Levaquin and third day

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 prescribed 500 mg Levaquin for 10 days, after the third day I started having pain in my lower back and left shoulder. The pain got much worse and I knew there was something wrong, I googled levaquin and realized it was the drug causing my pain I discontinued the drug immediately (had 5 more pills remaining) and went to my doctor, he said he "doubts" its the levaquin...and that I should continue taking it! I insisted he gives me a different drug. He is usually very nice and always give me and my family free samples (we don't have insurance) I am really surprised that he would give me a drug like this without warning me of the side effects and even worse he refuses to acknowledge that levaquin is the cause of my pain..

PLEASE SEND IN MEDWATCH REPORTS AT WWW.FDA.GOV.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS POISON OFF THE MARKET.

I'VE BEEN SUFFERING NOW FOR 4-1/2 YRS. HELP GET THIS OFF THE

MARKET. H.

My mother was on Levaquin, 500 mb orally, once per day. This was the only new drug that she was prescribed. After several days, she began to develop numerous small sores inside her mouth, especially inside her lips. She also developed increasing difficulty swallowing. While she seemed to have increasing energy in the mornings, after taking the pill she became lethargic and felt exhausted. At our insistence, the drug was discontinued however the following night she developed cardiac difficulties, requiring a pace maker and died on the third day of respiratory arrest. She was 86 and active with no history of any of these symptoms or conditions prior to receiving Levaquin. Levaquin may be a fine drug, but the health care providers need to monitor much more closely for side effects.

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 am a healthy female with little to no history of adverse reactions to medications. I was prescribed a 10 day dose of Levequin (500 mg) for a minor but stubborn skin abscess. After the third day, I woke up with significant joint soreness in my fingers. Progressively the soreness spread daily to my wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, hips, etc. I did not suspect the antibiotic at first, but I know my body, and I know something was WRONG.
After my 8th dose I decided to look online...it is at least good to know that what I'm experiencing is definitely from Levequin. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

I especially found MERCEDESLANE posting on April 15th interesting. I guess this person works in the health care system. Considering this uncompassionate individual, who apparently wants everythone to know he has a Mercedes, can't spell (whine), and does not have basic grammar skills. Wow...my faith in the our health care system is stronger than ever. But what do I know, I'm just an "IDIOT" with shingles that needs to have a couple of glasses of whine while I pop my remaining Levequin.

I had bladder surgery and was given levaquin 500 mg. I took 1 pill when I got home that day and my entire face was swollen and I was also sweating and definitely couldn't even think of falling asleep. My mind was going crazy and to try to tell you how I felt it was kinda like I was in someone elses body looking through their eyes, it's the weirdest feeling I have ever had, I didn't know that it was the medication at first because I just thought I was feeling bad from the surgery and them putting me to sleep. The next day I took another pill, same thing felt really really bad, got up on the third day went to work and left in an ambulance. They told me it's because of this medicine and what's in it. I still feel really weird and typing this letter is killing my wrist. I don't know why because I am on the computer a lot before all of this and never a problem. I wish I knew what was going on with me. I feel like I am going out of my mind, and my swelling is no better. My husband even ask me if I took my lasix and I already did and still swelled up in the face. Any feedback would be great. please help.

Hey guys i was given LEVAQUIN for a Bacterial infection, maybe a UTI or some other types pertaining with E-coli. At first i was fine. I was given 750 mg for 5 days. Today is 9 am of the 4th day and i have one more pill to go. First night was fine. Had a few nightmare, specially one pertaining to my umbilical cord poping out of my belly. VERY WEIRD... Second day was ok felt a little weak from the drug, but have severe anxiety attack. On the third day i started noticing. Some sores most probably thrushing form the drug ( years infection ) but more like sores in circles on my tongue. The fourth day i was the worst. My mind could not stop racing. I was very anxious. I could not even sit through a movie without going crazy. I had bed tremors. Left very HOT real quickly and started sweating and then feel cold when there is too much air blowing. Weird things like that. I got a lump in my throat. NOt sore but more like i can swallow my spit. I had no headaches at all from this drug. ( I THINK YOU GUYS NEED TO REALIZE THIS, headaches are caused by this drug if you do not drink A LOT OF WATER. I am now drinking about 4 to 5 liters of water a day. It helps with the JOINT ACES and headaches. BUT NOT the physiological effects. Man those are killers. I think i am going to take my last pill this evening at 7:30 and hope for the best. I have had no fever at all but soem fluxuation in degree of temp from 97 to 99 degree in general. Please if any of you guys have similar symptoms like mine, specially hot and cold sweats and mouth dryness and soars on your tongue. Please email me back i would like your input.
I am going to call my doctor today and ask him what to do but i am sure i ca continue on this drug.
thank you so much for all your post this put my mind at ease !! Because honestly i though that there was something wrong with me.
btw i am a 28 year old male

