Levaquin and antibiotics

I was given Levaquin after a post surgical Staph infection was confirmed. I too had the side effects described by so many others. Extreme muscle aches, joint pain even in my fingers, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness. My Dr. said to try to fight through it because the Staph infection needed thia particular antibiotic to cure it. I am 5 days into my 10 day dose and I can't keep taking the pills. I am scared and don't want to end up in the hospital again. He tried to give me a prescription for Bactrim but I said no because i can't take it. I have worse side effects with it than I have the Levaquin. I can't stay wake for more then 1 hour and I dose off but wake up with 15 minutes feeling drained. I can't walk very far without my legs feeling like jello. My WHOLE BODY HURTS!!

I was prescribed an 11 day supply of Levaquin - 500 mg. I'm on day 7 and struggling to make it 4 more days. The first day I took the tablet around 5 pm. I was up all night. Since taking in the morning, I've been fine. Now, I'm suffering from very sore biceps, heels and stiff knees. The fatigue is overwhelming. I also experience extreme dizziness as well. I may call the doctor tomorrow to see if I can stop this. I've taken various antibiotics throughout my lifetime and never have experienced the side effects such as this one.

No, I am not a drug rep,I am simply just being honest.Not everyone has a terrible experience from this drug. I am sorry that so many of you have had so many bad reactions,just like any medication it may not be for everyone,but it does work for some.

My 80 year old mom is going through Chemo for Bladder Cancer. She is also diabetic. Bacteria was found in her urine so the doctor gave her 4 tablets of Levaquin. Saturday night of Labor day weekend mom took the first pill. Sunday she woke up almost BLIND! She panicked and, thinking it was her diabetes causing the problem, took her blood sugar numbers. (She was so scared that she can't recall what the numbers were, just that they were 250+). She started taking her fast acting insulin. She couldn't get the blood sugar numbers to come down after numerous injections. She called me so confused and not knowing what to do. Thank God I wasn't gone that weekend. I rushed 18 miles into town. I calmed her down. We just kept watching the numbers and she kept taking her injections. About 6 hours later the numbers were down to normal for her. We narrowed the cause down to either the Levaquin or the infusion of platletts she had on Friday. We called the pharmacist and he said that Levaquin could cause blurriness of vision. She didn't take any more Levaquin.
It had been 10 days since she took that one pill and her eye sight is still messed up. When she tries to read the newspaper the letters jump around. She has a hard time reading the dosage numbers on her syringes now. She is so scared that her eyes won't get better and she will have to be dependent on someone.

I am diabetic 2- and was given levaquine 700 mg for two nights to recover from urinary infection. I hardly could sleep first night and was uncomfortable all night. The second night when I got sleep at mid-night, I was fully awakened in next hour by palpitation of heart which hurt my neck and left side down to the legs. I was rushed to cardiologist and was under gone all the necessary tests from sonogram to stress to necular . The heart did not show any damage but I am now suffering from irregular palpitations and my left shoulder is very tender occasionally causing muscular pain on left side of my chest. I can not lift a gallon of milk with my left hand and am compelled to rest in the middle of the day otherwise I start hurting in my chest. I hope no one is given this strong doses and that at night. Please go for old antibiotics in milder forms to begin to cure.

My 10 year old was prescribed levaquin for a sinus and ear infection, he has been "dizzy and lightheaded" and started having "horrible" nightmares. That was only after 1 dose. I don't think he'll be taking anymore. Thank You for this website! :) very informative.

UPDATE from Yesterday)))>>> well thanks to everyone i quit taking it yesterday BUT!!!---> today when i woke up i had a horrible head ache and it seemed to be coming from my left eye. i looked in the mirror and i have a really weird yellowish glazed tint in both my eyes and in my left eye a blood vessel has burst. i also noticed ive developed a skin rash on my right side of my stomach and on my left calf. My joints kept me up all night in constant pain which felt like someone was ripping apart my ligaments. I had a minor anxiety attack last night (Ive NEVER had anxiety before) and my body just feels weak, drained, and i keep getting really weird muscel spasms in my upper thigh. I tried to go out to the store earlier and as soon as i stepped into the sunlight a migraine hit me, and ive never been sensitive to light....Ive had a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness more in the past 24 hours than i have in a year. Im also experiencing horrible lower back pain and stomach pain around where my kidneys are.... I did have a small amount breast tenderness when i woke up and im not sure if that's another side effect...(no im not pregnant, had multiple urine tests in the last week)...I think ive only went potty maybe once today...and that was at like 9am...its now almost 9pm. Im pretty sure if this isn't over with or doesn't improve by 10pm im going to the hospital.....i cant drink water and im pretty sure im getting dehydrated....my skins turning pale, i have dark rings around my eyes.....etc.......has anyone else suffered with these things? Levaquin is by far the MOST painful, riskful, antibiotic ive been on...They should definitely take this sh*t off the market!!! =[[

Im only 16 years old and ive been on levaquin for about 3 days now. My doctor told me off the bat that the only thing wrong with the drug were some "theories" on cartilidge damage, how ever, now i see for myself, and for many other people that is not the only side effect. He told me that no one under 18 is supposed to have it but i caught a severe case of sinutitus, and a uti which ive had for 2 months and nothing was working, so he put me on levaquin, once a day for 7 days. Ive now been having the following symptoms and im extremely scared!!
1. Constant fatigue
2. Extreme Migraines
3. Nausea, vomiting
4. Rapid heart beat (and chest pain)
5. Stiffness in joints and horrible pain...
6. Constant anxiousness, to where i cant get to sleep
7. Dizziness

Is there anyone i can talk to who's had these same problems? please email me or something im scared and i don't know what to do my mother doesn't believe me and she says its just a head cold....

******

Please help me!!

My 81 year old mother, who has Diabetes and Blood Pressure (and who is on eleven medications) was given a prescription for 750(!!!) mgs of this drug, by the doctor's physician assistant for a mild upper respiratory infection. Four days later, she ends up in the hospital delirious and confused, with pain in her back and legs. She recognized no one. After a few days, and constant intravenous fluids, she came back to herself. She's always been sharp as a tack, and in pretty good shape for her age. When she was brought to the hospital, they thought she was stroking, and of course, she couldn't tell them that she was just prescribed this medication. All her battery of tests came back negative for stroke. Her useless doctor never even showed up at the hospital. If she had, she could have told them about the prescribed Levaquin. When she was released from the hospital, I called the pharmacist and asked what medication that she was taking could of caused this - and he said without a doubt, the Levaquin. This stuff is absolute poison and should not be on the market. How it got approved, I don't know - maybe kickbacks to them - for sure kickbacks to the doctors who prescribe it and claim side affects are very rear with this medication. If you are every given a prescription for this - ask your doctor for something else.

