Levaquin and sleep

I was prescribed this medicine for a breast abscess. I have a bad reaction to penicillin and levaquin was given to me as an alternative. I took the first pill at 11:00 pm. I woke up about every 30 minutes drenched in sweat until 2:00 and then could not go back to sleep. I took drinks of water when I woke up in order to keep hydrated. I have a lap band, and I noticed that the water wasn’t going down easily which let me know the medicine had made my stomach swell. I finally fell asleep around 3:30 and had evil nightmares until 5am. I was afraid to go back to sleep so I decided I'd just stay awake until time for me to get up for work. I will be calling my doctor's office as soon as they open to let her know this medicine is not for me. After reading your stories, I refuse to take it another day.

This is not a new side effect, but the same day I started taking Levaquin for sinusitis, I suspected something was wrong. Within hours, ears were roaring. First night, NO sleep, and that's WITH Ambien CR. Day 2.....depression! Immediate. This is in spite of having a severe depression under control for over a year. Sudden. I really started suspecting Levaquin then, but thought it was a coincidence. Took it this morning. Deep, dark depression. After reading these posts, I knew my suspicions were correct. The depression is getting better after 10-12 hours after the dose. This is really scary stuff. Really scary. Oh, yes, and I had the stomach pains, also. Told my husband it was just hurting like a bruise, not like indigestion or gas. I will report it to my doctor so they will no it's a "no-no" for me....in spite of all the websites that said how safe it was. Glad I found this website. Thank God.

I have only taken 2 pills and on my third day, I have decided not to take any other doses. I have not been able to sleep! Fortunately, I read these posts so I will be on the lookout for any other symptoms that develop later.
Hopefully, I stopped taking this in time to avoid the rest of it. I don't understand why doctor's continue to prescribe this if they really have the best interest of their patients in mind?!

I was give Levaquin when I had a Prostate Biopsy and had a reaction to it , Hives, muscle pain oral thrush ,I told the doctor about it so he gave me another anti biotic,CIPRO which made things worse, then I find out they are both from the same family of antibiotics, these doctors don't know what they are giving you and he said all that I should have gotten from them was a little stomach problem, Its two years now and I still have skin
problems, joint pain and pain in my neck amd the doctors say it can't be from the Levaquin, Well how come I was healthy until I took it

I got prescribed Levaquin for a Failed attempt with an IUD. It got stuck in my uterus and caused infection and lots of paid.So she put me on Levaquin and another strong antibiotic. I was really scared to take it because of all the side effects i read in the pamplet they give you at the pharmacy,so when i went back to the doctor i told her i was to scared to take it,she told me if i didn't take it that i could die and she would put me in the hospital with IV's if i didn't. So i felt like i had no choice. After the 2nd pill,i couldn't not sleep at all! it gave me insomnia soo bad..And im one of those people thats in bed by 9 and up at 6. Now im tossing and turning all night,and if i do actually fall asleep i wont get up until like 9 and that totally unusual for me. Now its day 8 and both my shoulders and my neck hurt so bad. Feels like pinched nerves and im so nauseous i cant stand it.Also, was driving to walmart with my kids 2 days ago and i had to call my mom to come get us because all the sudden i couldn't drive anymore. Got really dizzy lightheaded and felt like i was going to pass out at the wheel. i was very scared. i wish that on nobody! then when i got out of the car i felt like my legs hurt so bad they couldn't carry me. I never thought that any of that had to do with the pill until i read this..Im not taking it anymore and i have a week left..

My Mother took Levaquin Oct. of 2008. You got so sick taking the drug, she felt like she had the flu. She had fever, dizziness, and felt like she was going to throw up. She is very depressed now because she can't do anything anymore. She took all 7 pills 500mg. each. Now she hurts from head to toe. They can't figure out what is wrong with her. She has had MRI's. xrays. Blood work. Everything you can think of. Her Tendon tore in her shoulder, she had surgery on it and is still in rehab for that. She can sleep at night because of pain throughout her body. They gave her a patch to wear for the pain and it made is better at first. Now she can't even tell she has it on. Does anyone know of anything that can help get out of all this pain?

