Levaquin and insomnia

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?

To make a very long story short, I took this medication for 3 days for a sinus infection and misdiagnosed bronchitis. I was diagnosed on Friday with regional pain disorder. Has anyone else heard of this? My doctor is also saying I have a herniated disc and fractured tailbone, this was also news to me, no pain until after taking the Levaquin and the only back pain I have is leftover from EMC/ECV testing. Also when will the nausea go away? The pain medications seem to be helping with the insomnia, but now I have crazy dreams and just want to get off of this ride. Any help with this would be appreciated as I'm not sure how much more I can stand.

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

I was just prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection/bronchitis. I am a healthy 36 year old who is not currently taking any medications. I got the Leva-pac, 5 days, 750 mg. each. The first night I slept fitfully, but was still feeling the infection, so blamed it on that. The second night, however, was HORRIBLE. Although my sinus symptoms were markedly better, I literally thought I was going to have a heart attack during the night. I had severe insomnia...only slept 20 minutes total from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and in those 20 minutes I had a horrible nightmare/panic attack, jaring me awake with clenched teeth, profuse sweating and feeling as though I was choking. I was overly anxious, paranoid and had severe leg cramps. My heart was racing and I would alternate between being overly hot and then overly cold in a matter of minutes. It was an experience I never want to have again. My husband insisted I stop the antibiotic even though that is what you should never do with an antibiotic. Even though I have been off two days now, I am still feeling some of the effects, especially at night.

I was prescribed levaquin back in June for bronchitis. I was given 250 mg to be taken once per day for five days. After taking the first pill I had extreme anxiety, racing heartbeat, panic attacks, breathlessness. Then that night, insomnia. I took the drug for four days, and by that time, the added symptoms were photo sensitivity, no appetite, upset stomach, extreme fear and panic, paranoia. There are more, but since my memory was affected, well you know. Anyway, It's been four months since i finished taking them and a lot of those symptoms are still there, the tend to crop up at random times. I never had any of these things before this taking this drug. Don't take this drug! (also, numbness on left check and around mouth that tends to come and go throughout the day.)

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.

I have just finished Levaquin 500m once a day for 10 days for a horrible sinus infection that would not go away with Zithromax. I am about to finish my Dexpak(dexamethasone) tapered dose in 4 days. I have taken Levaquin and dexamethasone before with no problems. This time I have insomnia and the worst joint pain. I am 33 years old and 135 pounds I feel like an inactive obese 70 year old. I can't sleep right now because my joints are killing me. It is even hard to sit on the toilet and get off the toilet. I find my food sits in my chest. I have started taking Probiotics and I put a heating pad on my chest which feels like a board after I eat. I am glad I am finished the medication and only hope I start feeling better. Good luck everyone.

I was prescribed Levaquin in July 2008 for a kidney infection - 500 mg for 7 days. I experienced insomnia, muscle cramping in my calfs, and aching a chilies tendon while taking the drug. Approximately 5 days post Levaquin I started having generalized muscle twitching (head to toe) which is intensely noticed at rest, severe anxiety, burning sensation, vibratory sensation, and most recently weakness accompanied w/ pain in my right arm. I have seen 4 separate doctors in 3 months and have had blood work done along with an MRI of my brain. All tests came back normal... I am scheduled for an EEG and EMG this coming week - which too will probably come back normal. Between all of my doctors I have been diagnosed w/ a virus, anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and a mild case of Guillain-Bairre Syndrome. Luckily all the doctors have agreed that they do not believe I have MS or ALS. Before the kidney infection I was healthy and RARELY made a visit to the doctors. I have issued a Medwatch Report to the FDA as I am completely convinced that my medical issues are related to Levaquin. I have been dealing with these symptoms now for 3 months and would appreciate any feedback from individuals who have experienced the same side effects and what they may have done to ease the symptoms.

Hello everyone, I did a posting on Sept 27th will my adverse reaction to levaquin. Well, I did a lot of research as to how to help with the side effects. In addition, I discussed the side effects with a friend in medical school to see what he could come up with. I did not even bother going back to my doctor because from many stories that is just a waste of time.

Anyway, its been about 3 weeks and my side effects have gotten much better. Not totally gone...but much, much better. Everything was from my local drug store.

