Levaquin and flu

This is not a new side effect, but the same day I started taking Levaquin for sinusitis, I suspected something was wrong. Within hours, ears were roaring. First night, NO sleep, and that's WITH Ambien CR. Day 2.....depression! Immediate. This is in spite of having a severe depression under control for over a year. Sudden. I really started suspecting Levaquin then, but thought it was a coincidence. Took it this morning. Deep, dark depression. After reading these posts, I knew my suspicions were correct. The depression is getting better after 10-12 hours after the dose. This is really scary stuff. Really scary. Oh, yes, and I had the stomach pains, also. Told my husband it was just hurting like a bruise, not like indigestion or gas. I will report it to my doctor so they will no it's a "no-no" for me....in spite of all the websites that said how safe it was. Glad I found this website. Thank God.

i ave a friend who has just had a bad case of the flu which has turned into pneumonia. her doctor out her on levaquin! i almost had a heart attack, called her and begged her to stop it. i sent her a bunch of info about it. why not put her on augment, something with less chance of adverse effects.
now i find she had a stroke over the weekend and is in the hospital! has anyone heard of anything like this on levaquin?

oh man! I got a flu shot last year and ended up a week later in the ER with Pneumonia and they put me in Levaquin. Within hours after taking my first done I was having major heart palps and shakiness. Then dizziness and some crazy euphoric feelings, not good euphoric either!

I went to the doctor on 9/11/09, having been sick for a couple of weeks w/ nasal congestion and then developing muscle aches, fatigue, and a fever, along with the new symptom of a cough. My doctor was on maternity leave, so saw someone else in the practice, who hastily diagnosed a sinus infection and prescribed penicillin. Got the beginnings of hives on Sunday early in the a.m., called the pharmacy, discontinued the penicillin. Still had a fever and was miserable, called the doctor on Monday to document the hives for my medical chart, and said I thought it was flu, not an infection. Finally was called back, and they called in levaquin, despite my thought it wasn't infection. Fever had broke finally, and I was making some progress, but figured the doctor knows best and took one dose of levaquin before bedtime. Had horribly vivid daymares/hallucinations and kept telling myself, "Its not real!" Woke the next morning, and could barely move. Couldn't get from the couch to the tv a few steps away and knew I was in serious trouble. Called the doctor and the nurse said they wouldn't see me, no appointments, so my husband took me to the ER. ER doctor said it was a reaction to levaquin, discontinue use, and it would take probably a day to pass through my system. Also said I had a virus, not an infection to begin with. (Horribly ironic, huh). It is now Thursday, 9/17, and I move like a snail. I have no stamina, and can barely walk. I went to work (I'm a teacher) and cried after walking my kids down to art. Am I ever going to feel normal again? This is really depressing. I was a healthy, active person before I took a dose of this poison.

My Mother took Levaquin Oct. of 2008. You got so sick taking the drug, she felt like she had the flu. She had fever, dizziness, and felt like she was going to throw up. She is very depressed now because she can't do anything anymore. She took all 7 pills 500mg. each. Now she hurts from head to toe. They can't figure out what is wrong with her. She has had MRI's. xrays. Blood work. Everything you can think of. Her Tendon tore in her shoulder, she had surgery on it and is still in rehab for that. She can sleep at night because of pain throughout her body. They gave her a patch to wear for the pain and it made is better at first. Now she can't even tell she has it on. Does anyone know of anything that can help get out of all this pain?

I started taking levaquin about a week ago. At first, I was doing fine but then I started to get fevers. Next thing I know, I have full blown flu systems and break out in a crazy rash. I have to go to urgent care. I kept calling the nurse and asking her if it was the antibiotics. She indicated that levaquin was very well tolerated and that she did not think it was the pills. After reading these posts I am confident it is the pills.

I took Levaquin for a sinus infection March 26th... 5 doses of 750 mg. I felt slightly better initially but that lasted only a day. I think it was prescribed wrongly, I had a virus and was getting over it... not a bacterial infection. The problems started about a week after the 5 day course ended. I ended up in the ER feeling like I was going to die, some strangeness in my breathing and feeling as if I was having a stroke... like I was going to pass out. They found nothing wrong except an elevated blood pressure and did a d-dimer to see if it could be an embolism (at my insistence, I had no idea this could be from levaquin and thought I was having a stroke. After the ER visit, I just felt like I had the flu, but I didn't... weak, extremely tired with some muscle aches ... two weeks out I had a lot of pain in both legs, like charlie horses that didn't go away... that lasted several days to a week... the weird depersonalization and the anxiety has been intense throughout. Constipation (never ever had it before this drug) started about a month out from taking it. I still feel pain in my legs from time to time and a feeling like there is a tight band across the top of my left foot... like when you tie your shoe too tight and need to loosen the shoe strings, but I am not wearing shoes.

