Levaquin and vitamins

Crapshot, thanks for the info on your thoughts. But in my case as well as others I do not believe this is at all related to Candidiasis. If you scroll down and read my post you will see that I have snapped two biceps from Levaquin. This in not the first time I was Floxed But the other times I was on lower doses and the symptoms didn't appear until well after I had finished my prescriptions. Not only did I have to have 2 surgeries but I was also having heart palpations and severe joint pain that went away after months of my body cleansing itself. This time I figured it out because they put me on a higher dose for a longer period. This time around the symptoms started before I finished my course. I quit taking the Leva-pak and googled the side effects. And they were spot on. Not only do I take probiotics and vitamins daily but I work out and do cardio 4 to 5 times a week, and eat a healthy diet. At the ripe ol age of 41 the doctors were amazed that I have torn each bicep tendon from the bone in a 2 year time period. I AM blaming the pill. Also Public Citizen along with the Attorney General from Illinois is suing the FDA to get this Black Boxed. They are also suing the FDA because they haven't been updating the newer cases of tendon ruptures. It's easy to blame the consumer, but do you think I would have taken this after my history with this medication. If they had the proper warnings and black boxed the tendon rupture I wouldn't have even allowed this drug to be in my house. I'm glad you didn't come away with the serious side effects but please don't blame the patients.

I started taking Levaquin in December for a respiratory infection (500mg for 10 days). The only side effects I noticed while taking it was a terrible headache, insomnia and anxiety. I experienced that after the first dose. The next day I called my Dr. to tell him and he said he would prescribe Ativan and I should continue with my prescription. I wish I had listened to my common sense, but I listened to the doctor. I finished the prescription and felt somewhat better from the infection but after 10 days of being off the Levaquin, I started to get a burning pain in my left arm. At first I thought it was a blood clot or something. Two days later, the pain had spread to both arms. The pain was so intense I thought I was going to pass out. I had severe joint and muscle pain. I suspected it was the Levaquin when I found this and other websites where people have been describing their experiences. I made copies of a lot of information to take to the doctor. When I went the doctor I described my pain and tried to show him the information, but he didn't believe me. He said it was not caused by the Levaquin. Since then, the pain has spread to my knees. I have decided to find a new doctor since I refuse to waste my time on a doctor who doesn't even believe me. I called the FDA to file a med watch and they said they were going to send me paperwork..guess what..that was last week and I still haven't gotten paperwork. I believe that everyone is trying to keep this undercover! I am going to go to their website and download my own forms and file.
Two weeks ago I started taking a regimen of vitamins: Daily 3000 mg vitamin C, one B Complex, Milk Thistle, 1000 mg Calcium, 500 mg Magnesium, Potassium, and a Probiotic supplement. I don't know if these have helped me, but I do want to say that I feel better than I felt two weeks ago. I still have a lot of pain, but it's not as severe as it was. I'm hoping that it goes away soon. I am spreading the word among family and friends to NEVER take anything in the quinolinone family of antibiotics. I really don't believe that these side effects are as rare as they say. I just believe many people don't report because most don't connect the dots that their symptoms were caused by the antibiotic. My symptoms didn't start until almost two weeks after I completed the antibiotics. I was just lucky enough to have figured it out. The other symptoms I am having are muscle twitching, trouble focusing, insomnia, and cold hands/feet. I also just once had a ringing in my left ear that made me feel like I lost some of my hearing after it finished. I hope that's not the case. I will continue to pray for all of you.

Prescribed 10 day course ($113!!!!) for severe pneumoia, despite requesting to first try some I knew I tolerated well from past experience. (I smell kick backs here.) Within an hour of taking the first dose, I had horrible muscle pains and cramping. My intercostals (ribs) cramped so badly, all I could do was gasp for breath in tiny little pants, each of which felt like getting kicked in the ribs. Tachacardia, mild cynaosis. I began coughing up froth (sign of pulmonary edema.) After 4 hrs (and some codine) the pain gradually subsided.

Now, I'm no quitter, so I went on line and did some reading and realized the problem most likely was a potassium (K) deficiency. I loaded up on K and tried again. Very painful, but no cramping. Began to have chest pains. Insomnia.

Third day: Same as second except towards the end of the day, my heart began beating wildly and arrhythmically. I could feel it banging against my chest wall. Wildly erratic. Still coughing up white foam. Sharp chest pains. Insomnia. Normal rhythm gradually restored over 12 hr period but rate very high.

Needless to say, I have discontinued the course.

Adding a tad of insult to injury, the usage info given by pharmacist was pretty much dead wrong. His complete instuctions:
One a day on empty stomach.
No vitamins
Avoid sun.

Not a word about additional water, that the no vitamins was only for two hours before or two hours after dosing, that I should quit immediately if I experienced severe muscle or chest pain, swelling, skin rash or allergic reactions. And it makes no diff if your stomach is empty or not.

My advice is to tell your MD to make his marketing perks at someone else's expense and give you something safe and affordable. If you must take it, make sure you are K loaded before hand and stay that way. Drink lots of water.

TM - 53 - male - generally excellent health. Never had the slightest adverse rx to any med before this. Never bashed any med before and am not bashing this one. Just relating my experience. Be well.

Just checking back in to see how everyone is doing. Update concering my levaquin "experience" Took this drug for seven days back in november for bronchitis. Developed horrible itchy hidious rash that lasted for 3 weeks and also muscle cramps in calfs which by the way i am STILL having and I have NEVER had prior to taking this drug. During the time i was taking the drug i got depressed and actually just wanted to kill myself to get some kind of relief. I hope i never get really bad sick because if so I will just die because i have made up my mind to NEVER go to a doctor again!!!! Am eating organic food now, trying to elimanate all chemicals in cosmetic products ect...taking flaxseed oil and cottage cheese and vitamins every day. Anything to try to keep from going back to a doctor!

I am on my 6th day of Levaquin, 500mg for treatment of a sinus infection,... and have experienced no side effects whatsoever. My sinus infection is clearing up nicely...and I also have taken Allegra D, motrin 600mg and a multivitamin with no consequences.however I would do some research on the type of vitamins you're taking as some may prevent the proper absorption of Levaquin into your system (iron). I recommend Levaquin under the supervision of your doctor, but as with all medications you must be aware of the side effects.,and this anti-biotic may be one thats not for you.

This is just a follow up to my posting of the side effects from taking Levaquin. I have made a concerted effort over the past month to exercise twice as much as normal, drink twice as much water and have taken supplements i.e St John's Wort, Lysine and many minerals and vitamins to boost my immunity system.

I am feeling so much better and all the side effects are diminishing fast. I think the only way with this drug is to flush it out as quickly as possible!!