking the second pill (day two) and a couple puffs from the inhaler, it felt as if my throat was spasming (possibly closing), my chest hurt, and I felt incredibly anxious. I actually called 911 (which I have never done before) and the EMS suggested I stop using the inhaler. So I did. I stupidly finished off the week's worth of Avelox (yesterday 11/9) and am still struggling with moderate to severe anxiety. My stomach has hurt almost all day today, and it still feels at times as if my throat is spasming. Has anyone else experienced this?? I thought it may be anxiety-related, but now I'm not so sure.

I'm seeing my doc again tomorrow and plan on telling him that I never want to use Avelox (or any fluoroquinolone) again!!

I,m self employed, was on a deadline job, and couldn't miss work, when i came down with an upper respiratory infection. When I couldn't sleep (It hurt to swallow and breathing deeply hurt my upper chest), I decided to self medicate with an old amoxicillin script I found in the medicine cabinet. After two days the symptoms were gone and I continued to finish the script (two 875 mg a day for 6 days). On Oct 29, I seemed to have symptoms returning so I went to my PCP. He told me not to self medicate again and said he would have to put me on a stronger antibiotic - Avelox. I took my first of 10 doses that same day at 2pm. I had no noticeable reaction until I took the second dose the next day. It was about 4 hours later, and I was standing at the counter at Lowes when I started to feel sick. I was feeling dizzy and anxious and like I was going to faint. someone got me a stool to sit on and a bottle of water. Within a few minutes I had the urge to go outside for fresh air. That helped but as I returned inside the experience repeated. I finally told the man waiting on me that I'd better continue the transaction at a later time. The next thing I remember is being picked up off the floor and asking me if I was all right. At my insistence he helped me back out the door into the cold air. I refused an ambulance and after 10 minutes of rejuvenation in that fresh air I managed to drive the half mile home. A few hours after calling the doctors office they got back to me and said it was doubtful avelox caused it. I've been taking dose 3,4,and5 in the morning and every time I experience the same symptoms. Within a half hour of taking the drug I start to feel nauseated, start burping, am shakey and I start trembling. If I try to walk my legs are very weak and shaky. I experience feelings of anxiety, am somewhat disoriented and confused. I get tingling down my arms, I tremble and feel either hot or cold. I haven't fainted any more, but I often feel like I might. I'm halfway through my 10 day regimen and will have to consider quitting, after seeing all the similar reports on this website. I'll be discussing it with my doctor on Monday.

Avelox - someone needs to get a class action lawsuit going. I was put on this Friday (2/8/08) for pneumonia. The MD said it was a great very strong antibiotic and would kick in really quick. Within 4 hours I was having some problems with urine dribbling out - something I've NEVER had before. By the next day I was having to change pads every 30-60 minutes with gushes every time I coughed - and that made me go through multiple pants until I started to use my babies diapers. By the third day I couldn't leave home. My pneumonia was much worse, as if I hadn't taken any antibiotics for it at all. I stopped the Avelox and went back to urgent care - the doctor didn't even argue that my pneumonia was worse, one listen to my chest and he was quite concerned. He put me on Zithromax and I'm doing better as far as the pneumonia.

The bladder incontinence is still bad and hasn't let up even though I haven't taken any Avelox for 3 days. I called Bayer's branch that makes this stuff to file a complaint and the customer rep said "You must be unusual, there have been no complaints of bladder incontinence with Avelox before." She barely listened to me and told me to go back to my doctor to see if he could help - which he can't because he has no experience with this and would have to call the drug manufacturer anyway! She was totally unsympathetic and when I got upset would put me on hold for several minutes and then pick up again.

If you look at Avelox from a marketing standpoint, NO patient would take it if they ended up in diapers! I know I wouldn't - so they sell it hoping to sneak it by and make money. Only they have now damaged my body and I don't know if I'll ever be back to normal. I'm still suffering from sensitivity to light too - which they claim is a false side effect but has been really severe for me too. Can hardly drive during the daytime now when I've gone to the doctor as the light is sooo strong for my eyes.

When I told the doctor that the Avelox had made two of my joints painful to the point I could not lift my baby or kneel on one leg, he said not to worry. I hadn't been on it long enough for the tendon to rupture. WHAT??? That wasn't listed as a side effect either but obviously THAT has happened enough (and can be proven) that the drug company has told doctors about it.

Someone needs to hold these drug companies accountable for the damage they do...