Has anyone had the experience of previously taking Levaquin without side effects, then when taking it again, developed severe headaches, joint aches, muscle pain and weakness, etc? I am currently going through this. I've taken Levaquin before probably 2 or 3 times due to upper respiratory problems and not noticed any side effect but this time, I've taken 5 days worth, 3 in hospital 2 as outpatient dose and can hardly move. I had the same experience in 2004 with zithromax. Had taken it without side effects, then suddenly when taking it again developed such bad chest pain, I thought as did my doctor, that I was having heart attack and spent a week in hospital before figuring that one out.

35, male, athletic: i took 3x 500mg and immediately got sore joints and severe flu-like symptoms. i was completely bedridden, loss of balance, sore from head to toe, major bloating and cramping... MISERABLE. this was near the beginning of November. while most side effects have lessened, i have had tendon issues as recently as last week. basically, any "strenuous" exertion will injure the tendons, although i haven't ruptured anything yet. bottoms of feet were sore for a couple weeks for no apparent reason. having trouble remembering words, finishing sentences, etc... digestion seems to be "off", and there is a bitter taste in my mouth that has been there since the beginning. also, "phantom itch" deep in both ears that comes and goes, and earwax production seems to have ceased... weird. oh, and D-R-Y eyes, nose and mouth upon waking. very dry skin as well. it did kill the infection though. i guess i'll be back to normal again someday. i hope.

HA! And I just thought I was allergic to the crud. I was given Levaquin for head and chest congestion. The first dose of 10 days didn't seem to help. I felt so bad from what I had I didn't notice anything else wrong. So my doctor gave me a second round of it. One day before it was gone, I realized that flu like pain all over my body should not still be there, and was terrified to find I could barely swallow. My husband rushed me to the emergency clinic, and my doctor there told me I was allergic to it and going into anaphalactic shock and that I was lucky I didn't die. What I thought was me getting sicker from the sickness, was actually me getting deathly ill from the drug. My throat was beginning to close off. This is a deadly drug.

I'm glad this website is running this information because I realized today that after taking 1500 mg over the last 3 days I'm not going nuts or am having an adverse reaction to the cough medicine prescribed to me as I completely stopped taking it.

My symptoms are: Increased heart rate-fluxuating, skin crawling/itching, tingling feeling throughout my body, horrible menthol-like taste in my mouth, and strangely an increased libido.

Trust me when I say that the increased libido isn't worth all of the other horrible reactions to this medication. I initially took it for severe cough and flu-like symptoms. I also suffer from severe NES, and degenerative disc disease. No doubt I will be stopping this regiment.

Hi everyone.I just finished my 2nd round of levaquin 500 mil the 750 mil was given to me after my pneumonia and hospitalization I was terrified.I had never been hospitalized for anything.I'm 42 quit smoking 6 yrs ago.No other health issues,well could stand to lose some pounds.
5 days ago my knee began to hurt which I never thought twice about since I have knee issues but, then my right knee, then my hands now my entire body is sore and hurting so bad I cannot walk up the stairs to our home now due to the severe pain in my knees.I have had no other side effects.I have been on STD from my job since 11 24 due to the pneumonia.I am suppose to see my doctor today and go back to work tomorrow ha that a joke the pin I'm in.He has been my doctor since I was 19 yrs old.He is a good doctor and I am scared to death to find out what he has to say about my symptoms and the crazy bad side effects. I do not want to go back in the hospital or be told what I have is permanent.At first I thought I had the Flu.My immune system is shot due to the pneumonia so I just thought well this is great I've got the flu .Then I began reading online the side effects of this drug and was horrified.

I would implore any and all who may be prescribed this drug to talk it over with there Dr.or ask for another drug.Yes the drug kicked the pneumonia out of me which 6 other drugs could not but,the side effects are terrible for some.
I will pray for us all here today.God help us to heal.I UNDERSTAND WHAT EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH.Hang in there. Don't give up hope or faith.

DO NOT TAKE THIS POISON!! I have spent the last 4 years dealing with
adverse side effects of this medication. I have central nervous system damage, digestive disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, achiness-it feels like a really really bad flu. My dad who is a doctor didn't believe that Levaquin was the cause at first however he had a chemist look up the compound makeup and was told to never prescribe this or any other fluoroquinolone again (cipro, avelox, etc!) Side effects can last long after you finish this medication. Also animals can get this stuff so it can be in the meat you eat which will make you feel worse or it could kill your beloved pets. Do your research. Warn friends and family-even strangers. Make a mediwatch report. Helpful sites if you are dealing with poisoning.
There is also a yahoo group.

I was prescribed a 21 day dose of Levaquin for a case of severe sinusitis. After Day 1 on Levaquin I had severe back, joint and muscle pains. At first I thought I was coming down with the flu. However the flu never appeared.

After about 5 to 6 days the pain became less severe, however my hips, back and legs continued to hurt. During the nights of doses 15 and 16 I woke to splitting headaches and a burning sensation on the left side of my stomach. After reading others' side effects and the commonality with my side effects I quit taking Levaquin after 16 days.

During the 16 days I was taking Levaquin I was extremely irritable and mildly depressed. At night time I would wake up 3 or 4 times and try to get back to sleep. I have never had insomnia problems in my life until taking Levaquin. My joints and body ached the entire time on Levaquin.

