Levaquin and shoulders

Im sad to find out all the problems people are having from levaquin. But now Im able to put 2 and 2 together because Im realizing whats been compromising my health. This is my second year with bronchitis and my second prescription of levaquin. I now believe its what has caused me horrible nightmares, suicidal thoughts, irritation, mental anguish, stress tendon/muscle pain in my arms and shoulders. I bent over to pick up my dog to help him into the car and I got a terrible pain in my chest. I thought I was dying. And I still have a rattle in my lungs after 2 weeks of levaquin so it has not helped at all. If anything it has caused me more problems that has opened the door for additional medications of unknown origin. I wish I could find a real witch doctor.

Three years ago I was prescribed Levaquin for an infection. After the Levaquin I was unable to stay up in my wheelchair for more than two hours. I started taking two extra strength Tylenol and I was able to increase that to three hours. I added Naproxen 325 mg and that has decreased the pain and has also increased the time in my wheelchair by about an hour. I am also on a drug called Lyrica 150 mg which has decreased the pain further. I am a quadriplegic so I cannot feel anything below my shoulders but my body responds to pain. I can tell that my body is in constant pain but of course I cannot feel were it's coming from. Ever since the Levaquin I also have a condition called Terry's nails. I looked at this condition on the Internet and is says that Terry's nails occurs when the body is in distress usually with kidney disease or liver disease or cancer. I've had more blood tests than I can count and all of them are normal. My body's sensitivity to pain appears to be getting worse. I'm not sure what can help anymore, have any of you found anything out about pain management?

To the best of my knowledge I never had any of the 'immediate' symptoms.
My problems are probably due to the fact that I was prescribed Cipro 3 possibly 4 times from Aug 06 - Dec 07 and then finished up Dec 07 with a round of Levaquin. My father is over 60 and was recently given Levaquin and had immediate and serious problems. He is seeing a doctor recommended by the CDC today. Yes, he is even working with the CDC on
this one. Due to all he is being told he is convinced that the medication is behind my medical decline as well. Since taking these medications (symptoms started slowly in 07), but after taking the Levaquin at Christmas time I never got up from the couch. My thyroid gland has quit working, my adrenals are shot, I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, blew out 3 disks in my back, vision is deteriorating rapidly, and really so many things I can't list them all. I had a complete physical
in Oct 05 and was given a perfect bill of health. Through Aug 06 I was riding my bicycle 33 miles per week. I'm still trying to figure out what hit me??
What my father has been told is that in some individuals Levaquin will attack the glands (like the thyroid) and will compromise the immune system. This damage appears to be permanent. All I know is that I went from being extremely healthy to terribly sick. If in a day's time I have enough energy to load and unload the dishwasher it is a banner day. I can
not work and seem to get worse instead of better as each day passes.

My husband also had pneumonia at Christmas and took Levaquin but does not seem to have had an problems. I suspect it was possibly the cumulative effect of having basically 4-5 rounds of the antibiotic in a years time. According to the people at the CDC that have spoken to my father the symptoms that I have can all be traced back to the medication. One never knows what effect a medication will have. Just please be careful when taking this medication, and limit how many times you take it.

Nerve damage to head and face, shoulders, feet.

While taking this, I have experienced water on my knee, aching in my leg and then a problem with the right knee, aching in arms and shoulders. All of this could be something else, or at least the fluid on my knee. I had an MRI Saturday and will hear in a few days.
So what is the best med for sinus infection which is why I am on this.
Thanks.

I was prescribed 7 days 750mg of Levaquin on 9/10 and finished 9/16. I was originally diagnosed with bronchitis but went back to the Dr. yesterday cause I was not doing any better and he now says it's viral. I've gone to the hospital because I passed out on 9/13 and continue to faint at least once a day. I have tingling/numbness in my hands, ankles, toes, my knees hurt, my lower back is in a lot of pain, almost to where it is not tolerable, I'm dehydrated (I'm drinking and eating, just not as much) it is extremely painful to eat, my tongue and my gums hurt terribly. Last night I had a horrible dream (I don't dream usually, not nightmares) and today I started to hallucinate (mildly) A week ago I was functioning normally, a mother of 3, playing with my kids and now I can hardly walk without assistance, I can't go to work, I'm in constant pain. Someone please give me some kind of guidance. Will these feelings ever go away? What should I do? Thank you!!!!

