Levaquin side effects

i was put on levaquin due to a severe infection in the right side of my head. i was in an accident, and it a while to find the small bone fractrue in the mastoid bone...i seriously have never been so miserable, i took the levaquin both intravenious, and pills for about 2 weeks..my knee is the size of a basket ball, my foot is all swollen, my right hand doesn't work well, and neither does my right elbow. i seriously hurt from head to toe. if some one knows how to go about sueing the company who makes this horrid drug i'm all over it... i have depression from it, it doesn't upset my stomach, but i make sure i eat with it..i've off from it now, and on dycyclomine, i don't know much about it..i still have the symptoms from my ear and head.....What should I do???? email me at lazy3v@yahoo.com thanks

I was diagnosed with a UTI infection at the ER 5 days ago. I was given one Levaquin in the hospital before I left, and an RX for 5 more pills at 250 mg each, taking one every 24 hrs. Tonight was supposed to be the last pill but I'm not going to take it and will call my Dr. in the a.m.
I almost immediately felt bad after taking the medicine in the hospital, but it has been hot here and of course the UTI was painful, so I just figured it was that combination of things making me feel bad.
This was about 3 a.m. so we went home to sleep. When I got up from restlessness, I was cranky, irritable, sad, depressed, sore in my back and hips and swelling ankles and calves, as well as my face. I had none of those emotional feelings before the Levaquin and had nothing going on to cause them. These 5 days have been a nightmare, literally. I wake up feeling scared, anxious, nervous, itchy on my waist, shins, and legs. They swell like drums. My husband has been trying to massage the painful areas but they are too painful! My speech and thoughts are impaired, I feel like I am bi-polar or similar. I can't feel happy and trying to walk my dog around one block is just too much, I tire so quickly. I think I must have 6-7 pounds of water weight on me. What worries me most of all is the mood and thought problems. I also found that this drug can react with several of my regular meds. My husband called the pharmacist to ask about this, and he said none of my symptoms were due to Levaquin. But I know this is what's wrong with me. I expect my doctor to look at me like a crazy person when I tell her how I'm feeling. Oh well. I feel especially bad for those who were given much higher doses than I was. Also, there are interactions with several of my other meds - thanks for letting me NOT know, doctor!! Let's hope that for all of us this will go away on its own. I'm going back to bed, can't stand being awake and feeling like this.

Horrible neck pains, shoulders are stiff as boards and hurt to move. My fingers ache, have gotten terrible cramps in both calves to where it's difficult to walk. This is after finishing only 5 days of doses. I've been off of it for one day and hurt twice as much. Going back to the doctor today to get something else to take and see if there's anything at all they can do for my pain. Would really like to turn my head to the side. Have horrible anxiety attacks without any help, but after taking this it feels like they're ten times worse. Constantly checking my pulse and breaking out into a sweat, not to mention the occasional crying fits that come on from nowhere. I never have had that happen before from anything. I've taken Levaquin before, a few years ago, with little issue, but this time, many problems.

I have been taking Levaquin for 2 days.. 500mg for a UTI. I have chest pains... and am waiting for my doctor to call

Wow! I am a 41 year old male, very healthy, and I took the drug for the first time 30 minutes ago and I am here on this website. My mouth and teeth feel like something I can't explain. I just can't explain the tingling in my mouth right now ... I drank 3 glasses of water and had some food and still, I'm pretty scared right now --- it's only been 30 minutes ago I took this. (500mg)

Was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for a ear and sinus infection. Took a total of 3 doses. I have not slept now for 3 days. When I lie down to try and sleep I feel like I have problems breathing. When I sit back up things are better. I try to sleep sitting up but that is not working either. Feels like i'm on some kind of rush right now. Even though i have had only 3-4 hours of sleep in the last 3 days my thoughts are still coherent and I'm working from home. I can't wait for this medication to wear off so life can return to normal. Haven't taken a dose in day and half and still the side effects linger.

My doctor put me on 10 DAYS, Levaquin for possible kidney infection. After just 3 days I saw a red rash on my forehead and it got bigger turning into a lump in the middle of my forehead. Today after the 5th day I have a terrible swelling all over my forehead and it has spread to the bridge of my nose and eyes. I think my eyes are going to shut close if this swelling keeps getting worse. Have called my PCP and eagerly waiting for his call. Didn't think Levaquin was responsible but after reading all the other reviews I think I have found the culprit. I am so angry and frustrated with the doc right now. WE PUT OURSELVES UNDER THEIR CARE TRUSTING THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE TO TREAT US!! I AM NEVER GOING TO BLINDLY TAKE A PRESCRIPTION WITHOUT FIRST DOING MY OWN RESEARCH!!

