Levaquin and joint pain

All i can say is WOW! i am so happy i found this website..
I too have suffered side effects and till this day am suffering from Levaquin.
In Feb of 08 i was diagnosed with Prostatitis and was given a 14 day dose of Levaquin. Hours after the first dose i started experiencing pain in my lower extremities,me thinking it was caused by the prostatitis i continued the doses.By the second dose i was in absolute pain in basically all my insides and started having this metal taste in my mouth.Not ever being allergic to any type of medicine i continued the doses only getting sicker and worse.By like the 6th pill i was having anxiety,insomnia,hallucinations,nightmares whenever i was able to close my eyes,partial psychosis,rashes on my face that would get bright red then go away and the skin would peel off.I would be so thirsty water couldn't quench it,suicidal thoughts.I developed a pain in my left calf and behind my left arm in the tricep that till this day bother me.Joint pain,ringing in my ears,excruciating headaches like someone was jabbing a knife in my head,lost 30lbs cause of the colitis it caused,neuropathy,and so much more,it was a total nightmare.
I went in for discomfort of my prostate and doctors couldn't understand why all the other symptoms only a week later,they were completely clueless and told me i was making this stuff up cause i was having an anxiety attack.. I was a perfectly healthy 33yr old before levaquin. The doctors sent me for test after test from HIV to LUPUS only to tell me its all in my head,that i was a healthy man to move on with my life.I would try to sleep and have all these terrible thoughts and would swear i slept for 3 hrs only to see that 20 minutes have gone by,i was gentle to the touch.My family had no clue,they thought i was going nuts.I was pretty bad for months after,the effects started going away little by little,i was back 50% to myself by like June of 08.Since,i still have the pain in my left calf from time to time,tremors,joint pain..I have since joined the gym and have been taking supplements that have helped a lot with my joint pains.
This stuff is poison and should be taken off the market..

I have been "sick" and in pain since taking Levaquin - first prescription before my sinus surgery in Jan. '09 and then again after the sinus surgery. I thought it was just taking me a along time to recover from the surgery for some reason but now as I read all the posts, I believe it was the levaquin. The joint pain, muscle pain, extreme fatigue continue to this date. I see the only lawsuits are for torn tendons but what about all of the other problems people are experiencing. Are we to live with this?

I was give Levaquin when I had a Prostate Biopsy and had a reaction to it , Hives, muscle pain oral thrush ,I told the doctor about it so he gave me another anti biotic,CIPRO which made things worse, then I find out they are both from the same family of antibiotics, these doctors don't know what they are giving you and he said all that I should have gotten from them was a little stomach problem, Its two years now and I still have skin
problems, joint pain and pain in my neck amd the doctors say it can't be from the Levaquin, Well how come I was healthy until I took it

I have been on levaquin now for my second round of 5 days of a 28 day does for prostate. I have experienced joint pain, insomnia, irregular and skipped heart beats, fatigue, anxiety and many of the previous mentioned symptoms by others. I had all of these with my first round of this drug but I thought it was because if the severe infection in my prostate, UTI, kidneys and bladder. I was feeling great until 5 days ago when I start taking levaquin again. I think there is something very wrong with this drug and someone should be looking into a class action against the maker of this drug.

I took levaquin (750) for a bronchial infection about 9 months ago. My doctor gave me individual samples with no info. on any side effects. Like most people, I trusted my doctor and took the pills without question. The aftermath has been a complete nightmare as I have suffered severe joint pain, depression and an atypical anxiety that at times that feels like a drug induced brain fog. I've seen numerous specialist searching for an underlying process causing the symptoms but nothing is ever found. Since the beginning I've contended that the Levaquin was at the root of my problem, but no doctor has ever given that thought any consideration. Prior to the Levaquin I was perfectly fine with no history of any joint pains or mood disorders. Does anyone have any ideas on how to reverse or heal the process?

in 2006 i was attacked and bitten by a dog , the wounds became infected and was prescribed levaquin for the infection, about the 8th day of taking it i noticed bad joint pain, insomnia, anxiety, ringing of ears,and more symptoms, i was in good health before this, and have been in misery every day all day ever since!!!!
i have been told by my dr that i have fibromyalgia. if anyone has a doctor that will verify that the levaquin , and the trauma from the dog bite caused the fibromyalgia, please contact me , thanks

I began taking Levaquin for a kidney infection. After the first pill (500mg) I had insomnia, joint pain and a little under the weather. I thought maybe it was a combination of the pill and still having the kidney infection. I figured the infection wasn't gone because the first med, Sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160 I had a reaction too also. That was prescribed for 10day when I only was 4days into it with that pill. So I went from Friday to Monday without any medications. I felt that the kidney infection was still there because I was still hurting, not as bad as when I went to ER but knew it wasn't gone. So Monday night I started taking the Levaquin. Felt bad after the first pill but after taking the 2nd pill I became very weak, had ringing in my ears, eyes started to swell,had sweats nausea, stomach hurt and became very bloated, neck pain so bad I could hardly turn my neck. Pain running down into my shoulder blades, jaw pain, sore throat, nausea, felt like someone was squeezing muscle in left arm and squeezing muscle on left side of neck Started to have some muscle pain in right calf. Call Dr. on call and he said STOP taking the medicine, take some Benadryl and if gets worse go to the ER. Well, I took some Benadryl which made it seem a little better, but this is the day after and my muscles by my shoulder blades are so sore and have a burning sensation. I still feel somewhat weak but not as bad as last night. Seems I tired out real quick. This medicine made me feel like I was on the way out. I was prescribed it for 7 days and only took it for 2. Now I am very hesitant about taking anything as I have had reactions now to 2 different meds. Still don't know if kidney infection is gone or not. Does anyone know of any natural ways to rid yourself of kidney infection? I would appreciate any advice anyone has. All I know this has been 2weeks of @@@@ since I was diagnosed with this kidney infection.