I had a hip replacement in June, then contracted a staph infection after that (non-MRSA, thank goodness!), for which I have been on a 12 week antibiotic protocol, in addition to having the hip opened again for cleaning and replacement. For the first 6 weeks, I had a PICC line in my arm, which was infusing Oxacillin every four hours 24/7, as well as two oral doses per day of Rifampin. After the removal of the PICC line, I was put on a daily dose of 750 mg of Levaquin (I was also on Levaquin in the hospital, and couldn't sleep for weeks after coming home from the hospital). I have now been on Levaquin for 4 weeks and have incredible pain. The first symptom and most annoying was insomnia, as well as EXTREME rotator ruff pain, stiff fingers, tendor pain in my left elbow, and right knee. I can't walk well, the bottoms of my feet hurt (what's up with that?), and I can't even put on my bra by myself, my shoulders hurt so much. I thought I could take the pain because I just DO NOT want to have the staph infection come back and have another hip replacement, but I think I will actually have to go off of it. It's just too much pain. And I'm worried about long term damage.

Wow, this is so scary! My boyfriend, incredibly strong and physically fit was put on the antibiotic for a UTI and has used the antibiotic maybe 5 or 6 times over the past couple years. He noticed severe pain in his feet and went to his family doctor as well as an Orthopedic doctor, neither came to the conclusion that this drug was his problem. We just found all of this information that has answered so many questions as his tendons have been torn in both feet for quite a while now with no explanation. Does anyone know....IS THERE PERMANENT???? He is also having soreness in his biceps as well as in his shoulder area? He just stopped taking the drug and any information would be great! I believe that everyone should get together and sue these drug companies...this shocks me!

I started taking Levaquin on Aug 8th for bronchitis 6 days after taking medication I was awoken about 2am with severe shoulder pains in both shoulders I went to the ER to find out why I told them that I was taken Levaquin they took an X-ray of my shoulders and said they were fine prescribed percocet for pain. Pain got worse went back to ER was given a shot for pain and was told to get an appointment with bone and joint Dr. On the day of appointment my right forearm, wrist and hand swelled up. I told my Bone and Joint Dr.that I was taken Levaquin I told him that I stopped it immediately after reading side effects He prescribed an anti-imflammitory Pain got more severe went back to ER was given EKG and took blood and urine test all test came back fine. Went to another doctor he then checked me for Lyme disease. which came back neg. I then went back to first doctor that prescribed the Levaquin. she thought that I had arthritis. 8 different blood test were given all came back fine. Ended back in ER because by the end of day I could not walk, had high fever, sore throat, severe head ache, and was sick to stomach. Several more blood test were done. all came back fine. ER doctor prescribed prednisone which seem to help some. I went and seen another Dr. Still no one knows what is really wrong. I believe it is the LEVAQUIN it has messed me up bad.

Update on my post of Aug. 11th. I did see a neurologist who was a bit skeptical, but after looking it up did acknowledge that this drug can cause tendon ruptures, etc. Later that week he did a nerve conduction study, both the one with the needles and the one where they shock the muscles. He was happy to report that I did not have any "nerve" damage. I had already told him that I did not think I had neuropathy as the numbness had gone away and was just replaced by the constant pain in my joints, etc. I then went to see my rheumatologist who was also just as skeptical that the drug could be causing all the pain I was describing. She said she had had three patients with tendon ruptures, but nothing else. I really don't care what she believes, and I told her so. I know what happened and what horrible pain I have been in ever since. I hate to report that the pain in my feet, knees, hands, hips, back and now my neck are not any better. My insomnia is some better, but I am taking more Lyrica. I tried a different antibiotic yesterday for the sinus infection called Clindamycin. OMG! I took one pill and within a few minutes had unbelievable heartburn. That lasted for 12 hours, along with reflux, burping, weird stomach noises. Now, I can't take that. Doctor called in a prescription for Augmentin this morning. Afraid to try anything now, but guess I will give it a shot. Is anyone getting any better from their joint or muscle pain? Some encourgement would be good. Thanks.

I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for 5 days for a uti.

After two days I got a cramp in my left calf muscle.

It's been 2 weeks now. My UTI still remains and I feel horrible. I'm taking Vicodin for all over pain. My calves, lower back, shoulders and knees ache badly. I feel like I have the flu, but without the nausea.

