Levaquin and doctor who

My Mom was prescribed Levofloxacin ( AKA Levaquin) by her retarded doc for a mild cold and a sore throat.
After taking 2 tablets of 500mg each my mom is down is severe pain all over her body! she has joint pains, neck pain, arms, palms shes got severe pain all over her body!
She also has severe itching on the palms and her arms as well..
Headaches,
Things aren't looking good.

She in real pain! She tells me she just wants the pain to stop and that she was better off with the cold and sore throat.

She has stopped taking Levaquin.

Anyone got anyway to help her? something?? She is asleep now but tmr Im going to ask her to drink some kefir..

Thanks

I was 54 at the time (2007) and in good physical health, however, after having my first round of chemotherapy as a result of breast cancer, I developed a severe throat yeast infection and my white blood count plummeted. I had ceased taking my many vitamins that have kept me in reasonably good health for the past 25 years because of nausea and generally just not feeling good. The doctors prescribed Levaquin.

Almost immediately, I developed heart palpitations and continued to have fever, nausea, and a rushing feeling throughout my body that was draining me of all energy. I could tell I was fading fast. Upon calling the doctors I said then that I thought it was the Levaquin but they insisted I stay on it otherwise they would put me in the hospital.

After the 4th day on it and with my blood pressure sinking (80/30) my husband called the doctor and they said to go to the ER. I again said to the ER doctor that I thought it was the Levaquin and he scoffed at that. After several hours and many tests, the ER doctor released me and said I could stop taking the Levaquin and he prescribed something to help me to sleep.

By the next day, I already started feeling better and within 3 days I was back taking my vitamins and feeling much better. I never took chemo again after this experience. Unfortunately since then, I have experienced severe ankle and leg cramps in the middle of the night, muscle spasms in my legs. I don't trust my ankles, they feel weak. I assumed it was linked to the chemo and never guessed it could be tied to Levaquin.

I went to my internist doctor who prescribed Flexeril which has helped with the cramps. My massage therapist has noted many times that my tendons and ligaments seem twisted and she has to really work on them which ultimately feels better. I never thought any of these symptoms were tied to Levaquin until last night when I saw the ad on TV regarding Levaquin and tendinitis. I will show this info to my Internist the next time I see him. How does one know if what I am experiencing is linked to Levaquin.

I am a 57 year old male, who is in very good shape and active playing sports. I had a bad cold and had just finished a 3 day "burst" of prednisone per my asthma specialist. I am supposed to keep it on hand and take it if my usual meds and "rescue" inhaler are not working, and I feel that I am going into an infection (asthmatic bronchitis). The steroid treatment did not work, so I saw a doctor who prescribed Levaquin (with a coupon for $15 off) - for 10 days. The pharmacist remarked that they had seen a LOT of these coupons and that the drug reps must be doing their jobs. I read the warnings which noted that "in rare instances, ...". after I got home. Since I was leaving town immediately and did not have time to change meds, I took the Levaquin. I have suffered leg cramps for over three weeks now and don't know when or if they will disappear. The cramps appear in my hamstrings, groin, thighs, and calf muscles. They are debilitating. Sometimes I can barely walk. I am no longer able to play racquetball. I try to stretch out and warm up thoroughly before physical activity, but the cramps still appear in one muscle group or more - then I stop immediately.

I have had bronchitis for 3 weeks. I first was prescribed a 5-day Z-pack, which didn't do the trick. Went back to the clinic doctor, as I don't have insurance, and I switched to Levaquim, 500mg/day, once a day, for 7 days. Its now 5 days in and I'm still sick. I don't cough a lot because of the Hydromet cough syrup, but I can tell I'm still sick.

Side effects have been insomnia mainly, and a sporadic inability to concentrate. I have not been nauseas at all, nor have I had any of the joint or other pain reported by other people. I can't even be sure the side effects I have had are from the Levaquin, as opposed to the cough syrup.

Doctor prescribed 500mg 1x day for Upper Respiratory Infection. I took it the first 7 days. I experienced insomnia, anxiety, loss of taste and smell and loss of appetite. After a meal, food just sat there and bloated my stomach for 10 hours. I also was shocked to experience increased sexual desire and that is the last thing I wanted while in the dark mental state of panic induced by Levaquin. It's a horrible drug.

I found this site and stopped taking it. I called the doctor, who said he did not agree that Levaquin caused those symptoms. It's time for a new doctor.

I have read the dreadful Levaquin experiences of others here. May some good come out of the suffering of these folks and may this site serving as a warning to prevent others in the future from ever taking Levaquin. God bless everyone.

