Levaquin and sinus infection

I was prescribed levaquin for sinus infection after 2 days of taking it extreme nervousness feeling like walls were closing in on me and suicidal thoughts stopped taking it after 2 days it was about 244.00 dollars for the medicine seeing as how I have no insurance what a waste of money maybe doctors give it because it is so expensive and they get a kickback on it

I took the drug for 2 days for a sinus infection. Midway thru the first day, I started to feel numbness 2 front teeth, palate, upper lip and nose. Thought it was the sinus. Took one more pill.

The shoulder and elbow pain was exacerbated by the pill as I already have tendinitis.

The sinus infection is gone, at least for now. I hope it doesn't come back to bite me!

After you read a representative sampling of this website's testimonials, you certainly ask yourself inter alia: Can this be true? Did thousands of people inject an antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone family, which crippled them for longer or for shorter? Most of us, I suspect, never really get beyond the initial litmus test: Did this medicine poison me or save me? (The answer depends, of course, upon the age, gender, medical condition, and most importantly, the DNA make-up of the individual patient. For hundreds of thousands of patients this antibiotic is a boon. For thousands of other misfortunes this antibiotic is a disaster.) But there is another important question here.

Who gains from self-revelation? To be sure individual sufferers gain certain emotional catharsis from posting their adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to levaquin. E-postings are one-way anonymous tracks that form ruts on a well-traveled trail of tears. Unless these postings are hoaxes written by mischievious gnomes, then they consitute prima facie evidence for a causal link between levaquin injection and sundry crippling ADRs.

Curiously, this e-forum cannot be used as a tool for organizing thousands of potential litigants who might coalesce under a class action lawsuit. Yes, we can analyze each other's anonymous revelations to see if they muster our respective sense of the "ring-of-truth" re: levaquin toxicity, and we may contact each other one-on-one, but no-one can harness this intoxicating communication's technology to reach simultaneously all respondents en masse as a bloc.

So, who wins? The emotionally unburdened e-poster who learns belatedly that s/he is not alone and that prescription medicine likely caused more pain than the underlying malady for which s/he is being treated? Or big pharma that continues to manufacture and market a medication that poses downside risk to many consumers who unwittingly incur more damage than therapeutic value?

Indeed, who wins in a forum where consumers anonymously reveal their symptoms and unconfirmed suspicions? The answer is big pharma wins. Pharmaceutical companies data-mine our postings to estimate the frequency and bredth of ADRs about which consumers complain. House statisticians estimate the ratio of active complainants : silent complainants, i.e., the ratio of complaints who show up on this website to the far heftier percentage of complainants who never post on this website because either they are technology-challenged or they are incurious. House actuarians proceed to estimate how much operating profits their employers must set aside to cover losses in out-of-court settlements or in awards made to plaintiffs in class action lawsuits.

I think this is how the game is played in a behavioral sink where billions are made in a deregulated marketplace that allows predators and prey to interact anonymously. Sorry to be such a downer, but I fathom only the desperate plight of tens of thousands of levaquin consumers for whom no monetary award ever will compensate them adequately for their suffering, and the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake in court awards if consumers ever brought to bear their aggregate numbers and draw a bead on their big pharma tormenters.

I think it a true horror and shame that pharmaceutical companies have not devised a test which determines in advance which patient safely may consume levaquin and which patient's DNA places him or her at risk. I suspect the genome technology is available, but would dig too deeply into big pharm's bottom line. The economics of "parachutes-for-everyone" is infeasible. We are all guinea pigs in a B-grade movie featuring Russian roulette, billion-dollar pay-offs, and an FDA that pretends not to know.

I went to the doctor on 9/11/09, having been sick for a couple of weeks w/ nasal congestion and then developing muscle aches, fatigue, and a fever, along with the new symptom of a cough. My doctor was on maternity leave, so saw someone else in the practice, who hastily diagnosed a sinus infection and prescribed penicillin. Got the beginnings of hives on Sunday early in the a.m., called the pharmacy, discontinued the penicillin. Still had a fever and was miserable, called the doctor on Monday to document the hives for my medical chart, and said I thought it was flu, not an infection. Finally was called back, and they called in levaquin, despite my thought it wasn't infection. Fever had broke finally, and I was making some progress, but figured the doctor knows best and took one dose of levaquin before bedtime. Had horribly vivid daymares/hallucinations and kept telling myself, "Its not real!" Woke the next morning, and could barely move. Couldn't get from the couch to the tv a few steps away and knew I was in serious trouble. Called the doctor and the nurse said they wouldn't see me, no appointments, so my husband took me to the ER. ER doctor said it was a reaction to levaquin, discontinue use, and it would take probably a day to pass through my system. Also said I had a virus, not an infection to begin with. (Horribly ironic, huh). It is now Thursday, 9/17, and I move like a snail. I have no stamina, and can barely walk. I went to work (I'm a teacher) and cried after walking my kids down to art. Am I ever going to feel normal again? This is really depressing. I was a healthy, active person before I took a dose of this poison.

I took levaquin for an ear and sinus infection in 2007. On my last 500mg pill, I had such a cramp I could not walk. Since then I have had severe food allergies, severe muscle and joint pains,kidney problems and rheumatoid factor is real high. Before taking this drug I have never any joint pains, or kidney problems. I was recently diagnosed with aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis. It has been 2 years since I took Levaquin, but the side effects weakened my body and did a number on me.

