The following post marketing reports are from the Quinolone Adverse Drug Reaction Forum hosted by Yahoo, which is independently owned and operated and has no association with the Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation.
 

October 2004 Post Marketing Report

 --- In quinolones@yahoogroups.com, "mistervnv" <bu2@s... wrote:
--- In quinolones@yahoogroups.com, md29again@a... wrote:
In a message dated 9/29/2004 10:50:39 PM Mountain Standard Time,
adnil@o... writes:
They faded a little bit but always there. I just
can't live with that! Its been 2 years that im depressed
Hi....when I read these stories I just shake my head at all the
stuff going
on from these quinolones...........I have the floaters too and
about 15 months
after taking Levaquin still there........do not give up.......I
have just one
big one in my left eye and I'm so used to it I don't even think
about

20064 From: librarian1234567890 <owoodward@h...
Date: Sat Oct 2, 2004 2:47pm
Subject: question for markclifford
i have struggled with mainly tendon problems for over 4 years now,
and sometimes i think i see a little improvement, but not sure.
olive

20065 From: vmuleus <vmule@c...
Date: Sat Oct 2, 2004 5:53pm
Subject: Re: question for markclifford
I never needed any antibiotics. I never was tested and never had an
infection as was determined later. Studies say that roughly 56
percent of all fluoroquinolone prescriptions should never have been
written in the first place.
Studies also document that roughly 28 percent of the
muscle/tendon/neuropathy related fluoroquinolone ADR's that occur
remain long-lasting and/or permanent.
v

20072 From: eighteenfan04 <Eighteenfan@c...
Date: Sun Oct 3, 2004 11:02pm
Subject: Levoquin Reaction
My husband recently went to an ENT specialist for a chronic nasal
problem that he has. The doctor prescribed the usual Flonase and
Singulaire but he also prescribed Levoquin and a regimen of
cortisone. He started taking the Flonase and Singulaire first
because he was able to attain some free samples and they were
working fine. Then he started taking the Levoquin and 5 days later
began to feel achy all over....his neck and arms and worst of all is
his left thigh and hip area. He called his doctor and went in to
see him and he told him to stop taking it immediately and that he'd
probably be feeling like that for "awhile". Well....after 4 weeks
of very little sleep, excruciating pain, a diagnosis of bursitis,
MRI, cortisone injection and now one physical therapy
treatment...he's starting to feel "a little better". He's now able
to sleep for maybe 4 hours at a stretch and the pain is a little
more tolerable. The therapist has been the most informative on this
subject citing that she has had to treat several patients because of
the adverse reactions to Levoquin. He goes again on Monday for
another therapy treatment. The nighttime is the worst time though
because he just can't take the pain and can't stand not being able
to sleep. Is insomnia part of the reaction?
I'm sorry to ramble on about this but it just seems like it's taken
so long to get any kind of relief. He's taken everything possible
to help take the edge off. Not even Percocet has helped.
Hopefully, it won't be a long term problem.
Sleepless in Colorado

20080 From: Blue Velvet <aunt_heap@y...
Date: Mon Oct 4, 2004 0:43pm
Subject: Doctors who won't believe us
I saw a neurologist who I think lost patience with me real quickly - well, he was the first doctor I saw after being floxed, though. At first he was very very kind - but he soon felt overwhelmed I think by my questions and my fear. Of course I was afraid - I'd gone from a healthy person to a mess within a couple weeks, it felt like my brain and body were both falling apart. THen of course there was the pain.
I still do not have my EEG or MRI in yet - the EMG was within normal limits although he observed tenderness and trouble walking. I also told him I felt numb in parts of my legs but he didn't write that down. I also told him that things hurt a lot but that did tend to come and go (another thing doctors don't understand and which makes them think we're mis-stating things or exaggerating I guess ??)
I read his write up (we got the results faxed to us) and it sounds as if he is saying it's all in my head - He states this "has a psychiatric component" and I should seek a psychiatrist. Nice. Imagine how embarrassed I felt reading that. And I'd tried to tell him everything so he could make a better diagnosis.
I am not a hypochondriac or a kook - In fact I hate going to doctors and so forth and hate the idea of pills, making this past month of nothign BUT, even harder to bear. Before this I was rarely ever in a doctor's office, they mostly are arrogant and pushy, and just want to give you an Rx without caring the side effects, and push you out the door in ten minutes whether you have questions or not (has anyone had ANY doctor explain possible side effects of ANY drug to them ? Likely not - that should be their obligation though IMO).
Even my new doctor who's trying to help me holistically mostly - does not really open the field to questions about Cipro - I want to ask a doctor who knows about it, why is this happening why is that happening, and why does this or that hurt so much, etc. I finally did get to ask him that via phone (I could feel that my questions themselves were annoying him - he quickly said he had to go back to work - well if I"m a patient isn't that work too ?) and his answer: "I don't know". Well at least he's honest with that. I just wish he'd said so earlier, since I've been wondering why I should trust someone who simply says outright that all this is temporary and not to worry about it. He also forbid me from reading about other people's stories but you know what - I'm not going to see him for another 2 weeks now and I have tons of things I need to know and want to konw and doggonit I also need the SUPPORT. This is not upsetting me any more than I already have been, so, I'm back
again.
He thought that my scaring myself by reading things (and I am avoiding for now going to the websites - those DO upset me right now) was making me worse. For a wihle it may have been but by now I am almost settling into being a type of an invalid - well, my former life is GONE what else do I call it.
He told me that my fear was making the symptoms. That I had some element of ADR but also, that part of it also was fear and emotions. He suggested I see a therapist. I couldn't help be a little insulted since I thought I was always calm and rational in his office, and I even told him, "But all my symptoms are IN the listed side effects for Cipro". Which got no response.
My emotions have been all over the map but just not in his office... I have too much else to focus on while there I think plus the long drive wears me out... plus getting out in the sun and air for the drive, cheers me up. If that makes sense. Also last time I went in I happened to have had a comparatively good day. The day before that I really could not walk at all (too much ankle pain).
Doctors MUST learn more about Cipro - ESPECIALLY when a floxie comes into their office with such odd symptoms. Rather than write them off as a kook or making themselves sick etc., (even if compassionate and tyring to help them anyway) why not LEARN all they CAN about quinolones. Then doctors would not make the mistake of my FORMER doctor, who told me they are perfectly safe and well tolerated.
To which I offer an example. A relative upon being told (by someone else) what I am going through, suddenly said "Oh my God !" She was on Levaquin last May and then began having bad symptoms, such as extreme weakness, and horrible anxiety and agitation. They ran tests on her all summer, not having a clue what was going on but fearing something awful had set in... She is better now but only in the past little while did she start to get better.
Now - since she had psych and also physical symptoms that were severe and debilitating and DID NOT KNOW a thing about Levaquin - how in hte world can doctors still deny that this stuff DOES do these tihngs to us.
Since she did not know about it until YESTERDAY four months later, how in hte world could HER emotions about taking the drug have played any part ? Obviously it could not have - obviously right there is your 'blind study' or whatever which proves that there are likely MANY people out there who do not post a med watch or a report to their doctors cos without being told they would NEVER put together their weird side effects with having an ANTIBIOTIC which are only supposed to kill GERMS not US.
Cos she was very ill all summer, family can well verify that, and as with most of us, blood tests etc. came out normal. They had been really stumped. Til she remembered she was given Levaquin last May.
What to do with doctors who treat us like hysterical children ???

