Levaquin and fingers

My husband was given Levaquin and Prednisone in April for a bad chest infection. The last day of Levaquin, his knees began burning. He has been suffering with pain and cramps from his toes all the way up his legs. It has been in his fingers up through his elbows. He has shaking in his hands. He had an abnormal EMG. He has intermittent low grade fever. He started having trouble swallowing a couple of weeks ago. He now has to go to speech therapy because his tongue muscles aren't working correctly. He had none of this UNTIL he took this medication. The doctor now finally feels it is as a result of taking the Levaquin. The prescribing doctor had the nerve to lecture us about NOT stating he was allergic to the medication because he would be in the hospital with an infection otherwise. We are not returning to this doctor.

I was on levaquin august 2008 for a sinus infection. After about day 5 is was in pain. My joints ached terribly. My knees, my hips, my wrists, elbows and fingers. I have undifferentiated connective tissue disease with lupus like symptoms. I thought that maybe the levaquin made me flare. I stopped taking it on day 5 and after a week felt somewhat better. I am on meds for joint pain for my autoimmune condition but still had the joint pain with the levaquin. The physicians assistant that I saw said joint pain wasn't common. From what I'm reading here it's very common.

On for 10 days, off for several and then on for another 20 for sinus infection. Whole body aches and has since second day or so after starting the second course of the drug, however the extreme aches are getting better since final dose. I have also had extreme fatigue to the point that between the aches and the fatigue, I really wondered if my body was shutting down.

Since stopping the drug I have been having insomnia nightly, despite taking Vicodin for the pain at night. Usually, if I need to take Vicodin for orthopedic pain, I will sleep all night without waking.

Joint at second toe on right foot inflamed, whole ball of the foot swollen, but ortho (foot specialist) says he's aware of Achilles Tendon problems but has not heard of Levaquin causing or contributing to inflammation or swelling of this joint, however he said the problem with the toe is progressing "quickly". I did not have a problem that I knew of with this toe and joint until taking this drug.

Face is somewhat puffy, more than usual and fingers are stiff and feel swollen in the morning.

It has been almost two years since I took one tablet of 500 mg levaquin for a throat infection. I immediately felt lightheaded, then came the hot prickly skin, rapid heartbeat, insomnia and just a feeling of doom. I did not take another pill. Right after this my ankles started to hurt and podiatrist said had a torn posterier tibial tendon. To this day, I cannot walk without a limp, and can only wear athletic shoes with orthotics. If I stand for or walk for a small period of time I am in a lot of pain and have to sit. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis from the inflammatory markers in blood tests and rf factor, even though mri of my hands and wrists are normal. My right shoulder and arm hurt, my wrists and fingers hurt, my knees, neck. It is better, but I will never be the same as I was - no more running, walking my dog, going camping with my daughters girl scout troop - can't go hiking. I am 50 and I feel like I am 90. Would like to sue someone.

first levaquin pill i took my cheeks turned blazing red and hot, so i stopped, but my family doctor pursueded me to take the rest so i obliged as she took them with no ill effects, now these were prescribed by a ENT doctor, when i told him about side effects his reply was" I'd Never prescribe anything i felt would hurt you", these doctors are oblivious to the side effects some of us do have, not everyone has side effects but if your the unlucky ones its a HUGE side effect, feeling as though your leg muscles have evaporated,( NUEROPHY maybe) struggling to walk, swollen legs and feet, legs so tight you can't even squat down, but the fingers are not swollen, no shoes will fit on my puffy ankle, feet, if you had side effects from levaquin, Stay away from ALL fluoroquinolone antibiotics, drugs in this class,used as a last resort measure, seems the old standbys have taken a back seat, theres some fast talking drug salesmen out there pushing this as SAFE SAFE,, i have found side effects can show up weeks after i quit the drug, so far i think some say takes a long time to get over, other problems can be permanent
even two months after my last levaquin my face neck, get really flushed, im way beyon hotflashes in age.
i to feel i have aged 25 yrs in the past few months all due to levaquin

A few weeks ago I had severe bronchitis and was given Levaquin to take.
Just one per day. It made me so ill. I was constantly vomiting. I couldn't keep anything down. I thought it was the sickness. My husband called the doctor and the doctor told me to stop the Levaquin, he said it was probably too strong for me and prescribed a milder anti-biotic.
However, I have noticed, since my sickness, my two first fingers on my right hand are constantly tingling. I thought it would go away after I was over the sickness. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced such a side effect and, if so, what was done to alleviate the tingling. It is really bothersome. Thanks.