Hi All,

I am so glad that I found this group of postings. For the past 5 days I have been experiencing muscle pain which began on the inside of my left knee day 1. On the second day I had significant pain in both calf muscles as if I had begun a new calf workout routine(I haven't) as well as pain in the large back muscle that runs down either side of the spine. Day 3 I noticed serious pain in my forearms and wrists. The forearm pain is causing hand cramping and my thumbs don't seem to function properly. I tried to sign a credit card receipt today and could barely grip the pen. I now have pain in my neck muscles as well.

I know I have taken Levaquin in the past 6 months, I am just not exactly sure when it was. I am definitely going to research that. I went to the Dr. yesterday to discuss my muscle pain. He took 2 viles of blood. He said he is going to check for Lyme's disease and other infection. I am hopeful it is not something serious. I must say thought, many of the posts above sound a lot like what I am experiencing. I am going to be beyond angry if I have a permanent condition from taking Levaquin. Some pain I believe I can deal with. It is the current poor function of my hands I am most concerned with.

I wish all of you the best in recovering. If my condition turns out to be something else I will repost.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for an infected toenail. After 5 days, I began to notice extreme joint pain my hands, knees and ankles. I initially thought it was because I traveled carrying two wheeled bags. After reading the side-effects of the medicine I realize that it is definitely the antibiotic. My symptoms are still getting worse, even though I have been resting. What can be done to help with the pain & swelling. I have two small children & opening a bottle of apple juice is almost impossible, not to mention trying to driving to grocery store or daycare.

Murdered by Levaquin.
This may be hard so bear with me. I need to give you a little background to show what an injustice (criminal you be the judge) happened to my soulmate. Her lifelong dream was a humble little spot in the wilderness and at 58 and on a disability we were able to make that happen; and she was happier than I'd seen her in years. Existing conditions included depression, anxiety, fibromyalga and chronic fatigue, and a thyroid condition that she got from over radiation for Graves disease many yrs. ago. Oct. 07 she came down with pnemonia and made a trip to ER. the Dr. saw something he didn't like so prescribed Levaquin. She left there sure she had lung cancer. Three days into a 10 day course her lower extremities became extremely painful and swollen, a call to her GP was never returned. We thought she was experiencing some effects of pneumonia or cancer. 2-3 wks. later a dr. appt. where she was in such bad shape she had to wear my shoes and be carried from car to wheelchair she could barely walk. An alternate dr. saw her. got xrays prescribed more levaquin and prescribed water pills for her swollen lower extremities. 2-3 weeks later side effects much worse has now traveled up to her midsection (peripheral neuropathy) she is now wheelchair bond going to dr. office and guess what lung hasn't cleared up yet so more levaquin with no solution or idea what is happening to her body ( she was terrified and in horrific pain. So she was prescribed 3 courses of levaquin and ignored the blatant side effects. The next several months at home were hell, the neuropathy continued up her body, she could no longer feed herself or hold anything in her hands. Every day the pain and frustration were unbearable and she cried for hours at a time. I couldn't get her to go to hospital as by now we knew what we were dealing with PN and it is irreversible and she knew she was dying and if she left she'd never see her dream home again. We finally got her to the hospital, they wouldn't accept my Achumes Razor and suggested numerous things conducted numerous tests including a Gallum scan and still no answers. She deteriated fast. She was within a week about 63 pounds and suffering severe sycosis with hallucinations. She experienced depersonalization. She had severe pain to the touch. I now know she is going to die and I'd promised her I'd never let her die in an institution but we could get no home care. They now wanted to kick her out of hospital after 3 months and suggested a hospice and although terminal she was undiagnosed so did not qualify. I have seen both parents a brother and numerous people die from a variety of ailments but this was truly a horror show esp. the psycosis and pain she was in. It scarred my heart and soul forever. No insurance so I am fighting to keep our dream home and keep her memory alive, made it a year but the future is uncertain. She died July 5 07, 2 days after she died the FDA put out a black box warning label so how come every time i insisted it was that poison they would not take me seriously. I now know what drives people over the edge to retaliate in some way. In Canada I don't think there is any class action happening, but in everybody that knew about it it would appear like gross negligence at least giving it to her 3 times after showing adverse reactions after first course. She was stolen away form me and her daughter just as she had reached peace and serenity. It breaks my heart continually and I don't know what to do with this rage I feel. It is now 13 months and no autopsy, apparently a hold up at pathology. Feel free to comment I really can't believe she's gone I haven't disposed of anything or even changed the house in any way.
M.