I STARTED LEVAQUIN, 1ST ROUND FOR STAPH INFECTION POST OP BURSECTOMY. AFTER THE 2ND DAY, I ASKED DR. FOR PAIN MEDS JUST TO CONTINUE ANTIBIOTICS. I HAD TERRIBLE JOINT PAIN, AND COULD BARELY WALK. I ALSO STARTED GETTING PITTED EDEMA. THE DR CONTRIBUTED THE EDEMA TO IV FROM SURGERY AND DISMISSED ALL THE SYMPTOMS I COMPLAINED ABOUT FOR THE LEVAQUIN ASSUMING I WAS A DRUG SEEKER I GUESS. AFTER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY SYMPTOMS SEEMED TO GET BETTER. I AM NOW ON ROUND 4 ( 500MG LEVAQUIN X 7 DAYS) I WENT TO DR BECAUSE MY PITTED EDEMA RETURNED. I ACTUALLY HAD A ROLL WHICH COVERED MY ANKLE. MY FEET WERE HUGE. THE PA SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT SAID IT WAS NOT LEVAQUIN. BY THE NEXT DAY I COULD BARELY WALK. MY KNEES HIPS AND BUTT MUSCLES HURT SO BAD. I HAD A LUMBAR FUSION A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THIS WAS MORE PAINFUL. I STOPPED THE DRUG BECAUSE MY BIG TOE STARTED GOING NUMB. SYMPTOMS STARTED TO DISAPPEAR BY NEXT DAY, BUT THEN MY ARM INFECTION RETURNED SO I RESTARTED LEVAQUIN. THIS TIME, BY 2ND DOSE AL SYMPTOMS RETURNED. NOW MY BIG TOE WENT COMPLETELY NUMB ON TOP HALF AND MEDIAL SIDE. I COULD NOT USE KNEES AT ALL. IF I COULD HAVE MADE IT TO THE STORE, I WOULD HAVE GONE AND BOUGHT A WALKER. I AM 45. I DECIDED TO STOP DRUG AND START SOME KEFLEX I HAD IN CUBBORD. SYMPTOMS WERE GONE IN ABOUT 2 DAYS. I STILL LIKE CRAP, BUT I CAN WALK NOW AND THE SEVERE FEET, LEGS, KNEES, HIPS , BUTT , WRIST PAIN ARE SO MUCH BETTER. I DID HAVE TO LAY FLAT WITH LEGS ABOVE HEART FOR 2 DAYS TO HELP GET RID OF EDEMA. I READ ONLINE WHERE OTHERS HAD THESE PROBLEMS ALSO. I HAVE TAKEN LEVAQUIN BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. I HAVE TO WANDER IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF FACTORY TAMPERING OR INGREDIENT CHANGE ETC, THAT COULD PASSABLY BE HAPPENING. MY MEDS WER PURCHASED AT SAVEMART AND KAISER. I HAVE TAKEN THIS DRUG MANY TIMES PRIOR TO 2005 AND ALWAYS HAD GREAT RESULTS. I AM GOING TO SEE IF ANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS WERE PRIOR TO 2005. I READ WERE SOMEONE SAID TO DRINK A LOT OF WATER . I AM NOT A BIG WATER DRINKER SO I MUST ADMIT IT HELPED. I READ WHERE ANOTHER LADY HAD MULTIPLE TESTS, AND FINALLY THE ONLY THING THAT CAME BACK ABNORMAL WAS A LAB TEST TO SHOW MUSCLE DETERIORATION. I ALSO DID A COLON CLEANSE. SOMETHING I ALREADY HAD THAT I USE ON OCCASION. SO, I DONT KNOW IF IT WAS A COINCIDENCE, BUT AFTER THE COLON CLEANSE, DISCONTINUE OF LEVAQUIN, LOTS OF WATER, AND CUT DOWN ON ANY SALTY FOOD, THE ONLY SYMPTOMS STILL LEFT ARE MY KNEES. I STILL CANNOT GET UP OFF THE FLOOR, OF BEND DOWN WITHOUT SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO. BUT THEY ARE IMPROVING AND THIS IS DAY 3. EDEMA IS COMPLETELY GONE. MY SIDE AFFECTS PAPER STATED DANGER OF TENDON RUPTURE AND IT ALSO STATED NOT TO EXERCISE. SO, IT CANNOT HURT TO DO A COLON CLEANSE. IF NOTHING ELSE, IT HELPS GET RID OF LEFT OVER TOXINS IN BODY. I WOULD ASK FOR A GOOD ONE AT AN HERB STORE. BUT MAKE SURE YOU DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. I THINK DEHYDRATION HAS PARTLY TO DO WITH MUSCLE PAIN ETC. ALL 3 DOCTORS I SPOKE WITH REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE CULPRIT. I AM GOING TO DEMAND THEY PUT MY SYMPTOMS AND PUT THAT I STATE I BELIEVE LEVAQUIN IS CASING OR CONTINUING TO CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS IN MY MEDICAL RECORDS. ASK DR TO READ BACK TO YOU WHAT THEY DOCUMENTED IN YOUR CHART. INSIST THEY PUT IT IN YOUR CHART. IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS DRUG DOWN THE ROAD, YOU WILL HAVE IT DOCUMENTED. NOT ANY OF MY DOCTORS DOCUMENTED THE THINGS I TOLD THEM ABOUT LEVAQUIN WHEN I ASKED. I AM NOW GOING TO INSIST THEY DOCUMENT IT IT ALL, AND PROVIDE ME A COPY OF THE MEDICAL RECORD AFTER IT HAS BEEN DICTATED. PS. IT IS NOW CAUSING CRAZY NIGHTMARES, DEPRESSION. I CAN LIVE WITH THAT, BUT THE PAIN ON A SCALE WAS A 9. GOOD LUCK, AND IF ANYONE FINDS A DOCTOR WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, PLEASE POST IT. THANK YOU DK

To all the people who are just starting to make the connection between their symptoms and Levaquin or other fluoroquinolone antibiotic: There is a lot of information available on the internet. Check out the following websites: fluoroquinolones.org, antibiotics.org, medicationsense.org, fqvictims.org, fqresearch.org. There are also support groups on yahoo for sufferers. Please don't forget to file a medwatch report with the FDA. Finally the FDA is starting to listen to the victims!

