Levaquin and medicine

I was prescribed levaquin for sinus infection after 2 days of taking it extreme nervousness feeling like walls were closing in on me and suicidal thoughts stopped taking it after 2 days it was about 244.00 dollars for the medicine seeing as how I have no insurance what a waste of money maybe doctors give it because it is so expensive and they get a kickback on it

I was prescribed this medicine for a breast abscess. I have a bad reaction to penicillin and levaquin was given to me as an alternative. I took the first pill at 11:00 pm. I woke up about every 30 minutes drenched in sweat until 2:00 and then could not go back to sleep. I took drinks of water when I woke up in order to keep hydrated. I have a lap band, and I noticed that the water wasn’t going down easily which let me know the medicine had made my stomach swell. I finally fell asleep around 3:30 and had evil nightmares until 5am. I was afraid to go back to sleep so I decided I'd just stay awake until time for me to get up for work. I will be calling my doctor's office as soon as they open to let her know this medicine is not for me. After reading your stories, I refuse to take it another day.

I've had several bouts of Diverticulitis over the past 6 years, and this drug has worked like magic , after I was diagnosed visually during a colonoscopy. The first two rounds of 10-day therapy for two separate bouts which occurred months apart, produced no side-affects whatsoever, and the drug starting working quite soon, a perfect response. The third round however caused some stomach ache and mild dizziness for all 10 days. I realized later that I took the medicine after dinner for the first two rounds, but in the morning for the 3rd bout of diverticulitis, which occurred about a year later. Yet another year later for my 4th bout, I found that taking before bed was right for me, and even helped with my sleeping.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for an infected toenail. After 5 days, I began to notice extreme joint pain my hands, knees and ankles. I initially thought it was because I traveled carrying two wheeled bags. After reading the side-effects of the medicine I realize that it is definitely the antibiotic. My symptoms are still getting worse, even though I have been resting. What can be done to help with the pain & swelling. I have two small children & opening a bottle of apple juice is almost impossible, not to mention trying to driving to grocery store or daycare.

I took 1 Levaquin pill 500 mg one evening in September 2007 for a kidney, UTI infection. My left side went numb and started tingling, my left hip hurt, I could not put weight on my left leg, had to limp to walk. I had severe pains shooting through my head, felt dizzy, nauseous, weak, had to stay in bed for 3 days after taking medicine. I could only limp to eat and bathroom. I called doctor, they said KEEP TAKING IT. NOT. They told me that these were normal side effects. I read on the internet that these are NOT NORMAL side effects. I didn't take anymore and read about alternative medicines. I was still in a lot of pain in my kidney and bladder. So I asked for Bactrim, a sulfur based drug. It worked great on the kidney/UTI. But since I took the Levaquin, my joints hurt and pop, my achilles tendon is painful everyday, my shoulders have excruciating intermittent pain and my hip hurts inside when I move it. Also, there is a lot of crackling and strange sounds in my joints now. My wrists have been having a lot of soreness as well. I just read about Levaquin causing these problems for years after you take one pill. I didn't know all of these symptoms might be connected to the Levaquin. Does anyone know how to get the Levaquin out of your body and joints???

I started taking Levaquin for a sinus infection, a 10 day dose. I started noticing after a few days that I was irritable,depressed, aching and swelling from my wrist up to my elbow. After finishing my dose, the swelling went down. I am still having the pain. I have pain in my left shoulder, the cap of my shoulder. I have trouble sleeping because the pain gets extreme. I have pain in my right leg. The pain is on the back, the lower part--the achille tendon. I have trouble walking at times. The pain can be mild to severe at times. I even have the pain at night in bed. I didn't know what was wrong with me until a friend told me that these are some of the side effects of the medicine. If I had known, I would have never taken it. I feel like it is a struggle trying to get ready to go to work. I have yelled out loud at work because it would be so severe.

I started taking levaquin about a week ago. At first, I was doing fine but then I started to get fevers. Next thing I know, I have full blown flu systems and break out in a crazy rash. I have to go to urgent care. I kept calling the nurse and asking her if it was the antibiotics. She indicated that levaquin was very well tolerated and that she did not think it was the pills. After reading these posts I am confident it is the pills.