I really don't know what to do, I hurt so bad every single day I could cry. I was given Levaquin in March 2008 when I had pneumonia. I took it for 10 days and I hurt so bad still was very sick so I was put on it for another 10 days, so I took the Levaquin for a total of 20 days. I thought all this sickness was from the pneumonia. I had trouble getting out of bed, I could not even bend my knees, my feet, knees, elbows, and fingers were swelled up and I was getting all kinds of cracking in all my joints, headaches, stomach pains, all kinds of muscle pains. When I went back to work, I was telling a girl at work how I hurt and she asked me what kind of antibiotic I was taking, I told her and she said they had it on the world news . I said why is it still on the market. I seen 3 doctors about this and they think I'm nuts! They sent me for all kinds of xrays for all different parts of my body, what is that going to show! Its been a year and I still ache, I keep swelling up, joint and muscle pains, cracking, stomach troubles, problems sleeping, its terrible. I take pain medication for my back, I have 2 herniated discs, and I have to take more pain meds for all these other pains, this is not going to work. I even went to see a rheumatologists and he said I don't have arthritis. So Levaquin done a number on me. If anyone can help, or know what to do let me know!

Hello, I have read over most of these side effects and i would have to agree and be afraid of most of it. See I was diagnosed with bronchitis/pneumonia, they prescribed me these pills along with steroids. I have not taken the steroids yet but I did take my first dose of levaquin about 12 hours ago around 8 pm. With my dinner and plenty of water and fluids. I went to bed late with my fiance but not cause of the medicine, we decided to stay up and watch movies. Although, it did help my coughing and breathing, I felt bloated or ballooned up all of a sudden and it was starting to hurt my stomach. I figured it was the food I ate and all the water I have been drinking. So, next I noticed some minor vaginal discharge of which looks like when I'm ovulation so I pasted that as that. Now I woke up at 5:30 in the morning when I went to bed at 2 am and I can't go back to sleep! I woke up from a nightmare to see things in the dark to scare the %$^* out of me. I had this really bad taste and dryness to my mouth I felt like it was suffocating me. I cant seem to think straight or type well (I had to go back and review what I wrote but I might not have gotten all my mistakes) I feel like I have ADD I keep forgetting how to spell simple words... I mean the list keeps going and going. I am writing now because I am currently on it. I will not be taking this medication anymore much less the steroids but if anyone reads this, I hope you read first then take.

This is painful for me to type due to the pain in my hands & fingers. I had ankle surgery to fix a torn ligament and an ankle scope on Oct. 30, 2008. I was put on 500 mg of Levaquin to prevent infection. On Nov 4th, my entire body felt like it was beat up. I could barely get up off of the couch. I also developed severe pain and burning in my foot. I couldn’t support my weight on crutches due to pain in my arms & wrists. I took this dose for 10 days. On Nov 24th, I couldn’t take the pain anymore. I ended up being hospitalized for 10 days. I had severe swelling in my ankle and bruising up to & including my toes. The doc thought it was an infection so I was started on 2 types of IV antibiotics. Didn’t get any better. On Nov 26th, the doc tried to aspirate it and only dried blood came out. It was sent for a culture and came back negative. He asked me how my pain was and I told him the back of my ankle hurt really bad. He said “the MRI that was done on Nov 25th showed I developed tendinitis in the Achilles tendon. I asked him how that happened since I haven’t walked on that foot since my injury date of August 23rd. He said he wasn’t sure. I had 2 previous MRIs (Sept & Oct) which did not show tendinitis at all! On Dec. 1st I went back to the operating room so the doctor could cut open the golf ball size hematoma on the outside of my ankle. He got a lot of jelly-like blood from the back part of my ankle. He left the drain in overnight and then removed it. I was released on Dec 3rd with a script for 750 mg of Levaquin for 7 days (which I finished yesterday). The swelling is down about 25% and I have been out of the hospital for 8 days now. The pain in my body was so horrible today that I went to my family doctor. She did a thorough exam of my joints-which was complete agony!!!! She explained that she was going to run some tests to see what is wrong. She explained to me that she thinks this is a reaction to the Levaquin & she has had patients who have had ruptured tendons from this medication. She sent me for bloodwork and gave me a script for morphine (Avinza) to control the pain, which 750 mg of ES Vicodin and 800 mg of Ibuprofen didn’t make it any better. I feel helpless as my 9 year old has to do everything for me because I simply cannot get up. I hope my doctor figures this out real soon! This is unreal to have to suffer like this. I will keep everyone on this page in my prayers! Good Luck to everyone!