Back in July of 2007 I had a partial Colectomy and was given Levaquin before the Surgery. When I woke up from the surgery I immediately felt all types of strange symptoms like, vibrating all over my body, anxiety, chills, Heart palpitations, tremors, insomnia, memory loss, and panic attacks. They told me that it was the anesthesia wearing off so I just sat in bed feeling that way for my entire 2 week stay in the hospital. When I went home these symptoms persisted as well as continued pain in my lower left quadrant where surgery was performed. It has been 8 months now and the symptoms are not getting better. They have conducted MRI’s, MRA’s. EEG’s, EKG’s, CAT Scans, X-Rays, numerous Blood Tests, and Thyroid tests but have found no physical problem. They can see that I’m having the symptoms I describe but cannot give me a reason for them. At first they thought that my Thyroid was having problems that turned up to be inconclusive. The doctors are currently referring me to a third Colorectal Surgeon, a Neurologist and a Second Gastroenterologist. We are also looking for a new Endocrinologist and will be going to the Cleveland Clinic for help. My life has come to a virtual standstill and I have no Diagnosis or direction to go toward other then the possibility that I have been affected by the Levaquin they gave me. I found a website that has all kinds of information concerning Levaquin poisoning. http://www.fluoroquinolones.org

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I took 500 mg Levaquin daily for 5 days during the first part of Oct. 07. Tendon pain developed on the third day. Today, after four and a half months, three doctors and a dozen sessions of physical therapy, I still can't walk more than a few feet without a walker. Any thoughts regarding how I might proceed will be greatly appreciated.
David M.

Hey all. I suspect many of you would agree that one of the most infuriating aspects of this antibiotic nightmare is that seemingly, there aren't many {none that I've dealt with} doctors/nurses or pharmacists that will even acknowledge the potential {and VERY REAL} side effects of these drugs.

On 01/10/08 I was put on Cipro 500mg twice daily, two week supply, for epididymitis, which likely stemmed from a bacterial infection/urinary infection back in late Oct of 07. It's an infection that can require a lengthy dosage due to eliminate bacteria growth. I was also prescribed a painkiller along with it.

That night after dosing had horrible nausea/vomiting, and chalked it up to the painkiller ... which at that point it likely was. Within a few days the groin pain from the infection had subsided a great deal, and although felt a little 'odd' from the Cipro, nothing too noteworthy. At eight days into treatment, became nauseous around the clock with bizarre flu like symptoms. I called the doctor at the ER who had diagnosed me, and she switched me to Doxycilline {sp?}, which isn't a quinolone. After stopping the Cipro, nausea disappeared. However, within a week the pain of the infection returned, apparently due to the weaker antibiotic.

So I was re-checked on 01/24/08 and put on Levaquin, 250gm once daily. Within a day or so the pain subsided once again, but on the third day developed horrible diarrhea and pain in my left knee/leg. Stopped taking it immediately, and decided to research my dilemma online, where to my horror I've discovered all sorts of people from all walks of life experiencing debilitating side effects from this grouping of fluoroquinolone/quinolones antibiotics.

I'm now on Cephalexin, and the pharmacist I spoke with today assured me that it's not part of the quinolone grouping. He also suggested that I must be part of that small pool of the populace that has trouble with quinolone antibiotics ... one begins to wonder just how "small" this pool is given how the average person isn't likely to associate muscle/joint pain with the antibiotic they're ingesting.

How this POISON has lasted so long on the market without more exposure/media coverage speaks volumes about the state of corporate America, with nearly every social system compromised {usually at the expense of the corporation's victims} , with little or no help from the corporate owned mainline media, which serves as nothing but a megaphone platform for vested intertests to transmit "official" opinion to the unwary. So here I be with very painful knee, which I should add is already compromised due to a major tibial plateau fracture in 2001.

I'd love to know whose palms are being greased to keep this rat poison available ... hell, I even had to pay over our insurance co-pay fore the Levaquin, as it's apparently a "top shelf" drug.

Good luck everyone ... and it probably doesn't need to be said, but man, I know after this I will check and double check any and every antibiotic that may be perscribed to our daughter in the future!