I have been taking Levaquin for four days now and am suffering from serious lower leg pain, weakness in my right hand, nausea, my skin feels so hot all the time and not able to sleep. I am sure the Levaquin is causing this as this all started right after taking the first pill. I did not get an information sheet from the pharmacy that there were serious side effects to this drug. I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus / ear infection because I am allergic to Zithromax (my liver reacts negatively with this antibiotic). I will not be continuing the course of antibiotic and hope the pain stops.

I suffered cardiac arrest in 2006 with the only change in my 51 y/o basically healthy lifestyle was i started taking 500 mg/day of levaquin four days prior to my collapse in front of my students in the classroom. I am a 4th grade teacher - I had suffered cardiac arrest at least three times before I was treated with Arctic Sun therapy to help recover. The heart catheterization afterwards showed no blockage in my heart. There was a good chance, in my opinion, that levaquin could have caused my cardiac arrest. Although not conclusive because I had a tooth infection which was the reason I was prescribed the levaquin and i was taking an said for the discomfort, the back of my mind always comes back to levaquin because i suffered the joint weakness i read in articles of other users of the medication. I also was reminded after the accident that a young person we knew of had died unexpectedly in her sleep a and she was taking levaquin. It makes you think it may have been the levaquin, but no actual proof could be determined by my doctors. However, I will never take this medication again, knowing there are so many other antibiotics on the market to help me.

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 diagnosed with pneumonia on July 6 and prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 10 days. I took my last pill tonight and could not understand the pain in my right hip, red eyes which I suspect comes from the insomnia I have been experiencing since July 10. I am still having difficulty sleeping and tonight I feel extremely tire with discomfort in the back and shoulders. I wish I had read these comments earlier, I would have discontinue using this drug. I have not experience any depression, but lack of appetite, stomach pain and upset stomach. I have had intermittent diarrhea. How long will it take for this drug to get out of my system.

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.

My girlfriend is 36 she had a kidney infection and got Levaquin IV in the hospital. Her legs were going numb and she could hardly get up to go to the bathroom in the hospital. She thought it was her infection. They sent her home two days later with 5 pill containers. One of them was Levaquin. She called me today and said she is having terrible pains in her hands, wrists, hips, and knees. She says she cant make a fist or hold a bag of groceries and her hands have swollen up so that she cant get her rings off. I told her I would do a search on the net to see if it might be one of the drugs she was taking. Slowly but surely I made it to the Levaquin. The drug maker fairly non chalantly refers to tendon rupture as a side effect effecting mostly people over 60 years old. I dug a little further and found this web site and was amazed at how many people are being poisoned by this drug. I am praying if she stops taking it the pain and debilitating effects will go away quickly. She has two disabled boys she has to take care of, including lifting them into wheel chairs and into beds. This is no joke! I am so angry at this drug maker and these doctors who often times do more harm than good.

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

Our government is allowing these big drug companies to kill us. I only took Cipro for two days for UTI and quit it. I am so much sicker now and it has been 3 days since I quit. I am bloated severely, my neck hurts so bad, I am nauseated. It won't go away.
I feel so bad for the elderly and the people that can look these poisons up.
The companies that make these should be sued. It is terrible. My UTIs always got better immediately on the old sulfa medicines I was given before and never had these side effects.
I can't sleep either.
Don't let anybody take this poison.

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.

While taking levaquin I also had severe insomnia. Slept very little with lingering effects. Husband also had sleeplessness when taking levaquin. He quit taking and after few days went back to normal sleep pattern.