I was prescribed Levaquin yesterday for a severe bronchial infection. I woke up at 3:30am this morning, and my arms were numb from the shoulders to my fingertips. My hands were tingling as if they were "asleep," and my thumbs were drawing inward toward my hand. I could not lift ANYTHING. Also, the joints in my elbows were extremely stiff. I immediately woke my husband up, and we started searching for Levaquin on the internet. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE POSTINGS I FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE. I am scared to know what might have happened if I had continued the use of this drug. My fingers, wrists, shoulders, and elbows are so sore right now. I just hope there is no permanent damage to my body.

I have taken three 500mg doses of Levaquin since Saturday. They were prescribed by my urologist for a "possible" minor prostates that might be affecting my PSA (2.2). The very first night I was unable to sleep, tossing and turning all night. Thought nothing of it, and blamed it on diet or too much sleep the previous day. However, insomnia has continued for three straight nights and last night I woke at 4:30 AM with shortness of breath (had to take long deep breaths to feel like I was getting enough oxygen) that felt like an anxiety attack. Although there was no pain, I felt like my heart was pounding and rapid. Finally got a little more sleep and woke up feeling OK in the morning, but blood pressure was elevated. I continually feel like I'm on a caffeine high. I never associated it, but, I woke up second and third days with a sore throat and have had a few minor muscle twitches in arms, legs and abdomen.

I feel fortunate compared to others on this forum. I have stopped taking the Levaquin and have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow. As a side note, I had an acute prostates this time last year and took Cipro for over one month with no similar side effects that I can recall. Does anyone know if two drugs from the same group can have such different side effects, or can I expect the same problems if I start taking Cipro again?

I was given Levaquin after a post surgical Staph infection was confirmed. I too had the side effects described by so many others. Extreme muscle aches, joint pain even in my fingers, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness. My Dr. said to try to fight through it because the Staph infection needed thia particular antibiotic to cure it. I am 5 days into my 10 day dose and I can't keep taking the pills. I am scared and don't want to end up in the hospital again. He tried to give me a prescription for Bactrim but I said no because i can't take it. I have worse side effects with it than I have the Levaquin. I can't stay wake for more then 1 hour and I dose off but wake up with 15 minutes feeling drained. I can't walk very far without my legs feeling like jello. My WHOLE BODY HURTS!!

I was “poisoned” by Levaquin -- resulting in acute tendinitis in both Achilles tendons.

Background:
I am a healthy, athletic male in his mid-50s who has never had an Achilles tendon problem. In early July 2008, my doctor (general practitioner) prescribed Levaquin for an infection. I took the medication for 14 days, as prescribed.
Sudden onset of acute tendinitis in my Achilles tendons occurred near the end of the medication period. The tendinitis occurred in both Achilles tendons simultaneously. Nothing related to my lifestyle would have caused the tendinitis.

Symptoms:
Symptoms included the following at one time or another:
1. aching
2. sharp pain
3. feeling of heat/burning
4. tightness
5. pins and needles in small areas (micro tears?)
6. weakness at rear/base of each heal.
7. When I woke-up each morning my tendons and the back of my heal pads felt sore, weak and tight.
At the height of the problems, I had extreme difficultly walking and negotiating stairs, and I thought there was a risk that my tendons would detach from my heal bone.

Doctors’ Advice:

My general practitioner’s and my podiatrist’s advice was to: (a) not run, cycle, hike or otherwise exercise my legs in any manner other than easy walking and swimming, (b) gently stretch, (c) take ibuprofen, (d) ice regularly, and (e) use heal lift shoe inserts made by my podiatrist. Their advice was based on the view that the damage that was done is more like damage cause by an injury than damage caused by an insidious drug. My readings on the subject indicate that little is known about the mechanisms behind this fluoroquinolone-specific toxicity. It is believed that the tendon’s collagen fibers become disorganized and infiltrated with small blood vessels -- resulting in weakness. And there are no specific treatment plans for this problem.

