Levaquin and medwatch

Everyone make sure you report your ADR's to the FDA. Here is the link. It only takes a few minutes and maybe we can stop this. I have filled one out before but since I have ruptured another tendon I am filling another one out.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/

I have been on Levaquin over 6 times in the past 2 years for upper respiratory infections. I just came off another levapak 750mg for 10 days and my biceps were feeling really tight. I mentioned this to my doctor but he said it was a common side effect. After researching this today I am shocked about the tendon damage. I have had distal bicep tendon surgery on each arm on separate occasions in the past two years. Now I am terrified this is going to happen again. None of the surgeons could figure out why someone my age (41) could do this twice in under 2 years. Has anyone found a way to reverse this? I am terrified to go back to the gym or even lift anything. My biceps are so sore and I have been off the Levapak for 3 days and my biceps seem to be getting more tight and sore each day. I can't face having another surgery. This drug should be taken off the market.

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I started taking Levaquin in December for a respiratory infection (500mg for 10 days). The only side effects I noticed while taking it was a terrible headache, insomnia and anxiety. I experienced that after the first dose. The next day I called my Dr. to tell him and he said he would prescribe Ativan and I should continue with my prescription. I wish I had listened to my common sense, but I listened to the doctor. I finished the prescription and felt somewhat better from the infection but after 10 days of being off the Levaquin, I started to get a burning pain in my left arm. At first I thought it was a blood clot or something. Two days later, the pain had spread to both arms. The pain was so intense I thought I was going to pass out. I had severe joint and muscle pain. I suspected it was the Levaquin when I found this and other websites where people have been describing their experiences. I made copies of a lot of information to take to the doctor. When I went the doctor I described my pain and tried to show him the information, but he didn't believe me. He said it was not caused by the Levaquin. Since then, the pain has spread to my knees. I have decided to find a new doctor since I refuse to waste my time on a doctor who doesn't even believe me. I called the FDA to file a med watch and they said they were going to send me paperwork..guess what..that was last week and I still haven't gotten paperwork. I believe that everyone is trying to keep this undercover! I am going to go to their website and download my own forms and file.
Two weeks ago I started taking a regimen of vitamins: Daily 3000 mg vitamin C, one B Complex, Milk Thistle, 1000 mg Calcium, 500 mg Magnesium, Potassium, and a Probiotic supplement. I don't know if these have helped me, but I do want to say that I feel better than I felt two weeks ago. I still have a lot of pain, but it's not as severe as it was. I'm hoping that it goes away soon. I am spreading the word among family and friends to NEVER take anything in the quinolinone family of antibiotics. I really don't believe that these side effects are as rare as they say. I just believe many people don't report because most don't connect the dots that their symptoms were caused by the antibiotic. My symptoms didn't start until almost two weeks after I completed the antibiotics. I was just lucky enough to have figured it out. The other symptoms I am having are muscle twitching, trouble focusing, insomnia, and cold hands/feet. I also just once had a ringing in my left ear that made me feel like I lost some of my hearing after it finished. I hope that's not the case. I will continue to pray for all of you.

We took our 16 year old son to Urgent Care as he was very sick and a high fever. The Urgent Care doctor prescribed Levaquin 500 mg. After the 2nd pill my son could not speak clearly, his jaw was very strangely crooked and he could not hold it in place, his face muscles were twitching, I was so scared I thought he was having a stroke!!! I rushed him to ER and the doctor said they could not believe that a doctor prescribed this to a minor as that is illegal without a parent consent!!!! This drug is NOT to be give to minors and I cant believe that the Urgent Care doctor did not tell us that along with any side effects it may have. I know I should be informed myself, but when we rush our child to the Urgent Care because he is sick, we trust the doctor when he prescribes just an antibiotic!!!! I am wayyyyyyyy more upset and mad that the doctor did not mention AT ALL that this drug IS NOT TO BE GIVEN TO MINORS WITHOUT A PARENT CONSENT. If we had knows this we would not take a chance on it. I would want a normal antibiotic that my son has taken before. If it is harmful to kids, I don't recommend an adult take it. Children are not done gowning and all kinds of things could have happend to my son. I was never more scared of anything in my entire life, my son was crying cause all the SUDDEN he could not talk and his face was all distorted.... so scary. PRAISE GOD that my son is all better now except for a cold, still and he is very athletic and seems to be getting better with no aches or pains. The ER doctor did recommend Benadryl and when my son took this his symptoms went down and the drug was out of his system in 2 days. I know he will be great as that is what we PRAY for but I thought this was very good info to pass along. If anyone experiences these symptoms you now know someone who has been through it and what the ER doctor recommend for us. Take care, please be healthy....

