Levaquin and lungs

Have taken 500mg Levaquin for 10 days on numerous ocassions to fight lung infections in between Cat Scan follow-ups for Lung Cancer since 2006.

Worked fine for my lungs, and I've been LC free for some time. Two months ago rt elbow swelled up, first like a mushy sack, now more firm, size of an egg, no pain then or now. Few weeks later Lt elbow began to swell but not as large and no pain. Dr. said wait few weeks and he'll refer me to surgeon. Now this FDA report on Levaquin has me wondering. I have full motion and no pain. Could this be a pre-cursor to possible tendon damage from Levaquin. Your input would be appreciated. Bill B

I am diagnosed with COPD. On March14, 2008, I visited my pulmonologist due to having a bacterial infection in the lungs and nose. I was given a script for Levaguin 750 mg for 7 days. After my first dose, my feet felt like they were on fire. I spoke with the pharmacist and he said it could be a side effect. I finished the meds with a lot of trepidation, feeling uneasy and anxious. However my large toes began to have a tingling sensation, which I reported to my PCP and he said to keep a check on it. I just came from my PCP today, July 8,2008 and now, in addition to my lung problem, I have peripheral neurophathy, involving all my toes and also my hands. This medicine is dangerous, as looking back at the time after I took this medicine, I was seriously considering ending it all! I will never take any medication in the future until I research it thoroughly. I trust my PCP and I trusted my pulmonologist, but I feel the pulmonologist should have informed me of the possible bad sich effects. Be careful out there!!!

Also had baddddd viral infection of lungs/pneumonia...was put on Levaquin...hadn't connected the body/joint aches I've had ever since with the medication until now...
Feeding and grooming the horses last Saturday caused me intense pain the next day....
My rt ankle's tendon/ligament? on outside has a burning pain at times now....
I've never really been one to have much joint pain....

I have had an infection in my lungs for about a week and finally went to the doctor. I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg. It has worked better than anything I have ever been given. Each year I end up in the hospital with pneumonia where I am kept for at least a week each time. For the first time in 10 yrs. I didn't have to go in to the hospital for a stay. I don't care what anyone says about this medicine it worked for me and I plan to request it any time I get sick. 5 pills later and I am well. No more pain from coughing, no more feeling as if, I can't get enough air to breathe, I say that's a good reason to stay with this medicine.

I am currently taking Levaquin for the first time; just finishing a one week course @ 500 m.g. / day. Had a bacterial infection on knee similiar to an insect sting (one hole). Not only cleared up but also helped with a undiagnosed condition in the lungs which has caused a chronic cough for at least five years now .... now gone. Never had any indication of side affects.

I am a caregiver for my 75 yo stroke victim Mom; on dialysis, diabetes and hypertension. I took her to the ER fearing she was suffering from either another stroke or heart attack but they couldn't find anything instead of spots of pneumonia in her lungs. The ER doc prescribe her Levaquin 500mg, and she became "looney" for 5 days; verbally combative, talking to herself incessantly while slipping in and out of consciousness in between. Short term memory was lost - big time! On the 5th day, I read the med literature Walmart Pharm inserted in the bag. IN BOLD LETTERS, IT WARNED: BE CAREFUL IN GIVING THIS MED TO ELDERLY. They may be more susceptible to suffer from side effects of dizziness, weakness and tremors. So I stopped giving it to her that very day, the next morning she open her eyes wide but slept for 2 days. As if to regain strength from what she went through for 5 days. Then, 2 days ago, she suffered from tremors or muscle spasm in her injured leg which caused her to scream in pain. I wonder if this still the side effects of Levaquin!?!

Leizel S.
Gloucester, VA

I am on Levaquin 500 now for what I was told was a respirtory infection, this is my 4th antibotic for the same problem. I am extremely sore and feel as if there are hundred pound weights on my ankles, it hurts to walk. My stomach is sore, my muscles are so tired, it hurts to situp. I am so lightheaded after taking this medicine, I feel ok before I take it but it all hits me at once after I have taken it. I have only been on Levaquin 4 days is this normal?

my father had fluid on his lungs and started levaquin for 12 days. He took himself off of it on the 12th day after severe swelling in his hands, feet and joints. He's been to every doctor in austin since and no one can seem to explain it to us. He is very depressed, has trouble moving, sleeps all the time, severe joint pain and swelling of his hands and feet. No one here seems to be saying anything about the side effects going away. Someone please tell me that this will get better. Is there any hope of it getting better? Has anyone recovered?

