Levaquin and pills

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.

I have some of everything above and am in so much pain that I feel as if I am dying a slow, painful death. I am on heavy pain meds and even with those I have severe abdominal cramping. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this pain relief. I am very worried as to what is happening to me internally. They are scheduling cat scans and I am awaiting a phone call to get something diagnostic done. This all started 8/15 and not only are things not easing up, but I think this is getting worse. I also have a urethral discharge, UTI, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. Initially, I had a 102 degree fever and now my temp is low, only 97.1! my husband plans on calling a lawyer today, 8/26. One day I passed brown urine and it shocked me! I'd appreciate hearing from others as I feel so alone in this horrible nightmare which is unfolding! FYI, my doctor feels that my muscle tissue is breaking down...has anyone heard anything like this from their doctor? The stomach and abdominal pains are like labor!

I've been taking Levaquin for about 3 weeks. Last week, suddenly, every joint in my body started aching. I mean from my neck, hands, hips, knees, ankles, feet, everything. For the past week, when I wake up, I can't even make a fist without experiencing excruciating pain. I've always been very active, running, basketball, soccer, skiing, you name it, so this is scaring the heck out of me. I'm 47 years old, and up until a week ago, I was hiking with my family, running everyday with my dog. Now I feel like I'm 100 years old. It hurts to walk, stand up, etc! I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow! I'm ticked about this!

I was prescribed 750 MG of Levaquin after a ER visit on Saturday, August 16th for a sinus infection. Both Saturday and Sunday I had diarrhea. I took the second pill on Sunday and I did not sleep the entire night. I was sweating so much. I felt out of sorts and scared in my own home. I started to turn on the lights. I even tried to sleep with my bedroom light on. It was an awful night to say the least, I won't go into all of the details. But I did start to question not only my physical health but mental. I knew I had been stressed out, but this never happened to me before. I was not able to work Monday. I took the third pill Monday not realizing this was all a reaction to the antibiotic. I was speaking to a close friend late Monday afternoon about my horrible night. I did not tell her what I was taking. She informed me that one time she was taking a antibiotic, Levaquin, and that she had a similar reaction and even hallucinated. I was relieved to know that I was not loosing my mind but it was the medication. I called my doctor's. office and they said stop taking it. They said they were aware that this had happened to some patients. Gee, thanks for telling me in advance. They suggested I take Benadryl to help me sleep. Needless to say, what a horrible experience I had. And this night was worse. I was sweating even more, could not sleep, tried to take a shower to cool off and then I started to hallucinate. I tried talking myself out of it, but the medicine was too strong. I called my God Mother and she talked me through it. Again, all the lights had to be on, I felt very anxious and scared. IT WAS AWFUL. If you have a sensitive system I would not take this! It is now August 21st and I still can not sleep. I am still out of sorts. I wish I knew in advance. All I know is I am telling everyone I know, DON'T TAKE LEVAQUIN!!!

I've been on Levaquin for only 2 days, combined with Prednisone... Taking them due to a nasty sinus infection. One of these two meds is making every joint in my body hurts, as well as me having lost almost every bit of my sense of taste. I ate general tso's chicken today for lunch and could not taste anything, so as an experiment I ate one of those little red Chinese peppers that I normally throw out because they are WAY too hot - I couldn't taste a thing. Last night I had to drop the air condition down to 68 degrees as one of these two meds made me sweat very heavily and uncomfortably hot.

I was prescribed Levaquin by my Dr. for a sinus infection. There were 10 pills and I was to take one a day. No one mentioned any of the side effects or drug interactions except to not take antacids within 2 hours of taking the meds. During the coarse of me taking the medication I began having substernal chest pains which I thought was just horrible heart burn, but it got so bad that I woke up screaming multiple nights from the pain. I also started having pain in my ankles, legs and especially my knees. The pain in my knees gets so bad that I think my knee caps are going to shatter when I walk especially when going down the stairs. I didn't know any of the drug interactions and my father in law who is a physical therapist has always advised me to take ibuprofen for muscle and joint pain so that's what I did, but little did I know that was only increasing the effects on my central nervous system. I am also experiencing bouts of nausea, confusion, light headedness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and I actually thought I was having a mental breakdown.. I was freaking out on my husband and very depressed even having suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until my mother randomly mentioned that she had heard about the FDA issuing the Black Box warning that I connected the dots and had already finished the meds. I called my doctor's office right away and was told that the symptoms I am having are not side effects of the medicine. Maybe the Dr. doesn't listen to the news either.