The drug was brutal on my body. I will never take it again. I will seek an alternative antibiotic. I have been off Levaquin for 4 days. Sleeping is going much better, however the muscles in my legs and back still hurt.

Hi i just finished 14 days on Levaquin at 500 mg. Half way through taking this medicine I felt tired, drained and a lot of joint pain. Also felt muscle sourness. While taking this medicine I felt as if I also had the FLU.. After reading some of these posts, I don't feel alone. I can only hope that I don't have any long term side effects.
Sincerely,
B.

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?

Heres my Levaquin horror story:

In hospital for bowel obstruct. Took LevaQ. at home. 1/2 way through I noticed I wasn't feeling any better but worse while recovering. Starting sleeping for 3 hr intervals, while up I would feel as if I wanted to jump out of my skin. Calf pain. Dizziness. Intermittent instenseTingling around mouth and face. Called my MD.
I was put back in hospital due to a platelet count of 'one million'. My MD who is wonderful, consulted with others, even an oncologist. I refused a bone marrow aspiration, so they came up with a game plan -- possible reaction to the Levaquin???? So... 'flush out the Levaquin'. With each day of continuous mass flushing of IV fluids....my platelets decreased daily.
3 years later...I getting intermittent tingling, flu like symptoms, dizziness, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue-------------still looking for answers to my illness. Just had more blood work - lymphocytic profile was drawn, waiting on results. Definitely am anemic, chronic slight rise in liver enzymes with last sed rate and wbc count in norm range.

I'm on day 3 of 750mg of Levaquin for walking pneumonia, and I feel awful. I've been so nauseous that I feel like I have the flu now. It started yesterday, but is definitely much worse today. I'm not taking any more of this medication. I'm calling my Dr. in the morning. I feel lucky after reading all these other posts.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection. It has been pure heck to say the least! After a few hours of taking the first tablet (500 mg), I began to feel really crummy. By that, I mean, body aches, sleeplessness, stomachache, nausea, an overwhelming feeling of unwellness. By the second day, my fever broke, which was good. But, with each passing day, I began to feel worse and worse. It was as if the medication was building up in my system. By the fourth day, I could barely function! I was sicker and sicker with each passing day. The only time I felt even somewhat human again was the 23rd hour BEFORE it was time to take the next dose! Within an hour of taking the next dose, I was sick again. By the fifth day, I could no longer tolerate this medication. I felt as if it were the worst case of the flu I'd ever had. I felt so bad that I felt as if I were going to die. I can't explain it, but my husband had to make the call to the doctor's office because I barely had the strength to talk. I am convinced that had I stayed on this medication, it could have killed me! It has been 3 days since I stopped taking it and am still dealing with severe leg weakness. I may be calling the doctor again tomorrow. This medication is pure poison as far as I'm concerned! Very, very dangerous.

I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for 5 days for a uti.

After two days I got a cramp in my left calf muscle.

It's been 2 weeks now. My UTI still remains and I feel horrible. I'm taking Vicodin for all over pain. My calves, lower back, shoulders and knees ache badly. I feel like I have the flu, but without the nausea.

My Doc prescribed Nitrofurantoin to treat the UTI again. Can't wait to check it out.

I just found this site and have been reading the posts and I'm so pissed.

I read some posts that said this poison had left a metal taste in some mouths, so tomorrow I'm going to a CHELATION treatment center and start IV treatments. Chelation by intraveneous is good for getting metals out of your system. I had some treatments about 10 years ago to clean out my arteries and felt better, so hopefully this will work. I'll post the results here.

I have had progressive muscle weakness, pain in my joints with swelling of the knees, ankles and hips. My doctor said it is not related to the antibiotic and to continue taking it. The symptoms are so disabling I can barely make it to the bathroom alone and I have had to miss work. I also told him the inside of my throat felt swollen, and my tongue is turning white. It just isn't a pleasant drug to be on.

Most of the "side effects" are die off responses (sometimes referred to as a herxheimer response similar to that which occurs when treating syphillis) from bartonella or borrelia. Levaquin is a potent intracellular antibiotic...where these and other organisms can hide. These can be subclinical infections where (at this time) you are not even aware you are infected. If your "side effects" start around the 3rd day into your prescription...rejoice...and suffer for a while, you are killing something really bad.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I had also taken LEVAQUIN for what was thought to be strep throat a year ago this past April. I was put on LEVAQUIN for 5 days and I was still horribly ill. They decided that I had Influenza and gave me Tamiflu. The Tamiflu seemed to work and clear up the congestion and other flu like symptoms. The bad part was that I was so weak and fatigued that I couldn't even do the simplest things for months later. I also suffered from frequent PVC's and chest tightness. I still get frequent PVC's now and then. I look back on all of the things that happened a year ago and what is going on with me now and I realize that it can't just be a coincidence!

My dad who's 52 had a fever and flu last week. The doctor gave him 10 pills of Levaquin (500mg) and said this was a very good antibiotic. After taking each pill, my dad felt more nauseous and told me that everything (delicious food, cigarettes, perfume, etc) smelled like burning garbage. Apparently this was caused by Levaquin, and I'm pushing him to see the doctor with me tomorrow. I'll post what the doctor says once we come back.