My Doc prescribed Nitrofurantoin to treat the UTI again. Can't wait to check it out.

I just found this site and have been reading the posts and I'm so pissed.

I read some posts that said this poison had left a metal taste in some mouths, so tomorrow I'm going to a CHELATION treatment center and start IV treatments. Chelation by intraveneous is good for getting metals out of your system. I had some treatments about 10 years ago to clean out my arteries and felt better, so hopefully this will work. I'll post the results here.

I have just finished taking Levaquin for a 10day treatment for pneumonia. In the last 5 days or so I have noticed stiffness in my achilles tendon (no pain) until I get moving. I have also notice a tremor in my hands and no muscle weakness and shaking in my triceps and quads. Of course I hadn't read the precautions to this drug before noticing these symptoms. I contacted both my pharmacist and physician and neither seemed concerned and told me if I was really worried to go to the emergency room. I am wondering if these symptoms will disappear since I am no longer on the drug, how long it will take, and how long I should worry about tendon damage----is the possibility of rupture forever???

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for a cough and cold. Day 6, the day after my last pill, my shoulders started to hurt. I took Motrin which did not help at all. 17 days after taking the drug I was still having shoulder pain and the doctor prescribed a pain killer for Tendinitis.
Last week I read about the black box warning from the FDA and then realized that the Levaquin was the source of my Tendinitis. I am now on my third pain killer, Ibuprofen 800mg. After six days I still have the shoulder pain and will have to be making a fourth visit to the doctors.

Question for you all. I have been on levaquin for 6 days 750 mg. For the last 3 to 4 days my hands have been killing me and it is getting worse, my knees, and shoulders hurt now. After reading your remarks I am calling doc first thing in the morning. Please let me know if you have any advice for me.

Well, I took Levaquin 500 once a day for 14 days for an inflamed lower bowel. It cured that. But, I got a blood test back today saying I am positive in my ANA pattern? Also states it is "A nucleolar pattern is associated with systemic sclerosis." Probably Drug induced Lupus.

My symptoms have been painful joints, muscle weakness to the nth degree pain and weakness in shoulders, panic attacks, fainting spells, headaches, finger pain! Depression, happy, depression, happy. Strong, weak.

My next step is to go to a specialist (Rheumatoid)

I'm leaving for Costa Rica for 6 days. I am going to be positive and get over this! I hope nothing happens over there. I will not let it get me!

I started taking Levaquin last Monday, today is Saturday the 17th of May. I have a chronic sinus infection which i was given Augmentin that did not work. The Augmentin was taken for 10 days. Then I was told to wait 5 or 6 days to see if the infection would clear up. No it did not. So my doctor gave me 10 days of 750mg of Levaquin. I started taking Levaquin last Monday, today is Saturday the 17th of May. I decided to get back to walking for exercise to loose a little extra weight gained this past winter. I walked about 1 mile. I am used to walking and that is nothing. I usually try to walk 5 to 6 miles each evening. Today, I can hardly move. My hips are sour and my shoulders are killing me. I thought I must be really out of shape, but why are my arms and shoulder hurting. After reading the postings here, I am sure it is the Levaquin. I was fine Monday as far as muscle aches and pains just the sinus infection. Now I can hardly move. I will call my doctor first thing Monday morning. Thanks to you all for your postings and good luck.

I took Leva-kill last November, 500mg for 10days due to a resistant ear infection. On the 3rd day, my back felt like it was on fire. Went to ER, did one blood test for muscle deterioration, came back fine.Told to keep taking. I thought I was going to die. I felt and still feel like I was poisoned. Seems to be permanent. Some days worse than others. Check out FQVICTIMS.ORG.Any doctors and dentist I have seen says not Levaquin {about ten]. One ENT said "I bet" when told levaquin made me feel like dying, but that was it. Has anyone heard of any hope? Is this really permanent?

October of 2006....I could not get out of bed. My shoulders were hurting so bad,I could not move my arms.I was stiff and in pain.The month of December, I was mostly in bed, missed a lot of work , I felt really bad.
Today, my shoulders are stiff and burning.Still every muscle in my body hurts.Some days I feel like I was run over by a mac truck.
It hurts to hold my head up.