I was taking Levaquin for fluid in my lungs. I experienced extreme pain and swelling in my achilles tendon. I stopped taking the pill but 3 weeks later, I still have pain and swelling from my achilles tendon. The doctor has no clue what to do about it.

After a bout of bronchitis, I continued to experience respiratory difficulties. I scheduled an appointment with my allergy physician, and due to continued wheezing in my lungs and persistent coughing, she prescribed Levaquin, 750 MG, one time daily. I read the possible side affects and did not realize the full array of possible complications associated with administration of this medication. After one dosage, I began experiencing insomnia, extreme aching and swelling of my ankles and knees, extreme hot flashes/cold chills. Yesterday, I fell when geting out of bed due to the tightness and swelling of my legs. I have slept only a few hours during the past seven days. After reading the documentation on the website of the complications reported by over 1200 individuals, I have discontinued taking the medication with only one pill left. I am extremely concerned about the possible long term damage to my body. I have a daughter with disabilities who requires my care and assistance.

I was given the 500mg, 10 day prescription as well. I was also given Amoxicyllan, an albuterol, and Hypotuss (syrup) for my return home from a Spontanious Pneumothorax( collapsed lung). I am on my 4th day now, and have immediately discontinued. Last Night I began to sweat relentlessly, heat went crazy, my muscules completely tighten ed and severe mental physco-dileria. I woke up this morning before reading the endless amount of consistent reports about this poison and took another one. Earlier today I called my fiancee home because I was feeling extremely suicidal, and the aches began to plague my lungs, which is really confusing seems Im recovering from a chest tube and have and Upper resp. Infection. I have taken Amoxill for years and never felt a single discomfort. I know without dispute that the levaquin is doing this to us. I absolutey fear long-term effects and hope the best for everyone dealing with this each and everyday. NEVER EAT THIS PILL!!!!NEVER

I only took one Levaquin 500 mg pill (prescribed for bronchitis) and got horribly sick. I was so dizzy I nearly fell when I tried to walk. I went back and forth from blazing hot and sweating to freezing and shivering. My hands and feet were numb and tingling. I had diarrhea. Worst of all, I could barely breathe, felt like my lungs were too tiny to get any air. Finally got back to nearly normal with Benadryl. However, it's now 3 days after I took the single Levaquin pill and I still have tingling and numbness in one ankle and calf. I am horrified to see how many other people are having severe reactions to this drug, and I want to know WHY IS THIS POISONOUS DRUG STILL ON THE MARKET?

I was just recently in the hospital for treatment of cellulitis and my doctor ordered Levaquin via IV. I had taken it orally before about a year ago for a respiratory infection. 2-3 minutes into the IV being turned on I felt the worst burning sensation and pressure in my lungs like I suddenly had horrible pneumonia. Everytime I tried to breathe I had to cough like my lungs were full of fluid or something! They ran tons of tests and everything came back normal. They had to give me a shot of Benadryl and it eventually calmed down. Anyone else experience this?

It's been 2yrs. now,nearly every tendon in my body,has some level of pain.My feet are swollen ,my calfes look like thighs,there swollen so bad.3 doc's make me feel like a liar.so my hands,arms,and legs hurt 24/7 taking 60mg,ms cotin and 30mg oxycodone and does not stop the pain.Just recently my lungs have been getting fliud in them,and my throat is swelling shut,but my Dr. always aviods the possibity of levaquin toxicity when I mention it.I also have vision problems,and its like I dream while I'm awake,IT'S very scary and can't get any help..******chuck.....