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

I took a 8 day regiment of 750 mg for pneumonia. I started developing joint pain in my right thumb on day 5 and then my left shoulder on day 6 by day 9 I was unable to raise my left arm over my head. It is now in both hands. I am so stiff in morning I cant turn a door knob with out lots of pain and forget trying to open the dishwasher where you have to squeeze the lever to open the door. In the shower I use my right hand to raise my left arm ober head so the warm water can run on my shoulder blade. warm water also helps relieve the pain. I am hoping this is just a temporary setback cause I never had symptoms like this before. 57 yo male

I took Levaquin on multiple occasions for a severe prostate infection. I took a 15 day supply...then off for 1 week...another 15 day supply...off for two weeks...and then a 30 day supply. I took another 30 day supply when the infection resurfaced about a year later. During the time I was on it I experienced extreme "arthritis like" pain in my ankles, wrists, shoulders, and especially my back. The infection was over 3 years ago and I have not taken Levaguin since. However, the joint pain has never went away. I can barely climb stairs as my right knee feels like it is going to pop out of socket. The bone pain in my neck and between my shoulder blades is horrible. I visited a doctor (I never even considered the Levaguin as a possible antagonist) and was told that I had spinal degeneration and needed physical therapy. Protect yourself and your family from this drug.

My Mom was prescribed Levofloxacin ( AKA Levaquin) by her retarded doc for a mild cold and a sore throat.
After taking 2 tablets of 500mg each my mom is down is severe pain all over her body! she has joint pains, neck pain, arms, palms shes got severe pain all over her body!
She also has severe itching on the palms and her arms as well..
Headaches,
Things aren't looking good.

She in real pain! She tells me she just wants the pain to stop and that she was better off with the cold and sore throat.

She has stopped taking Levaquin.

Anyone got anyway to help her? something?? She is asleep now but tmr Im going to ask her to drink some kefir..

Thanks

I was on Levaquin for chronic bronchitis several times without reaction and then had to take it for 20 days for bronchitis that just wouldn't go away. Starting the 5th day I experienced severe joint pain (worse than my current fibromyalgia pain) and swelling in my feet and ankles. My physiotherapist suggested that I take Kefir once the antibiotic ended to clear out my system. Apparently the bacteria in it counteracts the side effects of Levaquin. It worked for me and I'm only experiencing my normal pain now and my feet look normal again!

IN DEC 2008 I CAME DOWN WITH CHRONIC BRONCHITIS, MY DR. PRESCRIBE 750MG OF LEVAQUIN ONLY 5 TABLETS FOR FIVE DAYS. AFTER ABOUT THE SECOND DAY I STARTED HAVING SEVERE PAIN IN MY SHOULDER, FOREARMS ,HANDS, BACK ,HIPS AND KNEES. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO SEE MY DR. AGAIN . COULD HARDLY GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR THE PAIN WAS SO BAD. WHEN I WAS TOLD TO GET UP ON THE TABLE THE PAIN WAS SO BAD I WAS ACTUALLY SCREAMING. SHE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WAS THE LEVAQUIN AND KEEP SAYING I AM SO SORRY, IN AWAY I WAS RELIEVE TO KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM THINKING I WOULD BE GIVEN SOMETHING TO MAKE IT GO AWAY . I WAS AT THE DR. ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY THEN XRAYS MRI AND FINALY AFTER THREE DIFFERENT DR. I HAD TO SEE A ORTHOPEDIC WHICH STARTED A SERIOUS OF SHOTS , NINE SHOTS GIVEN SEVEN DAYS APART AT A COST OF OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. I WAS OFF WORK FOR FIVE MONTHS . STILL MY KNEE GIVES ME PROBLEMS BUT EVEN BEING ON SHORT TERM DISABILITY I WAS LOSING MONET AS I HAD TO PAY 500.00 ON MY MRI , 25.00 FOR EACH OFFICE VISIT WHICH WERE MANY PLUS 10.00 EVERY VISIT FOR THEN TO FILE PAPERS FOR MY SHORT TERM DISABILITY AND IF THEY WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH HOW THE FILE , THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY ANOTHER $10.00 FOR THEN TO REFILED.I WAS ONLY GETTING 60%OF MY PAID MINUS MY SHARE OF THE INSURANCE . I STILL DON'T HAVE ALL OF MY ENERGY BACK BUT TO KEEP MY JOB I HAD TO RETURN TO WORK ONLY PART TIME FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS ,AND NOW THEY HAVE ME BACK ON FULL TIME AND IT IS VERY HARD THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I DRIVE HOME AND GO TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I CAN HARDLY WALK. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE, I HOPE THAT THEY TAKE IT OFF OF THE MARKET.

