Levaquin side effects

I have been off of Levaquin for three weeks . I am experiencing joint and muscle pain from my thighs to my ankles. Wake up in the middle of the night in agony. Soaking in a hot tub gives minor relief. Has anyone found something to ease the pain and help the healing process I need help!!!

I started taking Levaquin on Saturday for preventive measures for knee surgery. I had taken Keflex the week before and had an allergic reaction to it. Extreme itching on my hands, hips, shoulders and feet. I broke out in hives and my lips, eyes, hands and face swelled up. I quit taking Keflex and then a week later, they started me on Levaquin. So this morning, Tuesday, I had been on Levaquin for 3 days, I woke up feeling fine. I was up for about 10 minutes and the back of my head was itchy. I itched it and noticed that my fingers and hands were starting to swell. I took a sip of coffe and my lips were starting to swell. Within 10 min. I was swollen, itchy, in an extreme cold sweat, my throat was swelling and I could not breath very well. I grabbed my phone and called 911 and I could barely remember my address. I told the dispatcher that I was going to pass out and I did. When I came to I could hear the dispatcher trying to get my attention. When I got back on the phone after passing out, she said paramedics were on the way. They showed up about 2 min. later. My blood pressure was 101/53. I ended up going to the hospital and on the way there, they gave me a shot of epipedirine and benadryl. When I got to the hospital there were 8 people working on me. I got a shot of pepcid and a shot for the rash that was covering 90% of my body. I was still having a hard time understanding questions and was having a hard time staying focused to answer questions. I was in the ER for about 4 1/2 hours for anaphylaxis but they finally got it under control. Now I get to have epi pens to carry around with me since this was such a severe reaction. I was told to look into an allergy screening so I think I might see how much the insurance will pay on that and maybe get that done.

I was prescribed 750 mg Levaquin for 7 days for a bacterial skin infection that I got under my breasts from inverse psoriasis. I took one pill and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was up all night long with feelings of dread and like I was on a bad acid trip. The next day, I was so exhausted, I could barely even lift my head off the pillow and literally slept all day. The day after that I was going through withdrawal-like symptoms and my husband finally took me to the ER. The nurse practitioner there told me she NEVER prescribes Levaquin because she sees so many patients coming into the ER who are experiencing horrible side effects. I quit taking it obviously but am still feeling shaky and weak. Also, today, both of my feet started feeling like they were asleep with the pins and needles feeling. Also, I have TMJ and my jaw is aching as well. All of this for a little skin infection that the doctor didn't even examine. He just got the results of the cultures back but didn't actually see the infection to determine if it actually needed something so strong. I am taking Keflex now which isn't near as bad and is helping just fine. The difference is the cost. I'm sure the doc got a huge kickback for prescribing the higher-cost Levaquin. I will not be seeing him again. All doctors are interested in is prescribing drugs. They don't ever try a natural means of healing which I do not understand. I am so frustrated...I hope this crap gets out of my system soon!!!

I was prescribed Levaquin in my early twenties (about 10yrs ago) for a sinus infection and my throat swelled up after 1 pill. Turns out I had an allergic reaction to it. I was taught that It's in the same family as Penicillin, being that I'm allergic to Penn, why was I prescribed Levaquin?

I took a 8 day regiment of 750 mg for pneumonia. I started developing joint pain in my right thumb on day 5 and then my left shoulder on day 6 by day 9 I was unable to raise my left arm over my head. It is now in both hands. I am so stiff in morning I cant turn a door knob with out lots of pain and forget trying to open the dishwasher where you have to squeeze the lever to open the door. In the shower I use my right hand to raise my left arm ober head so the warm water can run on my shoulder blade. warm water also helps relieve the pain. I am hoping this is just a temporary setback cause I never had symptoms like this before. 57 yo male

I was given Levaquin on February 14, 2001 for a sinus infection. I had taken a Claritin ready tab before I took the Levaquin. Within 5 minutes of taking Levaquin, I literally felt as if ants were crawling all over the inside of my skin. I was in the bathroom when this happened and I remember that I started to sneeze non-stop. It got to the point that every time I sneezed, I could feel my throat closing and blood would come out of my nose. I knew I was in trouble. I didn't have time to wait for an ambulance and my mom, who has epilepsy and doesn't drive went with me to the ER. By the time I got there, 5 min drive away from my house, I was covered in huge hives. My hands, feet and face were also blue and I couldn't speak! I had gotten there just in time. I got 3 shots of antihistamine (benadryl) and 3 of hydro cortisone. My doctor was in disbelief when I went to see him the next day to tell him what had happened. Apparently my reaction was "rare", but by the other stories on this page-I don't think it is. It was a horrible experience going into Anaphylaxis shock. I now watch everything that is an RX and ask a lot of questions. I found out a few years later that I was also allergic to sulfa based drugs, almost the same reaction (not as severe) but I was ready and I knew what to do. Thank God for Benadryl!!!