Michele Ruffin <ruffin@a... wrote:
Gary,
Thanks for the information. I really wish these twitches would go away. The pain in my feet and lower legs is also back. My shoulder are also killing me. Maybe we'll get better soon.
Michele

From: garym52
To: quinolones@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 10:40 PM
Subject: [quinolones] Re: first letter - How is Everyone Doing?
Michele,
Just wanted to let you know that I can relate to your problems
completely. I have body wide twitching, but mainly in the legs, and
I have terrible pain in my shoulders. This has been going on for 15
months, but over the past couple of months the shoulder pain has
improved a bit. Some days I almost feel like normal, except for the
constant muscle twitches.
Hang in there, it should get better with time.
Gary

--- In quinolones@yahoogroups.com, "ruffin144" wrote:
Hi everone. I too suffered a very bad reaction to Levaquin. I
had severe back pain, left leg numbness, left face numbness, left arm
numbness, almost immediately after the first dose. I already had
a backache and did not put 2 and 2 together for quite sometime. My
muscles starting twitching and burning. I had buzzing and
vibrating sensations in my calves. My feet hurt to the point I had to
untuck the sheets to try to sleep. My eyes were sensitive to light. My
neck tendons and eyes hurt so bad I could barely look up at the 4th of
July fireworks. A couple of weeks after taking seven 500 mg
pills, I could not walk. My achilles tendons and every other tendon in
feet and lower legs were inflammed. I did not realize you had tendons
in lower legs too. It took about 12 weeks to get those to where
I could walk and not hobble. My shoulders and shoulder blades are
inflammed now. The tendons really hurt. My tongue does weird
things like tingle and feel like it has been working out. It is sooo
sore at the base of it. This has been going on for 3-4 months. I am
better, but still not well. I still have buzzing and vibrating
sensations and burning muscles. I sometimes can barely lift my
arms. My shoulders are killing me. I have tried to get back to
my regular life and now I am paying for it. My muscles have starting
twitching again-- all of them. Not just an eye or lip twitch.
Feet, legs, shoulders, arms and hands. Everywhere. My jaw and
neck tendons are flared up now. I cannot for the life of me figure out
what sets this off. I have not taken this since the 12th of
June. I get cycles of symptoms. I felt really good 3 weeks ago. Now I
keep having symptoms. Hopefully it will go away again. At least I can
walk now. I started taking Trazadone 25 mg at night a couple of
months ago and it really helped me sleep and not be quite so
worried. I hope we all get better soon.
Michele

robf_769 <robf_769@y...> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I just found this forum yesterday sitting around the house while
recovering from surgery. After reading some of the posts here
(besides tendon ruptures)I didn't realize that there where so many
potential side effects from the quinolone type antibiotics. About 3
years ago because of an earlier botched left sinus surgery I was put
on an almost 6 month long course of Avelox, Cipro, Leviquin, & Tequin
for an infection, I've had trouble sleeping since then. What got me
looking for more information was on Tues the 21st while getting out
of bed my left leg gave out below the knee, I went to an orthopedic
surgeon the next day and he diagnosed my pettela tendon ruptured. He
repaired it on Fri of the same week, other than the quinolone
antibiotics he could not see or find another reason for this rupture.
I can now look forward to 6 to 8 weeks of healing time and then what
ever therepy I need to get my strength and range of motion back.
Has anyone here besides me had a tendon rupture? Is there any legal
recoarse for our problems?
Thanks in advance.
Rob


20089 From: vmuleus <vmule@c...>
Date: Tue Oct 5, 2004 1:13pm
Subject: Re: 56 percent of FQ scripts never warrented


Below is an abstract of one of the many studies that document over
50 percent of FQ's should have never been prescribed. As for the 28
percent of FQ ADR's related to the muscle/tendon/neurological type
ADR's that become permanent and long-term, you have to do the
research, read the studies on FQ ADR's and then you can see that
case studies of the above said type of FQ ADR's document that
roughly 28 percent of FQ vicitms suffer sequele and long-term
symptoms. Plus, these statistics are old and have been published on
this site before but many people here bitch about the posting of
scientific studies and declare this sight for support so I suggest
doing a search on the net for "Fluoroquinolones and prescribing
rates" or something of that sort. There is just too many studies
documenting the 56 percent and 28 percent statistics for me to post
them here.

V

Fluoroquinolone Utilization in the Emergency Departments of Academic
Medical Centers

Prevalence of, and Risk Factors for, Inappropriate Use

Ebbing Lautenbach, MD, MPH; Lori A. Larosa, PharmD; Nishaminy
Kasbekar, PharmD; Helen P. Peng, PharmD; Richard J. Maniglia, MD;
Neil O. Fishman, MD

Arch Intern Med.2003;163:601-605.

Background Resistance to fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics has risen
markedly in recent years and has been associated with increasing FQ
use; however, few data exist regarding FQ use patterns. Designing
strategies to limit FQ resistance byoptimizing FQ use depends on
identifying patterns of inappropriate FQ use. Use of FQs in
emergency departments (EDs) has not been studied.

Methods


We studied 100 consecutive ED patients who received an FQ and were
subsequently discharged. Appropriateness of the indication for use
was judged according to existing institutional guidelines. A case-
control study was conducted to identify the prevalence of, and risk
factors for, inappropriate FQ use.

