Levaquin and knees

I am a healthy female with little to no history of adverse reactions to medications. I was prescribed a 10 day dose of Levequin (500 mg) for a minor but stubborn skin abscess. After the third day, I woke up with significant joint soreness in my fingers. Progressively the soreness spread daily to my wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, hips, etc. I did not suspect the antibiotic at first, but I know my body, and I know something was WRONG.
After my 8th dose I decided to look online...it is at least good to know that what I'm experiencing is definitely from Levequin. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

I especially found MERCEDESLANE posting on April 15th interesting. I guess this person works in the health care system. Considering this uncompassionate individual, who apparently wants everythone to know he has a Mercedes, can't spell (whine), and does not have basic grammar skills. Wow...my faith in the our health care system is stronger than ever. But what do I know, I'm just an "IDIOT" with shingles that needs to have a couple of glasses of whine while I pop my remaining Levequin.

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 was prescribed an 11 day supply of Levaquin - 500 mg. I'm on day 7 and struggling to make it 4 more days. The first day I took the tablet around 5 pm. I was up all night. Since taking in the morning, I've been fine. Now, I'm suffering from very sore biceps, heels and stiff knees. The fatigue is overwhelming. I also experience extreme dizziness as well. I may call the doctor tomorrow to see if I can stop this. I've taken various antibiotics throughout my lifetime and never have experienced the side effects such as this one.

No, I am not a drug rep,I am simply just being honest.Not everyone has a terrible experience from this drug. I am sorry that so many of you have had so many bad reactions,just like any medication it may not be for everyone,but it does work for some.

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

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

I too was given 20 days of 750 mg each of Levaquin and felt a pop in my shoulder while rolling over in bed and not have intense pain there which is probably my rotator cuff tear. But I also experience the most crippling intense pain to both my knees and lower back. My knees felt swollen and very painful to where I couldn't even get out of a chair, climb steps , sit on the toilet. I am a paramedic and am seriously considering leaving this job after over 25 years due to this pain. I have had some minor dizziness and some mood swings. I went to the doctor after being off Levaquin for 1 week and told her of my symptoms and she put me on a Prednisone pack which has helped me with my back and knee pain to the point where I can walk with little pain but it didn't help my shoulder pain with decrease strength in it. I don't know yet if this is a permanent cure for my knee pain or back pain. As far as my shoulder, I believe that I tore the rotator cuff and will need surg. I have also heard that prednisone is not good to take with levaquin. I was prescribed prednisone prior to taking levaquin and wonder if that started all the problems. AND OF COURSE MY DOCTOR DID NOT TELL ME OF THE SIDE EFFECTS WHEN EITHER OF THESES DRUGS WERE PRESCRIBED. But at this point, trying prednisone after completing the levaquin DEFINITELY helped my knee pain.

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 500 mg Levaquin for 5 days for a uti.

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

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

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

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

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

After my vasectomy I developed a horrible infection called epididymo-orchitis which is extremely painful accompanied by horrible swelling of the testicles. The ER Dr. put me on 500mg of levaquin once a day for 14 days. I am on day 6 of the antibiotic and for 2 days now I am experiencing extreme abdominal pain to the point of crying and collapsing, sever diarrhea but feels like I can't empty my bowels which makes the abdominal pain worse. Until I read some of these other stories I didn't realize that my knees and hands ache like I have horrible arthritis may be due to this med. I would much rather deal with the pain and swelling of my testicles than the side effects of this drug.

I was prescribed Levaquin by my Dr. for a sinus infection. There were 10 pills and I was to take one a day. No one mentioned any of the side effects or drug interactions except to not take antacids within 2 hours of taking the meds. During the coarse of me taking the medication I began having substernal chest pains which I thought was just horrible heart burn, but it got so bad that I woke up screaming multiple nights from the pain. I also started having pain in my ankles, legs and especially my knees. The pain in my knees gets so bad that I think my knee caps are going to shatter when I walk especially when going down the stairs. I didn't know any of the drug interactions and my father in law who is a physical therapist has always advised me to take ibuprofen for muscle and joint pain so that's what I did, but little did I know that was only increasing the effects on my central nervous system. I am also experiencing bouts of nausea, confusion, light headedness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and I actually thought I was having a mental breakdown.. I was freaking out on my husband and very depressed even having suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until my mother randomly mentioned that she had heard about the FDA issuing the Black Box warning that I connected the dots and had already finished the meds. I called my doctor's office right away and was told that the symptoms I am having are not side effects of the medicine. Maybe the Dr. doesn't listen to the news either.