I was in the hospital for a bowel re-section. On the third day, they switched me to Levaquin because I spiked a fever. I was released four days later (after 2 doses of I.V. Levaquin per day) and sent home with three days worth of pills. Ever since I've taken the Levaquin, I've had horrible shoulder and back pain and feel somewhat neurotic. The doctor said that it's a side effect from Levaquin. I have one day left of the medication and will continue to take it, but I'm curious if anyone else has had mental side effects. All I've read about is the joint and muscle soreness. Please help! It's affecting my sleep and daily routine. I don't recommend this and will not take it in the future (not to mention the cost of the medication!)
thanks

I was put on Avelox and went on a cruise. Well on the third day of taking it I broke out in hives, had difficulty breathing, could not walk, the pain in my legs were so bad and had a burning sensation from my nose to my pelvis. I felt like I was on fire inside my body. Well, the doctor on the cruise ship gave me many medications to combat the allergic reaction and thankfully I was fine after that. I still to this day have severe joint and muscle pain. I didn't realize until I read all this that it could have been due to the Avelox. I was on Avelox, Cipro, and Levaquin also for a sinus infection. That was Aug. 2006 and quess what still feel like crap with the pain in my legs and feet.

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?

In my case, Cipro tablets were prescribed for a potential prostate infection. The first dose was taken on 12/12/07. While taking this medication, I experienced "pens and needles" and shooting pains all over my body, leg pains behind my knees, right groin swelling to the point I could barely walk, and chest discomfort just below the sternum. The chest discomfort started after the second dose. My use of this drug was discontinued on about 12/17/07 (after 6 doses). I threw it away. Read the label BEFORE you start this medication. It's quite alarming after the fact.

I let my physician know about my problems with the Cipro and he then prescribed Levaquin, 500 mg, which is the same class of antibiotic. This was confusing to me later since I told them about the problems with Cipro. The doctor knows best...right- so I took 1 Levaquin per day from 12/21/07 until 12/26/07, again about 6 doses. My symptoms re-appeared after about the third day. Pen and needle pains re-occurred although they never entirely went away from the Cipro, severe swelling and tendon pain behind knees- especially the left knee, some chest discomfort, swelling in the armpits, and groin area. Swelling sensations were most prevalent behind both knees and the armpits. Shooting pains also occurred everywhere in my body, especially in the arms and legs. Shooting pains also occurred in my head and jaw with no warning but were less severe. The bottoms of my feet also hurt at times. Sleep was difficult to come by so extreme fatigue set in. I have been off the Levaquin now since 12/26/07 (5 days) and still have some shooting pains but some of the swelling has subsided. The symptoms have reduced but not disappeared entirely. I will never take a quinolone antibiotic again. My suggestion to others is to file an Adverse Drug Reaction report with FDA on their Medwatch website.

I again saw the physician on 12/27/07 and he said that it's "possible" I could be having a rare side effect. Another physician I know said I was having some type of hypersensitivity to the medication but that he had never come across such a case in his practice. Just my luck.

As I write this, I'm on my fourth day taking Levaquin 500 mg. prescribed by my doctor for severe nasal congestion, sore throat, difficult cough. I have bouts like this on a yearly basis that start around Thanksgiving till late spring. I do remember taking Levaquin before though didn't notice anything bad (yet). As I read through different messages, I now come to realize that maybe I should go back and check the time I took Levaquin because I've been suffering from so much muscle aches and pains for a quite a very long time now. Since I started taking Lipitor 3 years ago, I'm inclined to think my pains were due to side effects of Lipitor. That's just another issue.

As of yesterday afternoon, on the third day of taking Levaquin, I was informed by my pharmacist that I OVERDOSED since Friday and Saturday by 2000 mg. I was prescribed 500 mg. one tablet per day. Whoever typed "Take one tablet every day by mouth after meals" in the pharmacy must have too many "ssss" in their pockets. "After a meal or after meals" are definitely not the same, don't you all agree? I didn't just read the label and followed instructions as I understood it. The pharmacist confirmed what I read back to him as typed. I thought pharmacists know how a certain drug should be taken. But that's another story to tell. I'm too concerned learning about the bad effects of Levaquin for me to find time and question a pharmacist integrity.

I called my doctor first thing today and told them of this oversight (should it be mine or the pharmacist?). I was told to continue with the medication and call them how I'd feel in a couple of days. So I took just one tablet today. That was easy.

Now after reading all these different bad things happening to people taking Levaquin, I am thinking of the future. Should I be worried about the bad side effects of Levaquin taken exactly as prescribed? What about those 2 days of overdose? I guess, I have to find that out myself in due time as I will not stop from finding out more about this drug.

