Levaquin and tendons

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 took Levaquin 3 times for 10 days each time over 2 or 3 years. I am not exactly sure as I'd have to backtrack my records. It was for a stubborn sinus infection. (BTW, it didn't help) Is it possible that now, 2 years after taking it, that my tendons are 'tight' and sore from the drug? I have been complaining that they feel like tight springs for months, totally inflexible. I didn't know about this, so I decided to really stretch them. I did 4 squats and the next day, my R knee was blown up. I got an MRI which showed a torn meniscus from doing the squats. Since then, I've discovered what Levaquin does. Could it be that my tendons were so tight, that they didn't give, but the pressure from them being so tight could have put so much pressure on the meniscus, that it tore?

On 7-15-08 I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital.3 weeks to the day later I had a abscess next to my bowel that had to be removed and again was given Levaquin thru IV while I was in the hospital,both times I got very sick right after I was given Levaquin and when I was discharged on the 2nd.trip I was sent home with Levaquin 500mg pills.After taking 2 of the Levaquin pills I again was so sick and could not keep anything down so I called my DR.and explained to him what was going on and I was told I had to keep taking the Levaquin.After a few more days had passed I went into the office to see the DR.and again told him how sick I was and that I was unable to go to sleep,again I was told to continue the Levaquin and that my hormones were out of balance and that was why I was unable to go to sleep.On 9-2-08 I finally went back to work after being off for 7 weeks. I still was suffering from insomnia and was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night but was feeling better.On 9-30-08 I had a follow up with my primary care DR.my blood pressure was 211/160 and my pulse was 177 and also had a bad cough with wheezing and was sent straight to the ER.I was admitted and for the next 6 days was given Levaquin thru IV and the more I got the sicker I was to a point I thought I was dying.I ended up with a rash all over my face and finally on day 7 a Lung DR.came into the room and took one look at me and said "oh my god,we have to take you off of that antibiotic")
I was sent home on day 8 and after being home for 3 days all of the Tendons in both legs,ankles,arms,hands and right shoulder were inflamed to a point where the DR.was afraid that they were going to rapture so I was on complete bed rest for 3 weeks.I am now suffering from both ankles swelled and ache all the time along with all of the minerals in my body have completely bottomed out along with the calcium and potassium and also now I have several inflammatory markers in my blood and have to go see a Rheumatology & Arthritis DR.My lungs have also been damaged from Levaquin and I am now using 3 different inhalers and I have never had a breathing problem previous to this.Now for those who have commented that we should have researched the drug before taking the meds in my case I was unable to do so being as though I was given it in the hospital ! I still have no idea how much damage I will be left with and what will be permanent.I will post again when I find out more on the damage that this drug has done to my 44 year old body.

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

No, I am not a drug rep,I am simply just being honest.Not everyone has a terrible experience from this drug. I am sorry that so many of you have had so many bad reactions,just like any medication it may not be for everyone,but it does work for some.

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

My wife is experiencing severe muscle pain in the back and rib area after taking this drug. Has anyone gotten better after they stopped taking the medication or is everyone still suffering?

I am so glad that I found this website, because I thought all of this was just me! Nine days ago, I was prescribed 750mg of Levaquin/once a day for 14 days. I was just about to take today's dose but after reading only page 1 on this site, will NOT be taking the 9th dose, nor will I be taking any more of this stuff at all! Mine all started with a toothache a few weeks ago, and ended up in the ENT's office with the above prescription with a CT-Sinus scan after 14 days of being on Levaquin. I always read the side effects of any prescription that I'm given, and I was aware that Levaquin could cause ruptured tendons so I've been very methodical with every move that I make...my husband had a ruptured achilles tendon a couple of years ago and that's the LAST thing I want to go through. However, after reading this site, I now understand that all of the other symptoms that I've been experiencing over the last several days are most definitely side effects of Levaquin that they aren't admitting to. Plus, it doesn't seem to appear that being cautious about how you move makes much of a difference when you're taking this stuff. Metallic taste in my mouth; Thrush and a lack of having full taste; swollen knees, extremely sore and aching legs, hips, and back/neck area; nausea; jittery spells very shortly after taking the medicine; hot, then cold spells...everything listed here! Why are doctor's continuing to prescribe this stuff left and right?? I'd rather just have a sinus infection!

I have taken Cipro & levaquin or several occasions for several years. I DID NOT KNOW OF THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THESE DRUGS ON TENDONS AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL EFFECTS. A FEW DAYS AGO I HEARD A LEGAL AD ON TV WHICH CAUGHT MY ATTENTION: ' IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS TAKEN LEVAQUIN AND SUFFERED A RUPTURED TENDON, CALL....... ' OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS , I HAVE HAD THREE ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES, TWO OF WHICH REQUIRED SURGERY AND A LONG REHAB, AND A "PROBABLE" TENDON TEAR OF MY FOREARM FOR WHICH I WAS ON LIGHT DUTY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, REHABBING W/ PT, STEROIDS, BOTH ORAL AND INJECTIONS, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDS. AS MOST OF THESE INJURIES OCCURRED AT WORK- I AM A CCU NURSE- AND WAS TREATED BY OCC MED DOCTORS, AND THEN REFERRED TO SPECIALISTS WHEN I WASN'T GETTING BETTER, I WAS MADE TO FEEL AS IF THESE INJURIES WERE SOMEHOW MY FAULT, THROUGH POOR LIFTING TECHNIQUES,ETC. AT NO TIME DURING ALL THESE TREATMENTS FOR INJURIES DID ANY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PUT THESE TWO THINGS TOGETHER AND ASK QUESTIONS, AND NOR DID MY OWN PHYSICIAN. THIS WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS DRUG HAS NOT BEEN WELL DISSEMINATED TO THE MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a bout of diverticulitis six weeks ago. About a half hour after taking it each morning, I felt completely unwell--dizziness, fatigue, overall weakness, odd sensations of pressure in my head, chest, and bladder, weird bouts of sudden joint pain. The worst side effect was terrible insomnia. I'd go to sleep OK, but wake up after 3 hours and not be able to get back to sleep, sometimes for the rest of the night. Instead of getting the rest I needed to get better, I was getting more and more exhausted. Now, a month after stopping the medication, my sleep hasn't returned to normal. I'm still awake in the middle of the night for two or more hours. Is this a residual side effect from Levaquin? Has anyone else experienced it? When can I expect my sleep to improve? Is there a way to detoxify from this drug?