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 took Levaquin the first time (that I know of and remember) in Dec 2006..probably for bronchitis or pneumonia. I started having strange symptoms, headaches, achy body, etc but chalked it all up to being sick. I have since taken in 4 more times - even after talking to my Dr about the strange things that were happening to me. I just realized by reading everything online that all of these things are more than just me being out of shape...I have had about 75% of the problems associated with this drug, but simply thought I was getting older, out of shape and ill. The headaches are the worst, the sharp pains that radiate through my skull at any given time for no apparent reason and the constant radiating pain coming from my shoulders, the funny vision issues that happen off and on, the incredible pain in my jaw that leads to what I call a 'pulled muscle' in the right side of my jaw, the severe pain in my muscles, mostly in my feet and shoulders but has now started in my wrists, taste of metal, night sweats are ridiculous! and I have started missing my period with this dose of Levaquin, however the new lower back pain that I am feeling is about 10 times worse than that of meses cramps, the sharp shooting pains in muscles sometimes happen in my arms, legs and knees. The very odd feeling of having a bruise when I touch any part of my body to scratch or rub it....the pain is extreme. I have made about 100 excuses for each of these things that I have experienced over the last year and a half and now I feel that I can probably blame it all on Levaquin, I have a doctor's appointment with a new doctor Thursday and am hoping she/he can provide some relief of some of these issues. Please make sure all your loved ones know not to take this drug!

I was prescribed Levaquin 1000 mg. for 5 days for pneumonia the last week of December 2006. I was also prescribed Prednisone. Everything I ate tasted like metal. A couple of days after I started taking the Levaquin I started experiencing muscle cramps in my rib cage which are so severe it makes me double over in pain. After more than a year I still have the muscle cramps which now include not only my rib cage, but the arch of my feet and sometimes legs. I have a torn tendon in my left arm which didn't happen until about a month ago, but I am sure it is caused from muscle damage from the Levaquin. I am also on Advair Discus 250 which I didn't take before using the Levaquin. I didn't require inhalers or other medication before the pneumonia. My doctor now says I have COPD caused from asthma and chronic bronchitis. I used an Albuterol inhaler when I first got sick because the pneumonia was so bad. I thought after taking the Levaquin I would get back to normal. But even after the infection was cleared up I would get out of breath, so I returned to my doctor. She did an x-ray and said I had COPD and prescribed the inhalant. What I don't understand is that I didn't have breathing problems before the Pneumonia. I didn't have joint pain and muscle cramps either. I have had to quit working this past year because of it. I cannot go without the Advair, I can no longer walk long distances without pain. I have constant muscle pain just trying to do normal housework. How long do the effects last? Must be a lifetime.

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 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

I have been on Levaquin for close to 4 weeks. 27 days at 500mg and the rest at 750. I have a severe open wound after a foot surgery. I started feeling like my shoulders had been hit by a bat. Slowly every single joint in my body is in pain. I cry with every move I make and dread going to sleep for fear of how painful and stiff my body will be in the morning. I begged the Dr. to remove me and he has agreed. i just pray it leaves quickly.

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 for a sinus infection. On the 3rd day I started getting heart palpitations and felt very tired. By the fifth day I woke up with excruciating pains in both shoulders and very limited movement of both arms. I went to my primary care Dr. He stopped the Levaquin and gave me pain pills and an anti-inflammatory. I was sent to an Orthopedic Surgeon who injected both shoulders with steroids. I then went through a series of acupuncture treatments which helped somewhat, but finally admitted that I needed more help. I went back to the Orthopedic Surgeon and had surgery on June 11, 2007 on my right shoulder. At first this Dr said that there was no possibility that this could have been caused by the Levaquin, but after the surgery he admitted that he was starting to see other patients with the same problems from Levaquin. I can’t afford to have the left shoulder operated on but the pain has lessened and I still have limited movement of both arms.