I began taking Levaquin for a kidney infection. After the first pill (500mg) I had insomnia, joint pain and a little under the weather. I thought maybe it was a combination of the pill and still having the kidney infection. I figured the infection wasn't gone because the first med, Sulfameth/trimethoprim 800/160 I had a reaction too also. That was prescribed for 10day when I only was 4days into it with that pill. So I went from Friday to Monday without any medications. I felt that the kidney infection was still there because I was still hurting, not as bad as when I went to ER but knew it wasn't gone. So Monday night I started taking the Levaquin. Felt bad after the first pill but after taking the 2nd pill I became very weak, had ringing in my ears, eyes started to swell,had sweats nausea, stomach hurt and became very bloated, neck pain so bad I could hardly turn my neck. Pain running down into my shoulder blades, jaw pain, sore throat, nausea, felt like someone was squeezing muscle in left arm and squeezing muscle on left side of neck Started to have some muscle pain in right calf. Call Dr. on call and he said STOP taking the medicine, take some Benadryl and if gets worse go to the ER. Well, I took some Benadryl which made it seem a little better, but this is the day after and my muscles by my shoulder blades are so sore and have a burning sensation. I still feel somewhat weak but not as bad as last night. Seems I tired out real quick. This medicine made me feel like I was on the way out. I was prescribed it for 7 days and only took it for 2. Now I am very hesitant about taking anything as I have had reactions now to 2 different meds. Still don't know if kidney infection is gone or not. Does anyone know of any natural ways to rid yourself of kidney infection? I would appreciate any advice anyone has. All I know this has been 2weeks of @@@@ since I was diagnosed with this kidney infection.

I started taking Levaquin for a sinus infection, a 10 day dose. I started noticing after a few days that I was irritable,depressed, aching and swelling from my wrist up to my elbow. After finishing my dose, the swelling went down. I am still having the pain. I have pain in my left shoulder, the cap of my shoulder. I have trouble sleeping because the pain gets extreme. I have pain in my right leg. The pain is on the back, the lower part--the achille tendon. I have trouble walking at times. The pain can be mild to severe at times. I even have the pain at night in bed. I didn't know what was wrong with me until a friend told me that these are some of the side effects of the medicine. If I had known, I would have never taken it. I feel like it is a struggle trying to get ready to go to work. I have yelled out loud at work because it would be so severe.

I started taking levaquin about a week ago. At first, I was doing fine but then I started to get fevers. Next thing I know, I have full blown flu systems and break out in a crazy rash. I have to go to urgent care. I kept calling the nurse and asking her if it was the antibiotics. She indicated that levaquin was very well tolerated and that she did not think it was the pills. After reading these posts I am confident it is the pills.

I was on levaquin august 2008 for a sinus infection. After about day 5 is was in pain. My joints ached terribly. My knees, my hips, my wrists, elbows and fingers. I have undifferentiated connective tissue disease with lupus like symptoms. I thought that maybe the levaquin made me flare. I stopped taking it on day 5 and after a week felt somewhat better. I am on meds for joint pain for my autoimmune condition but still had the joint pain with the levaquin. The physicians assistant that I saw said joint pain wasn't common. From what I'm reading here it's very common.

About 4 months ago I took 7 days worth of Levaquin after my sinus surgery. It was a preventative measure, I never had an infection. A few days into the prescription I started having tendon pain in my knees & ankles. I couldn't sleep, I was having nightmares, I was emotional, anxious and drained. My doctor told me to stop taking the Levaquin immediately. 4 months later and I am still suffering from entire body tendonapathy, neuropathic pain, joint pain, skin sensitivity, severe migraines, temperature sensitivity, twitching (muscles convulsing), basically my entire body hurts. Some days are a little better than others but not by much.

I have been to rhuemetologists, neurologists, pm & r doctors, physical therapists, acupunture, orthopedic surgeons, & allergists (in Chico Ca, & @ UC Davis in Sacramento Ca). NONE OF THE DOCTORS KNEW WHAT TO DO. My general physician actually told me to "go home and wait it out" because there was "no hope of finding help" (I'm not kidding). I've had tons of blood tests with fairly normal results. Thankfully I have a wonderful neurologist who has taken some interest in my situation. All of the other doctors told me that my case was very rare & that they had heard of such side effects but had never seen any patients with them! After some research on the internet I seriously doubt that my condition is as "rare" as they claim.

I am only 28 years old, I can't walk, I can't work, and my life has been turned upside down. I was very healthy before, I don't have a family history of health problems, nothing like that...it was the Levaquin.

Here is what I am currently taking: Lyrica for neuropathic pain, twitching, not being able to sleep etc., and oral morphine for the severe pain, Milk Thistle to promote glutathione (important because it helps your liver detox), Magnesium Malate (also helps detox), a multivitamin, vitamin c, and fish oil pills. I also attend acupuncture 2x per week (honestly feel some relief from it). Also, I heard that glutathione infusions are helpful but I haven't tried them yet. At this point I will try anything.

IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF ANYTHING OR ANYONE WHO CAN HELP WITH THESE DEVASTATING SIDE EFFECTS PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

~J.

I was prescribed Levaquin in my early twenties (about 10yrs ago) for a sinus infection and my throat swelled up after 1 pill. Turns out I had an allergic reaction to it. I was taught that It's in the same family as Penicillin, being that I'm allergic to Penn, why was I prescribed Levaquin?

I was given Levaquin on February 14, 2001 for a sinus infection. I had taken a Claritin ready tab before I took the Levaquin. Within 5 minutes of taking Levaquin, I literally felt as if ants were crawling all over the inside of my skin. I was in the bathroom when this happened and I remember that I started to sneeze non-stop. It got to the point that every time I sneezed, I could feel my throat closing and blood would come out of my nose. I knew I was in trouble. I didn't have time to wait for an ambulance and my mom, who has epilepsy and doesn't drive went with me to the ER. By the time I got there, 5 min drive away from my house, I was covered in huge hives. My hands, feet and face were also blue and I couldn't speak! I had gotten there just in time. I got 3 shots of antihistamine (benadryl) and 3 of hydro cortisone. My doctor was in disbelief when I went to see him the next day to tell him what had happened. Apparently my reaction was "rare", but by the other stories on this page-I don't think it is. It was a horrible experience going into Anaphylaxis shock. I now watch everything that is an RX and ask a lot of questions. I found out a few years later that I was also allergic to sulfa based drugs, almost the same reaction (not as severe) but I was ready and I knew what to do. Thank God for Benadryl!!!