Results

Of 100 total patients, 81 received an FQ for an inappropriate
indication. Of these cases, 43 (53%) were judged inappropriate
because another agent was considered first line, 27 (33%) because
there was no evidence of infection based on the documented
evaluation, and 11 (14%) because of inability to assess the need for
antimicrobial therapy. Although the prevalence of inappropriate use
was similar across various clinical scenarios, there was a
borderline significant association between the hospital in which the
ED was located and inappropriate FQ use. Of the 19 patients who
received an FQ for an appropriate indication, only 1 received both
the correct dose and duration of
therapy.

Conclusions

Inappropriate FQ use in EDs is extremely common. Efforts to limit
emergence of FQ resistance must address the high level of
inappropriate FQ use in EDs. Future studies should evaluate the
impact of interventions designed to reduce inappropriate FQ use in
this setting.

In this abstract below roughly 28 percent of FQ victims still
suffered ADR's after one year. V

J Antimicrob Chemother. 1996 Apr;37(4):831-7. Related Articles,
Links


Peripheral sensory disturbances related to treatment with
fluoroquinolones.

Hedenmalm K, Spigset O.

Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Norrland University Hospital,
Sweden.

The symptoms and possible risk factors of peripheral sensory
disturbances related to fluoroquinolones are reviewed on the basis
of 37 reports submitted to the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions
Advisory Committee. In 25 patients (68%), symptoms occurred within 1
week after start of treatment. Paraesthesia was the most common
complaint and occurred in 81% of the cases. Fifty-one per cent of
the reports concerned numbness/hypoaesthesia, 27%
pain/hyperaesthesia and 11% muscle weakness. Seventy-one per cent of
the patients recovered within 2 weeks after drug discontinuation.
Possible predisposing factors were impaired renal function,
diabetes, lymphatic malignancy and treatment with another drug known
to cause neuropathy.

PMID: 8722551 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20095 From: lableslea <leslea@h...>
Date: Thu Oct 7, 2004 6:06pm
Subject: Avelox is also a quinolone and it has ruined my life


I had severe tendonitis from Levaquin that lasted 5 months a couple
years ago and had to have my left knee put back into place during
that 5 months at least 6 times. I have chronic sinusitis and my ENT
MD had me on Augmentin because of the Levaquin allergy and I called
and told his nurse the Augmentin wasn't helping and he ordered
Avelox. I wasn't aware that Avelox was a quinolone and trusted my
doctor and took two doses when I realized my knees were hurting and
I was dizzy, etc. Now, I am in constant pain from what my
rheumatologist is guessing is permanent damage to my hip and knee
connective tissues.(I am undergoing extensive testing to find out
what can be done) I have been like this since 12/16/2003. The first
couple of months I also had confusion, dizziness, and basically felt
like a had a bad case of the flu. I am still experiencing decreased
mental acuity. My family used to call me the steel trap because I
never forgot anything and now I have list after list to help me
remember everything. I was on steriods for 3 months which helped
the pain some, but then I started getting side effects from the
steroids. The shingles came on from the steroids which caused more
pain. I have been put on an antidepressent due to the constant pain
to help me cope with it. I can barely work and if I wasn't in a
management position I would be disabled. What bothers me the most is
that I was very active and now am unable to even do the simplest of
chores or play with my kids. My life consists of going to work in
barely tolerable pain and by noon I am running a fever and in so
much pain I cannot even concentrate on menial tasks then I push
myself till quitting time and go home to put my legs up because rest
is the only thing that eases the pain back to barely tolerable. I
am praying for an answer. My ENT MD wouldn't even return my calls
the day that I realized what he ordered was a quinolone. If anyone
has had a similar experience please e-mail me and let me know what
happened for you. Thanks Leslea

20097 From: oreenmn <oree@s...>
Date: Fri Oct 8, 2004 9:48am
Subject: Adverse reaction


I have diverticulitis and normally take the meds in the Prevpac.
However, after a serious round, my doctor decided to substitute L
evaquin for Biaxin. I took my first dose (500 mg.) at 7 pm. Around
11, I went to bed. The nightmare started-I began seeing things and
my mind was running away. Couldn't finish one thought before another
crowded in. I honestly thought I was "losing it." I called the ER
and didn't really get any help there. I then went online and looked
up anything I could find for "Levaquin Reaction." After a 14-hour
nightmare I called my pharmacist who told me that this WAS a
Levaquin reaction. Thank God I only took one dose and I just hope
that there's no other damage. It's been 3 days and my mind seems to
be okay now. PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED BEFORE THEY TAKE LEVAQUIN!!
NEVER AGAIN WOULD I TAKE ANOTHER DOSE!!


20103 From: Candace <ralph_candypfau@y...>
Date: Fri Oct 8, 2004 5:47pm
Subject: Death from Floxin allergic reaction


In 1997 my mother in law entered the hospital with a respiratory
infection. After about three days her lungs were clearing but
she had a slight bladder infection. She was due to be released
in two days. But they started this Floxin (in the same family of
drugs) drip and immediately she started complaining that it felt
like the top of her head was exploding. They kept piggybacking this
drip into her. She starting hallucinating. Everything was down
hill from there. We had her transferred to another doctor in a
bigger hospital but she died 4 days later of unknown respiratory
distress syndrome. While she was being given the Floxin antibiotic
I kept telling the R.N. I thought she might be having an allergic
reaction. I went to my pharmacist and he got me a print out of
the side effects. She ended up with every one of them, including
respiratory distress syndrome. I could not sue as Florida has the
"no wrongful death lawsuits unless you are a dependent child or
surviving spouse and she had neither of those. A medical malpractice
lawsuit would not have been worth the money. So, I did the next
best thing. I contacted the drug company who makes that drug. I
gave them her autopsy report, access to all her medical records, etc.
And I filled out a detailed form stating her symptoms on starting
the antibiotic. That was seven years ago and I am still heartbroken.
I say, be your own advocate. And if at all possible stay out of the
hospitals, especially if it's elective surgery. What is it going
to take in this country before we all wake up? I am sickened at
our drug pusher doctors. Know your antibiotics. Know which ones
are safe for YOU. Don't let any doctor talk you in to any others.
Let's take control back where it belongs. With the consumer. We
have a voice and a pocketbook. Let's use it!

20104 From: pkwmorgn <pkwmorgn@m...>
Date: Fri Oct 8, 2004 6:06pm
Subject: Just found out about Levaquin side effects being long term/permanent


I found this group yesterday after typing Levaquin into a Google search and reading up on what I found there.

