Levaquin and medication

Hi,
I am just looking for a web site that can help me with Levaquin side effects.
I had some of the listed side effects however within 4 days of starting the medication my taste and smell was totally gone. That was in Feb. 09, its now Sept.09 and i got back some smell and taste back but nothing like I
used to. In fact a lot of things taste different than they used to. Can
anybody help or point me in the right direction?

My husband was given Levaquin and Prednisone in April for a bad chest infection. The last day of Levaquin, his knees began burning. He has been suffering with pain and cramps from his toes all the way up his legs. It has been in his fingers up through his elbows. He has shaking in his hands. He had an abnormal EMG. He has intermittent low grade fever. He started having trouble swallowing a couple of weeks ago. He now has to go to speech therapy because his tongue muscles aren't working correctly. He had none of this UNTIL he took this medication. The doctor now finally feels it is as a result of taking the Levaquin. The prescribing doctor had the nerve to lecture us about NOT stating he was allergic to the medication because he would be in the hospital with an infection otherwise. We are not returning to this doctor.

I suffered cardiac arrest in 2006 with the only change in my 51 y/o basically healthy lifestyle was i started taking 500 mg/day of levaquin four days prior to my collapse in front of my students in the classroom. I am a 4th grade teacher - I had suffered cardiac arrest at least three times before I was treated with Arctic Sun therapy to help recover. The heart catheterization afterwards showed no blockage in my heart. There was a good chance, in my opinion, that levaquin could have caused my cardiac arrest. Although not conclusive because I had a tooth infection which was the reason I was prescribed the levaquin and i was taking an said for the discomfort, the back of my mind always comes back to levaquin because i suffered the joint weakness i read in articles of other users of the medication. I also was reminded after the accident that a young person we knew of had died unexpectedly in her sleep a and she was taking levaquin. It makes you think it may have been the levaquin, but no actual proof could be determined by my doctors. However, I will never take this medication again, knowing there are so many other antibiotics on the market to help me.

I am happy to find this site. I was given Levaquin for UTI. A few weeks prior to getting this prescription I was given a sulfa based drug (generic for Bactrim) and started feeling some pain in right wrist and hand. Dr. prescribed Levaquin since this sulfa based drug didn't clear up infection. Took 2 doses of 250mg and the reactions hit - both hands swelled, joints ached, both knees swelled and both feet and ankles swelled. Went to ER and admitted and spent 3 days in hospital on morphine and started prednisone treatment of 20mg a day with Aleve to also help with pain. This Levaquin is NASTY stuff. I can't believe doctors prescribe this medication. I am still not well. How long does it take to recover? I still am stiff and ache. I too am very active runner and finding myself frustrated in the slow recovery.

I was prescribed levaquin 750mg for 5 days. I took my first dosage and within 2 hours I was feeling itchy, tired, anxious and felt as if my skin was burning. On the first night I had a panic attack and felt my heart rush and couldn't breathe normally. The very next day I felt as if I was exhausted and believed it was the medication, so I called my doctor to ask if I should discontinue. Fifteen minutes too late she called me back and old me to discontinue, sadly I had just taken the second dosage. Within fifteen minutes of the second dosage my body started to undergo an extreme amount of itching, burning and pinching sensation. I was disoriented and depressed. I suffered sharp pains all day and night and just tried to focus on the next day. I figured after 24 hrs I wouldn't feel the pain and the medicine would be out of my system. I waited a day and a half. When I woke up on the second day after being off the medicine I was feeling extreme pains and nothing had gotten better my husband had enough and took me to the ER. I was admitted and stayed three days. Three horrible days of lab tests, xrays and lots of pain. The doctors could not manage my low blood pressure and had mo idea how the levaquin was attacking my body. I've been out for 2 days now and am still in pain and at time I still feel disoriented.

About a month ago I was given Levaquin, for Pneumonia. After about 5 days my face and neck swelled up, Then came the Prednisone at the hospital. I have never in my 38 years not been able to control my own body. I do take Zoloft,and Xanax for anxiety. No one said I would have a problem walking (legs are not working properly) eating,sleeping, Buzzing in my head. Unable to lift my 3 year old let alone care for her, I get extremely fatigued easily. My Husband has missed a week of work, and if your like us....NOT GOOD. Even trying to type is hard I must look at every letter, It's like I REALLY have to think to make my body move.My kidneys feel like balloons in my back when I lay down,Uncontrollable crying. I can't believe this has happened. We have been going through this the whole month of May.Is anyone able to control the shakes? Even my head is shaking??? I suppose if I had tried hard drugs ever, this might be what it's like. I Pray someone can help me. I am so afraid of what is happening to my body. By the way, when they put me on the Prednisone they did not give me a taper... Had to see another Doctor for that. So as I sit here today, hands shaking, head shaking, knees feeling to loose to walk on them, Hard to breathe, or even to think the way I could a month ago. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME...