I was prescribed levaquin back in May for a sinus infection. Have suffered from severe side effects, worst of which being joint and muscle pain, stomach pains, weakness and hives (last dose was taken 10 days ago). This has been the most physical discomfort and pain that I've ever been in. In addition, my ability to concentrate and recall easy things has lessened.
The "Bafoon" of a doctor that prescribed this claimed he didn't know what was wrong with me after a normal blood test. My new knowledgeable doctor told me that some people can't even walk after taking Levaquin. She says it takes on average 7 days to 6 weeks to feel improvement. Being a 36 yr old woman, having to move turtle speed, and feeling like I'm in a 90 year old body is very depressing.
If anyone has any information on any class action or mass tort litigation lawsuits please send me the information. This drug is poison and should not be prescribed for minor infections!!!

On for 10 days, off for several and then on for another 20 for sinus infection. Whole body aches and has since second day or so after starting the second course of the drug, however the extreme aches are getting better since final dose. I have also had extreme fatigue to the point that between the aches and the fatigue, I really wondered if my body was shutting down.

Since stopping the drug I have been having insomnia nightly, despite taking Vicodin for the pain at night. Usually, if I need to take Vicodin for orthopedic pain, I will sleep all night without waking.

Joint at second toe on right foot inflamed, whole ball of the foot swollen, but ortho (foot specialist) says he's aware of Achilles Tendon problems but has not heard of Levaquin causing or contributing to inflammation or swelling of this joint, however he said the problem with the toe is progressing "quickly". I did not have a problem that I knew of with this toe and joint until taking this drug.

Face is somewhat puffy, more than usual and fingers are stiff and feel swollen in the morning.

I took Levaquin for a sinus infection March 26th... 5 doses of 750 mg. I felt slightly better initially but that lasted only a day. I think it was prescribed wrongly, I had a virus and was getting over it... not a bacterial infection. The problems started about a week after the 5 day course ended. I ended up in the ER feeling like I was going to die, some strangeness in my breathing and feeling as if I was having a stroke... like I was going to pass out. They found nothing wrong except an elevated blood pressure and did a d-dimer to see if it could be an embolism (at my insistence, I had no idea this could be from levaquin and thought I was having a stroke. After the ER visit, I just felt like I had the flu, but I didn't... weak, extremely tired with some muscle aches ... two weeks out I had a lot of pain in both legs, like charlie horses that didn't go away... that lasted several days to a week... the weird depersonalization and the anxiety has been intense throughout. Constipation (never ever had it before this drug) started about a month out from taking it. I still feel pain in my legs from time to time and a feeling like there is a tight band across the top of my left foot... like when you tie your shoe too tight and need to loosen the shoe strings, but I am not wearing shoes.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection/ bronchial infection, and it through me through a loop. I couldn't sleep, had crazy dreams, I literally felt this drug moving through my whole body, and the next day I was exhausted even more exhausted than I was from being sick, and am having hot and cold flashes. I am sure this has reduced some of my sinus symptoms, but it is NOT WORTH IT!!! This is a strong medication, and I wouldn't advise anyone take it unless they had no alternatives. This antibiotic should not be prescribed to the average Joe with a Sinus Infection. This is a seriously strong medicine, with severe side affects. I only took it for one day, and threw it in the trash. My doctor called in a different prescription. I am going to use homeopathic remedies from now on. I feel like I have to at least take this alternate antibiotic though since I already started the cycle. I am going to do serious research before I put even one pill in my mouth though

My daughter is 16 and was given Levaquin 500 for a sinus infection. While on the medication she was tired but not much else in the side effect category. Now here we are 4 weeks later and she has acute abdomen pain, extreme fatigue,nausea, a headache, and she has lost 21 lbs in 2 weeks. I took her to the doctor and they ran a cbc, chem 12, urinalysis, and an electrolyte panel. All came back negative. Basically my perfectly healthy little girl is suffering from this. I went back and looked at the Levaquin packet because I know it can sometimes take a few weeks AFTER medications are stopped for side effects to show themselves and of course, all her symptoms are listed.

I am a 29 y/o male.this month i got a terrible sinus infection, probably due to a month's struggle with allergies. I was initially prescribed Augmenting but after just 1 pill i was up all night with stomach cramps & diarrhea. I was scared to take another dose so my dr. prescribed me Levaquin as an alternative. After reading the warnings I became very worried due to the fact that I already have lower back/hip and joint pain issues. I also work evening freight at Home Depot. After 1 Levaquin yesterday morning, I went to work ready to take it easy and not hurt my body more than it already does... after about 30 minute of simply opening small boxes and putting light-weight merchandise on the shelves, i began to feel extreme tension/aching in my hands and fingers.I was being very careful with my back & neck, but never even thought this might effect my hands??? I woke up this morning hoping it would be gone... no such luck, even after a full night's rest they still feel like i have arthritis, and no my hips (S.I. joints)are popping out like crazy. i am about to take the 2nd dose, only b/c my ears nose and throat do feel much better. I am just glad I picked up paperwork/and can afford to take a few days of LOA if this gets any worse. It is hard for me just to type this now : (. I'm scared.

i WAS ON A Z-PAK FOR 5 DAYS FOR A SINUS INFECTION. i GOT WORSE, SO ON THE WEEKEND, i WENT TO URGENT CARE BECAUSE i COULDN'T BREATHE. aNYWAY, THEY GAVE ME A SHOT AND LEVAQUIN. oH MY GOD, WITHIN 3 DAYS, I COULD HARDLY MOVE MY KNEES. jOINT PAIN SUPER BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i CALLED MY PRIMARY DOCTOR AND THEY SAID TO STOP TAKING IT. wELL I HAVE BEEN OFF
OF IT FOR 10 DAYS AND MY KNEES ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
THEY THROBBED AT NIGHT, SARP PAINS IN MY CALF. A STETCHING, PULLING BEHIND MY KNEE FOR MANY DAYS. iT WAS AWFUL THE WORSE THING i HAVE EVERY FELT. oF COURSE MY PRIMARY DOCTOR SAID IT WASN'T A REACTION TO THE ANTIBIOTIC. i KNOW IT WAS, THE MEDICINE IS FINALLY GETTING OUT OF MY SYSTEM.