i used levaquin for 7 days before stoping. i was taking 500 mg and right away i found i could not sleep. my lungs filled up to the point that i had to go to the emergency room for treatment. after 2 weeks of no more then 2 hours of sleep a night, my doctor gave me ambein. a sleeping pill. i have had anxiety attacks, panic attacks and a feeling that some thing was terribly wrong and even had suicidal thoughts. i have never felt so sad and depressed in my whole life. it has been a couple of weeks since i quit the levaquin and i have times that my heart races, blood pressure go's up, and feel like i can't get enough air. i get a pressure head ache above my eyes and aspirin just don't seem to help. i didn't know what was causeing this till i read postings from this site. thanks for the info and i hope this don't last as long as it has for most of you. at 66 years old, i don't need this kind of problem, luck to us all----******

I just finished 14 days of 750mg of Levaquin. I have not found anyone who has taken this size of a dose. I am having the joint aches and pains. This morning I had difficulty breathing because my back and ribs hurt so much that to expand my lungs hurts. My husband is a physican assistant and he is feeling riddled with guilt. He and I both feel as if the drug company had done its part to not make the severity of these side affects known. These horrible side affects are listed as "less common or rare." That leads one to believe that very few people will have these problems. I just mentioned to someone yesterday how I felt worse since taking this medicine than I did before. They immediately said, "You aren't taking Levaquin are you?" There husband a healthy 30 something year old accountant had the same problems I am having. His gastrointestinal doctor said Levaquin is poison and he would have never put him on it. He told him to stop it immediately. Obviously some doctors are aware and admitting the problems this medicine causes. I am trying to be hopeful this morning after reading all of the posts that are echoing how I am feeling right now. I am afraid! For those of you who have gotten better many of us would benefit from knowing that these side affects are temporary and will pass. Thanks to all who have posted and provided clarity about this medicine.

I have posted before. I am still having extreme pain in my joints, particularly my knees. Mobility has become very difficult, and this whole thing is getting really old.

Now I have been diagnosed with a 4.7 cm. mass in my right lung. I had started coughing about three weeks ago, which I attributed to the pneumonia for which I took Levaquin and Cipro in the first place. Then I started coughing up blood and my doctor has done a chest x-ray and a CT scan of my lungs. He says I have a tumor suspicious for cancer.

Now I'm wondering if anyone else's symptoms have progressed this way? If anyone, ANYONE, has had this happen to you, I really need to hear from you. I am feeling very scared right now, and in constant pain from the joint pain and now in my lung.

My email address is ******. Please put something about Levaquin in the subject line so I'll know it's a real email.

Thank you to everyone.

My daughter is 13 years old. In October 2003 she had her right middle lobe of her lung removed. She has chronic asthma and other respiratory problems. She has also has 2 sinus surgeries and 5 sets of ear tubes. After her lobectomy she was on several different antibiotics and we had a terrible time clearing her lungs. Finally in December her Drs. put her on Levaquin. She took her levaquin at night due to some of the side effects listed. I didn't want her in school if there had been a problem. It was like a miracle drug for her. For the first time in months I did not hear her say she was not feeling well, no low grade temps and most important of all...she stopped coughing up phlegm. The Drs now have her on another antibiotic...its working well but some of her problems have slowly returned. She is much wheezier, she has started to cough again and she says she doesn't feel as well now as she did on Levaquin. As a matter of fact she has a Dr. appointment in a week and I am going to ask about using Levaquin again.

I have been taking Levaquin for 5 days after being diagnosed with a lung infection (likely bronchitis). I had been prescribed Biaxin (Erythromicin) previously, but my lung infection only got worse. The Levaquin has been great and has completely cleaned up my lungs. The only noticeable side effects have been very bad night sweats (have to change clothes 2 or three times a night) and diminished sense of smell. I would highly recommend Levaquin to anyone who has badly congested lungs - it was great.