I was prescribed Levaquin in Feb./March for 30 days. I have had tremendous pain in my heels since then. I am walking slower as every joint and muscle in my body hurts. I can barely stoop down and it is getting worse. I can not sleep. I thought I was just going through some depression and stress until I started reading about it in the WSJ and now realize I fit many of the symptoms being discussed.
We all need to take some action as this is only going to get worse for everyone.
FDA?????????????????

July 8,2008
In October 2007 I had surgery to remove a salivary gland. Due to severe infection, I was on 500mg of Levaquin for 20 days and an additional 10 days of Avelox. While taking the medication I suddenly had severe leg and knee pain. At times I could hardly walk. I would be awake a night with severe pain in my knees and legs. I also had the tendon in my left shoulder start "snapping" while sitting in a chair. My shoulder became so bad at one point that I could not lift my arm. I never related any of this to Levaquin until at a later date learning of this kind of damage. My shoulder finally got better after weeks of not using it. I still am experiencing pain in the muscles and tendons in my legs. I have just started seeing my doctor about it this past week. She has me taking Celebrex, which has helped somewhat. I keep hoping that tendons will heal eventually.

I am a 49 year old male and took a 14 day course of Cipro for a UTI. By day four the souls of my feet were very sore, especially first thing in the morning but no other side effects. Mentioned sore feet to Dr after 7 days of Cipro but he did not believe it was from Cipro and had me complete the course. After 14 day course of Cipro feet were now so painful that I could barely walk on them especially after resting or getting out of bed. Also burning sensation on skin of feet and hands and some minor tremor. Saw a specialist and he immediately confirmed Cipro as the culprit and advised never to take that drug family again. Have since done the whole web search thing and discovered the whole saga of these drugs. Other symptoms have also appeared, some pain in middle of back, sharp pain in middle of back of both knees, hot and cold flushes, pain in left bicep, fingers that are very susceptible to joint injury and feelings of weakness and anxiety. Has been over three weeks now since I stopped Cipro and condition shows no improvement, may even be slightly worse. About to try a shotgun approach with treatment as there appears little documented evidence of anything conclusive on line. Starting course of anti-inflams (Voltaren) and these have already reduced the pain in my feet. Also magnesium and calcium supplements (theory goes that it may mop up any remaining Cipro and there is plenty of reports from sufferers saying that symptoms continue to appear for some months after stopping Cipro), Vitamin B6 (can apparently help with some types of nerve pain and tingling) and Fish Oil (omega 3's can help reduce inflammation). Not very scientific I know and can't be sure that all these are compatible with each other but am a bit desperate at this stage. Bracing myself for a three to six month recovery (just based on experience of many others). At this stage I am just hoping that damage is not irreversible as this appears to be a real risk. As everyone here will agree it is amazing how this situation is being allowed to continue. I could have stopped my Cipro on day two or three if I had been made fully aware of the risks and what to look out for. I am no expert by any means on this but from what I can gather Cipro and its relatives do nerve damage by the very way they work. It appears that anyone taking these drugs will inflict some nerve damage but for many it will not manifest to a degree that is a problem or at least a noticeable problem. So in some ways we are all sufferers, just to varying degrees. Another point mentioned often is that the symptoms may not appear for some months after the Cipro is stopped and therefore is not always associated with the drug. Also some say there is an accumulative affect with using the drug a second or third time. Symptoms may appear only after multiple use or symptoms may get much worse and more likely irreversible with multiple use. It's all scary reading. At this stage I am just hoping I can make a full recovery. Do damaged nerves repair themselves, does the Cipro eventually leech out of our systems .... I don't know. I will post in this forum again in a few months or sooner if I make a recovery.

We are looking for people who can participate in a documentary film to be shot in Los Angeles which focuses on the apparent adverse effects of Levaquin. Specifically, we are looking for people who have experienced cartilage damage or burst and ruptured tendons as a result of using Levaquin. It is especially useful if you have a doctor's opinion that the damage was caused by Levaquin. If you or someone you know would be interested in taking part in this film which will shoot in Los Angeles in mid-June 2008 please email us at ******

I had a viral infection and was put on Levaquin 750 mg. After being on it for 5 days my joints began to hurt. I didn't think the medicine caused it and I continued to take it. Until the 7th day I began to research and found this web site. I quit taking it. I was unable to stoop down and it hurt really bad to walk up or down stairs. Regular walking was some painful. I also had some pain in my wrist. I've been off the medicine for 6 or 7 weeks and I'm still having bad joint pain in my knees. I'm unable to perform normal activities. I'm not saying Levaquin caused it; but it's just that when this started was while on it. If anyone knows how long this might last or if it causes permanent damage, please let me know! I will be going to a specialist in 1 week to get this checked.