I took Levaquin shortly after a complete hysterectomy. I was intrigued to hear that this drug causes tendon damage. I took at least a year to heal, I felt like the tendons in my stomach were torn, lifting caused great pain. I couldn't sleep or lay down crooked, I always had to keep my body flat. If I sat up it had to be straight up, no slouching as it cause great pain in my stomach. Apparently the uterus is cut off of tendons. Everyone said I should have healed so much faster. I couldn't wear slack for at least a year. I took the Levaquin for a sinus infection. The doctors decided that I was having interstitial cyctitus causing all the pain, I still have that but it causes pain lower. I had diarrhea for 6 weeks after taking it. Someone told me you're aren't supposed to take it and lay down, you're supposed to sit up for at least an hour, which I couldn't, and it wasn't a caution on my medicine bottle-this was in April of 2007. My stomach area still isn't great, I get a tearing feeling when I throw the ball too much to my dog or do too much housework, or cleaning/scrubbing. What a nightmare. Did anyone else experience tendon damage of this same type?

I am 39-year-old very active healthy female. I can say I am tolerant to most drugs I have taken in my life so far. However, I took Levaquin yesterday and today, 750 mg per day for five days for the sinus infection, I felt so horrible starting 2-3 hours after I first took it. I felt nausea, headache, extremely fatigue, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lose sleep.I also felt painful in my heart area this morning......After checking on the internet today, I know I was poisoned by Levaquin. I felt more horrible that my doctor did not tell my the side effect even when I asked this question specifically when was given the prescription. I am not allergy to other antibiotics, and I had no clue why the doctor would think this medication is necessary to me. I decided to stop Levaquin, and also not to see that doctor again. Please be careful to pick your doctor, some are very dumb and cannot even treat a cold.

My doctor prescribed levaquin for a sinus infection AND possible stomach ulcer - kill 2 birds with one stone. Took one pill yesterday and had a rather quiet evening. Very difficult to wake up this morning, but got up anyway and headed to work. Found it VERY difficult to drive!! I was shocked - I didn't realize until I got part of the way to work that I was extremely spacey. Maybe the coffee I'm drinking this morning is spreading the drug around in my body / brain?? After arriving at work, felt even worse, and became very irritable. Want to just close my eyes and go to sleep! I have cold chills and I also feel very depressed and started to cry for NO reason. I called my doctor and she said to stop taking it right away.

As a side note - I have just started taking Femera (post cancer medicine) about 2 weeks ago and wonder if it's a combination of both of these drugs that is making me not feel well, or if it's just the Levaquin...I feel a lot worse emotionally today than I did yesterday, so for that fact alone, I know it's the Levaquin that's doing it.

I agree with other posters that I would not take this drug again unless it was absolutely necessary. The sinus headache was bad, but feeling like this is WORSE. I feel out of control and like an emotional wreck.

I had a prostate infection and a sinus infection. Was given Levaquin 750 MG for three weeks once a day. Started having hand and finger pain two weeks in out of the blue. Did a little research and stopped medication. What I found was that Levaquin can cause skeletal fluorosis or just fluorosis in some people. Considering the internet response and the number of other medications that react with Levaquin I would guess this is a pretty common side effect. I started a body purge the day I stopped and have experienced a dramatic decrease in pain. I also have Fibro so a slight pain is manageable though my pain has never been in my hands and fingers. If you have taken this off and on for different infections through the years or any of its cousins, like Cipro, I'm sure you will wonder if it could have contributed to joint pain and reduced activity levels caused by the pain for many years. Good luck to us all.

I was giving Levaquin for a sinus infection for 5 days at 500mlg. I finished the last dose two days ago and can now barely walk. To get up from a sitting position feels like my knees are going to break. I thought it was the medication because I read that there could be tendon problems on the insert. But I didn't see anything about joint problems and my elbow is hurting too. I hope this doesn't last long.

I've been taking levaquin for a sinus infection and had a sudden onset of joint pain - especially in my hands and hips. Also had bad upper back pain. And I never had any of these problems, except mild arthritis in my hands that only hurts once every couple of month. It's horrible - feel like I'm 100 years old - and I'm 54 and very active. So glad I found this web site to see that the medicine may be the cause of my problem -hadn't considered that until I read your comments here.

I have been fighting a sinus infection for over two years now. Two surgeries for my sinuses so far, and every time I see the Doctor, I get the Levaquin every time, 750MG for 14 days. I have another sinus surgery in another state, with a specialist, I hope, better than my last ENT. But my left shoulder froze up and my right one is trying to freeze up. I am headed in Friday to get the Ortho to put me to sleep and twist my arm around and shoot it with cortizone, and I am hoping my shoulder will be ok then in another week, I head out to get another sinus operation. I was a very active, healthy mid 40's female. Now I can't seem to function. But I just stumbled onto this sight, and I am sure I am going to have to take another anti biotic. Any suggestions on which one? I will never take this Levaquin again. This is all to coincidental for all of us to have similar side effects. I had very bad headaches as well, but blamed the sinuses.

I took Levaquin for 20 days for a sinus infection. It wasn't until that last day that my right knee was in tremendous pain; I couldn't straighten it out or really move it. It's been almost 2 weeks since I stopped the Levaquin and my right knee is still painful. It feels really tight and if I turn my leg I get a sharp pain. I have to walk gingerly or I will have a shooting pain in my knee. I also have pain in my elbows and my right thumb, along with sporadic headaches. The pain seems to change daily. Does anyone have any experience as to whether this thing will go away -- every?