I am an 80 year old male----quite good health except for having right hip replacement since 1988 industrial accident---several months ago, my orthopedic surgeon told me the severe pain; again in right hip, required surgery to correct. I had that surgery about 3 weeks ago and it went well--had usual pain, muscle cramps, but nothing alarming---I also had a left knee implant 4 years ago, so I know what to expect. I was discharged from hospital after 3 days and seemed OK-----however, I developed a mild infection the the drainage area of the surgery, my Orthopedic surgeon said not to take any chances and prescribed 500 milligrams of LEVAQUIN---one tablet each day fro 30 days!!!!~the very first day I took Levaquin, I was very stiff and sore in muscles, arms, legs and the worst insomnia I have ever experienced---I took a SECOND pill next day because I trust my doctor-----I immediately began having HORRIBLE NIGHTMARES, anxiety and absolutely unable to sleep longer than an hour at a time.----I feel like some of the descriptions that people said about LSD---I thank God I had sense to stop drug and am cleansing my system---I pray I am more successful in clearing this poison that some others I have read about-------BAN LEVAQUIUN it is a deadly, multifaceted poison that damages, muscles, eyes, joints ------THE WHOLE BODY!!!!! B.

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 was prescribed Levaquin because 'my body was fighting some sort of infection'. I was told to take it in the am since it had a side effect of causing sleeplessness. That night I had very tortured sleep. I would wake up after an hour or two of sleep feeling very unsettled. At times I would have nightmares and wake up sweating with my heart pounding. I woke up the first morning after taking it with an awful headache. I stupidly took a second pill that morning and went through the same again the next night. I woke up on day two with another awful headache. I finally got it under control with advil. I also had the worst charley horse I have ever had. My leg was sore for 3 days afterwards, causing me at times to limp. One of my nightmares was so vivid that I now, after reading these blogs, wonder if I really dreamed it or not. I have actually considered ways that I could verify. (It involved police helicoptors flying over and over my house.) I never have had things like this happen to me. This medicine is very scary and I hope that it will be taken off the market.

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.

I am scared to death after reading what everyone is going through. I was put on Levaquin for 10 days and got to day 9. My joints ached so bad I thought I had arthritis, and even had my Dr. do blood tests for it (I had no idea it was the Levaquin). I am only 35 years old and never worried about arthritis before this. Also, within 5 days I started developing hives all over. Again, I was stupid and didn't realize until day 9 that the hives were because of this med. I told my Dr. and he told me to stop taking it which of course I did. I assumed the hives would go away after the med was out of my system. But a week later the hives were unbearable. I was put on prednisone (another issue altogether) and that helped the itching, but now every time I try to go off or back off the prednisone the hives come back- and they are terrible! Now my Dr. thinks the hives were from something else because there is no way that the Levaquin is still in my body. But after reading what other people are going through on this med, I am convinced this stuff is as everyone says- POISON!! I am so worried about the joint and hip pain that was so bad I couldn't stand for long without excruciating pain in my right hip. It felt like I had a one hundred pound weight just sitting on it. And my hands were the worst. I have a newborn and could barely pick him up without worry that I'd drop him. I don't know what to do.. Is there anything to do?? I'm still on the prednisone, and have been for a month. I need to get off of it but every time I do I itch so bad with the hives that I cannot function. Also because of the prednisone I noticed last night that I am getting "moon face" my face is swelling up and there are a million side effects from that drug too. How long does this last? Has anyone else fought the hives that come with this? Please help me, I am so scared!

Hi
They gave me this antibiotic for kidney infection , I was medically evacuated to Baghdad ER, infection is clearing but am bloated, thirsty, belching worsen as I had Acid reflux surgery, part of the day I feel better and part very tired, worse am in a war zone and I need to be alert but can`t, medicine was given by the DR. Er, military Dr am sleepy tired, gas ,tightness in chest , fast heart beat ,unable to sleep though tired but took Tylenol and slept 2 night ago I have to walk in the middle of the night out of my chu to release gas and bloating , I still have 2 doses , 7 days of hell, also I have diarrhea some and pain in my lower back , am 44, healthy, I pray it clears out ,I do not like the crap is causing me, as am flying home back to the US to be seen by urologist,digestive disease specialist so my R&R will be with Doctors. worse I spent my birthday in the ER with IV and all kinds of tests hope all u guys feel better. Thanks T.