Following my last post about levaquin. I bought the probiotic drink ''kefir'' I noticed an instant change. After drinking a whole bottle in a days course I noticed that most of the pain went away. The burning and itching went away for good ! I could not believe it. I have began new symptoms though, I started getting light headed and having panic attacks. I am only 2 more days away from completing my 10th day off of the medicine. I am looking forward to feeling normal again. I'm getting fatigued easily and at night my feet,ankles and hands hurt but not as bad as it did before the probiotic. I hope this helps.

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.

I was 54 at the time (2007) and in good physical health, however, after having my first round of chemotherapy as a result of breast cancer, I developed a severe throat yeast infection and my white blood count plummeted. I had ceased taking my many vitamins that have kept me in reasonably good health for the past 25 years because of nausea and generally just not feeling good. The doctors prescribed Levaquin.

Almost immediately, I developed heart palpitations and continued to have fever, nausea, and a rushing feeling throughout my body that was draining me of all energy. I could tell I was fading fast. Upon calling the doctors I said then that I thought it was the Levaquin but they insisted I stay on it otherwise they would put me in the hospital.

After the 4th day on it and with my blood pressure sinking (80/30) my husband called the doctor and they said to go to the ER. I again said to the ER doctor that I thought it was the Levaquin and he scoffed at that. After several hours and many tests, the ER doctor released me and said I could stop taking the Levaquin and he prescribed something to help me to sleep.

By the next day, I already started feeling better and within 3 days I was back taking my vitamins and feeling much better. I never took chemo again after this experience. Unfortunately since then, I have experienced severe ankle and leg cramps in the middle of the night, muscle spasms in my legs. I don't trust my ankles, they feel weak. I assumed it was linked to the chemo and never guessed it could be tied to Levaquin.

I went to my internist doctor who prescribed Flexeril which has helped with the cramps. My massage therapist has noted many times that my tendons and ligaments seem twisted and she has to really work on them which ultimately feels better. I never thought any of these symptoms were tied to Levaquin until last night when I saw the ad on TV regarding Levaquin and tendinitis. I will show this info to my Internist the next time I see him. How does one know if what I am experiencing is linked to Levaquin.

I have been taking this Leviquin for 4 days. I have had severe cramps in my calves and feet in the middle of the night. So bad that I get up and try to step em' off but to no avail. My muscles hurt so bad in my legs arms and I have been very sick to my stomach. Do these things go away? I am not taking one more of those pills. I would rather have sinus and bronchitis problems than deal with these horrific side effects!! Any feed back?

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 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 husband was prescribed 500 MG of Levaquin for 10 days due to respiratory infection. When I got the medicine home, I read all of the warnings and possible side affects. He is 61 and has had tendon damage in his shoulder and his lower leg from taking Cipro two years ago. He had severe joint pain from Bactrim and hallucinations from Flagyl. From these previous antibiotics he still suffers pains and limitations of movement. What is worse is that they prescribed Prednisone with the Levaquin. It clearly states in the warnings that Levaquin taken with Prednisone increases the likelihood of tendon damage. The warnings state that people over 60 have increased risk of tendon damage. Why on earth did his doctor prescribe this? My husband is 61 and was too sick to research all of this on his own. It has obviously become more profitable to make people sicker.
I found this forum and called his doctor. I refused to give him this terrible Levaquin and asked for a prescription for something milder. The Doxycylene seems to be working just fine to clear his infection.
A word of warning to all to not drink the Kool Aid that they give you without asking questions. Any health care system that sustains itself by keeping people ill is a bad one. Think about it. If people are healthy, then where is the profit?
This Levaquin sounds like some kind of bad snake oil to me and I am thankful to have read the warnings and then found this helpful forum. I am so sorry for the pain that most of you have suffered and are suffering. We are living with damage from antibiotics and we understand your anger. Take good care of yourselves.

I took Levaquin shortly after a complete hysterectomy. I was intrigued to hear that this drug causes tendon damage. I took at least a year to heal, I felt like the tendons in my stomach were torn, lifting caused great pain. I couldn't sleep or lay down crooked, I always had to keep my body flat. If I sat up it had to be straight up, no slouching as it cause great pain in my stomach. Apparently the uterus is cut off of tendons. Everyone said I should have healed so much faster. I couldn't wear slack for at least a year. I took the Levaquin for a sinus infection. The doctors decided that I was having interstitial cyctitus causing all the pain, I still have that but it causes pain lower. I had diarrhea for 6 weeks after taking it. Someone told me you're aren't supposed to take it and lay down, you're supposed to sit up for at least an hour, which I couldn't, and it wasn't a caution on my medicine bottle-this was in April of 2007. My stomach area still isn't great, I get a tearing feeling when I throw the ball too much to my dog or do too much housework, or cleaning/scrubbing. What a nightmare. Did anyone else experience tendon damage of this same type?