Hello All, My Levaquin nightmare began on June 18th, 2008. The side effects I had were so unbelievable, most of you, if not all of you will believe this. I had severe night sweats which would transfer over to a extreme cold chills, which would allow me to sweat like crazy. Bathed in Sweat. I thought there were small needles all around me and poking me everywhere. My feet, toes, knees and buttocks tingled like there was no tomorrow (and still are to this day). When and how can I make these side effects go away. I'm sick of them. I no longer have the night sweats or the bitter chills, I'm now totally aware of want is going on around me, while taking the med and several days after I couldn't even tell you my name. The bridge of my nose, and running across to my ears tingled like crazy and my ears rang all the time, and they still ring once in a while still. I need to know when this feeling of tingling in my hands, feet, knees, legs and humming in my ears will go a way. Help! I think this drug needs to taken off the market. I took a total of 17 pills. My first scripted was for 15 days and by not knowing any better less then a week later and another doctors appointment, and one more script, which I filled. I took two pills from that bottle. My husband called the doctor and she told him this wasn't normal. She told him that I was to stop the med asap, which I did and I'm still having these awful tingling. If anyone, anyone has any suggestion of how to get those med out of my system I would certainly appreciate it. God Bless each and every one of you. May you all find relief.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 MG for a sinus infection5 days ago. After completing my third dosage I felt a sensation on my toes as if something was biting me. Then it started on my fingers, hands and up and down my arms. My toes and fingers started to swell. The rash then came up the backs of both legs. My feet felt as if they had been burnt very badly.They look like they have been very badly burned. I phoned the doctor and was told to take Benadryl (2 pills) ever 6 hours and to come into the office first thing the next morning. I did and was told to never take Levaquin again. I was prescribed Augmentin. Two days later and I still have the red burnt look on the tops of my toes and the sides of my feet. It looks terrible!

i was prescribed Levaquin in April for pneumonia. I took 1 pill in the morning and by mid-evening felt gross. My stomach was in knots, head was fuzzy. I decided to NOT take any more and let my body fight it. Last week I had awful pain in my ear/jaw and thought it was my tooth so didn't go to the DR. right away. Finally I couldn't handle the pain and went. He said I had an ear infection and immediately wrote a script for Levaquin despite me telling him how it made me feel in April. He said it was no big deal, the feelings would go away. I came home and against my better judgment took what I had left from April. (6 pills) I am done them now, but was looking up Levaquin on line because I feel like crap, my ear and jaw still hurt like hell, and tonight my leg started to hurt. I have a flaming esophagus as I sit and type this at 2 in the morning because I cant friggen sleep. Pain my chest feels like I inhaled glass. My husband said he noticed I haven't been acting right...news to me. I'm cranky because all this crap did was make me feel worse. DR. told me to take 2 aleve in the a.m. and Tylenol/Motrin every 4 hours after that for pain. I just got done reading that NSAIDs shouldn't be taken with Levaquin. Nice to know after the fact. My stomach has been turning for 5 days and food is absolutely disgusting. I have awful diarrhea from this med too, which the doctor said was normal.. good to know that spending hours on the toilet was"normal". I've been teary too. Crying over nothing, literally sitting at the pc playing a game of cards and I busted into hysterical sobbing OVER CARDS!! Hopefully I will feel better in a few days and nothing else happens. DO NOT TAKE LEVAQUIN!!! Save yourself the trouble.

Two and a half hours ago I took Levaquin 750mg for the first time. After about 45 minutes for some reason I started coughing, like i had something caught in my throat. Didn't think much of it because we were eating but then on the way home I started itching, and my mouth started feeling numb. It actually started feeling like I had been to the dentist and had novacane shot in my lower lip. When I got home I went and looked in the mirror and my face was actually swollen like I was feeling it. I don't think I will take the other two pills doc gave me for a bladder infection.