After taking two 700 tabs of this drug I suffered a mild heart attack and was told after that there was no clog or severe damage and they really didn't know why ...I know it was this drug that caused this and it has greatly altered my life and my finances as i now have occasional PVC's that i hadn't before and because although all my levels were in normal ranges before all this Blood pressure ,cholesterol.etc.I was put on preventative meds which have now caused other things!

I'm a 40 year old male, In June of 2009 I went to the ER because I had an abscess on my chin. It was incredibly painful, I finally gave in at 4 in the morning, when I got up to use the bathroom, next thing I knew I was on the floor in the hallway.. I had passed out.. I went to the ER and they admitted me, they first put me on bactrium, they drained the abscess and was send home 2 days later, with a prescription to take Bactrim 2x a day that was a Wednesday. By Friday afternoon it got worse, I started to develop cellulitis under my chin and neck and top of my chest.. so I went back to the ER and they immediately admitted me to the ICU cause they were afraid it would block my air passage. After being monitored for 2 days in the ICU, I was moved to the infectious floor and was told i had MRSA. I spent another 4 days in my isolated room being pumped bactrim and leviquin at the same time.. When it seemed the infection was gone and got released but continued taking leviquin and bactrim for 10 days after that. The infection went away, everything was fine, now a year later, I'm having problems with my lower legs, ankles and feet filling up with fluid, so bad to the point it even hurts to walk. I also have developed hives on my legs from my knees down. About 2 weeks ago I again went to the ER cause they started too get burning hot and red... They didn't seem to know what it was so I got dismissed with cellulitis and gave me a prescription of cephalexin for 7 days.. the infection went away but the swelling in my legs is still there.. it comes and goes. It gets so bad that I can't wear shoes and starts to ache when I try to stand.. Now i'm reading all these horror stories from leviquin and I'm starting to wonder if this is the affects of being prescribed the drugs a year ago

I was a very healthy and very fit 46 year old woman. I power-walked and lifted weights, did pilates and yoga. Since then my life has never been the same. Then I took 10 days of levaquin and flagyl in July of 2007 for a misdiagnosis of diverticulitis that turned out to be nothing more than a mild case of food poisoning. I ended up with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, restless leg syndrome, depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, multi-nodular thyroid, IBS, chronic nausea, severe weight loss and a wide variety of food intolerance. I could go on and on..... At one point I weighed 100 lbs at 5'6" and was in so much pain both physically and mentally that I thought I might want to die just to get away from the pain. I pray someday all the fluoroquinolones are taken off the market so this doesn't happen to anyone else. Being prescribed levaquin by an ignorant and uniformed doctor has ruined the last 3 years of my life and drastically reduced my capacity to care for my young daughter. Am I bitter? You bet I am! I want my life back!

i, too, am in Italy and experiencing a very harsh sunburn after taking levaquin 500mg. it is blistery and is all over my arms, hands, chest, face, and neck. i have a burning, itchy sensation and am in a lot of pain. the blisters on my face have caused my skin to appear like it has a serious case of acne. i'm not sure what to do, my doctor said just to take benadryl, and i did, but it hasn't gone away 100%. i'm abroad and not sure if i should just settle for a corn-starch bath, aloe, and some cortisone, or if i should seek medical attention.

After taking only 3 500 mgs. of levaquin, the following adverse reactions -extreme pain in shoulders and arms and unable to lift arms, pain and swelling in lower legs and feet, extreme daytime sleepiness, burning and numbness in legs, intestinal upset, vertigo and dizziness, a spell while driving of being unaware, unable to see, and confusion, elevated cpk blood test which continues after 2 years. 2 relapses from eating foods which contained a fluroquinolone and pains in arms worse than the original injury. Beware that beef, chicken, fish, and eggs may contain fluroqinolones. The FDA is still allowing this to happen

I took only 3 days of 500 mg. levaquin when the following began -note: stopped taking after 7 pills -extreme shoulder, arm pain and unable to lift arms up, swollen painful lower legs, weakness, shakiness, fatigue, burning and numbing in legs, swollen, painful ankles and feet, skin on hands sore to touch,daytime sleepiness, vertigo and dizziness, intestinal problems, elevated cpk blood tests which continue 2 years after taking levaquin I have had 2 episodes of relapse from eating foods that contain a fluroquinolone.This caused extreme pains in arms and similar neurological problems. Stomach and intestinal upset also.Note: The fda is still allowing companies to inject fluoroquinolones in animals, birds, and fish, so, beware eating these foods. Also, a possibility that eggs may be contaminated.

My wife took her first Levaquin pill tonight and has instantly developed severe neck pain, headache, and fever symptoms (but her temperature has not risen).

I'm not happy about this.