I have had progressive muscle weakness, pain in my joints with swelling of the knees, ankles and hips. My doctor said it is not related to the antibiotic and to continue taking it. The symptoms are so disabling I can barely make it to the bathroom alone and I have had to miss work. I also told him the inside of my throat felt swollen, and my tongue is turning white. It just isn't a pleasant drug to be on.

Saw Levaquin on the news yesterday. I was very pleased to see that they are putting a warning on this med. I thought it was just me with a problem with Levaquin. I have allergies to antibiotics anyways so I attributed my problems to just another allergic reaction to an antibiotic. Wow!
I took Levaquin in April 3 years ago for a respiratory infection of some kind. I then had the same experience I have with allergies where my tongue felt swollen. I called the nurse and she told me to take the next dose anyway. I did so and my chest/esophagus felt like it was on fire. I couldn't breathe. I went into the Emergency room and they gave me a lidocaine/maalox combo that would take the pain away for a while and diagnosed me with reflux.
I went on some reflux medications later that caused more problems for digestion. The more we tried to solve it the more my system reacted. I ended up in the emergency room about 5 times that year. Two were for chest pain from the esophagus and two were from severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). I became allergic to many categories of food and lost down to 110 lbs. I went to naturopaths and other specialists and none of them could pinpoint any problems. I was tested for Celiac and had two upper GI and one lower GI that year alone, My Dr. bills totalled more than $5,000 for that year.
The next year I had given up. The only doctor that I would go to was the allergist and the new GI doctor I had found. I still worked but was in such severe pain that I did nothing but sleep when I got home. I cried and begged God for death or healing all night long. I was losing my hair in great handfuls. They put me on ativan and I became addicted to the stuff. I was allergic to most foods. I had a diet of about 6-10 foods that I would cook homemade and I would never eat out unless I knew what and how the food was prepared. I took vitamin c in very high doses and that took the pain away.
I slowly re-introduced food back to my system. Now I have a less restrictive diet but it still is limited. I am now allergic to all nuts, rice, sunflower seeds (sunflower oil is used in most potato chips), some other grains, and melons. I still have problems with legumes and some other foods.
It took 2 years for the pain to subside and I still have digestive problems with diarrhea on and off. I am fine just as long as the pain stays away. I don't mind being limited on my diet.
I had noticed that my legs and joints hurt during that time too- but the other pain was so severe and my diet was so limited that I attributed that to diet.
If there is a class action lawsuit on this stuff I would like to be involved.

Question for you all. I have been on levaquin for 6 days 750 mg. For the last 3 to 4 days my hands have been killing me and it is getting worse, my knees, and shoulders hurt now. After reading your remarks I am calling doc first thing in the morning. Please let me know if you have any advice for me.

Most of the "side effects" are die off responses (sometimes referred to as a herxheimer response similar to that which occurs when treating syphillis) from bartonella or borrelia. Levaquin is a potent intracellular antibiotic...where these and other organisms can hide. These can be subclinical infections where (at this time) you are not even aware you are infected. If your "side effects" start around the 3rd day into your prescription...rejoice...and suffer for a while, you are killing something really bad.

I took Levaquin for a kidney infection 500 mg. I was inchy all over. stomach pain. sever neck pain, and pain all over I feel like I was hit by a truck. no energy. my eyes get all heavy like I haven't slept in weeks. Alls I do is sleep and when I do I wake up very confused. I've been taking naps in the day time which I've never been able to do even if I was sick. I don't feel normal like I'm drunk and I don't even drink my sister says I even sound drunk. I get headaches. I have bruises all over in the places that I had itched. I still have kidney pain it feels like it's flopping around in there. Sweat a lot at night time. My heart sometimes beats really fast then thunks hard and then slows down. anxiety attacks. I cry for no reason. I called my doctor and he said he don't think it's from the levaquin that people only get a couple side effects not this many and put me back on antibiotics.

I was diagnosed with pneumonia 12 days ago and put on Levaquin because of it. I have felt like a totally different person and not in a good way. I have not slept more than 2-3 hours per night since beginning this antibiotic, I have been depressed, crying and fatigued. I am normally very emotionally stable but the insomnia has been a nightmare. I will never take this medication again. I appreciate all the postings on this site that helped me know that I wasn't going crazy - Levaquin was doing that to me.

I am a 49 year old male and took a 14 day course of Cipro for a UTI. By day four the souls of my feet were very sore, especially first thing in the morning but no other side effects. Mentioned sore feet to Dr after 7 days of Cipro but he did not believe it was from Cipro and had me complete the course. After 14 day course of Cipro feet were now so painful that I could barely walk on them especially after resting or getting out of bed. Also burning sensation on skin of feet and hands and some minor tremor. Saw a specialist and he immediately confirmed Cipro as the culprit and advised never to take that drug family again. Have since done the whole web search thing and discovered the whole saga of these drugs. Other symptoms have also appeared, some pain in middle of back, sharp pain in middle of back of both knees, hot and cold flushes, pain in left bicep, fingers that are very susceptible to joint injury and feelings of weakness and anxiety. Has been over three weeks now since I stopped Cipro and condition shows no improvement, may even be slightly worse. About to try a shotgun approach with treatment as there appears little documented evidence of anything conclusive on line. Starting course of anti-inflams (Voltaren) and these have already reduced the pain in my feet. Also magnesium and calcium supplements (theory goes that it may mop up any remaining Cipro and there is plenty of reports from sufferers saying that symptoms continue to appear for some months after stopping Cipro), Vitamin B6 (can apparently help with some types of nerve pain and tingling) and Fish Oil (omega 3's can help reduce inflammation). Not very scientific I know and can't be sure that all these are compatible with each other but am a bit desperate at this stage. Bracing myself for a three to six month recovery (just based on experience of many others). At this stage I am just hoping that damage is not irreversible as this appears to be a real risk. As everyone here will agree it is amazing how this situation is being allowed to continue. I could have stopped my Cipro on day two or three if I had been made fully aware of the risks and what to look out for. I am no expert by any means on this but from what I can gather Cipro and its relatives do nerve damage by the very way they work. It appears that anyone taking these drugs will inflict some nerve damage but for many it will not manifest to a degree that is a problem or at least a noticeable problem. So in some ways we are all sufferers, just to varying degrees. Another point mentioned often is that the symptoms may not appear for some months after the Cipro is stopped and therefore is not always associated with the drug. Also some say there is an accumulative affect with using the drug a second or third time. Symptoms may appear only after multiple use or symptoms may get much worse and more likely irreversible with multiple use. It's all scary reading. At this stage I am just hoping I can make a full recovery. Do damaged nerves repair themselves, does the Cipro eventually leech out of our systems .... I don't know. I will post in this forum again in a few months or sooner if I make a recovery.