I mentioned this a few weeks ago and have found the source of my comments. It is in Peter D'Adamo's book "Eat Right For Your Blood Type". The reason I found this interesting is because my dad had a terrible reaction to Levaquin and was curious about his blood type after reading that AB and B blood types should avoid fluoroquinolones. Dad passed away in March, but ascertained his blood type from mom's, mine, and brother. I am O, brother AB, and mom type A. Dad, therefore had to be B. Food for thought.
Dad had ulnar nerve damage, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, insomnia, pain in calves and shoulders,etc. Succumbed suddenly from rare b-cell lymphoma in lungs, which just appeared out of nowhere while in hospital for Levaquin reaction. Mom unfortunately took Levaquin last month. Then suddenly is now dying from Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Is this all a coincidence? Is this stuff fertilizer for cancer?

I took Levaquin on multiple occasions for a severe prostate infection. I took a 15 day supply...then off for 1 week...another 15 day supply...off for two weeks...and then a 30 day supply. I took another 30 day supply when the infection resurfaced about a year later. During the time I was on it I experienced extreme "arthritis like" pain in my ankles, wrists, shoulders, and especially my back. The infection was over 3 years ago and I have not taken Levaguin since. However, the joint pain has never went away. I can barely climb stairs as my right knee feels like it is going to pop out of socket. The bone pain in my neck and between my shoulder blades is horrible. I visited a doctor (I never even considered the Levaguin as a possible antagonist) and was told that I had spinal degeneration and needed physical therapy. Protect yourself and your family from this drug.

My Mom was prescribed Levofloxacin ( AKA Levaquin) by her retarded doc for a mild cold and a sore throat.
After taking 2 tablets of 500mg each my mom is down is severe pain all over her body! she has joint pains, neck pain, arms, palms shes got severe pain all over her body!
She also has severe itching on the palms and her arms as well..
Headaches,
Things aren't looking good.

She in real pain! She tells me she just wants the pain to stop and that she was better off with the cold and sore throat.

She has stopped taking Levaquin.

Anyone got anyway to help her? something?? She is asleep now but tmr Im going to ask her to drink some kefir..

Thanks

I was prescribed levaquin back in May for a sinus infection. Have suffered from severe side effects, worst of which being joint and muscle pain, stomach pains, weakness and hives (last dose was taken 10 days ago). This has been the most physical discomfort and pain that I've ever been in. In addition, my ability to concentrate and recall easy things has lessened.
The "Bafoon" of a doctor that prescribed this claimed he didn't know what was wrong with me after a normal blood test. My new knowledgeable doctor told me that some people can't even walk after taking Levaquin. She says it takes on average 7 days to 6 weeks to feel improvement. Being a 36 yr old woman, having to move turtle speed, and feeling like I'm in a 90 year old body is very depressing.
If anyone has any information on any class action or mass tort litigation lawsuits please send me the information. This drug is poison and should not be prescribed for minor infections!!!

I am happy to find this site. I was given Levaquin for UTI. A few weeks prior to getting this prescription I was given a sulfa based drug (generic for Bactrim) and started feeling some pain in right wrist and hand. Dr. prescribed Levaquin since this sulfa based drug didn't clear up infection. Took 2 doses of 250mg and the reactions hit - both hands swelled, joints ached, both knees swelled and both feet and ankles swelled. Went to ER and admitted and spent 3 days in hospital on morphine and started prednisone treatment of 20mg a day with Aleve to also help with pain. This Levaquin is NASTY stuff. I can't believe doctors prescribe this medication. I am still not well. How long does it take to recover? I still am stiff and ache. I too am very active runner and finding myself frustrated in the slow recovery.

Following my last post about levaquin. I bought the probiotic drink ''kefir'' I noticed an instant change. After drinking a whole bottle in a days course I noticed that most of the pain went away. The burning and itching went away for good ! I could not believe it. I have began new symptoms though, I started getting light headed and having panic attacks. I am only 2 more days away from completing my 10th day off of the medicine. I am looking forward to feeling normal again. I'm getting fatigued easily and at night my feet,ankles and hands hurt but not as bad as it did before the probiotic. I hope this helps.

I was prescribed levaquin 750mg for 5 days. I took my first dosage and within 2 hours I was feeling itchy, tired, anxious and felt as if my skin was burning. On the first night I had a panic attack and felt my heart rush and couldn't breathe normally. The very next day I felt as if I was exhausted and believed it was the medication, so I called my doctor to ask if I should discontinue. Fifteen minutes too late she called me back and old me to discontinue, sadly I had just taken the second dosage. Within fifteen minutes of the second dosage my body started to undergo an extreme amount of itching, burning and pinching sensation. I was disoriented and depressed. I suffered sharp pains all day and night and just tried to focus on the next day. I figured after 24 hrs I wouldn't feel the pain and the medicine would be out of my system. I waited a day and a half. When I woke up on the second day after being off the medicine I was feeling extreme pains and nothing had gotten better my husband had enough and took me to the ER. I was admitted and stayed three days. Three horrible days of lab tests, xrays and lots of pain. The doctors could not manage my low blood pressure and had mo idea how the levaquin was attacking my body. I've been out for 2 days now and am still in pain and at time I still feel disoriented.