I was prescribed Levaquin for Chronic Sinusitis and ended up with gout like symptoms in my left big toe. It has made it very difficult to walk and carry out everyday responsibilities.I am only 29 years old and have two young children to tend to and this has made it very difficult. It is very difficult to walk and stand and I am unable to wear shoes due to the inflammation and swelling. Does it get better?

My son is 14 years old and was given two rounds of this drug for an infection (two weeks and one week respectively). Last round in the middle of September. The pain started with the first round and got worse the second time. Real bad. We had him tested for a multitude of diseases and x-rayed the knees - all came back normal. We finally stumbled onto the fact that the joint pain coincided with the drug - WE WERE NEVER WARNED!

Well, he's a heck of an athlete/student/good kid...and has been wrestling since he's 5 years old, has competed nationally and this sport is "his thing." Well, now he's finally in high school and can barely make it through practice - can't go live at all. The pain and stiffness ain't going away even though he's been off it since September!

What in the world can we do to treat this effectively (or t all)? Doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory meds and they did nothing. Physical therapy is doing nothing. Ultrasound treatment on knees is doing nothing.

How long will it last?

Help please anybody with any information - we're disparate.

Prayers are welcome too.

Thanks.

Craig V. (Dustins Dad)

My wife was taking Levaquin, I say was taking it because she is dead. My wife died on August 4th 2007 due to the side effects on this poison. my wife died of heart failure at the age of 32. The doctor who prescribed Levaquin to my wife is a killer. If this helps someone stay alive or stay healthy then i hope that you take heed to this message. Stay far away from this drug as possible please.

I was on Levaquin for 6 of the 7 prescribed days, and as a result I have extreme joint pain. I am 37 years old and feel like I am 70 years old. I can't walk up or down stairs easily, it hurts when I get dressed, wash my hair...basically any movement hurts. After the first 2 days of taking the meds, I called the pharmacist since it was the weekend, and he told me that the Levaquin shouldn't cause this and it was OK to continue using it. So, I did through Sunday, then called my Dr. on Monday when I was instructed to discontinue its use. The only side effect remotely similar that was noted was "rupture of Achilles tendon" in rare instances. I've read some of the other messages that were posted and am glad to see that the pain some of you are having is subsiding. I sure hope mine does too. I go for blood work on Friday to see if any real damage has been done.

I was given levaquin 500 mg 6 days ago for phlebitis. Since I started I have had terrible anxiety, panic attacks, fear of dying, nightmares, crying jags, and very sore neck and shoulders. I called my doctor today and asked about the side effects of this medicine. I am NOT going to finish my 10 day dosage. I'm done. I've never been so miserable. This is strange because all this past summer I took low-dose levaquin, 250 mg 4 days a week because I have bartonellosis, a co-infection of Lyme disease. It didn't bother me beyond some leg pain then, but now it's a whole new story. I am TERRIFIED of this antibiotic and modern Western medicine in general.

SORRY FOR THE CAPS BUT WANT EVERYONE TO READ THIS.
PLEASE SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT BY GOING TO WWW.FDA.GOV
IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO DO IT AND IT IS PROBABLY THE ONLY THING WE CAN TO TO GET SOMEONES' ATTENTION.
I WAS POISONED BY LEVAQUIN 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. TINNITUS, ATRIAL FIBRILATION, MOOD CHANGES, ETC.ETC.ETC. THIS IS HORRIBLE STUFF THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. WE ARE BECOMING A COUNTRY OF CRIPPLES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY? WE DO!!!!!!!

OMG, I thought it was just me! I went to my doctor because of an ongoing infection and the worst cough I've ever had. I was given Levaquin 750mg and a steriod shot. Then it went down hill from there. My ankles began to swell, then my fingers and hands. I had a very hard time using my hands to open my back door and it even hurt to use my stapler at work! Then other joints began to hurt, like my neck and my knees. It was painful to get up or sit down. I tried to get up and get ready for work one morning, but I just stood in the shower crying because my entire body hurt. I went to an emergency clinic and asked them to start doing lab work to find out what's going on. I felt like I was 90 years old and had been suddenly stricken with menopause, lyme disease, fibromyalgia,arthritis and migraine. All the lab came back normal. I went back to the doctor that gave me the drug (handful of samples) and was referred to a pain and joint center. I am still trying to recover from this drug. .

