Levaquin and medical attention

About a week ago I woke up with some kind of bug bites on my foot. Over the course of that week I scratched them so much while I was sleeping that they became infected. My left foor swelled so much that I could not even bend my toes. I decided it was time to seek medical attention. I went to the ER and he told me that the infection in my foot was spreading up my leg and decided to put me on an anitbiotic (levaquin) and pain killer (motrin). I made him aware that my doctor had advised me not to take any medications because I was awaiting having tests done because my primary doctor thought I was having mini strokes (I am 27 years old). The doctor told me that the meds he would be putting me on would have no effect on those tests or the symptoms I was having. I was given one does of both the levaquin and motrin before I left the hospital because all pharmacies were closed at that time.

I attempted to go to bed about an hour after I got home. I had severe chest and stomache pains, became very hot, had dry mouth and a metalic taste in my mouth. Also, almost immediately had knee pain, arm numbness and felt very light headed. I was not sure if it was a side effect from the levaqin, the motrin or a combo of the two and decided to do some research. I did not like what I read and I will never take this medication again. I thought medications were supposed to help you. I am already having health issues that someone my age should not be dealing with and am starting to wonder if that ER doctor was trying to kill me, and last night, trust me, I wish someone would have to put me out of my mysery.

I have taken Levaquin for bladder infections 6 times. I have Interstitial Cystitis and sadly one of the side effects is frequent UTI's. I have tolerated this drug better than any other antibiotic I have ever taken, and I have taken many.

Walgreens lists the vast majority of "possible" side effects and the Ortho-McNeil web site (the company who manufactures the drug) has a very detailed PDF file which lists all of the side effects complaints I have seen here and more. Some of the other side effects include suicidal thoughts and death!

ANY drug can cause side effects that may be severly adverse. It is impossible to know who will have such a reaction. In order to avoid all posssible reactions to drugs the healthcare industry would have to stop using medications of any kind.

I had a bizarre reaction to oxybutynin (which generally causes no side effects) that went far beyond drowsiness, it more resembled Narcolepsy. I could not safely care for my child or drive my car. I still took the pills for 2 months hoping the side effects would go away, which they didn't. I know that my reaction wasn't the "norm, and would not tell someone not to take it simply because it didn't work for me.

Please if you have been prescribed Levaquin, take it. As with any drug, over the counter or prescribed call your doctor immediately if you have any reaction that is uncommon or you feel requires medical attention. All medications can have risks, just use your head :)

Common sense is needed!! With any type of medication there are bound to be a number of different side effects, some people experience all others none. But when any medication taken produces rash/hives you should stop taking that drug immediately and seek medical attention.

I"m deathly allergic to Pennicillins and now have also become allergic to Sulfa meds.

I'm not thrilled with being on antibiotics, but Levaquin for the most part only makes me nauseated. I work at a Hospital from 6:30 a - 3:00 p in the Medical Records dept. I normally take my antibiotic late afternoon / early evening so that I don't have the nasty side affects during work hours.

I don't like taking antibiotics all the time for other reasons, I don't want my body to resist them when I get older and need them. There are infections where your body either becomes immune to the drug or totally the drug fails and you have worse infections and may die from them. MRSA is just one to mention.

I have Urology problems and Levaquin is the drug of choice so I have to put up with them :( I also have chronic sinusitis and levaquin also helps there too.

Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and most of all
USE YOUR HEAD/COMMON SENSE!!!