I am a 36 year old male who was prescribed Levaquin for a urinary tract infection related to some bacteria in my prostate, most likely E-coli. I was prescribed 500mg for 14 days. I have not taken antibiotics in about 8 years as I am a firm believer that they are toxic and do more harm than good in the long run. However this was the first time I had something like this and was worried about something serious developing, so I agreed. The side effects started mildly and got worse and 11 days into them I could barely go to work. Incredible dehydration and light headedness accompanied with soreness in my muscles and tendons and trouble sleeping. (I was in possibly the best physical shape you can be in and worked out regularly). I'm not taking them anymore and hoping for the best. If the infection returns I will go see an Eastern medicine doctor and go the natural route with herbal remedies. I have heard doctors make commissions (kick backs) by prescribing certain drugs and don't pay attention to the horrible side effects their patients describe. Some of the stories related to this drug are very scary and people should be very cautious. Something else of interest, Levaquin is prescribed for anthrax inhalation and cancer as well, I think that says a lot.

I took 500 mg. of Levaquin for 10 days in January and caused extreme swelling and pain in both my knees, which I am still suffering from. I've had x-rays and an MRI of my left knee, which shows tearing of the tendons. I had my knee drained and injected and while it's a little better, the pain and swelling is still affecting my lifestyle, to where it's very difficult for me to walk stairs, and has affected my exercise routine as well.
Has anyone thought of filing a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of this poison? I have filed a Medwatch report with the FDA and called the manufacturer of the medication. They offered to refund the cost of the medication if I sent in the receipt, as well as possibly refunding the costs of the procedures associated with this.

I was given a 10 day dose of LEVAQUIN for a mild bronchitis/respiratory ailment on Jan. 29, 2008. I took 1 500mg pill for the full ten days. Three days after I stopped taking this medication, I experienced incredibly painful swelling in both knees. I could barely walk, and couldn't bend my knees. I was scared, upset, and in absolute misery. I spent a week literally throwing myself backwards onto chairs. It was unbelievable. When I could finally get to my normal health care provider 5 days later, she immediately identified the culprit as the Levaquin I had taken. She said she knew it to cause people's tendons to burst. It was obvious since it was both knees that it was not an injury and I never had any other problem with my legs. I am, or shall I say I was an avid walker. I was told to see an orthopedic doctor if I had not improved in one week. I had not improved in a week. The orthopedic doctor sent me for an MRI which showed irreversible, permanent cartilage damage in my left knee. The right knee he didn't MRI at the time, saying he could determine what he needed to know from the one knee and would only be able to do corrective surgery on my knees in 6 week intervals. This horrible drug has permanently altered my way of life. I was a 53 year old active, ambulatory adult who would walk miles a day. Two months later, I still have constant knee pain, cannot stand for long periods of time without leaning on something and can no longer kneel, etc. I can only walk around a bit and if I'm on my feet for long periods of time I experience knee, ankle pain and swelling. I sent a report to the FDA who obviously cares nothing about this situation, since I'm not the only unsuspecting person to have this happen. I've been studying this drug now and there was evidence in animal clinical trials of joint and tendon damage, To me it would have been no different an experience if someone had come up and hit me with a baseball bat across both knees. I am permanently damaged from Levaquin. I think it's criminal this drug is given to younger ambulatory adults at all.

I took Levaquin 500mg for ten days for a UTI, by the 5th day my right shoulder and bicep was hurting and hard to lift. On the 8th day my left arm was doing the same. I went to the doctor and was told it was Osteoarthritis and take Advil. Two days later I called the doctor told her this was not some little minor pain, she ordered an MRI. It showed torn and severed tendons in my biceps and rotator cuff. I had surgery on my right arm to repair all of this plus the tendons in my thumb on 2/26/08. I am scheduled to have the left arm repaired at the end of May. All this has been caused by the Levaquin, I have Multiple Sclerosis and my daily life was tough and this drug has made things twice as bad.
dfwtexan

Well, I am not posting a side effect. I actually stumbled upon this website while trying to look up whether hypoglycemia is a side effect of Levaquin. I am a physician assistant and routinely prescribe this medication. Unfortunately ALL medications have the potential for causing many many many different side effects. Obviously one has to weigh the benefits of using the medication with the risk of side effects. And certain side effects are obviously more common than others. While I appreciate the point of a website like this, it is very frustrating for me, as a clinician, to read someone posting things that are absolutely untrue which can potentially cause undue distress or worry for everyone who may read it. I am referring to the person who wanted "to let everyone know of the relationship between levaquin and vancomycin." Her only source for this WRONG information is a nurse who told her daughter. Did she ever think that the nurse could be wrong and that maybe before posting something like that she should ask a pharmacist or a physician. Vancomycin and floroquinolones are not related pharmacologically!!!!