The levaquin completely cured my throat, no pain, i can swallow again. But my glands are still swollen. My biggest complaint is the mouth thrush, i have sores all over my mouth, my teeth and gums ache and sometimes i wake up with blood in my mouth because my gums are so sensitive. I finished the 5 day 750 mg yesterday for horrific case of strep throat. I also experienced fatigue, sensitivity to light. Now that im off the pills im interested in eating but i cant because my mouth hurts so bad. If my mouth didn't hurt i would be happy, but im wondering if it will go away now that i am done with the dose.

well im all done with my levaquin.. and i think this was a great antibiotic, other than the price,., i paid 100$ for 5 pills.. but i feel much better.. i didn't get any pains, or really any of the side effects seen on this site for levaquin.. im pretty much all better now.. only thing was the 1st night i couldn't really sleep. but i started taking it in the morning and i was fine.. all in all.. this medicine worked great for me.. JUST TAKE A LOT OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND TAKE THE PILL IN THE MORNING AND ITS A PERFECT !

this is my second day on levaquin. the first night the sleep was pretty bad, but i took the pill late at night, so today i took it early morning , ill see if that helps. no other issues so far. still coughing up a storm though, hopefully i don't have pneamounia.

i just now started my first dose of levaquin 750 mg , 5 pills / 1 per day.. ill let u know how it goes.. i see all these posting on insomnia which sounds horrible because i got work Wednesday, (today is Monday).. keep ya posted...

LEVAQUIN SIDE EFFECTS - As I posted yesterday, after taking one Levaquin - 750 mg, I had hallucinations, sleeplessness, extremely severe headache, and now today I woke up with "thrush mouth/yeast infection" in my mouth - plus aching gums and teeth.

Please, FDA or drug company that makes this, read these boards. This is the TIP of the ICEBERG. Think of the thousands or millions who don't take time to report the side effects of this drug. It would not surprise me if suicides and death are not brought on from LEVAQUIN.

I am thankful I had the good sense to stop this drug after one dose or I might be dead. The hallucinations and headache were the most horrific of my life. I can't imagine what I would be like if I had taken all 7 pills.

MARCH 17TH MY MOTHER WAS A VERY HEALTHY ACTIVE FUN LOVING PERSON AS OF TODAY SHE IS TOTALLY CONFINED TO THE BED. SHE TOOK 4 PILLS OF LEVAQUIN FOR A MINOR CHEST COLD AND GOT A VERY BURNING RASH AND BLISTERS ON HER ARMS NECK AND CHEST AFTER THAT THE SORE THROAT AND EXTREME MUSCLE FATIGUE KICKED IN .HER DR. PUT HER OFF SHE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO QUIT TAKING THE DRUG ON HER OWN ON APRIL 8 SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS WHICH HAVE ULTIMATELY MADE HER UNABLE TO USE HER MUSCLE SHE CAN NOT SWALLOW HAD TO HAVE A PEG TUBE PUT IN SHE HAS NOW BEEN WEENED OFF OF THE 120 MG OF PREDNISONE SHE HAS BEEN ON AND NO END IN SIGHT ON RECOVERY. I HAVE NO MEANS TO TACKLE A DRUG COMPANY BUT I WILL TELL MY STORY AS OFTEN AND AS I CAN. 50 DAYS LATER WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GRASP ALL OF THIS

Prescribed 500mg of Levaquin for sinus infection, along w Medrol Pak steroids. Although steroids can cause restlessness, they do NOT cause COMPLETE anxiety, nightmares insomnia and aphasia. I took only 4 pills, 1 each day, and it's like i boarded THE CRAZY TRAIN. Fluoroquinolones are apparently known for their intense and dangerous side effects, and if it is true that this is also an antidote for anthrax poisoning, it's probably something that should not be prescribed for sinus infections. SEVERE side effects, chest tightness, etc. No wonder they will not rx it for teenagers-I am a healthy 42 yr old woman and would NEVER take it AGAIN,.

Im a 16 years old female and I was given samples of Levaquin because the doctor thought I had a kidney infection. I did fine the first 3 days but on the 4th day I started to feel really weird and confused, I couldn't even drive. My stomach hurt really bad also. I didn't take anymore of the pills but it has been almost 3 days since I have stopped taking Levaquin. It wasn't until today that my mom found out that it is illegal to give to people under 18. I went to a different doctor today and he said the side effects should go away in a few more days. I was prescribed Hydroxyz to help with the symptoms. I just want to let people know that you should be aware of the side effects before taking any medication.