one year and seven months ago i was given a coarse of laviquin--750 mg--for seven days.after 5 days I was so sick i thought i would die and at times wanted to--I had severe depression, diarea, musle pain a weakness, ancles ,knees, back and shoulders hurt so bad that I had trouble getting out of bed. my heart was raceing at 120 beats per minute and blood pressure was very high. I also had a lot of pain in my butt muscles and could not sleep, then I got to where i could not breathe and had to go to the E R

now it has been over a year and a half and still have trouble walking because of pain in knees and ancles. shoulders are sore all the time and I can not sleep more then a couple of hours at a time. my butt hurts so bad that I can not sit in a recliner for over an hour with out extreame pain.. I changed doctors now tree times and none of them will consider that the laviguin was the cause. the last one did send me to a hospital for a rectal exam but they found no problem. now that I know what caused the problem, the depression is most replaced by anger. this drug should be recalled and the drug companys should be made to pay for our care. I am 67 years old and been in pain now all that time and think I will never be the same again. my advise would be---DON'T TAKE THIS POISON--AVOID AT ALL COSTS

YOUR FRIEND---ALP

I went on levaquin-2 rounds of it, due to pneumonia. I felt very out of sorts and discombobulated. Dizzyness, word recall problems, insomnia, diahrrea. My tongue was coated with a thick white film. One night my tongue and my hand felt very disconnected to me, and I had a strange but familiar taste or sensation in my mouth but I couldn't name it. It lasted 3 or 4 minutes. I think I may have had a petit mal seizure. I have been having trouble with my vision, things I read are blurry now, and I have never worn glasses, or had vision problems before. I have been off of this medication for 6 days now, and I am still feeling some of these side effects. I rarely have any side effects from medications. I will never take this again.

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. .

I was given Levaquil after takin Cipro to get rid of a UTI. Shortly after taking a five day prescription of levaquin I started to notice pain in my right foot and knee. My doc told me to take advil and to come back in a week. A week later I still have pain, now it is in both feet, my right knee and my left ankle. It has now been six weeks. I wanted to know how long these side effects are going to last. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I took this drug for 9 days of a 10 day prescription. I suffered from insomnia, but didn't connect that to the meds. On day 9 I awoke with slight pain in one knee. As the day wore on, that pain got acute and spread to the other knee, elbows, shoulders and hands. I thought perhaps it was a severe attack of osteoarthritis, but that didn't seem right. Three days later in a newspaper column called "The People's Pharmacy" I read about Levaquin causing severe tendon problem. A light went off in my head and I heard a "Boing!" It is now day 5 of my symptoms, some of which have abated. I still have to wear a knee brace on one leg, can't bend either knee very far, and am in acute discomfort. I took some naproxin to alleviate the inflammation and it seemed to work, but I won't take NSAIDS for a long period of time. I'm furious. Neither the doctor nor the instructions for the medication warned me of this side effect. Now I'm left to hope this goes away with time and I can walk comfortably again without this giant brace on my left knee. I remind myself of Igor in "Young Frankenstein!" Sleeping is uncomfortable as well - I awoke in severe pain last night because I had rolled onto my side and my right knee was resting on my sore left knee. Not good. I'm furious.

I am a 38 yr old female in excellent health--thin and fit, and don't take antibiotics. I had a bacterial infection and was prescribed levaquin. After the first dose, 24 hrs (500 mg 1x day) I experienced joint pain in a place i'd once injured a wrist. A few hours later it was into my hands--a deep ache, with a tight, numb feeling them. By the second dose--48 hrs later, it my joints and forearm area ached as if I'd lifted crazy weights. It moved into my shoulders, neck, hips. By the third dose, I was sleepless. My head ached at the nape of my neck and ears rang. When I got out of bed, I felt shin splints, sore ankles and my fingetips feel like they're asleep. I called the doctor and they told me to discontinue the meds. The bummer is, I was only warned at the doc's ofc of the tummy effects (which didn't happen at all to me since I timed the meals and no booze were ingested). Also the pharmacy did not provide counsel or an informational sheet which floors me after seeing this website. I really hurt. I have faith the symptoms will subside since I'm so early in the dosing. I would never take this again.

Levaquin cured my pneumonia but I'm now having trouble with my knees and shoulders. I can hardly bear my weight and am having trouble performing simple tasks such as reaching to answer the phone. Has anyone else suffered this way? Otherwise I feel well. I discontinued using Levequin on my doctor’s advice but when I explained my symptoms was told this was not a problem associated with Levaquin. I wonder. I'm 60 years old, very active and hope this problem is only temporary. I've got life to live!!!!