Took 1 dose of 750 mg Levaquin and severe dizziness / light head , could not sleep. Took 2 dose ( day 2) and 6 hours later was in ER. Became unable to speak , pulse racing, could not walk , shaking , EMT and ER nurse both thought I was high on something and would not believe it was from meds. After blood work proving it was not drugs , they released me with antihistamines. Still shaking, having trouble with memory , unable to sleep , feel like my brain is in a fog , generally feel weak and not like myself. Hope this is not long-lasting. The thought of having to live like this for the rest of my life is terrifying. These drugs should be pulled.Been 2 weeks and been to regular Dr. and allergist. Allergist said if not better in 2 more weeks thay will decide what to do then. Funny that none of this was mentioned.

Prescribed 500 mg for 7 days for UTI. Took experienced some symptoms immediately. Stopped meds after 5 days. Symptoms are weakness, severe night hot flashes, burning in extremities, insomnia and it triggered my long-dormant asthma. I'm now a week away from the first dose and wondering how long it will take to get it out of my system.

I suffered an infection in my foot and was treated with two rounds of Levaquin and Clindamycin together. While taking the Levaquin second round, I suffered a severe pain in my right elbow (and thought I had broken it) by just swiping at a bee (really not sufficient to cause injury, right?). Since that time I have noticed that the backs of my legs at the thighs are sore when I get up in the morning (I feel like I'm 80 and I'm in my 50's). My tinnitus is worse but I didn't correlate the two as I've had tinnitus for years. I am in the early, early process of investigating.

Its been a year since I took 5 doses of Levaquin 500 mg, and I am still suffering its side effects. Mainly skin problems (rash that just keeps coming back) and back and shoulder pain. My right knee started hurting as well about 2 months ago. I have heard that side effects can keep coming years after taking this drug..what a nightmare

Took one dose of 500 mg and in 10 minutes couldn't breathe, throat constricted, face and lips swollen 5x normal size. Had to rush to ER and doctor told me had I waited I would have died from lack of oxygen. Had to spend a night in the hospital and 24 hrs later my face is still swollen. This drug is awful.

The total jackass of a doctor that has been my son's kidney doctor prescribed Levaquin for him. He mentioned he had taken it himself (he's healthy and a six foot 200lb guy) and he had some tendinitis for several months thereafter. My son has had recurrent infections that cannot be targeted, he gets fever and chills and then he's ok for a month and then it happens again. This has been recurrent for the past three years. He now thinks from his long term steroids and kidney transplant it may be an oral infection that is getting into his blood stream. Without any testing his doctor, who was going to be unavailable in a few days prescribed Levaquin. This is May 10th 2010; FDA has already been sued to make this a black box drug and warnings are for anyone on steroids (my son) a transplant patient (my son, kidney transplant) and anyone over 60. My son took the first pill; one dose only . Went to bed; he's an adult but we work together and have an office at the back of his house. Next thing I know he's calling me from the bathroom, tried calling on his cell phone but I did not hear him to help him to the bathroom because his legs were cramping so bad. I offered to help him back to his bedroom but he crawled on the floor back to his bed. It was a horrible night. I slept next to him and did what I could for him. We called the doctor the next day and they said to drink a lot of fluids, finally the following day he was admitted to the hospital and put on IV. There was no treatment offered only another antibiotic that did cure his infection and bring his temp and body back to normal. What was not normal was the after effects of this horrible drug. He could not stand up, could not walk, to touch his legs at all sent him into screaming pain. He has a very high tolerance for pain due to all the years of medical problems but he said this was some of the worst he's ever had. After four days he came back home, needed a wheel chair for a week and a walker for three. He can now walk,but every day he has to take steroids for his kidney transplant and for two hours after is in extreme pain. Some days he hurts so bad he cannot get out of bed. He's very very tired. He can drive a little, short drives to the store. His lucrative sales career is dwindling; we worked together and I am doing my job, his job plus nursing him through this. It's very depressing and we're both very angry. Alls doctors ever see regarding drugs is the tits and ass that walk into their office. They do no research other than the hype they get from the pharmacies. It's sad to get on the web and read story after story regarding these drugs. Doctors need to use these as last resort ONLY and they can also test by giving a low dose for the first two or three doses to see if there is any allergic reaction. Had this doctor heeded the warnings my son would not be in this mess. After all we've been through since birth when he had problems, to get to where he's finally a functioning adult with a career to going backwards to his not being able to function is a travesty.

After five days of taking 500mg 2xday for a UTI, I developed a rash all over my body. My knees and ankles swelled and were extremely painful to the point of not being able to walk. I couldn't straighten my ligaments in my legs and, after reading about the ligament ruptures induced by Levaquin, decided not to stretch. My PCP sent me to ER stating that I needed to be on 6-12 hr IV drip. When I got there, they gave me a shot of prednisone and sent me home. I immediately became violently ill from the prednisone and my heart started beating out of my chest. I am now doing followup to heart attack suffered from Levaquin protocol. Do not take this drug. It can kill you.