I am a 29 y/o male.this month i got a terrible sinus infection, probably due to a month's struggle with allergies. I was initially prescribed Augmenting but after just 1 pill i was up all night with stomach cramps & diarrhea. I was scared to take another dose so my dr. prescribed me Levaquin as an alternative. After reading the warnings I became very worried due to the fact that I already have lower back/hip and joint pain issues. I also work evening freight at Home Depot. After 1 Levaquin yesterday morning, I went to work ready to take it easy and not hurt my body more than it already does... after about 30 minute of simply opening small boxes and putting light-weight merchandise on the shelves, i began to feel extreme tension/aching in my hands and fingers.I was being very careful with my back & neck, but never even thought this might effect my hands??? I woke up this morning hoping it would be gone... no such luck, even after a full night's rest they still feel like i have arthritis, and no my hips (S.I. joints)are popping out like crazy. i am about to take the 2nd dose, only b/c my ears nose and throat do feel much better. I am just glad I picked up paperwork/and can afford to take a few days of LOA if this gets any worse. It is hard for me just to type this now : (. I'm scared.

I am a 40 year old male diabetic insulin dep. for 31 yrs.I was in the hosp. for 1 month with pneumonia in both lungs, I was given levaquin for the time i was in the hosp. then given 500mg pills. I have been getting pain in my shoulders and chest area. after a week out of the hosp. Also been have been depressed but have been taking drugs for that. Dont know what to do!?

My husband was prescribed 500 MG of Levaquin for 10 days due to respiratory infection. When I got the medicine home, I read all of the warnings and possible side affects. He is 61 and has had tendon damage in his shoulder and his lower leg from taking Cipro two years ago. He had severe joint pain from Bactrim and hallucinations from Flagyl. From these previous antibiotics he still suffers pains and limitations of movement. What is worse is that they prescribed Prednisone with the Levaquin. It clearly states in the warnings that Levaquin taken with Prednisone increases the likelihood of tendon damage. The warnings state that people over 60 have increased risk of tendon damage. Why on earth did his doctor prescribe this? My husband is 61 and was too sick to research all of this on his own. It has obviously become more profitable to make people sicker.
I found this forum and called his doctor. I refused to give him this terrible Levaquin and asked for a prescription for something milder. The Doxycylene seems to be working just fine to clear his infection.
A word of warning to all to not drink the Kool Aid that they give you without asking questions. Any health care system that sustains itself by keeping people ill is a bad one. Think about it. If people are healthy, then where is the profit?
This Levaquin sounds like some kind of bad snake oil to me and I am thankful to have read the warnings and then found this helpful forum. I am so sorry for the pain that most of you have suffered and are suffering. We are living with damage from antibiotics and we understand your anger. Take good care of yourselves.

i WAS ON A Z-PAK FOR 5 DAYS FOR A SINUS INFECTION. i GOT WORSE, SO ON THE WEEKEND, i WENT TO URGENT CARE BECAUSE i COULDN'T BREATHE. aNYWAY, THEY GAVE ME A SHOT AND LEVAQUIN. oH MY GOD, WITHIN 3 DAYS, I COULD HARDLY MOVE MY KNEES. jOINT PAIN SUPER BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i CALLED MY PRIMARY DOCTOR AND THEY SAID TO STOP TAKING IT. wELL I HAVE BEEN OFF
OF IT FOR 10 DAYS AND MY KNEES ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
THEY THROBBED AT NIGHT, SARP PAINS IN MY CALF. A STETCHING, PULLING BEHIND MY KNEE FOR MANY DAYS. iT WAS AWFUL THE WORSE THING i HAVE EVERY FELT. oF COURSE MY PRIMARY DOCTOR SAID IT WASN'T A REACTION TO THE ANTIBIOTIC. i KNOW IT WAS, THE MEDICINE IS FINALLY GETTING OUT OF MY SYSTEM.

I had a prostate infection and a sinus infection. Was given Levaquin 750 MG for three weeks once a day. Started having hand and finger pain two weeks in out of the blue. Did a little research and stopped medication. What I found was that Levaquin can cause skeletal fluorosis or just fluorosis in some people. Considering the internet response and the number of other medications that react with Levaquin I would guess this is a pretty common side effect. I started a body purge the day I stopped and have experienced a dramatic decrease in pain. I also have Fibro so a slight pain is manageable though my pain has never been in my hands and fingers. If you have taken this off and on for different infections through the years or any of its cousins, like Cipro, I'm sure you will wonder if it could have contributed to joint pain and reduced activity levels caused by the pain for many years. Good luck to us all.

I've been taking levaquin for a sinus infection and had a sudden onset of joint pain - especially in my hands and hips. Also had bad upper back pain. And I never had any of these problems, except mild arthritis in my hands that only hurts once every couple of month. It's horrible - feel like I'm 100 years old - and I'm 54 and very active. So glad I found this web site to see that the medicine may be the cause of my problem -hadn't considered that until I read your comments here.