I started taking Levaquin 500mg on Jan. 28,2009 after having it prescribed fby my cardiologist for a lung infection, after he conducted blood, urine and heart ecosonogram tests over the three previous days. I had an infection, everything else was fine. I am 55 and have mitral valve prolapse and have been treated 20 years ago for atrial fibrillation, hence my primary care doctor is a cardiologist. Willingly starting the treatment of one tablet a day, I noticed insomnia the first and subsequent nights, tiredness and probably depression as my friend and wife said I was acting a bit "needy" and anxiety. My family commented on my anxiety as did my friend who I only email and phone. My infection noticeably improved so I was feeling better and marked it up to having been sick, until the 4th day when I starting having shortness of breath and I noticed a feeling I knew well but had not experienced in 20 years, my heart area hurt in a mild way and I felt flutters, just enough that I pulled the medical paper for the Levaquin and read the side effects bar. Low and behold all my side effects were listed. "Rare but could happen in patients predisposed to heart problems" On Monday Feb 2nd I called the doctor with my concerns but he assured me that is was not the Levaquin but he made me an appointment to check things out. So one week into the 10 day course of treatment I had another checkup only to find an erratic heart beat but on the slow side not the pounding which is normally associated with this problem. So now my doctor "who is a friend" so I am not a number, wants me to start on an anticoagulant"Coumadin" to ease the pumping in my heart and then further exams and medication for "life" for my fibrillation! Problem now is I have one more pill of the Levaquin of the 10 pill series which I "should take in 10 minutes ( I just found this site)! I have decided not to take any more test or medication of any kind until I feel this Levaquin is completely out of my body. Does anyone have any ideas how long that could be? P.S. My heart still feels like it did earlier in the week!

I took 4 500 mg doses of Levaquin for a sinus infection on Aug 19-22 2008. I am now almost 5 months out. I suffered multiple adverse reactions and have been waiting to post to see how things resolved. I am 39 years old and in excellent health. I rarely see doctors and have never had anything chronic. This is what I experienced: extreme fatigue, all over muscle soreness/stiffness, severe headaches, tingling/numbness in hands/feets, serious shoulder problems requiring ortho, physical therapy and chiropractor, irregular heart rhythm, irregular kidney function, constant ringing in my ears, impaired vision. Currently most of these are resolved except irregular kidney function (although this has improved), shoulder issues (not normal yet) and ringing in my ears.

You can't judge the full scope of your reaction by your body's initial reaction. As time unfolds you will get the big picture of how this drug harms the various systems of the body.

I can not begin to explain how taking this drug has impacted my life and my family. I have 3 children to take care of. I thank God that I am healing and have now resumed almost all of my daily activities. I pray that I will soon be back to full health. This is absolute madness. I am so sorry that so many of us have been injury in such a way.

I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and put on the usual regime of Levaquin (500mg a day) and Flagel. The case turned worse and was admitted to the hospital (they thought I had a blockage but turned out did not) and was put on IV of the same medication. Released from the hospital 4 days later and stayed on the Levaquin as prescribed. When I ran out, I called my regular doctor who sent in the renewal prescription. However the his aide made an error and the bottle read 500mg 4 times a day…nobody including the pharmacy caught it. So for 3 days I was taking 2000mg a day of Levaquin. When I started getting worse (truly thought I was dying), I got to the doctor and he said I had taken turn for the worse and could not figure out why. He asked if I was taking the meds and I said yes 4 times a day…his face when white. I had the bottle with me and he panicked. They apologized for the error and I was told to stay off my feet, no heels, they ran ekg’s that day and the following Monday, blood work to check the kidneys etc.

Subsequently, I have had extreme pain in my joints and muscles – everyday, all day. Some days I just cry it hurts so bad. If I bend down I can hardly get back up because of my right knee. I have talked with a doctor I happened to run into about this and she said that Levaquin dosage has saturated my body and gotten into the joint and muscles and takes a long time to work it out. I can hardly lift my arms above my shoulder without severe pain. Stabbing pains in my knees, shoulders, arms and hands.

I have not gone back to the doctor because when I mentioned the pain the when I was in that last time…he just wanted to give me more meds! I have been seeing a massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue restoration and repair. It helps some, but he as well says this is going to take a lot to time to work out.

I have depression to the point of feeling like I am a nothing and what good am I to anyone feeling like this. So like snoop45...that is exactly what i feel like!

dawn62

J.

I was just prescribed Levaquin (500 mg.) for bronchitis. I received a 10 day supply. The second night, I had trouble sleeping and felt quite anxious. By the 4th night I literally thought I was going to have a heart attack and had trouble swallowing. I called my doctor who blamed the bronchitis and gave me an additional prescription for an inhaler. That evening I slept a total of perhaps 20 minutes. My heart was racing and I felt as if I were choking. Another call to my doctor was placed. She advised I stop using the inhaler. I was becoming increasingly anxious, paranoid and began to have leg cramps. I haven't slept for more than a few minutes at a time for 3 days and the feeling of choking was so bad I had to go to the emergency room. They found it is from the Levaquin. I have never felt so desperate, paranoid, anxious, and horrid in my life. I actually had serious thoughts of ending my life to get away from this feeling. Even though I have been off it for two days, I am still feeling the effects, especially at night and was told I may feel effects for a week.

I am an active, 35-yr old male, who is fighting some kind of infection for three weeks, finally went to doctor, who prescribed Levaquin to knock out bacterial infection. Took one pill yesterday at 8:30 a.m. Did not have immediate reactions, but began to develop sore throat throughout the day. Basically crashed last night at about 9 p.m. Exhausted, went to bed, where I had "tired" joints (hard to qualify this, not pain per se, but achiness), numbness on left side of body, tingling, bizarre dreams, but basically so TIRED. Feel better this a.m. (still have the sore throat, residual numbness and joint ache) but I am NOT taking the Levaquin again - after reading these posts, hopefully one pill will not cause me any long term damage.