I took this antibiotic for 2 days. I have no history of mental illness whatsoever and I thought I was losing my mind for 2 days. I had a panic attack 2 nights in a row and stayed up all night starring at front door afraid that someone was going to break into my home and hurt my children. I can not believe that this "antibiotic" is even on the market. This is an extremely dangerous drug. I called the doctor and he sounded like he didn't believe me- maybe I should share some of this stuff with him so he can experience the crazy too!

I am a 36 year old male who was prescribed Levaquin for a urinary tract infection related to some bacteria in my prostate, most likely E-coli. I was prescribed 500mg for 14 days. I have not taken antibiotics in about 8 years as I am a firm believer that they are toxic and do more harm than good in the long run. However this was the first time I had something like this and was worried about something serious developing, so I agreed. The side effects started mildly and got worse and 11 days into them I could barely go to work. Incredible dehydration and light headedness accompanied with soreness in my muscles and tendons and trouble sleeping. (I was in possibly the best physical shape you can be in and worked out regularly). I'm not taking them anymore and hoping for the best. If the infection returns I will go see an Eastern medicine doctor and go the natural route with herbal remedies. I have heard doctors make commissions (kick backs) by prescribing certain drugs and don't pay attention to the horrible side effects their patients describe. Some of the stories related to this drug are very scary and people should be very cautious. Something else of interest, Levaquin is prescribed for anthrax inhalation and cancer as well, I think that says a lot.

Absolutely the worst antibiotic on the planet. I am a healthy 35 year old male who was given levaquin to combat a sinus infection. After 3 pills, I had a reactions which included red rashes forming all over my body. Very, very dry mouth, joints started to hurt. I immediately stopped the levaquin and let my body fight it naturally. As you know you are never suppose to stop antibiotics mid way as the infection will only come back stronger which it did....but I just bared through it, drank lots of water, and 7 days later I feel better. The red rash has mostly gone, but left me with very dry peeling skin, like I had sun damage. My face was so dry even after repeated moisturizing it, i could feel the dry skin just flaking off. Amazing how this drug is allowed to stay on the market. Please do not take this antibiotic

Was given iv levaquin in hospital for pneumonia (sat night). Oral the next day. The following day (monday) all the joints in my body started to ache. Hard to move. Especially ankle. Dr said stop antibiotic. Ankle and joints sore all week. Friday I had a huge pop in my ankle. Large bruise and swelling. Turned out to be a second degree sprain with ruptured blood vessel. Caused by levoguin. It has been 13 days since the pop, ankle still popping, swelling will not go down. Does anyone know how long this drug lasts in your body?

Are you guys for real? In reading through the side effects blogs it really reads like it is all the same person writing, maybe someone trying to beat up on the competition or something. It did scare me out of letting my 24 year old son take it for severe sinus infections, however and I just hope that two days of a 750mg dose per day doesn't show forth the negative effects in the days to come!! Please tell me it's not as bad as it sounds!

I am a 36 year-old female, and in very good physical condition. I have been a runner for 15 years. I was prescribed levaquin for a recurrent sinus infection, 500mg x 7 days. On the second day I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome (tendonitis of the forearms & hands); I could barely hold a pen in my hand, much less write. I refused to take the 3rd dose. On the 5th day (even though I am not taking it anymore) I woke up with severe hip pain (both hips). I can barely walk, much less run. I am a full-time physician and have a small child. I am not sure what will happen to my favorite hobby, running. This drug is extremely dangerous, and I will never prescribe it to anyone. It should be removed from the market!!

Well after all the hype of the negative side effects of levaquin I did the 7 days and tho I felt like crap mainly due to the flu I think I seem to be fine a week after stopping. The side effects I did experience were wrenched stomach. This could of been a flu symptom or maybe a side effect of the antibiotic. Knowing that antibiotics can cause pretty much most of the symptoms that people here complain of and having experienced ten years of allergies due to antibiotics from 93 to 03 and curing myself thru education on the subject I knew before hand that taking any antibiotic is a gamble. I think the reason most people have bad experiences is due to an already compromised out of balance system. Candidiasis is a controversial subject that a lot of doctors do not believe in but recently it has made a lot of headlines both on tv and in the holistic field. So knowing I did not want another ten years of hell I bought good flora, probiotics from a health food store. I have been taking about 5 a day with meals. So far i have no side effects. I feel good. I will take probiotics for a month or so to make sure I get enough good flora back into my system. Anyone taking an antibiotic needs to know that it will kill most all benificial bacteria but does not kill candida so without the good flora which keeps candida in check candida can grow and leak into your blood stream and attack any part of the body. I personally do not agree that antibiotics should be used in a lot of situations but sometimes you have no choice. If one does not have the knowledge to use them responsibly I do believe your life can be altered dramatically. Its easy to blame the pill which in most cases you are correct in your assumption but its also your own fault and the doctors to of not educated yourself beforehand.

I am a registered Nurse who was recently hospitalized for a bacteremia cuased by a sinus infection...........Of course with bacteremia and cuastive germ as strep viridans, the first thing to rule out is endocarditis. So 6 days later after fighting with doctors to treat sinuitis and not endocarditis they finally put me on Levaquin 750 for thirty days on discharge........ well three days later I thought I had gout in my right knee and left hop. then the following day my other knee became involved..............this medication side effects apparently affects the joints as it also affected my shoulder and elbows..I am an active, healthy woman who does yoga and runs and bikes....I feel like all that the doctors did was look at tests and read books popping all kinds of heavy duty antibiotics into my system I do not take anything at home except vitamins...............so beware...........I refused to take more levaquin and have informed these infectious dis. docs that I am seeking a second opinion with my dentist as the sinusitis is related to an endo/root canal problem in my molr...........I am also a dental hygienist........bottom line consumers need to be assertive and docs need to listen and trouble shoot with patients and their families.