I took 5 of 10 prescribed Levaquin 500 mg. for bronchitis. By the 3th pill, my feet were hurting very badly. I few years ago I had problems with plantar fasciitis but had been fine for more than 5 years but I thought maybe it was acting up again. I didn't connect the pain in my feet to the Levaquin, The 4th night my hips and knees were uncomfortable and I didn't sleep well but at age 60, I still didn't realize that the medication might be affecting me. By the 5th night, my hips, knees,all my joints were hurting, my feet were killing me and I couldn't sleep. Then I started to research this drug ( I wish I'd done it sooner). I certainly will not take any more Levaquin and plan never to take this poison again. I just hope and pray that my symptoms will go away.

My prayers are with many of you who have suffered needlessly because of this drug.

How in the world is this drug still on the market? FDA, why are you not doing your job????

I am a 62 year old male in good condition and very active and health conscious. I was prescribed Levaquin to treat a UTI that was given to me by a urologist who scoped me for bladder stones but wasn't very careful about observing sterility precautions. After taking levaquin for about 10 days I started having some pain in my hips and stopped taking the drug immediately when I began to associate the pain with the drug. A few days later I started having very severe pain in both hips, knees and feet/ankles. The pain was so bad for the first month after it started that I was unable to walk even half a block, and getting out of bed in the morning, or during the night, and putting weight on my legs was excruciatingly painful. (My walking gait has changed and I feel like I have aged 10 years since taking this drug.) It was very difficult to sleep because I sleep on my side and putting that slight weight on one hip at a time was very painful and still is, even 4 months later, but the pain is constant and maddening. I also experienced tendinitis and was unable to do any lifting at all with my arms because of the pain that would persist for days if I did lift anything more than 20 lbs. That lasted for about 2 months. It is now 4 months after I was poisoned by this med and I still have significant, limiting pain in my hips after I do even 20 minutes of walking a few days in a row, and when I try to sleep. My knee pain also persists and I need to be very careful about stressing them in any way. The pain in my knees was searing at times and is now just generally achey and sore. My feet hurt when I walk for any length of time in the area of my metatarsals and that continues to persist. My life has been severely affected since I took Levaquin and I also have experienced a weird type of depression that makes me feel cranky and disinterested. My urologist told me he prescribes this stuff frequently and has never heard of someone having hip pain, etc. This drug is horrible and people should be better protected by the FDA and more effectively warned about the dangers in taking this drug.

I am generally not great with meds, always have some reaction, bu Levaquin is evil! I only tool one 500mg tablet at 10pm, by midnight I had heart racing, sweating, insomnia severely, crazy irrational thoughts like I was going to die and like I was having a panic attack. Every time I would lay flat to try to sleep I felt like I could not breathe, like the life was being sucked out of me. I was extremely scared I was going to die! Then I got up to pee and was extremely dizzy and confused, followed by stomach pain so bad I thought I may vomit or have diarrhea! I finally did some research and found many others with similar horrible reactions! I hope these symptoms go away in a day, the heart racing seems to have improved slightly, but the tremors and strange anxious feeling and feeling of dread are still there! Why would doctors and the fda ever give such a horrible drug?!

I worked for a large drug manufacture and work with fluoroquinolones for about 3 years, about a year into working with the drug I started having health issues. I never related my health problem with the fluoroquinolones, until it was way to late. My health problems include severe tentinitus, almost all my joints are stiff, muscle soreness, I also have a periphial neoropathy which is my main health issue. I worked on the drug between 1999 through 2001, I was put on total disability 2002 and remain on still today. Not much hope on getting better. Between 2000 and 2001 I went to every doctor imaginable, including University of Michigan and Mayo Clinic, I told most every Doctor my feelings on my illness and Fluoroquinolones, nobody totally agree with me and I was told even the drug caused my problems there would never be a way to prove it, so here I sit with a small pension and Social Security, and I'm a 58 year old man thats been on disability for 8 years. So I believe if you can avoid products with Fluoroquinolones do it.

I took Levaquin for one week for bronchitis. It is 3 weeks later and my skin is still peeling. I have always used cream and moisturized my skin since I was a little girl. I am 55 years old and this is devastating. How long will it last? What should I do? I am exfoliating my skin and using oil to sooth it ..but to no avail..HELP!!

1st day im on it, heart palpitations, im like where did these come from, i didn't put two and two together, 2nd day, my left calf muscle got real sore, still didn't put two and two together, 3rd day today, calf is sore still and heart palps, i started reading and calling some doc friends and they said this stuff is bad bad news so i took 3 pills and i wont take the other 7. hopefully this weirdness goes away, i started sweating like crazy too and was very thirsty, im a healthy 36 year old guy, this stuff is evil, stay away from it unless you want enjoy reading these types of articles!

