Levaquin and costochondritis

I had cough for almost a month when I started to feel a light localized pain in the lower rib area, between the breast and the upper abdomen. ( when taking a deep breath or coughing).Then I was prescribed levofloxacin (levaquin) 500 for 10 days for a “supposed” pneumonia and sinusitis, no RX or lab tests done, by one pneumologist. Well, I felt others side effects but what really matters is that after 2 days taking the medication the pain worsen a lot, felt like a stab. I could not move in bed, was difficult to move, seat, get up, drive, work, whatever… In the fifth day I complained to the doctor who said I had muscular pain and the pneumonia was gone, but I should continue the 10 days treatment. So I did. After 7 days I felt when coughing that something was stretching and unsticking in the pain area. After the total disconnection the pain diminished a lot. Second week, back stabbing pain, third week front pain again, same type and disconnection, then diminished. Fourth week I felt something was loose , crackling in the area while driving or doing some movements. I also felt painful, loose knees and painful elbows. After many doctors, many exams and RXs done, now I know I had chronic bronchitis and costochondritis and I ended up with two ruptures of the costal cartilage, ( costochondral junctions ) 6ª and 7ª ribs, caused by levofloxacin. The RXs now show calcifications , body repairing the ruptures. I can not exercises now for 3 months. Ah…The sinusitis was back 2 weeks after stopping the medication. What I say now is: God protect us from some stupid doctors and these dangerous medicines !!!

19 year old female prescribed levaquin for a kidney infection after a round with cipro did not cure a UTI. Symptoms gradual at first but began with chest pain a couple of days into treatment. The doctor said it was costochondritis which sometimes comes on during infections and was not serious. He told her to continue the medications (this was not her regular doctor...he had closed for the day so she was seen at the after hours clinic). Other symptoms include: Headache (drinks plenty of water), muscle aches and pain, dry mouth and throat, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite. When the chest pain spread across the front of the chest and into her back and she had experienced swelling around the eyes and in face that same day we went to the emergency room. After many tests, this doctor said it was the levaquin and told us it had been black boxed. He said they had been told in the ER to immediately take anyone on levaquin off of it if they came in experiencing pain or other symptoms. He said she should be better in a few days. He shared that he too had similar problems when he took it and thought it was going to kill him. When Monday gets here we will make a return visit to her family doctor to follow up on all of this. After reading all these other people with the same or similar symptoms, I am worrying and I am praying that she will not continue to have trouble. We hope all of you are better soon. Please don't take this drug again!!!!!!