Levaquin and residual effects

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

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

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

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

dawn62

J.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So why was this drug given to me?

Basically, who do I sue?

Hi, My name is Scott and I am 58 years old. I had a severe case of Bronchitis four years ago. I was so sick my Doc. sent me to have a chest x-ray thinking I might have pneumonia. He prescribed Levaquin...one tablet a day for 30 days. I immediately started taking the antibiotic. I was so sick I did not realize any reaction immediately. I just felt horrible, but attributed it to the bronchitis. The infection started to come under control, but I was starting to feel worst physically. I got so bad my wife took me to the emergency room. I was slurring my speech, my muscles ached, I had night sweats and I lost my coordination. It had also affected my memory...both short term and long term. The physician who saw me at the hospital was 99% sure that I had suffered a stroke. I was admitted to the hospital and spent 3 days undergoing blood-work and testing to see if they could determine what was happening to me. Upon release I was sent to a neurologist and had MRI's of my brain. All came back negative.

I took the medicine for 26 days before it dawned on me that it could be a reaction to the Levaquin. I went home and researched Levaquin and was blown away by what I read. All of the weird symptoms I had been experiencing were right there in front of me. I immediately stopped taking the antibiotic and within days started to feel better. I continued to get better until I was feeling almost normal. This took about three weeks. I still experienced problems with my memory and had residual effects with my coordination, but otherwise felt 100% better.

Approximately three months later I had a severe relapse. It came out of the blue. I was not taking any medicine, but was taken to the hospital and admitted with the same symptoms I had experienced before. Again the Doc's had no idea what the problem was. I did explain about my reaction to the prior use of levaquin, but that was dismissed as not probable and they released me after three days with no idea what was wrong.

I continued to have relapses for the next 2 1/2 years, every three or four months. Each time was not as bad as the last. Finally I traveled to Boston and saw a very well known neurologist who explained that he had seen this before. He called it a post infection syndrome. He was the first person who agreed that it was a reaction to my long-term use of levaquin. I finally felt vindicated!

If you check the manufacturer warnings online, you will see that they do know about these reactions. It a small percentage so they think the benefits out way the adverse reactions of some patients. As a person who has suffered with these reactions, no percentage is worth the risk!

For those of you that are experiencing adverse effects, there is hope at the end of the tunnel. It does take time, but it does get better. I can live with my memory problems and although I have some residual muscle and tendon problems in my legs, my life is almost back to normal. I have not had a relapse in the past year.

Good luck to everyone and keep the faith!

Scott

began 500mg of Levaquin on 12/26/06 for sinus infection. After the first dose, I felt dizziness and tingling to my face and felt as though I was going to pass out! I also take spirnolactone and toprol, therefore I immediately disconncontinued use! These "side effects" subsided after 3-4 hours, but I had residual effects for the next day!