Pain so bad I could not sleep or concentrate. All bones in my body ached so bad they felt like they were cracking. After finishing the medication the pain has never gone away. My hands are so bad I can not hold on to anything. It's as if my hands were hinges and the hinges are sprung now. The pain in my thumb area is so bad I can not do much. I have all over pain and it feels if the tendons in my body are going to snap. I can not stay up at night any more. I have to go lay down by seven o'clock because my body is so exhausted. My neck is in constant pain, my hips have severe pain, I don't think there is a spot anywhere on my body that isn't in pain. I haven't taken it for about two years. I will never forget the night this started. I even called the pharmacist at three in the morning to ask him if it was the Levaquin.

Please, help me! I went ER three times.. I'm looking for someone having symptoms like cold and heat on the body, burning sensations, and chemical reactions.(I could not take any medicine and vitamin and mineral) I was off taking this medicine 2months ago but I've suffered with these symptoms and I could not sleep well..A lot of sweating... Getting weaker and weaker..
HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!

I was prescribed Levaquin about 3 months ago. Not only did I have horrible insomnia while taking the medication - even after taking ambien and the lunestra - the insomnia continued. It messed my sleep cycle up so bad, that now, even months later, I have major insomnia problems, and am now trying to get off the sleeping pill downward slide too. I recently went to see a sleep specialist MD, and when I told him about taking Levaquin, he knew exactly what I was talking about. This drug is bad news, and really should be taken off the FDA approved list. Please, don't take this drug if you value your sleep (unless you don't mind functioning on 3 hours a night for months).

After 4 days in the hospital with the colon infection and some antibiotics treatment via I.V. I walked home, I was fine. All I needed was to have 7 x 500mg in coming week.
After three days and 3 of 500mg Levaquin pills very itchy reddish rash developed in a day all over my entire back where I have solid areas , bottom, parts of the arms and upper chest and neck where I have dense spots..
I used the Witch hazel and Aloe Vera Mist (no help) till I’ve got hold of the Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream. No help yet in last 4 hours. I’ll try Calamine lotion next.
Boy it itches I didn’t sleep all night. I never had any allergies before.

I was prescribed Levaquin about 3 weeks ago for a possible sinius infection. I was reading the booklet that comes with the meds and saw some of the side effects, tendon rupture, dizziness, sleep issues, etc. I told the doctor I didn't want to take it because I already have some tendinitis in my shoulder and other aches and pains. He said okay, then went back to the doctor for follow up and said either take the med or lets do a CAT scan on my sinius's. I said okay I will take it and see what happens... Well It was 500 mg and I took it for only 4 days out of the 10 and my pains were worse. I can not sleep at night and have been getting very dizzy. I called the doctor and told him, and he didn't seem fazed by what I told him and said just to stop taking and prescribed another antibiotic. I have been off the med for 3 days now and I still can not sleep and still feel dizzy. How long is this going to last?

I go to a hematologist and two days ago told her about the med and she too said she can not take this med, it is very strong and she had the same feelings.

Has anyone been off this med, and for how long did the dizziness go away. I have two young kids and they both just got the stomach bug, and I'm so overtired and just want to sleep but I can not.

I was given Levaquin for a prostate infection. They prescribed me 750 mg for 30 days. I have been off of the drug for 3 weeks and I still have pain in my tendons. Shoulder tendons, knees, elbow and hands. How long can this last? I feel like I am dying.

My mom was put on Levaquin for 3 days to follow up on a Colitis diagnosis. She began hallucinating, hearing voices, can't sleep, loss of balance, among other things. We suspect it's Levaquin and took her off yesterday.....how long until she gets back to normal? She seems to be getting worse even though she is off it now.

On Sunday I went to the emergency hospital due to a infection from some minor dental sugary (Tooth pulled) on Friday. I had puffed up with infection on the whole side of my face. My dentist advised me to go to emergency so that they could give me some antibiotics that get in my system quicker.