32 year old male here. I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg 2 days ago for 10 days after being diagnosed with cellulite which is a bacterial infection in the blood. I had a swollen and sore groin on the right side. I already take prilosec once a day for acid reflux. Since starting Levaquin the infection seems to be clearing up, but the heartburn is pretty vicious. Yesterday I thought to myself hmm, maybe I didn't take my prilosec but I thought I did. So, I took a second prilosec but with no results. Today again as listed on the bottle I waited two hours after taking the Levaquin and then took my prilosec, but no luck. I've since taken a second prilosec and a couple of tums. As I drove home from work the heartburn started reoccurring. Thats when I googled it and came to find this site and that I'm not crazy. I also had sharp pains in my wrist and hands today and feel really run down and almost mildly depressed. I can live with joint pains and feeling a little run down, but the heartburn really does effect your eating and sleeping. I guess I'll have to see how the next 7 days go.

hello i am a 28 year old mother of three i am going to school to become a nursing assistant just started my clinical.i have not been feeling good for the past 4 weeks went to my doc and asked for them to test my urin they took it and only did the dip stick instead of sending it to the lab the doc called me about a week later and told me everything looked good i said to him are you sure i feel like i have a uti so he told me if i am still not feeling well come back in in about a week so a week passes and now i am having pains in my back and trouble going to the bathroom so he does a (ua) i go to the lab to give urine and he put stat so the women said it should be back by tomorrow i called my doc the next day the receptionist says yes your results are in so i told her i am coming down cause she couldn't give me the results over the phone so i get ther and she tells me well it came back abnormal which i knew didn't have to pay $80.00 to tell me that i was the one telling the doctor that so anyway she tells me the doctor is in with another patient that i will have to wait i said oh no i feel like i am dying i am having so much pains in my kidneys so she said ok 1 min she got the doctor he called me down to his office and said well it looks like you had a uti and now it seems a little worse than that it might have traveled into your kidneys so i said i told you a few weeks ago when you said my urine came back fine i was in a lot of pain so now what he told me he was going to put me on levaquin 500 mg for 5 days and lets see how that works and to come back in in 2 weeks to take a repeat ua so i said ok got the prescription filled $50.00 later went home and read all the side effects and was so scared to take it but i was in so much pain and hearing about the actress who died of a ut i was so scared but i took it even know in my heart i knew it was not going to respond to me ok well let me tell you i almost had to quiet school i can hardly take care of my children just to walk up the stairs to go to the bathroom feels like i have been running a marathon for 10 miles we are a young couple and parents of 3 and i am a homemaker till i finish school so we live on my husbands pay check which really is living week by week nothing in saving cause we need every penny for bills and food but now i have been in so much pain not sleeping a wink cause i am so afraid of the nightmares that he has been home and not working which means no money is coming in at all i mean how do you tell your children well sorry i have nothing here and no money to buy you juice boxes for school i just really wanna give up i feel like i became a failure to my husband and children if i wasn't so sick he could be working and at least we can have the basics how do i tell them that we are almost out of oil and might not be able to have hot water i mean my life seems ruined all because of this drug i can not believe it i wish every day if i do fall asleep mybe it would be in my childrens best if i do not wake up but then feel like how can i even think that they love me no matter what i don't know i just can not even believe that my life turned around like this in the matter of a week how can this happen i really need help if anyone is out there please help i just wanna end it but i know deep in my heart my kids need me what to do

Burning aches aches and pains, all over body and in joints, extreme fatigue, headache, insomnia.

Took drug for 20 days, side effects began after a day or two, but I didn't know about the relationship between the drug and the side effects until after I took the last pill. I thought something was just very wrong with me!

Still lacking in energy a week after taking the last pill, still have some severe aches and pains, especially in the shoulders and hips.

On for 10 days, off for several and then on for another 20 for sinus infection. Whole body aches and has since second day or so after starting the second course of the drug, however the extreme aches are getting better since final dose. I have also had extreme fatigue to the point that between the aches and the fatigue, I really wondered if my body was shutting down.

Since stopping the drug I have been having insomnia nightly, despite taking Vicodin for the pain at night. Usually, if I need to take Vicodin for orthopedic pain, I will sleep all night without waking.

Joint at second toe on right foot inflamed, whole ball of the foot swollen, but ortho (foot specialist) says he's aware of Achilles Tendon problems but has not heard of Levaquin causing or contributing to inflammation or swelling of this joint, however he said the problem with the toe is progressing "quickly". I did not have a problem that I knew of with this toe and joint until taking this drug.

