Levaquin and appointment

My name is Heather I am now 32 years old I took levaquin when i was 29. After i took levaquin I went on a roller coaster ride I have yet to be able to get off of. First when i took it I had the worst night mares i have ever had only to wake up to a splitting headache and a very sore body. took another one the next day same reaction.I figured it was the bronchitis that was causing the problem. on the third day i was worse still I could hardly move. I stopped taking the drug. after another two days i felt better. two weeks later I was out with my father and he noticed a rash on my legs. I was also starting to get little blood blisters. I started to become concerned and the next day after going to the zoo with my family i came home and my legs were swollen three times there normal size and very sore. I put them up just to find the felt like play dough had been stuffed in to them and I had blood blisters the size of pencil erasers. I made an appointment to see the doctor. he said and i Quote " Heather I have No idea what the Hell you have" he sent me to a specialist. between the time of my first appointment and the appointment with the specialist my legs stopped working from the hips down i was 90% paralyzed (not spelled right ) they just wouldn't work right. My ten year old daughter was helping me get to the bathroom. I was soooo sick i had a headache all the time couldn't eat or sleep and when i did it was only for a few hours I couldn't move very well and to get up out of bed hurt so bad i almost fell every morning. by the time i had gotten to the specialist I had gone to the E.R. three times for the pain.and the last time was because my toes stopped moving altogether. at the appointment the doctor ran all kinds of tests checking me for everything from S.T.D.s (which i have been happily married for years) to Lupus. I felt Like and 80 year old Lady And like i said i was only 29. after the extensive tests and everything coming back normal the doctor put me on a steriod. for 4 months i was told i had to take prednisone After the first dose i could move again I still hurt but i could move.But now i had the side effect from that. i was gaining weight like it was going out of style, but at least i could move. after the 4 months things seemed normal kinda. I could move but if i sit still to long my legs go numb not fall sleep go completely numb even if i am standing to long. I am still afraid that i will wake up again feeling like i did that Fall three years ago. I still have problems but im not sure they are tied in but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. I only took three Pills of Levaquin three years ago!!!! How long does this stuff hang on really??????

I started taking Levaquin on Aug 8th for bronchitis 6 days after taking medication I was awoken about 2am with severe shoulder pains in both shoulders I went to the ER to find out why I told them that I was taken Levaquin they took an X-ray of my shoulders and said they were fine prescribed percocet for pain. Pain got worse went back to ER was given a shot for pain and was told to get an appointment with bone and joint Dr. On the day of appointment my right forearm, wrist and hand swelled up. I told my Bone and Joint Dr.that I was taken Levaquin I told him that I stopped it immediately after reading side effects He prescribed an anti-imflammitory Pain got more severe went back to ER was given EKG and took blood and urine test all test came back fine. Went to another doctor he then checked me for Lyme disease. which came back neg. I then went back to first doctor that prescribed the Levaquin. she thought that I had arthritis. 8 different blood test were given all came back fine. Ended back in ER because by the end of day I could not walk, had high fever, sore throat, severe head ache, and was sick to stomach. Several more blood test were done. all came back fine. ER doctor prescribed prednisone which seem to help some. I went and seen another Dr. Still no one knows what is really wrong. I believe it is the LEVAQUIN it has messed me up bad.

My 84 year old mother was prescribed Levaquin for 10 days to treat an ear infection. She went on a trip to Europe while taking the medication. On the 10th day of taking the medication she could barely walk. She just got back today 8/24/08. I told her to make an appointment with her Doctor

I've been taking Levaquin for about 3 weeks. Last week, suddenly, every joint in my body started aching. I mean from my neck, hands, hips, knees, ankles, feet, everything. For the past week, when I wake up, I can't even make a fist without experiencing excruciating pain. I've always been very active, running, basketball, soccer, skiing, you name it, so this is scaring the heck out of me. I'm 47 years old, and up until a week ago, I was hiking with my family, running everyday with my dog. Now I feel like I'm 100 years old. It hurts to walk, stand up, etc! I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow! I'm ticked about this!