I've been taking Levaquin for 7 days for a bad sinus infection. Last night I took the last pill. It worked very well, within 1 day my sinus infection felt a lot better. However it gave me severe stomach cramps, and it caused constipation and insomnia. And then I began noticing that I was getting some anxiety and depression symptoms which I attributed to possible PMS. However, now I'm thinking it's attributed to the Levaquin. I noticed that after taking it for 3 days I was feeling like I had to force myself to smile at things that normally would be humorous or fun. And for the last 4-5 days my kids and husband have been asking me if I was "sad" why I was angry so much. Today I thought maybe I should go see a counselor because maybe I am depressed. Then I thought to check on the side effects of Levaquin (I did not know there were even such bad side effects until I read this website). Well now I'm thinking maybe it isn't ME after all, but the Levaquin! Does anyone have any idea how long it takes for this to get out of your system? Are there ways to speed the process up? I have got to get this out of my system, I can't stand feeling like this.

I had a sinus infection and the doctor gave me azithromycin 250mg in what is referred to as a Z-pack, unfortunately that didn't do the job so he gave me Levaquin 500mg 1tablet a day for seven days. I had many of the side effects, a headache everyday I was taking it, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, etc. Drank a ton of water as it said to do. On the second day after I was finished with the pills I started having pretty bad knee pain, then swollen knees and ankles. I mean really swollen. And I too have many stairs and it is very painful to get around, can't bend my knees too much with all the swelling. Am still drinking the water and hoping to flush this out of my system as fast as possible. It did get rid of my sinus infection, but I'm not sure it was worth all this...

First off I will begin by saying I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2006.
I just finished 10 days worth of Levaquin 500 mg.,(for a sinus infection) that seemed to be reoccurring after 2weeks of Augmentin generic), the whole time while on it I've been experiencing horrible side effects. I'd say the worst one is joint pain..(.especially knees & hips), Left shoulder, neck,upper back burning-miserable pain, unable to sleep (from what I remember of the last 6 days only 21 hrs. of sleep!!) dizziness, nausea,bad muscle pain, lower back pain, weird stomach pain, bloating, urinary retention, (was tested for an UTI-negative! )
6 days into it returned to Dr. because I'd been up all night itching like CRAZY, along w/the lower bk.pain,urinary problems, and a rash on face, chest, &upper back. (she attributed the rash to sun-photo sensitivity....had not even been outside!!) I also developed a yeast infection.( Expected I guess after 24 days total of antibiotics.)
debilitating headache, Very irritable, weepy,anxious, sore throat, very VIVID nightmares twice.
On the last day of taking it 3/3/09...had to run a couple of errands...felt dangerous behind the wheel..just plain weird & ILL!!!!!
Had taken this twice before since 2006 (also for sinus inf's.) thinking back...I felt like hell then too...but attributed to a Fibro. Flare. Now I believe that it was BAD REACTIONS to the Levaquin. I will NEVER take this med. again, have been so miserable would have rather been dead. (and I KNOW that's terrible to say!!) I take Morphine Sulf SR on a daily basis for the fibro, but it WOULDN'T even begin to touch the pain I've been experiencing while on Levaquin. ( Had mentioned that at the Drs. appointment, she didn't EVEN put 2+2 together....well I have!!) I'm VERY upset about it!! I reported it to the FDA.GOV/medwatch. This drug should be taken off the market in my opinion. I will be returning to see her if these pains,ETC. do not stop by tomorrow.....I'd had my fibro fairly under control before the Levaquin. Just to mention I was drinking plenty of water..due to dry mouth. I'm happy I found this site, I was looking for info as to how long this med. stays in your system. After reading many other postings here, I KNOW that what I've been feeling is NOT just a FMS flare, but caused by this Levaquin.

I have to admit I am dumbfounded. I "stumbled" upon this information tonight.
I am a very healthy and active 40 year old female with no health issues other than seasonal allergies and asthma. I went to the dr. 4 weeks ago for a sinus infection. I was prescribed 5 days of Levaquin (called a “Lev-pak”??). The sinus infection seemed better but the symptoms of that came back after 10 days and I went back to the dr. only to be prescribed a 2nd round of the same medication. Again the sinus infection seemed to get better and now a month later I went to the same dr. again today because the sinus problem came back but worse. Today I was prescribed a different antibiotic called Avalox. Since I had not heard of this drug I decided to look it up before taking it.
I now look back over the last month and am horrified that I have had these bizarre symptoms and here they are experienced by 100's of other people. And this is just one website, with people that took time to speak up. Just one. All of sudden I already feel better because I can explain so much. Not once was I warned about this drug either by the doctor or my pharmacist.
Everything I am about to describe I have either blamed on still being sick (and getting sicker from the presumed infection) or have blamed on other meds taken in addition for congestion, headache, stomach problems, wheezing, etc.

I have had ridiculous sleep patterns. I was either SO awake some nights that I felt like I could run 10 miles or SO exhausted by bedtime that I could barely walk up the stairs to get to bed. I have had extreme nightmares and dreams. In addition I have had at times practically NO peripheral vision combined with a blinding headache. I also had ringing in one or both ears that was very random. I seriously thought several times that I might have a brain tumor. I have had all these weird stomach issues. I have felt bloated and my abdomen area has been painful at times. I also have gone from either having bad diarrhea to being very constipated. My heart has raced at times both while doing physical activity OR sitting still. For about 3 days after the first round I had sharp pains in my left side (abdomen and arm). I have experienced bizarre hot flashes combined with being freezing cold minutes later with no fever at all. And last my right leg, particularly my knee and foot have just hurt at odd times (just waking up, walking up and down stairs, after sitting for a few minutes). All of these things separated seem so random so I never suspected Levaquin. Having read page after page…they are ALL explained.