Recently took a twenty day run of 500 mg Levaquin for a cellulitis infection that popped up after a knee surgery. It seems that unlike most people I tolerate the drug pretty well. The only side effect I have noticed is a little muscle stiffness when I wake up which is quickly remedied through light stretching and a warm shower. After being put on this medication I looked up it's side effects and was frightened by how many people have had terrible and debilitating side effects. Next time I'll trust my doctor and not look them up. I think any lost sleep and nervousness can be attributed to worrying about side effects that never came up.

Wow, I had no idea that Levaquin affected so many people. My daughter had knee surgery a couple of years ago. They gave her vancomycin before the surgery. She had an allergic reaction to the stuff. She also found out from one of the nurses that levaquin is related to vancomycin.

I had a total hip replacement 3 years ago and they gave me vancomycin just before the surgery. I was laid up in the hospital for a week. When I arrived home I noticed that my skin was really itchy (mostly my arms). Whenever I scratched it left whelps and turned extremely red. Now after 3 years my skin is still itchy, but not as frequent as it used to be. Has anyone had this problem with their skin?

I wanted everyone to be aware of the relation between vancomycin and levaquin.

Good luck to all.

I posted a few months ago about the terrible side effects I had by taking Levaquin and Cipro on two different occasions for prostate infections. I have been off these antibiotics for almost a year now, and the good news is that I am almost back to normal. At one time I could barely walk, but now I can walk for 3 miles with no problems. I had gone to 9 different doctors and none of them had a clue that it was the antibiotics causing my problems. Luckily, I contacted a very intelligent medical resident at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta that immediately knew that I was having severe reactions to the Levaquin, and that Cipro had caused similar problems for me a few months earlier. A Pharmacist at Emory University also agreed that the antibiotics had terrible side effects for some people. After months, the pain has finally gone away.

I read where Senator Robert Byrd had been hospitalized for reactions to antibiotics he was taking for an urinary tract infection. I'll bet his doctors gave him Cipro or Levaquin. Has anyone heard what medications he was taking? Just Curious????

I have been on Levaquin for 5 days and have had an ache and tightness in the back of my neck since the first day. I have slept very poorly for the last three nights and over the last two days have developed significant chest pain..feels like the muscles in my chest and upper abdomen are in a constant contraction. I went to my internist yesterday thinking it may be an unfamiliar type of asthma attack. I used my inhaler on the way and blood oxygen was fine when I got there but the chest pain continued. I was given a chest Xray and an EKG, both of which were fine. My doctor did not feel that it could be the Levaquin and advised me to continue it. The contractions in my chest have continued, almost crushing at times. The neck pain has been continuous. I am stopping the Levaquin and willing to risk having the infection return.

Im not wanting to scare any of you, but my reaction to this family of antibiotics happened in Spring 2002. I took one dose of this quinolone antibiotic for a sinus infection and was in the ER four hours later. After taking the medication, I felt very fatigued and lay down on the couch, I woke up a few minutes later feeling like I was falling, and my heart sustained 170+ beats per minute heart palpitations for several hours. The last thing I remember was calling 911 because I was home alone and knew something awful was happening. The ENT's said that they had never seen anything like it. I experienced horrific anxiety attacks for weeks afterward. Keep in mind I had been a very healthy gal before and had never experienced any type of health problems. I now see a rheumatologist, a neurologist and a gastroenterologist. I have been diagnosed with MCTD (Multiple connective tissue disorder) a Lupus like illness. My neurologist says that my central nervous system was damaged in the reaction as well. He also says that physicians are grossly misinformed about this family of antibiotics, and in his opinion, anyone who prescribes them for anything less than a life threatening condition is committing medical malpractice. I agree wholeheartedly since my life will never be the same.

I took 750mg Levaquin for 5 days for a sinus infection and after the 2nd day had a horrible headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, muscle aches and metal taste in mouth. At first I thought I was getting the flu or that it was from the sinus infection. After taking the 5th pill and not feeling any better, I found these postings which explains everything. My doctor did not tell me anything about the side effects. It is 3 days after I took the last pill and I am still suffering from severe headaches, dizziness and some nausea. Do not take this medication unless you absolutely have to. I do not normally have any side effects to medication and am not on any other meds. I just hope the headaches go away because I am having to miss work as a result and not able to give attention to my family. My fear is that the headaches won't go away. One posting said that her daughter's headaches went away after 6 days...I can only hope at this point. Terrible drug and shame on the doctor for not warning patients. Try other antibiotics first before you take it.

Hey all. I suspect many of you would agree that one of the most infuriating aspects of this antibiotic nightmare is that seemingly, there aren't many {none that I've dealt with} doctors/nurses or pharmacists that will even acknowledge the potential {and VERY REAL} side effects of these drugs.

On 01/10/08 I was put on Cipro 500mg twice daily, two week supply, for epididymitis, which likely stemmed from a bacterial infection/urinary infection back in late Oct of 07. It's an infection that can require a lengthy dosage due to eliminate bacteria growth. I was also prescribed a painkiller along with it.

That night after dosing had horrible nausea/vomiting, and chalked it up to the painkiller ... which at that point it likely was. Within a few days the groin pain from the infection had subsided a great deal, and although felt a little 'odd' from the Cipro, nothing too noteworthy. At eight days into treatment, became nauseous around the clock with bizarre flu like symptoms. I called the doctor at the ER who had diagnosed me, and she switched me to Doxycilline {sp?}, which isn't a quinolone. After stopping the Cipro, nausea disappeared. However, within a week the pain of the infection returned, apparently due to the weaker antibiotic.

So I was re-checked on 01/24/08 and put on Levaquin, 250gm once daily. Within a day or so the pain subsided once again, but on the third day developed horrible diarrhea and pain in my left knee/leg. Stopped taking it immediately, and decided to research my dilemma online, where to my horror I've discovered all sorts of people from all walks of life experiencing debilitating side effects from this grouping of fluoroquinolone/quinolones antibiotics.

I'm now on Cephalexin, and the pharmacist I spoke with today assured me that it's not part of the quinolone grouping. He also suggested that I must be part of that small pool of the populace that has trouble with quinolone antibiotics ... one begins to wonder just how "small" this pool is given how the average person isn't likely to associate muscle/joint pain with the antibiotic they're ingesting.

How this POISON has lasted so long on the market without more exposure/media coverage speaks volumes about the state of corporate America, with nearly every social system compromised {usually at the expense of the corporation's victims} , with little or no help from the corporate owned mainline media, which serves as nothing but a megaphone platform for vested intertests to transmit "official" opinion to the unwary. So here I be with very painful knee, which I should add is already compromised due to a major tibial plateau fracture in 2001.