I don't think I will continue taking this drug tomorrow. I don't know what will happen but I'm sure my doctor will find a way to fix my upper respiratory problems. He must have heard about other patients complaining about Levaquin. I will make sure he will take my opinion seriously.

To all of your valuable inputs and opinions and warnings about the harsh effects of Levaquin, thank you very much and may you continue on passing to one and all your valuable insights. Count me in!!!!!

Tomorrow will be a new day and I will be on my toes making sure I will fight the harsh side effects as early as I could. I know it will be worth the fight if I kick these damaging effects at its early stage, hoping I will be lucky to do so.

God Bless to all!

I had been suffering from a lingering sinus infection that lead to having Epididymitis (testicular pain). My doctor gave me Levaquin (750mg)/day for 14 days. I read and check with the her about the drug. On the third day I woke up with a terrible itch on my legs. I took my dosage for the day at 7 AM and by 8AM I was in the ER. I had such a reaction to Levaquin that my blood pressure had dropped to 71/49. As soon as I started to feel the effects of reaction I took Benadryl. That saved my life.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 for possibility of a low grade infection (101 temp). Within two days I started feeling anxious, unable to sleep, sweating, dizziness, severe pain in both knees and elbows - could not walk. Upset stomachnausea even though I followed instructions to drink a lot of water. Then flashing began in my eyes. I stopped taking the pills after the third day. The other symptoms began to stop. However the flashing in my eyes continued only to be replaced with big black floaters which, I understand, are permanent.
I had NOT received any warnings from the doctor or the pharmacist other than to "take with a lot of water".

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.

I was prescribed Levaquin 750mg for pneumonia. The first 2 days I felt ok, then the 3rd day about an hour or two after I took the pill I was getting really anxious and depressed. I was acutally having thought of suicide! The anxiousness and depression lasted for about 4 to 5 hours after the start of them. Also on the third day, I was experiencing my heart pounding and some muscle cramping. The 4th day the symptoms started getting a little worse. And so today, being the 5th day of my 5 day treatment I feel like a truck hit me. I called my Dr. and he told me not to take todays dose, that Levaquin is probably causing the symptoms that I'm having. As I type this I've had to stop numerous times because of my fingers and hands cramping. Also I dont think I've ever sweat this much in my life. I probably would have never called my doctor about my symptoms if I didnt stumble across this page.

I went to the doctor and she gave me a prescription for an antibiotic which was $150.00 which I said no way. I went home and phoned her and she said she had samples of a different one in her office I could pick-up. It had no information on the drug and I am on my third day of taking it. It is 750 mg and I am about 118 lbs. My cough is better, but I feel strange. Earlier today, all of a sudden, I felt achy all over like I had a fever again, very tired, and a headache but could not sleep when I came home. I was thinking maybe I am over doing it after just getting over being so sick, but now after reading this I think I know why I feel this way. So far, I have not had any sharp pains in my legs, but am also on meds for pain which make me worry about how Levaquin might interact. My head is in a fog and I just woke up after falling a sleep for about 20 minutes with my heart racing, ears ringing and bad dreams. I can not go back to sleep and found this web-site which I am glad and will not take anymore LEVAQUIN! When I took the first pill it was on an empty stomach and felt nauseus because I had not been eating because of my sickness. I still don't have much of an appetite. I have 2 kids I have to take care of, a house, a hubbby, a part-time serving job and need my strength and SLEEP! I was at work yesterday and found that I could not get my words out right etc. again, I thought it might be from just getting over being sick, but now I know why and will call my doctor first thing Monday and let her know.

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.

After reading the first page of posts, I realize I am very lucky that some of the worse side effects. The first time I was prescribed Levaquin, 500 mg. for a UTI, I noticed that after one day my tongue tingled. The second day of treatment left me with a very sore tongue, as if someone had rubbed it with sandpaper. The next day, I got several large white blisters in the roof of my mouth, under my tongue and in the back of my throat. None of these symptoms were listed in the information pamphlet from the pharmacy. I called my doctor and he said it must have given my an oral yeast infection. He called in a prescriptin for Diflucan and Nystatin (an awful tasting orange liquid you have to swish in your mouth and swallow). It did not help. I went to him again so he could look at my mouth in person and I had lost 9 pounds in 6 days! I could not even stand to eat chicken noodle soup and I was living on water and jello. I am a diabetic who has to inject insulin, so my blood sugars were going crazy. He prescribed some other mouthwash and it took almost a whole week after finishing the Levaquin for all the blisters to get to a point where I could even brush my teeth again. I can't begin to describe the pain. I have UTI's a lot, but I made him promise never to prescribe Levaquin again. Well, two months ago, I got another UTI and tried 2 other meds that did not clear it up. He once again prescribed Levaquin, and now my mouth is inflamed and blistered. I don't think it is an oral yeast infection, because the symptoms are not the same. It feels more like some kind of chemical burn. Has anyone else had these symptoms? I just came back from a family reunion and I was miserable the whole time I was there.