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

I have just finished taking Levaquin for a 10day treatment for pneumonia. In the last 5 days or so I have noticed stiffness in my achilles tendon (no pain) until I get moving. I have also notice a tremor in my hands and no muscle weakness and shaking in my triceps and quads. Of course I hadn't read the precautions to this drug before noticing these symptoms. I contacted both my pharmacist and physician and neither seemed concerned and told me if I was really worried to go to the emergency room. I am wondering if these symptoms will disappear since I am no longer on the drug, how long it will take, and how long I should worry about tendon damage----is the possibility of rupture forever???

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 had hard chills and fever while on the drug Levaqin, but thought it was due to the sinus infection that I was being treated for. After being off of the drug for almost a month, I am having severe pain in my knees, feet, ankles and hips. I have difficulty standing up after being seated for a while. I shuffle around like a 90 year old for a while until I " shake it off". I am still having trouble sleeping without taking benadryl. What can I do to get this stuff out of my system?

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

July 8,2008
In October 2007 I had surgery to remove a salivary gland. Due to severe infection, I was on 500mg of Levaquin for 20 days and an additional 10 days of Avelox. While taking the medication I suddenly had severe leg and knee pain. At times I could hardly walk. I would be awake a night with severe pain in my knees and legs. I also had the tendon in my left shoulder start "snapping" while sitting in a chair. My shoulder became so bad at one point that I could not lift my arm. I never related any of this to Levaquin until at a later date learning of this kind of damage. My shoulder finally got better after weeks of not using it. I still am experiencing pain in the muscles and tendons in my legs. I have just started seeing my doctor about it this past week. She has me taking Celebrex, which has helped somewhat. I keep hoping that tendons will heal eventually.

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 ******

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.

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 ******

took Levaquin 500mg x 5 days end of March ,2008- no problems except still with bronchitis sx.Saw Allergist who said not enough,long enough-put on 750mg x 21 days, again no side effects and got better. after 5 days off, started productive cough so placed on another 16 days of 750mg. On day 13, awoke with terrible pain in knuckles, knee. Completed med as drug book only listed tendon pain not joint pain. Now 4 days after completing, pain in elbows as well as knees, less in knuckles. None of joint pain sx listed on Pharmacy info either.

After having been floxed back in December, I am finally able to say I'm symptom free. The only permanent damage I have is a floater in my right eye. I'm grateful that I have it because it occurred on the third day of 750 mg levaquin and because of it I stopped immediately. I also had tinnitus, ruptured tendons in my ankle a torn rotator cuff. I had pain in my rib cage that felt like someone punched me in the lungs. I had an eczema like rash on my elbow, neck and back but that went away in a matter of days. I had a low grade fever and night sweats. I noticed real improvement at the four month mark (things were the worst at the 2 month mark) and now at nearly 6 months, I can say I've completely recovered. Make sure to eat organic meats, dairy, eggs and produce because they put fluouroquinolones in non-organic animals and once you've been floxed it only takes a small amount to cause a reaction. I also take supplements--a good multivitmin, extra C, Acai juice, glucosamine and chondroitin with ASU (to stave off the inevitable cartilage erosion) SAM-e and MSM. I'm able to do vigorous exercise with no ill effects and I'm sleeping well. I will not take any prescriptions nor will I trust any doctor unless it's a matter of life or death. As long as we continue to have a "for profit" health care system, our well being will be secondary to the obscene wealth gained by pharmaceutical companies and the entire health care industry. It truly is caveat emptor as long as we live in a country where corporate profits trump the public good.