I was given Levaquin in an IV I was never informed of any side effects. I was fine for a few hrs. then I started experiencing racing heart and anxiety and could not sleep or concentrate on anything. I felt weak in my legs. It is now Monday evening at 1:18 AM I am still experiencing occasional heart flutters and am still awake although I am finally starting to slow down.

I feel like I was on speed for the past 2 days. . I was also given a 10 500MG tabs of levaquin to take. I am not taking them I am glad I looked up this drug. I hope that there will be no other side effects and stopped before taking the pills

I am really upset that I was not informed of these possible side effects at the hospital and was not given the change to say no to it.

All the bad things that this drug does and an IV bag full and it did not get rid of my infection in my face completely still have swelling.

Guess I am going to my doctor and ask for my Keeflex 500 Mg that I never had a problem with.

Hello, I have read over most of these side effects and i would have to agree and be afraid of most of it. See I was diagnosed with bronchitis/pneumonia, they prescribed me these pills along with steroids. I have not taken the steroids yet but I did take my first dose of levaquin about 12 hours ago around 8 pm. With my dinner and plenty of water and fluids. I went to bed late with my fiance but not cause of the medicine, we decided to stay up and watch movies. Although, it did help my coughing and breathing, I felt bloated or ballooned up all of a sudden and it was starting to hurt my stomach. I figured it was the food I ate and all the water I have been drinking. So, next I noticed some minor vaginal discharge of which looks like when I'm ovulation so I pasted that as that. Now I woke up at 5:30 in the morning when I went to bed at 2 am and I can't go back to sleep! I woke up from a nightmare to see things in the dark to scare the %$^* out of me. I had this really bad taste and dryness to my mouth I felt like it was suffocating me. I cant seem to think straight or type well (I had to go back and review what I wrote but I might not have gotten all my mistakes) I feel like I have ADD I keep forgetting how to spell simple words... I mean the list keeps going and going. I am writing now because I am currently on it. I will not be taking this medication anymore much less the steroids but if anyone reads this, I hope you read first then take.

I was on Levaqin for a week (500 mg) for bronchitis. It seemed to work and I didn't notice any side effects and I am usually sensitive to antibiiotics (dizziness, etc..). However, the day after I finished my last dose I developed an itchy rash on my outer thighs, my back, my underarms and a few other random places. I also now have a yeast infection which I guess is a common side effect. The rash is what concerns me. At first I thought it wouldn't be related because it came on after I finished the antiobitcs but after reading some of these posts I see that you can get rash after taking the medication. Has anyone else had a rash AFTER taking Levaquin?

I have had to take Levaquin twice. Both times were for a post surgical infection. The Levaquin worked great on the infection, so I stuck with it even though it made me feel terrible. The side effects I had are: ringing in the ears (tinnitus), agitations/anxiety, dizziness, headache, inability to think straight, nausea, stuffed up nose. They were worse in the few hours after I took the Levaquin. I would take it at dinner, so I could sleep through most of the effects and not have to go to work feeling so bad. Fortunately, I did not suffer the insomnia some have had. After 5 days on it, I also got pain in my finger joints which took 2 weeks after stopping the Levaquin to go away. The pharmacist told me these are unfortunate side effects, but not dangerous enough ones to stop taking the drug. I really don't like this one at all, but I can say it does kill the infection.

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

After taking 5-750 mg pills I began to lose taste, had very dry mouth while sleeping which woke me up. some sores in the mouth which i attribute to the pills too. Now, 10 days since ending the pills I still have some taste problems and dry mouth in sleep

After taking 5 750mg pills I had taste problems and a very dry mouth with sores, irritated tongue. I still after stopping about 10 days ago have some taste problems and dry mouth during sleep which makes me wake up.

I was prescribed a 21 day dose of Levaquin for a case of severe sinusitis. After Day 1 on Levaquin I had severe back, joint and muscle pains. At first I thought I was coming down with the flu. However the flu never appeared.

