Levaquin and arms and legs

Muscle weakness, pain, tingling

After taking levaquin, I still suffer from muscle weakness, pain, and tingling several years later. My doctor who is one of the top specialists in New York has seen what this drug has done to me and is doing research for an article in a medical journal to put the word out of the horrible side effects of this drug as well as increasing the knowledge to hopefully figure out how to counteract this.

If you are/have suffered similar results, please contact me at ****** and we can discuss how you can send your case information to my doctor for the study and medical journal article. We need more scientific studies and literature out there about this drug and the side effects.

I was prescribed 10 of these and I have 3 left. Today, I am having trouble lifting my arms and legs and I hurt all over. Also, in the left side of the roof of my mouth, I have a round, hard, protrusion. I was given this for a chronic sinus infection.

Symptoms: joint pain, blisters on tongue, low blood pressure, dizziness, loss of vision. I started Levaquin 750 mg orally 11 days ago for diverticulitis, along with Flagyl. I had taken Levaquin in the past for this same condition without any side effects. I am also on Benicar 25 mg for high blood pressure. This time after spending $106 dollars AFTER insurance, I started having problems with dizziness where I would lose my vision for a few seconds every time I stood up from a sitting position, or sat up from laying down. My arms and legs felt very heavy and I was exhausted and felt like I could hardly walk. Since I had taken this drug before without complications, it didn't occur to me that this might be a side effect of the Levaquin. My doctor recommended I stop taking the Flagyl, which I did. Nothing improved. After several days of this I finally went to an after hours clinic and found that my blood pressure was 90/50. The nurse told me to stop taking my blood pressure med for a few days, that maybe there was a reaction. (She stated she had never heard of blood pressure being affected by an antibiotic). I stopped taking my blood pressure medication and it came up to normal within about 36 hours. Approximately 4 days ago my tongue broke out with little blisters all over, top and bottom and my lips are cracking. Yesterday my joints started aching and I feel like I'm 75 every time I take a step. (I'm 46) I took my last Levaquin yesterday and I still have the blisters and the joint pain is worse. This morning my blood pressure was back to my normal "mild high" range of about 130/83. I took my blood pressure med and it came back down to what is normal for me, 122/77. I haven't done anything different (meds, food, products, etc.) that should be causing these blisters, and I don't feel sick other than the joint pain, so I'm assuming these are side effects related to the Levaquin. I'm hoping they will clear up now that I'm done with the medication. I find it interesting that I spoke with two different pharmacists and two different physicians and none of them indicated there might be contra-indications with Levaquin and my blood pressure med. The good news is that the diverticulitis seems to be gone!

I was taking Levaquin for a sinus infection. After taking the first dose of 750 mg, I noticed that I started having tingling and numbness in my hands and arms. After the second dose, I started feeling the same tingling and numbness in my arms, hands, and legs. Because I had been having severe headaches anyway, I started wondering if I had some kind of neurological problem and my headaches were linked to the strange sensations. However, I noticed that I didn't have any problems with my arms and legs until after I started taking Levaquin. Some of my other symptoms were: tightness in my neck muscles and sore muscles. I also remember seeing a flashing light from the corner of my left eye and floaters. I stopped taking Levaquin after just 2 doses because it began scaring me and I feared what might happen after my third dose. I can't afford to take any chances with my health. That's why I appreciate this post, and I see that I wasn't just imagining these side effects. Since I've stopped taking this medication I still have problems with my arms. They feel heavy like I've been lifting weights and the ache. A couple of times, I've had to take pain medicine for the pain in my arms because they've hurt so bad, it feels kind of like when you hit your funny bone and you try to figure out why they call it a "funny bone" because it's definitely not funny! My arms hurt so bad I couldn't lift them, and I could type or write so I just took some medicine (tremadol) and laid down. It's been weeks since I've taken levaquin, but I still I have sensations and aching and heaviness in my arms. Has anybody been off of Levaquin for a considerable amount of time and found that the symptoms go away? Please give me some hope! :) Thanks.

I forgot to list a few symptoms. Tingling sensation, numbness in my arms and legs and Joint pain in my Knees.

In my case, Cipro tablets were prescribed for a potential prostate infection. The first dose was taken on 12/12/07. While taking this medication, I experienced "pens and needles" and shooting pains all over my body, leg pains behind my knees, right groin swelling to the point I could barely walk, and chest discomfort just below the sternum. The chest discomfort started after the second dose. My use of this drug was discontinued on about 12/17/07 (after 6 doses). I threw it away. Read the label BEFORE you start this medication. It's quite alarming after the fact.