I am adding a positive response for Levaquin. I have Mycoplasma pneumoniae which won't go away. I have some immunity problems and had another rhinal plasty surgery 3 yers ago. I noticed taking Levaquin did not kill mycoplasma pneumoniae at 500mg. The doctor called in for me 750, which worked like very well. You have to take 1000mg a day to kill mycoplasma, which is in your sinuses, ears, lungs. I keep going into broncial pneumoniae which is hard to diagnose. I have special serology bloodwork done to find it. My ears kept ringing on 500mg a day, muscle pain, and other problems, vision loss. Serretia Marscenses had cultured from my nose, which is the result of Mycoplasma, which has a whole barrel of symptoms. Very diffucult to treat. To kill Mycoplasma needs to be at stronger doses. I do not deny there are allergies to antibiotics. but Mayo Clinic told me to take antibiotics for a month. which Mycoplasma tends to hang on for 3 weeks or better. I hope anybody else hasn't suffered for as long as I have. Yes, I do read the phamplet the pharmacist gives me. Just ask for the write up. I am now getting gamma-globulin to boost my immune system to fight Mycoplasma. I wish everyone well. Shirley

Adding to the nightmare stories I have just read. I must include horrible head pain on right side near ear, and running down neck. Also rapid heartbeat, light-headedness, insomnia and food and drink seemed to help absolve the problems somewhat. Took four days until I realized it must be the medicine!!

57 years female caucasian

Started with fever on Friday and felt so horrible by Monday saw my physician, who I might add, has been attending me for 3-4 years. Since I lost my job and have no insurance, my doctor gave me samples of Levaquin, due to congestion in lungs and head.

I was to start immediately with a daily dose of 500 mg. Almost immediately after 1st dose I started to feel drained of all life, and I cannot explain if my breathing was shallow or not. I called my sister and she reassured me that the flu or virus like bug I must have was like her and her husband had experienced several weeks earlier, and that I would slowly start to feel better, and that it might take 10 days or so.

Yesterday I started having sweats and the insomnia is getting worse. I started realizing today that after this morning's dose I was so scared of what I felt that I told my son I was afraid I would die. I WILL NEVER TAKE AGAIN after reading this website.

I am so happy that I had the sense to realize that something was not right, since I was not feeling better, but worse each day. I only hope that I am not too late.

I will call my doctor tomorrow and tell him, and get some treatment, perhaps the prednisone or something to boost me. I am scared to death that it has caused permanent damage, and that it will not leave my system.

Wow, after reading the side effects at a web site and reading the stories at this forum I found out that I was experiencing the same side effects that I read here.

I was being treated for a bacteria infection in my lungs, so my doctor put me on the 500mg tablets for 10 days (he said this should kill off any bacteria left around in there), he also prescribed me the Advair Diskus for my bronchial tubes (took this twice a day (morning and night)).

Well, the side effects I noticed were the following:

bad taste in my mouth
loss of appetite
nauseua
loss of weight - 5lbs (which of course coincides with the loss of appetite, "don't eat much, lose weight" duh!)
sleeplessness
a couple of nights of sweating (didn't help that on those paticular nights it was humid)
anxiety and depression
loss of energy
Sunburned (mowed the yard one day with a tank top on, shouldn't have done that)

Today is my last day of the medicine, I feel the infection has subsided so we'll see. looking back, I think I should have taken this medication with food or something. I was told not to take this medication with any dairy products at least 2 hours before and 2 hours later from taking this medication. So I just went ahead and took the medication without food altogether.

It has been 3 months since I took levaquin. I took it after my TURP. I had anxiety, spaced out feeling, shortness of breath, vision problems, dizziness, irratibility. Also, I noticed in the recovery room that after taking it my lungs hurt with the least bit of exertion. And now, after 3 months, my lungs still hurt with very little exertion. I feel there has been permanent damage to my lungs. Why is levaquin being used when there are other drugs, that have passed the test of time, available.

WHAT THE HELL?! Whatever happened to Amoxicillan? A simple UTI and I'm a complete freakazoid. Nightmares, short of breath - sighing all the time. I thought I was just getting stressed. Hand tremors. Muscle behind my knee just plain hurt but I thought I pulled something working out. I took it for 9 out of the 14 days prescribed but when I had a complete emotional meltdown over something stupid - I decided to stop. I'm still short of breath and my lungs hurt and it feels like I have a lump in my throat. More than anything I'm pissed.