Wow. Just the opposite here. Horrible GERD for a year now. Went on Levaquin 750mg for 5 days for a bad sinus infection and then on 2nd day of Levaquin all Acid Reflux symptoms vanished. Crazy but true. Been 2 weeks now and still no GERD. I am in shock. MY GI doctor wanted to do surgery but now I am so happy. Thank heavens for sinus infections!

I post once a year to warn you about this poison that killed my wife. on August 4th 2010 it will be three years since my wife passed away due to this poison. My wife was prescribed this poison for lung illness 10/2006 and passed away from cardiac arrest in 10 months later. her side effects were itching, kidney problems, sore tendons, nightmares, vision loss, and her life.

I had a great experience with Levaquin. It knocked out my lung infection with-in hours! Also I had the opposite side effect of depression; I felt happier and had more energy. I find it interesting how this medicine affects people's bodies so differently. Has anybody has this experience?

I took 14 days of Levaquin dispite reading about the possibility of torn tendons.. My doctor said this was the best antibiotic for the congestion I had in my chest. While I was taking the medication my sleep was very restless. I had nightmares where I was seeing murders being committed. I woke up with my throat being swollen. I finished the medication four days ago and now my legs are hurting constantly. The inside of my mouth is somewhat swollen and I keep biting my jaw when I am eating. This is the first day that the swelling has gone down. I have trouble standing up from a sitting position. The only relief I have is to elevate my legs and even then the pain does not stop completely. I feel very tired and thought it was because I had been so sick but after reading what everyone else is reporting I am beginning to wonder if I will ever feel better. I have NEVER been a depressed person but I feel depressed and just no wanting to do much of anything. This is a dangerous, horrible drug and No one should take it EVER!!! What are these doctors thinking and what are the makers of this horrible drug thinking. I am 60 years old and in very good health..until now. If the warning says can affect anyone over 60 then what is my doctor thinking. I am 60 = 60 days. That means I AM OVER 60!!!

First of all, I am a very petite 22 year old who normally takes child dosage of any type of medicine. I took Levaquin after an extreme sinus infection. I took all of the recommended medicine for it and began to see results. I felt kind-of weird but did not have horrible side effects. It was the usual-dizziness, rapid heart beat, and a little pain in my legs.

After finishing the medicine, my sinus infection came back with avengence in about two days. I was so impacted that I could not get any air through either nostril. I went to another doctor who told me that I had a serious impaction. It was then that this doctor gave me Avelox (child dosage) and a shot of Prednisone (child dosage). It started to clear up the problem, but the next day, I woke up feeling like I was on the verge of death. I could barely walk to my parents room to tell them. The doctor told me to stop taking everything and to check my pulse regularly. He said that the Levaquin was still in my system WHILE I took the other two drugs and I was almost overdosed.

A week after recovering, I went on a jog with my fiance. I had horrible itchiness in my legs and looked down to see busted cappilaries on my thigh. You can imagine my surprise! I know that this came from Levaquin. It seems like this drug just embeds itself in your muscle tissue. I am no doctor, but it shoots up a red flag to NOT be healthy for you!

It has been almost five months now, and I still have side-effects that I KNOW come from these two drugs. I am starting to have horrible leg cramps at 4am, and itchiness in my legs when I jog or run. I just want to know how long this drug stays in your system. Thanks to everyone who posted. This was very informative. I am thankful that it didn't give such horrible side effects as some people. Don't worry, I will not recommend it to anyone!

I am a 56 year old and have a normal weight. I had pneumonia twice over the winter and was prescribed Levaquin on three times. The dosage was 500mg for ten days each time taken during December, January and early February. During the week I took my last dose (early February), I developed a sudden onset of pain in my feet when I walked and had stiffness in my hands. I couldn’t even move my fingers. After about an hour each morning the pain and stiffness went away. The pain and stiffness returned whenever I was not moving. For example if I was in a restaurant sitting for a meal when I got up I would have the main in my feet.

I had remembered the literature that came with the Levaquin and when I visited my pain doctor, who I see for problem with my back, I mentioned to him could my problems be related to the Levaquin. His response was that normally Levaquin causes problems with the “long tendons” like in the legs and he recommended that I see a rheumatologist.

The problem continued to get worse. Matter of fact if I have to go to the bathroom during the night I have to crawl on my hands knees to the bathroom as I am unable to walk. Also, there are times when I cannot button my clothes or zip my pants or key on the computer.

Since my pain doctor thought it was arthritis, I made an appointment to see a rheumatologist in early May. The rheumatologist did an exam and took x-rays and said he saw no arthritis in my hand or feet even though I had the symptoms of someone with arthritis. He said he was baffled by it and decided to run extensive blood tests to try to determine the problem. In the meantime h also put me on an anti-inflammatory medication. I again mentioned to this doctor about the Levaquin and he said he didn’t see a nexus. I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for the end of the month.