I let my physician know about my problems with the Cipro and he then prescribed Levaquin, 500 mg, which is the same class of antibiotic. This was confusing to me later since I told them about the problems with Cipro. The doctor knows best...right- so I took 1 Levaquin per day from 12/21/07 until 12/26/07, again about 6 doses. My symptoms re-appeared after about the third day. Pen and needle pains re-occurred although they never entirely went away from the Cipro, severe swelling and tendon pain behind knees- especially the left knee, some chest discomfort, swelling in the armpits, and groin area. Swelling sensations were most prevalent behind both knees and the armpits. Shooting pains also occurred everywhere in my body, especially in the arms and legs. Shooting pains also occurred in my head and jaw with no warning but were less severe. The bottoms of my feet also hurt at times. Sleep was difficult to come by so extreme fatigue set in. I have been off the Levaquin now since 12/26/07 (5 days) and still have some shooting pains but some of the swelling has subsided. The symptoms have reduced but not disappeared entirely. I will never take a quinolone antibiotic again. My suggestion to others is to file an Adverse Drug Reaction report with FDA on their Medwatch website.

I again saw the physician on 12/27/07 and he said that it's "possible" I could be having a rare side effect. Another physician I know said I was having some type of hypersensitivity to the medication but that he had never come across such a case in his practice. Just my luck.

I was on Levaquin in February of 06. Although it helped the sinus infection, the price has been great. I had severe burning and tingling in my lips. Lower lip still numb after 20 months. Soreness and weakness in fingers--sprained two fingers while doing routine things. Stabbing pains in soles of feet, decreased over 4 months. Excruciatingly sore Achilles tendon, especially sore to the touch. Large muscle twitches in arms and legs. Decreased over several months. Ear ringing began--still have it. Dramatic increase in floaters in eyes also during the course of the drugs--still have them. Serious back problems began then also, with 4 herniated discs being diagnosed 5 months later. I have read that connective tissue damage may result from Levaquin. I feel that everthing that stated then is related: back, ears, eyes, numb lips, hands, etc. I checked with my doctors office, told them the symptoms, and I was instructed to keep taking the drug if I wanted to get well. But I only spoke with a nurse. . .shame on me. Good luck to all of you.

I have been taking levequin 500mg for a spider bite. The doctor gave be a ten day supply. I noticed after a couple of days that the taste in my mouth was nauseating. Then the pain in my arms and legs was just horriable. Then the diarrhea started and I though Id never get rid of it. The waking up in the middle of the night and it felt like I had ran a race in my sleep, I was exausted, I couldnt get my head off the pillow. I will never take this poison again.

My husband was prescribed 750 mg of Levaquin to be taken over a 14 day period. After 3 days he had the most bizare reactions; heavy chest, pain in his arms and legs, constant "burps" among other things. We called his doctor and went in to see him. His first remark was there was no connection between the antibiotic and his "reaction." No amount of discussion would convince the doctor we had a toxic reaction to Levaquin. This was in October of 2006 and today my husband is still feeling the effects of this drug. I wrote to the FDA and I've not received a reply, which I was assured would be forthcoming, nothing works to get rid of this toxin and our medical profession does not accept any responsibilty in prescribing this harmful drug. IT MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. Our thinking is perhaps a lawsuit will get the manufacturers attention...what do you think?

I was given a 5-day supply of Levaquin as a second course of treatment for a very bad Urinarry Tract Infection. While it cleared the infection thouroughly, the side effects were frightening and burdensome. I began having tingling and uncontrollable restlessness in my arms and legs, bordering on a claustrophic attack sensation. Over the next few days I experienced severe mood problems including anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, anger and frustration and crying jags. I will never take this drug again and am hoping to inform anyone who experiences these symptoms that they are in fact, not going crazy.

It's been 2yrs. now,nearly every tendon in my body,has some level of pain.My feet are swollen ,my calfes look like thighs,there swollen so bad.3 doc's make me feel like a liar.so my hands,arms,and legs hurt 24/7 taking 60mg,ms cotin and 30mg oxycodone and does not stop the pain.Just recently my lungs have been getting fliud in them,and my throat is swelling shut,but my Dr. always aviods the possibity of levaquin toxicity when I mention it.I also have vision problems,and its like I dream while I'm awake,IT'S very scary and can't get any help..******chuck.....

