Post Marketing Reports for November 1999

Doc 199
797From: silchem@p...
Date: Sat Nov 6, 1999 10:41pm
Subject: Problems Keep Returning

With regard to returning symptoms, I too seem to get to feeling a
little bit better only for a few weeks then the pain and dissyness
returns as strong as ever. I wonder if the drug is leaching out of
areas where it is deposited in the body back into the blood stream with
the reaction returning.
Gary


Doc 198
796From: tfbiv@e...
Date: Sat Nov 6, 1999 0:06pm
Subject: Re: Achilles pain...does it go away?

My father has gotten also the tendon pain as a result of taking
Levoquin for only a few days. He stopped after just one day when he
started having a skin reaction, but was told to finish the medication.
Another couple of days, and he started with the tendon pain, so he
stopped using the Levoquin for good.

He was told by Ortho that they would file an ADR, but I told him to
also get his doctor to file one, to be certain it's done.

We're concerned that it might be a long road to recovery. Is there a
treatment for the (hopefully temporary) tendon pain? He is 73 years old
and in pretty good health. In fact, he was walking several miles
several times a week and swimming many laps at the health club before
this took him down.

The research I've done online for him has warned us that he should not
have been taking his normal medication for asthma, which I believe is a
cortico-steriod. In fact, his doctor told him to double the dose. Now
that the Levoquin has been discontinued, can the normal asthma
treatment be resumed?

Thanks
Tom

Doc 197
793From: Gary Phillips <silchem@p...
Date: Tue Nov 2, 1999 9:38pm
Subject: Treatment for quinolone reaction?

Are there any treatments for the quinilone reaction.?I have
had tendenitis for over one year. It seemed to be getting
better for awhile but has now worsened. None of the doctors I
have went to seem to know anything about this issue and that
quinilones can create problems and joint pain for some people.


Doc 209
842From: Shawnee <shawnee1@s...
Date: Wed Nov 17, 1999 4:48am
Subject: head pressure

Anyone else experiencing 24hr.day head pressure? Also have inner ear &
neck pressure.Would like to talk with anyone else having this problem.
Also have a strange kind of 'brain fog', hard to explain but if you
have it you'll know it.

Doc 208
830From: Charles Richard Collins <crc1064@a...
Date: Fri Nov 12, 1999 1:17pm
Subject: Quinolones and Pain Clinics

Originally posted on sci.med.prostate.prostatitis newsgroup:

I am 70 years old. Until about a year ago, I lived in Memphis.
In 1994, I had a bout of
prostatitis. My uro kept me on Floxin for about 9 months. Due to the
Floxin, I developed severe
acid reflux and muscle soreness. It has taken years to get over it.
Presently I have no prostatitis. I do
have a enlarged prostate. My urine flow is about normal (I take saw
palmetto and Cardura 2 mg).
And, I ejaculate about 3-4 times per week.
I have regular checkups (Uro, Cardo, etc.). My total PSA was 20,
it's now 14 with free PSA
39% (no sign of cancer, high PSA probably due to BPH). So my sexual
equipment is working ok.
In August this year, I developed severe chest pain. I
immediately went to the emergency room.
There was no heart problem. They decided that it was muscle related and
put me on Celebrex.
Several weeks went by with no improvement. But, the Celebrex caused
gastro problems.
My lung doctor ordered a chest wall biopsy. They found that I
had pneumonia and put me on
Cipro. The pneumonia cleared up. But, I developed extreme colitis and
painful sore arm muscles (I
can hardly use my mouse).
My GI doctor said the Cipro killed the good bacteria in my gut
and prescribed Flagyl and
yogurt. After taking Flagyl and eating yogurt for three days, most of
the soreness in my gut has
cleared up. My arm is still very sore.
Someone suggested that I go to a pain clinic for my sore arm
(it's interfering with my sleep).
There is NO WAY that I would go to a pain clinic. I have about 9 friends
(and also my two
daughters) that went to pain clinics. They received nerve blocks and
strong pain medication. In each
case they got worse (sometimes extremely worse). I think some pain is
NECESSARY to the healing
process. It tells you not to use the painful member. So I am taking mild
pain medication (OTC).
I think pain clinics should be OUTLAWED. And, also the QUINOLONE
family of drugs
Floxin, Cipro, etc.). Also, I'm not to sure about Celebrex.
I think that some prostatitis is caused by muscle soreness. The
quinolones will only make it
worse as they cause muscle soreness. I will never take them again. Dick