I work in a health care system and we have used levaquin for this last cough, cold and flu season. It has worked wonders for the various upper respiratory infections.

No one has developed rashes, boils, or bone/muscle pain. After reading the first response, her abnormal reaction sounds more like a bad case of shingles.

Then, I read the last post where the person drank two glasses of whine to help with the blah blah blah. Mixing alcohol with any type of medication will not help with Your sypmtoms were a "full fledged panic attack" as you stated from the beginning.

Nothing but idiots posting here!

Well after all the hype of the negative side effects of levaquin I did the 7 days and tho I felt like crap mainly due to the flu I think I seem to be fine a week after stopping. The side effects I did experience were wrenched stomach. This could of been a flu symptom or maybe a side effect of the antibiotic. Knowing that antibiotics can cause pretty much most of the symptoms that people here complain of and having experienced ten years of allergies due to antibiotics from 93 to 03 and curing myself thru education on the subject I knew before hand that taking any antibiotic is a gamble. I think the reason most people have bad experiences is due to an already compromised out of balance system. Candidiasis is a controversial subject that a lot of doctors do not believe in but recently it has made a lot of headlines both on tv and in the holistic field. So knowing I did not want another ten years of hell I bought good flora, probiotics from a health food store. I have been taking about 5 a day with meals. So far i have no side effects. I feel good. I will take probiotics for a month or so to make sure I get enough good flora back into my system. Anyone taking an antibiotic needs to know that it will kill most all benificial bacteria but does not kill candida so without the good flora which keeps candida in check candida can grow and leak into your blood stream and attack any part of the body. I personally do not agree that antibiotics should be used in a lot of situations but sometimes you have no choice. If one does not have the knowledge to use them responsibly I do believe your life can be altered dramatically. Its easy to blame the pill which in most cases you are correct in your assumption but its also your own fault and the doctors to of not educated yourself beforehand.

I not sure that what I am experiencing is related to my 9 month course of 750 mg Levaquin, or my simultaneous 9 month course of 300 mg Rifampin, or my 6 week course of IV Vancomyocin twice a day........You all are talking about days and weeks....I have been on these hardcore meds for substantially longer. I became infected with Staph Epidermidis in the disc space of L 4-5 during surgery to correct degeneration in my spine. I am now left with joint pain from head to toe, Uveitis, a scaly rash all over my trunk and arms, stomach pain, further degeneration in my spine, insomnia, severe fatigue, depression, and what I call "brain fog." I have been told by the team of Doctors caring for me that the only symptom that relates to my medication is possibly the Uveitis. I would like to know how you all are attributing the medications to your ailments? (insomnia, depression, fatigue, joint pain... for example) Are you sure that they are not symptomatic of another disease process? After stopping the medications has your health become normal? I have to remain on this medication for the remainder of the year. I do not have the option of just flushing it down the toilet, as someone previously posted. There are only a few medication that can combat my illness, but I would like to know that they are not harming me in the long run.

Well just started yesterday on the 500mg levaquin tablets. Ended up with the flu and waited 6 days before going to see the doctor. I have known for a long time that any antibiotic is bad for you due to the fact they kill all benificial bacteria also. I had severe food allergies for ten years due to them. Only by accident did i find out that what had happened was candidiasis which is also a bacteria that we all have in our system was allowed to grow out of control due to all the good bacteria being wiped out. With this information at hand I was able to treat my what you would call long term side effects. By reintroducing good bacteria back into my system I was finally able to beat all the symptoms. Now I know that with levaquin I will have to reintroduce all over again. The important thing to remember is you have to reintroduce right away. Its the candida that in most cases that causes the problems most people experience. Anytime you kill something in your body you will create toxins that must be eliminated. Anyone not educated about candidiasis should read up on it in whole. Most doctors do not recognize this condition or even believe. I have posted on curezone.com in the candida forum under ( crapshot ). I firmly believe that when probiotics are (good benificial bacteria) reintroduced ASAP the recovery time from the side effects of levaquin or any antibiotic will be diminished greatly. I do not believe that any one probiotic works better than the other but when used rotate brands to allow a better assimilation into your system. Tho dairy products due have good bacteria added for our benefit when candida has grown out of control at this point your better off with a product like Three Lac or Primal Defence or the likes.

Started Levaquin yesterday for Bronchitis. Today I started with episodes of Tachycardia, Tightness in the chest, and numbness and tingling in the hands,feet and face. I am a nurse and trust me I will make sure none of my patients leave the office I work at with a script for this class of medication. 1 DOSE WAS PLENTY FOR ME I'M THROWING OUT THE OTHER 9 PILLS ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 took 750mg Levaquin for 5 days for a sinus infection and after the 2nd day had a horrible headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, muscle aches and metal taste in mouth. At first I thought I was getting the flu or that it was from the sinus infection. After taking the 5th pill and not feeling any better, I found these postings which explains everything. My doctor did not tell me anything about the side effects. It is 3 days after I took the last pill and I am still suffering from severe headaches, dizziness and some nausea. Do not take this medication unless you absolutely have to. I do not normally have any side effects to medication and am not on any other meds. I just hope the headaches go away because I am having to miss work as a result and not able to give attention to my family. My fear is that the headaches won't go away. One posting said that her daughter's headaches went away after 6 days...I can only hope at this point. Terrible drug and shame on the doctor for not warning patients. Try other antibiotics first before you take it.

