Levaquin and lower back pain

UPDATE from Yesterday)))>>> well thanks to everyone i quit taking it yesterday BUT!!!---> today when i woke up i had a horrible head ache and it seemed to be coming from my left eye. i looked in the mirror and i have a really weird yellowish glazed tint in both my eyes and in my left eye a blood vessel has burst. i also noticed ive developed a skin rash on my right side of my stomach and on my left calf. My joints kept me up all night in constant pain which felt like someone was ripping apart my ligaments. I had a minor anxiety attack last night (Ive NEVER had anxiety before) and my body just feels weak, drained, and i keep getting really weird muscel spasms in my upper thigh. I tried to go out to the store earlier and as soon as i stepped into the sunlight a migraine hit me, and ive never been sensitive to light....Ive had a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness more in the past 24 hours than i have in a year. Im also experiencing horrible lower back pain and stomach pain around where my kidneys are.... I did have a small amount breast tenderness when i woke up and im not sure if that's another side effect...(no im not pregnant, had multiple urine tests in the last week)...I think ive only went potty maybe once today...and that was at like 9am...its now almost 9pm. Im pretty sure if this isn't over with or doesn't improve by 10pm im going to the hospital.....i cant drink water and im pretty sure im getting dehydrated....my skins turning pale, i have dark rings around my eyes.....etc.......has anyone else suffered with these things? Levaquin is by far the MOST painful, riskful, antibiotic ive been on...They should definitely take this sh*t off the market!!! =[[

My doctor prescribed Cipro for a UTI I had. My symptoms were minor. Within 2 doses of Cipro though, my symptoms got worse. Fever, excruciating lower back pain, shakes, all over pain. Thank God my boyfriend was aware of what was happening (because I wasn't). He gave me Cipro 2 more times and had been keeping track. Within 15 minutes of me taking it, all the symptoms would flare up. Finally he said we need to call the doctor, this drug is making you ill. We called the doctor and he said, "no way is it the drug, just continue taking it" So I did 2 more times. And then my boyfriend demanded and threatened the doctor to reconsider. And you know what, I went in to the doctor they gave me a shot of something else, and within 10 minutes I had no fever, no pain, no nothing. And they said I must've had an allergic reaction. It's interesting now to hear how we all MUST HAVE had an allergic reaction. Or that the drug is unsafe. My input here is to just remind people to pay attention to how their bodies respond to any drug. Keep track. No one knows our bodies better than we do.

I have been on this med for 4 days....could not figure out why i was having such severe pain. had surgery for a bladder stimulator, and the doctor prescribed this to me to take post surgery. but heres the thing, they tried to give it to me through an iv before the surgery, and had a SEVERE reaction to it. i also suffer from severe lower back pain(I'm getting a spinal fusion next month) and i just thought the pain was from that. but the yesterday, i woke up and could hardly move. my neck, shoulders and upper back were hurting, burning and aching. i can hardly move my shoulders up and down. i also am experiencing the tightness in my chest, rapid heart beat, headache, dizziness. another weird thing is that i have what i can only describe as a sunburn on the back of my hands and arms. i have stopped taking the med, but i want to know is does all of this going away? i have so many other health problems, i cant deal with this. someone please let me know

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!

Need some advice for my husband. He has been given Levaquin and he is in alot of pain. Headache, stomach, dizzy, lower back pain..and what ever else you can think of. So my question is, what did you do to get relief from taken the medicine and how long untill you felt better. I have told him not to take anymore, but what else if anything can he do to feel better? Please e-mail me at thetuggles@yahoo.com...thanks, trish

I was prescribed Levaquin a couple of years ago and I thought that I was crazy. During the time I took the drug, I felt this horrible sensation in my leg as kind of like the feeling when your leg has fallen asleep and it's coming out. It was a horrible tingle that just persisted to the point where I thought I was going crazy. I had to call an ambulance becuase I couldn't take that intense feeling any longer, people were telling me that I was delusional but now I find out after reading on this site that it had to be the Levaquin. Recently I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection and I have the worse lower back pain I have ever experienced in my life. I couldn't figure out why I was having so much pain not only in my lower back but throughout my loints and now I realize that it was the drug. I will never usr levaquin again.