My poor Mother was prescribed this medicine 2 days ago and she's not slept for 2 days and has had horrible pains in her legs. I just found out today that she started taking this and I looked it up only to the horror of all the complaints on this medication. DON'T TAKE THIS MEDICATION, IT'S POISON! It's so sad what people have to go through in taking some medications. I never take a medication without looking up all the side effects. I wish my Mother would have called me before taking this, but she trusts in her Doctor. I don't think Doctor's check complaints on medications, at least some don't. I had her STOP taking this right away and contact her Doctor tomorrow.

I wish I would have researched this med before I took it. I took it in March 2007. I was in the hospital for pneumonia. The doctor sent me home with a prescription to finish out. I want to tell you that I started to bleed from my stool. I bleed so much that I had to wear pads. On the last day of the Levaquin (I thought I had to take it all), I was crawling to the restroom and bleeding from my stool. I would have to lay on the floor to get the strength to set on the pot. My husband was in Iraq, and I didn't have anybody to help me. I warn anybody not to take this medication. My bowels have never been the same. But the doctors have checked me and can't find anything wrong.
KM

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection/ bronchial infection, and it through me through a loop. I couldn't sleep, had crazy dreams, I literally felt this drug moving through my whole body, and the next day I was exhausted even more exhausted than I was from being sick, and am having hot and cold flashes. I am sure this has reduced some of my sinus symptoms, but it is NOT WORTH IT!!! This is a strong medication, and I wouldn't advise anyone take it unless they had no alternatives. This antibiotic should not be prescribed to the average Joe with a Sinus Infection. This is a seriously strong medicine, with severe side affects. I only took it for one day, and threw it in the trash. My doctor called in a different prescription. I am going to use homeopathic remedies from now on. I feel like I have to at least take this alternate antibiotic though since I already started the cycle. I am going to do serious research before I put even one pill in my mouth though

My daughter is 16 and was given Levaquin 500 for a sinus infection. While on the medication she was tired but not much else in the side effect category. Now here we are 4 weeks later and she has acute abdomen pain, extreme fatigue,nausea, a headache, and she has lost 21 lbs in 2 weeks. I took her to the doctor and they ran a cbc, chem 12, urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel. All came back negative. Basically my perfectly healthy little girl is suffering from this. I went back and looked at the Levaquin packet because I know it can sometimes take a few weeks AFTER medications are stopped for side effects to show themselves and of course, all her symptoms are listed.

Ran into friend at grocery store with mystery illness. Docs attribute it to Agent Orange exposure. Been at death's doorstep for a year. Hands were extremely cold and has little energy. Showed up one day at golf course with oxygen bottle! Asked him if he had taken Levaquin. Unfortunately had. Docs again fail to link antibiotic exposure to his ailments.
I wonder how many illnesses and deaths this poison has caused? Why does the FDA allow this crap? Do you people realize that the average person is clueless about the side effects of drugs like this. Put total confidence and their well being in the hands of ignorant docs and profit crazed drug companies.
Ignorant oncologist failed to link my dad's symptoms to Levaquin, instead attributed them to b-cell lymphoma which just happened to suddenly appear. Rituxan and numerous other drugs (Heparin, Lasix, Gamma globulin, Tylenol, antibiotics, Insulin, steroids, Flowmax, etc.) was too much. A fiasco, people think he died of lymphoma. Was walking three miles a day before taking Levaquin, for an undiagnosed lung infection.

Has anyone had the experience of previously taking Levaquin without side effects, then when taking it again, developed severe headaches, joint aches, muscle pain and weakness, etc? I am currently going through this. I've taken Levaquin before probably 2 or 3 times due to upper respiratory problems and not noticed any side effect but this time, I've taken 5 days worth, 3 in hospital 2 as outpatient dose and can hardly move. I had the same experience in 2004 with zithromax. Had taken it without side effects, then suddenly when taking it again developed such bad chest pain, I thought as did my doctor, that I was having heart attack and spent a week in hospital before figuring that one out.

I am 39-year-old very active healthy female. I can say I am tolerant to most drugs I have taken in my life so far. However, I took Levaquin yesterday and today, 750 mg per day for five days for the sinus infection, I felt so horrible starting 2-3 hours after I first took it. I felt nausea, headache, extremely fatigue, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lose sleep.I also felt painful in my heart area this morning......After checking on the internet today, I know I was poisoned by Levaquin. I felt more horrible that my doctor did not tell my the side effect even when I asked this question specifically when was given the prescription. I am not allergy to other antibiotics, and I had no clue why the doctor would think this medication is necessary to me. I decided to stop Levaquin, and also not to see that doctor again. Please be careful to pick your doctor, some are very dumb and cannot even treat a cold.

