Levaquin and health

Im sad to find out all the problems people are having from levaquin. But now Im able to put 2 and 2 together because Im realizing whats been compromising my health. This is my second year with bronchitis and my second prescription of levaquin. I now believe its what has caused me horrible nightmares, suicidal thoughts, irritation, mental anguish, stress tendon/muscle pain in my arms and shoulders. I bent over to pick up my dog to help him into the car and I got a terrible pain in my chest. I thought I was dying. And I still have a rattle in my lungs after 2 weeks of levaquin so it has not helped at all. If anything it has caused me more problems that has opened the door for additional medications of unknown origin. I wish I could find a real witch doctor.

I was prescribed this Levaquin antibiotic for 7 days duration. Day one I started feeling nausea, fagtige, my brain just thinking weird stuff. I thought it was my sickness. Day two my condition was took a deeper turn: I couldn't sleep, I was so hot (inside my body) took off my cloth ran around the house like a crazy person, even thought it was cold in the winter. I started thinking of suicidal, depression. my heart beat was pumping so fast, I tried to calm my self down by listen classical music, that didn't help either....I went to emergency room, doctor prescribed me a different antibiotic...that medication still affect me today...I still keep the bottle to remind myself of that medication...long story short..

My wife has sinus infection. Her doctor prescribed Levaquin. She took one last night (08/12/08), she couldn't sleep, headache, nausea...etc. I warned her many times before about this medication, but I didn't realized she taken the medication or bought this medication...

THIS IS A SERIOUS. LEVAQUIN IS A BAD MEDICATION. STOP USING THIS LEVAQUIN NOW. we need to organize a group for FDA to prohibit this medication for good. Even class action sUit to stop the company from manufacturing this medication. If anyone knows how and where to go about these, please let me know. This is for real, our health is more important. Thank you !!

In July 2007, I was put on Levaquin for pneumonia. I was 53 years old, working full-time, active. The pneumonia was caused by aspiration when vomiting. I had never had these problems - pneumonia or aspiration - before. I had gradually worsening generalized joint and muscle pain and stiffness, which I reported to my doctor after about 5 days on the Levaquin. The pain I was experiencing was worse than the pneumonia symptoms (mostly high fever). The course of levaquin was supposed to be 14 days. After 9 days, I could not tolerate it any longer. My doctor put me on a Z-pack (azithromycin) for the remainder of my treatment. It is a year later, and I am still plagued with muscle pain in my back, shoulders, arm, abdomen - and, at its worst, my legs. The only way I'm able to function is on prescription painkillers, which I detest having to take - but they're a lifesaver. I've been seeing a rheumatologist since December '07. He dosen't seem to believe the levaquin - pain connection. He thinks I may have Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I have consistently elevated blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, a muscle enzyme which indicates muscle damage. I was on prednisone 10 mg. from early March '08 which I have just weaned off of after suffering a depressive episode with a suicide attempt at the begining of this month. I can't work now. I'm terrified of becoming permanently disabled. Finding answers has been very difficult but I firmly believe that the Levaquin started all this.

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 was taking Levaquin for a sinus infection. After taking the first dose of 750 mg, I noticed that I started having tingling and numbness in my hands and arms. After the second dose, I started feeling the same tingling and numbness in my arms, hands, and legs. Because I had been having severe headaches anyway, I started wondering if I had some kind of neurological problem and my headaches were linked to the strange sensations. However, I noticed that I didn't have any problems with my arms and legs until after I started taking Levaquin. Some of my other symptoms were: tightness in my neck muscles and sore muscles. I also remember seeing a flashing light from the corner of my left eye and floaters. I stopped taking Levaquin after just 2 doses because it began scaring me and I feared what might happen after my third dose. I can't afford to take any chances with my health. That's why I appreciate this post, and I see that I wasn't just imagining these side effects. Since I've stopped taking this medication I still have problems with my arms. They feel heavy like I've been lifting weights and the ache. A couple of times, I've had to take pain medicine for the pain in my arms because they've hurt so bad, it feels kind of like when you hit your funny bone and you try to figure out why they call it a "funny bone" because it's definitely not funny! My arms hurt so bad I couldn't lift them, and I could type or write so I just took some medicine (tremadol) and laid down. It's been weeks since I've taken levaquin, but I still I have sensations and aching and heaviness in my arms. Has anybody been off of Levaquin for a considerable amount of time and found that the symptoms go away? Please give me some hope! :) Thanks.