Today I was prescribed 750Mg of Levaquin for an allergic reaction to something,which I & My doctor don't know what the underlying cause was. I was also given 3 other meds-however I didn't start any but the Levaquin today. It was only 1 hour after taking Leveaquin that my left side of my face went numb,followed by my lips and eyes swelling. I couldn't swallow or breath. My left arm went completely numb,and I started to shake and get very pale. I immediately called my doctor,who said to get to his office right away. He checked my throat,and said it appeared to be fine.He stated hes never heard of any of my reactions to Levaquin,but Gave me a shot of something in my buttocks. I would say in less the 15 min I felt so much better. Also the allergic reaction I had in the first place seem to be somewhat under control. I sure hope this is the end of it, and this medicine levaquin is completely out of my system as soon as is humamly possible.

Hi,

5 days ago I was diagnosed with staph, MRSA. I went to my doctor, who put me on Augmentin, didn't work so he added Levaquin. I ended up in the ER on Thursday with my arm worse and intravenous drugs. To make a long story short, after my second dose of Levaquin I told the doc I woke up that the night before at 2 AM, soaked in sweat and asked if it could be a sign of the Levaquin. He said no, and to continue taking it. Needless to say, I took a dose tonight, I am up, anxious, my heart is beating out of my chest and I feel dizzy. It is now 3:00 AM and I just got off the phone with the nurse hotline because I know it is the medication and I am scared. She told me to try and stay calm, don't take anymore, and report it to my Doctor. The thing is I did report it, and he told me the effects I was suffering had nothing to do with the drug. Same thing with the ER doctor, he told me the same.

DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG IF YOU KNOW IT IS HURTING YOUR SYSTEM. IF YOU FEEL STRANGE, DIZZY, WEIRD. I JUST WANT THE DOSE I TOOK TO BE OUT OF MY SYSTEM.

My wife is experiencing severe muscle pain in the back and rib area after taking this drug. Has anyone gotten better after they stopped taking the medication or is everyone still suffering?

I was given a 750mg Levaquin rx for recovery from pneumonia on 7-17-08. I was sent home and lost all my appetite and forced myself to eat. Next I never slept at all for the following four days, it was like I was wired to the max and nothing I tried could induce rest of any kind. I called the doctor who switched me to a new antibiotic, my appetite returned the next day and finally I got some sleep. I would say this drug should not be on the market. My recovery was slowed by four days due to this drug and my head is still a little foggy at times as the drug wears off.

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 have been taking Levaquin since 12th of June 2008, last Thursday. When I got up on the 16th of June, the Monday morning, I had so much pain in my leg calf that I can hardly walk. I thought it would go away but it has not. I just looked up on the internet and found this and other websites and realized it might be the Levaquin side effect. I just called the doctor who prescribed the medicine and they said they will call me back.

I'm a 31 female. I was diagnosed with bronchitis/sinusitis on 5/28 and was given Biaxin which did not help. I was instructed to return to the doctor if I did not feel better within 2 to 3 days. On Monday 6/2 I returned to the doctors per instructions because I was not feeling better. He switched me to Levaquin 500mg 1 a day. I took Levaquin at 8pm Monday evening. I was unable to sleep that evening so I researched the medication the following morning and saw that Insomnia was a side effect. Starting at 10am today 6/6 I begun severe hip pain in my right hip. I called the doctor and they instructed me to stop taking the medicine for 24 hours and begin treatment again if the pain reduces. After reading this information I'm now reluctant to start "if" the pain subsides.

After only ONE tablet my husband took for his bronchitis he got SO dizzy, disoriented, nauseated, he threw up several times, couldn't walk or talk- this is freaking poison, that's right! Looks like somebody is using people as guinea pigs for their experiments. Does anyone know how to file a lawsuit against the stupid doctor, who prescribed Levaquin to my husband & what proof do we need?

I posted my experience with Levaquin back in January 2008. It's been three months since my initial reaction to Levaquin. I was in terrible pain then and I could barely walk. It has been three months now and I am still in a lot of pain and the pain in my lower back is worse. However, I can walk better now. I have yet to find a doctor who can help me or who even believes that Levaquin caused this. If anyone out there has a physician who believes that Levaquin can cause this damage and who is competent to treat this problem, PLEASE email me with his or her name. I am willing to travel to wherever I need to travel to to get some relief from this. If nothing else it would be great to have a doctor who understands the problem. Thanks. My prayers are with you all.

Chris

I was prescribed 250 mg Levaquin once daily in mid-January for a Group B strep UTI. The night I took the first dose, I had trouble sleeping but didn't think that much of it. But the sleeplessness and anxiety grew over the next few days, and by the morning after I had taken the fourth dose, I was feeling extremely edge. Also, on that day i started feeling itchy and my face got hot and quite red. I took an Allegra and called my doctor, who said I should discontinue the drug. Three weeks later, I had my chin waxed at the same place I'd been having it done for years; I hadn't realized how messed up the Levaquin made my skin, but I had two large burn marks afterwards (which fortunately cleared up in about a week). I've also been having a rash on my neck, which I've been treating with Allegra and Benadryl cream.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750 mg 1 a day for ten days. On the fifth day I woke up with both knees swollen and extremely painful. I did not connect the pain to the Levaquin and took two more doses at which time my knees were so painful I had trouble getting up from a chair and walking. My wrists were beginning to hurt and I had developed a deep rattling cough. I went back to my doctor who sent me for an MRI of my right knee. The result is that I have almost total loss of cartilage and suspected torn medial meniscus. My doctor says I probably need a knee replacement. I continue to hurt and now my feet and hands hurt and pop as well as my knees. I believe that this drug should be contraindicated in anyone with arthritis. I am very worried as I feel this pain spreading all over. It has been about 3 weeks since I stopped the Levaquin and I feel miserable, waking up 2, 3,or 4 times a night in pain.

