Levaquin and stiff

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

I went to the clinic with a severe urinary tract infection. I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for 5 days and started taking it immediately (if you've ever had a UTI, you will understand!) I woke up on the 3rd day and could not move my fingers - my entire hand ached and was so stiff. It began to progress down to my elbows. I recieved a call later that day from the clinic saying they had prescribed me the wrong drug...a culture proved a different bacteria to be the culprit. Apparently the Levaquin was fighting nothing in my body besides my hand! I thought the pain was from the UTI going untreated for so long, but now I can see it was obviously the Levaquin. I still feel stiffness in my hands every morning, but it goes away and I am able to function. But I find it incredible that taking a prescribed medicine can affect me daily...and this was around 3 months ago that I took it!

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

I was given seven days worth of Levaquin for a bad strep throat infection. I was frightened reading about some of the side effects, but I've had strep before and had a very hard time getting rid of it. The doctor at urgent care said Levaquin was "primo" for getting rid of infections, so I took a chance.

About the third day on the drug, I started to have minor tingling, burning, and "pins and needles" feeling in my hips and ankles. My knees were also slightly affected. I quit Levaquin after five days. I'm recovering, but my achilles tendons are still stiff and sore. I've definitely lost a step or two on this drug and wish I'd tried something else.

My doctor said joint pain was a "rare" side effect of Levaquin, but it sure doesn't sound like it reading this and other boards on the subject. This is scary stuff and should be avoided if there is any possible alternative.

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

Wow. OK. Yesterday I was prescribed Levaquin for an upper respiratory infection. Once I re ceived the medication I quickly looked it up and found this review board. My first reaction was yea, yea, yea. Well now I will say this YEA YEA YEA. I took it before bedtime. What a complete and utter nightmere. I thought the Dr. made a mistake and prscribed me some bad LSD. I had the worst nightmeres I have ever had in my entire life. It was brutal. Each time waking up thinking it was true. Even awake drapes appeared to be blowing from the wind when the windows were shut. This morning I must say that my chest feels a bit better but my lower back seems stiff. I have nine more doses of this left and will continue on. Just a confirmation that this stuff is wicked. Thanks for reading,

I was diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and was prescribed 500mg Levaquin ( because I am allergic to most penicillin-based products) once a day for one week. On the fourth day I began to experience stiffness and pain in both feet, especially the heels, and also in my calves, and knees. I also had pain in my neck, at the base of my skull.These symptoms proceeded to worsen to the the point that I could barely walk on Sunday and had to go up and down stairs two feet at a time. I worked from home yesterday and took a Naproxen because the pain and stiffness was so debilitating. Today the symptoms have somewhat subsided, but I still feel stiff and can't walk or climb stairs very well. I was so deparate to figure out what was wrong with me and entered all search words that applied to my problem to Google. My search return included numerous sites connecting these symptoms with Levaquin. I found the PI and it is true. I have to say I feel better just knowing why this happened. I never suspected that the antibiotic was responsible. My question is this: has anyone else ever had this happen to them and what were you advised to do to "get back to normal"? I hope that these responses to the medication will go away now that I have finished the prescription. Please advise.
Ruth

I WAS PRESCRIBED LEVAQUIN FOR BRONCHITIS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING MY 2ND DOSE I BROKE OUT IN HIVES. I STOPPED TAKING IT AND BY THE FOLLOWING DAY THE HIVES HAD SUBSIDED. HOWEVER, I AWOKE VERY STIFF WITH LOTS OF PAIN IN MY LEGS. I HANDS BECAME VERY SWOLLEN AND I HAD TO REMOVE MY RINGS. MY HANDS AND JOINTS MADE ME THINK I HAD ARTHRITIS. IT IS NOT ONE WEEK LATER AND I STILL HAVE PAIN AND SWELLING IN MY RIGHT HAND AND ARM.

I took 7 days of Levaquin back in late August--it is the day after Christmas and my legs are still very swollen, sore and stiff, with major knee pain. Of course my doctor denies this, saying that I have "poor circulation."

Before this happened, he always praised my GREAT leg circulation. Has anyone else had this symptom and how long did it last?

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

I went to the Dr. and was given 500mg of Leviquin to take for 10 days. I was so tired and on the 10th day my knees started to swell and feel so stiff I could hardly walk. It was on the Thanksgiving holiday so I could not call my Dr. I was really concerned something was going on.

I just took 750 mg of Levaquin for 5 days. About a day or two after taking it, i noticed my calves and legs were aching and pretty stiff. I didn't associate it with the medicine until i started reading on this site. In the mornings especially they are so tight and sore that it takes a little time to get moving. I am also noticing that my fingers are getting stiff and sore. I just thought it was from going up and down the stairs all day, but it must be a side effect from this drug. Hopefully it goes away soon.