I am a 54 year old, very active female. Had a UTI and was given 750 Levaquin. I have taken 10 days worth and began having a sore swollen ankle, followed by right knee pain, followed by shoulder and arm pain. I have never experienced muscle pain to this degree before. I am scheduled for a doctor appt in 3 days. I started trying to imagine what could be causing this. I took a shot and looked up Levaqin side effects this morning, after another night of no sleep and severe shoulder pain. Well guess what, from everything I just read I think I found the source. The problem now is how do I get my life back???? The one thing I am sure of is it's time to stop taking the poison!!!

I had a viral infection and was put on Levaquin 750 mg. After being on it for 5 days my joints began to hurt. I didn't think the medicine caused it and I continued to take it. Until the 7th day I began to research and found this web site. I quit taking it. I was unable to stoop down and it hurt really bad to walk up or down stairs. Regular walking was some painful. I also had some pain in my wrist. I've been off the medicine for 6 or 7 weeks and I'm still having bad joint pain in my knees. I'm unable to perform normal activities. I'm not saying Levaquin caused it; but it's just that when this started was while on it. If anyone knows how long this might last or if it causes permanent damage, please let me know! I will be going to a specialist in 1 week to get this checked.

I took Leva-kill last November, 500mg for 10days due to a resistant ear infection. On the 3rd day, my back felt like it was on fire. Went to ER, did one blood test for muscle deterioration, came back fine.Told to keep taking. I thought I was going to die. I felt and still feel like I was poisoned. Seems to be permanent. Some days worse than others. Check out FQVICTIMS.ORG.Any doctors and dentist I have seen says not Levaquin {about ten]. One ENT said "I bet" when told levaquin made me feel like dying, but that was it. Has anyone heard of any hope? Is this really permanent?

I took 500 mg. of Levaquin for 10 days in January and caused extreme swelling and pain in both my knees, which I am still suffering from. I've had x-rays and an MRI of my left knee, which shows tearing of the tendons. I had my knee drained and injected and while it's a little better, the pain and swelling is still affecting my lifestyle, to where it's very difficult for me to walk stairs, and has affected my exercise routine as well.
Has anyone thought of filing a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of this poison? I have filed a Medwatch report with the FDA and called the manufacturer of the medication. They offered to refund the cost of the medication if I sent in the receipt, as well as possibly refunding the costs of the procedures associated with this.

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.

My son has been battling sinusitis for a few months . I didn't know sinusitis could be so bad. His doctor prescribed Levaquin three days ago and I read the side effects and realize it was a risk because my son has seizures.After 2 dosages and sleepless nights with headaches and him not being able to function I've stopped giving it to him.
Thanks for such a great website!
The benefits don't out-weight the risk.

I was given a 10 day dose of LEVAQUIN for a mild bronchitis/respiratory ailment on Jan. 29, 2008. I took 1 500mg pill for the full ten days. Three days after I stopped taking this medication, I experienced incredibly painful swelling in both knees. I could barely walk, and couldn't bend my knees. I was scared, upset, and in absolute misery. I spent a week literally throwing myself backwards onto chairs. It was unbelievable. When I could finally get to my normal health care provider 5 days later, she immediately identified the culprit as the Levaquin I had taken. She said she knew it to cause people's tendons to burst. It was obvious since it was both knees that it was not an injury and I never had any other problem with my legs. I am, or shall I say I was an avid walker. I was told to see an orthopedic doctor if I had not improved in one week. I had not improved in a week. The orthopedic doctor sent me for an MRI which showed irreversible, permanent cartilage damage in my left knee. The right knee he didn't MRI at the time, saying he could determine what he needed to know from the one knee and would only be able to do corrective surgery on my knees in 6 week intervals. This horrible drug has permanently altered my way of life. I was a 53 year old active, ambulatory adult who would walk miles a day. Two months later, I still have constant knee pain, cannot stand for long periods of time without leaning on something and can no longer kneel, etc. I can only walk around a bit and if I'm on my feet for long periods of time I experience knee, ankle pain and swelling. I sent a report to the FDA who obviously cares nothing about this situation, since I'm not the only unsuspecting person to have this happen. I've been studying this drug now and there was evidence in animal clinical trials of joint and tendon damage, To me it would have been no different an experience if someone had come up and hit me with a baseball bat across both knees. I am permanently damaged from Levaquin. I think it's criminal this drug is given to younger ambulatory adults at all.