I also recently had a very bad reaction to Levaquin. After finishing a 10 day course, I had severe joint pain, swelling and then lower back pain. I did take ibuprofen and it helped a bit with the pain, but not the numbness. I also was losing my balance because I had a strange sensation that I was walking with someone else' legs!!! Now, 3 days after I stopped the medication, I do feel relief. This morning I did not have so much trouble walking. I notice that I do have significant burning in my extremities, much more apparent at night and it's very uncomfortable. I will say, though, that improvements are noticable and I do hope others improve as well. There is no doubt in my mind that Levaquin causes very severe side effects. I am also taking antioxident vitamins, Omega3 and folic acid. Good luck--there is some hope. Just forge ahead, try to go through each day without worry about it and try to maintain a regular pace. But DO NOT STRESS YOUR TENDONS as it's apparent from the literature that you can cause permanent damage. Take it easy physically, but don't stop moving. Drink lots and lots of fresh water or seltzer.

Thank you, I will make a report. I also developed very severe lower back pain and it's very difficult to walk when I wake up, or after sitting for a while. I did just discover that ibuprofen helps. I hope these symptoms slowly disappear. It so happened that the symptoms started when I was nearly finished. Happy to say that my tendons seem to be fine. The odd thing is that I was given Tequin about 18 months ago and that was fine--I felt very good with that medication. I'll check back in a few days. Thanks, once again.

I was prescribed levaquin 500mg for 7 days for sinus infection.
On day 3, I was very dizzy for few minutes where I thought I'd pass out. Next day, I cut down to 250mg but was still getting dizzy to a lesser extent.
Day 6, I didn't take it but started getting lower abdominal and lower back pain. So I'll be going to see my doc to see what is going on. Also, knee joint pain.

This medication is too difficult to take. I personally think the side effects are greater than the benefits.

I've been taking 500 mg Levaquin for about 2 weeks for a chronic urinary tract problem. I've taken it before for a shorter period of time, with limited side effects, but this last time was another story. I got severe abdominal and lower back pain that keep that makes it difficult for me to walk, sit or lay down. I'm experiencing so much nausea and lathargy that I haven't been to work since I started this last regiman of Levaquin. My doctor has no idea why I'm experiencing so much discomfort despite my urinary tract infection has been resolved even though I still have the constant urge to go and are totally bloated. I told him I thought it was the medication,but he wouldn't confirm it. He just discontinued the medication and scheduled me for a CAT scan asap. The nurse told me that she's heard of Levaquin causing body aches similar to the flu. What's up with the doc not informing me of that information. Conspiracy with the drug company ? I'm just scared the symptoms with take forever to go away. Anyone out there experience the same thing and have seen the light at the end of this horrible tunnel?

I have taken almost two complete 7-day rounds of Leviquin and just today realized that my aches and pains are probably due to it instead of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. I will not take those last two 500 mg tablets! I have extreme joint pain and swelling of the wrists. I have been blaming lower back pain on the 16-hours of sleep I had on Sunday! My hip joints hurt so that I can't raise my foot to step into pants when dressing. I'm sure I read the Rx paperwork when I filled this prescription, but don't remember seeing extreme pain as a side effect. Why didn't my doctor warn me?

Went to Dr. with UTI. He prescribed Levaquin 500. I had a minor lower back pain due to the infection but after taking the Levaquin I developed really bad lower back pain, almost spasms. Could barely straighten up or function. The pain eventually subsided somewhat but as soon as I took the next dose it was back. Dr. called and changed my medication. No more sever pain/spasms so definately the Levaquin.

I do not know if this will help anyone but I hope that someone will benefit from this information. I was prescribed Levaquin for 7 days, on the 5th day I awoke to severe lower back pain. I could barely walk. Next day my knee's, right foot were also throbbing with pain. The joints were inflammed and extremely painful. I stayed in bed all day hoping it would go away. The pain and inflamation became more severe. I had blood work and ex-rays, everything checked out normal. Found this site and others describing crippling effects of Levaquin. My husband did a little research and we have been injecting magnesium into my glute mucsles. 8 days later I have definatley improved. I am not out of pain nor can I walk normally but I am no longer using my mothers walker to get around the house.