I took 500 mg each day for three (3) days, terrible nightmares, sleep disorder, and some stomach pain. I have seven days left on the treatment. I hope with everything I've read, I can tolerate it, but it doesn't feel so good on the third day...just listening to my Dr, hope he knows what he prescribed is safe for me.

I was put on 500 mg of Levaquin for 5 days on April 12, 2007 for a urinary tract infection. I had already been on another antibiotic two different times, which did not help. I noticed on the third day, today, that I had a severe pain in my right hip. I have also experienced some itching. Those are the only side effects I have encountered with this drug. The infection has improved significantly.

On my third day of Levaquin 500, I woke up with my heart pounding, thinking I was having an anxiety attack. But it was my pounding heart that woke me up. Same this THIS MORNING, my heart was beating so hard that my clothese were moving from my pounding chest. After reading about others I finally realized it was the Levaquin. Today is Easter. I sat in the front row of church and it happened AGAIN! I just prayed that I wouldn't faint or have a heart attack, and I made it. I'm not even sure if it has had ANY affect on my sinus infection. This is BAD NEWS.

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

Taking 500mg of Levaquin once a day for five days. I am on my third day and will not take the remaining two doses'. I have horrible indegestioin and a sour/bitter taste in my mouth. I am taking the rx as a percaution after surgery and felt great till taking the Levaquin. Going to the doctor tomorrow to discuss.

Levaquin 500 mg. I have never had side affects in 64 years of life till this drug. Weakness, and sever cramps in the calves both legs. I was given this drug for Bronchitis for 7 days. On my third day I had a leg cramp in the right leg and on the 5th day, the left leg.

I took levaquin for bronchitis. I have been taking it for 7 days not. on the second or third day, I began to have pain in my knee joints, the my achilles tendons began to ache, and then my calf muscles tightened. I was walking like a 90 year old cripple. I now believe all of this was caused by levaquin, especially that my chiropractor could not find any mechanical reasons for all this to happen. I will see my doctor tomorrow to see if I can stop taking thiis medication immediately.

I was diagnoised with Kidney Cancer in March of 2005, and had a partial nephroectomy on 23rd day of March 2005. I was being given Ancef which is in the family of Levaquin.
A few days after my surgery while still in the hospital my back started itching , i told this to the nurse and she looked at my back and said i was broke out in hives , she phoned my dr. and he prescribed benadryl shots and allergy meds but nothing seemed to help, about the third day of being broken out and nothing was working that my Dr. had prescribed a dermatoligist was called in to the hospital , he prescribed different meds and a medicated lotion, still no releif.
My Dr. released me from hospital a few days later ,i still had hives on my back , and he prescribed Levaquin for me to take at home, my hives kept getting worse, by then they started at the back of my neck and was all the way down my back to the back of my knees and not just bumps ,but whelps that reached from side to side nothing i was taking or putting on them helped the itching or burning.
My daughter who is an RN had talked to the nurses that she worked with at the hospital and they all decided that it was the Levaquin that was causing the hives to stay , so i quit taking it ,and sure enough i quit breaking out but i had them so long that all of my skin where i had them felt like leather and the itching was horrible and miserable.
I went to my regular Dr after several days and told him about my skin and itching and he told me to buy some Eucerin lotion at Wal-Mart and my husband rubbed it on my back and the next day my skin started to heal.
I still am having outbreaks on my back and was wondering if anyone else has had or is having this problem?