Absolutely the worst antibiotic on the planet. I am a healthy 35 year old male who was given levaquin to combat a sinus infection. After 3 pills, I had a reactions which included red rashes forming all over my body. Very, very dry mouth, joints started to hurt. I immediately stopped the levaquin and let my body fight it naturally. As you know you are never suppose to stop antibiotics mid way as the infection will only come back stronger which it did....but I just bared through it, drank lots of water, and 7 days later I feel better. The red rash has mostly gone, but left me with very dry peeling skin, like I had sun damage. My face was so dry even after repeated moisturizing it, i could feel the dry skin just flaking off. Amazing how this drug is allowed to stay on the market. Please do not take this antibiotic

My dad who's 52 had a fever and flu last week. The doctor gave him 10 pills of Levaquin (500mg) and said this was a very good antibiotic. After taking each pill, my dad felt more nauseous and told me that everything (delicious food, cigarettes, perfume, etc) smelled like burning garbage. Apparently this was caused by Levaquin, and I'm pushing him to see the doctor with me tomorrow. I'll post what the doctor says once we come back.

I took 2 500mg pills of levaquin and within a few short hours felt extreme anxiety, my heart was racing, i was having depressed thoughts including death/dying and didn't sleep for 48hrs while i was on this medication. it has now been 3 days since my last pill and i am still shaky with anxiety, have no appetite, but am finally able to sleep a little bit.

this is the most horrible medicene i have ever been on - don't ever take it!

Are you guys for real? In reading through the side effects blogs it really reads like it is all the same person writing, maybe someone trying to beat up on the competition or something. It did scare me out of letting my 24 year old son take it for severe sinus infections, however and I just hope that two days of a 750mg dose per day doesn't show forth the negative effects in the days to come!! Please tell me it's not as bad as it sounds!

I am a 36 year-old female, and in very good physical condition. I have been a runner for 15 years. I was prescribed levaquin for a recurrent sinus infection, 500mg x 7 days. On the second day I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome (tendonitis of the forearms & hands); I could barely hold a pen in my hand, much less write. I refused to take the 3rd dose. On the 5th day (even though I am not taking it anymore) I woke up with severe hip pain (both hips). I can barely walk, much less run. I am a full-time physician and have a small child. I am not sure what will happen to my favorite hobby, running. This drug is extremely dangerous, and I will never prescribe it to anyone. It should be removed from the market!!

Im a 30 yr old male in pretty good health. Iv been sick a few times this year and was given a 5 day dose of Levaquin for a sinus infection. After 2 days of taking the meds i started to have bad panic attacks. i discontinued the pills after only taking 2 ( it did knock my infection pretty much out). However 1 week later im having sharp stomach pain, gas itching, sore back and joint pains. Its not keep me in bed stuff but enough to keep me on edge and worrisome. Its been 9 days since my last pill and each day seems to get worse. im starting to think that this is in my head. its got me all bugged out. however hearing others peoples problems on this website help me know im not the only one that thinks this drug is just wacked out. This drug works but your gonna pay a price for it, the question is.. Is it really worth it?

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for a virus which would not get better. The first night, I took a pill and within an hour of taking this drug, I awoke and I had a small case of heartburn. And it was hard for me to stay asleep. The next night, last night, I took my second pill. Within an hour, I again awoke. This time, the heartburn was bothersome. I tried drinking liquids and eating different foods. Nothing helped. The heartburn was more severe while lying down. I had an awful taste in my mouth and I was unable to sleep. After 22 hours, I still have this terrible heartburn. I have not been able to eat much. This is a terrible drug. I promptly threw these nasty pills away.

I weigh 118lbs and I am 30 years old. I took one dose 250mg. of Levaquin yesterday and developed severe side effects, confusion, dizziness, irregular heart beat, muscle numbness and weakness in my hands and arms, panic and visual disturbances. Does anyone know hoe long it takes to get a 250mg dosage of this God forsaken drug out of your system?

Started Levaquin yesterday for Bronchitis. Today I started with episodes of Tachycardia, Tightness in the chest, and numbness and tingling in the hands,feet and face. I am a nurse and trust me I will make sure none of my patients leave the office I work at with a script for this class of medication. 1 DOSE WAS PLENTY FOR ME I'M THROWING OUT THE OTHER 9 PILLS ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

As we all read the messages posted on this board I'm sure we are all wondering how long will the pain associated with this drug ( that I myself have after just 4, 500mg pills ) will last under normal conditions. The pain I mean is muscle related, does it go away with time.

Hi,

I took Levaquin for one day, the first pill out of a pack of five.
Next day I had severe pain in legs back, shoulders and across my chest,
I thought I'd had a heart attack. I immediately suspected the medication
because it was the only one I had taken.
The pain is still with me but it only three days out, am hoping that it
will go away. Recently today I have begun to notice knee pain.
Anyway I have warned everyone I know not to take Levaquin under any circumstances.

