Levaquin and rash

A week and a half ago my doctor prescribed Leviquan for a sinus infection that I had. The day that I started taking it I noticed that my left shoulder was hurting when i streched my arn out and lifted it over my head. My heels began to be sore and I developed a rash around my buttocks. Being 67 tears old, at first I attributed it all to my age and thought it would get better. I have had rashes before and got over them. I began to loose sleep and then there where 2 night where I didn't sleep at all. This is when my suspicions developed and then last night I went to bed and awoke an out later on fire. I have a rash coverinng my entired body now. i tried to use the restroom but could not releive myself. I went to the computer and that's when i found that all of these symptoms are for Leviquin. The urination problem has to do with crystalization of the drug in the urinary track or something like that. I called the doctor's office and was immediatly taken off the drug (I had alreadt taken myself the damn stuff) and told to take bynedril. If it get's worst, go to the emergency room (Well Ya!!). Time for the lawyer

I am 35 years old and I live in Jacksonville, NC. Five days ago I was prescribed Levaquin for a serious sinus infection. After taking the first pill, I kept telling my husband I felt weird. Like I was numb. This was Saturday. By Monday I had no feeling in my face, no sense of smell or taste. It was horrible. By Monday eve my heart was pounding. I felt like it was coming out of my chest. I was so dizzy and I found it hard to concentrate. I woke up Wed. morning telling my husband I felt weird. I felt like I couldn't move my eyes and I couldn't feel the left side of my body. My lip on the upper right was swollen with blisters. Not to mention they were so dry because it seemed like no matter how much I was drinking I could never stay hydrated. By lunchtime Wed my left side of my body became very hot to where I was actually sweating under my armpit on the left side and my right side was cold. My heart began to race very badly, I became very dizzy, I felt like I couldn't breathe, my throat felt like it was swelling up and I couldn't swallow, then I started to shake uncontrollably, my body broke out in the horrible hives/rash. My blood pressure soared to 198/109 my pulse was 148. Then everything went black and I lost conscious. When I woke I was told I was unconscious for nearly three hours and that they injected me straight in the neck with epinephrine and injected me in my arm with 50 cc of Benadryl. They told me that they believe I suffered a serious reaction from Levaquin. It is the day after, cant even go to work, so weak and have the worst case of diarrhea you could possibly imagine. I was not even aware that the FDA put a black box warning on this drug. Meaning it is the worst warning you can have without removing it off the market. What the hell is wrong with these doctors? Why the hell would you keep giving that poison to us if you know it has such severe reactions. I am a mother of five and yesterday I thought my kids were going to be without a mother, that is how bad it was. I still have the bouts of paranoia and swear I am seeing things. My mind is a blur to most of yesterday. I still have no feeling on the left side of my body, or my face. I still cant taste or smell anything either. I am having bouts of dizziness and anxiety. I only consumed four of the 750 mg tablets, they gave me seven. They have prescribed me a different antibiotic, however because of yesterday, I am petrified of taking any medications, even Tylenol.

I took the med for 6 of the 10 days. When I would lay down I would feel like bug bites on my body. I thought it was bed bugs or something. It has been 5 days now and I am still itching from the rash and getting new places still everyday. I woke up today with a sore throat and it was very hard to swallow. I am sick of medications that make you worse..

Pray for me

Knew about the sun sensitivity of many drugs so that didn't bother me so much, HOWEVER, the rash is gonna kill me! I itch everywhere! Ok, maybe not _everywhere_ but the joint areas and my back are the worse. My ears itch too. Called the nurse, line, took two Benadryl waiting on them to call back, will probably just OD on the cough syrup and pass out for the night. Crap! I was only one dose from done tonight. I had/have pneumonia and a wicked sinus infection. Maybe it'll be enough to pull me through. I hate taking anything if I can avoid it.. hate it more when I have a reaction. My last drug reaction was Penicillin when I was a kid .Cut foot, got blood poisoning, and ended up with raspberry type of rash all over my extremities from the drugs.