Here is what I did:
Do a colon cleanse or detox regimine right away. Get as much of this stuff out of your system as possible.

Fish oil LIQUID FORM one teaspoon a day (yuck...but do it!)

Bromelain to help with the joint inflammation

Glucosamine to help with joint repair. I got both a pill form as well as liquid. I used this product by Drinkables called Liquid Joint Care Dietary Supplement. Anything in liquid form absorbs quicker.

I also had to resort to getting a sleep aid for the insomnia, you need to get good sleep somehow to help your body repair.

Last but not least, and I know it sounds strange. One small shot of clear vodka a day. It's an old Russian remedy...I guess it has a cleansing effect on the body.

Anyway, somehow all of this really did help. Good Luck!

I was prescribed LEVAQUIN 500mg/day for 30 days. In that duration this is the list of side effects: diarrhea, sleep disorders, insomnia or excessive, and I mean excessive fatique, washing the dishes made me want to nap. heart racing, trouble breathing, tingling sensation either on my left or right side of my body, headaches. I actually finished the script, and now I have a yet undiagnosed skin condition which looks similar to MRSA, but the culture came back negative. The skin sores are very painful, so my doctor put me on DOXYCYCLINE 400mg/day for 2 mos, it didnt help the skin condition and only worsened the effects of LEVAQUIN, now my doctor has me on BACTRIM, because he is convinced it is MRSA. I am also suffering from severe depression, i never contemplate suicide, yet i would drift in and out of daydreams of wanting to quit, dizziness, when I was on LEVAQUIN my equilibrium was completely off. This skin condition is very painful, and I am on my 3rd antibiotic since June. I think I need help too!

I was prescribed 7 days 750mg of Levaquin on 9/10 and finished 9/16. I was originally diagnosed with bronchitis but went back to the Dr. yesterday cause I was not doing any better and he now says it's viral. I've gone to the hospital because I passed out on 9/13 and continue to faint at least once a day. I have tingling/numbness in my hands, ankles, toes, my knees hurt, my lower back is in a lot of pain, almost to where it is not tolerable, I'm dehydrated (I'm drinking and eating, just not as much) it is extremely painful to eat, my tongue and my gums hurt terribly. Last night I had a horrible dream (I don't dream usually, not nightmares) and today I started to hallucinate (mildly) A week ago I was functioning normally, a mother of 3, playing with my kids and now I can hardly walk without assistance, I can't go to work, I'm in constant pain. Someone please give me some kind of guidance. Will these feelings ever go away? What should I do? Thank you!!!!

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 have been on 500mg Levaquin for approximately 10 days, and thought I was doing fine. I did notice that I felt a bit hyper, but not enough to bother me. Then, last night, I simply could not sleep. I have had insomnia at times in the past, and I have found that mild sedatives such as Valium and Ativan work quite well in small doses. But last night, even after taking Valium, I was simply wide awake. There was nothing particular on my mind - I just couldn't sleep. I got up at 3am to pay bills out of sheer boredom laying in bed. Ultimately, I got a total of two hours sleep. I decided to research if the insomnia and overall hyper feelings might be a side effect of the Levaquin, and read the insert for the first time. And there it is on the first line of side effects - difficulty sleeping. Then I Googled it, and found this site. Apparently, I am not alone. So today, I will contact my MD, and most likely suspend the Levaquin.

Update on my post of Aug. 11th. I did see a neurologist who was a bit skeptical, but after looking it up did acknowledge that this drug can cause tendon ruptures, etc. Later that week he did a nerve conduction study, both the one with the needles and the one where they shock the muscles. He was happy to report that I did not have any "nerve" damage. I had already told him that I did not think I had neuropathy as the numbness had gone away and was just replaced by the constant pain in my joints, etc. I then went to see my rheumatologist who was also just as skeptical that the drug could be causing all the pain I was describing. She said she had had three patients with tendon ruptures, but nothing else. I really don't care what she believes, and I told her so. I know what happened and what horrible pain I have been in ever since. I hate to report that the pain in my feet, knees, hands, hips, back and now my neck are not any better. My insomnia is some better, but I am taking more Lyrica. I tried a different antibiotic yesterday for the sinus infection called Clindamycin. OMG! I took one pill and within a few minutes had unbelievable heartburn. That lasted for 12 hours, along with reflux, burping, weird stomach noises. Now, I can't take that. Doctor called in a prescription for Augmentin this morning. Afraid to try anything now, but guess I will give it a shot. Is anyone getting any better from their joint or muscle pain? Some encourgement would be good. Thanks.