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

I was giving Levaquin for a sinus infection for 5 days at 500mlg. I finished the last dose two days ago and can now barely walk. To get up from a sitting position feels like my knees are going to break. I thought it was the medication because I read that there could be tendon problems on the insert. But I didn't see anything about joint problems and my elbow is hurting too. I hope this doesn't last long.

I have been fighting a sinus infection for over two years now. Two surgeries for my sinuses so far, and every time I see the Doctor, I get the Levaquin every time, 750MG for 14 days. I have another sinus surgery in another state, with a specialist, I hope, better than my last ENT. But my left shoulder froze up and my right one is trying to freeze up. I am headed in Friday to get the Ortho to put me to sleep and twist my arm around and shoot it with cortizone, and I am hoping my shoulder will be ok then in another week, I head out to get another sinus operation. I was a very active, healthy mid 40's female. Now I can't seem to function. But I just stumbled onto this sight, and I am sure I am going to have to take another anti biotic. Any suggestions on which one? I will never take this Levaquin again. This is all to coincidental for all of us to have similar side effects. I had very bad headaches as well, but blamed the sinuses.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg today because of pneumonia. I was told to take 1 tablet for 10 days. I'm allergic to penicillin so my doctor prescribed Levaquin. After I took my first dose today, 15 minutes later, I started to have what I would call hallucinations . I would see all these weird colors. I was in the shower at the time and it was certainly not a pleasant experience. I also had a tingling feeling in both arms. I would almost describe the feeling of when doctors inject a dye into your vein to take a CAT scan. After a half hour of this, all went away and actually felt better throuout this afternoon. After reading other complaints on this site, I'm calling my doctor first thing in the morning because this medication sounds like trouble!

I really don't know what to do, I hurt so bad every single day I could cry. I was given Levaquin in March 2008 when I had pneumonia. I took it for 10 days and I hurt so bad still was very sick so I was put on it for another 10 days, so I took the Levaquin for a total of 20 days. I thought all this sickness was from the pneumonia. I had trouble getting out of bed, I could not even bend my knees, my feet, knees, elbows, and fingers were swelled up and I was getting all kinds of cracking in all my joints, headaches, stomach pains, all kinds of muscle pains. When I went back to work, I was telling a girl at work how I hurt and she asked me what kind of antibiotic I was taking, I told her and she said they had it on the world news . I said why is it still on the market. I seen 3 doctors about this and they think I'm nuts! They sent me for all kinds of xrays for all different parts of my body, what is that going to show! Its been a year and I still ache, I keep swelling up, joint and muscle pains, cracking, stomach troubles, problems sleeping, its terrible. I take pain medication for my back, I have 2 herniated discs, and I have to take more pain meds for all these other pains, this is not going to work. I even went to see a rheumatologists and he said I don't have arthritis. So Levaquin done a number on me. If anyone can help, or know what to do let me know!

The doctor prescribed Levaquin for an infection that I had. After taking one pill I awoke with a heaviness on my chest, shortness of breath and tingling down my left arm. I have never had any of these things happen to me before so I suspected a reaction to the Levaquin, but the doctor told me to go to ER, from there they admitted me to the hospital but found nothing wrong with my heart or lungs....I continued with the Levaquin and after 6 days I had a pain just behind my left knee. On the 7th day it went to pain behind my right knee. I could not straighten out my leg without having pain. It was like the tendon was very tight and hurt....tendinitis???? On the 8th day we discovered Levaquin could cause tendinitis so stopped taking it. That has been over a week ago and I can hardly walk and if I straighten out my leg it produces excruciating pain. It has effected my shoulder and wrist also....Also found out that this tendinitis can come back in the future just from this medication. Is there a suit going on about this? Please reply if anyone knows of one. I think we need to take action with all the problems this drug is causing.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg daily for a persistent sinus infection
thirteen days ago. I am rarely worried about taking a drug my doctor prescribed but after reading the precautions and side effects I was concerned. I decided to wait until I checked with some doctor friends of mine who said not to worry because if even one person in a million has a problem they must post it. Now I'm so sorry I listened to them. My hands
are so swollen and feel prickly and painful. They have been like this for the last three hours, which is the reason I went online for information about this drug. Now I realize why my legs have been so painful and why it's so hard to use my legs to squt down and then stand. For days now I have
had trouble with my legs hurting as I go up and down the stairs in my house (lots of stairs!). I am very fit, 110 lb., take yoga and have a extremely active lifestyle so I knew something was odd but kept
thinking it would go away. I try not to be a whiner! I also had (have) sweating and itching (even behind my knees), back pain and neck pain. Last night I only slept 3 hours and felt anxiety so I just got up and started working. I finally had the time and tons of snow here to go sking but I just felt too weak to go! No wonder I felt (feel) depressed!!!!
UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO DIE WITHOUT THIS DRUG DON'T
TAKE IT! I can't believe this is used as a out patient medicine, I would
think it would be used as a last resort before death in a hospital!
Jamesville, NY S.