I started taking Levaquin in December for a respiratory infection (500mg for 10 days). The only side effects I noticed while taking it was a terrible headache, insomnia and anxiety. I experienced that after the first dose. The next day I called my Dr. to tell him and he said he would prescribe Ativan and I should continue with my prescription. I wish I had listened to my common sense, but I listened to the doctor. I finished the prescription and felt somewhat better from the infection but after 10 days of being off the Levaquin, I started to get a burning pain in my left arm. At first I thought it was a blood clot or something. Two days later, the pain had spread to both arms. The pain was so intense I thought I was going to pass out. I had severe joint and muscle pain. I suspected it was the Levaquin when I found this and other websites where people have been describing their experiences. I made copies of a lot of information to take to the doctor. When I went the doctor I described my pain and tried to show him the information, but he didn't believe me. He said it was not caused by the Levaquin. Since then, the pain has spread to my knees. I have decided to find a new doctor since I refuse to waste my time on a doctor who doesn't even believe me. I called the FDA to file a med watch and they said they were going to send me paperwork..guess what..that was last week and I still haven't gotten paperwork. I believe that everyone is trying to keep this undercover! I am going to go to their website and download my own forms and file.
Two weeks ago I started taking a regimen of vitamins: Daily 3000 mg vitamin C, one B Complex, Milk Thistle, 1000 mg Calcium, 500 mg Magnesium, Potassium, and a Probiotic supplement. I don't know if these have helped me, but I do want to say that I feel better than I felt two weeks ago. I still have a lot of pain, but it's not as severe as it was. I'm hoping that it goes away soon. I am spreading the word among family and friends to NEVER take anything in the quinolinone family of antibiotics. I really don't believe that these side effects are as rare as they say. I just believe many people don't report because most don't connect the dots that their symptoms were caused by the antibiotic. My symptoms didn't start until almost two weeks after I completed the antibiotics. I was just lucky enough to have figured it out. The other symptoms I am having are muscle twitching, trouble focusing, insomnia, and cold hands/feet. I also just once had a ringing in my left ear that made me feel like I lost some of my hearing after it finished. I hope that's not the case. I will continue to pray for all of you.

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!

How long will my pain last knees, legs, feet arms all my joints,,,, I feel like I am 100 years old! How long will it take to get better, my doctor took blood Friday to see what was going on but I haven't heard anything yet

My wife was taking Levaquin, I say was taking it because she is dead. My wife died on August 4th 2007 due to the side effects on this poison. my wife died of heart failure at the age of 32. The doctor who prescribed Levaquin to my wife is a killer. If this helps someone stay alive or stay healthy then i hope that you take heed to this message. Stay far away from this drug as possible please.

I am a physician and have prescribed levaquin to many people. I have had some of them complain of what they thought were serious and variable side effects but mostly I attributed their problems to anxiety and hypochondiasis. I now know differently. I took levaquin, and for over a year I have had serious CNS anxiety, insomnia, joint and tendon pain, and widespread peripheral neuropathy. It has been an awful time and since realizing that the effects are often long term I have been able to identify many other patients who have developed serious long term problems with anxiety, depression, arthropathy and tendonopathy, neuropathy and possibly endocrine effects like gonadal failure and worsening of diabetes. There are no long term studies done post marketing to identify these effects and to unify all of these problems into one syndrom of fluoroquinolone toxicity. This is a big problem and I believe thousands of patients have been adversely affected by the use and misuse of levaquin and probably the other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. I have other colleagues who are beginning to recognize the long term consequences of levaquin and the fluoroquinolones. More research and study needs to be done. In the mean time I am sure that Johnson and Johnson, Ortho- Mcneil, will continue to refute that the incidence of serious adverse reactions is much higher than they report.

OMG, I thought it was just me! I went to my doctor because of an ongoing infection and the worst cough I've ever had. I was given Levaquin 750mg and a steriod shot. Then it went down hill from there. My ankles began to swell, then my fingers and hands. I had a very hard time using my hands to open my back door and it even hurt to use my stapler at work! Then other joints began to hurt, like my neck and my knees. It was painful to get up or sit down. I tried to get up and get ready for work one morning, but I just stood in the shower crying because my entire body hurt. I went to an emergency clinic and asked them to start doing lab work to find out what's going on. I felt like I was 90 years old and had been suddenly stricken with menopause, lyme disease, fibromyalgia,arthritis and migraine. All the lab came back normal. I went back to the doctor that gave me the drug (handful of samples) and was referred to a pain and joint center. I am still trying to recover from this drug. .