Hi

I just ran upstairs to look at what Antibiotic I was on last and it's the same one. I got a rash on about day 7 and googled it and saw all the patients with lots and lots of complications. Actually I mentioned this to the doctor when I went back and she said lots of people react badly to it ...she could even take it. You think they should have to warn you of the serious side effects ...
I wonder why they are using this antibiotic all of a sudden as I have never heard of it before!!!
Interesting ....you should have this in your medical records in case you are in an accident.

There are on line sites that people post reactions to things that others can read....you should add yours....like I said SCARY!!!!

Jackie



-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Heather" ******
I just googled Levaquin and read this: Quinolones, including LEVAQUIN, may also cause central nervous system stimulation which may lead to tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts. That describes what happened to me.

Im only 16 years old and ive been on levaquin for about 3 days now. My doctor told me off the bat that the only thing wrong with the drug were some "theories" on cartilidge damage, how ever, now i see for myself, and for many other people that is not the only side effect. He told me that no one under 18 is supposed to have it but i caught a severe case of sinutitus, and a uti which ive had for 2 months and nothing was working, so he put me on levaquin, once a day for 7 days. Ive now been having the following symptoms and im extremely scared!!
1. Constant fatigue
2. Extreme Migraines
3. Nausea, vomiting
4. Rapid heart beat (and chest pain)
5. Stiffness in joints and horrible pain...
6. Constant anxiousness, to where i cant get to sleep
7. Dizziness

Is there anyone i can talk to who's had these same problems? please email me or something im scared and i don't know what to do my mother doesn't believe me and she says its just a head cold....

******

Please help me!!

I was prescribed 750 mg. Levaquin, one a day for 14 days for a severe sinus infection. We left to visit my son and family in Texas two days after starting the medicine. The entire time we were there I could not sleep. The second day we were there I was walking down the stairs when a pain hit me in my left calf that was so bad I thought I had surely torn a muscle or something worse. It continued to be painful for several days. We returned in four days and I noticed that I was aching all over. I have arthritis and some other problems, so didn't think too much about it. However, it continued to get much worse. My feet hurt so badly that I could hardly bear to walk. My heels are especially painful. I cannot bend my toes without terrible pain and my feet have been swollen. I have sharp tingling pain in my toes as well. My hips and knees are very painful. I am shuffling around just trying to walk and get up and down. I started having a strange pain in my right shoulder area. Am still having insomnia. This is very scary and after reading all the posts it is even more frightening since you don't know what to expect even further down the road. I have an appointment in the morning with a neurologist. I don't know what they can do and I don't want to be put on a bunch of other drugs. I just hope he acknowledges that the Leviquan caused this and doesn't try to come up with some excuse. I have absolutely no doubt the Leviquan caused this as it was immediate and continued to get worse as I took it. I stopped after 11 days and only wish I had stopped sooner, but you just keep making excuses for the weird things that are happening until you finally realize there is something very wrong. I have experienced a lot of pain in my life, but nothing like this. My brother has acute leukemia and has horrible neuropathy in his hands/arms, feet/legs caused by a clinical trial with two chemotherapy drugs. Now I am afraid I may have it in my feet, or something as bad. If the doctor has anything worth reporting I will let you know. Good luck to everyone and thanks for listening.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a bout of diverticulitis six weeks ago. About a half hour after taking it each morning, I felt completely unwell--dizziness, fatigue, overall weakness, odd sensations of pressure in my head, chest, and bladder, weird bouts of sudden joint pain. The worst side effect was terrible insomnia. I'd go to sleep OK, but wake up after 3 hours and not be able to get back to sleep, sometimes for the rest of the night. Instead of getting the rest I needed to get better, I was getting more and more exhausted. Now, a month after stopping the medication, my sleep hasn't returned to normal. I'm still awake in the middle of the night for two or more hours. Is this a residual side effect from Levaquin? Has anyone else experienced it? When can I expect my sleep to improve? Is there a way to detoxify from this drug?