On 7-15-08 I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital.3 weeks to the day later I had a abscess next to my bowel that had to be removed and again was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital,both times I got very sick right after I was given Levaquin and when I was discharged on the 2nd.trip I was sent home with Levaquin 500mg pills.After taking 2 of the Levaquin pills I again was so sick and could not keep anything down so I called my DR.and explained to him what was going on and I was told I had to keep taking the Levaquin.After a few more days had passed I went into the office to see the DR.and again told him how sick I was and that I was unable to go to sleep,again I was told to continue the Levaquin and that my hormones were out of balance and that was why I was unable to go to sleep.On 9-2-08 I finally went back to work after being off for 7 weeks. I still was suffering from insomnia and was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night but was feeling better.On 9-30-08 I had a follow up with my primary care DR.my blood pressure was 211/160 and my pulse was 177 and also had a bad cough with wheezing and was sent straight to the ER.I was admitted and for the next 6 days was given Levaquin thru IV and the more I got the sicker I was to a point I thought I was dying.I ended up with a rash all over my face and finally on day 7 a Lung DR.came into the room and took one look at me and said "oh my god,we have to take you off of that antibiotic")
I was sent home on day 8 and after being home for 3 days all of the Tendons in both legs,ankles,arms,hands and right shoulder were inflamed to a point where the DR.was afraid that they were going to rapture so I was on complete bed rest for 3 weeks.I am now suffering from both ankles swelled and ache all the time along with all of the minerals in my body have completely bottomed out along with the calcium and potassium and also now I have several inflammatory markers in my blood and have to go see a Rheumatology & Arthritis DR.My lungs have also been damaged from Levaquin and I am now using 3 different inhalers and I have never had a breathing problem previous to this.Now for those who have commented that we should have researched the drug before taking the meds in my case I was unable to do so being as though I was given it in the hospital ! I still have no idea how much damage I will be left with and what will be permanent.I will post again when I find out more on the damage that this drug has done to my 44 year old body.

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!

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

Started a 5 day 750mg Leva-pak on Sunday after amoxicillin didn't touch my bacterial throat infection of unknown origin. My husband mentioned these boards full of complaints, but I was so miserable that I said I would be fine--never had a problem with a drug before.

Sunday brought swollen, painful knuckles. Monday had palpitations and painful sensitivity to light. Tuesday night I was wired and couldn't sleep at all, my heart was racing, and I had asthmatic wheezing and serious shortness of breath and borrowed my husband's inhaler. The pharmacy said insomnia wasn't a side-effect (which was misinformation) and I'd be fine as long as I didn't have a rash (more misinformation). I was finally feeling on the mend as the fever had broken Tue night and I attributed the symptoms to the infection. Then I took my next dose of levaquin.

Within 10 minutes of taking it, I was considering a trip to the ER. My head was splitting, I was extremely sensitive to the slightest motion, sound, or light, my heart was racing again, and I felt violently ill to my stomach all within 30 minutes. My throat swelled to the point I could hardly breathe or swallow my spit. My temp that had been normal since the early morning hours also shot up to 101. It was so drastic and sudden that there is no possibility the symptoms came from anything but the medicine. Short of contracting anthrax, I won't ever take this again.

AND my throat is worse! They put me on augmenting now. Wish I'd gone on it in the first place.

I have a question to any and all of you who have posted. I have similar symptoms to just about all of you minus any rash but mostly I have pain and some weakness in my right side particularly my shoulder and arm with some tremors in my pinky and ring finger and some pain and weakness in my right thigh. Insomnia and anxiety have also been a big part of the symptoms. Additionally when I take a hot shower my fingers twitch really bad then subside after about an hour...weird. My question is to some of you who have been going through this for some time is does this subside or even better go away over time? I have been off this stuff for just about a month now and things seem to be a little better but it might be that I am just getting used to the symptoms. Thanks

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

Took two courses of Levaquin. Got a rash in the groin area and left armpit.
Also, lymph nodes in the left armpit became swollen. Now after 4 months, the rash is gone, but the lymph nodes swell about every 3-4 weeks and then subside.