I took Levaquin 500 mg for 10 days for pneumonia starting Jan 23, 2008. It got rid of the pneumonia but after about a week being on them I ached all over but especially in my biceps, moving was agony. My doctor said I must now have a virus but I've never had a virus that made my biceps so painful. Yesterday my left knee swelled up twice its size, today after being off it for 18 hours it is still just as big. Sleep is impossible, everything hurts and feel wired. I've been off the Levaquin for five days now and symptoms are still progressing. Was going for a battery of tests today, then last night my daughter who is an RN found this site and said there is your problem. Don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

We have had the same situation as so many others have reported and are devastated. My husband was given Levaquin 750 mg. and has all the symptoms that so many others mentioned. I am so tired of talking about it that I will just leave it at that. I feel like this has ruined him and he is getting very depressed and extremely angry. We feel like he has been a guinea pig but when we read all the other people's comments, we see we are not alone. This has ruined our lives if things continue this way. He was a pro basketball player and super athlete. Now his ankles are the size of grapefruits, he is in pain, can't sleep, has fever at night, feels like he is tearing tendons, hates doctors now and is living in hell the more he reads the outcome of all the other people. The fact that no one has gotten much better even after 2 years makes things look pretty grim. All we want is something to reverse the effects. Anything you can share would be helpful. Stacey (austin texas)

I started taking Levaquin last Friday ( the 11th) for a severe sinus infection. I was prescribed 750 mg for 5 days. I finished that but my sinus infection didn't improve so I was prescribed another 5 days of 750 mg. I took the pill yesterday and today ( totally 7 pills) I noticed on about day 2 or 3 that my legs felt tight, but thought it was a normal side effect. Then my lower back. I wasn't in serious pain at all so I ignored it. Today my knees, knuckles, shoulders, elbows, are extremely sore and i get sharp pains every now and then. It also hurts to sit for too long. I started researching the drug and now am so terrified after reading all these horror stories. Has anyone had this only last while taking it and not for months afterwards? Or am I pretty much in this for the long haul. And to the people who say that it lasts for months or years is it pain that disables you from working and doing daily things? I'm only 23 and I live a very active life and I'm totally freaked out now. PLEASE HELP

I went back to my PCP today. Yes the one that gave me the Levaquin. He was very nice and even agreed it was the Levaquin I took back in December. He said that these types of side effects we all are describing are RARE (I would have kicked him for all of us, but my legs hurt to bad).

But he did acknowledge pain and my symptoms (listed in my December post) and prescribed me Prednisone for my ligaments and Lyrica for my nerve pain. He also said it was going to be a long haul. I know that some of you are dying to telling why these meds are bad too, but I am going to try it because I haven't really been out of my bed for two weeks.

I just wanted to let you all know, that maybe some doctors are starting to listen... and that we should keep speaking out and warning others about the HIGH risk of our side effects.

I was prescribed 750 mg of Levaquin for a skin infection after a minor burn. On the third day I noticed flashing lights in my right eye and the next day I felt as though I was looking through a black lace curtain. It has now settled into a large thread like floater that is in my central vision. My eye doctor said it is a large vitreous tear which is permanent. I also had tinnitus and burning on my lips and tongue which stopped after I stopped the medication. Two weeks after stopping the meds, I was biking and lost my balance. I turned my ankle, not violently, but it resulted in ruptured tendons all around the ankle. Three days after that, my right shoulder began popping in and out of its socket. Each evening, I had a low grade fever and chills. I'd wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. I also had a rough eczema-like rash on my elbow and neck, however that has gone away. I'm sleeping better now and last night I did not have a fever or night sweats. My ankle is improving and I can now get through the day without having to take Advil. The shoulder is still popping when I extend my arm, but I'm hoping that will improve with time. So far, the only permanent damage seems to be the eye floater. It's annoying, but I'm adjusting. I'm planning to go back to the gym today, but honestly, I'm feeling like a ticking time bomb and I worry that new symptoms will continue to pop up. Has anyone out there been completely symptom free for any period of time? Has anyone discussed their case with an attorney?

I had a chronic cough which got worse and developped into bronchitis. My doctor gave me 10 days of 500 mg levaquin. Ten days later I went back, still coughing, even though the bronchitis was a bit better. He gave me another prescription for 7 days of levaquin with a refill.
A week or so into this routine, my legs started to hurt a lot. I thought I was just out of shape and needed to get back to the gym and do some stretching exercises. I could barely climb the stairs to the gym, but I must say that after working with the trainer and stretching a lot (and it hurt a lot) I was able to walk easier and the pain lifted quite a bit. . . for a while.
I also have developped total diarrhea, which made sense to me; because I was trying to kill bad bacteria in my system which I thought was causing the bronchitis.
Fortunately, last week I decided to go to another doctor because I wasn't getting better and I felt my old doctor was just overwhelmed by the health care system and was just going through the motions. This doctor, an ENT doctor, immediately diagnosed me with LPRD (acid reflux which goes all the way to the vocal chords, resulting in cough, tightness in the throat, etc.) I know he's right because I have felt the acid reflux thing at night when I have eaten late and had a couple of glasses of wine with dinner.
Tomorrow I'm heading to a gastro doc to attack the diarrhea, but I wondered if the leg pain had anything to do with the levaquin, since it came about after a week or so on the stuff. and lo and behold found all these postings which have now scared whatever shit I have left out of me!
I'm off to get some magnesium, as someone suggested and would appreciate any other tips anyone might have. My only tip is that stretching out your legs and butt muscles, does temporarily help a bit.

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

LEVAQUIN is a FLURO quinelone. The fluoride replaces the iron in metalloproteases in your tendons. Remodelling to stress thus fails to occur. It is a molecule shapped like a horseshoe. The base is the formula for an INHIBITORY neurotransmmitter: GABA. It also causes cardiac hyperpolarization. If these dangers are not carefully examined before taking the drug, you are playing Russian Roulette.