I had a very bad time with bronchitis my doctor prescribed Levaquin 750mg. 2/19/09 I took one tablet around 6PM this evening it is now 3AM I am wide awake. Out of no where I was hullucinating, I thought I was at a house with my husband, my cat called my cell phone and was meowing that my baby had fallen out the bed and was crying. I am single I do not have children. My body and head felt like things are crawling on me. I knew something was happening to me I got out of bed and googled "What is Levaquin?" The only thing on the prescription bottle is to TAKE THIS MEDICATION WITH PLENTY OF WATER. My stomach feels nauseous I am going to drink as much water as I can to get this stuff out of my body as quick as possible. The pharmacy did not put the usual explanation of the drug and the side affects in the prescription bag. I'm so thankful that this is the first site that came up. I pray that I won't have any other problems later today. I will not take anymore of these pills, I just paid $224 for 7 pills. The other six pills are going to be flushed.

Pain so bad I could not sleep or concentrate. All bones in my body ached so bad they felt like they were cracking. After finishing the medication the pain has never gone away. My hands are so bad I can not hold on to anything. It's as if my hands were hinges and the hinges are sprung now. The pain in my thumb area is so bad I can not do much. I have all over pain and it feels if the tendons in my body are going to snap. I can not stay up at night any more. I have to go lay down by seven o'clock because my body is so exhausted. My neck is in constant pain, my hips have severe pain, I don't think there is a spot anywhere on my body that isn't in pain. I haven't taken it for about two years. I will never forget the night this started. I even called the pharmacist at three in the morning to ask him if it was the Levaquin.

Currently on month three of side effects. LIghtheadedness, head pressure and tingling, feeling like I am going to pass out, awful Castro pain, gas, belching, chest pain. Tendinitis in both knees and left wrist with swelling. Weak, tired, sick 80% of the time. I have been scoped, had mid section ultrasound, heart stress test, numerous EKGs, blood workups, all within range except for low potassium. This is poison and it just goes on and on. Most Doctors are skeptical although I have found two that believe this is a result of Levaquin, after seeing a half dozen including my internist, Gastro Doctor, urgent care Doctor, ER Doctors, cardiologist, etc. I would think the insurance companies would want this off the market. My medical bills are out of sight and my deductible which is rather large was met two months ago.

I am a 52 year old women , except for a yearly resistant sinus infection I would describe myself as very healthy and have only minor aches and pains for my age. I was prescribed Levaquin by a walk- in physician after 2 months of a sinus infection. Within a week I felt 100 years old . I could barely get out of bed, the pain in all my joints was excruciating the first 5 minutes and didn't improve a lot during the day . I didn't think my legs would hold me upon rising from any position. After one week of finishing the drug I started to feel better.......it has been two weeks now.... I'm still sore and weak , especially noted in hands and legs .

I started taking Levaquin 500mg on Jan. 28,2009 after having it prescribed fby my cardiologist for a lung infection, after he conducted blood, urine and heart ecosonogram tests over the three previous days. I had an infection, everything else was fine. I am 55 and have mitral valve prolapse and have been treated 20 years ago for atrial fibrillation, hence my primary care doctor is a cardiologist. Willingly starting the treatment of one tablet a day, I noticed insomnia the first and subsequent nights, tiredness and probably depression as my friend and wife said I was acting a bit "needy" and anxiety. My family commented on my anxiety as did my friend who I only email and phone. My infection noticeably improved so I was feeling better and marked it up to having been sick, until the 4th day when I starting having shortness of breath and I noticed a feeling I knew well but had not experienced in 20 years, my heart area hurt in a mild way and I felt flutters, just enough that I pulled the medical paper for the Levaquin and read the side effects bar. Low and behold all my side effects were listed. "Rare but could happen in patients predisposed to heart problems" On Monday Feb 2nd I called the doctor with my concerns but he assured me that is was not the Levaquin but he made me an appointment to check things out. So one week into the 10 day course of treatment I had another checkup only to find an erratic heart beat but on the slow side not the pounding which is normally associated with this problem. So now my doctor "who is a friend" so I am not a number, wants me to start on an anticoagulant"Coumadin" to ease the pumping in my heart and then further exams and medication for "life" for my fibrillation! Problem now is I have one more pill of the Levaquin of the 10 pill series which I "should take in 10 minutes ( I just found this site)! I have decided not to take any more test or medication of any kind until I feel this Levaquin is completely out of my body. Does anyone have any ideas how long that could be? P.S. My heart still feels like it did earlier in the week!