I took levaquin for 30 days for a bone infection in my toe as a result of an injury. I began to notice that I had joint pain in the morning when I first got out of bed. I thought it was strange, since I'd never experience that before. I then noticed that the pain continued all day long. I then started having trouble sleeping, had weird dreams when I did sleep, and starting feeling anxious. I read the side effects and found out that these are all side effects of levaquin. I was taken off the drug and after about two weeks the pain began to subside. I'm now experiencing some weird sensations in my arms and legs and wonder if this is somehow related to the Levaquin. Scary stuff.

I am almost finished with a 10 day course of Lecaquin. Since the first day I have experienced nausea, a bitter taste in my mouth, insomnia, and some agitation and anxiety. This morning, after my 7th dose yesterday evening, I found myself wide awake at 4:45 with my arms and legs aching as if I had the flu. The doctors at my Family Physician won't see the problems as side effects, they attribute them to my already present hypothyroidism. Never, ever again will I or anyone in my family take this drug, unless there are absolutely no other options.

It all started on my 9th day of therapy of a 10 day treatment. I woke up and went to work only to get weak in my arms and legs. I had to leave work and my GP said it was the flu. Since Jan.12th and numerous visits to my GP I still am having problems with my arms and legs and have been off work since. Finding a MD that knows of this problem is a very big problem.
Does anyone in the northern KY or southern IN area know of a good doc who can help treat this problem?
Please e-mail me and let me know.
Good luck to all of those who have been devastated by this drug.
******

I posted previously.
I also suffered terrible side effects from Levauin.
I was given it for a sinus infection.
I didn't have the pains in my limbs but I suffered terrible quivering and constant crying and weakness in my arms and legs. Thought I was losing it....
It took me four months to get over the withdawal.
The doctor and pharasist did tell me that it is a powerful drug and it will take time to get out of your system.
LIke I said, its been since December and little by little I did get better. Just takes time!!!!. So hang in there everyone....You will get better and be back to yourself again.
Thats a good idea about wearing a bracelet. I also told all the members of my family about this and if I'm ever in a situation that I can talk for myself and need an antibiotic. "Please make sure its not Levaquin or any antibiotic thats in the Quinolone family."
Janet G

Eleven days ago my doctor gave me Levaquin for bronchitis. I took one dose and twelve hours later I had muscle cramps in both arms and legs, back pain, severe nausea, an anxiety attack, insomnia that lasted 48 hours, and my blood pressure shot up to 180/112. My doctor seemed surprised at the muscle pain, said it should only happen to kids under 12 or adults over 70. (I'm a 50 year old woman.) He told me they should go away in ten days, but I am still suffering from all of the above except the blood pressure. I have totally lost faith in him and have made an appointment with another doctor who is a specialist in infectious diseases, and according to the friend who referred him, he carries an electronic version of the PDr to check for drug interactions. Hopefully I can get some help, since
suffering from all these things in a lesser way is agonizing.

A few weeks ago, I was given Levaquin for a sinus infection.
Within a day or so, I started feeling really werid. Constant quivering in the stomach, very weak in the arms and legs. sweating, then chilled. And a feeling of unreality. I was given a 10 day supply.
I checked on the internet and found this site. I am so amazed on how many people are suffering from the side effects of this terrible drug.
I called the manufacturer. and was directed to a dr.
I was told that some people have complained of side effects.
And that anyone having a tendon problem should not go on this medication...She said that after going off this medication, it will take a week or so for the side effects to diminish..
I printed out all the information and letters from people suffering for the side effects and brought them back to the dr that put me on this. He didn't even what to look at them and said he ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS THIS LEVAQUIN OR ANY ANTIBIOTIC IN THE QUINOLONE FAMILY CAN CAUSE. I was told that I should have gone off of it imediately. (I had two left). He also told me that it will take a little while for the effects to get out of my system.
You wonder why in the world drs prescribe such drugs. Guess we're all just gunnie pigs...
Take care everyone and BEWARE OF WHAT YOU PUTTING IN YOU SYSTEM...
Janet G

I was given 500mg of levaquin for a sinus infection.
A few days after I started feeling very lightheaded and couldn't concentrate. ..very weak ..feeling of unreality.
I continued taking it. Then decided to check on the side effects. I had two tablets left and threw them away. Tomorrow I go back to the ENT that gave them to me. I'm printing out all the information I'm finding about the effects of this terrible drug and showing it to him. THIS DRUG SHOULD BE TAKING OFF THE MARKET.
I called Ortho-McNeill..I was told that some people have complained of dizziness and lightheaded, and that in a few days after stopping it, it will be out of your system.. I sure hope so. My arms and legs have been so weak since I've been on this drug.
Good luck to all of you that are suffering from the side effects of this TERRIBLE DRUG....