Beware of cycling. That's what happens with this poison. You start to feel better and all of a sudden you're hit again. After a few weeks you start to blame it on something else because it's so hard to believe that this so=called medicine is still messing with your body. The dr. will blame it on something else for sure but the fact is that with some people the damage is done and it will go on for possibly years if not forever. Make sure you send it a medwatch report to the FDA and check out the forum that yahoo has on quinolones and side effects. There is help there.

Shelly, call a lawyer now and sue the idiot. That's the problem; these drs don't know how to read. They go by what the idiot reps tell them instead of checking things for themselves. Send in a MedWatch report to www.fda.gov and have your dr mark your records and CALL A LAWYER. LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE.

Hi guest 42390. These side effects can be damaging to your tendons. Please have your dr note your records so that you don't take this again. I have been suffering for 3 years now from levaquin. please send a medwatch report in so you can help get this poison off the market. Also go to www.fqvictims.org and you can get some help for your pain

To Guest 42227, It won't do any good to tell the pharmacist or the dr. You have to send a medwatch report in. Go to www.fda.gov and fill it out. The drs are not obligated to let the fda know and most of them don't want to anyway because it's hard for them to "bit the hand that feels them" as they say! It's quite a conspiracy.

I think it's important to keep perspective. There are people reading this forum who have just started Levaquin or it has just been prescribed to them. Keep in mind that everyone posting here did so because they had problems with Levaquin.

There are far more people who have taken it with little or no side effects, and chances are, you will be one of those people. I just completed a 10 day course of 250mg for acute kidney infection, and experienced no side effects at all.

I have no doubt that this drug does have extremely horrible side effects for some, but listen to the diagnosis for many of these people. Sinusitis? It's the most common diagnosis in doctors' offices each day. And many foolish doctors are prescribing something this strong for sinusitis. Thousands of people start this medication each day, and most will not have problems. If everyone had problems, you'd see thousands of posts each day, a class-action lawsuit would have been organized, and the drug would be off the market.

Eventually this WILL happen, but because the side effects happen to so few people, it will take years to amass enough participants to make it worth the expense an attorney will have to front to take on the company.

This is what really scares me. Reading page after page of awful side effects can actually cause someone to manifest these side effects phychosomatically in their body. So if you're reading this after just having started Levaquin, DON'T LET YOUR IMAGINATION GET OUT OF CONTROL. It's not likely that you'll experience what these people have.

If you do, be responsible, report it to your doctor and to MedWatch.

To poster 41496: I guess you haven't been hit by the poison. You can drink all the water you want, stay away from caffeine, and try everything else that people suggest. The fact is: If you have an adverse reaction to this drug (poison) you will be damaged for the rest of your life. Some of the things get better, but they never really go away. You can have permanent damage; brain receptors, hearing, tinnitus, neuopathy, cns problems so bad that suicide has happened to many. This poison should be off the market even though it's helped many, it has hurt many more. The true numbers will never be known because our wonderful FDA doesn't require drs to even send in a report to medwatch. That's the reason everyone should send one it. The sooner they realize just how many have been damaged, the sooner it will be taken off the market.

I added a side effect several days ago. I would like to respond to the people who are asking if this ever goes away. I suppose it is an individual thing but I am feeling better every day. I've been off the Levaquin for over a week now and no more pain in feet, elbow is much better, fatigue is lessening. The funny thing is my husband went to the doctor for pink eye yesterday and the doc prescribed Levaquin, as well as eye drops. He has taken it in the past with no side effects so he went ahead and got the prescription filled. He asked the doctor about my reaction to it and he said he'd never heard of such a thing! I find that hard to believe. Anyway, my doctor said she'd heard of it but that it was rare and noted it on my chart as an "allergic reaction". So good luck everyone. You can fill out an adverse reaction form at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/consumer/consumer.htm Hopefully, if enough people complain they will at least inform patients that such drastic side effects are possible for some people.

READ THE PAST POSTS, YOU WILL SEE INFORMATION LEADING YOU TO WWW.FQRESEARCH.ORG AND WWW.FQVICTIMS.ORG AND YOU WILL SEE HOW LONG PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING WITH THESSE HORRIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS. I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW. PLEASE SEND A MEDWATCH REPORT IN AT WWW.FDA.GOV. WE NEED TO GET THIS POISON OFF THE MARKET.

get on to www.fqvictims.org and www.fqresearch.org and get some help there. There are people that are still suffering after a year. please send a MEDWATCH REPORT TO THE FDA REGARDING THIS POISONOUS REACTION. IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO HELP SAVE OTHERS FROM BECOMING CRIPPLES.

