December 2th
2008
7:51 AM
I am 52 and took levaquin (the doctor described as a very high dose needed for what he felt was a generalized infection he couldn't pinpoint). Within 2 days I began feeling very weak. I also had moved to a new town and couldn't return to the prescribing doctor. I felt so very weak and felt actual pain in my heart I became very scared and went to a friends because I was afraid to be alone. I called the local pharmacist and was instructed to stop taking the levaquin. The following day I went to a new doctor in my new town and my nightmare began.
The new doctor stated "you have a very large heart murmur". I told him no doctor ever told me this before and he insisted they must have, I just don't remember. He decided to do an echo and diagnosed aortic stenosis. He stated it didn't require surgery, yet but would in a few years.
Fast forward to now, 2 moves for my work and changing doctors. Also, to be frank I think a firm denial on my part that I could not have heart trouble diagnosed under the age of 50.
I have received a variety of "borderline" diagnosis'. From COPD, Hepatitis and an inability for my heart to pump proper blood flow to my lungs. While I have had "many" diagnosis there isn't anything concrete and no caused determined or resulting changes to be made to improve my general health.
The one symptom I have, that seems to have worsen as time passes is that what I do seems to build up over time. Energy used and strength used (to carry something while walking) seems to build up to the point of exhaustion and inability to even get out of bed. I have been hospitalized for chest pain 4 times in the last year. The last one being after a business trip, where I took a train and needed to roll and/or carry a very large suitcase. the first night I began to feel weak. The second night my face swelled to a cartoonish state overnight and I began to feel very congested, coughing continually. I didn't go to the hospital because I didn't want to be in the hospital away from home. I Stayed at the conference and returned at the end of the week. A friend took me to the hospital and I was in Congestive Heart Failure. Once released from the hospital, I began to arrange to move back to my home state, to be closer to my family. Now I am here and if I do much of anything (even heavy housework) within days I am too weak to do anything. I am barely managing because I am not working, but I must return to work because I am fast becoming broke. But, how can I take a new job if I know that I can't work long-term. I haven't found a new doctor yet, because most here are not taking new patients and I am just not sure the type of doctor to go to. I am also afraid that they are just stabbing in the dark. Diagnosing borderline "everything" and the treatments for not knowing what is going on could make things worse.
If you have read this far..thank you. If you could reply with suggestions, please do. I feel like my health has been ruined and I don't know what to do to get it back. I only took levaquin for 3 days and all this time later, I still feel pain in my heart. Which is the strangest thing because "before" levaquin I "never" actually felt my heart at all.
Any suggestions , I would be the most grateful.
March 2th
2007
9:49 AM
I got sick after a business trip and my doctor (not my regular) prescribed Levaquin for 10 days. I only took it for six before throwing the rest out. I had a three-day long migraine (I have never had a migraine before), insomnia, and horrible nightmares, none of which I had ever experienced before. The worst part of it is, it is now more than a month later, and although the migraine subsided, I'm stuck with the insomnia and nightmares when I do fall asleep...resulting in extreme fatigue, memory loss, and practically falling asleep at work! Needless to say, I am scared to drive, though I have to get to and from work. I am a non-smoker, non-drinker, 37-year-old working mom. I'm just hoping that these side effects end soon.
-- By telegramm19 | Reply | Private Message me
August 16th
2009
7:54 AM
FOr about 6 days I've been battling a UTI by using probiotics and cranberry pills. But I have a business trip coming up and I didn't want to end up in an ER while traveling. So my doctor put me on Levaquin 250mg for 5 day, whohc I started taking last night. I read all these posts this morning. I'm going to back to probiotics and cranberry pills. I feel bad for all of you that have had such serious complications to the drug.
-- By mariaellena | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me