In December 2002 my doctor gave me a prescription for Tequin but our HMO would not pay for that so the druggist called the doctor and she changed it to Levaquin. I had never been allertic to any medicines in my life, but on day 10 of my 10 day dosage, my knees, hips, legs, back, shoulders and arms were so sore I could not even get up out of bed without help. I re-read the warnings which came with my prescription and then called my doctor. The doctor NEVER came to the phone but her med-tech said "it will go away in about 48 hours"!!! After 72 hours I called back and was told this time it may take 7 to 10 days to subside.

For five months I could not get up without help, get out of a chair without help or go to the bathroom without help. Cold temperatures exacerbated it as well. During this time frame I called the doctors office several more times, but never would the doctor talk with me. The message was the same, just give it time.

Over the past 22 months I had found that my knee and back would hurt much more than usual when I worked in my barn. I breed and raise Morgan Horses, so you can imagine how this has effected my life style. Then about 14 days ago my left arm started to tingle, a knot of pain developed below my left shoulder blade and pains started shooting down my left arm.

I went to my Osteopathic doctor to get my back adjusted thinking that my spine had gotten out of whack and I guessed a nerve was being pinched. He checked me out to make sure I was not having a heart attack before he would do anything else. He advised me to come back if it persisted past Thursday.

By Tuesday I had called my primary care doctor, yep the one who gave me the Levaquin, and got an appointment for 11 on Wednesday. She never so much as put a stethoscope on my chest, she did check out my ability to push, pull and grip and declared my ulnar nerve was being pinched. Prescribed two pills and a course of Physical Therapy with ultrasound therapy and possible MRI. Not once did she mention that this could be related to my reaction to Levaquin.

When picking up the prescriptions I talked with the druggist, for I wanted to make darn sure of what she was giving me this time, and he was the one who told me about the problems with Levaquin and the other Cipro drugs and how they had tried to get them taken off the market as "the reaction/side effects" were permanent and could re-occur at any time. I drove home in a state of shock.

That was when I logged onto Google. I am still "in shock" for the most part, and wondering about the rest of my life and what it is going to be like.

The only good thing which has come from this is my husband no longer thinks I am malingering. He is stunned also.

Thanks for listening. Any advise and help will be gratefully appreciated.

Kathy W

20106 From: Candace <ralph_candypfau@y...>
Date: Fri Oct 8, 2004 6:23pm
Subject: Re: Just found out about Levaquin side effects being long term/permanent


You are lucky you are alive. My mother in law was 71 when she died
only one week after being administered piggyback drips of this drug.
It was a nightmare for us. She walked into the hospital and was
wheeled out on a guerney two weeks later. I want these drugs
banned. I will do everything in my power to get them off the
market. Otherwise her death will have been in vain.

In a message dated 10/8/2004 11:11:17 AM Pacific Standard Time,
pkwmorgn@m... writes:

> That was when I logged onto Google. I am still "in shock" for the most
> part, and wondering about the rest of my life and what it is going to be like.
>
>

The very same thing happened to both me AND my fiancee, and I feel exactly
the same way you do!

And I just lost a dear friend to a Tequin-induced heart arrhythmia! This is
where the "drug war" needs to be fought!


20113 From: seagalaxy <linmarsta@m...>
Date: Fri Oct 8, 2004 11:50pm
Subject: Re: Just found out about Levaquin side effects being long term...


--- A friend of mine lost his mother to a brain bleed last Christmas
after the doctor put her on Cipro along with he blood thinning
medication.
-- This spring my boss suddenly lost his mother after a doctor put
her on a "preventative" antibiotic because she had an upset stomach.
He has not told me what the antibiotic is but I can guess.

Another coworker last week was put on Cipro for a "stomach bug"- I
warned her about the side effects. She ended up with a
lung "infection" and has not at all made the connection, insisting
she does not react to medications.

and they say these ADRs are rare.
unconnected maybe, but RARE? I think not.
-Linda


20116 From: <snapdragon928@w...>
Date: Sat Oct 9, 2004 10:24pm
Subject: Re:Doctors who won't believe us


I think this was one of the worse problems I had in the beginning. I asked to
see another neurologist after the first one did the same thing yours did to
you, almost exactly. This one sent me to a teaching hospital, but the doctor
there wasn't agreeing that it was the med at all. But I got results, and my new
regular doctor is great, he has given me new hope with Drs. I just kept
insisting I did not have an anxiety disorder, that I'm no more anxious than anyone
would be in my situation, and that I did not need to see a psychiatrist. Some
people do get severe depression with these meds, and anxiety, and seeing a
psychiatrist may be a viable option, but not if they are going to say because your
causing your own symptoms, and its all in your head.

20120 From: pkwmorgn <pkwmorgn@m...>
Date: Sun Oct 10, 2004 7:52pm
Subject: Re: Re: Just found out about Levaquin side effects being long term...


My Pharmacist was the one who told me about the severity of the problems and that he along with many other pharmacists feel it should be removed from the market or at least heavily black boxed.

He also was the one who told me it did not go away like over allergic reactions and there was no cure.

Kathy W.

20122 From: jordanglick2003 <jordanglick2003@y...>
Date: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:35pm
Subject: Cipro Poisening??


I have recently been diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy. For
about 7 months I have had burning, tingling and lots of pain in my
left leg primaraly. I also have deteriotion of cartlidge in both my
knees. I took Cipro in Jan. of 2003 and in 1997. The symptoms did
not start untill March 2004. So far all my bloods are normal.

Can this be a case of Cipro Poisening and if so what would be a good
course of action to relieve the symptoms (i.e. diet and supplements
etc..)

If anyone can help me please email me. Thank you for your help.

20124 From: Laura <lparker30@c...>
Date: Mon Oct 11, 2004 0:50am
Subject: hello again new symptom maybe.


I dont knowwhat I did to my leg but it hurts to move it soo much and
when I press on the tendon on the back of my leg near my ankle the
pain gets sooo much worse, I was worried it might be a blood clot
since I have not been moving all that much for months, its been about
9 months now since FIRST dose of cipro and about 8 since the
last.other than that Im not too worried about anything else at the
moment. though the anxiety is a doozy still I cant handle ANY stress
and trying to get a new job but I dont know how I am going too
perform it lol, but darn it im going to try. I hope you all are feel
like 500% better!