Face is somewhat puffy, more than usual and fingers are stiff and feel swollen in the morning.

About a month ago I was given Levaquin, for Pneumonia. After about 5 days my face and neck swelled up, Then came the Prednisone at the hospital. I have never in my 38 years not been able to control my own body. I do take Zoloft,and Xanax for anxiety. No one said I would have a problem walking (legs are not working properly) eating,sleeping, Buzzing in my head. Unable to lift my 3 year old let alone care for her, I get extremely fatigued easily. My Husband has missed a week of work, and if your like us....NOT GOOD. Even trying to type is hard I must look at every letter, It's like I REALLY have to think to make my body move.My kidneys feel like balloons in my back when I lay down,Uncontrollable crying. I can't believe this has happened. We have been going through this the whole month of May.Is anyone able to control the shakes? Even my head is shaking??? I suppose if I had tried hard drugs ever, this might be what it's like. I Pray someone can help me. I am so afraid of what is happening to my body. By the way, when they put me on the Prednisone they did not give me a taper... Had to see another Doctor for that. So as I sit here today, hands shaking, head shaking, knees feeling to loose to walk on them, Hard to breathe, or even to think the way I could a month ago. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME...

to this day, my back still locks up and hurts like hell.

Oh....and his nose was bleeding......and he was extremely weak.........and complained of a headache....and stomach pain

My 3 1/2 year old was given Levaquin in a Children's hospital complained of a feeling of bugs crawling all over him, red mottled rash, tiny red bumps on neck and stomach that worsened with every dose, hives, heaviness in chest, itchy, and complained of his ankles hurting..........

I was 54 at the time (2007) and in good physical health, however, after having my first round of chemotherapy as a result of breast cancer, I developed a severe throat yeast infection and my white blood count plummeted. I had ceased taking my many vitamins that have kept me in reasonably good health for the past 25 years because of nausea and generally just not feeling good. The doctors prescribed Levaquin.

Almost immediately, I developed heart palpitations and continued to have fever, nausea, and a rushing feeling throughout my body that was draining me of all energy. I could tell I was fading fast. Upon calling the doctors I said then that I thought it was the Levaquin but they insisted I stay on it otherwise they would put me in the hospital.

After the 4th day on it and with my blood pressure sinking (80/30) my husband called the doctor and they said to go to the ER. I again said to the ER doctor that I thought it was the Levaquin and he scoffed at that. After several hours and many tests, the ER doctor released me and said I could stop taking the Levaquin and he prescribed something to help me to sleep.

By the next day, I already started feeling better and within 3 days I was back taking my vitamins and feeling much better. I never took chemo again after this experience. Unfortunately since then, I have experienced severe ankle and leg cramps in the middle of the night, muscle spasms in my legs. I don't trust my ankles, they feel weak. I assumed it was linked to the chemo and never guessed it could be tied to Levaquin.

I went to my internist doctor who prescribed Flexeril which has helped with the cramps. My massage therapist has noted many times that my tendons and ligaments seem twisted and she has to really work on them which ultimately feels better. I never thought any of these symptoms were tied to Levaquin until last night when I saw the ad on TV regarding Levaquin and tendinitis. I will show this info to my Internist the next time I see him. How does one know if what I am experiencing is linked to Levaquin.

My girlfriend is 36 she had a kidney infection and got Levaquin IV in the hospital. Her legs were going numb and she could hardly get up to go to the bathroom in the hospital. She thought it was her infection. They sent her home two days later with 5 pill containers. One of them was Levaquin. She called me today and said she is having terrible pains in her hands, wrists, hips, and knees. She says she cant make a fist or hold a bag of groceries and her hands have swollen up so that she cant get her rings off. I told her I would do a search on the net to see if it might be one of the drugs she was taking. Slowly but surely I made it to the Levaquin. The drug maker fairly non chalantly refers to tendon rupture as a side effect effecting mostly people over 60 years old. I dug a little further and found this web site and was amazed at how many people are being poisoned by this drug. I am praying if she stops taking it the pain and debilitating effects will go away quickly. She has two disabled boys she has to take care of, including lifting them into wheel chairs and into beds. This is no joke! I am so angry at this drug maker and these doctors who often times do more harm than good.