After about 5 to 6 days the pain became less severe, however my hips, back and legs continued to hurt. During the nights of doses 15 and 16 I woke to splitting headaches and a burning sensation on the left side of my stomach. After reading others' side effects and the commonality with my side effects I quit taking Levaquin after 16 days.

During the 16 days I was taking Levaquin I was extremely irritable and mildly depressed. At night time I would wake up 3 or 4 times and try to get back to sleep. I have never had insomnia problems in my life until taking Levaquin. My joints and body ached the entire time on Levaquin.

The drug was brutal on my body. I will never take it again. I will seek an alternative antibiotic. I have been off Levaquin for 4 days. Sleeping is going much better, however the muscles in my legs and back still hurt.

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

My name is Heather I am now 32 years old I took levaquin when i was 29. After i took levaquin I went on a roller coaster ride I have yet to be able to get off of. First when i took it I had the worst night mares i have ever had only to wake up to a splitting headache and a very sore body. took another one the next day same reaction.I figured it was the bronchitis that was causing the problem. on the third day i was worse still I could hardly move. I stopped taking the drug. after another two days i felt better. two weeks later I was out with my father and he noticed a rash on my legs. I was also starting to get little blood blisters. I started to become concerned and the next day after going to the zoo with my family i came home and my legs were swollen three times there normal size and very sore. I put them up just to find the felt like play dough had been stuffed in to them and I had blood blisters the size of pencil erasers. I made an appointment to see the doctor. he said and i Quote " Heather I have No idea what the Hell you have" he sent me to a specialist. between the time of my first appointment and the appointment with the specialist my legs stopped working from the hips down i was 90% paralyzed (not spelled right ) they just wouldn't work right. My ten year old daughter was helping me get to the bathroom. I was soooo sick i had a headache all the time couldn't eat or sleep and when i did it was only for a few hours I couldn't move very well and to get up out of bed hurt so bad i almost fell every morning. by the time i had gotten to the specialist I had gone to the E.R. three times for the pain.and the last time was because my toes stopped moving altogether. at the appointment the doctor ran all kinds of tests checking me for everything from S.T.D.s (which i have been happily married for years) to Lupus. I felt Like and 80 year old Lady And like i said i was only 29. after the extensive tests and everything coming back normal the doctor put me on a steriod. for 4 months i was told i had to take prednisone After the first dose i could move again I still hurt but i could move.But now i had the side effect from that. i was gaining weight like it was going out of style, but at least i could move. after the 4 months things seemed normal kinda. I could move but if i sit still to long my legs go numb not fall sleep go completely numb even if i am standing to long. I am still afraid that i will wake up again feeling like i did that Fall three years ago. I still have problems but im not sure they are tied in but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. I only took three Pills of Levaquin three years ago!!!! How long does this stuff hang on really??????

I was diagnosed with bronchitis a couple of days a go and was given a 5 day course of Levaquin 750mg. The doctor also gave me a prescription for the Z pack in case Levaquin did not work. Before I went to the doctor I had a fever of 102 for 5 days so I was ready to take anything. That evening Nov. 11th 2008 I took my first pill... and my last one. The onset of side effects started within 3 hours. It began with an extreme blinding headache and a very stiff neck. I finally fell asleep and had the most intensely bizarre dreams which I woke up from several times to find my self drenched in sweat. The night sweats were extremely intense and followed me through to the next day. I could not stop sweating... My head was pounding in pain, it felt as if my brain was swelling though my fever had subsided. I proceeded to turn the tv on to try to distract myself, but as I was doing so my mind was racing and I found it very difficult to organize my thoughts. My vision was very isolated meaning that I felt like I had lost my peripheral vision all together. I was unable to read silently without hearing the words in a loud voice in my head...very very strange. I had zero appetite and experienced serious diarrhea the next day. This drug felt overwhelmingly powerful kind of like dropping a nuclear weapon on a small village. I felt like my body was on fire for a moment as if i was given chemo therapy. While trying not to panic I realized that a lot of my joints were cracking. It was then I decided to go online and do some reading about this drug...WOW... I mean WOW... How do scientists manage to create a drug that can actually snap tendons... We can't cure anything but we sure can napalm the hell out of anything. That being said I decided to call my doctor and said WTF were you thinking giving me this!?! Needless to say it took about 60 hours for the one pill to wear off. I am terrified to think what would happen to me if I had finished the 5 day course. I know the one pill caused some damage, hopefully nothing permanent. I am now on the Z pac and it is very mild in comparison. Please listen to your body as I did and immediately discontinue use if you experience any side effects. I firmly believe that this drug is something you take only if you are dying and there are just no alternatives ie Anthrax.