But don't just be hysterical. Read. America can't survive as a nation of hedge fund BSers with no grasp of science or math. Doctors are drowning in HMO paperwork and 5 mins. per patient. They can't be thorough and don't have time to read other than the BS of drug salesmen. So don't go by the stupid TV ads. READ-->LEARN-->READ--> and contact the FDA and drug company to get their info on your side effects. If they lie, you have a case. Fight for yourselves instead of just panicking over symptoms. That could kill you whether you stop or not the drugs.

You all seem literate so why don't you read more about LEVAQUIN instead of symptoms swapping.

It is a FLURO (floride) quinelone. The foride replaces the iron in your metalloproteases. The structure is like a horseshoe and its base is like an INHIBITORY neurotransmitter, GABA. So your muscles get weak because of the inhibition of nerve to muscle transmission and your tendons get sore and even brake because of the fluro replacement of iron in metaloproteases.

A self-educated consumer is one who goes beyond the stupid TV commercials. You will find GABA type action can explain a lot of your psycho-symptoms. LEVAQUIN is a dangerous drug. Don't drink coffee with it and be sure you get an EKG before using it as it is a cardio hyperpolarizer.

Above all, go easy on joints and muscles for a month during and after LEVAQUIN. The drug campanies are sharks after your blood. The doctors are so overcome by HMO paper work that they don't have time to read. YPU MUST EDUCATE YOURSELVES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE. America will not survive with a population that knows no science and math.

I took this drug for a kidney infection and now can hardly walk or sit on the toilet. The pain in my knees is excruciating especially at night. I can not turn over in bed without pain and they don"t seem to bend anymore. My doctor thinks I am nuts.I have not slept an entire night since this started. It came on all of a sudden after two weeks on this crap. Please, somebody tell me this is going to go away in a while!!!Marsh

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

Just wanted to update my situation. Well the shaking muscles have subsided a bit (it's been 8 days since I've stopped levaquin) been to the dr's 2 more times and had new blood work done yesterday. One doc says 90% sure it's from the levaquin but wants me to take the doxycyline anyway and then see a rhumatologist. My primary disagrees, did more blood work believes it definitely from the levaquin and is sending me to rhumatologist. They also they are updating their warnings in their office to make sure that it states this is a SERIOUS side effect (she also printed me off all my symptoms that are side effects of levaquin from their computer but say "rare") My knees started to subside until I bent down and BAMN just like it was all brand new, they are burning like no tomorrow! My ankles (achilles) and my shoulder tips (where the tendons are) are still killing and I am getting muscle contractions in my thighs and left arm but not as much, this may be due to the muscle relaxers and motrin. I have also been taking diazapam for the spasms so who knows how I would feel otherwise. I am disguising the pain with medication it seems and my fear is I am going to hurt myself worse. One dr told me that if the tendons were going to rupture then there is NOTHING I can do about it, they're going to rupture, the other dr. disagrees. My primary feels I need to be seen and diagnosed asap with tendon and joint pain and feels as though it's serious, but also believes it will not last as long as the other dr said (about 4 months). I am going to go swimming tomorrow because it's suppose to be good excercise for the tendons and joints. I have been putting hot pack and nuprin cream on the knees and ankles (cold seems to aggravate it and make them feel like they're ripping). If I type (like now) I can feel the burning in my shoulders and my left elbow now. This is a serious disease this medication has given me and the second I see the rhumatologist and I am diagonosed with something I do NOT want to hear (like permanant, or long term) I am calling a lawyer. I am not a sue happy person but who the hell does this company think they are making MILLIONS off of this medication and leaving people disabled or dibilitated for long periods of time. I am too young (early 40's) to be feeling like a 80 year old as a matter of fact my mom is 70 and goes to the gym every day and walks and swims, I was the same way until this medication poisoned me. I have herniated discs in my spine and they are aggravated because I have not been able to excersise that is part of my life and routine and I am furious.

If anyone has contacted this company, can you post it here and let me know what they have said? Thank you all and I hope you are all feeling better!