I have a freind who had a bladder nfection, not the first of course. She is 80 years young, very active etc. I told her about my problems with Levaquin and told her NOT to take the Cipro they gave her, because every time she does she has "trouble with her knees and back" mysteriously!!!! Well, she took it anyway and ended up in the hospital with heart paplitations ,irregular heartbeat etc. Guess what they put her on to stop any further infection, you guessed it, Levaquin!!! Shes been home from the hospital now and in the house for over two weeks, has trouble walking now!!When will it end? Marsh

Started Levaquin 500 mg for 14 day treatment 4 days ago for chronic ethmoid sinusitis (15 months of battles!). Within 1 day, my symptoms were significantly better - and now 3 days later are about 95% gone. Only strange side effect happened on day three (3rd pill), got severely nauseated and dizzy and felt disoriented within 20 mins of taking the pill, but all subsided within 3 hours. Might have happened because I had taken a Zyrtec the night before - I believe that the 2 don't really mix well. Have been fine since (not taking Zyrtec with it again!).
Do also feel a little tendon pressure in my knees and elbows, but is very little and doesn't bother me at all.

Well, I am not posting a side effect. I actually stumbled upon this website while trying to look up whether hypoglycemia is a side effect of Levaquin. I am a physician assistant and routinely prescribe this medication. Unfortunately ALL medications have the potential for causing many many many different side effects. Obviously one has to weigh the benefits of using the medication with the risk of side effects. And certain side effects are obviously more common than others. While I appreciate the point of a website like this, it is very frustrating for me, as a clinician, to read someone posting things that are absolutely untrue which can potentially cause undue distress or worry for everyone who may read it. I am referring to the person who wanted "to let everyone know of the relationship between levaquin and vancomycin." Her only source for this WRONG information is a nurse who told her daughter. Did she ever think that the nurse could be wrong and that maybe before posting something like that she should ask a pharmacist or a physician. Vancomycin and floroquinolones are not related pharmacologically!!!!

I have a friend who has recurrent bladder infections. I had told her a million times not to take Cipro because of the side effects. She is elderly and whenever she does take it she gets these other symptoms with her knees and back and is almost a cripple for quite a while. Well, she started it three days ago and is now home with a BAD BACK, etc. Why do the doctors prey on these older people and not tell them the consequences?I asked her about her infection,"Oh, thats gone" she says, but her back and kness are acting up!!!Shes been in the house for 2 weeks unable to move. What a cure!!!!Marsh

I forgot to list a few symptoms. Tingling sensation, numbness in my arms and legs and Joint pain in my Knees.

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I took Levaquin the first time (that I know of and remember) in Dec 2006..probably for bronchitis or pneumonia. I started having strange symptoms, headaches, achy body, etc but chalked it all up to being sick. I have since taken in 4 more times - even after talking to my Dr about the strange things that were happening to me. I just realized by reading everything online that all of these things are more than just me being out of shape...I have had about 75% of the problems associated with this drug, but simply thought I was getting older, out of shape and ill. The headaches are the worst, the sharp pains that radiate through my skull at any given time for no apparent reason and the constant radiating pain coming from my shoulders, the funny vision issues that happen off and on, the incredible pain in my jaw that leads to what I call a 'pulled muscle' in the right side of my jaw, the severe pain in my muscles, mostly in my feet and shoulders but has now started in my wrists, taste of metal, night sweats are ridiculous! and I have started missing my period with this dose of Levaquin, however the new lower back pain that I am feeling is about 10 times worse than that of meses cramps, the sharp shooting pains in muscles sometimes happen in my arms, legs and knees. The very odd feeling of having a bruise when I touch any part of my body to scratch or rub it....the pain is extreme. I have made about 100 excuses for each of these things that I have experienced over the last year and a half and now I feel that I can probably blame it all on Levaquin, I have a doctor's appointment with a new doctor Thursday and am hoping she/he can provide some relief of some of these issues. Please make sure all your loved ones know not to take this drug!

