Levaquin and god

On 7-15-08 I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital.3 weeks to the day later I had a abscess next to my bowel that had to be removed and again was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital,both times I got very sick right after I was given Levaquin and when I was discharged on the 2nd.trip I was sent home with Levaquin 500mg pills.After taking 2 of the Levaquin pills I again was so sick and could not keep anything down so I called my DR.and explained to him what was going on and I was told I had to keep taking the Levaquin.After a few more days had passed I went into the office to see the DR.and again told him how sick I was and that I was unable to go to sleep,again I was told to continue the Levaquin and that my hormones were out of balance and that was why I was unable to go to sleep.On 9-2-08 I finally went back to work after being off for 7 weeks. I still was suffering from insomnia and was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night but was feeling better.On 9-30-08 I had a follow up with my primary care DR.my blood pressure was 211/160 and my pulse was 177 and also had a bad cough with wheezing and was sent straight to the ER.I was admitted and for the next 6 days was given Levaquin thru IV and the more I got the sicker I was to a point I thought I was dying.I ended up with a rash all over my face and finally on day 7 a Lung DR.came into the room and took one look at me and said "oh my god,we have to take you off of that antibiotic")
I was sent home on day 8 and after being home for 3 days all of the Tendons in both legs,ankles,arms,hands and right shoulder were inflamed to a point where the DR.was afraid that they were going to rapture so I was on complete bed rest for 3 weeks.I am now suffering from both ankles swelled and ache all the time along with all of the minerals in my body have completely bottomed out along with the calcium and potassium and also now I have several inflammatory markers in my blood and have to go see a Rheumatology & Arthritis DR.My lungs have also been damaged from Levaquin and I am now using 3 different inhalers and I have never had a breathing problem previous to this.Now for those who have commented that we should have researched the drug before taking the meds in my case I was unable to do so being as though I was given it in the hospital ! I still have no idea how much damage I will be left with and what will be permanent.I will post again when I find out more on the damage that this drug has done to my 44 year old body.

My 80 year old mom is going through Chemo for Bladder Cancer. She is also diabetic. Bacteria was found in her urine so the doctor gave her 4 tablets of Levaquin. Saturday night of Labor day weekend mom took the first pill. Sunday she woke up almost BLIND! She panicked and, thinking it was her diabetes causing the problem, took her blood sugar numbers. (She was so scared that she can't recall what the numbers were, just that they were 250+). She started taking her fast acting insulin. She couldn't get the blood sugar numbers to come down after numerous injections. She called me so confused and not knowing what to do. Thank God I wasn't gone that weekend. I rushed 18 miles into town. I calmed her down. We just kept watching the numbers and she kept taking her injections. About 6 hours later the numbers were down to normal for her. We narrowed the cause down to either the Levaquin or the infusion of platletts she had on Friday. We called the pharmacist and he said that Levaquin could cause blurriness of vision. She didn't take any more Levaquin.
It had been 10 days since she took that one pill and her eye sight is still messed up. When she tries to read the newspaper the letters jump around. She has a hard time reading the dosage numbers on her syringes now. She is so scared that her eyes won't get better and she will have to be dependent on someone.

Last year, starting July 5th till August 20th, at the age of 15, I am female, I had to take this devil of a drug. For nearly a month, after getting out of a hospital for a massive kidney infection caused by a kidney stone. The month I went through was a total hell; I was up all night, nearly every night, vomiting what I had managed to eat during the day. Cause of this I lost over 50 lbs and became underweight, from being unable to safely eat without vomiting minutes after the consumption of food. It gave me pseudotumor cerebri, and papilloedema which has nearly ruined my eyesight. It has also caused psychological effects with me caused by hallucinations, I cannot sleep without a nightlight, I am very paranoid of mirrors now, it has left me with depression and paranoia. I do not recommend this drug to anyone, as I am afraid it could cause death! I truly would wish this on no one, not even my enemies.

I started Levaquin 500 MG on Thursday Aug. 29, 2008. I did not have any problem the first night. But the second day at about 3:00 PM I was working on my computer when my finger joints started to get stiff and my hands and arms started to shake. I just thought I was tired and forgot about it. At 1:30 AM August 30, I was awakened by someone shouting in my ear , You are going to die. I woke up in a sweat and my heart pounding. My hand were stiff and my knee joints were very tight. I also was in a very bad panic attack.
I went to my desk and wrote my wife a letter telling her how much I loved her and my dog Abby. I then proceeded to give her funeral instructions as to which funeral home church and buriel plot.. This writing was 3 pages long. I called my doctor and they as much told me this could not happen. My blood pressure was 240 over 120 when I took it. I took a valium and this calmed me down in 10 minutes. They gave me a new antibiotic for my Bronchitis. So I thought the nightmares and pain was over. Not so quick last night at 2:20 AM I was awake by the screaming in my ears you are going to die. I tried to call my wife but I could not get the word out for help. I tried to move my hands and fingers they would not move. Finally I rolled off the bed and yelled my wifes name she did not hear me.
This drug has set back my recovery from my panic attacks. This drug should be badded by the FDA. But as usual the government does nothing to help the public only big business.