I am normally a very physically fit specimen, working outside every day. One 500 mg. tab of this poisencompletely debilitated me. Within six hours of taking levaquin I experienced excruciation soreness in my arms and shoulders. My throat swelled up and I could barely breath. I was perscribed steroids to stop the swelling - I took only ONE 500 mg time release tab 7 days ago and today I am still experiencing incredible pain.I am so sore I can't sleep. If anyone wants to start a call action suit I am in - I have NEVER sued anyone - but I am furious.Any advise out there as to how I can flush this poisen out of my system?
Chris

I was prescribed Levaquin the end of 2/07 for a sinus infection after six days I began to feel body ache in my knees, small back, shoulders and hips. In addition to the aforementioned, I have severe burning in my feet and mild burning in my hands. The burning sensations are mostly at night which affects sleep. It is now mid April, some of the affects are diminishing but flair ups continue. I also noticed that the burring sensation is accelerated by heat (sun, hot water etc.) My Doctor has me on the circuit, sinus specialist, nerve specialist and soon allergy specialist no one is admitting that Levaquin is the cause.

I am extremely upset after reading all of the letters regarding levaquin. I was prescribed levaquin for a severe lung infection. Told to take it for 10 days. Around the eighth day I started to feel pain in all of my joints, i.e. shoulders, hips, knees and especially both elbows. Also, had a tight feeling pain in the backs of both my legs. Doctor advised that I should take the whole ten day dose since my infection had been quite severe. I had told the doctor that I am sensitive to most antibiotics but was told that the Levaquin would probably be well tolerated. It has been six days since I took the last pill and I still have joint and muscle pain which has not decreased. I was beginning to think that I had developed arthritis throughout my body, but since reading the other horror stories I am inclined to believe it has to be the levaquin. Does anyone know how long this drug stays in your system and is the joint and muscle pain something that will continue? I have had reactions to other antibiotics in the past but nothing like this. I will add this drug to my list of things that I am unable to tolerate.

I started using Levaquin for an infection in my leg. After taking it for a short while, I started having severe pain in my shoulders and arm muscles. As soon as the infection was cleared up, I called my doctor and told him I was going to stop taking it and stated why (having read the side effects). He said he never heard of such a reaction. It has been almost three weeks and the pain is lessening.

Hi all,

I am on my 30th day of this crap. Now, I haven't had the complications a lot of people have, but I have had an ache in my legs just above my knees for probably 3 of the four weeks and in the last week of this an ache in my shoulders and neck area.

I too had the night sweats problem and a LOT of anxiety when i was taking this at first, but I read somewhere else that you're not supposed to have caffeine while on this drug. So, I quit all caffeine, except chocolate, this past two weeks and all my night sweats, anxiety, and sleeplessness went away.

I do however, still have a terrible tiredness each day after taking it and it typically lasts till about 8-9 at night before it starts to lessen.

Funny thing is, i don't think this 500mg of it each day has fixed this supposed prostititus problem i allegedly have. I still think its a pinched nerve in my spinal cord, but the doctors think I'm nuts.

Anyways...good luck and I hope my aches go away after today since I am done taking this.

Phil
p.s. 35 years old...in good shape and I was doing karate before starting this, but been too tired while on it to want to do anything and the karate never made my legs constantly ache.

I was given Levaquin (500mg) for 20 days back in 2004 for what the doctor believed was a sinus infection. In fact, I was actually experiencing an eye infection for prolonged contact use. After two days on the Levaquin, I started feeling really tired. My eyes were extremely heavy and I had a difficult time staying awake. I called the doctor right away, as I tend to be very medication sensitive. I told him what I was feeling and asked if it could be a side effect of the meds. He said he never heard of such a thing and to continue on the antibiotics. I wish I had not listened to him. The fatigue in my eyes continued for months afterward. I also began having abnormal bowel movements, which led to a colonoscopy and small bowel follow-through. All tests came back negative, and my doctors shrugged their shoulders in confusion. They said I had IBS and I would have to live with it. My eye fatigue eventually went away, but the bowel issues continued on and off for over a year. Now, the bowel issues are gone, and the fatigue in my eyes and acute insomnia have replaced them. My doctors continue to shrug their shoulders and now insist that I am suffering from depression. D'uh! Of course I'm depressed. Look at what I'm going through. It has been two years now, and I am really hoping for some relief. I'm convinced that due to the bizarre nature of my problems, those 20 pills of Levaquin in 2004 are to blame for the constant issues I deal with daily. Anyone else suffering like this? And if so, please say it gets better. I need it to get better. I would appreciate anyone who would post updates on their conditions. I know this poison can wreak havoc for years, but I hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

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.