After 2 months of living with these symptoms, I decided to change course.

My Approach to Healing:

Because I never believed my pain was the result of inflammation, I stopped icing and taking ibuprofen. Because stretching seemed to further weaken the tendon and set me back, I stopped stretching. Because I believe that the body heals itself best when used, I started cycling at an easy pace. I then worked-my-way-up to cycling more aggressively, and to walking in the neighborhood. That’s where I am today. Two days ago I had my first day without discomfort in 3 months. Yet, I have a long way to go. I am not yet hiking or running. It’s a slow healing process with occasional setbacks when I push my tendons a bit harder than I should, Given the progress I have made, I am hopeful for a full or nearly-full recovery in another few months.

Other things I have done in the past month:

1. Taken L-Lysine (1000mg daily), which is believed to aid collagen formation.

2. Taken Magnesium (250mg daily), which some believe may help leech the fluoroquinolone molecules from the tissues because of the affinity of these antibiotics for minerals.

3. Taken Fish oil pills (3000mg daily), which improves circulation

4. Used a heating pad, which improves circulation

5. Started regular Acupuncture (first time for me), which improves circulation

What you can do:

1, Be easy on your tendons until you get a handle on the problem. Don’t over-use tendons when they are in a weakened state.

2. “Listen” to your body and take steps you think best to help the healing process.

3. Tell your friends to beware of potential side effects from fluoroquinolones.

4. File a MedWatch report with the FDA at fda.gov.

5. Share your findings/advice on this forum.

Good Luck

I am a healthy female with little to no history of adverse reactions to medications. I was prescribed a 10 day dose of Levequin (500 mg) for a minor but stubborn skin abscess. After the third day, I woke up with significant joint soreness in my fingers. Progressively the soreness spread daily to my wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, hips, etc. I did not suspect the antibiotic at first, but I know my body, and I know something was WRONG.
After my 8th dose I decided to look online...it is at least good to know that what I'm experiencing is definitely from Levequin. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

I especially found MERCEDESLANE posting on April 15th interesting. I guess this person works in the health care system. Considering this uncompassionate individual, who apparently wants everythone to know he has a Mercedes, can't spell (whine), and does not have basic grammar skills. Wow...my faith in the our health care system is stronger than ever. But what do I know, I'm just an "IDIOT" with shingles that needs to have a couple of glasses of whine while I pop my remaining Levequin.

No, I am not a drug rep,I am simply just being honest.Not everyone has a terrible experience from this drug. I am sorry that so many of you have had so many bad reactions,just like any medication it may not be for everyone,but it does work for some.

I am 23 years old. I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for a uti. I took my first pill at 3:00pm yesterday. That night, I wasn't able to sleep. I layed in bed, so tired, just wanting to fall asleep but couldn't. Then the cold sweats and trouble breathing started. By 2:00 a.m. I was having what I can only describe as a panic attack. It's 1:00pm the next day, and i've never felt this bad. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT GOOD.

I had a hip replacement in June, then contracted a staph infection after that (non-MRSA, thank goodness!), for which I have been on a 12 week antibiotic protocol, in addition to having the hip opened again for cleaning and replacement. For the first 6 weeks, I had a PICC line in my arm, which was infusing Oxacillin every four hours 24/7, as well as two oral doses per day of Rifampin. After the removal of the PICC line, I was put on a daily dose of 750 mg of Levaquin (I was also on Levaquin in the hospital, and couldn't sleep for weeks after coming home from the hospital). I have now been on Levaquin for 4 weeks and have incredible pain. The first symptom and most annoying was insomnia, as well as EXTREME rotator ruff pain, stiff fingers, tendor pain in my left elbow, and right knee. I can't walk well, the bottoms of my feet hurt (what's up with that?), and I can't even put on my bra by myself, my shoulders hurt so much. I thought I could take the pain because I just DO NOT want to have the staph infection come back and have another hip replacement, but I think I will actually have to go off of it. It's just too much pain. And I'm worried about long term damage.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 MG for a sinus infection5 days ago. After completing my third dosage I felt a sensation on my toes as if something was biting me. Then it started on my fingers, hands and up and down my arms. My toes and fingers started to swell. The rash then came up the backs of both legs. My feet felt as if they had been burnt very badly.They look like they have been very badly burned. I phoned the doctor and was told to take Benadryl (2 pills) ever 6 hours and to come into the office first thing the next morning. I did and was told to never take Levaquin again. I was prescribed Augmentin. Two days later and I still have the red burnt look on the tops of my toes and the sides of my feet. It looks terrible!