I go by the ID Miserable Knees. I posted last spring on medications.com about my adverse reaction to Levaquin. I was given a 10 day prescription for a respiratory infection. 3 days after I finished taking Levaquin, BOTH KNEES were swollen, painful and I could barely walk. I spent a month throwing myself backwards into chairs due to the inflammation in my knees. My knees were on fire, I was in pain every day. After seeing an orthopedic doctor an MRI showed cartilage damage. A year later, I'm living with permanently altered legs. I was an avid walker, loved to hike, would spend hours walking for recreation. Levaquin changed all of that. I had a career requiring me to be on my feet for 12 or more hours a day. Levaquin changed all of that. I decided, if this could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. Now, there is a documentary about the dangers of fluoroquinolne antibiotics. When I was harmed by Levaquin, I was flabbergasted that something like this could happen to me in the prime of my life. I made this 52 minute film for all of the people like me who trusted the system, (government, doctor, medicine) to guarantee my safety. "Certain Adverse Events" is the name of the documentary and it is now available online. You can reach the documentary site by going online to the .com of "Certain Adverse Events"

Miserable Knees Productions

My doctor prescribed levaquin for a sinus infection AND possible stomach ulcer - kill 2 birds with one stone. Took one pill yesterday and had a rather quiet evening. Very difficult to wake up this morning, but got up anyway and headed to work. Found it VERY difficult to drive!! I was shocked - I didn't realize until I got part of the way to work that I was extremely spacey. Maybe the coffee I'm drinking this morning is spreading the drug around in my body / brain?? After arriving at work, felt even worse, and became very irritable. Want to just close my eyes and go to sleep! I have cold chills and I also feel very depressed and started to cry for NO reason. I called my doctor and she said to stop taking it right away.

As a side note - I have just started taking Femera (post cancer medicine) about 2 weeks ago and wonder if it's a combination of both of these drugs that is making me not feel well, or if it's just the Levaquin...I feel a lot worse emotionally today than I did yesterday, so for that fact alone, I know it's the Levaquin that's doing it.

I agree with other posters that I would not take this drug again unless it was absolutely necessary. The sinus headache was bad, but feeling like this is WORSE. I feel out of control and like an emotional wreck.

I've been taking levaquin for a sinus infection and had a sudden onset of joint pain - especially in my hands and hips. Also had bad upper back pain. And I never had any of these problems, except mild arthritis in my hands that only hurts once every couple of month. It's horrible - feel like I'm 100 years old - and I'm 54 and very active. So glad I found this web site to see that the medicine may be the cause of my problem -hadn't considered that until I read your comments here.

ok well update all my blood work is normal wow im healthy, too bad i feel like crap 3weeks after taking levaquin i couldn't walk for 7 days with pain , in hips, joints , and back . i have a cool burning in my legs. i will think twice before i take a prescribe medicine. im trying the natural way taking hot salt baths , drinking lots of water, eating lots of veggies, olive oil my multi vitimin made me sick . but i will try again i read vitamin c and bs and magnesium will help . sitting in the sun for a little bit helps too . this has been and unreal experience, i hope no permanent damage has been done. best advice to give is keep moving , don't give up , do your own research to help your self . my doctor didn't have a clue, pray to the great physician

I was prescribed Levaquin because 'my body was fighting some sort of infection'. I was told to take it in the am since it had a side effect of causing sleeplessness. That night I had very tortured sleep. I would wake up after an hour or two of sleep feeling very unsettled. At times I would have nightmares and wake up sweating with my heart pounding. I woke up the first morning after taking it with an awful headache. I stupidly took a second pill that morning and went through the same again the next night. I woke up on day two with another awful headache. I finally got it under control with advil. I also had the worst charley horse I have ever had. My leg was sore for 3 days afterwards, causing me at times to limp. One of my nightmares was so vivid that I now, after reading these blogs, wonder if I really dreamed it or not. I have actually considered ways that I could verify. (It involved police helicoptors flying over and over my house.) I never have had things like this happen to me. This medicine is very scary and I hope that it will be taken off the market.