I was prescribed Levaquin about 3 months ago. Not only did I have horrible insomnia while taking the medication - even after taking ambien and the lunestra - the insomnia continued. It messed my sleep cycle up so bad, that now, even months later, I have major insomnia problems, and am now trying to get off the sleeping pill downward slide too. I recently went to see a sleep specialist MD, and when I told him about taking Levaquin, he knew exactly what I was talking about. This drug is bad news, and really should be taken off the FDA approved list. Please, don't take this drug if you value your sleep (unless you don't mind functioning on 3 hours a night for months).

This medication is deadly! I do not understand why they do not pull this one. It handicapped my mother of 55. Leg pain (severe) crippling cannot walk.... need help up and down. She is considering lawsuit! Everyone should. This will effect you the rest of your life!

After taking 5 doses of 750 mg Levaquin beginning Friday January 30 for lung congestion and infection, I literally can not walk! I have never had any leg pain, trouble, muscle cramps, etc...Sunday, my chest hurt so bad I had my hand on my home phone and my cell phone ready to dial 911 (I was home by myself). My legs started hurting and I felt like I needed a walker just to get around my house. My legs are in constant pain. I am only 45 and wonder if 5 days of this medicine is going to permanently handicap me!

Folks, please stay away from this poison! I started taking Levaquin as prescribed for the thunderbolt-like strike of a prostate infection. The infection hit at around 8 PM on Friday, took the first 500 mg Levaquin Saturday at 10 AM. Later that day, after having taken only one dose, I started having difficult to breathe and my speech became faulty, as I could not naturally coordinate breathing with speaking (later I learned that I was having, and still have, diaphragm spasms.) In addition to that, I suffered for the next couple of days from intense dizziness, extreme difficulty in walking, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and 100% loss of appetite (could not ingest any solid food for two days, period). Still not connecting the dots, I took the second pill from hell on Sunday at 10 AM. By Monday morning I had read enough info on this site to know better and not take the third dose. I realized that, at the rate my breathing was deteriorating, things would get pretty grim very soon. I showed up in my doctor's office unannounced and was told right away to switch to Cipro. One of the problems I see with detecting a medication's side effects is one's ability to distinguish them from the actual symptoms of the disease: a good example are the intense chills and shivering associated with fever, but apparently much more intense and lasting long after the fever is gone when provoked by Levaquin. Please question your doctor if he/she prescribes this poison from hell to you and recommend that friends do the same.

Well, I have had tinnitus for a year to the point I may have to quit work and go on disability. I noticed that every time I take an antibiotic, the tinnitus gets better (but doesn't quite go away). I recently took LEVAQUIN for bronchitis and after the first pill my tinnitus subsided substantially. It remained much better during the ten day treatment. I had no side effects from the antibiotic although it did seem to take the whole ten days to help my bronchitis.

Now that I am finished the LEVAQUIN my tinnitus is increasing again.

I liked the experience of taking it.

This is by far the worst medication I have ever taken. For the first time in my life, I really thought I might die. I had the most violent dreams and am extremely tired. I can't stay awake for long durations. My body is currently detoxing off the drug, but after reading this site's posts, I am now worried about permanent damage. This is an extremely dangerous drug! I worked in medical research and usually check drugs out, but did not this time. The memory loss is no joke. Days 3 and 4, I have complete black out periods where apparently I raided the fridge. Day 5, I collapsed and was bed ridden. I could barely get to bed. There's a law firm out of Dallas conducting a law suit. I plan on contacting them.

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

I took 4 of the 10, 500 mg daily dose of Levaquin that was prescribed to me. My heart rate was so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack! And now I have this awful rash all over my body. It's been 4 days since I 've had the last dose and it's not getting better. Does anyone have any idea when this itchy rash will go away?

I'm glad this website is running this information because I realized today that after taking 1500 mg over the last 3 days I'm not going nuts or am having an adverse reaction to the cough medicine prescribed to me as I completely stopped taking it.

My symptoms are: Increased heart rate-fluxuating, skin crawling/itching, tingling feeling throughout my body, horrible menthol-like taste in my mouth, and strangely an increased libido.

Trust me when I say that the increased libido isn't worth all of the other horrible reactions to this medication. I initially took it for severe cough and flu-like symptoms. I also suffer from severe NES, and degenerative disc disease. No doubt I will be stopping this regiment.