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 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 am a 49 year old male and took a 14 day course of Cipro for a UTI. By day four the souls of my feet were very sore, especially first thing in the morning but no other side effects. Mentioned sore feet to Dr after 7 days of Cipro but he did not believe it was from Cipro and had me complete the course. After 14 day course of Cipro feet were now so painful that I could barely walk on them especially after resting or getting out of bed. Also burning sensation on skin of feet and hands and some minor tremor. Saw a specialist and he immediately confirmed Cipro as the culprit and advised never to take that drug family again. Have since done the whole web search thing and discovered the whole saga of these drugs. Other symptoms have also appeared, some pain in middle of back, sharp pain in middle of back of both knees, hot and cold flushes, pain in left bicep, fingers that are very susceptible to joint injury and feelings of weakness and anxiety. Has been over three weeks now since I stopped Cipro and condition shows no improvement, may even be slightly worse. About to try a shotgun approach with treatment as there appears little documented evidence of anything conclusive on line. Starting course of anti-inflams (Voltaren) and these have already reduced the pain in my feet. Also magnesium and calcium supplements (theory goes that it may mop up any remaining Cipro and there is plenty of reports from sufferers saying that symptoms continue to appear for some months after stopping Cipro), Vitamin B6 (can apparently help with some types of nerve pain and tingling) and Fish Oil (omega 3's can help reduce inflammation). Not very scientific I know and can't be sure that all these are compatible with each other but am a bit desperate at this stage. Bracing myself for a three to six month recovery (just based on experience of many others). At this stage I am just hoping that damage is not irreversible as this appears to be a real risk. As everyone here will agree it is amazing how this situation is being allowed to continue. I could have stopped my Cipro on day two or three if I had been made fully aware of the risks and what to look out for. I am no expert by any means on this but from what I can gather Cipro and its relatives do nerve damage by the very way they work. It appears that anyone taking these drugs will inflict some nerve damage but for many it will not manifest to a degree that is a problem or at least a noticeable problem. So in some ways we are all sufferers, just to varying degrees. Another point mentioned often is that the symptoms may not appear for some months after the Cipro is stopped and therefore is not always associated with the drug. Also some say there is an accumulative affect with using the drug a second or third time. Symptoms may appear only after multiple use or symptoms may get much worse and more likely irreversible with multiple use. It's all scary reading. At this stage I am just hoping I can make a full recovery. Do damaged nerves repair themselves, does the Cipro eventually leech out of our systems .... I don't know. I will post in this forum again in a few months or sooner if I make a recovery.

I have a question to any and all of you who have posted. I have similar symptoms to just about all of you minus any rash but mostly I have pain and some weakness in my right side particularly my shoulder and arm with some tremors in my pinky and ring finger and some pain and weakness in my right thigh. Insomnia and anxiety have also been a big part of the symptoms. Additionally when I take a hot shower my fingers twitch really bad then subside after about an hour...weird. My question is to some of you who have been going through this for some time is does this subside or even better go away over time? I have been off this stuff for just about a month now and things seem to be a little better but it might be that I am just getting used to the symptoms. Thanks

Heartburn; shortness of breath; feels like a huge balloon is inside me, from the bottom of my chest, to my throat. Have difficulty even talking. Now there's headaches at nighttime. I'm a very healthy 40-yr-old woman, yet I feel like I'm embarking on something very bad. I'm drinking bottles of bubbly water and rolls of Rolaids to get myself to burp and relieve the pressure. My internist doesn't think it's the Levaquin, but I thought it from day 1.

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I had bacterial pneumonia a few weeks ago they gave me Levaquin as well, After the hospital I notice some pain in my left arm. A week later I was unable to straighten my arm now the pain has moved up to my neck and back and is slowly reaching my right shoulder. It seems that though you ask doctors question you never get answers and yes its true about this pain I have been in agony for almost a month now and can not find any type of relief. I was treated with a 7 day regimen of medication and I don't know what is worst the pneumonia or the pain. If there is any where to find relief as a natural source please post it

Thank you

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!