I have just finished Levaquin 500m once a day for 10 days for a horrible sinus infection that would not go away with Zithromax. I am about to finish my Dexpak(dexamethasone) tapered dose in 4 days. I have taken Levaquin and dexamethasone before with no problems. This time I have insomnia and the worst joint pain. I am 33 years old and 135 pounds I feel like an inactive obese 70 year old. I can't sleep right now because my joints are killing me. It is even hard to sit on the toilet and get off the toilet. I find my food sits in my chest. I have started taking Probiotics and I put a heating pad on my chest which feels like a board after I eat. I am glad I am finished the medication and only hope I start feeling better. Good luck everyone.

I cannot sleep only 7 hours after taking my first dose of 500 mg of Levaquin for a possible root canal infection. I never have trouble sleeping and I am going nuts! I toss and turn. I am not going to take this tomorrow. Is there another antibiotic recommended for dental infection other than levaquin or Cleocin (allergic) that would work with less side effects? Help! Carley

Hello everyone, I did a posting on Sept 27th will my adverse reaction to levaquin. Well, I did a lot of research as to how to help with the side effects. In addition, I discussed the side effects with a friend in medical school to see what he could come up with. I did not even bother going back to my doctor because from many stories that is just a waste of time.

Anyway, its been about 3 weeks and my side effects have gotten much better. Not totally gone...but much, much better. Everything was from my local drug store.

Here is what I did:
Do a colon cleanse or detox regimine right away. Get as much of this stuff out of your system as possible.

Fish oil LIQUID FORM one teaspoon a day (yuck...but do it!)

Bromelain to help with the joint inflammation

Glucosamine to help with joint repair. I got both a pill form as well as liquid. I used this product by Drinkables called Liquid Joint Care Dietary Supplement. Anything in liquid form absorbs quicker.

I also had to resort to getting a sleep aid for the insomnia, you need to get good sleep somehow to help your body repair.

Last but not least, and I know it sounds strange. One small shot of clear vodka a day. It's an old Russian remedy...I guess it has a cleansing effect on the body.

Anyway, somehow all of this really did help. Good Luck!