I am currently on Levaquin because Bactrim did not completely relieve me of a UTI infection. I avoid taking pharmaceuticals at all because I suffered chemical poisoning from living near the World Trade Center and, as far as I'm concerned, ALL pharmaceuticals are poison...but necessary in some cases when diet and exercise are not enough to stay healthy. I have some minor side effects and the infection seems to be clearing. Before I started taking it I looked at this website. I just have to say that I can't believe the number of people who are depending on their doctors and pharmacists or leaflets to give them information. It is YOUR health and YOUR responsibility. Personally, I would never put something into my body without finding out myself and researching it. If someone chooses to not take responsibility for their own body and health, then don't blame your doctor for that. It is your choice to put your health in someone else's hands...and the fault is your own. Don't put your health in the hands of someone other than yourself without doing the research.

Levaquin IV in hospital for 2 days, then one 500mg tablet per day for a month. Semi hallucinations in hospital may have been due to infection but diarrhea for 2 months was not. About three weeks into the medication it started affecting my heart beat--arhythmia and increased rate--causing considerable distress and malaise; I presumed that my heart was permanently damaged. It may well be so, but now three months out the symptoms have lessened and I'm begining to feel like my old self. I hope never to have to risk my health on Levaquin again.

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!

Nikki,

This is in addition to the last post I made to you. You should stop taking the Levaquin and ask your doctor for another antibiotic. Just make sure that it is not a flouroquinolone or a quinolone (Cipro, Avelox, Floxin, etc). This family of antibiotics will cause all of the same pains and then some. Do read the other posts and visit the websites mentioned. You'll be in shock from what you learn about these antibiotics. Be prepared for your doctor to have no knowledge of these side effects. Your doctor will probably tell you not to read stuff off of the internet and dismiss your claim that your pains are drug related. Just remember that it is your body and your health. Insist on a different antibiotic.

To Guest #3337

You know...to the last message posted about how our health is our own responsibility and all that guff...THAT IS WHY WE ARE READING THESE MESSAGES!!!!! We do rely on our Dr.'s and the pharmacies to provide us with information on our drugs, as who has a better knowledge of them??? Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinions...but I believe you are outcasted MANY TO FEW! Kudos to you about your wonderful Levaquin experience...we all wish we had as much to complain about as you!

Thank God I found this site also! I thought maybe I was crazy! I have been taking Levaquin only a few days. I take it with dinner thinking it would help ward off side effects-yeah right. I feel very "drugged" about an hour after I take it, like I can't wake up for anything, but then I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep! I aslo have been very achy in the legs and back and thought something was really wrong. Thanks to all who posted their expeiences, at least I know I am not crazy and I will not be taking the last 2 doses! Oh, I also have that metal taste-yuck! Good Luck and Health to everyone!

My mother, age 73, has always been in excellent health. She was prescribed Levaquin for an upper respiratory infection. She immediately became nauseous and slept all day. She is the type of person who barely gets nauseous with stomach flu. Within 3 days of taking the Levaquin she began to have tremors. She can no longer write legibly. Her entire upper body and voice quiver constantly. Her legs feel week and quiver "from the inside" and she has no energy. She took the Levaquin for only 5 days. She stopped over a month ago and still has tremors and lack of energy. I don't believe people are being warned of the possible side effects of this drug.

Began Levaquin for prostatitis, a result of unknown infection in the past, that has reoccured roughly once a year for about 7.5 yrs. Results are excellent, and healed a tooth that had seemed destined to be removed, and this after just 5 days. However, I have had difficult dreams, pain and burning in bladder area, and lower back, prespiration and hot/cold feelings. I am a 63 yr old male, and in the past was given a regimen of Cipro, which produced no effects other than cure,
but I took it for a month to produce the cure. I am to take three more doses, and will do them, but hesitate to say I would do it in the future, and will look for yet another regimen if needed. By the way, my health is excellent,(inc. prostate) other than this damn curse..and also, the Levaquin was free samples.....

Good luck to you all.

It has been over a year for me,I still have severe dizziness,muscle pain in arms and ankle,pain in left eye if I use it too much like reading and twitching of muscles.I had nothing wrong with my health before Levaquin.