I was prescribed Levaquin by my Dr. for a sinus infection. There were 10 pills and I was to take one a day. No one mentioned any of the side effects or drug interactions except to not take antacids within 2 hours of taking the meds. During the coarse of me taking the medication I began having substernal chest pains which I thought was just horrible heart burn, but it got so bad that I woke up screaming multiple nights from the pain. I also started having pain in my ankles, legs and especially my knees. The pain in my knees gets so bad that I think my knee caps are going to shatter when I walk especially when going down the stairs. I didn't know any of the drug interactions and my father in law who is a physical therapist has always advised me to take ibuprofen for muscle and joint pain so that's what I did, but little did I know that was only increasing the effects on my central nervous system. I am also experiencing bouts of nausea, confusion, light headedness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and I actually thought I was having a mental breakdown.. I was freaking out on my husband and very depressed even having suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until my mother randomly mentioned that she had heard about the FDA issuing the Black Box warning that I connected the dots and had already finished the meds. I called my doctor's office right away and was told that the symptoms I am having are not side effects of the medicine. Maybe the Dr. doesn't listen to the news either.

Hello All, My Levaquin nightmare began on June 18th, 2008. The side effects I had were so unbelievable, most of you, if not all of you will believe this. I had severe night sweats which would transfer over to a extreme cold chills, which would allow me to sweat like crazy. Bathed in Sweat. I thought there were small needles all around me and poking me everywhere. My feet, toes, knees and buttocks tingled like there was no tomorrow (and still are to this day). When and how can I make these side effects go away. I'm sick of them. I no longer have the night sweats or the bitter chills, I'm now totally aware of want is going on around me, while taking the med and several days after I couldn't even tell you my name. The bridge of my nose, and running across to my ears tingled like crazy and my ears rang all the time, and they still ring once in a while still. I need to know when this feeling of tingling in my hands, feet, knees, legs and humming in my ears will go a way. Help! I think this drug needs to taken off the market. I took a total of 17 pills. My first scripted was for 15 days and by not knowing any better less then a week later and another doctors appointment, and one more script, which I filled. I took two pills from that bottle. My husband called the doctor and she told him this wasn't normal. She told him that I was to stop the med asap, which I did and I'm still having these awful tingling. If anyone, anyone has any suggestion of how to get those med out of my system I would certainly appreciate it. God Bless each and every one of you. May you all find relief.

I had headache and all of my joints...especially my fingers, were swollen and very painful...like I was thinking ..what do I have arthritis now??!!! I also was very tired.

I was prescribed Levaquin 1000 mg. for 5 days for pneumonia the last week of December 2006. I was also prescribed Prednisone. Everything I ate tasted like metal. A couple of days after I started taking the Levaquin I started experiencing muscle cramps in my rib cage which are so severe it makes me double over in pain. After more than a year I still have the muscle cramps which now include not only my rib cage, but the arch of my feet and sometimes legs. I have a torn tendon in my left arm which didn't happen until about a month ago, but I am sure it is caused from muscle damage from the Levaquin. I am also on Advair Discus 250 which I didn't take before using the Levaquin. I didn't require inhalers or other medication before the pneumonia. My doctor now says I have COPD caused from asthma and chronic bronchitis. I used an Albuterol inhaler when I first got sick because the pneumonia was so bad. I thought after taking the Levaquin I would get back to normal. But even after the infection was cleared up I would get out of breath, so I returned to my doctor. She did an x-ray and said I had COPD and prescribed the inhalant. What I don't understand is that I didn't have breathing problems before the Pneumonia. I didn't have joint pain and muscle cramps either. I have had to quit working this past year because of it. I cannot go without the Advair, I can no longer walk long distances without pain. I have constant muscle pain just trying to do normal housework. How long do the effects last? Must be a lifetime.