I am a very healthy 21 yr old. I have always had a slight problem with urinary tract infections, nothing major tho. Doctors in the past always prescribed an antibiotic, usually Macrobid. I went in to see a doctor at MEA that gave me 3 samples of LEVAQUIN. They were each 750 mg. Within 3 days of taking the pills I was unable to get out of bed. My stomach pains were so severe I had to constantly bend over to relieve some of the pain. I had no appetite. My chest hurt so bad I couldn't talk loud, laugh or cough without crying from the pain. My fingers began to swell and became numb. I could barely sleep and when I did it was a very restless sleep. I woke up during the night one night and couldn't feel anything in my left shoulder. It has been close to 8 months since I took LEVAQUIN. I still have problems with my joints hurting horribly. I see spots like you would see after a camera flash in my eyes all day everyday. The bottoms of my feet still hurt if I stand still for a long time. LEVAQUIN is so dangerous. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!

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

I was put on Levaquin for 21 days to treat chronic sinusitis and I am only 17 years old. After about the 3rd day I was having great pain in my hips and knees and we called the doctors office to say we were having some of the side effects you're supposed to notify your doctor for, and they told me to keep taking it because all medicines have side effects and not to freak out. By the fifth day I had to be rushed to the ER because of serum sickness and i finally stopped it. Now, 2 and half months later, I still walk like a 95 year old and have to use a wheelchair to get around. I've also developed hypersensitivity to cold and touch and my limbs go numb randomly.

I was prescribed Levaquin for Chronic Sinusitis and ended up with gout like symptoms in my left big toe. It has made it very difficult to walk and carry out everyday responsibilities.I am only 29 years old and have two young children to tend to and this has made it very difficult. It is very difficult to walk and stand and I am unable to wear shoes due to the inflammation and swelling. Does it get better?

I took Levaquin 500 mg. because of recurring Cellulitis. I will NEVER take this antibiotic again! I fell into a sense of hopeless and felt like I was hit by a mack-truck. I have been experiencing joint pain like never before. THe doctors have said it is okay to return to exercising, but i will not likely be able to do that because of the ongoing joint pain. My knees, feet, ankles, wrists and fingers continue to be painful, even 2 weeks after being off this medication. I continue to struggle with ongoing low-grade nausea and occasional dizziness, which is scary when driving! This is the worst medication in the world and should be taken off the market. I am PRAYING that these side effects go away.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for pneumonia. The first 2 days I felt ok, then the 3rd day about an hour or two after I took the pill I was getting really anxious and depressed. I was acutally having thought of suicide! The anxiousness and depression lasted for about 4 to 5 hours after the start of them. Also on the third day, I was experiencing my heart pounding and some muscle cramping. The 4th day the symptoms started getting a little worse. And so today, being the 5th day of my 5 day treatment I feel like a truck hit me. I called my Dr. and he told me not to take todays dose, that Levaquin is probably causing the symptoms that I'm having. As I type this I've had to stop numerous times because of my fingers and hands cramping. Also I dont think I've ever sweat this much in my life. I probably would have never called my doctor about my symptoms if I didnt stumble across this page.

I went to the clinic with a severe urinary tract infection. I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for 5 days and started taking it immediately (if you've ever had a UTI, you will understand!) I woke up on the 3rd day and could not move my fingers - my entire hand ached and was so stiff. It began to progress down to my elbows. I recieved a call later that day from the clinic saying they had prescribed me the wrong drug...a culture proved a different bacteria to be the culprit. Apparently the Levaquin was fighting nothing in my body besides my hand! I thought the pain was from the UTI going untreated for so long, but now I can see it was obviously the Levaquin. I still feel stiffness in my hands every morning, but it goes away and I am able to function. But I find it incredible that taking a prescribed medicine can affect me daily...and this was around 3 months ago that I took it!