I see that the effects are finally hitting the medical community. There have been messages here from nurses, doctors and members of doctors families. Maybe now the word will get out. It's unfortunate that so many people have been forced to suffer while others lined their pockets. Worse yet is the ignorant disciples who expound the virtues of the new wonder drug while refusing to see the damage that is right in front of them.

On another note, my daughter just came down with the flu while at college. She went to the on-campus infirmary and while she was there she told them "no quinolones, my parents will not stand for that". She has seen the damage first hand at home. The doctor and nurse told her not to worry, they would not prescribe them at that facility because they were all to aware of the problems associated with these drugs. Thank god! Intelligent medical professionals do exist.

Concerning the class action suit....if anyone find info, count me in. I can't get my bicep back the way it was nor can I overcome these lingering effects (after 1.5 years) but I'd sure like to see they don't do this to anyone else..... ever again.

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg daily for the last 7 days. I am quitting it today! I am so tired. Cannot sleep! Have severe pain in both of my hips! I do not have a history of sleep disorder or hip pain!!! I even have severe pain in both of my shoulders now as well. My doctors insist this isn't from the med. My pharmacist differs in that opinion!! This stuff is POISON!!!
I am a registered nurse and will preach this to any and everyone who will listen!!!
I only pray I will not suffer a tendon rupture even after I have stopped this med! If that happens I will contact an attorney! Can we get a class-action lawsuit for all of us and to prevent others from this terrible experience???

Was prescribed Levaquin during the flu for the "possibility" of an infection. Developed severe leg cramps and swelling. Insomnia, have slept a total of about 3 hours in 3 nights. Episodes of depression, crying and anxiety with racing heart. If this was the only drug available to save myself from a severe sinus infection, or even death, I would chose the infection! Stay away from this antibiotic, it's unbelievable this drug is legal and even more so that doctors actually prescribe it to people. I guarantee they wouldn't take it themselves or give it to loved ones.

I was prescribed 750mg of levaquin 9/11/07. I read all the side effects but also read in many scientific studies that the odds of these side effects occurring were slim. I believe the exact figures were around 1-3%. I have my bachelor's of science in biology and am planning to attend graduate school next year, so I thought I was educated enough in the realm of how drugs interact with the body. "1-3%" is such a low probability, right?

I took one pill at approximately 9pm then around 11pm I began to feel dizzy and light headed. I had been drinking water all day and continued to do so after taking the first dose so I decided to go to bed. I awoke the next morning still dizzy and my muscles ached. Then, while walking to the bathroom to put my contacts in, I began to hear ringing in my ears until it was all I could hear around me, I developed tunnel vision, then completely blacked out. The only way my vision returned is when I sat on the ground with my head between my knees barely moving. I remembered reading that levaquin could cause hypoglycemia so I literally crawled to the kitchen and poured a plethora of sugar into a cup of gatorade and drank it as quickly as I could. I've never been more thankful to be an athlete and keep that in my refridgerator constantly...well... I WAS an athlete. I haven't been able to walk, let alone run, without my head throbbing with each step.

It is now 9/19/07 and I still have a pounding headache that won't go away. It is as if my optic nerve is on fire. I've tried vitamins, flushing my body with constant fluid, sleep, massage, and an optometrist examination for new contact lenses in case the headaches were due to eye strain. Nothing has seemed to work. My sinus infection that the levaquin was initially prescribed for has subsided but I can only hope that this headache will subside as well.

Has anyone else experienced an on-going headache as well? And if so... what have you found provides relief?

Thank God for this forum. It's my second day taking this poison and I am feeling AWFUL ..insomnia, anxiety, flu like sympotoms and all this time I was thinking I was going crazy. I am just worried about what would happen if I stop taking it, but at this point I can't feel any worse. It is obvious to me now that we cannot put our heath on anybody's hands, except ourselves. I can't believe this things is still being prescribed after everything I've read about it.

Just got back from the dr. She said it is definitly caused by Levaquin. The knee pain etc. is from this drug. She said it putme right over the edge after taking it for only one week. Hopefully it will subside. This is a powerful drug that attacks cartilage and joints and should not be used by people prone to arthritic conditions. Anyway, I feel better knowing I don"t have Lyme or anything more serious. GoodLuck to all of you out there, hang in there.Marsh

DO NOT TAKE THIS POISON!
flu like symptoms, headaches for 2 wks, nausea,
extreme leg pain as if struck by a baseball bat,
very weak, no energy for several weeks following...
It has been over a year and still not completely
recovered!! I can't beleive this is still being prescribed.