I'd love to know whose palms are being greased to keep this rat poison available ... hell, I even had to pay over our insurance co-pay fore the Levaquin, as it's apparently a "top shelf" drug.

Good luck everyone ... and it probably doesn't need to be said, but man, I know after this I will check and double check any and every antibiotic that may be perscribed to our daughter in the future!

I have had an extremely stubborn sinus/respiratory infection for around 12 weeks or so. Weeks ago I finished a round of antibiotics (Doxycycline (sp?)) without much improvement. Went to ENT and he prescribed Levaquin 500mg once daily for 21 days. I have been on this med for about 14 or 15 days. Sinuses are some better but I don't think it is all gone. Interestingly though, about 3 or 4 days ago ALL of my joints began hurting...all of a sudden. I have had a really sore shoulder for about a week, maybe more, that really isn't getting better. How bizarre that this is the site I found. It must be the meds. It is Friday 11/30, 5:15, of course so I can't call them now. I have an appointment on Tuesday and I will assertively and aggressively inquire about this. This is pretty scary. If I learn something new I will gladly post it here--but I truly expect to be told it is not the Levaquin...

Struggling with a sinus infection that threatened to bore into my brain, resulting, ultimately, in seizures and death, I've been taking Levaquin now for three days. I'm experiencing anxiety and sleeplessness, however, it's not from the medication. It's from all the hyperbole on the internet.

Look, I understand that many have had adverse reactions to this medication. One dose of penicillin can kill you without warning. At anytime. No warning. I suspect that few of those labellings Levaquin "poison" would ever bother to consider that - or anything else. All wrapped up in your misery, you spout off with rhetoric that is really better left to lawyers and politicians.

If you were uninformed of the possible side-effects of this medication, blame your doctor. I see that the last post here is dated November 2007, and the bottom of this first page takes us to October 2006. Perhaps one could take a bit of responsibility for oneself and do some research on one's own before popping a pill handed out by a disinterested physician. This information is out there - and yes, your doctor could have seen it, too. But he didn't bother, did he? Neither did you.

So, yes, with my first dose, and despite the impact drill driving through my eye-socket, I waited for the seizures, swelling and signs of imminent demise. Nothing. Sorry. Oh, my sinuses feel better, I don't have a brain infection, and so I won't die frothing at the mouth on my living room floor.

I'm sorry you feel bad - and if you hadn't run off at the mouth calling what may be one of the last effective antibiotics "poison", I might mean that with some sincerity. Oh, and lest you forget, antibiotics are poison by definition - the idea being that they affect/poison/kill the source more than they do the host.

So let's stop the hyperbole, and simply say you had a bad reaction to this medication. Not everyone does. Your option might have been to skip the doctor and the meds altogether, and see how you'd fare. But that would leave the responsibility, and the blame, all on you, then, wouldn't it? Far better to spread it around some.

Daughter's ear infection was not responding well to prescribed antibiotic. Dr called in levaquin as replacement. Within THREE MINUTES, daughter was having reaction to levaquin. Within thirty minutes of taking levaquin, I had her in the ER. She is 15 years old, 5'5" 115 lbs, active healthy teen. Heart rate was 130. BP 130/88. She couldn't stop shaking, difficulty breathing, lips/tongue swelling, face, hands and feet numb.

I was given Levaquin in the ER via IV Push which should never have occurred. It should have been infused over 60-90 minutes. Almost immediately I had a strong metallic taste in my mouth, my face and head felt hot and throbbing and I told the nurse I was having a reaction. Her response was that I could not have reaction that fast. I immediately stood up and began pacing and felt a burning sensation travel down my arms, to my legs and up the center of my body. I FELT LIKE I WAS ON FIRE. Then it was if a heavy brick was dropped on the center of my chest. The last thing I recall is seeing the ER doctor's face and hearing him say, "Pupils dilated. She's gone". When awoke I was in CCU on a ventilator. Since this experience I have had intermittant chest pain in one area only, EXTREME fatigue, and tinnitus. Most days are spent in a haze. I am so tired all of the time, but have difficulty falling asleep because of the ringing in my ears. I have not had one moment of quiet. There is no peace or quality left to my life. NO ONE SHOULD EVER TAKE LEVAQUIN. Many other antibiotics are available without the potential devastating, permanent adverse reactions of this one.

I took levaquin, cipro and avalox in a 4 month period due to a severe sinus infection, back in Jan to april of 2006. I had tolerated it most of my life, but at that time, I had had 'neck surgery due to 2 pinched nerves, left shoulder operated on, major tears, due to extreme 'flat roof roofing repair' for 6 months trying to save our 'dream home from satan'. (we lost it, foreclosure)
I complained to my dr the next day, (and most every week) he ignored my halluciations, (actually "snickered" in my face), mood altered, ignored my complaints of feeling like a hot rake tearing my muscle and tendons apart. pain, told me to continue taking it:(, blame me for listening and NOT doing research soon enough, I learned later the dr is supposed to STOP the drugs immediately to rule out tendonitist to prevent pernanent irreverable damage AND it's not to be given to 'muscle challanged people'). after that 3rd round in a 4 month period, I told him I'd rather die than to take them again. mom always told me I was allergic to pennicilin, I wasnt, it helped clear my infection.

I now have hodgkins lyphoma, (affects men mostly, i'm female, 51 yrs of age), I shouldnt have 'this cancer'. My face started breaking out w/2 types of skin cancer, basal cell, and precancer A. keratosis eveywhere. I was 120 lbs, cut muscles, always had been physical. Now, flab, lost mucle strength everywhere. Every day now is filled w/severe pain and NO dr will listen, I've been called crazy so many times, I could puke. The dr's dont WANT TO KNOW because of the extensive lawsuits that will exist due to them NOT knowing side effects and stopping meds, it's their 'brotherhood', protect each other no matter what the patients 'cost' is, as in mine, complete mind and body destruction:(
To MOST people, this drug is okay. To many of us, it's a life destroying slow death. Cant work, cant get disability. Have reached for 'help to heaven' so many times, but never followed through:(. I still HOPE for some dr to listen and do necessary tests so I can sue the crap out of my previous g.p. He should have known . HOPE is a forbidden 4 letter word, yet I cuss like a sailor.
Peace my fellow quin sufferers, Sandie in S.C.