I have terrible sinus problems, which my doctor put me on Leviquin for. I took a twenty day dose of it, and this is the worst thing I have ever been through in my entire life. Excrutiating pain in feet, ankles, knees, elbows, fingers, and also stabbing pains all over my body. Also sweat perfusely, and I wake up every night from nightmares and/or pain. When I wake up I can hardly move my fingers, or stand up to walk. Also I have numbness all over, and now I have high blood pressure which I never had before. My doctor thought I had rhuematoid arthritis, but the test was negative. He said he doesn't think that it is from Leviquin, but after reading all these stories, I am positive it is. It has been a month since my last Leviquin, and I am still not any better. I have to lay down on the couch about every hour because of this pain, and I don't want to do anything or go anywhere anymore. I guess now I have to see a Rhuematologist. I just don't know what else to do, and I am afraid to take any more pills than what5 I am already taking. I am very depressed over all of this.

i started having horrible pain all over, cannot bend my fingers and my ribs hurt when i breath. WHAT on earth is going on and can anyone tell me how long this will last? after seeing postings on this drug, i called and got switched to a new drug but i have a very serious joint infection so i need to be on something strong. i just have started feeling better from the joint infection now to have pain ALL OVER! if someone has had this and recovered, please let me know how long to recover from this pain!
JP

I started taking Levaquin 500mg 3 22 07 on the 3rd day My legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk. My knees also hurt, My hips & back of legs allthe way down my legs the muscles hurt so bad I cried,even when I walked the back of my ankles it would pull I would have to set down, My memory has changed, like short term it is so weird, My son asked me yesturday If I was ok. My joints or so sore, i can't hardly do my hair, lifting my arms it is so painful. My fingers also are hurting so bad.

I was put on levaquin for a 5 day treatment at 500mg. for a uti. On the 3rd day I was having pain in my upper arm by my nuscle and shoulder. The next day I woke up out of my sleep with bad pain in my knees. I did not finish the medicine. It has been 48 hours since I stopped and I have pain in my arms and fingers. My legs knees hurt and pain in my stomach. I did not relize these were side effects until I read this post. I had headaches and pain in my back and stomach but I thought it was from the UTI. Just typing hurts know. I wish people would post follow ups to give some of us some hope. THe pharmacist told me I should feel better in a couple of days, but after reading this I am alittle nervous. Today my arms are worse, and that is after 48 hours after taking the medicine

Took leviquin 500 for 8 days before I realized what was happening to me. Side effects included: severe panic, altered mental state, constant sleep, loss of appetite, pounding heart rate. After 2 trips to the ER no help was provided. I stoped the Leviquin early (was supposed to take it for 3 wks) and immediately started feeling better. The anxiety is much less but still present and I still sleep all the time.

Has anyone had similar experiences and, more importantly, how long does this last?

Please help!

Dec. 26, 2006 - I was prescribed Levaquin for severe sinus infection on Dec. 5. The first night I had severe leg pain. Then I had fatigue and severe arthritis reactions., ie., pains in hands, fingers, arms, feet. I felt like I just let it go too long and some infection was entered into my entire system. The sinus infection was not cleared up so I was prescribed another dose on Dec. 22. I just had to painful days of cooking for the family. I feel like a need to move from the cold weather of WI because I hurt everywhere. I get on the internet (curious as to whether the Levaquin could have this side effect) and find this web site. I'm stopping the drugs immediately.

Same joint pains as others have described. Terribly swollen knees(can't squat or walk without much pain), shoulder joints too painful to move in almost any direction, back of neck, shoulders painful, some pain in fingers, elbows, hips. Sleeping and dressing are very difficult. Trouble started after 1 week of taking Levaquin, did not connect it to the drug. Have been diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia but these pains are not like anything I have ever had. O was doing very well without taking any pain meds and exercising, walking 1 plus mile often. Now, it's been 4 days of this with little relief from rest, ice, heat etc. After researching, I'm worried. Waiting to hear from Dr. and vowing never to take another prescription without first researching.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500, because of bronquitis for one week, in that time I experienced:

diarrhea
nausea
numbness in arms, hands, fingers
extreme swelling in joints
insomnia
difficulty to stand up, walk
bruses in eyes and arms
no strength
tingly or electric sensation in hands

I went to many doctors, but none of them knew what was happening, until one of them told me this was called Serum Sickness, which is an extreme reaction to the drug. TWO MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND I STILL HAVE THE SYMPTOMS. It is affecting my life, because I depend of others to do certain things for me, because of the extreme pain, and weakness.