Pain in both shoulders following a regime of levaquin for bronchitis. Cannot lift arms, severe pain in shoulders going down to my elbow.

Severe shoulder pain in both shoulders, four days following taking levaquin for bronchitis. Trouble lifting both arms, pain running from shoulders down to elbows.

my father had fluid on his lungs and started levaquin for 12 days. He took himself off of it on the 12th day after severe swelling in his hands, feet and joints. He's been to every doctor in austin since and no one can seem to explain it to us. He is very depressed, has trouble moving, sleeps all the time, severe joint pain and swelling of his hands and feet. No one here seems to be saying anything about the side effects going away. Someone please tell me that this will get better. Is there any hope of it getting better? Has anyone recovered?

I have recently been hospitalized for diverticulitis and was on Leqquin 500 Mg and Metronidazole 500 mg. From the 2nd day of medication I began to have a lot of aching expecially in shoulders and hips. I just thought that my arthritis was acting up as I was in active. Symptoms became worse each day and finally on the 7th day they were intolerable and I looked up info on the computer and was horrified at what I found. I stopped the Rx and after a week was able to see my doctor. She assured me that the Rx was not the problem and it was indeed my arthritis but as time goes by my symptoms have decreased by have not gone away. This goes on my list of Rx not to ever take again. I believe it is very dangerous to some people and I am one of them.

During the first 4 days of Levoquin for treatment of pneumonia started feeling very tired with some aching muscles. It continued to worsen until it became severe pain in my joints (especially hips, knees, shoulders,elbows and hands). I became unable to rise from a sitting to standing position; someone had to lift me up, still with excruciating pain in knee joints. Also had nightmares and started talking in my sleep. Refused to take any more and MD ordered a Z-pack which I am just starting. What an awful drug Levoquin is!!!!!!!

I was put on 500 for 3 months for prostatis-i took it for 2 months everyday and my shoulders hurt so bad i could hardly stand it-after being off it a couple weeks shoulders still bad-someone told me you cant take aspirin with it-I DID- hate to think what would have happened if i took it for 3 months-will my shoulders ever get well?And isnt 3 months way too long to take this even for prostatis,which im not sure i had

Hi my name is Julie,
I started taking Levaquin for a bacterial infection on Monday Jan 1st. Within 48 hours I felt better.The third day Wednesday the 3rd on Levaquin, I noticed my neck was strained. I thought I slept wrong. The 4th day I had shoulder pain on the same side of the neck pain. The fifth day my arms were aching terribly. I was still taking the levaquin, it was my last day of levaquin 750 mg. I did not associate the pains I was having until it was too late. The last day of Levaquin in the evening, my arms and shoulders were in severe pain. Then my arms went numb, burning and tingling and severe pain. I could not move from the elbow to the shoulder. It lasted for 5 hours. Today is Jan, Saturday the 13th and my arms are moving slightly, however their is great pains in them. Especially in the shoulder. How long will this last? I seriously can't take much more of this. This 750mg of Leviquin for 5 days may of cured my bacterial infection, however it has caused other severe muscularskeletal problems.

I started taking 750 mg of Levaquin as prescribed by my doctor on Wednesday, December 27th for my bacterial pneumonia. The following morning I had arthritis like pain in my shoulders, neck, elbows, calves and even my feet. I also had diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. I continued to take this medication because I thought I was having "flu" like symptoms because of the bacterial pneumonia. I stopped taking the Levaquin today because I had researched the side effects yesterday evening. The nausea and diarrhea have subsided. I still have the arthritis like pain in my joints and fatigue.

Levaquin has left me with joint pain in my shoulders, left knee and hips. After a couple of days on the drug, pain developed in my hips. I just thought I was overdoing Xmas. Then the arms and then the knee. This was 10 days later and I finally put two and two together and logged on to the net and found I was not alone. I am taking Motrin now in heavy doses and the pain is now bearable but not gone. Did laundry today., 20 days after going off of the drug and my arms are killing me. I wonder if this will ever get better.

The company that manufactures Levaquin is called ORTHO-McNEIL. They have a main website.