This is the 3rd time I am taking levaquin in about 3 years. I had a MRSA type infection in my eye 2 years ago that I got in the hospital visiting my dying mother. She by the way died of a mysterious"infection" in her spine but frankly reading all of this I suppose it could have been caused by levaquin because they never found an infection but she complained of so much pain in her spinal collumn that they had to put her of morphine. No cause was ever determined but she was a dialysis patient and was given Levaquin on a regular basis for the infections that are common with having a stint in her arm. Her circulatory system collapsed and they could not do dialysis on her and she died after a week.
Getting back to my situation. I got the infection when rubbing the tears out of my eyes and woke up the morning of her funeral with a bad infection in the eye. Was going to eye doctor every week for 3 months thought I was going blind. Took 3 months of 750 mg dose. And multiple eye ointments. My eye sight took a hit and I now need to wear glasses for driving always. Used to have near perfect vision before this. This past year I took it again for Lyme's disease and after about a month after I developed and nerve or tendon pull in my neck that they could not explain how I got it. But I went to the emergency room and they gave me a neck support to wear.
Just was on Levaquin again for upper respiratory infection. Woke up in the middle of the night second day I was taking it. My head was pounding and it felt like it was going to explode (literally). At the same time my chest felt like it was collapsing. I thought I was really going to die and I was entirely coming undone in my mind. I called a friend at 2:30 AM and asked him (who is religious) if he knew any prayers for those who are about to die. I truly felt this was it - the end. No one told me about Levaquin's side effects until the other day when I was reading on the internet. I now have a pulsating sound in my ears that sounds like it is linked to my heartbeat. Never heard this sound before. Its been there for almost a week and it started a few days after I stopped taking the levaquin. I also have been noticing I have a shortness of breath and I am trying to move in a week. I keep getting very fatigued and have to lay down. Find myself falling asleep quite frequently.

My husband took Levaquin for ten days along with Prednisone for a chest infection. On the tenth and last day of the Levaquin, he began having burning in his knees. It then progressed to cramps in his feet, calves, thighs, knees and now his forearms. He has been referred to a neurologist. I plan to go with this information in my hands when I take him tomorrow. He had called the prescribing doctor's nurse and asked if the problems could be caused by the Levaquin since I had read nerve damage as a side effect. He never got a call back about it. He has also had nightmares so bad he kicked my in the middle of the night while having one. He has been in so much pain, he can hardly walk. He has incredible fatigue with other things already. He takes tramadol as a muscle relaxer, but then he can't drive to pulmonary rehab he is supposed to go to three times a week.

Took 7 days of levaquin to get rid of a persistent, almost bronchitis-like cough & chest condition. Ended on a Monday, and the following SUNDAY (6 days later??!) I broke out in a crazy rash, predominantly on my shins, but literally from head to toe. Most prevalent wherever there's "pressure" of any kind on my skin... waste band, sock lines, watch, and it leaves big nasty red welts when I scratch. Shins surrenty look like I'm a burn victim from scratching, and I'm not really scratching that hard... even light, usually harmless itching/scratching leaves scrape marks. What the heck... I've never had a reaction to a drug before. This is awful -- the worst itch I think I've ever experienced.

I took Levaquin for a sinus infection March 26th... 5 doses of 750 mg. I felt slightly better initially but that lasted only a day. I think it was prescribed wrongly, I had a virus and was getting over it... not a bacterial infection. The problems started about a week after the 5 day course ended. I ended up in the ER feeling like I was going to die, some strangeness in my breathing and feeling as if I was having a stroke... like I was going to pass out. They found nothing wrong except an elevated blood pressure and did a d-dimer to see if it could be an embolism (at my insistence, I had no idea this could be from levaquin and thought I was having a stroke. After the ER visit, I just felt like I had the flu, but I didn't... weak, extremely tired with some muscle aches ... two weeks out I had a lot of pain in both legs, like charlie horses that didn't go away... that lasted several days to a week... the weird depersonalization and the anxiety has been intense throughout. Constipation (never ever had it before this drug) started about a month out from taking it. I still feel pain in my legs from time to time and a feeling like there is a tight band across the top of my left foot... like when you tie your shoe too tight and need to loosen the shoe strings, but I am not wearing shoes.

what happens if you stop after second dose.. Im so scared right now!!

Anyone aware that the book "Eat Right for Your Type" (Peter D'Adamo)mentions that certain blood types should avoid fluoroquinolone antibiotics? My dad had type B or AB, not sure, and suffered severe side effects to Levaquin. I am sure that these are the types that must avoid these drugs.

I have been taking this Leviquin for 4 days. I have had severe cramps in my calves and feet in the middle of the night. So bad that I get up and try to step em' off but to no avail. My muscles hurt so bad in my legs arms and I have been very sick to my stomach. Do these things go away? I am not taking one more of those pills. I would rather have sinus and bronchitis problems than deal with these horrific side effects!! Any feed back?

I was on Levaquin for chronic bronchitis several times without reaction and then had to take it for 20 days for bronchitis that just wouldn't go away. Starting the 5th day I experienced severe joint pain (worse than my current fibromyalgia pain) and swelling in my feet and ankles. My physiotherapist suggested that I take Kefir once the antibiotic ended to clear out my system. Apparently the bacteria in it counteracts the side effects of Levaquin. It worked for me and I'm only experiencing my normal pain now and my feet look normal again!

PLEASE!!!!! SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT TO WWW.FDA.GOV
IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET THIS OFF THE MARKET.