-Laura

20134 From: <WAlakhdar@a...>
Date: Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:05pm
Subject: Re: Levaquin Tendonitis (still)


Hello:

I'm glad there were limited effects of your floxing, but don't be
discouraged if new symptoms appear and evolve. Mine continued to appear and evolve for
over three months, before any reducing began.

What is the killer for me is the nervous system stuff. Although some of the
muscle stuff is backing off, the nervous system is still raging. The
floxing also destroyed two perfectly good knee joints, one I had surgery on a week
ago.

Two perfectly good knees, now doc says I'm half way to knee replacement. I
can't tell you how discouraging that is.

Best of luck,
Mary in CT

20177 From: gospeltoyou <cpHOTSHOTS@a...>
Date: Fri Oct 15, 2004 2:29pm
Subject: My Levaquin Testimony


I went to my doctor (D0) when I started coughing-up blood 3 days
after becoming sick with flu-like symptoms. My doctor prescribed
750mg. of Levaquin once a day for 5 days. After 5 days I was still
coughing-up blood and not feeling well, so he continued the regiment
of Levaquin for 5 more days. Because I have no insurance, my doctor
provided me with enough free samples of Levaquin for the entire 10
day course of medication. On the 8th day I began to experience
extreme pain in my hips, legs, and especially my knees and right
hand. I was in so much pain that I was unable to walk for any
distance and had a very difficult time kneeling, or squatting down. I
could not work for more than 2 hours at a time without almost crying
from the pain. (I buy homes and remodel them for resale.) I did not
associate the pain, at all, with the Levaquin. As a matter of fact, I
thought perhaps that I had a blood clot, or that I injured myself
somehow, but I couldn't think of how or when. I also experience some
nausea. The samples I received from the doctor didn't have a warning
sheet, and the doctor did not tell me about any side effects or that
I should discontinue use of Levaquin if I experienced any joint or
muscle pain, or heart palpatations.

It has now been 9 days since I finished the 10 days of Levaquin and
the side effects have not diminished. On Friday (10-8-04) I was in so
much pain I was almost brought to tears. I also began to experience
pain and weakness in my right arm. It was then that a little voice
told me to go to the web a look-up "Levaquin side effects" on the
search engine. I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS READING!! Soo many
people with the same side effects!

I became very concerned because of the long term, and possible
permanent side effects. I was also born with a heart valve defect
that causes heart palpatations and I am concerned about any damage to
the connective tissues and muscles of my heart. I had also
experienced tendonitis in my right elbow before taking Levaquin. This
is a result of being a congenital amputee of the left arm (birth
defect) just below the elbow, resulting in "overuse syndrome" in my
right arm due to using my right arm almost exclusively for 40 years.
(I did use a prosthesis until I was 8 years old.) Now I am
experiencing additional pain and weakness in my right arm and
shoulder.

Had I known about the potential side effects, or had I been warned by
my doctor to discontinue use if I experience any of the classic
adverse drug reactions, I would have not taken the Levaquin or
discontinued its use. The interesting thing is, my doctor used
Levaquin as a first line defense instead of prescribing pennicillin,
which I am NOT allergic to, and to which I respond well when taken
for any infections.

Does anyone know of any legal actions taken (not including the Cipro
case) for injuries and suffering resulting from adverse reactions to
floroquinolones, or specifically Levaquin? It seems to me that a
great many people have suffered from ADR's to these meds, even to the
point of being permanantly disabled or death. Is there a legal
remedy?

God bless to all.

Ps. This was written several days ago and since then I have had
several sleepless nights due to excruciating pain in my legs and
especially in my knees. I am also experiencing a feeling of heaviness
in my chest.


20184 From: briandraver <briandraver@y...>
Date: Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:46pm
Subject: My Horrible Life after Levaquin!!!


Hi all! I previously posted at another website.
I am deeply dissapointed at the medical industry for allowing this
POISON FROM HELL DRUG to even be on the market. My heart goes out
to all of you in this forum, as well as other forums, and also the
people that have been poisoned and do not have a computer or do not
have internet services and therefore are left out of all this
information. Doctors, either by ignorance (unjustifiable by all
means), Denial, or fear to be SUED, TRY TO TELL US THAT IT'S ALL IN
OUR HEAD!!!. The pharmaceutical companies are making MAD MONEY
poisoning us and then turning around and giving us an array of other
drugs to treat "What's in our heads", to keep making more MONEY. I
bet anything that THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, and choose to ignore it. One
day though, WE WILL have our revenge. As I read the postings here
and all other websites, all of us feel that we have been given a
posion that only God knows how long will stay in our bodies. I, like
you, experienced pshychotic side effects as well from taking
levaquin 5+ months ago, and this is the time that I am still
suffering from some of them. When I took the Levaquin (2X 500mg)
back in April, I didn't notice anything right away, except that I
was losing my sleep day by day. 7 days later ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.
This is the List of side effects I experienced:

Thightness in throat (choking)
Reflux from stomach got all the way to my throat and burned it!
SEVERE INSOMNIA (still have it)
Disorientation
Depersonalization
Severe nervousness (still have it) better about 20%
Noise Sensitivity (still have it) better about 50%
Depersonalization (Didn't feel myself for good 3 1/2 months)better
about 80%
Foggy brain (better about 85%)
Severe Anxiety Attacks (better about 80%)
Panic Attacks (better about 80%)
Soulder pain still have it
Hip pain (comes and goes)
Back pain (still have it)
Neck pain, feel like something ruptured in right side of neck (still
have it)
Vivid Nightmares (whenever I managed to sleep a few hours)GONE!
Allergies (Never Had allergies in MY LIFE)!!! now I sneeze every
day!
DEPRESSION (better about 70%)
Cold Sweats GONE!
Sunburn Sensations on skin (felt like I was sun bathing all the
time) GONE!
Confusion GONE!
Delusional GONE!
Unable to concentrate (had to get out of school during the term)
Better, 70%
Tremors (started after 3 1/2 months) Still have them)
Tingling sensations (started after 3 1/2 months on legs, arms, back)
still have them
Shaking (started after 3 1/2 months) still have it
TERRIBLE MUSCLE TWITCHING (all over my body) still have it badly.
Eye Floaters (dots, lines, weblike, it's horrible!)
Pinching Needles sensations(feels like someone stabbs me with a
needle in different parts of my body)

I had all kind of tests done to rule out anything else, and even my
ANA blood test came back positive suggesting LUPUS!!!, I had these
tests before and never came back positive. I will not for the life
of me take a medication without knowing the side effects, and even
then, I am reluctant to take anything until my body gets rid of all
these symptoms caused by the Levaquin. Doctors either DO NOT BELIEVE
that Levaquin causes all these symptoms,they don't want to be sued,
or they are just simply IGNORANT for not reading the information
about these drugs.