Hello fellow sufferers,
Several years ago I had a CT of my face and head due to frequent migraines...They had thought maybe there was a tumor or blocked blood vessels, but to my complete surprise all of that was normal, but I had all the sinuses on the right side of my face completely blocked...The doctor @ that time asked me some questions about my breathing and pain...Of course my breathing through the nose wasn't that great, but I had always taken that as a bonus since I work in the hospital...NO pain really either...Due to the fact that sinus infections have a direct pathway to the brain they decided that I needed Levaquin...On the second day of taking the medication I was in complete tears...The bottom half of my body ached like someone had kicked the %^&* out of me...First off I thought that maybe it was because I had my leg in a full cast and that had just been adjusted so stupidly I continued with the med another 2 days and the symptoms got to the point that I couldn't walk...I called the pharmacy right away and told them of my symptoms and they said they had no documentation of such side effects so I continued thinking it was something else ( they always tell you to complete the full course of an antibiotic so you don't kill off half the "bug" and the other half goes resistant)....Stupid....I finally made an appointment and had my husband literally carry me cast and all down there...The doctor had no explanation for the symptoms I had but did lab work to kinda shut me up and low and behold it reviled that I had full blown arthritis so off to a rheumatoid specialist...We went through my health history and other that the sinus infection, migraines and a broken leg I was fine except for the constant pain from the waist down........It took 7 months to return to "normal" blood test went back to normal too...I had made a second trip to the pharmacy and insisted on filling out a form for side effects and had proof of it with the weird lab tests that had since gone back to normal...This form was supposed to be sent to the drug company (not sure if it ever was).....Thought I would just share my experience with you and hope it helps others...I am an RN with 15 yrs surgical experience and thought I was going nuts when on this stuff...Since then I have always included this as an ALLERGY since it is one of the best and most common drugs used for things like sinus infections and I don't ever want to take this again.
Sincerely,
Debbie

Well I started Levaquin on the 17th of January for a bladder infection, and I took 2 pills and I have had nausea and watery diarrhea, so after reading all your postings about it I am not going to continue this medication

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...

Levaquin cured my pneumonia but I'm now having trouble with my knees and shoulders. I can hardly bear my weight and am having trouble performing simple tasks such as reaching to answer the phone. Has anyone else suffered this way? Otherwise I feel well. I discontinued using Levequin on my doctor’s advice but when I explained my symptoms was told this was not a problem associated with Levaquin. I wonder. I'm 60 years old, very active and hope this problem is only temporary. I've got life to live!!!!