I have had pain in my knees and legs after taking levaquin for pneumonia for 10 days. I am weak. It is hard to get up and down and very painful with steps of any kind. I am very depressed from the pain and inability to find anything that will help. I have been to an orthopedic doctor and had X-RAYS. Just given anti-inflammatory. No tendon or obvious reasons for pain. What do you do now? Who do you go to for help? In
the mean time, my breathing at night has gotten worse again.

My poor Mother was prescribed this medicine 2 days ago and she's not slept for 2 days and has had horrible pains in her legs. I just found out today that she started taking this and I looked it up only to the horror of all the complaints on this medication. DON'T TAKE THIS MEDICATION, IT'S POISON! It's so sad what people have to go through in taking some medications. I never take a medication without looking up all the side effects. I wish my Mother would have called me before taking this, but she trusts in her Doctor. I don't think Doctor's check complaints on medications, at least some don't. I had her STOP taking this right away and contact her Doctor tomorrow.

Flashes in both eyes followed by development of severe floaters.

IN DEC 2008 I CAME DOWN WITH CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, MY DR. PRESCRIBE 750MG OF LEVAQUIN ONLY 5 TABLETS FOR FIVE DAYS. AFTER ABOUT THE SECOND DAY I STARTED HAVING SEVERE PAIN IN MY SHOULDER, FOREARMS ,HANDS, BACK ,HIPS AND KNEES. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO SEE MY DR. AGAIN . COULD HARDLY GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR THE PAIN WAS SO BAD. WHEN I WAS TOLD TO GET UP ON THE TABLE THE PAIN WAS SO BAD I WAS ACTUALLY SCREAMING. SHE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WAS THE LEVAQUIN AND KEEP SAYING I AM SO SORRY, IN AWAY I WAS RELIEVE TO KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM THINKING I WOULD BE GIVEN SOMETHING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY . I WAS AT THE DR. ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY THEN XRAYS MRI AND FINALY AFTER THREE DIFFERENT DR. I HAD TO SEE A ORTHOPEDIC WHICH STARTED A SERIOUS OF SHOTS , NINE SHOTS GIVEN SEVEN DAYS APART AT A COST OF OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. I WAS OFF WORK FOR FIVE MONTHS . STILL MY KNEE GIVES ME PROBLEMS BUT EVEN BEING ON SHORT TERM DISABILITY I WAS LOSING MONET AS I HAD TO PAY 500.00 ON MY MRI , 25.00 FOR EACH OFFICE VISIT WHICH WERE MANY PLUS 10.00 EVERY VISIT FOR THEN TO FILE PAPERS FOR MY SHORT TERM DISABILITY AND IF THEY WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH HOW THE FILE , THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY ANOTHER $10.00 FOR THEN TO REFILED.I WAS ONLY GETTING 60%OF MY PAID MINUS MY SHARE OF THE INSURANCE . I STILL DON'T HAVE ALL OF MY ENERGY BACK BUT TO KEEP MY JOB I HAD TO RETURN TO WORK ONLY PART TIME FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS ,AND NOW THEY HAVE ME BACK ON FULL TIME AND IT IS VERY HARD THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I DRIVE HOME AND GO TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I CAN HARDLY WALK. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, I HOPE THAT THEY TAKE IT OFF OF THE MARKET.

I was hospitalized with a severe kidney infection, later to be told it was e-coli. After several days of intravenous antibiotics along with prednisone in my IV to help manage terrific arthritis pain, I came home from the hospital with a prescription of levaquin, prednisone and something for my stomach that I could have gotten over the counter. I have progressively gotten sicker on my stomach, had severe attacks 3 to 5 times a day, headaches, extreme fatigue and weakness. Worst of all were the crazy thoughts when I woke up partly due to nightmares and partly to just not feeling myself and having a feeling of loss of control of all my emotions. I told my husband I believe I was going into a depression. After stumbling onto this site, I threw the 5 remaining levaquin in the trash and thank God that I found all the information I have today on this POISON. I agree with many that the side effects far outweigh any good this antibiotic has done for me. I continue to be very sick and weak. I just hope when I wake tomorrow this mess is out of my system for good.

I thought I was just taking a regular antibiotic for s simple bladder infection.. I have only taken one dose and had bad dreams, my muscles feel like a have run a marathon, I have no energy, my head is foggy,ears ringing and I am depressed for no reason. I wish there had been a strong warning on the side effects. I am going to natural remedies from now on.