My grandmother took Levaquin 500 mg for three days and on the 2nd and 3rd day when waking up in the middle of the night was paralyzed to the point she could not move her arms and legs to get up to go potty. She discontinued use and the next night was fine. The doctor put her on a sulfa drug to finish out her treatment.

I didn't ready any side effects of this sort on the prescription discription that listed all side effects.

I remember being on an antibiotic in the same family as levaquin and having the same result when waking up in the middle of the night. I could not move. I was ok when I woke up in the morning, but waking in the middle of the night before it wore off was paralyzing.

I also have had problems from Levaquin. My problems started in April after being perscribed the drug for a sinus infection. I took the first pill with little or no side effects. By day three I had pain in my left hand so bad that I could not use it at all. On the sixth day the pain was bad that I could not do anything more then , lay in bed. The pain is in my arms and legs and hips and back, my ankles are sore, my elbows you name it. I just finished up a 20 visit run to the Physical therpaist for tennis elbow, then carpel tunnel syndrom. This is all in my left hand and arm where all of this started. My doctor is showing little or no concern about this. I am so tired of feeling this way. I have shakes in my legs that I can not control. I am tired all of the time and I get little finished before needing to rest again. Typing this is painfull. I have two active sons and I can not keep up with them at all. That is really hard to keep telling them no to everything they want to do . I hope that someone will read this and can help me. It is now September and I have already had enough. Thank you Marylee

I was prescribed levaquin, 500mg 1x/day for 10 days, for an ear and sinus infection on Monday 7/14. After the first dose I felt "weird" in general. Fuzzy mental processing, muscular weakness....I didn't attribute these symptoms to the medication right away. After the second dose my scalp became very irritable, pins and needles to the point of numbness sometimes. I also had several bouts of the sweats and patches of numbness on my arms and legs and torso. I experienced insomnia and anxiety near panic. I quit taking the medication, but I have an amazing headache that is lingering. How long does this last?

Starting taking Levaquin 06.14.03. I have a sever rash on both arms and legs. Was not told it was sensitive to sun. I also have a metallic taste in my mouth. I started getting the rash immediately after taking my first dose on 06.14.03. The metallic taste yesterday 06.17. I also can't sleep and have no appetite. My dr. prescribed it for a UTI. I will call them as soon as they open. I, too will start looking up side effects before I take any medicine. Benadryl does help but I can't take it at work because it makes me sleepy. Thanks, Robyn

I was given Levaquin 500 mg a few days ago to treat 2 conditions: a sinus infection and an infection in my foot. Within a day, I had a horrible rash on my arms and legs, and I felt terrible. Unfortunately, I had taken the 2nd dose, so a total of 1000 mg. I was also developing stiffness in my joints. I had taken Levaquin several times before, prescribed by an ENT, for stubborn sinus problems, and didn't seem to react to the drug. But this time I certainly did. I was taken off Levaquin and put on another antibiotic. But the side effects have been awful. The rash is pretty much gone, tho I still have some prickly skin sensations. The joint stiffness in my hips is much better, but my fingers, wrists and forearms are still sore and stiff. I was told Levaquin has a 3 day half life, so I am at about day 5. I am just hoping all these symptoms subside, but I am not expecting it to be a quick deal. I think Levaquin is extremely toxic. I am a 56 year old active healthy woman with an 11 year old daughter still being raised. I am grateful my side effects weren't any worse. I am going to register a complaint with the FDA and I wish there were a class action suit against the manufacturer's of this awful drug.

itchy hives on arms and legs very bad taste no food taste right to me can't stand to eat the things i use to love. I cry alot and sometimes started laughing all at once felt very bad like i was losing my mind. I couldn't remember. But the worst is this taste in my mouth and hieightened smell things smell bad to me.