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

I had bacterial pneumonia a few weeks ago they gave me Levaquin as well, After the hospital I notice some pain in my left arm. A week later I was unable to straighten my arm now the pain has moved up to my neck and back and is slowly reaching my right shoulder. It seems that though you ask doctors question you never get answers and yes its true about this pain I have been in agony for almost a month now and can not find any type of relief. I was treated with a 7 day regimen of medication and I don't know what is worst the pneumonia or the pain. If there is any where to find relief as a natural source please post it

Thank you

I took Levaquin last January. The day after I finished it, I had severe swelling of my ankles, knees and pain in my hip. I was unable to bend my legs. Prednisone reduced the swelling, but the pain in my hip continued. It is a year later and my hip is still extremely painful. I have had x-rays, an MRI and nothing shows other than a strain injury. I cannot walk up the stairs and when I am on my feet more than 15 minutes the pain returns. I have had injections and epidurals and nothing helps. Prior to the Levaquin, I had no problem whatsoever with my hip. I wear a TNS unit which helps, but nothing, even medication eliminates the pain.

Hello Everyone ---
I just wanted to share my story and hope that it helps others. On December 20th I was prescribed Levaquin to help clear up a bad case of Bronchitis that I had taken a Z-Pac for a week earlier. I still had remnants and the doctor saw as fit to give me the Levaquin to help me get over what was remaining. I had a 10 day supply of the 500mg Levaquin prescribed to take once a day. After (2) two days of taking the medicine I noticed that I was having a slight amount of pain in my left knee, and by the 23rd of December it hurt to walk or stand or sit. The pain was just a dull ache however; it would also become sharp with any movement. Just to let you know I finished all of my 10 day supply, not knowing that the Levaquin was what was causing my problems. I am a healthy 31 year old male that has a 3 year old daughter, so I am always on the go. However, beginning the 24th & 25th of December the pain had spread from my left knee to my right knee, ankles, as well as hip bones. By the end of my prescription my pain was all over my body, it hurt to sleep, it hurt to move, however, taking 800 mg of Motrin every 6 hours seemed to help ease the pain but never seemed to knock it out. I tried everything from Tylenol to Aleve...however, Motrin was the best. Not knowing what had caused my problems, and getting tired of being in pain I went to see my family medical physician on the 7th of January. He ran me through the mill with test to figure out what was going on. Nothing out of the ordinary, I was a little anemic, however, that had nothing to do with my problems. We talked about the Levaquin, and he as most doctors dismissed the chance of that being the case. However, he did prescribe me 200 mg of Celebrex per day, and told me to take Tylenol as needed to help with the pain. After taking the combination of those drugs for 10 days, I called his office back and told him I was still having problems not as strong as before and I could tell I was getting a little better however movement was still bad, so he referred me to a Rheumatologist. I saw the Rheumatologist on Jan. 22nd and he seemed to help more than anyone else, he also did some blood work, however, nothing out of the ordinary once again, he also check for arthritis, and nothing came of that either. He believes that the medicine was the root of the problem, and until it is gone from my system nothing I am going to continue to have problems. He upped my Celebrex to 2 times per day, and told me to take Tylenol Arthritis 2 pills 3 times a day...this combination has almost knocked away all of the pain. I can still tell that I have problem areas such as my wrist when opening the car door; however, hopefully those will go away in time. Apparently, according to him there is a small amount of people in the world that is allergic to fluoroquinolone drugs and do not know it until they take one of these. I go back to see him again on the 12th of February hopefully I will be back to normal, however, I do have one burning question in my mind…what happens if I get off the Celebrex? Hopefully he will be able to answer that one for me. For anyone out there that is having these same problems as I have you might want to recommend for your Doctor to prescribe you Celebrex and see if will help you…