First off I will begin by saying I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2006.
I just finished 10 days worth of Levaquin 500 mg.,(for a sinus infection) that seemed to be reoccurring after 2weeks of Augmentin generic), the whole time while on it I've been experiencing horrible side effects. I'd say the worst one is joint pain..(.especially knees & hips), Left shoulder, neck,upper back burning-miserable pain, unable to sleep (from what I remember of the last 6 days only 21 hrs. of sleep!!) dizziness, nausea,bad muscle pain, lower back pain, weird stomach pain, bloating, urinary retention, (was tested for an UTI-negative! )
6 days into it returned to Dr. because I'd been up all night itching like CRAZY, along w/the lower bk.pain,urinary problems, and a rash on face, chest, &upper back. (she attributed the rash to sun-photo sensitivity....had not even been outside!!) I also developed a yeast infection.( Expected I guess after 24 days total of antibiotics.)
debilitating headache, Very irritable, weepy,anxious, sore throat, very VIVID nightmares twice.
On the last day of taking it 3/3/09...had to run a couple of errands...felt dangerous behind the wheel..just plain weird & ILL!!!!!
Had taken this twice before since 2006 (also for sinus inf's.) thinking back...I felt like hell then too...but attributed to a Fibro. Flare. Now I believe that it was BAD REACTIONS to the Levaquin. I will NEVER take this med. again, have been so miserable would have rather been dead. (and I KNOW that's terrible to say!!) I take Morphine Sulf SR on a daily basis for the fibro, but it WOULDN'T even begin to touch the pain I've been experiencing while on Levaquin. ( Had mentioned that at the Drs. appointment, she didn't EVEN put 2+2 together....well I have!!) I'm VERY upset about it!! I reported it to the FDA.GOV/medwatch. This drug should be taken off the market in my opinion. I will be returning to see her if these pains,ETC. do not stop by tomorrow.....I'd had my fibro fairly under control before the Levaquin. Just to mention I was drinking plenty of water..due to dry mouth. I'm happy I found this site, I was looking for info as to how long this med. stays in your system. After reading many other postings here, I KNOW that what I've been feeling is NOT just a FMS flare, but caused by this Levaquin.

NO SIDE EFFECTS: POSSIBLE HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS had very serious sinus infection. two weeks of anit-biotics with no result, symptoms got worse, before taking levaquin for an additional two weeks. within three days was back on my feet. i previously have taken the supplement MSM for continual joint pain in past years, and was pleased to find a wide array of other health benefits from taking it. Having two kids, building a home and busy work schedule led to neglect of my heath supplements. (not smart) Resulting in immune dysfunction, chronic sinus infections over the last two years. After realizing that my health was was in ruins, i decided to start taking my supplements again around the time of my course of levaquin. started taking my multi's again and more importantly my MSM ( similar to chondroitin or glucosamine) Note: I recently read that MSM has been proven to help the body fight infection, as it is required to be present for the body to fight infection. MSM is simply (organic sulfer) found in everyday food we eat. with processed foods and preservatives this element is removed. To make a long story short, after first taking levaquin, I did have some minor joint and back pain (among other things) started taking MSM and effects were diminished, and then gone. After reading what others went through, i made the correlation between the two, and with my previous history of joint pain i would think that i would be a prime candidate for these symptoms. It worked for me, it may work for you, and the worst case scenario is that is doesn't work but you become stronger and healthier from taking it. Brief History. I use to love to play basketball. after joint pain and swelling could only play once a week, and couldn't even walk up stairs the next day. after taking MSM continually for a couple of weeks i was able to play daily, for as long as I wanted. a true miracle. The good news: its at the health food store, it's really cheap, and its a completely natural supplement. take 1000 mg daily with meals or without. its worth a shot for no symptoms.

I started taking 500 mg of Levaquin on Friday. I have a sinus infection, bronchitis and was wheezing. I finished chemo a year ago and have long term effects from it including joint pain. I was improving by working with a trainer, doing basic pilates, etc... My joints are awful and it's not the same pain. My knees hurt all the time, I can't stand for any length of time. My hands, shoulders and hips hurt. My doctor was out today, but the nurse told me to stop taking it and I see her tomorrow.

This is so upsetting, I read the insert from the pharmacy and it mentioned joint pain, so I know it's where the pain is coming from. It took me so long to get to where I am and now this. I am still sick with the sinus infection and bronchitis.

I will post tomorrow after I see my doctor.

N.

This is an update about my son who took Levaquin 16 months ago when he was 16 years old (he is now 17). My son was given Levaquin September, 2007, to prevent an infection after minor sinus surgery. 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 head that would come and go for no reason). He then developed IBS a few months after taking Levaquin. He was an athlete at the time and in very good shape. Prior to Levaquin, he was rarely sick and headaches were equally as rare. He was a junior at the time and as a result of the Levaquin, missed most of his junior year. He kept up through home instruction and maintained 2 honors classes, but had to drop his AP class.

In the first 4 months, his muscle weakness, dizziness, and joint pain (except for his knees) went away. As a parent, it is very painful to have your son hold his head in his hands and ask you to make the pain go away…but you can’t. It took 9 months for his 24x7 headaches to go away. His IBS recently went away after giving him enteric coated peppermint pills twice a day. All that is left now is his knees hurt when he plays sports, so he can't. The knee issue is pretty minor compared to where he used to be.