My doctor started me on Levaquin for a UTI. When I asked him why that drug (I had never heard of it) he explained that it would also take care of any infection that may have occurred in the kidneys as well as the bladder, etc. and that it was very effective. Sounded good to me since I had all the symptoms that typically make a UTI sufferer miserable. What a trip! He told me to take two 250mg tabs that day and then take one per day for five days. I did as he said, and after taking the third day's dose, my heart started beating like a rabbit on and off. It was nighttime, so I went to bed hoping that rest would calm the heartbeat. I managed to fall off to sleep, and woke up within an hour and a half with cold sweats and a cramp in my right calf, heart had still not slowed to a normal acceptable rate. I got up and walked around a little, as shaky as I was, in order to get the cramp to go away. I sat and read a book all wrapped up in sheets like a mummy, sipped on water and only got short periods of rest that night as you can imagine. I told my doctor the next morning and he changed the prescription for me immediately. I normally read about all drugs that I take on the internet or from any other reliable source before taking them, but I had been feeling so miserable that I just trusted it and took it, uninformed. Big mistake. Know what you are taking, folks. Ask all the appropriate questions, and at the first sign of feeling weird, insist on something that is less of a thrill ride! Luckily though, those symptoms did not come back after discontinuing the Levaquin.

I was prescribed Levaquin by my ENT because I was suffering from a severe sinus infection. The first dose I took made me vomit. Luckily, I only had to take it once a day so by the time I took my next dose, I was able to keep it down. However, I could not move around. I spent two days in bed and finally went to Urgent Care my third day into the dose. There, the doctor asked me what the doctor had prescribed me and I told him Levaquin. He prescribed me something to stop the vomitting (I three up for three days) and something to dry up my sinuses. He also told me to eat yogurt because the antibiotic I was taking was so strong, that it not only kills bad bacteria, but good bacteria too. I took the Levaquin for 7 out of the 10 days but stopped it because a week later, I still could not function 100% and found myself vomitting again. Mind you, my sinus pressure, headache was gone as were my other sinus symptoms, but I was still threwing up. After I stopped the Levaquin, I stopped throwing up. But now, my stomach is upset 24/7 and I feel queasy all the time. On top of that, my left arm has been hurting and the other night I woke up because my chest felt really tight. If I drink milk, I get really sick. This did not happen before I took the Levaquin, but my understanding is you need good bacteria to digest milk properly. I think this drug needs to be taken off the shelf before it kills someone.

Warning!- Don't take this antibiotic! I went to the Dr. for sinus infection. The first day I stared feeling worse; achy,tired, nasuea, headache. Second day I had severe shooting pains in my head, loss of appetite, general weakness, aching allover like feverpain. then periods of high anexiety and nervousness, my stomache was cramping,alot of gas. Third day severe oains in head increased,general felling bad and weakness, While sitting and writing I developed severe shoulder pain. the tendons cramped and I could barely extend my arm. The pain the went to the tendons on either sid of my elbow and weakness down into my hand, my grip was affected. I know the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night to reveal my symptoms were a result of the Leviquin. I am a hairdresser/stylist and this is serious! I will put upa sign in my shop warning people about this Dangerous drug! When I red all the other warnings, I'm so mad this is still on the market! I hope the side effects leave Quickly!

I took Levaquin several years ago for pneumonia after being misdiagnosed and treated for bronchitis. Within three days, my breathing improved but my body felt worse. By the third day, I started having what I thought was joint pain in odd places: feet, ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, elbows and shoulders. I called the doctor who told me not to worry, that these were side effects that would go away. I kept taking it because I was desperate to get well after months of being sick and misdiagnosed, but the side effects worsened. I called again and got the same advice. By Day 13 and in tears, I started researching it and found a website that detailed the horrible side effects that people were experiencing, how the drug was implicated in bilateral tendon ruptures, how Nader's group had petitioned for warning labels detailing these dangerous side effects and been denied, and how the symptoms persisted in some for years.

By the time I stopped taking the drug (Day 13), I could not lift my right arm over my head, a symptom that persisted for about six months. I immeditaely went to see a rheumatologist who told me it was not my joints but my tendons that had been 'attacked' and that I should have stopped the drug immediately at the first sign of a problem. He said that over time I would improve.

What disturbs me is that my experience happened FOUR YEARS AGO and there were many who had similar experiences who preceded me by several years. That this situation still persists in unconscionable.

The side effects lasted for several years but the varied. At one point, every time I kneeled I felt there were rubber bands across the front of my knees that were about to snap. For a while, my ankles were very weak, etc.

I would say that it took about 3 1/2 years to be rid of the symptoms so it may take that long and longer for some to detox from this dangerous drug.

Hope that helps.