The doctor was observing me for very low globulin G levels and had me on 500 mg Keflex for a month trying to make my body "respond"? I took a bad sinus infection, went to my ENT, and he took me off the Keflex and put me on Cipro (500 mg) twice a day. I had taken this almost two weeks when my ongoing appt. with the first doctor came due. I called her office and they said I must come on in to get my lab work done. I did and she saw how sick I really was. She took me off Cipro and put me on Levaquin which I had never taken. During the first three days, I got sicker and sicker.
I thought it was just the "sickness" getting worse. One day I sat staring into space for over an hour without realizing what I was doing. Also, that day I noticed large knots in various places (under the skin). I live alone and became increasingly concerned. May I say, during that space in time,
I lost 25 lbs almost immediately. Nassau, sinus worse, felt terrible, and
hurt like the dickens. I could not sleep (and still have problems with it) and thought it all me, having never read anything about side effects. That night at 2a.m. I found the sheets that came with it, read, and identified with
everything written on the paper. I had to take one hand and put it under the opposite arm at the shoulder to help move it from my side. The muscles in the upper arms were like - separated. I found large knots under
my arms as on my body in various places. I could not raise my arms away from my sides. At 8 am I phoned the doc's office. They said, oh! it couldn't be that bad. I faxed the underlined, highlighted sheet to them and fifteen minutes later they called. The doctor said not to take any more
and it should be out of my body in 48 hours, if not see my primary phys.
She knew my GP had retired to help with her son, and had talked to me about taking her place until I got someone. A lot of it was out of my body in approx. 48 hours but my right arm (upper) and upper right leg was a mess. It is some better after April - Oct. taking medicine, therapy, and exercise but I still limp, especially when I get tired. There had been no strength for a long time. It was like the muscles separated and tendons enlarged, strutted, are very painful. The challenges are great up and down steps, etc. Can't lay on that side at night, put pillows under and between legs and when the doctor examining did a "frog-leg" with the right one, it didn't want to hold me up for several days. When I walk it gets to hurting very badly. Can't cross my legs when I sit. Wiggle and turn when sitting.
The very bad thing is this: The doctor never tried to help me get over this. When I went to other doctors for help, most of them looked the other way completely. For example, I tried to tell my new primary about the problems and pain from the muscles and tendons - he suggested lab work and a colonostomy. A rheumatologist kept saying I had "hip" pain. He did sent me for therapy though with a diagnosis of tendinitis in the upper arm.
He never addressed the case and cause. I would like to know if this is something to last the rest of my life. What can be done? You can only have therapy so long. An assistant told me to look this up on the internet.
I did not know this existed but I'm glad to know it has not all been my
imagination or "in my mind". My symptoms: dropped 25# in about three weeks, nausea, depression, sleepless, severe pain, taunt stretched tendons, droopy separated muscles,dizzy, and more. If anyone has any answers of who to contact and what to expect, please tell me. I've had anyone I talked with or saw to make note to never give this to me again.
God bless all experiencing these bad side-effects and make us well
again. --By ******

I was prescribed Levaquin 750 mg 3 days ago for a sinus infection. The first day I was just in bed. I could not sleep because my neck hurt so bad. I figured I had slept funny on my pillow. The next morning I woke up and took my second pill. I got so very dizzy and when the lawn guy wanted a check, I discovered I could not write. My hands were so shaky and weird that I could not even write my name. I had to call someone to pick my son up from school because I was scared to drive. I could not sleep that night but did take my third pill. Today I got up and could not lift my right arm. My shoulder hurts so bad and I can't lift my arm without extreme pain. I am not going to take another dose. The Dr. did not tell me any of this could happen. I won't take this medication again. I hope I will be able to lift my arm soon and this horrible shoulder and neck pain will go away.

I had a sinus infection and my doctor handed me samples of Levaquin, 5 doses at 750mg each. I took it for the first 2 days, couldn't sleep, forgot to take it on the 3rd day because I finally was able to catch up on the sleep that I missed from the 1st and 2nd day. Took the third dose and noticed that my shoulder (left shoulder) was starting to hurt, I thought I had slept on it the wrong way, until I started looking at the side effects on the 4th day after I took my 4th dose. After I read the side effects I threw the 5th dose in the trash. I love my doctor and he has always helped by giving out samples, but what the samples don't tell you are the side effects. Needless to say I have been off of it for 2 days now. I am sleeping slightly better, but now have to adjust the way I sleep because I can't raise my arm any higher than level to my shoulder with out horrible pain. I am 28 and very active but now I fear that I may have to worry about rupturing my shoulder. I think I will head back to my doctor to see what I can do.

I have been on Levaquin for about 4 days now and i have been having a hard time trying to sleep and found myself being restless when trying to relax. I would get mad all of a suden and begin to force my body to move, which in turn caused my muscle weakness to increase. I also am now noticing that since i started this medicine, my testicles have had randome feels of pain as well as when my girlfriend decides to mess around w/ me, i find my self going up and down, incapable of keeping it up as a result. has anyone else had this problem? how long after im off this medicine will this stop?