I started taking Levaquin in December for a respiratory infection (500mg for 10 days). The only side effects I noticed while taking it was a terrible headache, insomnia and anxiety. I experienced that after the first dose. The next day I called my Dr. to tell him and he said he would prescribe Ativan and I should continue with my prescription. I wish I had listened to my common sense, but I listened to the doctor. I finished the prescription and felt somewhat better from the infection but after 10 days of being off the Levaquin, I started to get a burning pain in my left arm. At first I thought it was a blood clot or something. Two days later, the pain had spread to both arms. The pain was so intense I thought I was going to pass out. I had severe joint and muscle pain. I suspected it was the Levaquin when I found this and other websites where people have been describing their experiences. I made copies of a lot of information to take to the doctor. When I went the doctor I described my pain and tried to show him the information, but he didn't believe me. He said it was not caused by the Levaquin. Since then, the pain has spread to my knees. I have decided to find a new doctor since I refuse to waste my time on a doctor who doesn't even believe me. I called the FDA to file a med watch and they said they were going to send me paperwork..guess what..that was last week and I still haven't gotten paperwork. I believe that everyone is trying to keep this undercover! I am going to go to their website and download my own forms and file.
Two weeks ago I started taking a regimen of vitamins: Daily 3000 mg vitamin C, one B Complex, Milk Thistle, 1000 mg Calcium, 500 mg Magnesium, Potassium, and a Probiotic supplement. I don't know if these have helped me, but I do want to say that I feel better than I felt two weeks ago. I still have a lot of pain, but it's not as severe as it was. I'm hoping that it goes away soon. I am spreading the word among family and friends to NEVER take anything in the quinolinone family of antibiotics. I really don't believe that these side effects are as rare as they say. I just believe many people don't report because most don't connect the dots that their symptoms were caused by the antibiotic. My symptoms didn't start until almost two weeks after I completed the antibiotics. I was just lucky enough to have figured it out. The other symptoms I am having are muscle twitching, trouble focusing, insomnia, and cold hands/feet. I also just once had a ringing in my left ear that made me feel like I lost some of my hearing after it finished. I hope that's not the case. I will continue to pray for all of you.

I am so upset just reading these posts! I started on a regimen of 500 mg of Levaquin on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 along with an Advair inhaler for treatment of a bronchial infection. On Thursday I started feeling twinges in my knees when I went up and down steps. By Sunday, I could barely bend my knees so I called the Pharmacist. She suggested it was the Advair so I discontinued using it but still called my MD in the morning. She prescribed massive doses of ibuprofen (800 mg) which in a 32 hour period did NOTHING to relieve the pain. If anything it has gotten worse. I spoke to a friend the same evening who said her husband had severe muscle/joint pain in his hands when he took Levaquin this summer. This morning I called my MD twice in tears (she didn't respond until 3:30 PM.) She still doesn't seem to think it's the Levaquin but told me to take Benadryl (after I told her that this is what my friend's husband's MD told him to do!) I am going in to see her on Thursday morning and I will go armed with these comments from all of you brave people who are suffering from the effects of this awful drug!

I can not believe I found this web-site. I honestly felt like I was going crazy and that this was in my head. I was prescribed Levaquin for a sore on my finger to fight infection. I was taking 750mg every morning, once a day. The morning of the 8th day, I woke up and felt like I had been ran over by a truck. I felt foolish telling my family even the "back of my knees hurt." By the evening of that day, after laying in bed for just 45 minutes, I couldn't put down my right leg or put any pressure on it. I haven't taken the Levaquin for 24 hours now and it still hurts to try to open doors because my hands are so cramped. Does anyone else feel dizzy? All of sudden I just won't beadle to focus and my head hurts, only last a few seconds, but it is definitely there. Does anyone feel they have long term pain or affects of this drug? This is unbelievable that so many of us fell this way. Just yesterday I was at the doctor because of the pain. He instructed my to stop taking the Levaquin and told me, he has never hear of anyone feeling this way, but it is listed as one of the side effects and is very rare. Apparently it isn't that rare!! Glad I found you guys.
Stacy