Doc 207
826From: marketp@z...
Date: Fri Nov 12, 1999 2:59am
Subject: Re: Unbelievable

ric-@r... wrote:
Since I am one of the people who
suffer from long-term (6 months and counting) effects from four
tablets

How are you doing, BTW? I want an update!

We estimated that FQs are prescribed about 35 MILLION times per year.
Since some people get more than one prescription per year, this
represents maybe 30 million individuals.

snip

The trick is estimating how many individuals will experience serious
ADRs over the course of a lifetime. The true incidence might be
shocking enough to draw public attention. But with drug companies
controlling 100% of the research, that number is not likely to see the
light of day.





Doc 205
823From: frostfre@g...
Date: Thu Nov 11, 1999 5:16am
Subject: Unbelievable

I am absolutely flabergasted by all of this information about this
drug.
I am a 32 year old mother of three and today I was prescribed Levaquin
500mg for chronic sinusitis, along with Prednisone, and a pain reliever
which contains caffeine. All of this and I am breastfeeding a 5 month
old baby!!! What was my doctor thinking?? I was in tears thinking
about what the combination of all of these drugs could possible to do
my baby, much less me. I can't imagine being bedridden with pain when
I have this adorable baby who needs me on the floor with him to laugh
and play and two older boys who love to play ball. I have already
taken one of the Levaquin and one pain reliever while saving the
prednisone to start tomorrow... I don't think that will be happening,
nor will I be continuing with the Levaquin. Luckily, I did not
breastfeed my baby after taking the meds, and may wait a few days
before resuming just to make sure that the Levaquin is out of my
system.

With all of these ADR's with these types of antibiotics, maybe someone
should pass a clue to 20/20 or Dateline. They seem to be very
interested in passing along this type of info to the public, they just
recently went after Metabolife although it has helped thousands loose
weight, it still poses health problems to others.

Just out of curiosity, is there a web site which has positive
testimonial of people who have used these drugs?

Thank you to all of you who have posted your stories here, I hate to
imagine the possible outcome of my situation had I not had a computer
and an intuitive to check out this drug.

Cheryl, mommy to Cameron



Doc 204
814From: mryan470@m...
Date: Wed Nov 10, 1999 0:41am
Subject: No Subject

Hello
Thanks for your concern last night. I talked to my doctor this am. and
he said that the slurring was a side effect that only the elderly
experienced (I'm only 34!) He cut my dosage in half to 250 mgs.of
Levaquin but tonight I have an incredible headache which has to be
caused by the drug. I guess I'll tell him tomorrow that I can't take
it any longer, but its hard because I have developed a resistance to
many antibiotics.
Thanks again for the information
Maria


Doc 202
805From: mryan470@m...
Date: Tue Nov 9, 1999 0:37am
Subject: feeling a bit strange

I was just prescribed Levaquin today and took my first pill a few hours
ago. I feel really dizzy, and my speech is slurred nausious and am
having general unsteadiness. Is this normal? I'm supposed to take the
stuff for six days I don't know if I'll make it. Should I tell my
doctor or is this a normal reaction to this drug.