Since then my problem has gotten worse. I recently talked to a friend who was having ankle problems. They told me that the doctor had told them it was probably related to the Levaquin they were taking. This then made me realize that my problems may also be Levaquin related and I started searching the Internet and found that many people who take Levaquin have similar problems.

Now that I have done the research I realize that I probably have plantar fasciitis caused by the Levaquin. I have an appointment with my family foot doctor for tomorrow. It has been three months since I took the medication and the problem is only getting worse.

The problems I am having have become debilitating for parts of the day. I retired from the Federal Government three years ago and immediately took a job consulting full time up until March. The plan was to take a month or two break and go back to work but because of the problems I am having with my hands and feet I am able to work. I am going stir crazy as I am a highly driven individual and this is first time since I was 18 that I have not been working full time.

I can’t believe the FDA allows them to sell this poison.

There must be other antibiotics that can be used that are not so toxic.

HELLO ALL, I'M SORRY FOR ALL OF YOU. I'VE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE 2004. SOME THINGS ARE BETTER BUT MOST ARE THE SAME. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT.
PLEASE SEND IN MEDWATCH REPORTS AT WWW.FDA.GOV. ASK YOUR DR'S TO PLEASE NOTE YOUR RECORDS SO THAT YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE ANOTHER FLOROQUINOLONE UNLESS IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR TO BEGIN WITH. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.

I was given a Levaquin IV in the hospital after having a hysterectomy a year and a half ago, then was prescribed Levaquin in pill form when I went home. Neither the doctor, hospital nor pharmacy alerted me of the black box warning. (I had never even heard of a black box warning before) When I complained that my hands were swollen the doctor said it was the fluids from the IVs. A week later he gave me Avelox (another fluoroquinolone).
I am (was) an athletic 42 year old. For a year and a half now I have been suffering from severe tendinitis. My hands got so bad I had to have carpel tunnel surgery and trigger finger release. It helped, but just as I thought, my hands swell to the capacity given. Every other week I would get a new trigger finger. My arms would get so bad that they would swell burn and throb (ache) at night. I also had plantar fasciitis in both feet. My knees hurt so bad I could not bend down or get back up without being in extreme pain. My hips were popping. My shoulder hurt. I then got Tennis elbow. Every month was a new tendon issue. I had insomnia and could not sleep and developed severe Restless Leg Syndrome. When I did sleep I would moan every time I had to roll over and could not pull covers back up on myself. Remember I had a hysterectomy so menopause kicked in immediately. Hot flashes galore. My blood pressure was high every day (never had high blood pressure before).
For a year and a half I have been in extreme pain and none of the doctors I had seen were able to help me nor did they believe me. They all said "It's not the Levaquin". They all wanted to give me steroids. Steroids make the pain go away but it feels like the pain comes back two-fold when they wear off. Also you can't take steroids for ever. My blood work came back showing inflammation. My ANA was high, RA was negative and Lupus was negative. They all insisted I had Fibromyalgia. Something I developed suddenly within hours of taking Levaquin? (what a cop out...Fibromyalgia, something you can not diagnose or prove.) I was scared that if I was in this much pain now, what would I be like when I get older? Wheelchair? Bedridden?
As a last resort, 9 weeks ago I went to the Las Vegas Pain Clinic and saw a doctor that had a pharmaceutical degree (Doctor M.). He understood my pain. (He said, it feels like lupus pain, huh.) He gave me Elavil to help me sleep and take care of my RLS. It has been a livesaver. He performed 3 small surgeries in 3 days. He gave me 3 Kenalog injections in my spine (left and right side of my neck and lower back). I was skeptical because I know what steroids do.
I HAVE BEEN PAIN FREE FOR OVER 9 WEEKS. I am hoping it lasts forever and gives my body time to heal itself. I waited 3 weeks before I started walking for exercise to lose the 50 pounds I gained this past year from being in pain, getting depressed, not being able to exercise, and no one taking me seriously. I am down 10 pounds and still feel great. I figure if the pain comes back I will do it again in hopes it will give my body time to fix itself. I am hopeful for the first time in a year and a half.

April prescribed Levaquin for bronchitis( even though allergic to cipro)(not by usual family dr) 1st dose bottoms of feet and hands hot and itchy, dose 5 broke out in rash all over body itching like crazy, took benadryl, called family doctor, told to quit taking ....did...approximately 3 weeks later started having joint pain, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, elbows....but THE WORST IS THE HANDS.....have the dropsy's this is HORRIBLE awating blood tests, all not back yet...protein high in one blood test, awaiting results of ANA, family doctor referred me to a rheumatologist......I am/ was a HEALTHY 45 yr old woman now I feel like I am 100 years old...PLEASE someone help me and tell me this will go away.....My doctor thinks I have lupus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is crazy..............