Yes, sounds like we're on the same trip! Insomnia for 3 of 5 days so far, sleeping only 3 hrs a night, neck pain as well as knee and lower back. Oh! yeah, the queasiness and feeling like I want to jump out of my own skin. Should of asked for the 500mg dose vs 750mg. Unable to sleep during the day so I've had very little sleep.

I have been on 500mg of Levaquin for 8 out of a 10 day course. I can barely hold my head up, have a headache and severe neck and muscle pain. My stomach is so queezy and I have been unable to get a full night sleep.

Anyone experiencing the same?
I am afraid to take the last 2 days of the course.

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?

Question for you all. I have been on levaquin for 6 days 750 mg. For the last 3 to 4 days my hands have been killing me and it is getting worse, my knees, and shoulders hurt now. After reading your remarks I am calling doc first thing in the morning. Please let me know if you have any advice for me.

i just now started my first dose of levaquin 750 mg , 5 pills / 1 per day.. ill let u know how it goes.. i see all these posting on insomnia which sounds horrible because i got work Wednesday, (today is Monday).. keep ya posted...

I was diagnosed with pneumonia 12 days ago and put on Levaquin because of it. I have felt like a totally different person and not in a good way. I have not slept more than 2-3 hours per night since beginning this antibiotic, I have been depressed, crying and fatigued. I am normally very emotionally stable but the insomnia has been a nightmare. I will never take this medication again. I appreciate all the postings on this site that helped me know that I wasn't going crazy - Levaquin was doing that to me.

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

We are looking for people who can participate in a documentary film to be shot in Los Angeles which focuses on the apparent adverse effects of Levaquin. Specifically, we are looking for people who have experienced cartilage damage or burst and ruptured tendons as a result of using Levaquin. It is especially useful if you have a doctor's opinion that the damage was caused by Levaquin. If you or someone you know would be interested in taking part in this film which will shoot in Los Angeles in mid-June 2008 please email us at ******

I have been taking Levaquin for sinus infection after Augmentin didn't keep it from coming back. All I can say is that I am completely exhausted. I wonder if it is the drug or something else. No muscle pain. I don't know if I should stop taking it or continue. Tonight I was walking for exercise and couldn't finish because I thought I might faint. My heart was beating and I was shaking. Do you think it is the drug? HELP!

Wow.....after reading so many of the stories here, I am immediately stopping my prescription. While visiting another state I was hospitalized with fever, extreme tremors, and after having a burning pain in my upper abdomen. Was immediately put on IV Levaquin while tests were being run. After 3 days of numerous blood tests, urine tests and 2 CT scans the doctors determined I had a blood infection and the bacteria was E-coli (but not the kind that comes from eating something???). No determination was made as to where the infection came from. During this time I experienced extreme diareah, headaches, insomnia, pain in my right shoulder, extreme heartburn, acid reflux and loss of appetite. All these symptoms were reported to the doctor and nursing staff, but no relief (except a dose of Malox and 2 Tylenol every 4 hours if I asked for it, which offered no relief). They wanted to do more tests but I finally checked myself out with the promise I would see a doctor when I returned home and get more testing. Could barely walk without assistance of my husband for the first hour but improved drastically a couple hours later. Had the first best night's sleep that night. Boarded the plane the next morning with a prescription for Levaquin 500 (11 pills) and took the first one on the plane and within 10 minutes felt a warm rush spread through the back of my throat and into my head. Felt extremely exhausted immediately. After arriving home I felt normal again and the best I had in 4 days. I took my 2nd pill the next afternoon at the same time of day and again felt the same symptoms and went from fully functioning to barely making it to the bed. After a 2 hour nap I arose and within another hour was feeling well and "normal" again. Went shopping for some necessities but found it extremely hard to make a decision on anything and came home with unnecessary items and not the things I needed. Slept well that night and woke up to feeling "normal" and energetic. Shampooed my carpet and cleaned house until time to take the pill. Again, severe fatigue, warm rush in the back of throat and chest pain within 10 minutes. I found this site while researching side effects and am scared to take any more of this stuff. Am still feeling the side effects 4 hours later and not bouncing back like last night. I will immediately stop these pills!!!!!! If the infection comes back I will deal with that in some other way. Good luck everyone and hang in there. I will tell everyone I know about this drug.