If any of you know of any natural medicines that treat muscle
twitching (fasciculations) please let me know, this is one of the
worse symptoms for me.

Brian (Eddie)


20193 From: grosjean28 <grosjean@u...>
Date: Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:55pm
Subject: tendinitis for 8 months. Could I trek again ?


After 4 days of Tavanic I had severe Achille bilateral tendinitis . I could not
walk and after 8 months I can just walk 800 meters. I can not drive more some
kilometers. And now, from 3 months I have severe stomach pain. Doctors do
not know anything about duration of the trouble.
Is somebody as an experience of complete recovering. I am a good trekker
and I am afraid I could not walk in my life.

Thank you for your informations

Michèle

20198 From: Jay Davis <jerry.davis@d...>
Date: Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:35pm
Subject: Re: tendinitis for 8 months. Could I trek again ?


I went thru most of what your describing. The first year, things pop
up all the time, new things too. In my opinion your body really does
not start repairing really until 18 months. Then you kind of have to
hold on for several more years. At the five year mark in theory most
people should be in 90 to 100% range. According to Flockhart the
halflife for healing is every 18 months. This does not include the
nerve items which require more time, and healing depends on age, and
body chemistry. Someone that is 30 has a much better rate of healing
then someone 50. The same is true for sports injuries and so forth.
The only thing that I know of not going away completly is the hearing
loss, vision loss, tinnitus, and more several items that can be
damaged, like heavy lessions on the tendons, liver or heptic damage
on a scale that will not repair, (visible scars). Someone else said
something about MSM, this is what I found out from a liver transplant
doctor. Most variety contain heavy metals and other items as it's
made from petroleum, you can get it up to 99.9 percent pure but at
3000 Mg a day, your still taking in mercury and lead that leads to
further liver damage, or began liver damage, not to mention muscle
damage that floods your kidneys with cpk particles.



20201 From: <K-LURE@w...>
Date: Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:02am
Subject: Re: Re: tendinitis for 8 months. Could I trek again ?


I suffer from 50% inner ear bilateral hearing loss and am as blind as
can be imagined. Cipro 180 days 500mgBID probably on top ofchronic Lyme.
Jane and the Hounds freezing as I can no longer work to buy fuel.Have a
wood stove but it does little
and have little wood. Oh joy. So I call the Samartans and they don't
even answer. Fun..Talked to a good friend and he would not talk to me.
Great Stupid jerk. jk

20217 From: <kings1978@y...>
Date: Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:18pm
Subject: Re: Please help


It was a really bad reaction. In fact is was as bad as the original
bad reaction I got from taking the 500 mg of Oflox!

Severe racing heart... hallucinations... terrible sweating..
tendinitis of both achilles tendons.. generally feeling like
beaing beaten by a baseball bat and poisoned.

The shakes, hallucinatingh, racing heart were gone in abou 24 hours.
The tendinitis took about 3 months. Didnt feel near normal for
about 10 months.

20252 From: avalonsands <avalonsands@y...>
Date: Sat Oct 23, 2004 2:36pm
Subject: Hives and pain: a postquinolone syndrome?


Hello, I'm new here. I turn 52 tomorrow and am feeling about 82 these
days. Please let me know if this sounds like a quinolone syndrome.

Three months ago, in mid-July, I had some sort of really bad
gastroenteritis with temps of 101-102 that were almost unrelenting,
and after a week of this I finally ended up going to an emergency
room. Since I had a very high white cell count they decided to treat
me with an antibiotic. It was my first course of antibiotics in at
least 10 years, I normally avoid them like the plague, but this time I
felt I needed help.

I'm a medical editor so I have no excuse, but I was unaware of the
seriously controversial nature of the quinolones, and I didn't object
when they told me it was Levaquin in that IV bag. They sent me home
with a prescription for Cipro to be taken for a week. Next day I
followed up with my primary doc on the phone, and as sick as I was, he
wasn't crazy about me taking the Cipro... which probably should have
worried me more than it did... but my fever had returned, so I thought
I should continue treatment. I followed his suggestion of taking only
half the dose (250 mg instead of 500) and stopping after four days.
So, all told, I had whatever dosage was in that IV bag of Levaquin
plus 9 doses of Cipro 250.

Four weeks after the last dose I started breaking out in some sort of
bizarre rash. I hesitate to call it hives. It was more like insect
bites--itchy bumps of various sizes, some fairly large. I would get
about 3 new ones each day. This went on for a month, stopped for a
week, recurred briefly, and then stopped hopefully for good.

But meanwhile, some time toward the end of the "hives" phase--late
September, I guess--I noticed that my neck and shoulders were killing
me all the time, especially first thing in the morning. And in the
last few weeks, it kind of snuck up on me that I hurt practically
everywhere--almost any movement of any body part causes some pain. I
do have some arthritis... but this is a whole 'nother thing. Almost
like what people with fibromyalgia describe.

Most recently, this past Monday I had a bad bout of indigestion that
caused major abdominal bloat. Late in the afternoon I started noticing
pain in the middle of my back. I have IBS and it is not unusual for me
to get back pain (usually lower back) when the gut flares up. But
again, this is different. And it's not much improved since the initial
bout on Monday. There have been times when I've had a really sharp,
throbbing pain at a certain point on the arc when bending over. The
pain is between the shoulder blades basically. It has been
particularly bad when I first wake up, like all my other sore spots,
so that it is difficult to turn over and get out of bed.

Thoughts, anyone? Does this sound familiar?