I am a 39 year old female who was prescribed Avelox on December 21, 2005. That date will stick in my mind forever because I nearly died that day. I finished eating dinner about 8:00 pm and took 1 pill of Avelox, within 20 minutes I was vomiting and had diarrhea and then developed what I can only describe is an internal burning sensation in the pit of my stomach and it spread outward through my body. It felt like my insides were being burned which cause me to start to sweat terribly (you could wring out my hair and clothes) then it felt like some one was sitting on my chest and I started having difficulty breathing. I went to the ER and by the time I got to the hospital I could no longer walk. After they wheeled me in the ER I lost consciousness for over 30 minutes and when I awoke I went into convulsions. I knew that it was the Avelox that did this to me and all of the ER staff acknowledged that as well. But over the last 2 years, the medical problems I have experienced all the docs say it can’t be from the Avelox (that’s out of your system by now) DON’T THINK SO ……………………..

Had all the medical test run – tested for arthritis, MS, MD, had an EMG for muscle weakness and I still felt horrible all the time. My husband was getting sick of me being sick all the time – my kids were worried all the time “What’s wrong with Mom?”. Actually it was my daughter’s Pediatrician who suggested I start eliminating food and maybe I will start feeling better. Well after some research I found out that Avelox is in the Fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics and that is the same family of antibiotics that is given to poultry. I love chicken and eat if all the time but I stopped eating all chicken and eggs and turkey and over 75% of my aches / pains and gastrointestinal ailments. That was over a year ago and I stay away from all chicken, things made with chicken, eggs and all products made with eggs (mayo, cole slaw, potato salad, cake, cookies, etc…). So if you are still suffering a lot of adverse reactions and are eating poultry and poultry by-products – you are re-ingesting antibiotics through the food you are consuming. Also, it seems the older I get, the more sensitive I have become to these antibiotics, where once I would just vomit and / or have diarrhea if I ate something that had eggs or chicken in it by accident but now within 24 hours after consumption all my muscles bunch up / knot / and/or tighten that if becomes very painful to walk.

My Doctor tells me that as long as I believe that’s what is causing my problems and I feel better because I don’t eat any of the foods that contain that antibiotic then keep doing what I am doing as long as it makes me feel better. I really don’t know why she doesn’t believe me but that’s her prerogative. Ever since I went through the anaphylactic shock when I took Avelox, I have a very hard time with my cognitive thinking skills and trying to verbalize my words. There are times I have to stop mid sentence and gather my thoughts because I lost my train of thought. This is coming from a person who used to do ad lib speeches to 400 people and also teach computer classes in a technical school, while conducting workshops to teach job readiness skills to the economically disadvantaged. I never before had trouble speaking but after my episode over 2 years ago – I do now.

I tell everyone DO NOT TAKE A QUINOLONE ANTIBIOTIC -- these are very dangerous drugs and should be banned by the FDA for regular use and to be used to treat infections in life or death situations NOT for sinus, ear, prostate infections when there are literally thousands of other antibiotics that could be used that are not as dangerous.

If there is anyone out there who would like to get in touch with me regarding your or my experience with this antibiotic

I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to all the people that have posted their experiences here. I am so sorry to hear of your miseries, but you have prevented me from going down the same road.

I was prescribed Levaquin and my wife suggested before I take any antibiotics check on the side effects. Yikes! I have not touched one pill nor do I ever intend to. I will take my chances on the infection any day!

In the fall of 2004 I was given levaquin to treat an infection in my colon -- this was as a follow up to hospitalization where I was given 2 other antibiotics (don't recall the names)

After I was discharged for the hospital I came home feeling great--seems that the infection in colon had been there for some time and had definitely ran me down.

I was taking the Levaquin daily as instructed and wanted to complete the treatment as recommended with Antibiotics. During this time, my stomach was giving me fits...I literally had an upset stomach continuously while on the Levaquin.

Aside from the stomach problems, I felt great--until one day all of a sudden it was like something snapped in my head. I began feeling a steady pressure and it felt like I was underwater.

My nerves literally went haywire...I could not sleep, I could not eat anything without having extreme nausea. I paced the floor for 5 solid days and nights without any sleep. I was hearing things...and the worst experiences was the panic attack like symptoms. I ended up going to the emergency room 5 times thinking I was having a heart attack.

My heart would race and my BP was so high in some cases the auto-cuffs would blow off my arm.

All that stuff started in 2004 and since then I have been under treatment for depression and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks. I have lost feeling in my hands..down the side of my legs, and I still experience either constipation or explosive diarrhea-- It is usually one or the other--there doesn't seem to be a normal BM anymore.

If I do not take the anti-anxiety drugs I have been given then I will experience large muscle tremors.

I don't know that Levaquin did this to me but I find it highly unlikely that I could feel great and then all of a sudden I'm in an advanced state of clinical depression-- In one day's time???

I have also noticed that I can't concentrate like I used to do...I have actually been eating and will ask my Girlfriend what we are having for dinner. My gosh--I'm sitting there eating the stuff and don't even realize it.

I'm 42 years old and ever since I took Levaquin my life has been a constant living hell.

I am a 38 yr old female in excellent health--thin and fit, and don't take antibiotics. I had a bacterial infection and was prescribed levaquin. After the first dose, 24 hrs (500 mg 1x day) I experienced joint pain in a place i'd once injured a wrist. A few hours later it was into my hands--a deep ache, with a tight, numb feeling them. By the second dose--48 hrs later, it my joints and forearm area ached as if I'd lifted crazy weights. It moved into my shoulders, neck, hips. By the third dose, I was sleepless. My head ached at the nape of my neck and ears rang. When I got out of bed, I felt shin splints, sore ankles and my fingetips feel like they're asleep. I called the doctor and they told me to discontinue the meds. The bummer is, I was only warned at the doc's ofc of the tummy effects (which didn't happen at all to me since I timed the meals and no booze were ingested). Also the pharmacy did not provide counsel or an informational sheet which floors me after seeing this website. I really hurt. I have faith the symptoms will subside since I'm so early in the dosing. I would never take this again.

My doctor prescribed Levaquin 500mg as the 3rd antibiotic to treat a sinus infection that just would not go away. Unfortunately I'd taken 12 of the 14 pills prescribed before I found this site while trying to figure out what was worng with me. I'm experiencing sleeplessness, extreme lethargy, neck pain, muscle & joint pain and I'm having difficulty concentrating at work. I've stopped taking this awful drug and can't wait for that point it works its way out of my system.

I am very sorry to hear about the problems you all have experienced. I thank you for taking the time to post your experiences here so that people like me have others to turn to.