There IS HOPE. I posted previously, on the 23rd of January, Guest #36679.

After being off of levofloxacin for over 2 weeks, I can say that I feel 110% better; I am my normal, sane, non-nauseated, regular self again.

I have submitted a MedWatch to the FDA, but don't know if it will do any good as the medication was manufactured by a company in Thailand.

For everyone out there, I wish you a speedy recovery and want you to know that someone here knows how you feel and wishes you the best.

YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED BY LEVAQUIN. PLEASE SEND A MEDWATCH REPORT BY COMPUTER OR BY PHONE, WWW.FDA.GOV. MAKE SURE YOUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY TO LEVAQUIN AND ANY OTHER FLUROQUINOLONE; AVELOX, CIPRO, ETC. GO TO WWW.FQVICTIMS .ORG AND YOU WILL FIND SOME HELP.

WE HAVE BEEN POISONED BY LEVAQUIN. PLEASE LET THE FDA KNOW AND ASK YOUR DR TO SEND A REPORT TO MEDWATCH. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THAT SO IF HE WON'T YOU DO IT BY GOING TO WWW.FDA.GOV. GO TO WWW.FQVICTIMS.ORG AND WWW.FQRESEARCH.ORG AND YOU WILL FIND SOME HELP.

Dear guest 36868, you have been poisoned by levaquin. Your dr is an idiot. There is a drug interaction listed with this poison. This is last resort medicine and it's being given out like candy and turning this country into a "country of cripples". Please send a medwatch report in by going to www.fda.gov and please go to www.fqresearch.org and find some help there for your pain. I was poisoned by this "medicine" two years ago and I'm still suffering the tendon pain. It's gotten worse

Please go to www.fqresearch.org and ww.fqvictims.org and read. you will find some help there. Please file a medwatch report thru FDA.gov so that this poison can be taken off the market. Good luck to you and your husband and I'll say a prayer that he recovers, however, many people have problems for the rest of their lives. I've been suffering since Oct 2004.

PLEASE, SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT (WWW.FDA.GOV) BECAUSE THE DRS DON'T EVEN BOTHER READING THE INFO ON THE DRUGS, THEY JUST GO BY WHAT THE REPS ARE TELLING THEM AS THEY EAT THE LUNCH THE REPS BROUGHT IN.
DO THIS SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT BE SAVED FROM THIS POISON

YOU ALL NEED TO GO TO WWW.FDA.GOV AND SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT ABOUT THIS POISON. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DRUG THAT IS RUINING PEOPLE;S LIVES. PLEASE DO IT!!!!!

Would everyone please send a MedWatch report in. Go to www.fda.gov and you will find the links. The only way this poison will be taken off the market so that your friends and family can survive in this world, is to notify them of your reaction. PLEASE DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT. GO TO WWW.FDA.GOV AND YOU WILL FIND A LINK TO EITHER PRINT OUT A REPORT OR SEND ONE ON LINE.IF YOU WOULD ALL DO THAT, WE STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF SAVING OTHERS FROM OUR FATE. THIS IS A DISASTER THAT OUR GOVERN,MNET IS IGNORING. PLEASE SEND IN A MEDWATCH REPORT TODAY.

PLEASE REGISTER A MEDWATCH REPORT REGARDING YOUR ADVERSE REACTIONS. THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL HELP TO KEEP THESE POISONOUS DRUGS FROM HURTING OTHERS. THEY ARE EVEN TESTING IT ON CHILDREN. GO TO WWW.FDA.GOV AND YOU WILL FIND THE LINK FOR THE MEDWATCH REPORT.

Make sure you send in a MedWatch report about your adverse reaction. Get on www.fqresearch.org or www.fqvictims.org and see exactly what you can do for the pain. Good luck to you and make sure you never take another fluoroquinolone. (levaquin, cipro, avelox etc.)

how do I notify medwatch about the side effects I had from levaquin. I need to report them so others won't take it.

I sent my MedWatch report in on the 26th also.

SENT MY MEDWATCH REPORT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HI EVERYONE, LET'S DO SOMETHING TOGETHER. SEND MEDWATCH REPORT IN BY FRIDAY, MAY 26. IF YOU ARE ON ANY OTHER FORUMS CONCERNING THIS POISON, TELL EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME. IF THEY ARE BOMBARDED WITH COMPLAINTS MAYBE SOMEONE WILL NOTICE!!!!!! GOD HELP US ALL.