Help!
My father who is almost 73 was prescribed Levaquin for a possible sinus infection. He took the last dose of a ten day prescription on April 26 (Today is May 17} Almost a month later he is suffering from many flu-like symptoms(fever, chills, weakness, loss of appetite, and etc. As well as the typical tendon pain and according to the Dr. - Bronchitis) My question is how typical is it to have the flu, bronchitis symptoms 3 weeks later? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I was diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and was prescribed 500mg Levaquin ( because I am allergic to most penicillin-based products) once a day for one week. On the fourth day I began to experience stiffness and pain in both feet, especially the heels, and also in my calves, and knees. I also had pain in my neck, at the base of my skull.These symptoms proceeded to worsen to the the point that I could barely walk on Sunday and had to go up and down stairs two feet at a time. I worked from home yesterday and took a Naproxen because the pain and stiffness was so debilitating. Today the symptoms have somewhat subsided, but I still feel stiff and can't walk or climb stairs very well. I was so deparate to figure out what was wrong with me and entered all search words that applied to my problem to Google. My search return included numerous sites connecting these symptoms with Levaquin. I found the PI and it is true. I have to say I feel better just knowing why this happened. I never suspected that the antibiotic was responsible. My question is this: has anyone else ever had this happen to them and what were you advised to do to "get back to normal"? I hope that these responses to the medication will go away now that I have finished the prescription. Please advise.
Ruth

I went to my doctor last week for symptoms of a common cold or a flu. I was given free samples (5) of Levaquin and haven't felt better yet, six days later. I only took four of the pills and will never take it again. My head is constantly feeling like it's floating in space and my sense of taste has changed. I called her back about my faintness and was told to get plenty of rest and drink alot of liquids. I've been in and out of bed since Thursday; how much rest do I need?! I'm concerned about the taste change because several things that I like alot don't taste right to me anymore. Levaquin will never again enter my body!

I have been taking Levaquin and Guaifen for a week now to clear up an ear infection that resulted from getting the Flu. The infection seems to be clearing up slowly, but the problem is that I have been getting 2 to 6 hours sleep each night since then. I had a look at the Guaifen page on this site and a lot of people have insomnia from that also. So it seems that I am taking 2 drugs that both cause insomnia. I just hope the symptoms of my infection clear up soon so that I can stop taking the drugs and get some sleep. I usually sleep 8 hours per night. I have not noticed any other side effects from these drugs though.

I was prescribed 750mg Levaquin for a sinus infection - having never taken this antibiotic before, and never having any allergic reactions to others I thought nothing of my 20 day prescription. After 7 days on this medication, I started feeling HORRIBLE - achy, flu like symptoms, and worst of all, every muscle, joint and tendon ached so badly that I had trouble walking at times. I had such bad nightmare on the 9th day of taking this, that I was afraid to attempt going back to sleep. After thinking all thoughts of bad things that could be happening to me (lupus, rapid onset of arthritis, etc.) I finally googled Levaquin and, fortunately came up with this site that showed others that had similar reactions to this terrible medication. After taking this for 11 days, I threw the remaining pills in the garbage and will never take this again. My only question is, when does this get out of your system where you will feel normal again? I have not taken this medication for eight days now and still my muscles, joints and tendons ache - at times, my body just feels flu like still. This is very frightening as I have never had a bad reaction to a medication and it is hard to believe that an antibiotic can wreak havoc on your muscular system such as this one has. Thank heavens for this website - I may have ended up taking Levaquin for the prescribed 20 days and who knows when these aches and pains would go away - they are far worse than the sinus infection!

insomnia, flashing lights when eyes are closed, hot flashes, lethargic, joint pain, sweating, overall feels like the flu

Over one year now and my 55 year old body is still devastated.

I have posted here before. I was given Levaquin in capsule form ( 2 capsules) first night in ER for beginning bronchitis and flu and fainting from low electrolyte imbalance and smashing my nose and face full weight and knocking myself out with bleeding for a week.

I was sent home after 3 hours against my frantic ojections and fainted again within 5 minutes into the ride home.
ER doc said it was a vagal response. They put me in a recovery room and next day gave me more levaquin ( called "the Big Gun" antibiotic amongst doctors and nurses when it first came out ).
They discharged me later that day and gave me 5 more days worth of this stuff. First night home my body "exploded" in symptoms so horrible and unprecedented...nothing like the flu. Nightmares, paranoia, shoulders burning ( got torn roator cuff ) arms burning, down to hands then hands would get numb and ice cold. Stomach going crazy with noise and weird wincing pains. Bladder all weird, cold like never before then hot. Itching arm and elbows and scalp. Other crazy terifying symptoms too like popping in ears and joints.

Next morning tried to eat piece of toast and my body went into shock. Raced back up to ER in ambulance. Told them I felt like I was dying. Did basic tests, never found anything. Did this several times that week. I was crying it was so terrifying and suffering. And I was 54 years old! I kept telling the ER staffs I was taking this "Levaquin" They never once told me to stop so I didn't and I never got any warning pamphletts when they gave this to me nor did any doctor tell me what to look out for in reactions. And you get different docs every time you go to these ER's anyway.