I can’t tell you how much better I feel right this moment. I feel sane again. I will never, ever take Levaquin again and am so thankful I was smart enough to get information before taking Avalox, which would have been round three of this poisonous family of antibiotics. I don't know how long it will take for the Levaquin symptoms to go away but at least I'll know why these things are happening. Thank you.

NO SIDE EFFECTS: POSSIBLE HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTS had very serious sinus infection. two weeks of anit-biotics with no result, symptoms got worse, before taking levaquin for an additional two weeks. within three days was back on my feet. i previously have taken the supplement MSM for continual joint pain in past years, and was pleased to find a wide array of other health benefits from taking it. Having two kids, building a home and busy work schedule led to neglect of my heath supplements. (not smart) Resulting in immune dysfunction, chronic sinus infections over the last two years. After realizing that my health was was in ruins, i decided to start taking my supplements again around the time of my course of levaquin. started taking my multi's again and more importantly my MSM ( similar to chondroitin or glucosamine) Note: I recently read that MSM has been proven to help the body fight infection, as it is required to be present for the body to fight infection. MSM is simply (organic sulfer) found in everyday food we eat. with processed foods and preservatives this element is removed. To make a long story short, after first taking levaquin, I did have some minor joint and back pain (among other things) started taking MSM and effects were diminished, and then gone. After reading what others went through, i made the correlation between the two, and with my previous history of joint pain i would think that i would be a prime candidate for these symptoms. It worked for me, it may work for you, and the worst case scenario is that is doesn't work but you become stronger and healthier from taking it. Brief History. I use to love to play basketball. after joint pain and swelling could only play once a week, and couldn't even walk up stairs the next day. after taking MSM continually for a couple of weeks i was able to play daily, for as long as I wanted. a true miracle. The good news: its at the health food store, it's really cheap, and its a completely natural supplement. take 1000 mg daily with meals or without. its worth a shot for no symptoms.

I also was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection. I have a PAINFUL tingling sensation in my hands, feet and legs, as well as a rapid (POUND OUT OF YOUR chest) heartbeat. When will it go away? The doc said as soon as it was out of my system, the symptoms would stop. How long will that be?

I was on Avelox in December for a sinus infection. I had some pain and also had anxiety and bad dreams, etc. But I just finished taking 10 days of Levaquin 500 mg for another sinus infection and I feel like my life has turned into a real nightmare!!! I have severe joint and tendon pain, swelling, had several nights of terrible nightmares and for the past few days have had a hard time walking and getting up and down is very painful and difficult! I've had pain in my kidneys for a few days, bloating, etc. At first I thought my fibromyalgia had the worst flareup ever! Now I am really concerned as to what long-term effects I may have from this medication!

I had terrible side effects last year when my doctor had me on Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia. I went off of it on September 26, 2008 and had a mild heart attack on October 17, 2008. I thought it was the worst drug nightmare I would ever live through but now I wonder if the Avelox/Levaquin situation will be!

If anyone knows anything that can help reverse the consequences of being given this terrible medication, please share them! I would rather have lived with my sinus infections than contend with the agony I am now enduring!

M. K. B.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg daily for a persistent sinus infection
thirteen days ago. I am rarely worried about taking a drug my doctor prescribed but after reading the precautions and side effects I was concerned. I decided to wait until I checked with some doctor friends of mine who said not to worry because if even one person in a million has a problem they must post it. Now I'm so sorry I listened to them. My hands
are so swollen and feel prickly and painful. They have been like this for the last three hours, which is the reason I went online for information about this drug. Now I realize why my legs have been so painful and why it's so hard to use my legs to squt down and then stand. For days now I have
had trouble with my legs hurting as I go up and down the stairs in my house (lots of stairs!). I am very fit, 110 lb., take yoga and have a extremely active lifestyle so I knew something was odd but kept
thinking it would go away. I try not to be a whiner! I also had (have) sweating and itching (even behind my knees), back pain and neck pain. Last night I only slept 3 hours and felt anxiety so I just got up and started working. I finally had the time and tons of snow here to go sking but I just felt too weak to go! No wonder I felt (feel) depressed!!!!
UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO DIE WITHOUT THIS DRUG DON'T
TAKE IT! I can't believe this is used as a out patient medicine, I would
think it would be used as a last resort before death in a hospital!
Jamesville, NY S.

February 24,2009
I am a 66 year old woman in good physical condition(that is until I took Levaquin) I took it in December 2008 and it is over two months later and
i am still suffering from extreme jount and muscle pain especially in my left
shoulder and left knee. I took it for twelve days for a sinus infection and
on the eighth day woke up with great swelling lumps on the back of both knees. Initially thought it was just old age and arthritis. Soon all the joints in my body begin to ache and swell causing severe constriction of movement. Could hardly manipulate the stairs in our house. I quit taking the meds as I had never experienced anything like that before and knew it was the Levaquin. I can only hope that the damage is not permanent but am afraid it might be. I can't sleep on my left side for the pain and it never goes away. Left knee is still swollen and sore. Elbow joints are also painful and hands are sore. I know the medical profession will not acknowledge this so I didn't even tell the Dr. This drug is dangerous
and should be taken off the market. L. H., Blanchard, Ok.

took the drug for only 4 days and ended up with MAJOR hives. My doc said he's never seen this side effect before and even took pictures to share with his collegues. It did get rid of my sinus infection, but what a price to pay. I took prednisone to get rid of the hives and that did work, but I still have faint scars where the hives were bad. This was back in May of 08.

Here is my experience, I am confused only because I know part of what happened to me is my own fault.

To make a long story short I overdosed (intentionally) on a different drug called Lamictal. This is a seizure med. When that event happened I was on a course of Levaquin. I was on day four. I was to take it for 24 days for a sinus infection that showed up on a CT scan.

I know that this sounds horrible, but my overdose was small. No overdose is small though, but what happened to me just didn't seem right in comparison to the amount of pills I took. My mind is telling me I have no right to question anything considering what I did.