My experience with Levaquin is very similar to many of the other postings. I have had Levaquin twice, the first time for seven days that produced only mild joint and muscle soreness. The second time was supposed to be for 14-21 days for a severe sinus infection. The literature that came with the prescription did worry me a bit but I remembered reading the same information the first time I took it some six years previously. Well, about nine days into the prescription I was at the gym running on the treadmill, something I do a lot of. I had run in a Half Marathon about a week earlier and planned to just run an easy mile or two, get the blood flowing again. I was about a half mile into the run when it felt like someone stabbed me in the left achilles with an ice pick. I thought I was imagining it at first but I slowed up to see if it would go away. After another 10-15 seconds it now felt like my left achilles and lower calf muscle were going to explode. It may sound strange but that is the only way I can describe it. I have never felt anything like that in my life and I've had quite a few injuries to date. I limped home and for the next three weeks not only could I not even think about running, I couldn't even walk fast and had to shorten my normal walking stride. I went to see a doctor and he said it sounded like a slight rupture. Fortunately, the pain did subside and I resisted running for over three weeks just to be sure it had healed. I started running after that but very very slowly. However, even to this day, I can still feel a "tightness" in that area that was not there before the incident and does not exist on the right side. I had no idea that so many others were having similar or even more sever side affects from Levaquin until the weeks immediately following my incident. When I mentioned this to the doctor who prescribed it, he was very surprised and alarmed. Should he have known, well, probably, yes. However, now that he knows there is no excuse for not using caution for the next patient.

I am normally a very physically fit specimen, working outside every day. One 500 mg. tab of this poisencompletely debilitated me. Within six hours of taking levaquin I experienced excruciation soreness in my arms and shoulders. My throat swelled up and I could barely breath. I was perscribed steroids to stop the swelling - I took only ONE 500 mg time release tab 7 days ago and today I am still experiencing incredible pain.I am so sore I can't sleep. If anyone wants to start a call action suit I am in - I have NEVER sued anyone - but I am furious.Any advise out there as to how I can flush this poisen out of my system?
Chris

My mother was told she had pneumonia after going to the emergency room, and was given a prescription for levaquin 750mg. 9 pills cost over $220. After having taken the 2 pill , my mom (81 years old) developed tremors, headache, stomach pain, jaw and mouth discomfort, became disorientated, and worst of all was unable to walk without the help of family. She became very depressed and was praying to die. We took her to her doctor, who literally took the pills from my hand , and threw them in the bio-hazard trash container. We were also informed that we were the second patient to come into his office , THAT DAY- WITH AN ADVERSE REACTION TO THIS DRUG. THIS DRUG ALMOST KILLED MY MOTHER- I BELIEVE THIS DRUG TO BE HIGHLY DANGEROUS. THE DOCTOR ALSO STATED , SHE WILL HAVE TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY , AFTER SHE GETS THROUGH THE ANTIDOTES TO COUNTERACT THIS DRUG. I BELIEVE THAT UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE, THIS DRUG IS GOING TO HARM ALOT OF PEOPLE. FINAL WORD-THIS IS POISON. BEWARE

After taking the first dose of levauin, I couldn't sleep and was very dizzy- thought it was from my sinus infection. After the second dose, I developed severe feelings of anxiety amnd had panic attacks! I stopped the medication, contacted my doctor who said it was an unusual side effect from the levaquin ( yeah right). Unfortuanetly for me- I am now allergic to every antibiotic out there which leaves me with nothign to take if I get sick!!!

Hi,
Earlier this week, I started taking Levaquin for strep throat. My regular doctor was out of town , so I went to a walk in clinic. Anyway, two later, I woke up with the worst spasms in my left shoulder and arm. I could barely lift my arm without screaming out in pain. The next morning, my right arm and shoulder were affected as well. I have had depression and bouts of sudden tears over the past five days. I read what you wrote after looking up side effects on the internet, and called my own doctor asap, since he had returned to work by then. He said that Levaquin was a very strong drug, and overkill medicine for strep throat. I mentioned my pains and he said that he knew Leva quin caused damage to children and teens, but not to adults. So I took it again, but the next day, the pain increased. It was a Saturday, so I called the covering doctor who said it was probably my Lipitor causing the pain. I told him I had taken Lipitor for three years without difficulty, he said that side effects from it can suddenly crop up. However, he did take me off the Levaquin and gave me the 5 day Z-pack.
When I picked up the new prescription at the drug store, I asked the pharmacist about Levaquin, and she said that more and more cases of damaged Achilles tendons and shoulder and arm problems were being reported due to Levicon. She asked if she should put it as a drug I am allergic to on my chart at the pharmacy. I said emphatically to list it. I went home and through out every levicon I had left. Obviously the makers of Levicon have kept this side effect pretty quiet. It is listed as a precaution, but it doesn't seem to stress enough what damage it can do.
If doctors aren't aware of this, the general public certainly wouldn't know, and yet so many cases are written up on the internet.
I think that it wopn't be too long until there IS a major law suit.
I hope my pain doesn't last, but if it lasts more than a week, I won't sit back and do nothing. I care too much about others who could be affected adversely by a dangerous drug.

Mary

Hi,
Earlier this week, I started taking Levaquin for strep throat. My regular doctor was out of town , so I went to a walk in clinic. Anyway, two later, I woke up with the worst spasms in my left shoulder and arm. I could barely lift my arm without screaming out in pain. The next morning, my right arm and shoulder were affected as well. I have had depression and bouts of sudden tears over the past five days. I read what you wrote after looking up side effects on the internet, and called my own doctor asap, since he had returned to work by then. He said that Levaquin was a very strong drug, and overkill medicine for strep throat. I mentioned my pains and he said that he knew Leva quin caused damage to children and teens, but not to adults. So I took it again, but the next day, the pain increased. It was a Saturday, so I called the covering doctor who said it was probably my Lipitor causing the pain. I told him I had taken Lipitor for three years without difficulty, he said that side effects from it can suddenly crop up. However, he did take me off the Levaquin and gave me the 5 day Z-pack.
When I picked up the new prescription at the drug store, I asked the pharmacist about Levaquin, and she said that more and more cases of damaged Achilles tendons and shoulder and arm problems were being reported due to Levicon. She asked if she should put it as a drug I am allergic to on my chart at the pharmacy. I said emphatically to list it. I went home and through out every levicon I had left. Obviously the makers of Levicon have kept this side effect pretty quiet. It is listed as a precaution, but it doesn't seem to stress enough what damage it can do.
If doctors aren't aware of this, the general public certainly wouldn't know, and yet so many cases are written up on the internet.
I think that it wopn't be too long until there IS a major law suit.
I hope my pains don't last, but if they persevere for more than a week, I won't sit back and do nothing. I care too much about others who could be affected adversely by such a dangerous drug.