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg daily for the last 7 days. I am quitting it today! I am so tired. Cannot sleep! Have severe pain in both of my hips! I do not have a history of sleep disorder or hip pain!!! I even have severe pain in both of my shoulders now as well. My doctors insist this isn't from the med. My pharmacist differs in that opinion!! This stuff is POISON!!!
I am a registered nurse and will preach this to any and everyone who will listen!!!
I only pray I will not suffer a tendon rupture even after I have stopped this med! If that happens I will contact an attorney! Can we get a class-action lawsuit for all of us and to prevent others from this terrible experience???

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.

I was in the hospital for a bowel re-section. On the third day, they switched me to Levaquin because I spiked a fever. I was released four days later (after 2 doses of I.V. Levaquin per day) and sent home with three days worth of pills. Ever since I've taken the Levaquin, I've had horrible shoulder and back pain and feel somewhat neurotic. The doctor said that it's a side effect from Levaquin. I have one day left of the medication and will continue to take it, but I'm curious if anyone else has had mental side effects. All I've read about is the joint and muscle soreness. Please help! It's affecting my sleep and daily routine. I don't recommend this and will not take it in the future (not to mention the cost of the medication!)
thanks

Well I started Levaquin on the 17th of January for a bladder infection, and I took 2 pills and I have had nausea and watery diarrhea, so after reading all your postings about it I am not going to continue this medication

I started taking Levaquin last Friday ( the 11th) for a severe sinus infection. I was prescribed 750 mg for 5 days. I finished that but my sinus infection didn't improve so I was prescribed another 5 days of 750 mg. I took the pill yesterday and today ( totally 7 pills) I noticed on about day 2 or 3 that my legs felt tight, but thought it was a normal side effect. Then my lower back. I wasn't in serious pain at all so I ignored it. Today my knees, knuckles, shoulders, elbows, are extremely sore and i get sharp pains every now and then. It also hurts to sit for too long. I started researching the drug and now am so terrified after reading all these horror stories. Has anyone had this only last while taking it and not for months afterwards? Or am I pretty much in this for the long haul. And to the people who say that it lasts for months or years is it pain that disables you from working and doing daily things? I'm only 23 and I live a very active life and I'm totally freaked out now. PLEASE HELP

My 15 year old daughter was prescribed this medication for a sinus infection. By the 2nd day she had a headache and by that night she was having nightmares bad enough that she wanted me to watch her fall asleep. She is now paranoid, anxious, she has slept the entire day for the last 5 days and hasn't wanted to leave the house. I left the house and she called me on the phone very paranoid to the point she asked me not to hang up the phone and she kept asking how long until I come home. I was just a few blocks away and she kept telling me to hurry home. I put her in the car with us just to get out of the house then she said she felt sick and threw up. She hasn't held a full conversation in 5 days and says she feels like she's crazy. I called the on-call doctor's hospital and they surprised a doctor prescribed this to a teenager.

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

I took my first Levaquin pill at 8:30 at night. A short time later, I felt kind of funny, like my mind was separate from my body. I figured that I was just sleepy. Then, my bottom lip felt slightly itchy & swollen. I told my husband I might be having an allergic reaction, but he couldn't tell any difference in my appearance. Next, my bottom gum started to feel swollen. When I went to the restroom, I noticed a red bump on my upper thigh. I was becoming suspicious, but tried not to worry about it. Then, I felt my face flushing, but it didn't appear red enough for my husband to be concerned about. I checked on my legs a few more times & after seeing more red dots appearing, I knew I was having an allergic reaction. I popped 2 Benadryl pills & yelled at my husband to take me to ER. My face was burning so badly, I had to open the windows on the way too cool off. I calmed myself down by telling myself that it was just my adrenaline. When I got to ER, it was 10:30, but it felt like only an hour had passed since I took the Levaquin. I told the ER staff I was having a mild allergic reaction, but in reality, it was worse than that. I waited patiently until I looked in the mirror & saw that my neck was pink & covered with hives & welts. It came on so suddenly that I freaked out & ran for help. They quickly administered steroids & said it was good that I took Benadryl. By then, more hives started to appear on my body. I noticed red patches on my hands, too. Although I could breathe alright, my throat was real dry & I was having a hard time swallowing. The doctor said the Benadryl was making my throat dry. I gradually started to feel better & my head started to feel more clear. Two hours later, most of the hives disappeared & I was dismissed. The next day, however, I woke up with tightness & dull tingling in my knee joints & areas above my wrists. I figured it was due to dehydration. By the end of the day, the tightness went away in those areas, but traveled to the areas above my thumbs. That finally went away, too. After reading the side effects, I now know that Levaquin was to blame for those uncomfortable sensations.