Avalon

20263 From: <margaretfeatherstone@t...>
Date: Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:55am
Subject: indigstion and pain in back


I too was getting pain in my back on the right side accompanied by abdoninal
pain on my right side and indigestion. After numerous tests, ct scan of the
abdomen and pelvis, ultrasound of the liver pancreas and kidneys, lab tests fir
hepatitis and chest X ray, My doctor finally informed me that I tested positive
for the H pylori bacteria, my symptoms were very similiar to yours, I am now
taking another antibiotic (erythomyicin along with flagyl and after a week the
pain is finally subsiding. margaret



20265 From: christopia1979 <christopia@a...>
Date: Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:00am
Subject: cipro adverse reaction, new member


I must say that I am scared and feeling very alone in this fight
that I am suddenly given. I am pretty sure I have come to the core of
how this happened to me in 2 short months. I was on CIPRO 500mg, 2x a
day, for 2 months, that was 1000mg a day. This was to cure my
prostatitis. I also in this time had oral surgery and was put on
Presdidone at the same time. This is about when my back started to
really hurt, but I thought I had hurt it moving. So I went to the ER
and they said I was fine. Of course. My body was hurting, and I
eventually ran out of Cipro and never called the dr to refill it,
this is the time, about 3 weeks ago that I stopped Cipro and Buspar,
I was on Buspar for anxiety and teeth grinding, after a 10 day trial
of Prozac that made me sad. About this time is when I felt my body
was different, My elbows click and crunch, they feel tired, my
shoulders burn, my neck and back is a torture, and my knees are
always somewhat sore and click. I went to the dr and they said I was
fine, I went again, they said I was fine. Finally my mom mentioned
Fibro, so I searccchhhed and searched and i found that I have all of
the symptoms. I about died. I joined this group, and I must say as
strong and helpful as some of you are, the personal emails I get have
made me more suicidal and sad about what is happening to me. Those
emails have taken over my mind and lead me into a depression that I
obsess about.

I am not sure if i have hope of fixing myself, someone has emailed me
and said that I have had an adverse reaction to Cipro and I could
have induced Fibro, but I also might be able to reverse it. I find
this to be a false hope, for I feel I already am in full pain of
fibro. But am I? The trigger points hurt daily and stress makes it
worse. But is this pain a mimic of fibro pain? And could it have
happened right away? I went from an active 25 year old, 5 weeks ago,
since then I lost 30lbs and became 85 with a heating pad.

The doctors are not admitting it did this. Infact they think its all
in my head. So I turn to this group for support. Sadly, the emails I
get are telling me how bad it will get in years to come, that people
daily want to die, that they cant cope or do the things they used to
do.
I know we did not ask this to happen, and that it is invisible, but
sadly, I have lost alot of color in life and I am always sad. I just
graduated college, moved into my 1st apt, got a great job, and went
on Cipro to help a sick prostate. Now here I am. I lost my job, my
friends think I am nuts, the doctors say there is nothing they can
do. Everyday after reading your emails, some give me hope, most give
me depression, I want to curl up in bed and die. My mind tells me to
go outside and run, to laugh and talk to my friends, but my body wont
let me run, and i live in a jail cell in my mind obsessing over the
word Fibromyalgia. When I mention it to someone, they say I do not
have it, and others say oh my god thats terrible.
Yesterday I went through blood tests, an EMG, a catscan, I am meeting
with a Rheum doctor on the 2nd.
So in the short run, I have to step away from this support group and
handle this on my own, however that may be. But I do keep my door
open to all of you, and hope that those who have given me positive
emails will continue to keep in touch with me. To those that are
suffering and up there in age, I just fear those days are coming to
me fast. The pain I feel now at 25, I cant imagine at 35 and 45. This
makes me want to give up.

I am not sure if I have the hope I can beat this, or reverse it, or
send it into remission, I havent even been diagnosed with Fibro, but
I can tell it is what it is, Ive done my research and all of you feel
I have it. God, let the cipro just be affecting my body in terms of
fibro, but sadly, the cipro reaction can develop Fibro. I may have
pushed myself into it with stress and anxiety, for everyday my body
hurts, and something new hurts.


As of today I am going to start drinking alot of water, eating alot
of protein, eggs, fish, chicken, alot of veggies, and taking whatever
vitamins I should. I will try and exercise and try to find a pool or
yoga as well. I am going to go walking. Someone told me to get on
Glucosimine. I will also attempt antidepressants, but my insurance
only pays for Prozac and I didnt like that. I can get samples of
Effexor, but im not sure.

I do not know what to do. Or where to start.

Christopher
Christopia@a...

20290 From: Yves Beaupre <y.beaupre@v...>
Date: Fri Oct 25, 2002 1:41pm
Subject: Update on my health!!!


I give you an update of my health.
After 2 yrs that i been floxed with the disease called CIPRO, The symptom
that always stay is: Stomac pain, liver pain, Right shoulder and leg pain,
Rarely heart palpitation and hundred of FLOATERS of all type, coweb, dot,
line......When i will have a normal life? Im not a 87 yrs old man but a 27
yrs old man. Now i take magnesium, calcium, omega3, garlic and chinese tea.

Thanx for help!
Yves

20293 From: jelle819 <jelle819@y...>
Date: Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:46pm
Subject: Cipro Effect!?!?!?


I'm hoping you can give me some information. My fiance` went to the
Dr. last Mon. 11/18 because we thought he had a UTI or Bladder
infection, anyway, they put him on Cipro once a day 500mg pills, he
took it twice Mon. & Tues. almost exactly 48 hrs. after taking it he
was visiting with his mother and noticed that his body started to
burn and tingle all over the place. He went to the emergency room
at approx. 4 am on Thursday morning and the Dr. there said he was
having an adverse reaction to the Cipro and put him on prenisone.
It's been 5 days and he's still burning and tingling, he says mainly
in his legs, feet, and arms now. It did get better for 2 days but
apparently flaired up again last night. I called our family dr.
today to tell them of the problem and they insist that it's not the
Cipro because there is no way taking it twice could cause that kind
of problem and since it's been week it's not in his system anymore
and they keep calling it an ALLERGIC reaction which apparently it's
not. I've called a neurologist to look at him because it's obvious
he's having some sort of nerve problem. Could this really happen
from taking only 1000mg of Cirpo? Will it get better? I would
appreciate any advice you could give me.

Thanks
Jessica

PS-the best part is they sent his urine out for testing and found
out he didn't have a bladder infection so he took it for nothing.

20306 From: kanimal83 <kanimal83@y...>
Date: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:19pm
Subject: Re: Cipro Effect!?!?!?


-i just switched docs - the new one sent me to a neuro - the neuro
was worse than my old doc. i've just stayed with my gp - he's helped
me more than anyone else. i just happened to luck into a someone that
was willing to try different approaches. he was very sceptical at
first but over time he's bought into it. he did know of the side
effects of getting floxed - but never heard of them being long
lasting. you need to go in with the mindset that these are my
symptoms and problems how can i fix these problems - rather than
cipro or levaquin did this to me and trying to prove something and
getting cought up more in trying to prove something rather than
getting the treatment you need.- u wont get anywhere that way - as
the docs just plain dont know and even if you find someone who is
willing to believe you - they still dont know how to treat it. there
is no magic cure and what works for one person doenst work for
anthor. some people are more interested in proving that cipro did it
to them then they are trying to get better - and rightfully so - but
do u want to get better or prove a point. get better than prove the
point.