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.

After a sphenoidetomy, it showed that I had a staph and fungal infection that wasn't clearing up so the doctor prescribed 10 days of 500 mg. of levaquin. just 2 days taking it, I developed pains in different areas of my body. I couldn't use my arms as both shoulders were affected. Then, I had edema in my lower legs and ankles. This was 5 months ago and I still have pains all over. They move around. This medicine is deadly for the body and the head. I blacked out while driving and I am sure levaquin caused it. Also, if you are having muscle problems with this drug, ask your doctor to do blood tests to see if your muscles have been damaged. I have had creatine kinase blood test 3 times and they all showed abnormally high levels. I have read that time is the only healer. Good luck!

I am scared to death after reading what everyone is going through. I was put on Levaquin for 10 days and got to day 9. My joints ached so bad I thought I had arthritis, and even had my Dr. do blood tests for it (I had no idea it was the Levaquin). I am only 35 years old and never worried about arthritis before this. Also, within 5 days I started developing hives all over. Again, I was stupid and didn't realize until day 9 that the hives were because of this med. I told my Dr. and he told me to stop taking it which of course I did. I assumed the hives would go away after the med was out of my system. But a week later the hives were unbearable. I was put on prednisone (another issue altogether) and that helped the itching, but now every time I try to go off or back off the prednisone the hives come back- and they are terrible! Now my Dr. thinks the hives were from something else because there is no way that the Levaquin is still in my body. But after reading what other people are going through on this med, I am convinced this stuff is as everyone says- POISON!! I am so worried about the joint and hip pain that was so bad I couldn't stand for long without excruciating pain in my right hip. It felt like I had a one hundred pound weight just sitting on it. And my hands were the worst. I have a newborn and could barely pick him up without worry that I'd drop him. I don't know what to do.. Is there anything to do?? I'm still on the prednisone, and have been for a month. I need to get off of it but every time I do I itch so bad with the hives that I cannot function. Also because of the prednisone I noticed last night that I am getting "moon face" my face is swelling up and there are a million side effects from that drug too. How long does this last? Has anyone else fought the hives that come with this? Please help me, I am so scared!

Hi
They gave me this antibiotic for kidney infection , I was medically evacuated to Baghdad ER, infection is clearing but am bloated, thirsty, belching worsen as I had Acid reflux surgery, part of the day I feel better and part very tired, worse am in a war zone and I need to be alert but can`t, medicine was given by the DR. Er, military Dr am sleepy tired, gas ,tightness in chest , fast heart beat ,unable to sleep though tired but took Tylenol and slept 2 night ago I have to walk in the middle of the night out of my chu to release gas and bloating , I still have 2 doses , 7 days of hell, also I have diarrhea some and pain in my lower back , am 44, healthy, I pray it clears out ,I do not like the crap is causing me, as am flying home back to the US to be seen by urologist,digestive disease specialist so my R&R will be with Doctors. worse I spent my birthday in the ER with IV and all kinds of tests hope all u guys feel better. Thanks T.

a few hours after i took levaquin, i went to BK and got a cheeseburger. i had just had a csection and was having a hard time recovering. i thought the pain i was having had something to do with the surgery but i started to realize it was the levaquin. it was like everything i tried to eat kind of got stuck going down. it hurt so badly i just stopped eating. i was so weak and my muscles were so weak. ias so weak that i had to concentrate really hard on my breathing. i didn't realize it was the levaquin until later that night. i started getting giant red spots on my arms and on my forehead. they were on fire and it was miserable... my husband had a bowl of ice cold water and ice packs and rags in the freezer. he was running around like a mad man trying to keep bringing me cold rags. every time he would put them on the red spots, the rags would be hot within seconds. my mom thought i should just jump into the cold shower but i had to explain to her that i was also freezing at the same time. finally my mom did some research and found out that this happens so the doctor said to take benadryl for a few days until the medicine wears off. i will never take that crap again... it was such a weird and terrible experience.

Please, help me! I went ER three times.. I'm looking for someone having symptoms like cold and heat on the body, burning sensations, and chemical reactions.(I could not take any medicine and vitamin and mineral) I was off taking this medicine 2months ago but I've suffered with these symptoms and I could not sleep well..A lot of sweating... Getting weaker and weaker..
HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!

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!

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!