I took levaquin almost 4 years ago for a period of a couple of weeks. I noticed joint pain in my elbows, hips, knees, and wrists. I stopped taking the pills when I did a search for side effects because I knew something had suddenly changed with my health. With no particular warning a year after stopping the levaquin I started having lower back pain that lasted for almost two years constantly and now comes every month or so. I have recently suffered tendon damage and joint pain in my right thumb, and after 9 weeks I am healing very slowly. My right knee is very tight, with pain in/under the knee cap. I have very stiff/ painful achilles tendons on both feet. I know levauin caused joint pain wile I was taking it and I believe I am still suffering from it's ill effects. I am a slim 36 year old, otherwise healthy male. I think levaquin may have aged my joints 30 years in just a couple of weeks.

I just had to post after reading what everyone else has gone through being on Levaquin. I started it on Friday and after the 3rd dose I wasn't able to sleep at night. I have been getting maybe 3 hrs a night if that. Then yesterday I starting experiencing abdominal/intestinal cramps, diaria, I have lower back pain and my mind races as times. Also, my knees are hurting really bad and hurts to stand up. I didn't take my dose today and I won't. I have thrown the medicine away. I do hope i don't suffer long term since i've only taken 6 doses.

I had a urological procedure yesterday and the doctor prescribed Levaquin, 500mg as a precaution. today is the second time taking the tablet, it definitely is a dangerous drug. i have been vomiting for most of the day, i have no appetite and my stomach is very queasy.. i woke up with a terrible lower back pain and it has persisted all day. i have asked the doc to change to something less nauseating.

I was given Levaquin, 500mg a day by my doctor for a skin infection about six weeks ago. I immediately began to feel tired, achy in my joints and lower back, and just plan bad. I could not even sit at the computer for any length of time without being exhausted. I experienced severe shortness of breath and my blood pressure shot through the roof. I could not sleep at night and I had a hard time concentrating on the slightess task. After finding this website, I took myself off Levaquin and requested another antiobiotic. I have been off the Levaquin now for two weeks and I feel wonderful. I still have the shortness of breath but it is getting better. The lower back pain is subsiding. I am hopeful that I will back to my old self in no time. For anyone who is still taking this stuff, you may want to consider taking yourself off as I did.

Glad I found this forum. Yesterday my doctor started me on Levaquin 500mg x10 for a mild case of epididmytis. I've taken two doses thusfar, but have decided to discontinue the medication after researching quinolones online. Also, I developed a small rash on my stomach last night, and a minor rash on my left flank today. Add to this the jittery/dizzy feelings and anxiety I'm feeling, and I think that's reason enough to d/c. My doctor should be calling in a new prescription today, from another class of antibiotics.

I fully recognize that my anxiety is most likely not from the medication-- rather, it's likely from KNOWING that all these potential side effects exist. However, I believe that the symptoms described by the userids of this forum are real, especially since there is so much negative press about this class of drugs. I'm starting medical school next year, and I assure you all that when I finally become a physician, I'll strongly encourage proactive patients. Why trust exclusively what the drug companies/literature says about a medication when there are multiple patients telling you about their bad side effects? Patients know how they feel, not some report.

As an aside, I think I'll start looking into when my girlfriend took levaquin. She's only 22 years old, but has suffered severe lower back pain for a couple years now (sometimes so bad she couldn't walk). I know she took levaquin at some time in the past-- I can remember looking at the pills. She deals with the pain through natural anti-inflammatories (flax oil, etc.), but she has gone through a lot of physicians while trying to find the cause. She's had x-rays, MRI's, physical therapy, steroid injections, and has met with multiple neurologists and orthopods. So far, no cause has been found. She was a perfectly health college athlete (equestrian) when her back pain struck out of the blue one day. I still remember, she was crying, and couldn't walk the two blocks to her class.

By no means have I suddenly concluded that her pain was caused by levaquin; rather, I relate this story to see if anyone else has experienced lasting low-back pain. I'll keep looking into that possibility, but in the meantime, I'l continue feeling relieved that I'm stopping a potentially dangerous medication. Good luck to all of you in dealing with your afflictions.