Why are doctors ignoring the fact that this family of antibiotics is hurting people all over the world? It doesn't make sense. If you read the prescribing information from ortho-mcneill you will see all of these complaints listed as side effects. Why are these doctors doing this????? And Medwatch, what's with them. I personally know that they have been bombarded with reports of these drugs and yet nothing is being done. Where can we get some answers?

STOP TAKING THE POISON. GET A SAFER DRUG FROM YOUR DOCTOR AND SEND A REPORT TO MEDWATCH.

Though I have posted this information a couple of dozen times on this site I am posting it again for the benefit of the new victims. Fluoroquinolones, to which levaquin is but one such drug, has been associated with IRREVERSIBLE PERIPHERIAL NUEROPATHY, SPONTANEOUS TENDON RUPTURES, HEART ATTACKS, STROKES, Liver and Kidney damage, vision and hearing damage and about 14 pages worth of serious and non abating adverse reactions. If you are experiencing unusual symptoms while on this drug chances are very good that you are having one of these reactions. Please report your experiences to MedWatch as well as your physician and if at all possible try to have him or her change your medication to a safer alternative. Fluoroquinolones are a drug of LAST RESORT and are NOT to be used as a first line agent. For further information regarding the adverse drug reactions associated with this toxic chemotherapuetic agent log unto www.fqresearch.org or if you prefer to hear others described their living hell after being on these drugs check out the quinolone adverse drug reaction forum hosted by Yahoo. Currently there are over 1200 victims registered at that forum. As well as www.fqvictims.org which also has detailed reports from others whose lives have been destroyed by the careless scripting of these drugs from hell.

I viewed the vidio.
Maybe you should send it to
MedWatch
The FDA Safty Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Md 20852-9787

Thats where I sent in the report.
Janet G

I posted previously..
I went on Levaquin in the middle of December for a sinus infection and I'm still feeling the effects.
After taking a couple of pills I started feeling really shaky and lightheaded..feeling of unreality, crying constantly..
But you know how they tell you "you have to take all the antibiotic" well stupid me took 8 of them..couldn't stand it anymore. I found this site and printed out all the information on Levaquin and went back to the drs. He didn't even want to look at the info. He said he knew that this drug could possible have these effects on some people. and that I should have stopped it right away and it will take time for it to get out of my system
I did the call the maker of this drug and also called the FDA and sent in a report to MedWatch.
Its been almost three months now and I still feel shaky inside.
Its just going to take time. I am better though.
Janet G

I took Levaquin for five days in early April as a preventative after minor surgery. I had been prescribed a 7 day course, but stopped after I suspected the side effects were from the Levaquin. It all began with a low grade fever, then extreme anxiety, mental confusion, depression, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, weakness, sweating, heart palpitations, and scariest of all, central nervous system disturbances, strange currents in my left arm and leg, twitches, shaking, jitters and vision problems. I was the most scared I have ever been in my life. I went to my GP and he told me it was "self-perpetuated" because the half life of the drug had passed and the effects should have subsided quickly. (But he was surprised to see my liver enzymes were elevated even after the drug was supposed to have left my body...hmmm.) Well, I was in pure hell for almost three weeks after stopping the drug, desperately wanting to get better, but it had a grip on me that only someone who has experienced it can understand.
I went to a psychiatrist and a neurologist. Both told me it could have something to do with the GABA receptors in the brain. My biggest fear was that it had caused permanent harm. Well, I'm happy to report that now a month and a half later, I feel like myself again. It was a gradual improvement, but it finally subsided at the end of the third week.
I just wanted to share my story in case there is someone who is as worried as I was a month ago, seeking comfort in this forum. (There is not much comfort, I know.) But although everyone is different and the side-effects run the gamut, at least it seems to go away in time for most people. Of course I'm not completely sure that there was no permanent damage...but I feel pretty confident that my body got rid of this poison. My liver enzymes went back to normal as well.
I feel each of us must report everything Levaquin has done to us to Medwatch (the FDA), to our doctors (although they will probably doubt you), and to anyone you care about in case they are ever given this over-prescribed time-bomb. Levaquin is a life saving drug, but it should only be prescribed for people in dire need. It is being marketed to doctors as a preventative and for minor infections, and that is where the real problem is. Ortho-McNeil knows more than they tell the doctors, I'm convinced. There are just too many of us. Imagine all the people who never figure out that the Levaquin caused thier ailments! Or they believe thier doctors who say "It's all in your head."
I hope my story has been of help...and to all who suffer...hang in there. It takes time, but chances are it WILL go away.