i'm back here again. i wrote in september while i was touring with my band in US, that's when i took the levaquin for 4 days, 500 mg. it's been nearly a month over now and i'm still having pain in my hands, my joints, my hands are swollen, i feel sick, have nausea, anxiety, my whole body clics and clacks, i have enormous manic mood swings... i do not know what to do. i depend on my hands abilities, i'm a musician.... i can't practice guitar properly anymore and can;t eat that well either because my stomach is a quite ruinned.
i feel like prosecuting someone, the doctor who gave it to me, the company , i don't know which one or even if i can do that. all i know is that my life is pretty miserable at the moment because of bloody Levaquin and i am very angry that wasn't warned about these effects.

This medicine is a nightmare, literally. I've been having nightmares that defy description since I started taking this drug. Not to mention aching ALL OVER MY BODY, my shoulders, ankles, and feet the worst. On the 2nd week, I could barely get out of bed and decided to go online. Thank god I found this site. Thank you all so much for sharing. I stopped the drug immediately. Not to mention the doctor who prescribed this.

I was prescribed Levaquin on 4 Sept 06 for what my doctor diagnosed as a prostate infection. I took the first 500 mg pill on Monday, Labor Day and by Tuesday the symptoms were subsiding. I THOUGHT I HAD FOUND A WONDER DRUG! The doctor gave me a month supply, that's right, 30 pills and 1 refill. I took the pill for 6 days and by Saturday afternoon, I thought I was going to die. I started shaking uncontrolably, I was sweating, and my heart was beating out of my chest. I laid down for about 20 minutes and my wife got scared and called 911. I was transported to the ER and the doctor there said I was "in the sun too long" and I was diagnosed with a severe sunburn. I asked the doctor in the ER if I was having an alergic reaction to the Levaquin, she stated "no" it was just a sever sunburn. I took another 500mg Levaquin on Sunday and by Monday I was having severe muscle pain and again, felt so weak I thought I was dying! I called the doctor who prescribed the Levaquin and told him I was having a severe reaction, he stated he really felt that I should finish the medication! I stopped taking Levaquin on Monday, 11 Sept 06 and I am STILL feeling the side effects of taking only 8 pills!! This drug needs to be taken off the market NOW!

I was on this medication for 5 days and noticed I had sore ankles. Shortly thereafter my right swelled twice its size and it was black and blue. After seeing my doctor, who ordered blood tests, it was found that my achiles heel tendons were severed. After another week they found my left foot was also severed. I have two casts on my legs and am in hospital for a minimum of 12 weeks. Whatever you do , do not take this medication.
Paula

EVERYONE who has suffered side effects from Levaquin or any of the drugs in that family, PLEASE submit a complaint to the FDA through Med Search. This website has the form which you can do online or print and mail.

I submitted mine 2 days ago, as advised by my pharmacist. I asked 2 of them about Levaquin and neither had heard of these problems, so we really need to publicize this.

We need to tell every doctor who has prescribed this and ask that they make a report as well Whether your doctor believes your problems came from the Levaquin or not, at least go and get your condition documented in a medical file. We may need this later to send to Med Search or the FDA.

My pharmacist said making these reports to Med Search is the way to get the warning labels updated. Hopefully this will also get the word out to all the doctors who prescribe this horrific drug that it is NOT to be used as a first line of treatment.

If everyone that has written on these websites makes a complaint and does so as soon as you can, we might be able to spare many others this unnecessary suffering.

I took Levaquin several years ago for pneumonia after being misdiagnosed and treated for bronchitis. Within three days, my breathing improved but my body felt worse. By the third day, I started having what I thought was joint pain in odd places: feet, ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, elbows and shoulders. I called the doctor who told me not to worry, that these were side effects that would go away. I kept taking it because I was desperate to get well after months of being sick and misdiagnosed, but the side effects worsened. I called again and got the same advice. By Day 13 and in tears, I started researching it and found a website that detailed the horrible side effects that people were experiencing, how the drug was implicated in bilateral tendon ruptures, how Nader's group had petitioned for warning labels detailing these dangerous side effects and been denied, and how the symptoms persisted in some for years.

By the time I stopped taking the drug (Day 13), I could not lift my right arm over my head, a symptom that persisted for about six months. I immeditaely went to see a rheumatologist who told me it was not my joints but my tendons that had been 'attacked' and that I should have stopped the drug immediately at the first sign of a problem. He said that over time I would improve.

What disturbs me is that my experience happened FOUR YEARS AGO and there were many who had similar experiences who preceded me by several years. That this situation still persists in unconscionable.

The side effects lasted for several years but the varied. At one point, every time I kneeled I felt there were rubber bands across the front of my knees that were about to snap. For a while, my ankles were very weak, etc.