Nick

I went to a Naturopath yesterday, fed up with MD's and their PA's! He did a simple urine test that found a lot of blood in the urine. They sent it to the lab and I will get the results today. I have had bad lower right back pain since March 2nd; plus a different neck, back and rib pain that persisted from 2/12 to 2/28 that now comes and goes.

The lower back pain that started 3/2/03 makes it hurt to take a deep breath, sneeze, bend over, or lie on my right side, but it does not hurt to press in that area???!!! It is between the ribs and hip, more to the back than to the side.

A week ago I called the MD who I saw the first time and who prescribed Levaquin on 2/8, and told him the symptoms that the PA dismissed on 2/20 as a virus were all side effects of Levaquin. He actually had the stupidity to tell me that the pain in my joints and muscles was not a side effect of Levaquin, but the vertigo was. I replied that on the literature that came with the Levaquin it says that those pains are side effects. He is blatently lying to me to try to cover his and his incompetent, unskilled PA's asses!

Sorry everyone, I have to say the only real side affect I'm having from this drug is dul intestinal cramps and when I eat they become a little more severe that I have to lay down untill it passes. I've taken prevacid and tagment and this seems to work, along with tylenol for the mild headaches and to help ease the pain. I've just taken the fouth of seven doses. I'm glad I started taking it as my dizzyness, headaches and malice are slowly going away and I'm finally sleeping. I have several other problems that have been going on before I started taking the medication. I'm currently being tested for these other problems that are similar to what everyone else on this board is complaining is a side effect. I can not blame it on this medication. I've had at least four flu bugs and all the wonderful things the flu puts you through since December, severe lower back pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, muscle aches, joint aches, etc......This has been a bad year for illnesses for my family and I. Maybe this medication is curing what it's meant for and uncovering underlying illnesses for some patients, have one of the 70 possible flu virusis that are out there, rushing to get better or lifestyle is catching up to them. Then again, we are all different and can't all take the same medications. Vicki

My Dr. proscribed 500mg Levaquin for my UTI which was giving me lower back pain and fever. I could not sleep at all that nite. This drug seems dangerous.

I'm a 58 year old male in good health. Was riding a bike 5 to 6 miles each day and no problems or arthritis. In January I got a Urinary tract infection and was put on a Sulfa drug which gave me a rash so I was switched to Levaquin.

Started taking Levaquin 24 Feb.
Started having lower back pain and heat in two days.
28 Feb went to Physical therapist to see if she could do something for the pain and the heat in lower back. She could not find anything wrong and sent me back to my Doctor. He checked me out and said the infection was gone and not to lift anything over 10 lbs.

1 Mar. pain almost unbearable.
2 Mar. by evening could not control my back and was laying on the floor.
3 Mar called doctor and told him I couldn't get out of bed and he called in a prescription for a muscle relaxant and recommended heat and ice. Called my therapist and she recommended ice 20 min every hour and to come in as soon as I could get out of bed.
5 Mar finally able to get out of bed and went to therapy.
6 Mar took last Levaquin.

Continued therapy and things seemed to be getting better but kept injuring joints when I used them too much.
Since then it has been all downhill. Symptoms include aching in all joints. Unable to sit or lay on my back. Anytime anything touches my back it gets hot. One Rib has gone out of place twice. My back continues to go out of control. Unable to sleep due to the pain. Knees weak. Sometimes have hot spots on legs and arms. Doctor has taken blood tests and had Xrays thinking I had Arthritis which isn't the case. Any physical exertion compounds problems. Had to quit therapy as it causes more pain. Doctor has me on muscle relaxants, Vioxx and pain killers. He doesn't believe this ailment was caused by Levaquin or if it was the effects would already be gone.

It's over two months since I took the drug and no relief. Seems to get worse every day. Tried to go to a Neurologist and he needed me to have a MRI and so far the insurance company has denied it.

Tried going to a Chiropractor but any manipulations cause more pain.

If anybody has suggestion on how to get over this and back to a normal life please let me know.