I've been taking Levaquin for about 3 weeks. Last week, suddenly, every joint in my body started aching. I mean from my neck, hands, hips, knees, ankles, feet, everything. For the past week, when I wake up, I can't even make a fist without experiencing excruciating pain. I've always been very active, running, basketball, soccer, skiing, you name it, so this is scaring the heck out of me. I'm 47 years old, and up until a week ago, I was hiking with my family, running everyday with my dog. Now I feel like I'm 100 years old. It hurts to walk, stand up, etc! I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow! I'm ticked about this!

Hello All, My Levaquin nightmare began on June 18th, 2008. The side effects I had were so unbelievable, most of you, if not all of you will believe this. I had severe night sweats which would transfer over to a extreme cold chills, which would allow me to sweat like crazy. Bathed in Sweat. I thought there were small needles all around me and poking me everywhere. My feet, toes, knees and buttocks tingled like there was no tomorrow (and still are to this day). When and how can I make these side effects go away. I'm sick of them. I no longer have the night sweats or the bitter chills, I'm now totally aware of want is going on around me, while taking the med and several days after I couldn't even tell you my name. The bridge of my nose, and running across to my ears tingled like crazy and my ears rang all the time, and they still ring once in a while still. I need to know when this feeling of tingling in my hands, feet, knees, legs and humming in my ears will go a way. Help! I think this drug needs to taken off the market. I took a total of 17 pills. My first scripted was for 15 days and by not knowing any better less then a week later and another doctors appointment, and one more script, which I filled. I took two pills from that bottle. My husband called the doctor and she told him this wasn't normal. She told him that I was to stop the med asap, which I did and I'm still having these awful tingling. If anyone, anyone has any suggestion of how to get those med out of my system I would certainly appreciate it. God Bless each and every one of you. May you all find relief.

My husband was having gastrointestinal problems for about a week. The PA at his primary care physician's office prescribed Levaquin for 7 days. Blood taken ½ hr after Levaquin started showed liver levels to be a little high. By the 3rd or 4th day my husband was jaundiced. Blood taken on the 6th day revealed liver levels dramatically higher. He is still jaundiced and liver levels are still at the higher level. Had ERCP procedure, CT scan of abdomen and MRCP, but no conclusions other than stricture of bile duct and possibly pancreatic cancer, although a mass has not been seen on any film. Has this happened to anyone else on Levaquin? Doctors want to try ERCP again and if that does not work then the Whipple Procedure which is major surgery to remove a possible pancreatic cancer that they have not seen.

on may 31 i wrote the symptoms my mother had from 4 doses of levaquin over a 4 day period.....on june 2nd she died from levaquin induced myosistis
it was a horrible ordeal and i hope this website saves a life. luanne

Well I hope we can all breath a little easier after the "new" story came out about the dangers. We finally hit home and we should all be proud of ourselves that we finally got through to these companies. Todays Boston Herald, the local news, it"s everywhere!!!!! God Bless us all for being patient!!!!!Hurray!!!!!!

I took Levaquin for five days, beginning on June 5th. My doctor gave them to me in the individual "blister packs", not in the box or with any pamphlet. I had/have horrible joint pain in my ankles, knees, and hips. The pain in my hands and wrists is almost gone, but the rest is still there and, in some areas, getting worse. I called the doc. and told them about my problem, they said all the side effects should go away after about 72 hours from the last dose. Has not happened, its been over a month and my left ankle and hip are worse. Does anyone have any advice? I'm ******

All I can say is that when I heard that CIPRO and if I understand correctly LEVAQUIN will now have the "Black Box" warning, I thought THANK GOD. .I wonder how many people are "the box" from the drug and/or from committing suicide from this horrific drug?

THANK YOU, FDA, for listening to those who contacted you via letters and emails. Also, who knows? Maybe this board made a little bit of difference.

Either way, a warning is not a ban. I can't understand how Bextra could be pulled off the market and LEVAQUIN "lives all" to do more damage to some.

Pray for this drug to be further scrutinized and researched!!!!!!!!!!!!

Began taking Levaqauin on/about 19Mar08. Became symptomatic (agitation + insomnia followed by a host of psychiatric ills) within eight weeks. I'm in a living hell now, which might or might not be related to flouroquinolone, e.g., levaquin poisoning. There are more than 2000+ posting on this site that go back five or so years. Most of the postings constitute one-way communiques from hell. (Go ahead, read a representative sampling of the postings.) Here's the question: what became of these people who wrote their awful posts? Are they still alive? Did they find cures? How does one contact some of the earlier posters?

I am a 36 year-old female, and in very good physical condition. I have been a runner for 15 years. I was prescribed levaquin for a recurrent sinus infection, 500mg x 7 days. On the second day I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome (tendonitis of the forearms & hands); I could barely hold a pen in my hand, much less write. I refused to take the 3rd dose. On the 5th day (even though I am not taking it anymore) I woke up with severe hip pain (both hips). I can barely walk, much less run. I am a full-time physician and have a small child. I am not sure what will happen to my favorite hobby, running. This drug is extremely dangerous, and I will never prescribe it to anyone. It should be removed from the market!!