After taking the pills, I passed out and ended up being flown to a different hospital as my condition was worsening. They told me that before I left the hospital, my urine had already started to turn brown.. I don't know what that means.

When I woke up in ICU the doctor was yelling at me asking me what other drugs I took. He said that an overdose of Lamictal would never have causes what was happening. He asked if I was on meth or had taken Benadryl. I was sweating a lot, my heart rate was 150, my liver and kidney functions were bad, and the worst of it all, I had a CK level of 70,000. I had developed.. excuse my spelling... rhabdomylisis. My whole body hurt. Every single joint in my body was hurting, I could not stand and I could not walk. They told me that I was going to probably have to go on dialysis. I ended up being in the hospital for 8 days. My numbers returned to normal after 7 days of leaving the hospital.

The doctor there still thinks I was lying about what I took because what happened "Makes no sense." When they found me in my apartment they said I had "Serotonin syndrome." Which is caused by antidepressants.They said that the muscles in my body had gone completely ridgid and I was having a seizure that they could not stop. What they told me is they couldn't move one muscle in my body. My doctor said that they assumed that I o'd on my antidepressants too. Which I didn't.

Anyway, it has been a little over a month since the event, and that sinus infection is again being treated with Levaquin. I will take my 2nd dose today. Since that day I have been off all of my meds, but I am starting some of them back up. My Lamictal, my synthroid and now this Levaquin. I am scared to death. I have been searching the internet and all of a sudden I started finding that levaquin caused rhabdomylisis in several patients... although "rare."

Do you all have suggestions for me? The part that makes this the worst is YES I did overdose on pills. I assume this is why no one has really looked into why I had such problems. Should I stop taking this pill right away? I suppose most of you would say yes. I'm just not sure.

I am a 52 year old women , except for a yearly resistant sinus infection I would describe myself as very healthy and have only minor aches and pains for my age. I was prescribed Levaquin by a walk- in physician after 2 months of a sinus infection. Within a week I felt 100 years old . I could barely get out of bed, the pain in all my joints was excruciating the first 5 minutes and didn't improve a lot during the day . I didn't think my legs would hold me upon rising from any position. After one week of finishing the drug I started to feel better.......it has been two weeks now.... I'm still sore and weak , especially noted in hands and legs .

I started Levaquin 500mg on Jan 27th for a sinus infection. Two days later I woke up and almost passed out upon standing. My heart was racing and my blood pressure dropped. I had to call my husband home from work to take me to the ER. I also started to get nauseated,chills and weakness in my legs. After being hydrated at the ER I was sent home to finish my meds which was a 10 day course. My symptoms became increasingly worse over the past week. Dizzyness,weakness,fatigue,rapid heart rate with some PVC"s, no appetite,nausea,pain in my back,shoulders and left hip. I also have a red rash on my chest and face. I experienced a heavy sensation in the back of my head, compounded by a crawling sensation. My body will flush upon standing , I get night sweats and difficulty breathing. I have also suffered with some kind of wierd sensations in my eyes that has my sight screwed up in some weird way. I have also been on this side of confusion or forgetfullness and nearly having panic attacks. This is some kind of freaky horrible drug. The day I went to the ER my left leg went numb. I have one pill left and didnt take it today. The doctor I saw today says it could be the Levaquin. HA!!!! I am praying for all on here..

I started taking 500 mg of Levaquin on Friday. I have a sinus infection, bronchitis and was wheezing. I finished chemo a year ago and have long term effects from it including joint pain. I was improving by working with a trainer, doing basic pilates, etc... My joints are awful and it's not the same pain. My knees hurt all the time, I can't stand for any length of time. My hands, shoulders and hips hurt. My doctor was out today, but the nurse told me to stop taking it and I see her tomorrow.

This is so upsetting, I read the insert from the pharmacy and it mentioned joint pain, so I know it's where the pain is coming from. It took me so long to get to where I am and now this. I am still sick with the sinus infection and bronchitis.

I will post tomorrow after I see my doctor.

N.

I have been taking Levaquin for 10 days for a sinus infection. I can barely walk down the stairs in the morning because my knees and ankles hurt so badly. Had I known about these side effects I would never have taken this stuff. Beware.

I have taken Levaquin for five days for a sinus infection. Day three I started getting muscle soreness. Day four I was so sore I started looking up possible sudden pain. Today I am so sore I can hardly walk and my joints are very painful in my feet,hands and shoulders. I started thinking about what was different and realized the only thing that had changed was that I was taking an antibiotic that I have never taken before. Wow, I am so glad I looked this up. The symptoms that you all are reporting are exactly what I am experiencing! I will never take it again. Hopefully the symptoms will resolve quickly.

This is an update about my son who took Levaquin 16 months ago when he was 16 years old (he is now 17). My son was given Levaquin September, 2007, to prevent an infection after minor sinus surgery. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his head that would come and go for no reason). He then developed IBS a few months after taking Levaquin. He was an athlete at the time and in very good shape. Prior to Levaquin, he was rarely sick and headaches were equally as rare. He was a junior at the time and as a result of the Levaquin, missed most of his junior year. He kept up through home instruction and maintained 2 honors classes, but had to drop his AP class.

In the first 4 months, his muscle weakness, dizziness, and joint pain (except for his knees) went away. As a parent, it is very painful to have your son hold his head in his hands and ask you to make the pain go away…but you can’t. It took 9 months for his 24x7 headaches to go away. His IBS recently went away after giving him enteric coated peppermint pills twice a day. All that is left now is his knees hurt when he plays sports, so he can't. The knee issue is pretty minor compared to where he used to be.