I was on the medication for several days. I developed a rash that traveled down my blood vessels on the outside of my body. It both hurt & itched. I went back to the doctor & he had doctors & nurses from all ends of the clinic coming to look at me. The rash was diagnosed as vasculitis & was the worst case they had ever seen. One of the doctors even did a biopsy on one fo the larger masses, but it was negative. They had never seen anything like that before. It took 9 months to get over the rash - like big boils that were on the blood vessels. It was so unsightly that I wore pants all summer long. Fortunately I only had it on my arms & legs. I now have scars where the boils had been.

my Dad took a 750 mg tablet of Levaquin on 2/12/08, went into immediate allergic shock - couldn't breathe, face and mouth swollen. He was gasping in his last breaths to me "the pill, the pill" - I asked him "you are having a reaction to the pill?" and he nodded "yes"
His heart stopped on the way to the hospital and he died.

My hubsand took levaquin for a swollen lymph node for 7 days 750 mg each day. After 2 days he started having drenching night sweats, fever, rash and aching muscles and joints. This started in August and he was hospitalized in October for 6 days. Dr.'s have diagnosed him with Still's Disease. He does have all the symptoms of Still's, but none of this started until he took Levaquin. He is now having to take 40 mg of predensoine once a day and is still having some bad days. This drug is dangerous!

Two weeks after taking Levaquin for a urinary tract infection, I developed a rash/hives that covered my entire body. I had frequent violent itching attacks and wanted to scratch my skin off. After two days of the hives, I went to Urgent Care and was given a steroid shot and Prednisone. The next day I had severe chest pains and shortness of breath. I went to the emergency room and and EKG came back abnormal. My white cell count had shot off the charts to 35.0 I was admitted to the cardiac unit and was put through a battery of heart tests. All came back unremarkable. After three days of blood tests, CT scans and nitro tablets, I was released with no conclusion as to what I was experiencing. The rash continued, just not as bad and I've experienced joint pain. One week after the intial symptoms, I began experiencing dizziness and loss of vision. It has now been two weeks. I've had a MRI on my head to determine the cause of the dizziness and the vision loss and results from the MRI are pending. I was a healthy 46 year old before taking Levaquin. Currently, I cannot work a full day without vision loss or dizziness. I've been so perplexed as have the five doctors I've seen as to what the cause of my symptoms could be. After reading many comments from Levaquin patients, I now believe that I've found the cause.

OMG, I was on Levaquin for approx 4-5 weeks, 500mg twice a day. I have muscle aches, deep body aching, feel like I ran a marathon, my feet hurt so much that I have to limp when I get up to walk, my legs feel like lead, strange pains throughout my body at any time of day or night, my right foot swelled slightly, and my right hand is stiff and I have to pry it open in the morning. Today I felt so weak, I thought I would pass out.
I've been off this drug for almost two weeks now, with no end in sight from these side effects. Why the heck are doctors still prescribing this drug. Anybody interested in a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer?

im not a member of this website but here's my story. I am 23, healthy, and in good shape. Never really had anything serious. I came down with a sinus infection almost 2 weeks ago and was prescribed amoxicillin, which i immediately had a reaction to. broke out in a rash.. I was then prescribed Zithromax and Prednisone. I was taking prednisone and felt weird then looked up the side effects and decided not to take it. After my Z-max, I was not feeling any better and returned to the doctor yesterday. He prescribed Levaquin and Duramax. I decided to check the side effects BEFORE beginning taking the medicine. I went to medicinenet.com, and no serious side effects were listed. I took the levaquin on an empty stomach, and about an hour later, my mood shifted from Happy/Playful to Zombie-like and confused. I wanted to cry but I wasn't sad about anything. I couldn't sleep that night, and woke up after having a nightmare. I came to work today and researched it and found multiple websites of people complaining about this medicine! What is going on!?

I was prescriped this drug for a resistant skin infection (MRSA) At first it was prescriped intraveinously....it gave me a rash, and caused the needle sites to develop thrombosis.

After given orally, my joints are sore, elbows first, then hips, shoulders and knees. Headaches, blood pressure is up (but not too bad). I have to use it tho, as it was the most effective of all the antibiotics in fighting my MRSA.

The first day I started to get cramps in my legs they r sore and it hurts to walk. Also I had the racing heart I thought it might be anxiety. Also on the first day I developed a burning rash all up under my arm area and arm pits very painful. this is just now going away I think after 6 days. Took 750mg for five starting Jan 24 2007. Legs r still hurting.