Started a 5 day 750mg Leva-pak on Sunday after amoxicillin didn't touch my bacterial throat infection of unknown origin. My husband mentioned these boards full of complaints, but I was so miserable that I said I would be fine--never had a problem with a drug before.

Sunday brought swollen, painful knuckles. Monday had palpitations and painful sensitivity to light. Tuesday night I was wired and couldn't sleep at all, my heart was racing, and I had asthmatic wheezing and serious shortness of breath and borrowed my husband's inhaler. The pharmacy said insomnia wasn't a side-effect (which was misinformation) and I'd be fine as long as I didn't have a rash (more misinformation). I was finally feeling on the mend as the fever had broken Tue night and I attributed the symptoms to the infection. Then I took my next dose of levaquin.

Within 10 minutes of taking it, I was considering a trip to the ER. My head was splitting, I was extremely sensitive to the slightest motion, sound, or light, my heart was racing again, and I felt violently ill to my stomach all within 30 minutes. My throat swelled to the point I could hardly breathe or swallow my spit. My temp that had been normal since the early morning hours also shot up to 101. It was so drastic and sudden that there is no possibility the symptoms came from anything but the medicine. Short of contracting anthrax, I won't ever take this again.

AND my throat is worse! They put me on augmenting now. Wish I'd gone on it in the first place.

It's 2 am on my 7th day of taking Levaquin. I was prescribed the antibiotic after being diagnosed with a UTI. I still have a UTI even though I am finished with my dose. I am awake not because of insomnia, but because I've had my 5th nightmare this week. This one was so bad I woke up screaming and crying. I went outside for some air to try to cool off. I still felt terrible anger for the people in my nightmare and really felt like I was ready for the psych ward. Finally it hit me, the only thing I've done differently this week is taking Levaquin. These nightmares are intolerable! One was understandable I suppose but every night two bad nightmares a night! And these aren't just "someones chasing you" nightmares...these are terrors! After figuring this out I would stop taking this right away if I wasn't finished already. No one I know will ever take this medicine, I will tell everyone of this crazy medicine.

Prescribed 500mg of Levaquin for sinus infection, along w Medrol Pak steroids. Although steroids can cause restlessness, they do NOT cause COMPLETE anxiety, nightmares insomnia and aphasia. I took only 4 pills, 1 each day, and it's like i boarded THE CRAZY TRAIN. Fluoroquinolones are apparently known for their intense and dangerous side effects, and if it is true that this is also an antidote for anthrax poisoning, it's probably something that should not be prescribed for sinus infections. SEVERE side effects, chest tightness, etc. No wonder they will not rx it for teenagers-I am a healthy 42 yr old woman and would NEVER take it AGAIN,.

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

I have taken several rounds of Levaquin, and recently Avelox. After taking 2 rounds of levaquin for a sinus infection last spring I experience many of the myalgia type symptoms, and was tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Lyme's disease, all negative... eventually felt better. I never attributed to the medication. Last fall I again had a sinus infection levaquin again, 2 rounds of 5 days in February, and then Avelox early April. I have never been sicker in my life. I have had many of the CNS effects, and the joint and muscle pain. Agonizing pain that I had never experienced. worse than passing a kidney stone. I am feeling a bit better, and heading back to work today after being unable to go for 10 days. I have also developed some eye problems, that are being managed with drops. I am trying to eat naturally and drinking lots of water. I pray this will go away, and want to warn everyone not to take this medication! Still have back and hip pain, pain in my feet, insomnia, headaches, and anxiety...but is not as severe as 10 days ago. My prayers are with all of you suffering from the side effects of these dangerous drugs.

I posted on April %th about my bad dose of levaquin. This is a little follow up. Today is 15 days since my last pill and ( knock on wood) im feeling pretty good today). last 2 days iv have slight headach and leg pains but today im free and clear. My side effects ran in stages. days 1-5 was panic attach and shoulder, hip and leg pain. The they stooped and it was goin and Stomach pain, constipation, aches. then last set was insomnia and headaches on both side. Last 3 days iv taken benadryle capsules and drand a ton of water almost to the point of drowning myself. but i think it worked. also in th elast few days iv basicly said fuck it, whatever tried to ignore it and not think about it and i think its worked for me. So took me a full 2 weeks once i stoped taking it to clear out of me.