Doc 201
801From: Luffagus@a...
Date: Mon Nov 8, 1999 5:12pm
Subject: Steroids and Leviquin

My Dr. gave me a cortisone shot a few days after I had an ADR to Leviquin. I
never felt so bad in my life...What are the long term effects on this shot
and why is it not recommended within 90 days after Leviquin?
Thanks
Lorayne


Doc 200

798From: silchem@p...
Date: Sat Nov 6, 1999 9:41pm
Subject: Jaw Pain

With regard to jaw pain, I have spent the last 6 months going to 3
dentists, 2 oral surgeons, and one endodontist. I now know what my
problem is. The 60 days of levaquin. Now I need to go back and tell
them.
Gary


Doc 220
897From: claude brigante <cbrigante@m...
Date: Mon Nov 29, 1999 6:54pm
Subject: walking

I have bone-muscle-joint type ADR from levaquin. Some people have
written about the importance of walking daily, even tho in pain. When
I walk, the pain intensifies considerably, shooting, stabbing pains in
my knees, shin bones & muscles up to my thighs. I can force myself to
continue walking, but should I? X-Rays, bone scan & MRI show no damage
in terms of tendon rupture or osteo-necrosis. Some form of excercise
is very important because a chronic bladder condition prevents me from
getting enough calcium & I'm 62 y.o. I already have a L-1 compression
Fx from a fall last Oct.,98 & some osteo arthritis. I've also been
told I have degenerate disc Dx. in my spine. I have lost 2 inches in
height since the fall. Because of the bladder condition, there are
many helpful remedies that I cannot take advantage of for the pain or
for bone health. Comments? (From laypersons, I'm aware we're (*you)
are not medical people.) Thanks. Judy
cbrigante@m...

Doc 219

895From: J.Ogni <jogni1@t...
Date: Mon Nov 29, 1999 4:18pm
Subject: Re: Levaquin adverse reactions

I started taking levaquin 8 days ago. At first I could not
sleep, but I was having trouble sleeping with the infection
anyway. After taking it for 3 days my joints started hurting,
I just thought I was over doing it with getting ready for
Thanksgiving, but I have rested and it has only gotten worse.
Today I woke up and both my shoulders hurt and it is dificult
to lift my arms espicialy my right shoulder. My knees are
hurting, the right one is a lot worse and I am having trouble
getting up from a seated positon. Also my elbows hurt, and it
hurts to straighten out my arms. This time the left elbow is
the worse. I am calling my doctor asp. I have arthritis and I
hope this medication has not made it worse. I will let you
know how I make out.

Doc 218
891From: jocahoon@m...
Date: Sat Nov 27, 1999 4:45pm
Subject: Levaquin Reaction

I took 3 doses of Leavaquin in early Oct. of this year. By the third
day I was unable to walk due to excrutiating pain in my achilles
tendons. The medication was discontinued immediately, and I took a
course of NSAID's. After another 2 days I was able to walk fairly well
and even played ice hockey. I still find though, that I can't be
immobile for any length of time without having my achilles tighten up
like rubber bands. I am very active in ice hockey and roller hockey,
both of which (luckily) provide excellent ankle support. When I first
start moving, I hobble around like a 95 year old. I have tried heat,
ice, ultrasound, TENS and I stretch faithfully. Any other suggestions?
Any ideas as to how long these symptoms may last? I have not sought
follow up medical advice, but assume that my diagnosis would be
bilateral tendonitis, possibly microscopic tearing.
FYI,on a positive note, my doctor knew immediately that it was an
adverse reaction and also my sinus infection cleared up superbly.
I would greatly appreciate any input and am grateful for a forum of
knowledgable and empathetic listeners.
Joanne Cahoon


Doc 217

887From: hts@p...
Date: Thu Nov 25, 1999 5:46am
Subject: Floxin

About one year ago had what Dr. thought was a prostate infection and
was prescribed floxin for approximately 1 month. I first noticed a
rash on my face but did not attribute this to the medication. Then
began to notice a tingling sensation in my feet. I thought I was
having a delayed reaction to the floxin and called my Dr. He thought
it would not happen after I had stopped taking the medication.
However, the reaction and the end of the medication occurred at about
the same time. About two weeks later was awakened in the middle of the
night by loud ringing in my ears that I still have along with tingling
in both my feet. Dr. does not believe any relationship between these
symtoms and floxin. Has anyone else experienced similar reaction to
this medication?