January 18,2007 I took my first of a seven day dosage of 500 mg. of Leviquin as a 2nd tier anti biotic. By the second day I couldn't get out of bed to get to the bathroom without help from my wife. When I did finally get there I had severe diahria for the first couple of days. Like a fool I trusted my doctor and stayed the course for the full seven day dosage. I finally called my doctor after I couldn't walk and scheduled another appointment that following week. He probed and prodded me , ordered some blood tests and scheduled an appointment with a rhuemotologist. In the mean time my wife Googled -"adverse reaction Leviquin". Well the fear of the unknown was solved BUT now I realise I'm stuck with something I might never get rid of , much less walk normally again.Well we armed with this information that was ALL over the internet and headed to see the Rheumatoligist. Some of you probably see where this is going. I was diagnosed with rheumotoid athritis. I insisted it was leviquin poisoning which he replied that he never heard of it. TOTAL DENIAL ! I was hoping for a cure, some answers, some hope that I would be normal again ---- but no , I get total denial from a professional. I'm guessing if there was ever a conspiracy in the medical profession , this was definately one. Well I needed a second opinion so I scheduled with a different clinic. I wound up getting more blood tests that only showed severe inflammation. All my joints in my hands, feet, knees,elbows, & shoulder were swollen. I love modern medicine. Anyway the diagnosis was that he was 95% sure it was "severe rheumotoid athritis" but ---- he would not rule out Leviquin because of experience with some of his other patients. At Last! Some ray of hope, not much, but enough to know I wasn't crazy for thinking that Leviquin was involved. Not that it mattered except for peace of mind because I was stilled treated for SRA. Its three months now and my kitchen counter looks like a drug store btween the meds and the vitamins. I've been on 25 mg's of methotrexate once a week, 10 mgs of prednisone 6 days a week with folic acid. For the first two months I was also taking 2400 mgs of Ibuprofin to help with the swelling. The last month I have cut that in less than half. Now I'm walking again although always having been a long strider my pace is quite a bit slower but nonetheless encouraging. But the intriguing part of all of this healing was I had also changed my diet drastically. I took (still taking) any vitamin, mineral, antioxident,(fresh from a juicer) that in any way shape or form was advertised in alleviating SRA. A two week vacation to Roatan was also squeased in where I partook in fresh fruit, fresh noni & fresh seafood . I combined this with daily snorkeling excursions. To make sense of this, I was being pushed around the Miami airport in a wheel chair (thanks American Airlines) on the way down. On the way back I was walking a decent pace while pulling my carry on luggage. So the big question is , was it the lifestyle change, the meds, or just time that has gotten me to this point. Don't really know and only kind of care. I'm just happy to be able to walk again , crumble crackers in my soup, take the cap off of a milk carton & open a beer can (I own a bar & resort). I have a ways to go yet but I'm encouraged by my progress. I had no idea three months ago how I was going to run my business when the season started. I hope everyone has as good of a spouse and friends as I have to help me when I was down for the 9 count. I hope this helps all the victims out there. I've also talked to nurse friend's and my pharmiscist and it's amazing how much of this drug is prescribed without adverse reactions. We're just in the minority, luck of the draw. Good Luck!

I took Levaquin 1 1/2 yrs ago............First I shoud say I am a 55 yr old man and have not been to the doctor since I was in the army.........when I was 20.....I had severe abdominal pains for about a year.. I finally told my wife about theser pains. and she made the doctors appointment for me that she has been insisting on for years.. The doctor gave me some free samples of levaquin... Free samples do no include the insert advising of side effects.(that should be illegal). any way he told me to take the drug for 7 days..Finally going to the doctor after all those years, I did as I was told.. I developed a severe rash over my entire body.. the itching was un believable.. the intensity of pleasure in itching thr rash especially my shins was indescribable.........the pain after was equal to the pleasure..I then went on predisone for 9 days to get rid of the rash.......the itchings and pleasure (tho reduced) remains. my skin has white blotches in it.. and my skin is permanantly dried out. Please tell everyone you know.........................watch for side effects, and stop taking immediately............I waited too long, and took the drug as it was prescribed.

I recently posted a comment on May 19. I was guest #23321.
Since posting this comment, I have been to the emergency room two more times, unable to walk because of pain in both knees. I have told the doctors at the hospital about the levaquin and they acted as if I were crazy. Now they say that I have gout, which I really find that hard to believe. I have never had this problem before. This pain in my knees is so bad that I can hardly lift my legs. I sure wish I knew if there is any thing that I can do about it. I can't get anything out of these doctors. I just want the pain to go away. I have an appointment in July with an orthopedic Doctor, will it do any good?

3/30/06 update

I was referred to a rheumatologist by the ER Dr. and had my appointment on 3/29/06. To make a long story short, I do not have gout. I have a condition called 'reactive arthritis' that the doc could/would not openly say was caused by the Levaquin but that he had seen before in patients who were taking/had taken Levaquin. I am taking celebrex and it seems to have helped slightly (stress on the slightly). I am experiencing more and more problems sleeping. The last two nights have been the worst so far with basically no sleep. I generally come into work at 9:00AM and have been showing up at 6:00-7:00AM as of late because I either do not sleep or wake up around 3:00-4:00AM.