I started to take Levaquin on the 7th of January for pneumonia. This is the 10th of January and I woke up in the middle with the three fingers on my right in pain and really stiff. The back of my legs is stiff to walk and I have felt dizzy. I have never taken any medication for over 30 years and just thought the side affects of dizziness were normal. Then I read the booklet that the drug store had given me and realized that this is not a good drug so went on the internet and found out about the lawsuit. I have had headache the past two days, a taste in my mouth that makes all food taste terrible, soreness around my shoulders and legs and when I get up in the morning my hips are just aching. No more of that drug. It should be taken off the the shelves. I hope that I am going to be okay and that I don't suffer any other side affects from taking a drug that shouldn't be prescribed in the first place.I live in Arizona for the winter and this drug was given to me by a doctor here in Arizona. P. B. C. A. Canada

Today is Christmas day 2008. And a Merry Christmas to me ha!!!!!!!! I was given a prescription for the drug Levaquin on the 19th of December for a suspicion of pneumonia. The x rays done at the hospital found no evidence of pneumonia but my doctor wanted me to take it anyway because since I have asthma and my lungs sounded so bad I was told that I was at risk for developing any secondary infection that was out there. My husband filled the prescription on the 20th which was Saturday, took the first one of a seven day supply 500 mg tablets. About 4 hours after taking just one pill was awakened by severe and agonizing pain in both of my feet and my knees that I was writhing in pain. Since I have nerve damage in my feet anyhow I know what the pain that I normally experience feels like and instantly knew that this was not normal for me. When I thought that I finally might be able to walk I hobbled into the kitchen and dug the list of side affects out of the garbage (stupid me had not read them first.) I discovered that it was one of the side affects. Called the on call doctor in the morning since it was on the weekend and he stopped it immediately and put me on something else. I only took that one pill and since Saturday night every night I wake up in agonizing knee pain and I have never had pains in my knees before. The pain is so bad that I feel like I am ready to go on a morphine drip, or cut my legs off above the knees. Six days now from one pill, how much longer can this go on? I really feel bad for the people that contined to trust their doctors and continued with the full course of the medication and I realize that what I am experiencing is minor compared to what others are going through. This drug should come with a handout that says: Take this drug at a risk to your health!!!!!! Last night the pain lasted all night and I cried all night. Have to get through this day am entertaining for the holiday and have had no sleep. Actually getting afraid to go to sleep at this point.............D.

I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and put on the usual regime of Levaquin (500mg a day) and Flagel. The case turned worse and was admitted to the hospital (they thought I had a blockage but turned out did not) and was put on IV of the same medication. Released from the hospital 4 days later and stayed on the Levaquin as prescribed. When I ran out, I called my regular doctor who sent in the renewal prescription. However the his aide made an error and the bottle read 500mg 4 times a day…nobody including the pharmacy caught it. So for 3 days I was taking 2000mg a day of Levaquin. When I started getting worse (truly thought I was dying), I got to the doctor and he said I had taken turn for the worse and could not figure out why. He asked if I was taking the meds and I said yes 4 times a day…his face when white. I had the bottle with me and he panicked. They apologized for the error and I was told to stay off my feet, no heels, they ran ekg’s that day and the following Monday, blood work to check the kidneys etc.

Subsequently, I have had extreme pain in my joints and muscles – everyday, all day. Some days I just cry it hurts so bad. If I bend down I can hardly get back up because of my right knee. I have talked with a doctor I happened to run into about this and she said that Levaquin dosage has saturated my body and gotten into the joint and muscles and takes a long time to work it out. I can hardly lift my arms above my shoulder without severe pain. Stabbing pains in my knees, shoulders, arms and hands.

I have not gone back to the doctor because when I mentioned the pain the when I was in that last time…he just wanted to give me more meds! I have been seeing a massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue restoration and repair. It helps some, but he as well says this is going to take a lot to time to work out.

I have depression to the point of feeling like I am a nothing and what good am I to anyone feeling like this. So like snoop45...that is exactly what i feel like!

dawn62

J.

I was prescribed 7 Levaquin (3- 750mg and 4- 500mg) on Friday December 12th 2008 for an ear infection. I was to take the 3- 750mg ones for the next 3 days and then start on the last 4- 500mg. The next evening Saturday, I started to get sharp pains in my left calf. I thought it was a charley horse and started limping around with pain. During the night I felt as if I was lying on golf balls and could not get comfortable.

The next morning the pain in the calf included soreness in the left hip area. I took an over-the-counter pain pill and went on my business. I also took the second 750mg Levaquin Saturday morning. Later that afternoon my right calf starting hurting with sharp pain as I walked around the house. This was really weird. The pain was exactly in the same area as the left side.