I had taken this drug a couple time before my reaction. This was my first pill in this round. A few minutes after taking the pill my head starting itching. I had a small cough develop and I noticed that my skin was bright red. I began vomiting and diarrhea. I also started bleeding like I had a period. my hands and legs were shaking so bad it looked like I was having a seizure. After about 3 minutes I could no longer speak cause my throat had started to swell. I honestly thought I was going to die. MY husband called the ambulance. I had 3 rounds of Epi, 2 bags of fluid and solumedrol. At one point my blood pressure had dropped to 60/40. I would never tell anyone to use this medicine.

It seems to be clearing up my infection, but by the third day, my teeth hurt so much, and I cannot chew on my right side. It hurts to brush my teeth in several spots.

There is currently a Levaquin lawsuit re: tendon ruptures. Does anyone know of any other lawsuits involving the serious and sometimes fatal side effects of Diabetics taking this drug? Side effects of this drug can include; severe allergic reactions, vasculitis,chronic depression, extreme lowering of blood sugars, critical anemia, compromised immune system, sepcemia and more. These symptoms and side effects have been grossly under-reported and ignored! My mom had all of the above and she died 5 years ago. I have lots of documentation regarding this and because she did not experience a tendon rupture and she died 5 years ago (statute of limitations has come and gone) no one will take the case. If anyone else has had a Diabetic loved one experience these side effects who has died from them in the past 2 years I hope that they will seek legal action. Research is indicating that this medication should never be given to Diabetics!

Hello everyone,
I am not sure if this is from Levaquin but I have been on the medication several times for sinus infections. Recently I started having severe headaches. My body is tired too and I am usually pretty active. I have so much pressure in my head and sinuses I went to see an ear, nose and throat doctor he put me on steroids this is my second dose of steroids. I have had severe headaches for over a month. I stopped taking the Levaquin about two weeks ago. The steroids release the pressure in my head a little but I still feel disconnected. If the steroids don't work to release the pressure in my sinuses and the headaches I will probably have to have surgery. I forgot to mention that my internist but me on maxolt for headaches which makes me even more tired. I was going to Zumba on a regular schedule but I have limited that also. I start feeling better when I am on the steroids so I start working out again then my body hurts all over and my head starts aching again. This is scary to think that I might have to live with this. How can we find out if these side effects ever go away?

I was prescribed levaquin 750mg tablets for a a sinus infection. On the second day, about an hour after taking the second pill, my right ear developed raging tinnitus and rang constantly for 5 days.
After 5 days the ringing began to lessen and finally went away, leaving my ear with a strange feeling.
This feeling never went away. After about 2 months the same ear began feeling extra sensitive to certain frequencies. Slowly the sensitivity developed into hyperacusis, which seems like it is
getting worse over time. Being an audio engineer for a living, this is making me depressed and
borderline suicidal. Levaquin is poison and should not be taken if there is ANY other alternative.
Levaquin ruined my life.

This is not something new to the forum but I feel compelled to write about the palpitations I have also suffered as a result of taking Levaquin for bronchitis. Why didn't I insist on Erythromycin which has always worked for me in the past? I have had constant palpitations all day long since taking the medication. I noticed it on the 7th day of a 10-day course of Levaquin 500 mg daily. I read that palpitations were a common side effect of the medication so I completed 3 more days thinking they would stop after the medication was done. They did not. It is now 5 weeks since I stopped the medication and I have a flutter almost every 20 minutes all day long. I feel well otherwise in terms of my heart and I have so far resisted going to the doctor because I know I will be put through a battery of tests only to be told my heart is fine. And after reading what others have said, I think it will be near to impossible for the doctor to admit it has to do with the Levaquin. I am writing to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else. My advice is to avoid this medication at all costs and do not take any medication that hasn't been on the market for at least 10 years. We are being used as guinea pigs for these new improved medications these days, being told by doctors "this is better...this is stronger...etc". I will stick with tried and true from now on. When the heck is the FDA going to do its job? I am so depressed since taking this medication - I want to shout from the rooftops to anyone who will listen that they should never take this medication under any circumstances. I also want to know will I have to live with this the rest of my life? Five weeks and still flutters. Anyone out there who had them and they stopped? I'm looking for some hope. I also developed a red, sore, cracked and dry tongue and was told it was from "over use" of antibiotics. 500 mg for 10 days = 5,000 mg - sounds about right to me. I hope someone out there can give me some hope that these palps will eventually subside.

severe muscle pain and weakness, joint pain, severe hair loss

i have had severe muscle pain, severe hair loss and joint pain

Wow. I just finished my 10-days of Levaquin for a sinus infection. Thank goodness my symptoms were MILD compared to most of the posts on this web site! I did and to a certain extent still do feel the joint, tendon, and muscle aches. I couldn't sleep well on this medicine either. Now I see the rapid heart-beat was probably from this med also. Yikes! The information that comes with the meds says it should effect those over 60! Hmm, 44 is the new 60? I took all 10 pills because I felt that the side-effects were minor (for me). However from experiences I have had in the past, I would advise anyone who has a bad reaction to medicine to STOP taking it right away.Call the doctor, talk to the pharmacist, ask for something else. Everyone reacts differently to meds because we are all different. You know your body better than the doctor, so if the doc writes a scrip for something you can't take, tell him, don't get the scip filled and take it!! You have to be your own personal medical adviser - get educated so that you can ask the important questions. And remember that all those meds will interact in some way. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox and get back to work.