I was given 7 Levaquin 750mg for a terrible sinus infection. This is the third anitbiotic I've been given and this one worked. Within 2 days my symptoms began going away. But for the past 4 days my joints have been inflamed. My knees are swollen and sore to the point that I can hardly walk up stairs, the joints of all of my fingers are swollen and ache constantly. My elbows are even very stiff and sore. My neck is also unusually sore and sometimes tingles. I began looking into the meds I've been taking as these symptoms seem to be getting worse. I'm not sure if I need to call the Dr. or just wait this out...?

I was given 750mg of levaquin for 8 days due to a cellulitis in my left knee. After taking the Levaquin I developed swelling in my leeft leg, foot and ankle and then in my right. I have had this condition now for almost a month. My legs are very soire to touch and at night feel like they are on fire. The tendons in the back of my legs are so very sore and stiff I can barely walk. My back is also affected with pain and stiffness. i have been to three doctors this past week. One ordeered an ultra-sound on my legs, thinking I may have a blood clot. Another has ordered an uoltra-sound on my chest, thinking I may be in congestive heart failure. The last one said therapy might help. None of the three seem to know the real cause. One doctor did say that Levaquin can in rare instances cause torn tendons of the legs or shoulder etc. I have no other explanation at this point but that it is the Drug. A miserable way to supposedly get over an infection!

After taking leviquin for 5 days, I realized that my knees were getting so stiff that I could hardly get up and down. I have a torn cartilage in my left knee but it does not require surgery. I had been very active doing yardwork, riding bicycle, et. and then, BOOM, I couldn't figure out why I was having so much problem with my knees. I take the herbal joint complex all the time which always helps with any arthritis. While I was so sick with this sinus problem, I forgot to take my joint complex so I figured that was my problem but I have found nothing that does it any good at this point. This is the 6th day after the leviquin and I am still as stiff in my knees as I was in the beginning. I have been taking advil at least twice a day. I had no idea that this medicine could have caused it but decided to look it up on the internet and was shocked to find out how many people are affected this way. I can assure you that I will not take Leviquin again
ever.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection/ear infection. Never heard of it. I took the first pill (of 5) around 4pm in the afternoon. Thirty minutes later I felt disoriented, lightheaded, etc. I was driving!

Took the next pill first thing the next morning, same thing, kind of dizzy, lightheaded, etc. Then the joint pain set in. I have arthritis in both knees. My knee joints were so stiff I could barely walk. I took two more doses before I wised up and called my Dr.s office. Funny thing they had NEVER heard of such side effects with this medication. But, advised me to discontinue the Levaquin.

This drug is very scary. Finally, when I got back home (I was out of town for a holiday.) I went to see a different Dr. at the same practice. He informed me that my joint stiffness and swelling in both knees "was not from the Levaquin, but just my arthritis acting up". For the record, I am 46 years old, my arthritis has NEVER "acted up" like that before.

Never again. I hope they take this drug off the market!!!

I went to my family dr on Friday March 24, 2006 complaining of a bad sinus infection. I was given samples of Levaquin 750 mg to take, and was sent for a sinus x-ray. On Tuesday March 28, I received a call from my dr's office saying I have a very severe sinus infection and to continue taking the Levaquin 750mg for a total of 30 days. I went to his office and picked up more samples. Last night, March 31, my knees were a little sore. I thought maybe I climbed the staircase one too many times yesterday....total of about 5 flights of stairs. Today April 1, I can barely walk without pain. My knees are so stiff and sore. I feel as if I am going to fall over if I just get out of bed and try to walk. I have to get my balance before I move. I have propoxy pain pills I received from my dr last week which I am taking but it doesn't seem to help too much. I think Tylenol for Arthritis is working better for me. I remember having this exact pain once before and after checking my precription history I found I had taken Levaquin the last time that I had such knee pain. I have no doubt that the pain is caused by the Levaquin. Since all my pills were given to me by the dr and not through a precription, I had no list of side effect to check. I definitely will be contacting my dr on Monday morning.

I have taken 4 doses of 750mg of Levaquin for a sinus infection (they originally thought I had pneumonia so took me off the Augmentin and onto the Levaquin).

The only side effect I have is a stiffness in my both knees. My left knee is really stiff so I'm stopping the Levaquin and will go back on the Augmentin.

I can't believe all of the side effects listed. Looks like a last resort drug to me.....

After taking Levaquin 500mg daily for seven days plus one injection:

Side Effects:
- Body Aches and Sore Joints - especially the shoulders
- Nausea
- Night Chills
- Swollen & Achy Testicles
- Swollen, Sore, Stiff Right Foot, protruding up through calve muscle

With four days of medication remaining I called my doctor and told him I could not continue. He switched me to Zithromax and most of my symptoms have disappeared. After being off Levaquin for four days, my foot is still very sore, to the point where it effects my ability to sleep.

my last pill was jan 25 after a 6 week course. my main symptons are join pain and swelling in my wrists, fingers, ankles and toes. is this common? almost gone some days, really bad and stiff other days. my rheumy thinks it's arthritis and we did blood work today. sure hope it's just lingering effects of the levaquin. any of you have the same side effects im having?

teri

im on levaquin for serious sinus infection 30 days of 500 mg. I am having the worst headaches and am aware of the headache when Im sleeping, if you can call it sleep. my neck is stiff. I never had such severe headaches and neck pain before taking this drug and out of deseperation decided to see if by chance it was this drug and thats how I found this site. Im not sure what to do. Will call the doc after reading all of your messages. thanx for taking the time to input

I took just one tablet of levaquin 6 weeks ago and I need to urinate frequently and there is a lot of urine each time.Please let me know if anyone had this problem and how long will it take to get better.My neck and shoulders feel stiff and heavy and also I have tingling and pain in my right knee.