I too have nothing new to add just wanted to share my experience. I had severe bylateral ear infections accompanied by a sinus infection. My dr. gave me 10 days of augmentumn (sp?) it didn't work so she then prescribed 10 days of Levaquin (poison!) my insurance company didn't approve it at first so the pharmacy put a call into my dr.'s office and was waiting for an alternative. I was in so much pain from the ear infections that I did the single worst thing that I regret in my life. I called my insurance company and had them overide the rejection and approve the medicine, I wish to God I didn't. I did ask them if it was a controversial medication and they said no, just that it needs to be approved. Well, I started on Monday July 2nd and by Wednesday July 5th my knees started to ache really bad, just thought I walked a little too much on the 4th (nothing out of the ordinary I walk all the time and swim) well I thought it would subside and NEVER ever ONCE thought it was due to an antibiotic (aka levaquin/poison). I experienced sleeplessness and nauseau and didn't think anything of it, I know most antibiotics can make you nausiated. Well, by Sunday I could barely walk and when I had to crouch down to get something, I had tears in my eyes trying to stand up, the burning in my knees was unbearable and I still didn't relate it to the medicine, I had NO idea! Well, by Tuesday I took my 9th dose and my ears had felt better but my knees were getting worse, so I woke up on Wednesay and didn't take the medicine and then called the dr.'s. I asked if this could be related to the medication because it's not getting better, and the nurse said, I've never heard of that before, but hold on. She came back and stated "it says a side effect can be tendonitis and she said I needed to come in right away" I saw the dr. and she said, yes it's a side effect but it happens mostly in teenagers, but she was a little concerned that I was still having severe joint pain more than 24 hours after stopping the medication and that she wanted to do a lyme test. She told me that even if the lyme came back negative she was going to put me on dicylomine (sp?) for 3 weeks as a precaution because lyme tests can produce false negatives. She said wait another 24 hours and if I'm still in pain then she will prescribe the lyme meds. Well, 24 hours past and I got the lyme back, negative, my knees were killing, my muscles started to shake in my upper thighs and I was getting vibrating sensation along with muscle contractions. I called them back and on Friday and stated that I did some research on Levaquin and this is a side effect of the medication and I am NOT taking another antibiotic for a disease that I don't have! They asked me if I could wait until Tuesday to come see the dr because she was on vacation and I agreed hoping that my pain would subside with the prescription motrin and some ice. By Saturday (yesterday) it was moving down to my left shin and both the back of my ankles were killing like they were stiffl. I called and they said to put warm heat packs on and take the motrin and they would see me tomorrow if necessary. Well, the trembling in my legs were so bad that I had to take a diazapam to calm them down (which I didn't want to because I wanted to measure the pain, but couldn't stand it any longer) and put heat packs all day. I got some sleep last night (most likely due to the diazapam) I think the ice is worse for this but it feels better at the time. I am NOT getting any better, what is going on with me? I cannot believe this company has not been put out of business! I am going to see the dr's on Tuesday and am treating my condition as if it's tendonitits, I am now experiencing the muscle contractions in my arms. I am drinking water like it's my job and trying to stay off my legs with just a bit of stretching. I do pilates and go to the gym but have not gone since the 2nd of July the day I started the medication and am getting frustrated because I need to go for my back (arthritis of the spine with some herniated discs which are killing me now because I haven't been able to excersie or stretch). I am SO furious that this drug is on the market, the nurse said that it was a serious but RARE side effect to the drug and that she has never heard of anyone having it, well I don't think it's as rare as they would like to think and would like to do something about getting it taken off the market!

PLEASE tell me PLEASE has anyone just ONE person recovered from this HORRIBLE nighmarish pain and anguish? I am looking for that one beacon of hope that others have recovered and are feeling better, please anyone. I have children and I need to take care of them but I can't move my legs without excruciating pain going through them, especially the burning of the top of my knees. ANY help on how you took care of yourself would be great help to me. Thank you all!

Basically I have nothing new to add, but to confirm the many reports here. I under went some Upper and Lower GI testing back in May, and to clear up some infections the doctor found, he put me on a 10 day course of Levaquin and 14 days of Metronidazole. After the 2nd day, I was very sore in every muscle and tendon in my body. I had been doing work in the garden and just thought it was from that, but a couple more days, the muscles in my calves and the tendons around my knees felt like they were being pulled out of my body and it didn't matter if I was at rest or up moving about. Getting up in the morning was excrutiating. It was all I could do to put weight on my legs, and my arms and back muscles felt like they were on fire. I also had headaches, but the muscle and tendon pain overshadowed anything else. Doctors need to know this very debilitating side effect of this drug, and prescribe it only in the most dire of cases, and not to anyone already suffering from joint, muscle or nerve disease. The flyer I received from the pharmacy had a brief warning about tendonitis..but listed it under additional side effects. This should be listed as a critical warning. It has been 2 months since I finished the prescription, and I am still having problems walking and a great deal of pain in my legs. The calf pain has mostly subsided, but the muscles in my calves still feel very tight and the tendons around my knees feel sore all the time. This is a very dangerous drug!

I was prescribed 5 days of 500 mg of Levaquin for a possible UTI. I had some vision disturbances - seeing spots and shapes that weren't really there on the 2nd day. On day 3 I had a night of complete sleeplessness. On day 4, I noticed a slight soreness in both calves. I thought it was just from gardening. On day 5 (after I had taken the final dose) the calve stiffness/pain got much worse - it was like the muscles had become extremely tight and was centered around the tendons. I realized it was from the Levaquin when the insert and way down at the bottom it said to call your doctor if you had leg or tendon pain. Since then, I have looked at several sites and it's very scary. I can only hope that the leg pain goes away in a few days - I can hardly walk and it hurts with every step. I have always been a very active person. If this is permanent, it will change my life completely, as I walk everywhere and right now can barely get down the street or up and down stairs. My doctor said that only prolonged use would cause tendon tears, but that is not what I am reading. It damages cartilage, muscles, tendons. That's one of the reasons they don't prescribe it for under 18-year olds.

It should not be prescribed for anyone. There are thousands of entries on the web about the sometimes permanent and very serious side effects of this toxic antibiotic. I feel very sorry for all of us.