I started taking Levequin before a procedure I was getting (cystoscopy) and was told to take ot for 3 days, 500 mg. The first day i took it I had severe insomnia/heart racing/shortness of breath but I attributed this to nerves due to the proecdure I was getting , the night of the procedure I slept fine but I was also doped up on anesethia. Yesterday was my last night of Levaquin and I once again was up all night. Not only that but I have severe anxiety, feelings of hoplelessness, dread and just worry all day long. I don't knwo what to do. I am 31 years old and 2 weeks ago was feeling fine. I actually took some xanax last night for the anxiety and it really did nothing although it usually does help when I have minor anxiety. I really do not know what to do. I have to go to work every day feeling depressed, achy and lethargic. I just made another dr appt. 3rd dr in 4 days. I have lunesta at home but it rarely works for me. Any suggestions to help me sleep and get rid of the jitters??

I am a 32 year old sane woman with a degree in Psychology. I was prescribed levaquin for walking pneumonia. This is day 7, and I am in tears because I truly thought I was having a psychotic break for the past 5 days. My roller-coaster of symptoms include emotional instability, paranoia, violent thoughts, thoughts of hopelessness and suicide, overwhelming gloom, facial numbness, insomnia, and the feeling of tingling in my mouth and throat. I am going to stop taking this medicine right now, and I've already called my doctor. I just wish I would have linked this to the only medicine I'm taking much sooner.

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.

After being given Levaquin last year, I developed severe insomnia. After the 2nd day of no sleep, I flushed the rest of the pills down the toilet. I was unable to sleep until I finally got some sleeping pills from my doctor at week later. The insomnia lasted almost a month. It was unlike anything I have experienced before. Regardless of how exhausted I was, I felt like I could not fall into sleep, I would just float on the surface but could not go under. I was afraid I was going crazy from sleep deprivation and that I would never sleep again. It was a true nightmare. Fortunately, the insomnia did finally go away but I have placed a note in my medical files to never prescribe Levaquin to me again.

I started taking 750mg of Levaquin last Thursday, March 20, 2008, for a strep throat infection that was not responding to 500 mg. of Penicillin. I took Levaquin last summer due to another bad throat infection and had absolutely no side effects. However, this time I am experiencing a raft of them, from awful insomnia and sluggishness and tiredness, to sever headaches and coughing. I suffer from depression and this is effecting my reaction to the depression medication. I am feeling more depressed.

A few days ago, my head started to hurt near my left eye, and my skull became very sensitive on the top left side, midway between the middle of the skull and my left ear. If I cough, it feels as if my head is about to explode. To make matters worse, whenever I try to speak, I start coughing , which in turn hurts my head. My head is painful to the touch.

This is awful. Can anyone help me out with some pain relief or something?

Mikal

Wow, I had no idea that Levaquin affected so many people. My daughter had knee surgery a couple of years ago. They gave her vancomycin before the surgery. She had an allergic reaction to the stuff. She also found out from one of the nurses that levaquin is related to vancomycin.

I had a total hip replacement 3 years ago and they gave me vancomycin just before the surgery. I was laid up in the hospital for a week. When I arrived home I noticed that my skin was really itchy (mostly my arms). Whenever I scratched it left whelps and turned extremely red. Now after 3 years my skin is still itchy, but not as frequent as it used to be. Has anyone had this problem with their skin?

I wanted everyone to be aware of the relation between vancomycin and levaquin.

Good luck to all.

started Levaquin 2 weeks ago for pneumonia & pleurisy (had been prescribed 5 day kpack but that didn't work). after a couple of days started the insomnia, joint pain in left elbow, knee & hip. then started having problems walking, dizzy, nausea, headache, called my docs and they had me come in. they sent me to emergency room to make sure I wasn't having stroke! no stroke, but stopped Levaquin (it was helping my pneumonia) and switched to another antibiotic. my side effects were not going away, though, and the night before last I took a vicodin. DO NOT TAKE VICODIN! woke up crying in the morning and could not lift my arms cause of the pain. my husband had to hold a glass so I could drink water to take pain meds. couldn't even type! I did go to acupuncture, and last night I took Advil pm (2) and today slept till 2pm! I feel MUCH better, though side effects still not gone. I am mid 40's, fairly healthy, (had breast cancer last year, though, w/mastectomy & chemo, and had radiation for hodgekins in my early 30's) so my immune system is a bit weaker than most, but I get around and am VERY active, so this threw me for a loop. any advice anyone? gmf