Here are some things we learned: 1) We tried giving him magnesium, potassium, selenium, calcium, and B-complex after the Levaquin...but it didn't make him better; 2) We took him to over 20 doctors; most couldn't believe it was Levaquin, but some did; 3) Ortho-McNeill will admit that Levaquin can cause these symptoms (I called them); 4) There is no magic pill, once you have ingested Levaquin and develop symptoms, you can only treat the symptoms; 5) Numerous tests of all types over several months never came up positive for any disease or illness; 6) Filing a Medwatch report with the FDA is important since every report helps; 7) Levaquin is not FDA approved for anyone under the age of 18, but is still allowed to be prescribed; 8) Doctors get most of their information on drugs from the pharmaceutical representatives, so BEWARE and do your own research before taking medication; 9) Most drugs have side effects, but beware of the ones that have long lasting effects like the fluoroquinolone family; 10) Never ever lose hope or the belief that one day you will be better. The power of faith does wonders for your health.

I don't know if this post will help anyone. People are affected by this drug differently and recover at various rates. Most people do recover and you need to believe you are one of them. Fortunately for my son, it looks like he is okay now, but it has been an extremely long, difficult road. Keep your faith as my son did, and I'll pray that you all recover. If you haven’t taken this drug yet, then don’t. If you are taking it, then stop. If you have already taken it and have developed symptoms, then be strong and keep the faith.

I took 4 500 mg doses of Levaquin for a sinus infection on Aug 19-22 2008. I am now almost 5 months out. I suffered multiple adverse reactions and have been waiting to post to see how things resolved. I am 39 years old and in excellent health. I rarely see doctors and have never had anything chronic. This is what I experienced: extreme fatigue, all over muscle soreness/stiffness, severe headaches, tingling/numbness in hands/feets, serious shoulder problems requiring ortho, physical therapy and chiropractor, irregular heart rhythm, irregular kidney function, constant ringing in my ears, impaired vision. Currently most of these are resolved except irregular kidney function (although this has improved), shoulder issues (not normal yet) and ringing in my ears.

You can't judge the full scope of your reaction by your body's initial reaction. As time unfolds you will get the big picture of how this drug harms the various systems of the body.

I can not begin to explain how taking this drug has impacted my life and my family. I have 3 children to take care of. I thank God that I am healing and have now resumed almost all of my daily activities. I pray that I will soon be back to full health. This is absolute madness. I am so sorry that so many of us have been injury in such a way.

My doc prescribed levofloxacin, 500mg once a day for 21 days, due to a low level chronic sinus infection that had flared up. I got near immediate relief from the worst effects of the infection but have experienced a rather extreme metallic taste in my mouth. I've used a tongue scrapper and that helps for short periods. The other item that seems to help is chewing Altoids cinnamon gum. I ran across another web site that recommends rinsing with a solution of 8 oz water with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Other than the metallic taste, I haven't had any adverse reactions. Good luck to all.

I was prescribed 750 mg. for 3 days of Levaquin for a UTI by a doctor (not my regular) I did notice the slight dizziness but wasn't too concerned. I also had some insomnia but didn't connect it to Levaquin. Then in the a.m. after 21 hours of taking the first dose, I had elevated heart rate and blood pressure along with nervousness. Scary! I've taken 250 mg of Levaquin for sinus infection previously (3 days) and never had any side effects. I even asked for this prescription...can you believe that. It's New Years Day so I can't even contact my regular doctor but I am stopping Levaquin and requesting to not ever prescribe this drug to me again!!!!!

Today is Christmas day 2008. And a Merry Christmas to me ha!!!!!!!! I was given a prescription for the drug Levaquin on the 19th of December for a suspicion of pneumonia. The x rays done at the hospital found no evidence of pneumonia but my doctor wanted me to take it anyway because since I have asthma and my lungs sounded so bad I was told that I was at risk for developing any secondary infection that was out there. My husband filled the prescription on the 20th which was Saturday, took the first one of a seven day supply 500 mg tablets. About 4 hours after taking just one pill was awakened by severe and agonizing pain in both of my feet and my knees that I was writhing in pain. Since I have nerve damage in my feet anyhow I know what the pain that I normally experience feels like and instantly knew that this was not normal for me. When I thought that I finally might be able to walk I hobbled into the kitchen and dug the list of side affects out of the garbage (stupid me had not read them first.) I discovered that it was one of the side affects. Called the on call doctor in the morning since it was on the weekend and he stopped it immediately and put me on something else. I only took that one pill and since Saturday night every night I wake up in agonizing knee pain and I have never had pains in my knees before. The pain is so bad that I feel like I am ready to go on a morphine drip, or cut my legs off above the knees. Six days now from one pill, how much longer can this go on? I really feel bad for the people that contined to trust their doctors and continued with the full course of the medication and I realize that what I am experiencing is minor compared to what others are going through. This drug should come with a handout that says: Take this drug at a risk to your health!!!!!! Last night the pain lasted all night and I cried all night. Have to get through this day am entertaining for the holiday and have had no sleep. Actually getting afraid to go to sleep at this point.............D.

Thank God I found you guys. I thought my sinus infection was killing me! I just finished a five day course of 750. I've had pain in my chest, tendency to cry, horrible pain in my neck, almost totally inability to sleep, little appetite, and one weird thing I've noticed is my stomach seems to be emptying very slowly. Tonight, I threw up before I even had anything to eat and some of the food was stuff I ate yesterday. Yeah I know, T.M.I. Has anyone had this problem? Any ideas how to get this crap out of our system? Our doctors have betrayed us with this poison.

S. in Bossier City, LA

I took Levaquin 750 for 10 days for a sinus infection. I took first 5 doses, went to see my doctor again 6 days later because I was still sick. She prescribed again 5 does of Levanquin 750. I am still coughing and I feel very tired. It did not help at all. I am still sick and I have muscle pains in my two calves and stress Achille tendon. I am a runner and I have sometimes problems with my calf: I have been not running too much recently and I was wondering how come suddenly I had those muscle pains in both my calves. I am not sure if it is related to Levaquin, but when I read all those comments, I am worried. Why I have been prescribed this antibiotics if it is obviously dangerous?