I had acid reflux for about 4 weeks with no relief. My doctor checked my liver, pancreas, and gallbladder and all were fine. She thought perhaps I had an infection so she gave me a 7 day course of Levaquin. I questioned her nurse and the pharmacist if the medication was safe to take or if it had side effects that I should worry about. Both said it was safe and that there were no known "bad" side effects. Both failed to warn me of the dangers of this medication. On the fifth day I noticed a "hives" like rash on both my arms. At the time, I didn't connect them to the Levaquin. After the 7th day (yesterday) I began to wonder if it could be a reaction to the drug. Last night the rash got worse, and this morning I had a very difficult time getting out of bed. I took a Benadryl last night thinking that perhaps I was having an allergic reaction to something I had eaten. This morning when the rash was worse I came on line and did a "Goggle" search on Levaquin and rashes... OMG, how could the doctor and pharmacist not told me about the problems associated with this drug??? They both were totally negligent about warning me about possible side effects. The worse part is that I was trying to be a knowledgeable patient, I asked the right questions and got the wrong answers!

What do I do now and will this rash go away and the pain in my legs go away without permanent damage???

This is a total lack of responsibility from the medical community and the drug company!

eight months after levaquin and i still have rashes all over. biopsy showes es cells. back of my head is the worst and most consistant, but also chest, underarms, hips. take allegra and zyrtec daily, rash much worse if i forget. and steriod cream. any idea when this nightmare will be over?

After first two days I had very bad diarrhea with bad gas and cramping. So I took Immodium. The diaherra got better but I still experienced some gastro issues. I also had a few bumps on my face that looked like acne. The next day I started to get very bad body aches in my neck, lower back, knees, hips and calfs. The rash exploded and was all over my face. Big red sore and very itchy. Benadryl cortaid help a little but not much. I looked up this site and will stop taking it and call my Doctor.

Scott

stiff, aching joints and muscles, rash, extreme sensativity to sun.This after only taking 3(very expensive) pills .

moderate backache, itching pink rash, nausea

I took Levaquin 1 1/2 yrs ago............First I shoud say I am a 55 yr old man and have not been to the doctor since I was in the army.........when I was 20.....I had severe abdominal pains for about a year.. I finally told my wife about theser pains. and she made the doctors appointment for me that she has been insisting on for years.. The doctor gave me some free samples of levaquin... Free samples do no include the insert advising of side effects.(that should be illegal). any way he told me to take the drug for 7 days..Finally going to the doctor after all those years, I did as I was told.. I developed a severe rash over my entire body.. the itching was un believable.. the intensity of pleasure in itching thr rash especially my shins was indescribable.........the pain after was equal to the pleasure..I then went on predisone for 9 days to get rid of the rash.......the itchings and pleasure (tho reduced) remains. my skin has white blotches in it.. and my skin is permanantly dried out. Please tell everyone you know.........................watch for side effects, and stop taking immediately............I waited too long, and took the drug as it was prescribed.

I was given 500 mg levaquin for a bad`sinus infection. My doctor wnted to nip it quick because I take a drug that lowers my immunity because of Rhumitoid Arthritis. After 3 days I broke out in a terrible rash all over my body. Since I had other allergies to antibiotics I figured that was what it was and it couldn't be much worse than the sinus infection. I was wrong. Now I have swollen joints. My knee is at least twice the size it should be. I feel horrible everywhere. I am so tired I can hardly function. I have enough health problems without this too.

My 95 year old mother was given Levaquin 3 weeks ago for a bronchial cough. Seemed to improve, then it came back and she got another prescription. This time, in 24 hrs. her feet swelled up with a needle like rash all over and over the knees and she complained that the balls of her feet hurt so much she couldn't walk, joints ached, etc. Prior to that she had been in increasing discomfort at the assisted living place until I finally brought her to my place. Perhaps the dreams, sweating and discomfort were also symptoms that I did not realize until now. This drug is too strong for the elderly. On top of whatever else they are taking, this should be used far less often.
L. Saylor