Took 750mg of Levaquin for about 1 week, having been prescribed it by an ENT for a persistent cough and sinusitis that lasted 3 months. That was mid December. It is now May.
My first symptom was subtle. I found myself rubbing my right forearm, which "felt funny". Soon, it REALLY hurt and I couldn't use it to even lift a spoon! Soon, my neck felt stiff and I couldn't bend it from side to side. The pain was a burning pain that went into my shoulders, my neck and upper and lower back. Seemed like every muscle was spasming at once--like they had a mind of their own. I finally talked a physician into giving me MRIs. Yep! I have two tendon ruptures of the rotator cuffs, and likely a tendon tear of the right forearm. My neck is involved in some way. I have not slept fore than 3-4 hours/night since taking the Levaquin in December.

I cannot really use my arms or hands or move my neck in any direction. I have "sweats" that just come when they want--day or night--even when I have several ice packs on me. I, too, am seeing bubbles.

I read about this drug too late! My husband and I have done lots of research now. None of our many physicians will give any credence to any information (Even the FDA Black Box) about Levaquin side effects. I believe that I also have neuropathy and dystonia from Levaquin.

Coes anyone know what will end this horrendous, hellish nightmare for me?

I dont know the dose of Levaquin, I was started an IV for levaquin in the ER for pneumonia. With in seconds of iv entering, I felt a terrible burning. Then my right hand, the arm the iv was in started to drawl. I thought I had just pinched a nerve holding my arm straight so I moved it. Still same. My arm was still burning and they came in to do an ekg, and I looked at my arm and it was all puffy, swelling, red. They called the nurse who came in and removed the iv and medicine at once. My left hand had also started to drawl by this time. About 20 minutes later, my hands were back to normal. And a couple hours later, the swelling at the iv site had subsided. I no longer have redness, but it is very bruised now. I will list Levaquin as a drug that I am allergic to now. Whether or not it was the cause, I feel like something was going on with it.

Took one dose of 750 mg Levaquin on April 25th for a sinus infection, and went to bed. Woke up 2-3 hours later w/ rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and a panicky feeling. Did not sleep rest of the night due to these symptoms. Has been going on now for 2 weeks with two trips to the ER. All heart tests show normal. I cannot sleep unless I take Ambien. My head feels weird like I am on something. Symptoms get worse when I lie down, so I have been sleeping sitting up. Also have had diarrhea and horrible reflux for a week. Have lost 6 lbs. this past week. Going for an upper GI this next week, but it's just too much of a coincidence that all of this started 2-3 hours after taking first dose of Levaquin to think that the Levaquin did not cause it. I only took the one dose but am still feeling miserable. Any ideas how long it takes these awful adverse effects to wear off?

I took 500mg of Levaquin on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning I was taking out of work by ambulance in a basically catatonic state. I was taking to the ER and had a cat scan and other tests and was basically told it was a panic attack. The Er doc was not convinced it was a reaction to the drug so when I came home I took another pill thinking nothing of it.(I was being treated for a sinus infection). The next day I had a similar reaction and had a family member take me back to the clinic where I was giving an MRI and told to discontinue the medicine. Today I feel better but Im outraged at this whole ordeal. My side affects were dizziness, little muscle control, a feeling like I had been slipped some kind of strong narcotic and , I hate to even type this, but I actually felt somewhat suicidal and that is not who I am in my general life. This medicine has cost me a lot of money for all these tests and ambulance ride ,not to mention it was quite embarrassing to have this happen in front of my co-workers and had me even doubting my own sanity. I would never give this medicine to anyone.

I had a Sinus Infection and went to the GP with a bad throat and sinus he prescribed 500mg Levaquin I have been in misery ever since My right leg is swollen twice the size of the left leg My Achilles tendon is so stiff and painful I cannot walk I hobble along I have to work and this is an impossible situation. I have to park and walk in I work in the city. I also have been extremely and depressed I have had a Doppler scan done because of the swelling . It has not cleared up at all I am a diabetic and have to use insulin 6 shots a day I don't what effect this has on the Diabetes. I went back to the GP he told me there was no tear in the tendon now my right elbow has terrible pain also
I am going to the Endocrinologist in 2 days time this is 6 weeks since I took those two awful pills . Why is this stuff on the market and how do we get it off