I would say that it took about 3 1/2 years to be rid of the symptoms so it may take that long and longer for some to detox from this dangerous drug.

Hope that helps.

Susan

I was on my second round of a 10 day courses of Levoquin for diverticulitis. 5 days into my second round, I started to have an allergic reaction every evening from 8:30 ish to midnight-ish. It would start with a tingly painful tongue, then tongue feeling slightly swollen ,then slighlty swollen and numb, itchy lips and gums, then to the back of my throat and up my ears. My salvatory gland production increased, was slighlty nauseated and had a headache. Then 2 hours into the reaction, I began to get short of breathe and had a racing heart and palpiations. I currently take prendisone for Lupus so I'm sure this masked the allergy to some extent. I continued on the drug for another 5 days of these nightly reactions, elimainating other meds and foods I was eating in an attempt to figrer out what I allergic to, until I finally saw my doctor who immediately discontinued my leviquin. Because of my Lupus, I am always in chronic pain but since taking the levoquin, every single muslce in my body is extremely sore and tender, even my scalp. I've been off it for 3 days and on high doses of prednisone and my lips are still a bit sore and puffy feeling and my muscles still hurt but seems to be improving a little bit but not as much as I would have expected being on such high prednisone.

I had a stubborn sinus infection and received a prescription for Levaquin after two other antibiotics failed. In my doctor's defense, she used it as a 3rd line defense.

Still, after taking 7 days of a a 10-day, 500 mg course, I woke up with severe pain in my left ankle, as if I had turned it and sprained it playing basketball or soccer or something. The topside of my foot just under the ankle was swollen. I could hardly walk from the pain. I also had a duller, non-specific pain in my lower back. I had not been particularly active for about a week, so I could not imagine what was wrong.

Because of the lingering sinus infection, I decided to see the doctor, who identified the possibility that Levaquin might have caused the pain. He recommended I stop taking the Levaquin and treat the ankle like a sprain. He also said that if the pain continued for more than a few days, I should get an MRI to investigate the possibility of tendon or ligament damage.

This is the most bizarre medical thing that has ever happened to me. I usually investigate the drugs I am prescribed, but I could not have imagined the prevalence of side effects to Levaquin. The main web sites just include "joint pain" as a possible side effect, but that doesn't come close to describing what has happened to me. I just hope the symptoms do not linger as they have for so many others.

I was perscribed Levaquin after a complete regiment of amoxicillin for a sinus infection. After the second day, my heart began racing, I was sweating purfusely and shaking took over my body. I felt as though I was going to black out. I called my doctor who called back 5 hours later. My husband came home from work because I thought I might go to the hospital. While waiting for him I read the sheet that came with the medication and lo and behold, it can cause a hypoglycemic reaction which is what I was experiencing. After drink a soft drink I felt fine. I told the Doctor what happened but she told me to make sure I eat carbs and stay on the med. The 1st 14 pills did nothing for my infection, so she ordered a second regiment. After starting the second supply, I found that I was loosing the ability to walk. My legs swelled and I had severe pain in my one foot. This continued for three days over a weekend. I have cronic Lyme disease where I have been in remission for 9 years. I chalked it up to my remission fading until I found this website. One of the people who wrote in experinced the exact same symptons. Needless to say, I will no longer be taking this drug or a similar derivitive. I made an appointment with a new doctor and see if he can come up with something that will help me recover from this infection.

After being given Levaquin IV for gastrointestinal illness, I experienced sleeplessness ( 4 days and nights without sleeping), disorientation, anorexia ( I still cannot eat five months later); heartbeat irregularities that became life-threatening; phantom odor which has made my life miserable.
I told doctors going in at the hospital that I have a to-date undiagnosed neurological problem ( two neurologists say " possible MS" ), and the doctor who gave me the Levaquin told me not to tell him that I had neurological problems.

If you are a runner, do not take Levaquin without doing some serious research into its side effects. I was prescribed Levaquin after not being able to shake a sinus infection for over three months (it would go away and then come back). My doctor (who is also a runner) said he had seen a lot of resistance to antibiotics, and so wanted to give me something stronger. He prescribed a 5-day, 750 mg dose of Levaquin, and I have taken all 5 pills. I felt better almost immediately after taking the first dose. After taking 2 doses, I felt good enough to go for a run, which I did, and didn't notice any discomfort. However, two days after (4th day of medication), I went running in the morning and felt severe pain in both of my Achilles tendons. All through the day my lower legs were killing me, and when I woke up the next morning, I could barely walk (I took Naprosyn, a prescription anti-inflammatory, which did nothing). I did notice that it gradually got better, even though I was doing a lot of walking, so after taking two days off, I went running again. Only to feel the same pain, but even worse. Runners are stubborn, and will typically run through pain (you could call it stupid), but I couldn't do it because the pain was so severe. I began to worry that I had done some sort of serious damage to my Achilles tendons; when I rubbed them, they made a weird, "gristly" noise. 3 days after my last dose, I notice that I had visible swelling in the back of both of my lower calves (Achilles), and they were still fairly sore and tight to the touch. 5 days after the last does, the swelling *seems* to be going down a bit (maybe I'm just being optimistic), and I have been able to walk the dogs and such, but after reading all these posts, I will not run again until I talk to my doctor. I began suspecting that it was caused by the Levaquin because it happened to *both* legs; I've had lots of minor injuries, but it's usually to one leg or knee or foot; not both. So I was suspicious, and came to this site. After reading the post about the man whose wife ruptured both of her Achilles tendons, I got pretty scared, and feel terrible for her, and feel fortunate that hasn't happened to me, because I honestly felt that it was going to at one point. Without really knowing what's going on physiologically, it seems to me that in some people, Levaquin deteriorates muscle and tendon mass, causing weakness, possibly to the point of rupture.