i am 22, and before the levaquin and tequin i was healthy and normal.
Last november while visiting family for thanksgiving, i came down with strepthroat. i couldnt get an appt with tricare so my mother gave me some tequin, she had used it for strep throat. Since then my life has been a living nightmare and it has been the worst year of my life. I took the tequin for 4 days. on the 4day, i left to go back to VA where i live. I got horribly sick that day, but thought nothing of it as my husband and son had gotten the 24 hr bug while we there. pretty soon i started having anxiety attacks and chest pain left and right. The came the stomache PAIN. I thought i was having appendicitis. I ended up going to the er once sometimes 2x a month for things like severe abdominal pain and chest pain, anxiety attacks going out of control, and unbearable migraines (which i had never had before.) i was diagnosed with lots of different things, IBS, Ulcer, pulled muscles, chest wall pain, and once even gall bladder dysfunction. So as a result of all that i have been perscribed all kinds of things for the pain the nausea the headaches the unbearable insomnia etc.
These things caused a major rift in my marriage. My husband has at a few times talked of divorce bc he couldnt stand the hypochondriac *as he put it* that i had become. I have thought i was going crazy, have contemplating hospitalitizing my self etc. Recently my PCM and I decided to try a perscription for depression. One of the major symptoms of depression is"persistand physical symptoms that DO NOT respond to treatment. Such as Headaches, digestive disorders and headaches." so i tryed it. Then a week ago i stepped on something outside and went to get a tetanus shot. They perscribed levaquin 750 mg a day for 5 days, and gave me a 750mg dose at the hospital. That was Monday. it is now 430 am on friday and this week has sucked. My side effects have included insomnia(even with my nightly ambien), nausea, burning/tingling in my entire right arm, chest pain, a sinus infection, knee pain, back pain, shoulder/neck stiffness, headaches, jitters, something kinda like blurred vision..like right on the verge of not being able to focus. Constipation, pain in my hands, and almost overwhelming fatigue.
regretably i had already taken todays dose, and i started feeling bad again so i decided to look up all my current meds online to see if maybe it was an interaction of sorts. I tried the levaquin last, as it is an antibiotic. After reading 9 pages of nothing but negative comments i decided to flush the remainder of the bottle of pills down the toilet. I plan on filing a compaint with the FDA. This is poisin and I cannot belive with all the side effects it is still on the market. I cannot believe that for almost a year my life has been a living, tormenting hell. And all b/c of something that is supposed to make things better? If you read this please stop taking the pills and see your doc about another alternative. I agree that the drug should be taken off the market and soon. i also agree that a class act lawsuit should be filed. These side effects LAST A LONG TIME, they interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis. I am very interested in talking with others about the problems with the side effect, and the longevity of them. My yahoo email/ID is ******* i would appreciate and be thankful for any advice, and i would also like to be in contact with others who have suffered as i have suffered.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection. I developed a rash which is associated with discolored skin. I stopped taking the drug and I am still experiencing hives in various degrees as well as skin discoloration.

It's been a couple of week since I've stopped taking Levaquin (5 days for bladder infection) but am still suffering from terrible muscle pain and weakness. My whole body hurts. I am also allergic to sulpha drugs but apparently it is not supposed to be related. I had a rash all over, fever, headache, mental fogginess, muscle pain and now I'm just left with the terrible muscle pain and swelling. I read somewhere that Milk of Magnesia can help get rid of toxins. I can't believe taking something for 5 days can cause effects that can last for weeks, possibly months or years.

I had to take levaquin almost 6 years ago. I was misdiagnosed and then the DR keep me on the meds for 4days when I showed him the rash all over my body.He told my to go hame and take some benadrilafter being on it for 9days he then gave me some other meds.I went in every day for a week, and he kept giving me a new drug. i would even would tell him that i couldn't get out of bed to even take care of my kids. i can't stay awake to eat or drink any thing. then it got to the point that i couldn't take it any more. my body hurt so bad i couldn't stand. i walked bent over. went to the E. R there i was made to keep the same DR that gave me the meds Intel i got to go home. i was in only over night. i then went to the DR that gave me the levaquin in the first place and he was the one that told me i was misdiagnosed and that he was so sorry. Then I found a new DR and he did all kinds of test my liver was in larger I was yellow. my DR couldn't under stand why I was out of the hospital. Before I took levaquin I was lucky if I got sick once every 2 years. Now there is always something wrong with me. my lungs, my kidneys, even my back. I think I my have lupus and levaquin is what started it all my thyroid problems. first it was an overactive thyroid. Called Hyperthyroidism.
I had to do Radioiodine treatment. To kill my thyroid. now I have Hypothyroidism. (it don't work without meds) I have COPD. I also have trouble with my bones popping. even my hips when I move. Now I had to do dxa bone denesitomery test. My bones look thin.I have osteoposis. I'm only 36 years old and there is days I feel like I'm 100. it's getting to the point that I don't want to tell my DR things. Out of fear that he's going to think I'm crazy or something. There is not month that goes by that I'm not in to see him for something. If one of the kids get sick I will get it for sure. I'm also tried alot. i really believe all the things that are wrong with me is because of levaquin. there was a lot of things that was wrong at first. like loss of hair, couldn't take care of family, Rash, liver, fogginess, feel much worse in the morning when I getting out of bed. i'm sure there is a lot of other things I'm forgetting since I took it and now I have $70,000.00 in meds bills and they still don't know whats wrong with me. it's even hard for me to do things with my kids some days. I have good days and bad days. I spend a lot of time trying to find out whats wrong and how to fix it. I would like to find a way for levaquin to be taken off the market there is to many things that go wrong with it.