Here are some things we learned: 1) We tried giving him magnesium, potassium, selenium, calcium, and B-complex after the Levaquin...but it didn't make him better; 2) We took him to over 20 doctors; most couldn't believe it was Levaquin, but some did; 3) Ortho-McNeill will admit that Levaquin can cause these symptoms (I called them); 4) There is no magic pill, once you have ingested Levaquin and develop symptoms, you can only treat the symptoms; 5) Numerous tests of all types over several months never came up positive for any disease or illness; 6) Filing a Medwatch report with the FDA is important since every report helps; 7) Levaquin is not FDA approved for anyone under the age of 18, but is still allowed to be prescribed; 8) Doctors get most of their information on drugs from the pharmaceutical representatives, so BEWARE and do your own research before taking medication; 9) Most drugs have side effects, but beware of the ones that have long lasting effects like the fluoroquinolone family; 10) Never ever lose hope or the belief that one day you will be better. The power of faith does wonders for your health.

I don't know if this post will help anyone. People are affected by this drug differently and recover at various rates. Most people do recover and you need to believe you are one of them. Fortunately for my son, it looks like he is okay now, but it has been an extremely long, difficult road. Keep your faith as my son did, and I'll pray that you all recover. If you haven’t taken this drug yet, then don’t. If you are taking it, then stop. If you have already taken it and have developed symptoms, then be strong and keep the faith.

Please, is the anyone who knows of a way to treat the dibilating muscle/joint pain experienced as a result of taking the antibiotic, levaquin?

This note is very hard to write. I had a kidney stone removed using laser surgery and the urologists prescribed the 500mg of levaquin to prevent infection. I took the first pill while under the influence of dilaudid, so I didn't realize my dizziness, loud ringing in my ears, nausea, headaches, lack of appetite, insomnia, and joint pain were the result of the levaquin. I thought I was just reacting to going cold turkey off the dilaudid. I took two more pills. I haven't slept in two days and I am the most exhausted I have ever felt in my life.

This stuff is poison. I can't believe the cavalier attitude of the physicians who proscribe these powerful chemicals and the FDA is doing a very weak job keeping bad medicine out of the hands of these shills for the drug companies; i.e., the doctors.

I stopped today and I pray that I will recover from this very nasty experience. It has been as bad or worse as the kidney stone attack. I hope the other victims of this hoax cure win their class action suit and shut down this dangerous drug.

I was given a Rx for Levaquin on Dec 17th (5 day dose). I started it on the 17th. By Saturday the 20th, I wasn't feeling good at all, my ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists and finger joints hurt. I only had one dose left so stupid me, I took it.

I have had pain ever since. I had read the sheet you get from the drugstore when I had the Rx filled. I remembered something about possible joint pain but didn't think much about it until the pain didn't go away after I stopped taking the drug.

Wednesday the 24th, I looked Levaquin up on an internet drug site and looked at the side effect list again. That is when I realized that the pain I was having was under the "notify your doctor" category. Their office was closed until the 29th. I tried to call the 29th but the phone was always busy. I finally got through today and told them my symptoms and told them to put in my chart to not give me that drug again. The nurse called back to say that they put it in my chart and to take otc stuff for the pain.
I have been taking Advil and a combination pill of glucosamine and condroitin (those are probably not spelled correctly - sorry). I am better but still not 100%.

Today is the 31st and my last dose of Levaquin was Dec 21. I am down to knee pain and a puffy feeling (not really swollen externally but feels swollen internally), left shoulder pain (worse in the morning when I wake up), my hips hurt off and on and my ankles hurt off and on. I am concerned about one of my ankles because I already have a haglund deformaty there so there is already damage to the area.

When I try to get out of a chair, I feel like I am 90 (I am only 49). I really hope this gets better soon. I haven't heard anything about a law suit or anyone who has a way to speed the recovery. Please, let me know if anyone knows how to help this get better faster.

OH MY GOD!!!! I thought I might be imagining things. I was prescribed Levaquin and clyndamycin on December 15 2008 for a urinary tract infection that appeared to have gone systemic. After 2 days my right knee swelled up. I went back to the Dr the next day and he looked up both antibiotics in his little book and said the clyndamycin could cause joint swelling and pain. He told me to stop taking the clyndamycin and take 600 mg of ibuprofen for the joint paig. His little book said nothing about levaquin. Well I kept taking the levaquin and the pain spread literally to every joint in my body. I could not walk and had trouble even holding a coffee cup. The pain was unreal. I completed the 10 day course of the levequin as instructed. The joint pain was getting worse. I called the Dr. again and they did blood work to rule out arthritis and stuff like that. He put me on prednisone which has significantly helped with the pain. He said it may be a coincidence that I have developed arthritis and that it had nothing to do with the UTI. Well as I was watching TV last night I saw a lawyers commercial for a law suit against levaquin and cipro. Then today got on the internet and found this site. I am going to call the Dr. and tell him to update his little book he looked up the levaquin in. My fear is how long after you stop taking this poison does the joint pain end? I wish I would have known all of this sooner. I will never take this drug again.