Couldn't eat for months. Lost 35 lbs. So weak and shaky and feeling paranoid and like I was going to die for months...still do feel this way half the time.

Went to ER's 15 times last year. Heart pulse rate down in 30's for months. Passed out in hospital, had 3 and 1/2 "pause" one night with heart. Still having complete body breakdowns to this day one year and one month later. Wake up so sick. Have fractured vertebrae, leg pain and weakness ankles and knees especially. Shoulders and arms hurt and so weak. Prickly nerve haywire feeling inside and out. Feel so sick and weak just like one year ago. Anxiety is out of this world...depression too. Take Lorazepam but fight this as long term use does other bad things to you.

Today is another nightmare day. Moaning in total body haywireness, weakness, nasea and sadness about reaching the end of the line with doctors who say there is no more they can do for me. THAT is about the worst hope crushing thing now. No place to go. Everybody's done what they can. Nobody will send me to one of those Univeristy hospitals. If I was rich, I would say, take me and keep me here until you find out what has happened to me here.

But on the contrary, financially ruined now. 70,000 in debt. And can't declare bankruptcy now with new Bush passed legislation that makes this so hard it just isn't worth killing myself with courtroom stress and tons and tons of paper work and attorney fees.

Still no better one year later and more symptoms than I have mentioned. Just picked up bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and scarring in left lung...all new in last six months. Get rashes on legs and scrotum. Popping in ears and joints. Shakey, tremors...pain in intestinal areas all the time. B-12 reading is 175. Testosterone level so low now must rub gel on back to try to raise this. List goes on and on.

Called manufacturer of Levaquin, Ortho-McNeil and a product complaint lady heard my story and told me that Emergency Room should have never given me this antibiotic when they knew my electrolyte levels were low. Is she inferring that this "Big Gun" antibiotic is so powerful that someone with a low electrolyte balance could be damaged by it? Guess so.

But, no attorney will even stay on the phone with me for 5 minutes about my case. They bluntly say ( I'm serious) that if I had died or my liver had failed...they would take my case. Anything else isn't good enough for them to risk their time and money especially since G.W.Bush has capped medical malpractice awards to $250,000. And I guess you do have to be dead to win one of these cases. Great working man and woman respecting and protecting country we have here.
'
The corporaations come before us with these right wing republican guys.

I started taking 750 mg of Levaquin as prescribed by my doctor on Wednesday, December 27th for my bacterial pneumonia. The following morning I had arthritis like pain in my shoulders, neck, elbows, calves and even my feet. I also had diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. I continued to take this medication because I thought I was having "flu" like symptoms because of the bacterial pneumonia. I stopped taking the Levaquin today because I had researched the side effects yesterday evening. The nausea and diarrhea have subsided. I still have the arthritis like pain in my joints and fatigue.

I've been taking 500 mg Levaquin for about 2 weeks for a chronic urinary tract problem. I've taken it before for a shorter period of time, with limited side effects, but this last time was another story. I got severe abdominal and lower back pain that keep that makes it difficult for me to walk, sit or lay down. I'm experiencing so much nausea and lathargy that I haven't been to work since I started this last regiman of Levaquin. My doctor has no idea why I'm experiencing so much discomfort despite my urinary tract infection has been resolved even though I still have the constant urge to go and are totally bloated. I told him I thought it was the medication,but he wouldn't confirm it. He just discontinued the medication and scheduled me for a CAT scan asap. The nurse told me that she's heard of Levaquin causing body aches similar to the flu. What's up with the doc not informing me of that information. Conspiracy with the drug company ? I'm just scared the symptoms with take forever to go away. Anyone out there experience the same thing and have seen the light at the end of this horrible tunnel?

I starter taking levaquin about 2 wks.ago for a bladder /kidney infection. since taking lavaquin I have had muscle/body pain, see white zagie lights, can't sleep,food tast awful,anxiety,angry and negative thoughts, mood swings,flu like simptoms, I get so hot, I feel awful ...I am 67 yr. old. I am very healthy and do not take any kind of med. I have bladder/kidney infection this is why I was given this drug. I hope this will clear up now that I am no longer on this med.(bladder/kidney infection is gone)

on day 4 of a 5-day dose of 750mg....I experienced intense shoulder pain in both shoulders---later diagnosed as impingement syndrome for which I need to do physical therapy in hopes of getting back to normal again! Also, weakness and pain in my hands and upper thighs...I cannnot unscrew a jar or open a door without pain. I am normally very active --aerobics, swimming(up to a mile 3x weekly), step, and walking....I can do none of the above!...I told my doctor to add to my chart ---no Levoquin!....the cure for my flu has been worse than the flu!....they should remove from market and/or highlight the muscular problems associated with the drug.