Also, I concur with many other posts about frequent urination (for a time, I was getting up about every half hour during the night), and also with complaints about joint pain. I had been taking Naprosyn for pain in my hip, and it was really helping. Now, after taking the Levaquin, my hip hurts as much or more than it ever did, and the Naprosyn won't touch it.

If I had read these postings, I never would have taken this drug. I would rather put up with a sinus infection than contemplate the inability to run again. But after reading other things on this site, I suppose that should be the least of my concerns. I am worried about how long these side effects will last, and concerned about permanent damage, or things that haven't even surfaced yet. I am going to call my doctor first-thing tomorrow and tell him what's going on. Thanks to those who have posted and offered insight and remedies.

I am 35, was in good health, ate right etc. In October of 04, I took levaquin for a bacterial infection that had caused swollen lymph nodes. The infection returned and I was given another round of levaquin after Thankgiving. Around the holiday season, my feet and legs starting hurting (feet hurt, leg muscles ached), left wrist and fingers started hurting, and recently my knees and thigh muscles have begun to hurt. I have been to several doctors, including an infectious disease doctor who ran scores of tests (everything came back negative). He is treating me for TB even though the tests came back negative (a biopsied lymph node indicated an infection). He thinks it is a mycobacterial infection. When I can across this site about levaquin, it was like an epiphany - some here decribed my symptoms to a T. I called my doctor but he said these symptoms were not from levaquin. He wants to put me in steroids for a week to see if that helps the pain. I am able to go to work and function, but running and moving around pain free are not options now. I am ready to return to normal.

Anyone have suggestions for these symptoms? How long does it take for these effects to dissipate? If the pain would go away, I'd be back to normal. This has been going on for a few months now, but I haven't taken levaquin in 1.5 months.

Help!
Rob
******

My 15 yr. old daughter was given Levaquin at age 12, thats 3 years ago. After the first pill she started having leg muscle cramps and pain in her elbow. As the more of the 5 pills she was to take went on she continued with joint pain in knees and hips and her feet. Well its been 3 years of this and she is no better, the pain is not severe all the time but it is still there. What are you suppose to do. Why was she given this medicine when it plainly states on the package not to give to children under the age of 18, well the PA who saw her did not pay attention to this and the Doctor who signed his charts did not catch it either. I am sure the Dr. didnot even read the notes, but reguardless my daughter is left with these painful side effects and the Orthopedist we took her to right after it happened said oh give it time it will get out of her system. Well we are still waiting 3 years later. How much worse is it going to get? I have hired an Attorney but as there are no case studies on children he cannot do anything. There is plenty of case studies on small or young animals. A shame I didnt give birth to a animal isnt it. Please tell me where I can find my answer to the studies reported on children. We are desparate I want to know when this is going to stop? thank you mltbranch

I had the unfortunate experience of taking both avalox and Levaquin to treat a case of chronic sinusitis. I received Levaquin for 10 days at 500 mg / per day. After four days I began experiencing extreme pain in my knees, soles of my feet, and hip joints. The pain became so severe I could barely get out of bed in the morning. I contacted my doctor who advised me to stop taking the drug immediately and prescribed another drug in a different class. It has been almost a month since stopping Levaquin and I continue to experience pain in my knees and soles of my feet. This website was a Godsend. I suspected my cotinued pain was caused by this drug but couldn't be sure. Thanks to you all for sharing the side effects you've suffered as well. This is definitely a case in which the treatment can be much worse than the illness.

21-year old male taking Levaquin for 11 days for sinusitis.

Side effects in chronological order:

Chest Pain and tightness/Tachicardia, high blood pressure, had to go for a ECG the day after beginning the drug. Brought it up with the doctor who told me it was not the antibiotic.

Tension Headaches (intermittent) and mostly towards the evenings/nights. Even had some pain in my right eye for 2 days, when I looked to the corner of my eye.

Neck and back pains, which I think may cause or at least exacerbate the headaches.

Insomnia as well.

I shall stop taking it today and go see my doctor to discuss this. I feel less worried now that I've been enlightened about how many people experience side effects with this drug. Of course you read the "possible side-effects" leaflet and dismiss it. I won't be doing that again.

Good luck to all, Thomas.

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.

I went to the doctor fighting fatigue, weight loss/gain and increased sweating. All the blood work has come back OK for hormones, thyroid, etc. I was sent to an internal medicine doctor who is now checking for mono, etc. but is at a loss as to what the problem is. Becuase my breast bone is tender and I had a small cold prior to noticing the increased fatigue, I was prescribed Levaquin to take care of any viral activity that may be causing my symptoms. I took the first pill Friday night at 6:00 with dinner. By bedtime (11:00) I was noticing an pain in my chest. Not real sharp just noticeable and distinct, almost more like a tightening of my chest. I slept well and have noticed them again this morning (Sat.) After talking with my pharmacist and the on-call doctor, I will cease to take any more pills (I only had a five day course 500mg - 1 pill per day to take to begin with) and will be calling the internal medicine doctor on Monday.