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 was put in the hospital November 8th, they were giving me Levaquin through IV's and then after they seriously hurt the back of my hand, I demanded to take meds by mouth-I had already had around 5 days of this through the IV-I was diagnosed at the emergency room with a ruptured appendix, and it had been that way for 3 weeks-it took 1 doctor and 2 hospitals to diagnose that!! really makes we wonder about the medical profession these days! so when I was released from the hospital after a 6 day stay and appendix still in me, they gave me a prescription for Levaquin for another 10 days-well, I took it for 8 days and had to stop all together-I have been so weak and from my knees down kill me! I have bad joint pain in my knees and hips, but I thought maybe this could be from sitting in a hospital bed for all those days-now that I've read all these complaints, I'm wondering if I should have taken this stuff at all! I hadn't taken any kind of antibiotics for over 3 years-have been ok up til now. I am so scared of the pain and tingling in my feet, thought maybe it could be blood clots in my legs from not moving around as much as I'm used to-my grandmother recently passed from a blood clot and my cousin also at the age of 33 died from a clot after knee surgery! so what do I do?? is it a clot or is it the dreadful drug "Levaquin" that is causing me all this pain?? any suggestions out there?? and I have no insurance either! what a terrible experience!

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

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

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

My mother has been taking this medicine for 10 days prescribed to her by her doctor for an ear infection and has experienced horrible pain with this poisonous drug. I cannot believe what I am reading and am hoping to read more about remedies of joint pain. She has been complaining for days. I really hope she can get better soon.

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 am 23 years old and I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg for three days to treat a urinary track infection. Immediately after I drank the first dose my nose got very stuffy and it was hard for me to breath; my head felt heavy and body as well, I was afraid to go to bed. Then, I started to feel my joints a bit weak and my right knee ached. Today, a month after I drank this pill my right knee still aches and feels weak. I am so afraid I might have done damage to my body for just three days of drinking this drug. If my doctor would have told me this I would have NEVER drank it. Plus, after my treatment I still had the UTI.

I was given Levaquin for a UTI about 2 years ago and ended up in the ER, the side effects were so bad. Thought I was having a allergic reaction,
heart poundings, felt like a just drank 3 cups of coffee, also muscles reacting slowly, like I couldn't move my arms and legs how I wanted to.
Unfortunately I have take Cipro a couple times in the last year, and the last dosage of that did it for me. On the 5th day I all of a sudden had extreme pain in my left knee, could hardly walk. I took a couple Advil and rubbed some icee stuff on it and it went away but that night my lower back and hips became also extremely painful. Severe pain. That was the last dose for me. (The pain was much less the next day and almost completely gone after about 4 days.) I called the Dr. and they told me to stop taking Cipro- which I had already done. What really bothers me though is I mentioned this to my orthopedic Dr. and he said he never heard of Cipro causing joint pain!
I am going to send him some literature, but wow!! couldn't believe that.

I am taking Levaquin one time a day, 500 mg. for diverticultis. I have fibromyalgia so attributed symptoms of EXTREME FATIGUE to that but this is fatigue like I've never known. I can't do much of anything. I don't work outside the home so will just deal with it if it cures my infection. I'm using sleep meds too...but that could be fibromyalgia kicking in too. But fatigue is much worse. I hope it kills those bad bacteria!

I just finished taking a prescription for levaquin, 500mg once a day for 7 days. I cannot begin to describe the intense joint pain; hips, knees, hands, feet, it was horrible. I experienced nausea and headaches as well. Plus, I have been so exhausted that it's almost impossible to describe; I've been sleeping 15-17 hrs and still can barely keep my eyes open. I will never take this drug again unless it's a life or death emergency!

I took levaquin for 2 weeks to treat a infection, i am 26 years old and have never had muscle pain for longer than a couple days after working out...now i have moderate pain in my rib area and muscles near the groin area and even upper leg, and have done hardly any physical activity while being treated...i have seen no improvement for a few weeks now, but think my infection is gone... going back to my doctor tomorrow...need help

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.

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!

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?