Do not take this drug and exercise!! I was given samples of 750mg for 10 days for bronchitis. I was trying to get well for a 20 mile race that was quickly approaching. I have never had any side effects, so I was determined to get my runs in. After I felt a little better, I went on a long training run. My quads were on fire and I had no power in my legs. This does not happen ever during a long run. Needless to say, I did not make it to the race, but I did do a half marathon 6 days after my last dose. I had the same symptoms! Burning of the quads after only 6 miles, and loss of power in the legs. This stuff must stay in your system for a while. Afterwards I had a friend tell me (who works for an internist) that he never prescribes athletes this drug due to tendon damage! Repeat: do not take if you are an avid athlete!!

levaquin intervenously for bladder infection in hospital blistering rash on lips .out of hospital given avelox believe same family : blistering rash on lips between thighs and buttocks. went to dermatologist said allergic reaction to avelox. took blood test do not know name of the tests. doctor's conclusion do not take any medicine in the avelox family :he told me avelox in the levaquin family

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.

OH MY GOD!!!! I thought I might be imagining things. I was prescribed Levaquin and clyndamycin on December 15 2008 for a urinary tract infection that appeared to have gone systemic. After 2 days my right knee swelled up. I went back to the Dr the next day and he looked up both antibiotics in his little book and said the clyndamycin could cause joint swelling and pain. He told me to stop taking the clyndamycin and take 600 mg of ibuprofen for the joint paig. His little book said nothing about levaquin. Well I kept taking the levaquin and the pain spread literally to every joint in my body. I could not walk and had trouble even holding a coffee cup. The pain was unreal. I completed the 10 day course of the levequin as instructed. The joint pain was getting worse. I called the Dr. again and they did blood work to rule out arthritis and stuff like that. He put me on prednisone which has significantly helped with the pain. He said it may be a coincidence that I have developed arthritis and that it had nothing to do with the UTI. Well as I was watching TV last night I saw a lawyers commercial for a law suit against levaquin and cipro. Then today got on the internet and found this site. I am going to call the Dr. and tell him to update his little book he looked up the levaquin in. My fear is how long after you stop taking this poison does the joint pain end? I wish I would have known all of this sooner. I will never take this drug again.

Was diagnosed with a bacterial stomach infection Dec 17 and given a prescription for 5 days of Levaquin 750. It immediately cleared up my fever and diarrhea within 24 hours. My appetite started to come back, but after the 3rd dose, i started to feel worse. No fever or diarrhea, but instead I was very weak and constantly hungry. At first I thought this was just from not having eaten for 4+ days due to the infection, but no matter what i tried to eat (i had no appetite) I felt very weak, and would sweat a lot. Finally on Dec 24 went back to the doctor, and found out I had very low blood sugar from the Levaquin. It registered a 46 (below 70 is a problem). Doctor told me to just force myself to eat. Christmas morning, woke up with severe shakes, and thought I was going into shock. I ate a bunch of sugar and we went off to the ER. Luckily bloodwork was all normal, but the ER Doc basically said I hadn't eaten enough and was starving myself. He admitted the Levaquin can cause the loss of appetite (along with many other bad things) so he gave me medicine for the nausea so I could eat. Its now the 27th and I'm starting to eat more and feel back to normal. I'll NEVER take Levaquin again.

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 have been prescribed with LEVAQUIN by my doctor to treat prostate infections. I took this medicine before, and did not notice any side effect until this time. In the past few days, I started having hard time to climb upstairs. My legs and muscles were just too weak to hold my body when I walk up and down stair, and my both hips are hurting very badly for no reason. Thank you all for the posts. You guys save my life. I am going to stop this antibiotic immediately. Hope I can get recover from this.

- Innocent man from TX

I was prescribed Levaquin today for several styes in my eyes and ear infection.

I hope it works.

Hi i just finished 14 days on Levaquin at 500 mg. Half way through taking this medicine I felt tired, drained and a lot of joint pain. Also felt muscle sourness. While taking this medicine I felt as if I also had the FLU.. After reading some of these posts, I don't feel alone. I can only hope that I don't have any long term side effects.
Sincerely,
B.