I only took 8 days of my 10 day script, I had one crazy night that I though I was hallucinating or something cause I was sleeping so heavily, I thought I was losing my mind. After that I started getting rashes at night when I would lay down. Then the sun started having an effect on me, I drive home with a towel over my head to protect me from the sun coming in the car. I live in Florida heat is something I can not avoid. What no one is saying here is does it go away???

I have lived an absolute nightmare since a hospital ER doctor started me on Levaquin in DEC. 2005 after being treated for flu and bronchitis. I fainted 20 mintues later and he said this was due to a "vagal" response. But the next day or two on a continued 6 day dosage of this antibiotic I started having every life and eath symptom described on this board. I even allowed myself to be put on anti-depressants for the first time in my 54 years because so many doctors were just going the psych route after not being able to explain all these symptoms. But EVERYTHING, every symptom I have like the ones described here started in the first two days after I started taking the levaquin and NO OTHER MEDICINE FOR SIX DAYS. I have felt like I was going to die, I was going crazy, I couldn't walk straight, I couldn't sleep for days at a time ( this was almost making me suicidal ) my scalp and arms itched, my legs and calves are so weak and sore I can only walk for about 10 mintues and if I over do this walking my body goes into a major attack full body attack of all these other symptoms. I have had pain in my arms, wrists, hands, Hands get cold, my sensitivity to cold is just unbearable, I have had rashes, and my stomach is so torn apart that GI doctors are saying it looks like beginning Crohnes disease and I have tried so many medicines. My legs seem to getting WEAKER after 6 months! My left leg locks as I walk and drags. My appetite is gone most of the time. My sex drive is about 10% of what it was before, My eyesight even seems to be affected and I have had this weird pulsating shaking up through my left neck and into my head feeling.

I found this website and suggested to my doctors that maybe because all I took levaquin all that first week when all this started that maybe the Levaquin did all this damage and my PCP and Rhuematologist just cut me off like I was trying to bring up some JFK conspiracy theory.

I can promise you this. I am going to try to start a national organization for people who have been severly, life changing damaged, many permanently like me it appears ( I have lost my job and you can't believe the depression I know have ) I take clonazapam just to function every day! There ARE SO MANY VICTIMS OF THIS and we need to get organized. This Levaquin and maybe Cipro sounds like a killer, life ruining drug. Seriously, I called a law firm in San Francsco about this and they laughed. They said "take on the drug companies?, You have got to be kidding me. They are too wealthy and connected. Not one case in 5 years in California. But it has to start somewhere. This is a national tragedy and injustice. If we don't organize then we are just allowing ourselves to be devastatingly hurt here for no good reason except profit and greed.

Hi Guest 22426...I didn't think you sounded angry in your post at all, just aggravated maybe, as well you should be. I am ticked off as well that I was not informed as I should have been. I am hoping that the breast soreness will not spread, and that it will leave soon. (crossing my fingers). BUT, from what I have read on other Levaquin websites, it may be here to stay for a while. :o(
At least the rash seems to be clearing up some.
Are you still having pain, or has it stopped?