I wish I would have researched this med before I took it. I took it in March 2007. I was in the hospital for pneumonia. The doctor sent me home with a prescription to finish out. I want to tell you that I started to bleed from my stool. I bleed so much that I had to wear pads. On the last day of the Levaquin (I thought I had to take it all), I was crawling to the restroom and bleeding from my stool. I would have to lay on the floor to get the strength to set on the pot. My husband was in Iraq, and I didn't have anybody to help me. I warn anybody not to take this medication. My bowels have never been the same. But the doctors have checked me and can't find anything wrong.
KM

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection/ bronchial infection, and it through me through a loop. I couldn't sleep, had crazy dreams, I literally felt this drug moving through my whole body, and the next day I was exhausted even more exhausted than I was from being sick, and am having hot and cold flashes. I am sure this has reduced some of my sinus symptoms, but it is NOT WORTH IT!!! This is a strong medication, and I wouldn't advise anyone take it unless they had no alternatives. This antibiotic should not be prescribed to the average Joe with a Sinus Infection. This is a seriously strong medicine, with severe side affects. I only took it for one day, and threw it in the trash. My doctor called in a different prescription. I am going to use homeopathic remedies from now on. I feel like I have to at least take this alternate antibiotic though since I already started the cycle. I am going to do serious research before I put even one pill in my mouth though

Was prescribed Levaquin in November 2008 for suspected pneumonia, then 5 other times until last week. I've had really bad knee, thigh and arm and shoulder pain for the last 2 months. My legs get so weak and painful that getting out of a chair makes me want to cry, i've got to the stage that i need to hold on to something just to get on to my feet. My arms are rather weak, i can't even lift a small 10lb box without pains shooting down my arm. I've since stopped my last prescription of Levaquin 750mg daily for 7 days, the pain seems to have eased a little but not enough.

My pulmonologist keeps prescribing Levaquin each time i catch a cold or have shortness of breath. I was also taking 60mg of Prednisone from November 2008 until March for newly diagnosed Lung Disease. I've complained to him more than once about pain and weakness in my legs etc. He keeps telling me my muscles are deconditioned.

I've now started physical therapy and i'm doing aqua therapy, so we'll see if this works or not. Maybe it will also help my restless legs, which seems to have intensified this past few weeks.

My daughter is 16 and was given Levaquin 500 for a sinus infection. While on the medication she was tired but not much else in the side effect category. Now here we are 4 weeks later and she has acute abdomen pain, extreme fatigue,nausea, a headache, and she has lost 21 lbs in 2 weeks. I took her to the doctor and they ran a cbc, chem 12, urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel. All came back negative. Basically my perfectly healthy little girl is suffering from this. I went back and looked at the Levaquin packet because I know it can sometimes take a few weeks AFTER medications are stopped for side effects to show themselves and of course, all her symptoms are listed.

I am a 57 year old male, who is in very good shape and active playing sports. I had a bad cold and had just finished a 3 day "burst" of prednisone per my asthma specialist. I am supposed to keep it on hand and take it if my usual meds and "rescue" inhaler are not working, and I feel that I am going into an infection (asthmatic bronchitis). The steroid treatment did not work, so I saw a doctor who prescribed Levaquin (with a coupon for $15 off) - for 10 days. The pharmacist remarked that they had seen a LOT of these coupons and that the drug reps must be doing their jobs. I read the warnings which noted that "in rare instances, ...". after I got home. Since I was leaving town immediately and did not have time to change meds, I took the Levaquin. I have suffered leg cramps for over three weeks now and don't know when or if they will disappear. The cramps appear in my hamstrings, groin, thighs, and calf muscles. They are debilitating. Sometimes I can barely walk. I am no longer able to play racquetball. I try to stretch out and warm up thoroughly before physical activity, but the cramps still appear in one muscle group or more - then I stop immediately.

I am a 29 y/o male.this month i got a terrible sinus infection, probably due to a month's struggle with allergies. I was initially prescribed Augmenting but after just 1 pill i was up all night with stomach cramps & diarrhea. I was scared to take another dose so my dr. prescribed me Levaquin as an alternative. After reading the warnings I became very worried due to the fact that I already have lower back/hip and joint pain issues. I also work evening freight at Home Depot. After 1 Levaquin yesterday morning, I went to work ready to take it easy and not hurt my body more than it already does... after about 30 minute of simply opening small boxes and putting light-weight merchandise on the shelves, i began to feel extreme tension/aching in my hands and fingers.I was being very careful with my back & neck, but never even thought this might effect my hands??? I woke up this morning hoping it would be gone... no such luck, even after a full night's rest they still feel like i have arthritis, and no my hips (S.I. joints)are popping out like crazy. i am about to take the 2nd dose, only b/c my ears nose and throat do feel much better. I am just glad I picked up paperwork/and can afford to take a few days of LOA if this gets any worse. It is hard for me just to type this now : (. I'm scared.

Ran into friend at grocery store with mystery illness. Docs attribute it to Agent Orange exposure. Been at death's doorstep for a year. Hands were extremely cold and has little energy. Showed up one day at golf course with oxygen bottle! Asked him if he had taken Levaquin. Unfortunately had. Docs again fail to link antibiotic exposure to his ailments.
I wonder how many illnesses and deaths this poison has caused? Why does the FDA allow this crap? Do you people realize that the average person is clueless about the side effects of drugs like this. Put total confidence and their well being in the hands of ignorant docs and profit crazed drug companies.
Ignorant oncologist failed to link my dad's symptoms to Levaquin, instead attributed them to b-cell lymphoma which just happened to suddenly appear. Rituxan and numerous other drugs (Heparin, Lasix, Gamma globulin, Tylenol, antibiotics, Insulin, steroids, Flowmax, etc.) was too much. A fiasco, people think he died of lymphoma. Was walking three miles a day before taking Levaquin, for an undiagnosed lung infection.