My name is Heather I am now 32 years old I took levaquin when i was 29. After i took levaquin I went on a roller coaster ride I have yet to be able to get off of. First when i took it I had the worst night mares i have ever had only to wake up to a splitting headache and a very sore body. took another one the next day same reaction.I figured it was the bronchitis that was causing the problem. on the third day i was worse still I could hardly move. I stopped taking the drug. after another two days i felt better. two weeks later I was out with my father and he noticed a rash on my legs. I was also starting to get little blood blisters. I started to become concerned and the next day after going to the zoo with my family i came home and my legs were swollen three times there normal size and very sore. I put them up just to find the felt like play dough had been stuffed in to them and I had blood blisters the size of pencil erasers. I made an appointment to see the doctor. he said and i Quote " Heather I have No idea what the Hell you have" he sent me to a specialist. between the time of my first appointment and the appointment with the specialist my legs stopped working from the hips down i was 90% paralyzed (not spelled right ) they just wouldn't work right. My ten year old daughter was helping me get to the bathroom. I was soooo sick i had a headache all the time couldn't eat or sleep and when i did it was only for a few hours I couldn't move very well and to get up out of bed hurt so bad i almost fell every morning. by the time i had gotten to the specialist I had gone to the E.R. three times for the pain.and the last time was because my toes stopped moving altogether. at the appointment the doctor ran all kinds of tests checking me for everything from S.T.D.s (which i have been happily married for years) to Lupus. I felt Like and 80 year old Lady And like i said i was only 29. after the extensive tests and everything coming back normal the doctor put me on a steriod. for 4 months i was told i had to take prednisone After the first dose i could move again I still hurt but i could move.But now i had the side effect from that. i was gaining weight like it was going out of style, but at least i could move. after the 4 months things seemed normal kinda. I could move but if i sit still to long my legs go numb not fall sleep go completely numb even if i am standing to long. I am still afraid that i will wake up again feeling like i did that Fall three years ago. I still have problems but im not sure they are tied in but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. I only took three Pills of Levaquin three years ago!!!! How long does this stuff hang on really??????

I've been on Levaquin for three days to clear up severe congestion, possible bronchitis. The doctor at the walk-in clinic didn't like what he heard in my lungs, so prescribed this drug (It was a Friday and I needed something before the weekend due to my asthma). My fever has continued to spike, I have cried at the drop of the hat--exhaustion, fatigue, mood swings, and a cough that persists even after three days. Pain in shoulder joint, raw throat (certain foods seem to burn it), and a REALLY bad headache, and stiffness in my neck. I go to my general doctor tomorrow (Monday), and he will hear about this medicine, trust me. It has been a weekend from hell!

My mother has been taking this medicine for 10 days prescribed to her by her doctor for an ear infection and has experienced horrible pain with this poisonous drug. I cannot believe what I am reading and am hoping to read more about remedies of joint pain. She has been complaining for days. I really hope she can get better soon.

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.

I have just finished Levaquin 500m once a day for 10 days for a horrible sinus infection that would not go away with Zithromax. I am about to finish my Dexpak(dexamethasone) tapered dose in 4 days. I have taken Levaquin and dexamethasone before with no problems. This time I have insomnia and the worst joint pain. I am 33 years old and 135 pounds I feel like an inactive obese 70 year old. I can't sleep right now because my joints are killing me. It is even hard to sit on the toilet and get off the toilet. I find my food sits in my chest. I have started taking Probiotics and I put a heating pad on my chest which feels like a board after I eat. I am glad I am finished the medication and only hope I start feeling better. Good luck everyone.

I have been on Levaquin for about 4 days now and i have been having a hard time trying to sleep and found myself being restless when trying to relax. I would get mad all of a suden and begin to force my body to move, which in turn caused my muscle weakness to increase. I also am now noticing that since i started this medicine, my testicles have had randome feels of pain as well as when my girlfriend decides to mess around w/ me, i find my self going up and down, incapable of keeping it up as a result. has anyone else had this problem? how long after im off this medicine will this stop?

I am taking Levaquin one time a day, 500 mg. for diverticultis. I have fibromyalgia so attributed symptoms of EXTREME FATIGUE to that but this is fatigue like I've never known. I can't do much of anything. I don't work outside the home so will just deal with it if it cures my infection. I'm using sleep meds too...but that could be fibromyalgia kicking in too. But fatigue is much worse. I hope it kills those bad bacteria!

Very disgusting metallic taste in my mouth, with my sense of smell being inhibited very acutely. Every time I breathe in, it smells as though I am in a foundry. It is making me crazy and I have not taken the medicine for over a week now.

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.