I posted here many months ago. I was given 2 Levaquin pills in an ER on Dec 10th, 2005, after fainting from the flu at home and falling face first on a wooden floor and smashing my nose and knocking myself out. Much blood pouring out all over. Very traumatic. Nose smashed to right side of my face. I was rushed by ambulance to our local ER but was sent home after 2 hours in this ER even after pleading with the hospital to keep me. No luck there. I fainted about 20 to 30 minutes after these first two ER administered Levaquin pills were given to me and they sent me home... 5 minutes into the ride home at midnight. My frantic wife rushed me back. They said it was a "vagal" response. My electrolytes were out of balance ( low pottassium) I had a fever and an elevated white blood cell count. I was coughing up bronchial flem and blood running down my throat from the smashed nose. I was extremely traumatized and scared from being knocked out and having blood shoot out of my smashed to the right nose ( I was bleeding and swallowing and spitting up blood for over one more week) and all while I was still in the middle of a powerful flu! But, not sick enough to be hospitalized according to this prestigious hospital here on the super wealthy Monterey Peninsula near Pebble Beach, Ca.

When my wife rushed me unconscious back to the hospital this time they put me in a large "recovery" room. Next day they gave me more Levaquin. Sent me home again that day, again against my wishes ( I had no PC to demand they keep me.) By that night I was having all the symptoms you all here have described. Nightmares, burning pain in right arm and shoulder, left shoulder also down to my hands. Bladder acting whacky, insides feeling haywire. shooting pains in chest, almost complete insomnia, scared, almost paranoid. And weakness beyond anything I have ever experienced...even with the flu. I could not even hold my hands up while laying down!

Went back to ER by ambulance 2 or 3 times that first week as I thought I was dying ( even while laying down ! ) that first day home and that first week. They always asked me what I was taking and it was only one drug...Levaquin. They never once suggested I stop taking this and I took a full 6 day course. Finally they started calling in the psych ward people and almost not treating me when I would go to them. How sad and humiliating that was. My stomach became so destroyed starting those first few days on Levaquin with pain I couldn't eat and lost 35 lbs. ( yes, that's 35 pounds ! ) in 1 or 2 months! Doctors couldn't find problem first couple of months but eventually months later after a camera endoscopy it appeared my middle intestines had been severely damaged somehow. 25 areas of inflammation, damage to fibers in the illeum, two beginning ulcers and I'm still going for more intestinal tests this next month at University Of San Francisco and Pacific Medical Center there....It's 9 and 1/2 months later and I am still going through daily nightmares of my insides and even heart beatings feeling like they have gone ballistic. Still pain in shoulders, arms, hands, chest walls, buttocks, knees, ankles, weak, unbalanced on my feet, weak thighs, incredible itching on forearms, back of elbows and sometimes scalp, incredibly sensitive to cold like never before, sometimes a burning ( sunburn ) type of feeling in face and neck, odd sharp pains sometimes in upper stomach, lower and even above heart area that last a few seconds, and a weird dry throat feeling when I breath like all the moisture inside of me has dried up, eye sight much worse, bladder acts crazy, many panic attacks ( Having one as I type and have to keep lorazapam handy ) Money has dried up.

Can't afford co-pays anymore. Doctors are irritated and impatient with me and don't even return calls. Small town. No more doctors to try. I'm 55 now. Was a concierge in a well known hotel. Loved my job. Hardly ever took medicines, didn't like going to doctors. But now, most doctors think I am just mentally off.

Had never seen a psychiatrist in my life. Married 24 years same woman, first wife, raised two kids who are now in college. This normal mental and social 50 year background means nothing to these doctors. I just all of a sudden have gone whacky according to them because they can't find easy to explain symptoms except middle intestinal damage, torn rotator cuff in right shoulder, fractured vertabrae posterior L-1 and two small cysts on left kydney, slightly enlarged prostate, mild to medium gastritis and diverticulosis...but nothing that would explain my body feeling like it's constantly being gripped and going haywire inside.

Today I feel this and like my heart and breathing is just gone crazy. I'm unsteady on my feet. Took a lorazapam and not feeling much better at all ( This is why I do not think it is simply anxiety...and I took Lexipro for a few months with similar no help with these symtoms. I quit that 2 to 3 months ago...actually can sleep better now and again, my symptoms never felt better with that stuff. ) I layed down but I still feel gripped inside and my heart beat kind of changing like a power surge and then a nervous jumpy feeling afterwards.

I am as scared as ever and it is a nightmare feeling that everyone has given up on you. I mentioned the Levaquin theory to my PC ( who is ready to drop me ) and he got upset and refuses to even discuss this saying it absolutely cannot be from that Levaquin prescripton I took.

No attorney will even touch this as they say it's too hard to prove and Bush has capped awards at $250,000 which you would have to be dead from liver failure to win.) My life is ruined. And no one will even begin to consider that it was the Levaquin even though all of this exploded that first week while taking only ONE medicine...Levaquin... and with thousands of people reporting the exact same symptoms. I literally have to pray constantly to keep it together with all the debt and almost death like feelings I live with every day. Creditors are calling like crazy. Dear God. But nobody will even consider the Levaquin. Isn't there even one doctor in the country that will even try to see what is happening to me outside of saying I'm crazy?