I STARTED LEVAQUIN, 1ST ROUND FOR STAPH INFECTION POST OP BURSECTOMY. AFTER THE 2ND DAY, I ASKED DR. FOR PAIN MEDS JUST TO CONTINUE ANTIBIOTICS. I HAD TERRIBLE JOINT PAIN, AND COULD BARELY WALK. I ALSO STARTED GETTING PITTED EDEMA. THE DR CONTRIBUTED THE EDEMA TO IV FROM SURGERY AND DISMISSED ALL THE SYMPTOMS I COMPLAINED ABOUT FOR THE LEVAQUIN ASSUMING I WAS A DRUG SEEKER I GUESS. AFTER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY SYMPTOMS SEEMED TO GET BETTER. I AM NOW ON ROUND 4 ( 500MG LEVAQUIN X 7 DAYS) I WENT TO DR BECAUSE MY PITTED EDEMA RETURNED. I ACTUALLY HAD A ROLL WHICH COVERED MY ANKLE. MY FEET WERE HUGE. THE PA SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT SAID IT WAS NOT LEVAQUIN. BY THE NEXT DAY I COULD BARELY WALK. MY KNEES HIPS AND BUTT MUSCLES HURT SO BAD. I HAD A LUMBAR FUSION A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THIS WAS MORE PAINFUL. I STOPPED THE DRUG BECAUSE MY BIG TOE STARTED GOING NUMB. SYMPTOMS STARTED TO DISAPPEAR BY NEXT DAY, BUT THEN MY ARM INFECTION RETURNED SO I RESTARTED LEVAQUIN. THIS TIME, BY 2ND DOSE AL SYMPTOMS RETURNED. NOW MY BIG TOE WENT COMPLETELY NUMB ON TOP HALF AND MEDIAL SIDE. I COULD NOT USE KNEES AT ALL. IF I COULD HAVE MADE IT TO THE STORE, I WOULD HAVE GONE AND BOUGHT A WALKER. I AM 45. I DECIDED TO STOP DRUG AND START SOME KEFLEX I HAD IN CUBBORD. SYMPTOMS WERE GONE IN ABOUT 2 DAYS. I STILL LIKE CRAP, BUT I CAN WALK NOW AND THE SEVERE FEET, LEGS, KNEES, HIPS , BUTT , WRIST PAIN ARE SO MUCH BETTER. I DID HAVE TO LAY FLAT WITH LEGS ABOVE HEART FOR 2 DAYS TO HELP GET RID OF EDEMA. I READ ONLINE WHERE OTHERS HAD THESE PROBLEMS ALSO. I HAVE TAKEN LEVAQUIN BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. I HAVE TO WANDER IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF FACTORY TAMPERING OR INGREDIENT CHANGE ETC, THAT COULD PASSABLY BE HAPPENING. MY MEDS WER PURCHASED AT SAVEMART AND KAISER. I HAVE TAKEN THIS DRUG MANY TIMES PRIOR TO 2005 AND ALWAYS HAD GREAT RESULTS. I AM GOING TO SEE IF ANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS WERE PRIOR TO 2005. I READ WERE SOMEONE SAID TO DRINK A LOT OF WATER . I AM NOT A BIG WATER DRINKER SO I MUST ADMIT IT HELPED. I READ WHERE ANOTHER LADY HAD MULTIPLE TESTS, AND FINALLY THE ONLY THING THAT CAME BACK ABNORMAL WAS A LAB TEST TO SHOW MUSCLE DETERIORATION. I ALSO DID A COLON CLEANSE. SOMETHING I ALREADY HAD THAT I USE ON OCCASION. SO, I DONT KNOW IF IT WAS A COINCIDENCE, BUT AFTER THE COLON CLEANSE, DISCONTINUE OF LEVAQUIN, LOTS OF WATER, AND CUT DOWN ON ANY SALTY FOOD, THE ONLY SYMPTOMS STILL LEFT ARE MY KNEES. I STILL CANNOT GET UP OFF THE FLOOR, OF BEND DOWN WITHOUT SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO. BUT THEY ARE IMPROVING AND THIS IS DAY 3. EDEMA IS COMPLETELY GONE. MY SIDE AFFECTS PAPER STATED DANGER OF TENDON RUPTURE AND IT ALSO STATED NOT TO EXERCISE. SO, IT CANNOT HURT TO DO A COLON CLEANSE. IF NOTHING ELSE, IT HELPS GET RID OF LEFT OVER TOXINS IN BODY. I WOULD ASK FOR A GOOD ONE AT AN HERB STORE. BUT MAKE SURE YOU DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. I THINK DEHYDRATION HAS PARTLY TO DO WITH MUSCLE PAIN ETC. ALL 3 DOCTORS I SPOKE WITH REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE CULPRIT. I AM GOING TO DEMAND THEY PUT MY SYMPTOMS AND PUT THAT I STATE I BELIEVE LEVAQUIN IS CASING OR CONTINUING TO CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS IN MY MEDICAL RECORDS. ASK DR TO READ BACK TO YOU WHAT THEY DOCUMENTED IN YOUR CHART. INSIST THEY PUT IT IN YOUR CHART. IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS DRUG DOWN THE ROAD, YOU WILL HAVE IT DOCUMENTED. NOT ANY OF MY DOCTORS DOCUMENTED THE THINGS I TOLD THEM ABOUT LEVAQUIN WHEN I ASKED. I AM NOW GOING TO INSIST THEY DOCUMENT IT IT ALL, AND PROVIDE ME A COPY OF THE MEDICAL RECORD AFTER IT HAS BEEN DICTATED. PS. IT IS NOW CAUSING CRAZY NIGHTMARES, DEPRESSION. I CAN LIVE WITH THAT, BUT THE PAIN ON A SCALE WAS A 9. GOOD LUCK, AND IF ANYONE FINDS A DOCTOR WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, PLEASE POST IT. THANK YOU DK

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.

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 ******

My husband was prescribed Levaquin on June 4 for a spider bite. He took 750mg for 10 days. The bite healed well and we are thankful. Last night he began having terrible joint pain in his hips, legs and elbows. After reading all the posts I"m convinced it is caused from this medication. Other than Tylenol I don't know what to do for him.

I had headache and all of my joints...especially my fingers, were swollen and very painful...like I was thinking ..what do I have arthritis now??!!! I also was very tired.

severe pain.. first in my knee's, ankles and then in my elbows. swelling in my ankles. walking was unbearable!!