On Sunday morning (December 14th 2008) I took the 3rd 750mg Levaquin. That evening I started to put two and two together and had some thoughts the medication (Levaquin) was causing these side effects. I told my wife that I was going call my doctor on Monday (December 15th 2008) and let him know how much pain I was in. At this time I could hardly walk. I was walking with much pain and felt like I was walking like the Apes in the movie called “Planet of the Apes”.

I was now on the 500mg Levaquin. I took this pill Monday as scheduled. I called my doctors office Monday morning and talked to the lady that answered his phone. I explained my condition. She had me describe my symptoms twice. She told me she would give my message to my doctor. I did not receive a return that same day.

Tuesday morning I took the next 500mg Levaquin as scheduled required. Later that day I received a call from a lady at my doctor’s office. She told me that the doctor was going to phone in an additional prescription and where did I want it phoned to. I asked her what the doctor said about the additional 2- 500mg Levaquin pills I had left. Did he want me to stop taking them? She told me he didn’t say and he made no comment on my side effects.

My wife called the Pharmacist later Tuesday afternoon and the prescription was not there or not ready.

Wednesday morning I took the 2nd to last 500mg Levaquin dose as scheduled. Later that morning my wife called the Pharmacist and my new prescription was ready. We went and picked up the new medication that afternoon.

At this time I only had one more dose of the 500mg Levaquin and seeing-how the doctor didn’t tell me to stop taking the remaining last couple of pills I took it on Thursday morning to finish out the prescription.

I’ve been off Levaquin for about 3 days now. It’s now Sunday December 20, 2008 and many of my joints and muscles are in distress. I walk with much pain. I can hardly life my arm above my shoulders. Even my hands hurt when I try to make a fist. I hope this drug starts to wear off soon.

Along with my other medical problems, I have been starting to have thoughts of how unimportant I am. How I could become a burden to my family. My depression has gotten worse and thoughts of suicide have flashed into my mind. Those thoughts give me chills because I love my wife and know how much that would hurt her. I love life but I don’t want to get to the point that I can’t take care of myself. God must give me the courage to do what I have to do. I don’t know why I’m writing down the above information. This is so personal. This can’t be happing to me. It just doesn’t seem possible. I feel the pain in each of my joints in my hands as I type. It is as though I was not myself. I look at my hands and it seems as if I was in someone else’s body. I’m sure this is side effects of the Levaquin and should subside soon. Merry Christmas Everyone.

Hello, I have read over most of these side effects and i would have to agree and be afraid of most of it. See I was diagnosed with bronchitis/pneumonia, they prescribed me these pills along with steroids. I have not taken the steroids yet but I did take my first dose of levaquin about 12 hours ago around 8 pm. With my dinner and plenty of water and fluids. I went to bed late with my fiance but not cause of the medicine, we decided to stay up and watch movies. Although, it did help my coughing and breathing, I felt bloated or ballooned up all of a sudden and it was starting to hurt my stomach. I figured it was the food I ate and all the water I have been drinking. So, next I noticed some minor vaginal discharge of which looks like when I'm ovulation so I pasted that as that. Now I woke up at 5:30 in the morning when I went to bed at 2 am and I can't go back to sleep! I woke up from a nightmare to see things in the dark to scare the %$^* out of me. I had this really bad taste and dryness to my mouth I felt like it was suffocating me. I cant seem to think straight or type well (I had to go back and review what I wrote but I might not have gotten all my mistakes) I feel like I have ADD I keep forgetting how to spell simple words... I mean the list keeps going and going. I am writing now because I am currently on it. I will not be taking this medication anymore much less the steroids but if anyone reads this, I hope you read first then take.

I was on Levaqin for a week (500 mg) for bronchitis. It seemed to work and I didn't notice any side effects and I am usually sensitive to antibiiotics (dizziness, etc..). However, the day after I finished my last dose I developed an itchy rash on my outer thighs, my back, my underarms and a few other random places. I also now have a yeast infection which I guess is a common side effect. The rash is what concerns me. At first I thought it wouldn't be related because it came on after I finished the antiobitcs but after reading some of these posts I see that you can get rash after taking the medication. Has anyone else had a rash AFTER taking Levaquin?

DO NOT TAKE THIS POISON!! I have spent the last 4 years dealing with
adverse side effects of this medication. I have central nervous system damage, digestive disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, achiness-it feels like a really really bad flu. My dad who is a doctor didn't believe that Levaquin was the cause at first however he had a chemist look up the compound makeup and was told to never prescribe this or any other fluoroquinolone again (cipro, avelox, etc!) Side effects can last long after you finish this medication. Also animals can get this stuff so it can be in the meat you eat which will make you feel worse or it could kill your beloved pets. Do your research. Warn friends and family-even strangers. Make a mediwatch report. Helpful sites if you are dealing with poisoning.
There is also a yahoo group.