To guest 22419.....The soreness in my breasts stays there, it doesn't move around. It feels like your breasts do when you first become pregnant. As far as the rash, it is still on my face and chest, but it is slowly getting better. I will definitely do my own research next time I am prescribed any kind of medicine. I was unaware of the side effects of Levaquin, and that it was not suppposed to be taken along with prednisone.
As far as getting a lawyer and suing.....not sure I even have a case. I will just know better next time. Thanks for your response.

I took Levaquin for 13 days, along with Prednisone for 12 days....for a severe sinus infection and bronchitis. I have been off of both for about a week, and now I am experiencing soreness in my breast, and my face and neck have broken out in a rash. Dr. says it is not a result of medication....but I believe it is.

On March 20th,I was given samples of lavaquin 750 mgs for a 10 day treatment of a severe bronchial condition. On the fifth day, I developed painful upper arm muscles-felt like I had lifted hundred pound weights and pulled muscles out of their normal places, and could not life my arms above my waist. The next day, I had severe swelling in my left knee and ankle, and could only climb the stairs with grea t difficulty. The pain in t he muscle tissues was incredibly sharp and buring. At the time, I did not associate the reaction to medication, but have since discussed this with my pharmacist who alerted me to this kind of side effect. I am concerned as to how long this severe pain and weakness in the muscles will persist.

Started on Levaquin 750 on 03-07-2006 for a UTI. Rash from head to toe - muscle aches, chest/lung pain. Will return to the doctor on 03-10-2006 - this is the first time I have had side affects with levequin -

Hi there. I started levaquin again today because i am having bronchial pnemonia. I have 250, 500, and 750 mg stocked at home, because i have taken this medication a LOT this last year for chronic kidney infections due to kidney stones that keep popping up.

For me, levaquin works great, with NO side effects on any type of dosage, except for the occasional tiredness. I am 23 years old. I would just like to say that i believe the benefits outweight the risks in the case of this drug, unless you are have horrible reactions such as rashes, losing hearing and sight etc which have been described. For the eye sight problem, if i was you i would SERIOUSLY find out if levaquin is really the cause for that, it doesnt make much sense how a drug designed to kill bacteria could actually interfere with cornea and eye functions, seems like there might be a possibility of some underlying and unrelated problem with the eye but seriously i wouldnt know. Just wanted to say that for me, this anti biotic has been a life saver, right now i just took me dose about an hour ago so i wont see any improvements soon but i feel like crap. My chest hurts, i cant stop coughing, fever etc i really hope this will lower my fever. I cant find any cough medicine at the store that is helping me i dont know how i will sleep tonight. =(

I took 3 days worth of 500mg Levaquin last week - and I have just now realized after reading from this site that all of the past troubles I have had while taking Levaquin is directly related to the drug itself. I have chronic UTI's and the last 3-4 times I have taken Levaquin (7 Day Doses) - I have had flu-like symptoms - I general "yucky" feeling. I was very tired and sore all over. Then 2 days ago - I developed a horrible acne rash all over my chin & chest and my eye lids felt scorched - like the whole side of my face had been slapped about 100 times! My dreams were vivid and some were nightmares and my general "state of mind" seemed slower than usual. I couldn't associate words with their meanings and my memory was shot to h***! I thought to finally look on the internet and see what would come up under "Side Effects Of Levaquin" - I was shocked to read all that I had - because all of it was exactly what I had been going through. It's good to know I wasn't "crazy" and had it all in my head. I will be notifying my urologist as soon as possible to let me him know I will NOT be taking that in the future. Does any one know of a way to get this out of the body quicker? I have been drinking water like crazy!!!! ******

Photosensitivity and rash after spending a morning in the sun. Upset stomach also.

I took it for 10 days for a sinus infection. 3 days after I stopped taking it I broke out itching all over my neck, arms, back, stomach and hips. Then it turned into into a red rash with welphs. I could not attribute it to anything else different in my life. I went to the dermatologist who said I was probably allergic to the levaquin and It was possible that the reaction could occur after I stopped taking it.
Has anyone heard of this????

I had a minor scrap that was healing on my elbow, I started Levaquin for a sinus infection about 8 days ago. I now have what looks like a poison ivy/sumac rash around the scrap up my arms both sides even on the top of my fingers (on 2 of them) ITS FEBRUARY! There is no way that its any sort of plant so I'm pinning this to levaquin. I stopped today hopefully the rash goes away it started to spread to my side as well...