I have been on Levaquin over 6 times in the past 2 years for upper respiratory infections. I just came off another levapak 750mg for 10 days and my biceps were feeling really tight. I mentioned this to my doctor but he said it was a common side effect. After researching this today I am shocked about the tendon damage. I have had distal bicep tendon surgery on each arm on separate occasions in the past two years. Now I am terrified this is going to happen again. None of the surgeons could figure out why someone my age (41) could do this twice in under 2 years. Has anyone found a way to reverse this? I am terrified to go back to the gym or even lift anything. My biceps are so sore and I have been off the Levapak for 3 days and my biceps seem to be getting more tight and sore each day. I can't face having another surgery. This drug should be taken off the market.

I weigh 118lbs and I am 30 years old. I took one dose 250mg. of Levaquin yesterday and developed severe side effects, confusion, dizziness, irregular heart beat, muscle numbness and weakness in my hands and arms, panic and visual disturbances. Does anyone know hoe long it takes to get a 250mg dosage of this God forsaken drug out of your system?

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 had a cough for a few days, which didn't improve,my wife insisted that I go to the Doctor to have it checked. The Doctor determined that I was either getting over a slight case of pneumonia, or it was just beginning. He prescribed LEVAQUIN 500 MG for 10 days. I took the first pill in the evening of Feb 3rd. When I went to bed, I was not able to sleep, I was short of breath, my heart rate went to 140, I did not sleep the entire night, my heartbeat was also irregular and I have a terrible headache. The next AM, I went to the Doctor and he said that I should continue with the LEVAQIUN - and that the symptoms were not related to the drug. - I have had and irregular heartbeat in the past, but no like this. The Doctor insists that the LEVAQUIN did not cause the problem. Then he put me on Toprol - to slow the heart rate. I took the Toprol and took the 2nd dose of LEVAQUIN last night. My heart rate is down, but still irregular, I didn't sleep, have anxiety, shortness of breath and don't feel right. Went back to the Doctor today and he still insists that the LEVAQUIN didn't cause this. Thank God that I found this website and others, I have stopped taking the LEVAQUIN. I already feel better, and hope that I don't get any other of the side effects.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection. Shortly after taking the drug, I noticed a heavy metallic taste in my mouth. After two doses, I did notice the sinus infection was getting much better and decided I was well enough to go out to dinner with my husband (who prescribed the Levaquin). We arrived at the restaurant and within seconds of being seated at our table, I felt an explosion in my head. The pain, slamming through the whole left side of my head, was beating along with my heart! I have never felt head pain such as this. Thank God my husband is a doctor and I quietly told him there was no way I was going to make it through the dinner because my head was EXPLODING! In a our state of fear and embarrassment, he took me home and put me in a hot shower, gave me Advil, steroids, Ativan and Vicodin. I'd never had that many drugs on board in my life! The pain receded from about a level 9 to a 3 within two hours, then completely disappeared after 5 hours. I woke up fine this morning and my husband and I decided Levaquin probably is not a good drug for me, though it does help many other people.

I don't know what to do, I have been on Levaquin (750 mg) for approx. 8 days now, I have 6 more days to go. I was prescibed this drug due to being diagonosed with MRSA. However the infection has gone away, I began to have extreme pain in my both knees. Sleeping has been difficult as well waking up with night sweats. I will bare the pain for the 6 remaining days. But if the pain tends to get worse, I will need to consult my physician

I went back to my PCP today. Yes the one that gave me the Levaquin. He was very nice and even agreed it was the Levaquin I took back in December. He said that these types of side effects we all are describing are RARE (I would have kicked him for all of us, but my legs hurt to bad).

But he did acknowledge pain and my symptoms (listed in my December post) and prescribed me Prednisone for my ligaments and Lyrica for my nerve pain. He also said it was going to be a long haul. I know that some of you are dying to telling why these meds are bad too, but I am going to try it because I haven't really been out of my bed for two weeks.

I just wanted to let you all know, that maybe some doctors are starting to listen... and that we should keep speaking out and warning others about the HIGH risk of our side effects.

My 15 year old daughter was prescribed this medication for a sinus infection. By the 2nd day she had a headache and by that night she was having nightmares bad enough that she wanted me to watch her fall asleep. She is now paranoid, anxious, she has slept the entire day for the last 5 days and hasn't wanted to leave the house. I left the house and she called me on the phone very paranoid to the point she asked me not to hang up the phone and she kept asking how long until I come home. I was just a few blocks away and she kept telling me to hurry home. I put her in the car with us just to get out of the house then she said she felt sick and threw up. She hasn't held a full conversation in 5 days and says she feels like she's crazy. I called the on-call doctor's hospital and they surprised a doctor prescribed this to a teenager.