Marianne
7/3/07

On June 4, 2007 my husband had achilles tendon surgery on his left leg. He will be in a cast until July 19th at which point it will be determined if he has to be cast again. He took Levaquin 750 mg for 10 days beginning April 10 - 19th. On the early morning of April 21st he was CONVINCED that someone was trying to break into our home, he called 911 TWICE and the police came to our home to find nothing. I forgot to mention that he was also taking 500mg of Lortab for the extreme pain in his legs. Just after the police left for the 2nd time he took 2 steps and fell, rupturing the left achilles and tearing the right. I took him to the emergenceny room and he was so dehydrated that his kidney function had pretty much subsided. After 2 more visits to the emergency room he was hospitalized with Kidney failure. After a different round of antibiotics and fluids he was released after 4 days in the hospital. During his stay the swelling is his legs was terrible and the pain with the ruputures and tears of tendons was unbearable. After a vist to a rheumatologist she immediately diagnosed his injuries as a result of taking Levaquin. So currently he has a cast on his left leg and a boot on his right in hopes the right will heal without surgery. His primary care physician apologized because he didn't know about this drug. Surely there is something that can be done.

Has anyone experienced bilateral achilles tendon tears on Levaquin therapy?

Who would think an antibiotic would have such effects? I have been experienceing pain in my shoulder for about 3 weeks. This began less than 2 weeks after taking Levaquin for 2 weeks. In addition to that, I experienced side effects during the treatment. This include chest pressure and rapid heartbeat.

Yesterday, I saw an orthpaedist who diagnosed me with a rotator cuff injury.
I have one month of physical therapy to endure 3x per week now. If the pain doesn't improve in 2 weeks, then an MRI will be done. If it is ruptured, there will likely be surgery.

I am a healthy 35 year old woman with no history of shoulder problems. The doctor and others have asked what did I do to hurt myself. My answer is that I made the mistake of taking a drug that shouldn't be on the market. I don't lift weights and I didn't pitch 9 innings before this. So the only connection is a drug whose website states "ruptures of the shoulder, hands, and Achilles tendons have been reported...".

I have woarned all of my friends and co-workers about this drug. I am now on a crusade to prevent others from falling victim to this drug. I understand that the risks to the few outwiegh the rewards to many. However, when you are one of the few who is affected, your viewpoint changes. I am an educated woman and did read the side affects prior to taking the drug. I knew this was a possibility but it was "rare". Who knew an antibiotic could be so helpful and harmful at the same time!

I quit a ten dosage prescription for sinus infection after taking two Levaquin tablets. A few hous after the first pill my muscles and tendons felt sore,
like something was going to "pull." The next day my right big toe was so sore I was afraid to step on my car brake.
Because of the side effects posted on this website, I felt it best to stop the Levaquin before the consequences became more serious. So far, after being of levaquin for 36 hours, I feel pretty much normal again.
Neither my doctor or CVS pharmacy warned me about this drug's possible side effects.

Easter weekend (April 8. 2007) i came down with an outer ear infection. The Othorhinolaryngologist whom I consulted discovered that I also had a severe maxillary sinus infection and put me on Levaquin 500 mg, one tablet for ten days. After three days of taking Levaquin my neck and shoulders began to hurt severely keeping me from sleeping. On day seven I noticed signs of tendontitis in my right Achilles tendon. A day later the left achilles tendon also had symptoms of tendonitis, as do my aductor tendons in the groin, my hips hurt also, so do my fingers and wrists. I am absolutely MISERABLE and unable to sleep even now, six days after taking the last Levaquin. I was caught by surprise: how could a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotic cause me to walk like Frankenstein's Monster? But taking Levaquin was the only thing that had changed in my life. I did finally find the insiduous tendonitis connection ("If tendeness of tendons or rupture occurs, stop taking Levaquin immediately") that was NOT mentioned in the flyer from the pharmacy about possible side effects. I am certain that the Nose/Throat/Ear specialist doesn't know about the fact that prescribing Levaquin might clear up a sinus infection but keeps people from being able to walk and puts them into absolute misery because of severe tendonitis pain all over the body. I do hope this will wear off as it is almost causing me to contemplate that this is no way to live. Friderun Ankel-Simons, D.Sc.

Still improving--so those of you who are new to the levaquin side effects, note that I am improving each day over 4 days of ending the course of treatment (500mg, 12 days). I have much less trouble walking in the AM, but I do still have pain in my legs, particularly at night. The weakness seems to be subsiding. It appears that some people have much longer-lasting problems, and some don't. However, I am not completely recovered and I can only hope I gain back my strength and flexibility. Again, highly recommend lots of water and I am taking antioxidents and folic acid. I am intentionally NOT stressing my tendons. Best health to all.

I also recently had a very bad reaction to Levaquin. After finishing a 10 day course, I had severe joint pain, swelling and then lower back pain. I did take ibuprofen and it helped a bit with the pain, but not the numbness. I also was losing my balance because I had a strange sensation that I was walking with someone else' legs!!! Now, 3 days after I stopped the medication, I do feel relief. This morning I did not have so much trouble walking. I notice that I do have significant burning in my extremities, much more apparent at night and it's very uncomfortable. I will say, though, that improvements are noticable and I do hope others improve as well. There is no doubt in my mind that Levaquin causes very severe side effects. I am also taking antioxident vitamins, Omega3 and folic acid. Good luck--there is some hope. Just forge ahead, try to go through each day without worry about it and try to maintain a regular pace. But DO NOT STRESS YOUR TENDONS as it's apparent from the literature that you can cause permanent damage. Take it easy physically, but don't stop moving. Drink lots and lots of fresh water or seltzer.

Thank you, I will make a report. I also developed very severe lower back pain and it's very difficult to walk when I wake up, or after sitting for a while. I did just discover that ibuprofen helps. I hope these symptoms slowly disappear. It so happened that the symptoms started when I was nearly finished. Happy to say that my tendons seem to be fine. The odd thing is that I was given Tequin about 18 months ago and that was fine--I felt very good with that medication. I'll check back in a few days. Thanks, once again.