Susan

I am 61 years old, very fit and I exercise rather vigorously 2-3 times a week. I was given a free sample and a 7-day prescription for Levaquin by an urgent care physician. By the third day I was unable to pick up my coffee mug with one hand and had difficulty even using two hands due to weakness, muscle pain and joint stiffness. Since my PCP was out of town, I cut the pills in half. By the 6th day my heart was skipping every 4th or 5th beat and I had mild chest pain and gout-like symptoms in both big toes. I did not complete the last dose, as I was afraid it would kill me. Two weeks later, I continue to experience difficulty going from lying to standing and from sit to stand. I have to stand for a moment and then as I begin to walk, I am so bent and stiff that I look like something out of a nursing home. Once I begin walking, the pain and stiffness dissipates considerably, but the weakness is intermittent. I walked through Lowe's yesterday and wasn't sure I was going to make it to the other end of the store. I am having difficulty opening jars and bottles and even lifting pillows to make beds seems to be difficult. My hands are hot and swollen for a considerable time after getting out of bed. I am a medical transcriptionist, so this interferes with my typing. The pain, stiffness and weakness appear to be worsening and I am very concerned.

Caveat emptor! Apparently, big pharmacies make billions and then find it more profitable to pay a few law suits than to pull such poison off the market.

After having severe Diareha for two days I was Taken to the ER by my roomate. I had a temp of 103.8 and was severly dehydrated. I was admitted, they gave me electrolytes,potassium and Levaquin IV. Within 30 minutes I became nausious(SP?). Over the next few hours I began to swell and my hands began to tingle. Even though I complained each time a nurse or Dr came to my room of pain and numbness in my hands they continued to give me the Levaquin. By the third day I had turned beet red and my feet were also numb. I refused to let them take my blood pressure for fear of my fingertips exploding when the cuff was tightened. A different Dr switched me to Rocphen. But the swelling and numbness persisted. That was the middle of May and to this day I have no feeling in my index,middle or ring fingers on both hands. I have had an EMG that showed "no response" of the nerve.... DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG OR ALLOW ANYONE TO ADMINISTER IT TO YOU! Hell I could have come out of the severe dehydration with just electrolytes and no antibiotics. At least I would still have feelings in my hands.

To everyone who has taken this drug,
I thought I was going crazy after the third day of taking levaquin. I started 4 days ago and haven't been able to sleep because the pain is waking me up. Also my right leg from my back to the tip of my numb toes is excrutiatingly painful. I've since stopped taking it but, I feel terrible. I can't begin to describe the level of pain that I have. I feel so alone and in so much pain that I dare not to tell the doc of this because I have cancer (carcinoid) , and I'm sure he will just think this is a result of my cancer. Somebody please help me!

My doctor prescribed levaquin 500 mg for 7 days to treat me for bronchitis. I was very ill. As prescribed I took one tablet the first day and another tablet the second day. On the third day I woke up and knew immediately something was not right. I had extreme muscle fatigue in both arms and felt very weak in general. I also had difficulty speaking. I knew what I wanted to say but spoke in short choppy sentences. Instinctively I suspected the medication. The doctor discontinued the Levaquin and gave me a different antibiotic. The nurse at the doctor's office said she had never heard of the side effects that I described from this medication. When I called the pharmacist to ask how long the side effects would last, I was told that it would take a few days for the medicine to clear out of my system. I hope this is not going to be a lingering problem. Last night, which was the third day, I had pain in the side of my head with numbness on the left side of my face. Never, never take Levaquin.

I'm only on the third day of Levaquin 500mg, but I'm so glad I found this website. My doctor prescribed Levaquin for my "borderline walking pneumonia." I was initially glad to have a pill to get me on feet again since I was down for a week with coughing. The first day was great, I slept a lot, felt weak but I was positive. Yesterday I took my 2nd pill and had all this initial outburst of energy. I got a lot done around the house and even had appetite for a steak and potato dinner. This morning after the 3rd pill, I definitely took a turn for the worse. I felt this weakening, to the point I could hardly stand up, so I thought I would lie down and I slept for 3 1/2 hours straight with chills and really intense dreams. I could hardly get up, and then I felt nausea, got the shakes and more chills. I have never felt so bad in a long time. Thanks to this website, I got a lower dose of medication (Z-pack) and hope the last Levaquin pill has passed thru' my system. I felt very scared and thankful that others have experienced similar side effects so I didn't feel so all alone.

I had taken Levaquin for 1 week for a sinus infection (was prescribed 2 weeks worth). I stopped the medication when I started feeling severe depression. The depression started on the third day and I stopped the medication after the seventh day. I also was nauseous, dizzy and very tired. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning most days. I have stopped the medication for over a week. I am hoping the side effects go away soon. I am still tired and depressed.