I took levaquin almost 4 years ago for a period of a couple of weeks. I noticed joint pain in my elbows, hips, knees, and wrists. I stopped taking the pills when I did a search for side effects because I knew something had suddenly changed with my health. With no particular warning a year after stopping the levaquin I started having lower back pain that lasted for almost two years constantly and now comes every month or so. I have recently suffered tendon damage and joint pain in my right thumb, and after 9 weeks I am healing very slowly. My right knee is very tight, with pain in/under the knee cap. I have very stiff/ painful achilles tendons on both feet. I know levauin caused joint pain wile I was taking it and I believe I am still suffering from it's ill effects. I am a slim 36 year old, otherwise healthy male. I think levaquin may have aged my joints 30 years in just a couple of weeks.

I was taking Levaquin for a urinary tract infection. After the second dose I was very very stiff. To go from sitting to standing actually took effort. I went to my doctor and had him quickly switch my medication. I am sorry that this is affecting so many people.

My 76 year old mother began taking Levaquin for a foot infection. Seven days into the course she developed severe muscle cramps and joint pain. She has been off this drug for one week and is still stiff and sore! She said imagine having lifted a 70# barrel and that is what her shoulders and arms feel like, almost like ripped tendons. Her knees and lower legs also ache and she doesn't do regular exercise (fell and broke her back some time ago) so this med does affect people who aren't exercising on a regular basis as well.

I was prescribed levaquin six days ago for a chest cold and sinus infection. Fatigue was noticeable after two days, and I skipped my work-out class on day three; just feeling sluggish, achy. On day four, I used my leaf blower for 90 minutes to clean a community pavillion that Storm Isabel had covered with sand from our river; lots of twisting and turning and sweeping, too, to get it in shape for our kid's Halloween Parade and party yesterday, Saturday. By last night, my left knee had swollen noticeably, was stiff, very uncomfortable (I've had no prior problems with that knee). By this morning, my left hand felt 'needles and pins-ish' and uncomfortable,
stiff; my knee was worse. I'll ask my doc and stop the drug now......thanks for all the shared experiences.

Nasty metallic taste, loss of appetite----but need to lose some weight anyhow----Knees feel like 2 hot coals----Although I do have arthritis in my knees, they are much worse post Levaquin. Awake until 4am. Very emotional.
Have had 4 doses-500mg- & will not take more. Hands much more painful & stiff than usual. Was placed on this junk because of a chronic skin condition which no longer responded
to Tetracycline. Most of these symptoms started after first 2 doses, but are worsening. I have not been drinking enough water & this may be adding to the problem. But I am quitting.
Almost unable to do stairs although, to a lesser extent, have had some trouble with that before taking this drug. Good luck, all. If I had a really life threatening condition, it might be worthwhile, but not for this skin problem.

I was prescribed 500mg once daily for 7 days for a UTI. At first I thought it was really good because I always react terribly with the weirdest of any possible side effect. In spite of digestive problems, I experienced none with Levaquin and that was simply amazing.

On the third day, I had a hint of bad taste. Nothing to concern me. On the fourth day, I took a niece to the movie and she leaned on mein a way that caused me to lean to my right , straining the left upper leg. The fifth day, the back of that left thigh was so stiff it was difficult to get out of bed, but I attributed it to the way I sat (though it seemed a bit much for that). The pain did not subside all day. I woke this morning and was so incredibly stiff that it was horribly painful to get out of bed. The pain had spread to an area about three times as large as what was hurting yesterday. It became so stiff while at work that I was barely able to walk. Getting out of my chair was excrutiating. It finally dawned on me to check side effects, and this is how I discovered that my notion that the Levaquin was the culprit was on target. By the time I left work, the pain has spread further and tonight it is even more intense, but my doctor has said not to take the remaining dose. I don't know yet whether the Levaquin did or didn't work for it's purpose because it also allowed for a secondary infection that is giving me some of the same problems. Now I am treating taking Macrobid again (which my digestive tract will not like) as well as treating the secondary infection. At this point, I don't know whether the pain in the left upper leg (all of it now, not just the back of the thigh) will get better on it's own or not. I'm keeping fingers crossed.

i started taking levaquin for a urinary tract infection, i've only taken 2 (500mg) tablets but have a terrible headache and am shaky, my neck is stiff, i just feel "not right" should i stop taking it? does it get better? i have fibromyalgia so i'm accustomed to feeling not 100% but this feels just "weird"...any suggestions would be appreciated.