Well I started Levaquin on the 17th of January for a bladder infection, and I took 2 pills and I have had nausea and watery diarrhea, so after reading all your postings about it I am not going to continue this medication

I started taking Levaquin last Friday ( the 11th) for a severe sinus infection. I was prescribed 750 mg for 5 days. I finished that but my sinus infection didn't improve so I was prescribed another 5 days of 750 mg. I took the pill yesterday and today ( totally 7 pills) I noticed on about day 2 or 3 that my legs felt tight, but thought it was a normal side effect. Then my lower back. I wasn't in serious pain at all so I ignored it. Today my knees, knuckles, shoulders, elbows, are extremely sore and i get sharp pains every now and then. It also hurts to sit for too long. I started researching the drug and now am so terrified after reading all these horror stories. Has anyone had this only last while taking it and not for months afterwards? Or am I pretty much in this for the long haul. And to the people who say that it lasts for months or years is it pain that disables you from working and doing daily things? I'm only 23 and I live a very active life and I'm totally freaked out now. PLEASE HELP

I took my first dose of Levaquin at 6:30Pm on January 3rd. Soon after I developed a sunburn like rash, puffy eyes that got really bloodshot, a severe-severe headache, fainting, low blood pressure (70/40,) pain and heaviness in my knees that made it difficult to walk, pain in my back in the midsection, a ringing so loud in my ears that I thought something must have been banging on the house, and sensitivity to light and sound. The headache was so bad that I the air blowing through the vents at the hospital was painful to hear. I was in the hospital by 2AM, and remained there for 4 days. Mainly because the staff did not believe that the Levaquin was the culprit and gave me another dose once I was feeling a bit more like myself..

I am a very healthy 21 yr old. I have always had a slight problem with urinary tract infections, nothing major tho. Doctors in the past always prescribed an antibiotic, usually Macrobid. I went in to see a doctor at MEA that gave me 3 samples of LEVAQUIN. They were each 750 mg. Within 3 days of taking the pills I was unable to get out of bed. My stomach pains were so severe I had to constantly bend over to relieve some of the pain. I had no appetite. My chest hurt so bad I couldn't talk loud, laugh or cough without crying from the pain. My fingers began to swell and became numb. I could barely sleep and when I did it was a very restless sleep. I woke up during the night one night and couldn't feel anything in my left shoulder. It has been close to 8 months since I took LEVAQUIN. I still have problems with my joints hurting horribly. I see spots like you would see after a camera flash in my eyes all day everyday. The bottoms of my feet still hurt if I stand still for a long time. LEVAQUIN is so dangerous. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!

I went to my doctor on Monday December 17, 2007, because I was experiencing a fever, chest congestion, with an extremely painful cough. He gave me 7 sample blister packs of Levaquin 500mg, and a sample Pulmicort Flexhaler 180mcg. He also prescribed a cough medicine for night time if I needed it. He said I had bronchitis or a possible pneumonia he couldn’t hear. I also used a nebulizer with Abutrual.

On December 23, 2007 I awoke with the most intense pain I have ever experienced. My wrists, finger, toe, elbows, knees and ankle joints all hurt. My muscles in my legs and back burned. My hands, fingers, feet, toes, and shins felt like they were “asleep” or the worst pins and needles ever.

My husband went online and found out that is was most likely caused by the Levaquin. And thankful I was taking TWO steroids! So when I called the company that makes Levaquin they told me to stay in bed! When I asked them how long this could last they said 1 week to two months.

As of today, the pain in my fingers, toes, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees, which is like tendinitis is mild to moderate. The burning in my muscles in my legs and back is still intense. The “pins and needles” is affecting mostly my hands and feet and my left leg from the knee down. I also still have a deep pain under booth knees. I have also experienced a periodic facial twitch on the left side, below the eye about 1.5 inches.

I am weak, and completely unable to get around do to the pain in my legs and feet. I am furious that my doctor prescribed a medication that could cause these problems without warning me, as samples do not come with warnings. I feel disabled, angry, and would like to know what I am supposed to do now!! Has anyone found anything that helps with the pain?