Levauin was prescribed for me as an anti-diarrheal when I received my yellow fever vacinnation for a trip to Nigera. On my third day in Abuja I took one 500mg tablet because I was experiencing gas. Within a few hours I experienced such extreme heart arythmia and tachtycardia that I thought I might die. This has continued for three weeks, in addition to severe lower back pains. There was absolutely no need for me to have received such a powerful and potentially fatal medication when an over the counter would have been sufficient. I have made an appointment with my primary care physician because my distress continues.

In June I was prescribed Levaquin for a urinary tract infection. Didn't have any problems at that time, but two weeks later my UTI was back, so they prescribed me Levaquin again. The day after I started taking it, I was experiencing sharp pains in the palms of my hands and the arches and heels of my feet. Since I've been on Levaquin many times before, it didn't even occur to me. By the third day my feet hurt so bad it was painful to walk, and I started breaking out in hives ALL over my body, and I experience some nausea. I obviously had developed an allergic reaction to Levaquin. I was able to look online at my pharmacy's website and track all the times I've been on levaquin. Six times in eight months for ear infections, UTIs and sinus infections. Wow-do you think maybe the doctors rely a little too much on this drug? I'm thinking my body had had so much of it that it finally rejected it. And now I just want to crawl out of my skin-four days of prednizone plus a shot and the hives will NOT go away. It's been a week since I've been off the Levaquin. How long does it take to get it out of my system already????

After being prescribed Cipro by an emergency room doctor while we were on vacation, my husband reacted with dizzyness and anxiety. He quit taking it on the third day. We came home and he saw his usual physician who prescribed a sulfa drug (Roy's problem was a feeling of rawness in his urinary tract, though no urine test EVER confirmed any bladder or unrinary tract infection). Roy had side effects from the sulfa drug.
Then he saw a third doctor, a urologist, who perscribed levaquin. (The doctor told him his symptoms were caused by "Prostatitus" - a psa test was normal.) Roy reminded the doctor that he had dizzyness with Cipro, and levaquin is a "relative" of Cipro. Roy took one tablet and felt the dizzyness come back. He phoned his doctor who encouraged him to "put up with the side effects" because levaquin would help his condition - whatever that was. It is now the third day of levaquin and Roy's dizzyness is unabated, his blood pressure is 156/97 and sometimes higher, (very unusual for him as his bp is usually low) and he had diarrea. He had vowed to take no more levaquin.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE Doctor's oath "First DO NO HARM. In reading these letters on the internet it seems 5 out of 6 people have adverse reactions to this drug. Certainly the people in the studies the drug company (hopefully) did before releasing this drug to the general public had adverse reactions in the same number. SO WHY DID THE FDA approve it? It is really scarry when you cannot trust your doctor, the pharmacists, or the FDA. Merilly

I started taking Levaquin 500 mg. for a 5 day period for swollen glands and sinusitis. The first day did not bother me. However, the second day was awful. I took the pill at noon like I had done the day before and I went to bed around 10:30 PM. Next thing I know I have severe cramping and diarrhea. This lasted from midnight until 3:00 AM or so. Have not taken this since. I'm glad I looked at this site because I was thinking I had a 24 hour bug and was going to take my third day dosage. FDA needs to know about these severe side affects. I am going to inform them.

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 was diagnosed with a uti and a kidney infection. I started taking the medicine known as Levaquin. I fell sick and nauseated and this is only the third day. I called the pharmacy and they told me it was a normal side effect! I feel tired all the time and can not seem to do my normal day to day things. I first thougt it was the infection now I believe it is the medication. This is the first time I have taken it and my doctor stated that it was a good antiobiotic. Well we will see.

May 18, 2003

I was given Levaquin for Pneumonia at the local ER. I have taken it four days and will stop today. On the third day, the skin on my upper body became very sore to the touch, my hands felt swollen and I had nonspecific upper body pain. On day four, my hands began hurt in the joints. I've also had really weird dreams, fatigue, and reduced ability to focus. I will ask my GP for some other type of antibiotic. I'm very healthy and have not taken an antibiotic in years.

After just taking one dose of Levaquin (500 mg) for a recurring ear infection, I had a noticable allergic reation. My hands and feet were extremely itchy and red for a couple of hrs. After the second dose, I had the same problem, but as before it went away. The third day was the worse. I developed hives, swelling and my hands became fire red, and my face and chest broke out in red patches. I felt itchy all over my body and felt like my body was on fire. My dr. told me to stop taking Levaquin and to take Benadryl for the next couple of days.