Uh, I have read a number of postings where people are PROUD they stopped taking this last-line of defense antibiotic. Read up and be prepared before you take it. Stopping short only breeds drug resistant bacteria. If people didn't do this, we wouldn't need these horrible medicines.

You, and all the others that do the same, are RESPONSIBLE for this medication's existence. Had you kept taking that Amoxicillin back, when you were a spry 18 year old, instead of stopping when you "felt better", there wouldn't be a constant bacterial arms race.

Stopping these medications mid-treatment is a disservice to HUMANITY.

Keep it up, and next time you get a staph infection, you might find there are no antibiotics that work anymore.

On June 4, 2007 my husband had achilles tendon surgery on his left leg. He will be in a cast until July 19th at which point it will be determined if he has to be cast again. He took Levaquin 750 mg for 10 days beginning April 10 - 19th. On the early morning of April 21st he was CONVINCED that someone was trying to break into our home, he called 911 TWICE and the police came to our home to find nothing. I forgot to mention that he was also taking 500mg of Lortab for the extreme pain in his legs. Just after the police left for the 2nd time he took 2 steps and fell, rupturing the left achilles and tearing the right. I took him to the emergenceny room and he was so dehydrated that his kidney function had pretty much subsided. After 2 more visits to the emergency room he was hospitalized with Kidney failure. After a different round of antibiotics and fluids he was released after 4 days in the hospital. During his stay the swelling is his legs was terrible and the pain with the ruputures and tears of tendons was unbearable. After a vist to a rheumatologist she immediately diagnosed his injuries as a result of taking Levaquin. So currently he has a cast on his left leg and a boot on his right in hopes the right will heal without surgery. His primary care physician apologized because he didn't know about this drug. Surely there is something that can be done.

My father has always been level-headed and NOT ever prone to hallucinations. He is a rational and
He is in the hospital and for 4 days they have had him on this drug. . After a few days on it, he started seeing things that don't exist. He can be lucid one moment and then anxious and paranoid the next. He slips in and out of this irrational behavior. He becomes filled with fear that he is being abandoned by us and in an unknown place. He sees people and things that don't exist. He sweats and
trembles. We are very worried. Aren't there other antibiotics available? We are complaining, but hospital tries to pretend they have no clue as to these side effects.
NOW, After reading more about this dangerous and mind-altering drug, we believe that it needs to be withdrawn from the market and further tested. We are going through hell and my poor father is extremely confused and getting worse. We fear what will happen next. What can we do to get the hospital to withdraw this drug from him while at the ssame time continue to meet his needs? before this drug was administered, he was mentally stable. To clear an infection (pneumonia, which started in the hospital) do we need to sit by and watch an intelligent man become extremely disoriented, shakey, panicked and progressively becoming delusional???

I am taking Levaquin for a sinus infection and have had many of the side effects as those above. I've been on it for 4 days out of a 5 day prescription. Last night was my worse night of all on it. I too had severe insomnia and until this morning, after reading these postings, did not know how to describe it, but it was like I was in a quasi zombie like mental state. It was very scary. Up to last night, I did have spurts of nasea and weird dreams. I take Cymbalta for depression, which is under control, until I started taking Levaquin. Just in these 4 days, I feel as if I have slipped back into a slight depression. I have 1 more day left and am not taking it. Unfortunately, I am allergic to all the "good" antiobiotic drugs, but will request from my doctor not to ever be prescribed Levaquin again - no matter what.

If you are reading these postings, then obviously you are concerned and possibly having these or other side effects from this drug, as I was/am. Stop taking this drug and talk to your doctor.

FALSE POSSITIVES FOR OPIATS!

I had taken Levaquin 500mg for a Uninary track infection. The first day I took it I had a drug test for work and I failed it for opiates! I thought there must have a been a mistake but as I looked further into it it ends up that Levaquin along with 12 other antibiotics can show up as an opiate in a urine drug test. So do not take this if you know you are going to have a drug test!

In France I was very fit and active and supple. Just before I left in May 1980 to emigrate to Canada I had a stomach infection that was treated with cipro antibiotic by my Dr in France. I finished them in Canada in my first two days. In France I became very hot and ‘spaced out’ when I began the medication, ached like mad and went to bed for a day (very unusual). I thought it was the infection. On the plane and in Canada I felt like a zombie and ached for some years. 27 year later I find that it was almost certainly a reaction to a drug. Since that time I have often been prescribed cipro for a bad prostate starting in 1985, when I had an operation. It took years of working out and exercsing to get fit - but always ached. Since the 1985 operation my prostate has played up a lot and I have been prescribed cipro many times. I thought that reactions to look out for were a bad tum. I have had progressively worse muscle pains and have had to work out more to keep things under control. I had not realized these drugs can effect the brain and also cause muscles to rupture, as well as causing terrible leg and other body part aches. This year in February in USA I was prescribed Levaquin a member of the same drug family (fluoroquinolones). On way back I was unusually stiff in the car and had headaches and could hardly get out of it or bend my legs. I thought it was old age. Since getting back I have had quite awful leg aches, ‘odd feelings’ and some terrible shooting headaches (never had until Daytona) which have worsened when I have had some Levaquin here in Canada in last few weeks. It has made my legs and knees almost impossibly painful to move and my left leg muscle to seize up behind my knee, so I have to fight to get up off chair or bed. It is best to stand and keep moving. The way these antibiotics work is to kill off a certain enzyme in the chain that the bacteria need to reproduce the cells, so they die. Just lately researchers in the UK have found cipro kills plants, They investigated and are developing a new form of weed killer based on that. Just think about it. The reason is that for 30 years! No one knew that the particular enzyme is present in the ‘DNA’ of ALL plants. Because a very common side effect of these drugs is to permanently destroy the cells of cartilage, muscles, rupture tendons and change the brain and central nervous system of humans, in the same way as it kills plants and bacteria, I have a suspicion that maybe the enzyme or a close relative is present in some humans. If so there could well be a genetic connection. SO if you suffer from thee effects let you family know !

I took Levaquin 750 mg for 2 days. The first night it made me sleepy and drowsy. The second night I took it, I was high. I felt like I was a zombie. I sat in front of my computer rocking back and forward. And al I wanted to do while I sat there was take more and more and more levaquin. I wanted sit there and eat them like they were candy. That urge was so overwhelming. So, I hurried up and I flushed them down the toilet except for 3. Knowing that they were there, I wanted to eat those 3, so I flushed them.
That was the worst night of my life. I said to myself if this is how high suppose to feel. I don't ever be high.
This drug need to be taken off the market.