I just took 750 mg of Levaquin for 5 days. About a day or two after taking it, i noticed my calves and legs were aching and pretty stiff. I didn't associate it with the medicine until i started reading on this site. In the mornings especially they are so tight and sore that it takes a little time to get moving. I am also noticing that my fingers are getting stiff and sore. I just thought it was from going up and down the stairs all day, but it must be a side effect from this drug. Hopefully it goes away soon.

I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for a bacterial throat infection. About 4 hours after taking my first dose and going to bed, I jolted out of my sleep in a panic. My heart was racing and I was covered in sweat. I assumed I had experienced a nightmare but after several minutes my symptoms did not subside. I felt "out of my body," my head was spinning and I was experiencing what I now know was a severe anxiety/panic attack. (I almost asked my roommate to rush me to the hospital) At that point I did not connect the anitibiotic with this reaction. I took another dose the next night and again experienced the dizzy~lightheaded~sweaty~slight paranoia-type symptoms, but not to the extreme as the first dose. On the 3rd day when the joints in my right fingers felt swollen and painful I decided to cruise the internet for side effects. I was shocked to see so many others had experienced something similar. I'm discontinuing this drug (a wasted $35) and will warn others about my reaction.
*On a side note: My roommate was placed on the same drug and spent 7 days on this medicaiton. She experienced no adverse side-effects.

Severe all over pain starting after the very first day. Even my toes hurt and I am not talking slight pain; I am talking severe pain that kept me on the verge of tears. I stopped taking the medicine and my Doctor treated me like I was just imagining the pain to be severe. I have been off the medicine for 3 days and I am still in pain. It hurts to even move my fingers and sleep is impossible.

I was given 7 Levaquin 750mg for a terrible sinus infection. This is the third anitbiotic I've been given and this one worked. Within 2 days my symptoms began going away. But for the past 4 days my joints have been inflamed. My knees are swollen and sore to the point that I can hardly walk up stairs, the joints of all of my fingers are swollen and ache constantly. My elbows are even very stiff and sore. My neck is also unusually sore and sometimes tingles. I began looking into the meds I've been taking as these symptoms seem to be getting worse. I'm not sure if I need to call the Dr. or just wait this out...?

Hi Guest 22426...I didn't think you sounded angry in your post at all, just aggravated maybe, as well you should be. I am ticked off as well that I was not informed as I should have been. I am hoping that the breast soreness will not spread, and that it will leave soon. (crossing my fingers). BUT, from what I have read on other Levaquin websites, it may be here to stay for a while. :o(
At least the rash seems to be clearing up some.
Are you still having pain, or has it stopped?

I started Levaquin 500mg 5 days ago for bronchitis/pneumonia. Well today I did not take the medication because within the hour after taking it I have a tuff time breathing when moving around. I now have upper front pain in my thighs and around my hips, I have a feeling of heaviness and tightness across the breast area of my chest, my throat has this sense of fullness that comes and goes and I have a uncomfortable feeling in the base of my skull, my fingers at times feel like the circulation has been cut off and then it goes away, my heart feels like it is racing or not beating right. I have this thought in my head the last 2 days as to whether I should go to the emergency room because I am not sure now if it is my heart.

I just completed 5 day's on Levaquin for a sinus infection.Well the infection is better but the aftermath of Levaquin is far worse than the reason I started it. I feel like I have been run over by a train...pain in the arm muscles mostly, hands & fingers swollen,I tried pain medication & no help there. Very tired..all I can do is get up from the chair with great difficulty. It has also affected the strength on my legs..I got out of bed last nite and wondered if I could even walk to the bathroom without help...Please please...if this is prescribed for you, discuss these side-effects with your physician...

I am 52 year old healthy woman.Went to my doctor with tender lymph nodes(possible sinus infection).He prescibed lavaquin 500 mg twice a day for two weeks.By the 4th day every muscle and joint in my body began to ache.My ankles ,fingers,wrists,knees and arms hurt so much I could not walk.I called pharmacists,and my doctor's office who told me I must continue taking this drug.Last night I woke up crying in all over pain,advil did not help.I'm going back to my doctor today after taking 10 of these horrible pills.Why did he prescribe this?No one wants to admit these side effects were caused by levaquin!