I am as used to the foot pain and numb/tingling/burning sensations as i'm ever going to get and am able to work, although at a severly hampered pace. I am actually having some real fear for my job at this point, having taken three sick days in two weeks because of this. I am beginning to believe that I need to consult a mental health professional. I have learned that drinking lots of water can temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms, which I started doing for gout treatment, but doesn't make you feel normal again in any way. I guess this is going to become normal for me. :-(

Mid March 2005 I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I was prescribed a 10-day supply, one a day, of levaquin. After about the sixth day my right knee started to bother me and about two days later the left one started. I don't know why but I immediately suspected the Levaquin but only having a couple more days to go thought that when I stopped taking it these symptoms would disappear. Not so, they have only worsened and now I can hardly go up and down steps. I have an appointment with my physician who prescribed the medication today but after reading everyone's comments there does not seem to be a quick fix for this. I agree, this medication should immediately be taken off the market.

It's Valentine's Day 2005 and I took 750mg Levaquin
for 3 days. My side effects include nausea and my
tongue burning on the tip.
The doc gave me moxifloxacin, another flouoroquinolone
last November before Thanksgiving. I'm worried that
my symptoms: achey hip joints, pain in a neck gland
and now a rash that persists are related to fluoroquinolones.
>I have an appointment with a dermatologist for the rash.
(Glad the Levaquin made me sick, because I couldn't take
my teenager to the Hudson Valley Mall on the day the
Columbine copycat shooter open fired!)

Ten days ago I had to go to the emergency room because I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI and sinus infection. I was only taking it a short time and I started vomiting for two days and was so weak I could hardly get to the bathroom. I did not know that I was allergic to this drug. The doctor there sent me home after my vomiting was under control with Levaquin for 10 days. It has helped my problem but I have such sore joints and muscles and am unusually tired and depressed. I do not have my usual morning sinus headaches. I do have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon and after reading what other people have said about this drug I am understanding why I have such sore joints. I hurt so bad to even get dressed and I have no strength in my body. I am wondering when I will return to normal.

Levauin was prescribed for me as an anti-diarrheal when I received my yellow fever vacinnation for a trip to Nigera. On my third day in Abuja I took one 500mg tablet because I was experiencing gas. Within a few hours I experienced such extreme heart arythmia and tachtycardia that I thought I might die. This has continued for three weeks, in addition to severe lower back pains. There was absolutely no need for me to have received such a powerful and potentially fatal medication when an over the counter would have been sufficient. I have made an appointment with my primary care physician because my distress continues.

I have been on Levaquin for a UTI (infection of prostate) for over 2 months, and until I found this website I thought I had early stage cancer. I am a very active person, who now has tendonitis so bad in my shoulders, elbows and hips that I can barely move. I also have flu like symptoms and have problems sleeping. I have just called my urologist and now have an appointment.

Hopefully I can get off this drug and return to a normal life. Thank you all for your comments.

I TOOK LEVAQUIN LAST NIGHT AT 600 BY 630
IWAS TAKING TO THE ER I PASS OUT 3TIMES SWELLEN FACE
COULD NOT BREATH BIG RED WELTS ALL OVER MY BODY NOW TODAY
MY FACE IS RED RUNNING FEVER MUSCULES HURT BACK HURTS IM STILL SICK TO MY STOMACH HAVE APPOINTMENT TO SEE MY DOCTOR
TOMORROW I TOOK THIS LEVAQUIN ONLY ONE TIME WILL UPDATE
THANK YOU JOANNA BROWN

I have been fighting a infection in my toncil for two months. the doctor put me on zithromax twice with no results. I finally went to a specialist who put me on ten days of Levaquin. Wow ! This is the first time in months i did not have a sore throat. My toncilitis cleared up. Thank god because my doctor said my toncils had to come out if i didn't get better. I experienced no sleep problems or stomach disorders. The only problem i think i am having is a small yeast infection. I will make an appointment with my Obgyn soon. Some meds work better than others. It all depends on whats right for you!!!!!!!!!!