20315 From: <apcoz33@h...>
Date: Tue Oct 26, 2004 8:17pm
Subject: 2 months and counting levaquin & tendonitis


Hi Group,
After taking levaquin for 7 days 2 months ago, I still have the
intenste tendon pain in my elbows. I have signigicatly upped the
Glucsimine/Condrotin and MSM that I take.
I am moderately lifting light weights again. Before the levaquin
disaster, I was buffed out and strong. Not now. Anyways, I go to a
specialist next tuesday for the tendonitis. Anything I should know?
I understand that cortisine shots may increase the liklihood of a
tendon rupture. Any one try Prolotherapy?
Thanks
Tony


20338 From: bthejh <bthejh@y...>
Date: Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:42pm
Subject: levaquin reaction


Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site, have been on some other ones. I had a
reaction to levaquin, first time I had the tendon pain and bad leg
cramps, bad knee pain. this went away after a few weeks, then I had
to take it again. I only took 2 pills and then I got the burning
everywhere, feet, legs and arms. I think the worst is
my throat and tongue. they burn and my tongue feels swollen all the
time. Now my eyes burn and sometimes my ears. Am
very sensitive to cold and my body temperature stays about 96.
Haven't read much about anyone else having some of these things but
did read about it on some adverse reaction sites.
One thing I didn't know at first was the problem with food. I now
realize I have been reacting to things after reading about it here.
I think it would be helpful to lots of people if maybe everyone
could tell about what to avoid in foods and also I have read that
alcohol and caffeine are bad.If anyone has any information it would
be helpful. I have had the burning for about 7 weeks now.

I do take clonazapam for the burning and it seems to help as it calms
the nerve endings. I read this from research from Jay Cohen and
other people have said it helps also.

Wish I had found these sites before I took the levaquin the second
time but I guess we all probably wish that. I know from reading here
I am in way better shape than most.

Thanks for listening.

Bev

20358 From: fancifree39 <ddickin1@t...>
Date: Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:54pm
Subject: Levaquin Question


Like many others here, I am having adverse reactions to Levaquin
prescribed for me 90 days ago. I am reading all of your messages and
gathering all helpful information. My side affects are: pain,
stiffness and weakness in feet, ankles, elbows, arms, wrists, hands
and fingers. I also suffer from some fatigue.

I am a 42 year old female with a 6 month old son. The side effects of
this drug are definitely diminishing the quality of my life and the
moments I share with my son. Upon reading your messages I wonder how
long these symptoms will be with me.

This is what I would like to know. Has everyone here filled out and
submitted a MedWatch report? Have any of you thought of/or have you
joined as a group to work together, ascertaining the drug companies
are aware how many people are suffering side effects?

I am a bit at loss as to where to start by myself. I have filled out
a MedWatch report and sent an email to the manufacturer of Levaquin.
By myself I am not certain what, if any, response I will get.
However, if any of you would like to join together perhaps we could
get some results.

Donna

Thoughts, suggestions or direction to a group already formed is
appreciated.


20382 From: <Gospeltoyou@a...>
Date: Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:10pm
Subject: Re: Re: thursday afternoon


The unfortunate thing for me was the fact that my Dr. gave me 10 days worth
of 750mg. samples with NO warning sheet from the drug maker, nor did he inform
me or warn me of potential side effects or ADRs. I was just told they were
antibiotics.

20399 From: babethenurse <babethenurse@y...>
Date: Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:22am
Subject: 2 months and counting


I am writing for the first time after two months of excruciating
pain. I was prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin twice a day for ten
days. This was for a sinus infection ! I have horrible sinus
problems and believed the doctor when she said I needed "something
strong". The only side effect medical personnel are aware of is
occasional "joint pain". Wow ! By the 3rd day, I was
experiencing severe arthritis. By the 10th day I was in a recliner
unable to walk. I have regained the ability to walk but it is with
excruciating pain. I have tears in both meniscus on my knees. Has
anyone out there had actual meniscus tears from this? Of course,
all the docs tell me Levaquin could not have caused this. I am
also having excruciating muscle pain in both legs. Since they
found the meniscus tears, they will not even discuss the muscle pain
with me. They just want to do surgery on my knees. The twitches and
jerks in the legs cause the muscle spasms / pain to increase
tenfold. I am to start physical therapy next week. I am really
afraid of tendon rupture and am not sure I should be doing the
physical therapy. Any advice for me? At this point, the web
sites know far more about this than all the specialists combined.
Most medical people I know are completely shocked when I tell them
of this and the huge numbers of people who are affected. I would
appreciate any advice anyone can give me.


20407 From: <WAlakhdar@a...>
Date: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:36pm
Subject: Re: 2 months and counting


Greetings:

I have torn miniscus disks from cipro and levaquin. Just had knee surgery
on one leg, and it is doing better. The other leg didn't have a tear, but is
in horrible pain, and my orthoped doc won't prescribe physical therapy
because there is no tear and "therapy won't help arthritis pain."

What an ass!
@yahoo.com writes:



I am writing for the first time after two months of excruciating
pain. I was prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin twice a day for ten
days. This was for a sinus infection ! I have horrible sinus
problems and believed the doctor when she said I needed "something
strong". The only side effect medical personnel are aware of is
occasional "joint pain". Wow ! By the 3rd day, I was
experiencing severe arthritis. By the 10th day I was in a recliner
unable to walk. I have regained the ability to walk but it is with
excruciating pain. I have tears in both meniscus on my knees. Has
anyone out there had actual meniscus tears from this? Of course,
all the docs tell me Levaquin could not have caused this. I am
also having excruciating muscle pain in both legs. Since they
found the meniscus tears, they will not even discuss the muscle pain
with me. They just want to do surgery on my knees. The twitches and
jerks in the legs cause the muscle spasms / pain to increase
tenfold. I am to start physical therapy next week. I am really
afraid of tendon rupture and am not sure I should be doing the
physical therapy. Any advice for me? At this point, the web
sites know far more about this than all the specialists combined.
Most medical people I know are completely shocked when I tell them
of this and the huge numbers of people who are affected. I would
appreciate any advice anyone can give me.