I was prescribed levaquin also. I was given a 5 day supply. While taking this drug, I experienced severe diarrhea, major gas, and also had numbing sensations a few times in my hands....very strange drug...all the side effects did seem to go away a few days after I finished taking the medication.

I never have the side effects that other people have. I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics but can take this one. It always clears up my infections with no problems. I always drink the extra fluid they recommend while taking it. I am not sure if this is what helps. Also, there is a warning that people over 60 are more likely to have side effects. So if you are over 60 maybe this is not the med for you. I am grateful that this medication exists.

My 19 yr. old son recently starting taking Levaquin for a tonsillitis (throat infection) and he has now had severe chest pains from the Levaquin. Has anyone else reacted this way from this medication and if so, what did you do to get the chest pains to stop. He has stopped taking the Levaquin, however the chest pains have not lessened. When he tries to eat something, the chest pains get worse. Please someone out there help me if you can! I hate to see my son in such pain.

To make a very long story short, I took this medication for 3 days for a sinus infection and misdiagnosed bronchitis. I was diagnosed on Friday with regional pain disorder. Has anyone else heard of this? My doctor is also saying I have a herniated disc and fractured tailbone, this was also news to me, no pain until after taking the Levaquin and the only back pain I have is leftover from EMC/ECV testing. Also when will the nausea go away? The pain medications seem to be helping with the insomnia, but now I have crazy dreams and just want to get off of this ride. Any help with this would be appreciated as I'm not sure how much more I can stand.

I was prescribed Levaquin 3 days ago for a sinus infection. After 3 doses, I feel worse than I did when I went into the doctor. After taking my first dose, I woke up with a terrible sore throat. Then came the excruciating shoulder pain. I can't even lift my arm up it hurts so bad. I'm extremely weak and get dizzy very easy. I am also experiencing chest and leg pain, sleeplessness, and irritability. I have broke out in a rash on the back of my arms. I've read the info that came with the medication at least 5 times through and kept telling myself that it couldn't be the medicine making me feel this way since it is supposed to make you feel better not worse. After reading this, I am not going to take the medicine anymore. I put a call into my doc to see if he will prescribe something new and I am considering going to the er to get some relief from the pain I am in.

I just spent $40 on a 10 day supply of Levaquin (750 mg). I am so upset - for one I am out $40, and now I don't want to take it. Of course the pharmacist will not take it back. I am a 30 year old female, (weigh 105 lbs) and have had serious reactions to medication before. To top it off I have fluid in both ears, which is why I got this medicine in the first place. I am assuming that most of you would tell me to stay away from it. I feel like I should try it since I spent all that money on it, but I am afraid to now. Any thoughts from anyone. I can't believe my doctor didn't say anything about the possible side effects.

If Levaquin has all these side effects why do the Doctors give this medication to patients??
My Doctor give me 5 samples and are to be taken once a day.
I have osteoarthritis etc. and had a cold plus I had a bladder infection, should I be taking Levaquin??

My doctor gave me 5 'samples' of Levaquin 750mg for a sinus infection.

2nd night I had frightening heart palpitations while sitting watching a movie with family. Later that night experienced insomnia, depression, body aches and extreme cold feeling all over despite blanket, comforter and furry throw.

3rd day I experieinced severe nausea, dizziness, over-heating, dry mouth, body pain, headaches and motion sickness on pubic transit about 2 hours after dosing. Almost passed out. Was shaking, feeling hypoglycemic. Curled in a ball praying by the end of the 45 minute bus ride.

Stopped for water and a bagel, thought it was awhile since I had eaten. 2 hours later after my appointment, same thing again o the bus ride home. Took me 2 hours to calm down.

Looked up side effects online and was shocked. My doctor knows I had a head/neck injury ( 3 dislocated vertebrae ), knows I have prescription Vicodin and Tylenol 3 for pain, but fortunately I only took one Tylenol 3 today and no Vicodin for weeks. But I did take Advil yesterday, another pain reliever my doctor knows I use, but conflicts with Levaquin.

Doctor also knows that I'm concerned about possible pre-diabetic condition as mother has developed type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, he knows I have had bad experiences with previous prescription medications including asthma inhalers destroying tooth enamel and depression reactions to Singulair.

Apparently Levaquin and Singulair both have suicidal depression side-effects.

So why was this drug given to me?

Basically, who do I sue?

It is sad to see people are still being prescribed this poison. This is the Medication that killed my wife last year in August. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS POISON. This is not good for you and will cripple you and possible kill you as in my wife's case. I hope you all get better from the side effects from this poison and stay far away from this POISON LEVAQUIN please!!!!!