I got sick. It lasted longer than usual. I was coughing up phlegm and I had sore throats on and off. It would get a little better then get worse. After about a month of this I developed a Pleurisy or a Pleuritis, in which I had a terribly painful cough.
I finally went to the doctor.
First my doctor prescribed an antibiotic which was not Levaquin. It didn't work.

Then she prescribed Levaquin. I had instructions to take 10 pills, once a day. After the first couple of days, I developed a skin rash, all over my torso. I went to several websites including this one to read up about Levaquin and its possible side effects. Most said, to stop taking it.

I tried to stop the rash by taking Benadryl, at night. So I took Tylenol PM. I found that the rash was smaller in the morning. So I stayed on the Levaquin. At the end of the 10 days of Levaquin, my chest still hurt a little when I coughed. About a week after finishing my prescription, the pleurisy pain was gone. I am so glad I stayed on the drug.

I took Cipro at 200 milligrams / 6 pills / 6 days about a month ago.

I cannot/barely sleep, I'm constantly wired.

My left leg voluntarily/involuntarily twitches sporadically.

My body feels like some kind of horrible "bubbles" build up and are then released...everywhere...probably some kind of circulation thing, I don't even want to know.

My legs have nerve pain occasionally, my right arm has pain occasionally.

My digestive tract has rare pains and is irritable/snazzy...I don't know when I'm full, I barely know when I'm hungry.

I have to force myself to urinate, as my body does not give me the "I'm full, empty me" signal anymore.

I get white lines of light that streak across my vision rarely.

I lost most of my emotions except the humor I receive when I think how horrible it is. I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

I am sorry to hear of the trouble and pain that you all are having!

The common thread is the the DOCTOR didn't tell of the dangers and side effects. This is not at all unusual. I am employed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician for one of the largest HMO's in the country and have also worked for retail pharmacies. If I have learned anything at all it is this; ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING MEDICATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO A LICENSED PHARMACIST!! Day in an day out I see doctors, PA's and RN's who are all but clueless as to drug interactions, proper uses, side effects, even proper & safe dosing! Countless times the Pharmacist will catch and error and not only save the patient from a potentially fatal mistake but also save the doctor's license, yet they are not given the respect they deserve. These people go to college for 7 to 8 years and study every possible aspect of pharmacology. Our society puts such God-like faith in doctors and fails to realize, they have only studied pharmacology, if we are lucky, for a couple of classes for one semester. Graduates now, at least in my home state are earning the degree PharmD (Doctorate of Pharmacy).

Please, please, PLEASE, don't say "Oh, I have no questions, my doctor told me" or "If I have questions, I'll ask my doctor." ASK A PHARMACIST!!! Granted, even the best trained pharmacist can't predict ALL potential problems but their knowledge is far superior to the vast majority of doctors!

Another point to consider; doctors are greatly influence by "drug reps", salespeople from the pharmaceutical companies that tout a new "drug du jour" every week, bombarding the docs with free samples, promotional gimmicks while wining and dining them so they will push (prescribe) THEIR product over the competitors' or any older but just as effective medication that most likely costs less too!

Again I wish only the best to all of you and my heart goes out to you who are suffering.

Susan

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.

I started taking Levaquin 500mg 3 22 07 on the 3rd day My legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk. My knees also hurt, My hips & back of legs allthe way down my legs the muscles hurt so bad I cried,even when I walked the back of my ankles it would pull I would have to set down, My memory has changed, like short term it is so weird, My son asked me yesturday If I was ok. My joints or so sore, i can't hardly do my hair, lifting my arms it is so painful. My fingers also are hurting so bad.

Took leviquin 500 for 8 days before I realized what was happening to me. Side effects included: severe panic, altered mental state, constant sleep, loss of appetite, pounding heart rate. After 2 trips to the ER no help was provided. I stoped the Leviquin early (was supposed to take it for 3 wks) and immediately started feeling better. The anxiety is much less but still present and I still sleep all the time.

Has anyone had similar experiences and, more importantly, how long does this last?

Please help!