I was prescribed Avelox for pneumonia, which I had a severe reaction to. I was driving in my car with my kids and suddenly didn't know where I was. I was so confused and pulled the car over and vomited. I rushed home and was launched into a full-fledged panic attack. I was then given Levaquin and I was fine with it other than some mild malaise and a little dizziness for the 7 days of 750mg, but my symptoms just came back soon after and I developed a sinus infection and was put back on the Levaquin. I took one 250mg pill yesterday and had the same thing happen, severe fatigue, weakness and numbness in my hands and arms, dizziness, confusion, panic attacks, blurred vision and severe diarrhea. I felt floaty and out of it for the rest of the day and night. I woke up this morning and I feel much better, other than some left over anxiety about taking the prescription. THE GOOD NEWS is that my symptoms are gone now that the antibiotic has been metabolized and secreted from my body. I did see some floaters in the shower today, but I believe they were because I strained my eyes when looking to far to the right. I drank 2 glasses of wine to help with the increased heart rate and insomnia that the drug caused--worked well!! I would never, ever take this antibiotic again.

I took 500 mg. Levaquin for 9 days for a sinus infection, beginning 2/20/08. I noticed my hips ached, my lower back (kidneys?) did as well along with chest pressure, insomnia and overall tiredness, which I suspect was associated with the insomnia. I took it at night, so while I noticed dizziness when I was up at night, it didn't affect my day. After speaking with my doctor, I stopped taking the medication, and I won't take it again. Has anyone tried naturopathic or homeopathic remedies to help cure the side effects? I'm tired of the "cure" being worse than the sickness. Thanks.

I've had bronchitis for approximately a month. I finally went to the doctor on Feb. 7th for treatment. He put me on Prednisolone and wrote me a script for Levaquin. He told me not to take it unless I presented with fever and green mucous discharge, so I never filled it. Five days later I had 103 fever and felt like crap. My husband took me to the doctor where I got a chest x-ray, which was clear, a shot of Rocephin (sp?) antibiotic, a shot of Decadron steroid, Ambien to help me sleep, and 12 days of 750 mg of Levaquin. I truly believe my problems are caused from the Levaquin. I've had nausea, shortness of breath, insomnia even with the Ambien, night sweats, headaches, mini panic attacks, shall I go on.....Today will be day 7 of treatment. I can't continue taking it. I can't function this way. I'll be glad to get another shot of Rocephin for treatment. NO MORE LEVAQUIN!!

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.

While taking Levaquin I experienced insomnia and anxiety. One week after completing 500mg a day for 10 days, I began experiencing Tendonitis in my right hand/wrist and have had an incredibly painful earache with tinnitus and vertigo. The ENT doctor diagnosed TMJ, but I do not grind my teeth or clench my teeth. My jaw operates just fine with no immediate pain, but the earache persists almost constantly. The ENT doctor's solution was Vicodin, but I want a cure not a pain treatment. I don't believe I have TMJ and wonder if it could be the temporal tendon. I am indirectly aware of two other people who have had the same experience, and I wonder how many others are out there. If any one else has experienced this and has any knowledge or advice to offer, I would greatly appreciate it. I have no idea who to go to about this. The ENT doctor does not have any solutions, and I doubt a dentist can help me because I don't think it's TMJ.

Levaquin actually worked great when I took it. I was diagnosed with epididymitis after a urine culture was analyzed and the doc gave me a 10 day supply of Levaquin to take once a day. The side effects I felt were pain in the abdominal area, headaches, anxiety, confusion, and dizziness. Those I could live with, because the epididymitis problem had more side effects than the drug. The trade off was worth it. I'm on my 7th day of Levaquin and I feel a whole lot better than without it. But do beware some people do react badly to the Levaquin family of drugs including cipro. This is some powerful stuff not to be messed around with, it is also used to treat HIV patients and people who had post inhalation of Anthrax. Yes it is powerful enough to treat those dangerous conditions. When you take Levaquin just get plenty of rest drink lots of water AND Cranberry juice which prevents unitary tract infections. Do not exercise while on this medicine for it will cause tendon damage, just take it easy for the whole time you are on it with plenty of fluids. Get better and stay healthy.

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.