I have entered here before also.

I can't believe that so many of us are telling the world here what happened to us taking Levaquin...and NOBODY...is doing anything about this !

These stories are not made up or exaggerated. These stories are telling us that we are being given a poison!

If someone just printed out all of the stories on this board and put them in a book form and mailed it to "all" the newspapers in the country...maybe then this insane denial and non-concern would end! Maybe then the nation would see and acknowledge the massive damage this drug is doing to thousands!

Just read these stories...what more does our FDA have to see before they shut down the administering of this toxic substance?

It's been a year since I took 7 days worth of Levaquin.

I did "not" have the swollen throat and hives and red skin "immediate" reaction to Levaquin. Therefore, my doctors say it didn't damage me. They get angry if I bring up this possibility.

But within 24 hours of taking this drug I awoke at home in the night with burning pain in my shoulders, arms and hands so bad I was calling out. I was so confused. I had never felt anything like this before. My hands would also get cold and go numb.

My insides went haywire this first time too. My bladder would feel the urge and then not. I was feeling wincing sharp pains all over. I could not sleep except for a short nightmare type thing. I was anxiety ridden. Shaking inside and out. My legs felt weird. My sensitivity to cold became unbelievablely extreme. I was freezing.

Next morning my stomach went into literal shock with pain and I had to call an ambulance to go back to the ER as I was seconds away from passing out. The weakness? So bad....let me repeat that...SO BAD that I could not lift my hands while laying down! My entire body felt like it was going to die.

I could not walk, legs so weak and body shakey, and feeling so unbalanced. Crying with pain and anxiety and just unbelievable crashing of everything. Lost 35 pounds in 2+ months! Couldn't eat. Metallic taste in throat. Still have most of these symptoms after 1 year! Sorry to tell you all this last point.

Since all my tests "supposedly" haven't shown anything that would explain these most extreme conditions...I have been relegated to the psychiatric area almost totally.

Yes, my nervous system has been effected...damaged.
Yes, I get so anxious and depressed and scared and frantic at times with my suffering and non-treatment and adversarial treatment. Have lost my self-confidence of my body.

My regular doctors have found ways to dump me or schedule me so infrequently they are really out of this situation.

It is like living in cold war Russia. I have made too much protests against my regular doctors refusal to consider levaquin...and now my record is full of psych visits. Once you have these on your record. Let me tell you...most new doctors eyes get real big when they first see these. They label you immediately and silently to themselves as a "problem" case. Your care is different because of this. It's an incredible injustice and almost Kafka'n in it's implications.

But that's just one of the "levaquin" poisoning problems. A medical community refusing to acknowledging it...and if you protest to much to their view...you will be sent off to the psych ward.

54 years and I never saw a psychiatrist in my life. 54 years and I never ever had a problem with drugs, alcohol, the law or even in my first and still on-going 25 year long marriage. I have raised two responsible kids...both working and in college. I had a wonderfully social job as a hotel concierge that I loved for 5 years previous to this "levaquin" poisoning.

But with this case, my normal past means nothing. I am just all of a sudden a nut case for complaining too much about my belief that Levaquin did this to me. That Levaquin destroyed me. Especially since the doctors say they can't explain why I got so sick and I am still so sick. I still feel like I am going to die almost every other day! And it's been a year.

Also, my statute-of-limitations one year period to sue the hospital that gave me this drug ( and never ever told me to quit taking it even after I came rushing back to them with these incredible, unprecedented symptoms just 1 or 2 days after they prescribed it to me and were told it was the only medicine I was taking ) and the drug company that manufactures Levaquin ( Ortho-McNeil ) are almost up.

Not one lawyer I have contacted out of maybe 50 will even consider taking this case. They say it's too hard to prove, drug companes can ruin them they are so rich and powerful and that Bush has limited suit awards to 250,000 dollars and they would need a lot of this to prove you have been damaged!

They say if my liver failed and I died and I had never had liver problems before I took Levaquin...that they would then "consider" taking on a case like mine. But as long as I am alive I haven't got a chance.

I wrote to Ortho-McNeil and told them their product Levaquin has destroyed me and I asked for their financial help with my tens of thousands of dollars I owe in medical bills as financially I am also ruined. I also asked them to help me finanically get more specific, technical tests done beyond my small ton area. Never a word back.