It's Valentine's Day 2005 and I took 750mg Levaquin
for 3 days. My side effects include nausea and my
tongue burning on the tip.
The doc gave me moxifloxacin, another flouoroquinolone
last November before Thanksgiving. I'm worried that
my symptoms: achey hip joints, pain in a neck gland
and now a rash that persists are related to fluoroquinolones.
>I have an appointment with a dermatologist for the rash.
(Glad the Levaquin made me sick, because I couldn't take
my teenager to the Hudson Valley Mall on the day the
Columbine copycat shooter open fired!)

Just checking back in to see how everyone is doing. Update concering my levaquin "experience" Took this drug for seven days back in november for bronchitis. Developed horrible itchy hidious rash that lasted for 3 weeks and also muscle cramps in calfs which by the way i am STILL having and I have NEVER had prior to taking this drug. During the time i was taking the drug i got depressed and actually just wanted to kill myself to get some kind of relief. I hope i never get really bad sick because if so I will just die because i have made up my mind to NEVER go to a doctor again!!!! Am eating organic food now, trying to elimanate all chemicals in cosmetic products ect...taking flaxseed oil and cottage cheese and vitamins every day. Anything to try to keep from going back to a doctor!

Hang in there! The good part is you only took three doses, right? I took seven, some people who posted here had taken this drug for 3 or more WEEKS, we all seem to have a different combination of side effects or reation to this drug, my main complaint was a horrible itch rash that was like posion ivy times 10, also i had some tightning sensations of the calf muscles which i am still having on and off, along with itchy dry skin and still a little rash flare up. I took my last dose of this drug a month ago. I itched so bad in the worst grip of this drug that i conteplated suicide just so it would STOP itching. Conteplating suicide is really out of character for me. I think this drug messed with my mind. The cortisone shot i was given to treat the rash ONLY made things worse.So I refused another one and I refused to take prednisone. I have improved a little eveyday. Oatmeal soap and oatmeal lotion helped the itch skin and benadryl cream was a little help for the rashs, I also was presrcibed hydroxyzine which didn't rally help me. I have so many drug allegies already and have never taken levaquin. I don't think I should have been precribed this drug. This should truely be a last resort drug for people who haven't reponded to anything else and who are practically on thier deathbed. I, for one will NEVER take this drug again. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, I am about to float my eyeballs! This has helped to flush this toxin out of my body. Good luck to any and all reading this post. And No you are not crazy or losing your mind and you are NOT alone. God bless you and keep you and restore you to health.

I am sorry sorry that so amny of you here have experienced all these horrible side effects. I guess I am lucky that after seven days of levaquin, Three weeks after stopping it, my biggest complaint is the rash hasn't quite left and I am itchy and dry, still have some muscle tightening and cramping in calf muscles.
The people who say " I have taken this drug with little or no side effect" Thats all fine and well and i am truly happy for you.....But people who are saying " It's people like you who don't finish thier medication and then wonder why drugs aren't working anymore," and " You all need to not blame everything on the drug and maybe some of these so called side effects are just caused by your pre-existing diseases and condition" I truly hope you sceptics and scoffers and critics never suffer or have anyone you love suffer from one of these drug reactions, because you WILL become a believer real fast. And furthermore I was perfectly healthy before I took this drug.

My 14 yr old daughter (now 15) had one 750 mg tablet 5 months ago and is still painful in feet and legs with standing/walking more than about a half hour. Also has pain in hands with writing. There were other scary effects also - rash, swelling, headache, nightmare, insomnia. This is a dangerous drug.

i have had horrible itcy hives after talking levaquin from Nov 3rd til the 9th. How long does this drug stay in your blood. am still being plauged by this rash and am supposed to go to an allerigist on the 16 on Dec and now am wondering if i should even waste my time

I wish that I had found this site before taking Levaquin 750. My local hospital ER perscribed Levaquin for my bout of Pneumonia. The Levaquin did little for the bacteria but started a rash which has turned into Varicella, I'm told. While taking Levaquin for only five days, I could barely walk, had constant bowl movements, joint pain and now being left covered with a red rash. Doesn't the FDA screen these powerful new drugs?