Hi guest 42390. These side effects can be damaging to your tendons. Please have your dr note your records so that you don't take this again. I have been suffering for 3 years now from levaquin. please send a medwatch report in so you can help get this poison off the market. Also go to www.fqvictims.org and you can get some help for your pain

This poison almostkilled my husband who received it after back surgery. He went into shock and was hospitalized for four days. Started with swelling of throat and tongue, pain in extremities, burning sensation, joints, muscles, tendons all hurt, unable to walk or stand or sit up or eat or sleep. Turned into pneumonia, congestive heart failure. He is now on oxygen 24 7, morphine, a walker, 2 months later. Before surgery he had a clean bill of health except for ruptured discs. Levaquin is garbage

I am a healthy, 36 year old woman and on 3/18/07 I was hospitalied for a blood infection caused by e.coli and was given levaquin intraveinously (sp?) during that time. Upon release from the hospital I was given a perscription for 750mg once daily for 10 days. In the hospital, I was having TERRIBLE HEADACHES- borderline migraines, HORRIFIC NIGHTMARES and was also sweating profusely throughout the night. When I got home and began taking the prescription pills, I continued to have the nightmares, nightsweats and headaches but then started having ODD TINGLING SENSATIONS IN MY LEGS, DEPRESSION, BACK PAINS & TERRIBLE NECK STIFFNESS/CRAMPING as well as INSOMNIA. (Right now it's 2:53 am and I am up writing this email). I am also noticing some pain in the tendons in my ankles and feet. After I read these postings I immediately flushed these pills down the toilet. I believe that these postings saved me from further suffering and possible long term damage. At this point, the cons of the medication seem to definitely outweigh out the pros. I am a mother of three (two of whom are under three yrs old) and I can't afford to have any lingering and/or debilitating side effects. Good luck to all and may God bless and keep you.

PS - It may be helpful if future posters would include their ages and health status pre-levaquin to help others in ascertaining risks, etc.

I was prescribed 750mg Levaquin for a sinus infection - having never taken this antibiotic before, and never having any allergic reactions to others I thought nothing of my 20 day prescription. After 7 days on this medication, I started feeling HORRIBLE - achy, flu like symptoms, and worst of all, every muscle, joint and tendon ached so badly that I had trouble walking at times. I had such bad nightmare on the 9th day of taking this, that I was afraid to attempt going back to sleep. After thinking all thoughts of bad things that could be happening to me (lupus, rapid onset of arthritis, etc.) I finally googled Levaquin and, fortunately came up with this site that showed others that had similar reactions to this terrible medication. After taking this for 11 days, I threw the remaining pills in the garbage and will never take this again. My only question is, when does this get out of your system where you will feel normal again? I have not taken this medication for eight days now and still my muscles, joints and tendons ache - at times, my body just feels flu like still. This is very frightening as I have never had a bad reaction to a medication and it is hard to believe that an antibiotic can wreak havoc on your muscular system such as this one has. Thank heavens for this website - I may have ended up taking Levaquin for the prescribed 20 days and who knows when these aches and pains would go away - they are far worse than the sinus infection!

tendons in wrist and down outside of femars inside groin area sore , wrist swelled above thumb twice size painful. started occuring 2 days before end of 10 day regime of levaquin 750 mg. 2 x per day.

I took Levaquin for recurring sinus infection - my doctor prescribed 3 different series. By the 3rd prescription I had developed severe joint pain, mild depression, rapid heart beat and chest pains. Blood tests showed that my cardiac risk factor was elevated. I have been off of the medication for over 6 weeks, I am taking nutritional and mineral supplements but still experiencing joint and tendon pain throughout my body. While I have exercised all of my life just walking is painful. My tendons 'pop' at odd times and are very painful. I also have nerve pain/spasms that randomly shoot through my joints.

I started taking Levaquin for a Strep infection that didn't go away on another antibiotic. The second day on it, I noticed a tightening in the backs of my legs, and my fingers felt funny when I woke up. I hobbled through that day, thinking that maybe the Strep had gotten into my system and was doing damage. By day 4, the bottoms of my feet burned when I tried to walk on them, and using my hands for leverage when getting up caused burning in the palms of my hands, too. By day 5, I needed help getting in and out of the car, and needed help getting up the TWO steps from my garage into my house. By day 6, I wasn't able to sleep because of the deep aching in every joint, muscle and tendon in my body - and when up, needed support to get from place to place. Heat helped some, so used an electric throw when sitting in my den, and the electric blanket at night. I didn't take anymore Levaquin after the sixth day when my daughter looked up my symptoms, and it all came down to the Levaquin. I don't have any swelling, but the pain is almost unbearable at times - heat still helps somewhat. I have been off the Levaquin for two months now, and no relief in sight. I still wake from sleeping unable to use my hands for the first 5-10 minutes - and the pain in my ring fingers and pinkies are not describable. I am on Ultracet for the pain, and though it doesn't stop the pain, it seems to make it a bit more manageable. I still have to pull myself up the stairs one at a time, I can't squat without pain behind my knees severe enough to nauseate me and I almost pass out. I can't straighten my arms because of the pain in the tendons, I think, in my forearm and around my elbow. I can't lift my arms over my head without pain. I am more concerned now that I've been on this site because it sounds like this may not go away, or if it does, it will take a long, long time. That's scary to me!!