I am a 40 year old male diabetic insulin dep. for 31 yrs.I was in the hosp. for 1 month with pneumonia in both lungs, I was given levaquin for the time i was in the hosp. then given 500mg pills. I have been getting pain in my shoulders and chest area. after a week out of the hosp. Also been have been depressed but have been taking drugs for that. Dont know what to do!?

After what I have seen here and on some other sites I'm 99% positive this drug has hit me with several of the side effects listed. I'm a fairly healthy 49 year old woman. I have never had any health problems, no high blood pressure, no heart problems nothing. I went to the dentist in late March with a problem wisdom tooth. I'm allergic to penicillin so I was prescribed Clindamycin (sp) but it did make me sick to my stomach so I couldn't get the entire daily dose down. I had made it thru 90% of the prescription when I went back on 3-31-09 and still had some infection left in the tooth. My dentist took my BP and it was normal. He then said he wanted me on antibiotics for another week, and prescribed Levaquin as "a wonderful drug, it won't make you sick and you only have to take one a day". So I took the 7 day 500mg dose, went back the next week. True, it didn't make me sick. But I did notice my Achilles tendon was really sore and stiff. I also had a re-occurrence of an elbow problem that had healed and was no longer bothering me until then. I also noticed I wasn't sleeping well, and was having vivid dreams, which I attributed to the pain medication (vicodin) he had also prescribed. Went back on 4-8-09 and my BP was sky high!! As I said, never ever have I ever had an issue with my BP including when I was pregnant! He said he couldn't do anything with it so high. I mean a week and up almost 100 points! He attributed it to "White coat syndrome". So another week of Levaquin and back again yesterday. BP was the same story again, this time he didn't even see me but sent in the assistant to tell me to go get on meds with my Dr. So after that, I'm angry and totally confused. So I came home, hit the internet and I'm seeing what changed in that week to make my BP go insane. I'm also seeing other symptoms here. The Achilles tendon, Knee aches, Back ache, Hip ache, difficulty sleeping, and Steven King quality nightmares. I also read somewhere on the net that supplements like MoveFree with MSM would help and I do take that as a regular supplement to help with things just getting a little older as I'm a pretty active gardner. Now I have been off this since Monday and my aches are better today than they have been. I picked up a BP machine yesterday and it's down a little since at the doctor's. I'm keeping a close eye on that for a couple of days before I submit to a chronic disease for the rest of my life. Hopefully the side effects will gradually go away. Has anyone else's symptoms gone away after stopping the drug? How long did it take for them to go away if they did?

My husband was prescribed 500 MG of Levaquin for 10 days due to respiratory infection. When I got the medicine home, I read all of the warnings and possible side affects. He is 61 and has had tendon damage in his shoulder and his lower leg from taking Cipro two years ago. He had severe joint pain from Bactrim and hallucinations from Flagyl. From these previous antibiotics he still suffers pains and limitations of movement. What is worse is that they prescribed Prednisone with the Levaquin. It clearly states in the warnings that Levaquin taken with Prednisone increases the likelihood of tendon damage. The warnings state that people over 60 have increased risk of tendon damage. Why on earth did his doctor prescribe this? My husband is 61 and was too sick to research all of this on his own. It has obviously become more profitable to make people sicker.
I found this forum and called his doctor. I refused to give him this terrible Levaquin and asked for a prescription for something milder. The Doxycylene seems to be working just fine to clear his infection.
A word of warning to all to not drink the Kool Aid that they give you without asking questions. Any health care system that sustains itself by keeping people ill is a bad one. Think about it. If people are healthy, then where is the profit?
This Levaquin sounds like some kind of bad snake oil to me and I am thankful to have read the warnings and then found this helpful forum. I am so sorry for the pain that most of you have suffered and are suffering. We are living with damage from antibiotics and we understand your anger. Take good care of yourselves.

Has anyone had the experience of previously taking Levaquin without side effects, then when taking it again, developed severe headaches, joint aches, muscle pain and weakness, etc? I am currently going through this. I've taken Levaquin before probably 2 or 3 times due to upper respiratory problems and not noticed any side effect but this time, I've taken 5 days worth, 3 in hospital 2 as outpatient dose and can hardly move. I had the same experience in 2004 with zithromax. Had taken it without side effects, then suddenly when taking it again developed such bad chest pain, I thought as did my doctor, that I was having heart attack and spent a week in hospital before figuring that one out.

Does it cause nosebleeds?