Doc 216
863From: simpct@a...
Date: Sun Nov 21, 1999 0:26am
Subject: questions

My symptoms started four months ago after 30 days on Raxar - primarily
anxiety, insomnia, tinitus, and other CNS problems. Also have had some
tendon pain. I've improved somewhat, but seem to take two steps
forward and one step back. I very much appreciate all of the
contributions people have made to the forum, as I've been able to learn
quite a bit about quinolone reactions.

A couple of questions:

Is there a difference in prognosis between CNS symptoms and
tendon/joint pain?

Melvin - I've seen you refer to immune problems with the reactions.
Can you be more specific?

I've seen that a couple of people have experienced problems with
chicken and/or eggs. Is there a consensus about this in the group?

Thank you again for your contributions, and any answers you may have.


Doc 215
862From: Carolyn Misak <carolyn@o...
Date: Sat Nov 20, 1999 4:16pm
Subject: Levaquin reaction

In March of 1997 I was prescribed Cipro to take for the customary 10
days. I suffered from no reaction and from what I can remember...got
better. However, now my life has drastically changed due to another
form of quinolone. Just 4 days ago my doctor prescribed levaquin for an
upper respiratory infection I was suffering from. Within 10 minutes of
taking this drug just once, my life completely changed. I had a sever
reaction to this drug...my face swelled up like a balloon, I lost my
ability to talk, my throat closed and was unable to breathe through my
mouth, and my body was shaking uncontrollably. I was having an adverse
reaction to this drug. Thank goodness for the people around be because
they truly saved my life...I could've haved died because I was having
such difficulty breathing. Now...I need to carry around an epi-pen
(adrenaline shot) and wear a medic-alert bracelet because if I ever come
encountered with a quinolone again...it will be fatal. And...just to
let you know...I have never had any sortt of reaction to any other
medication before. This was the first ( and hopefully last) time
anything like this has ever happened to me.

Samantha



Doc 214
860From: Lea Brown <dogscat@e...
Date: Sat Nov 20, 1999 1:43pm
Subject: update

Hello to all. I have been away from the forum for awhile after my
computer had a meltdown. Finally up and running again. (the computer,
not me).
I am glad that there seems to be some people posting who are actually
looking for ways to help and who are interested in reseaching our
ADR's. Maybe someone is finally listening?
It is disheartening to still see new posters who think they can come
here to find the miracle cure from the damge that has been caused by
the FQ's. Here i am in my 6th year.
Of course most of my symptoms were CNS and i think that is harder to
treat or even have a Dr. recognise than the tendon probs. Not that i
would want to trade for those, I am so sorry for all of you suffering
with that constant pain.
Like others have stated I do not believe anything will be done until
someone is finally sucsessful in bringing a lawsuit that doesnt get
thrown out, and can be awarded some very big bucks. I would be happy to
participate in any survey or information gathering that will help
others not have to go through this hell.
By the way I am making it through the days and living a somewhat normal
life, but I must still be on a maintanence dose of Paxil to maintain my
brain chemistry and my thyroid was somehow affected so I take
synthroid. I also take many supplements to try to stay as healthy as
possibe.
My biggest remaining problem is the "brainfry", as I call it. Poor
memory slow processing, unable to speak what my mind is trying to say.
Very frustrating. I do on occasion still have some shakiness, muscle
twitching, facial numbness and lack of coordination. After 6 years you
learn to ignore most of this as a nuisance, but sometimes it can really
piss you off!
My best to everyone and a reminder that I have a new email adress which
you will find in my info.
Lea



Doc 212
850From: Luffagus@a...
Date: Thu Nov 18, 1999 11:54am
Subject: Re: neurological symptoms

I have not had a Doctor yet that relates all the problems I am having since
taking Leviquin TO THE LEVIQUIN and FLOXINS.
I am interested in knowing what Boston says.
Lorayne
P.S. I also have pancreatitis and elevated Amaylse ,Lipase,Tripson blood
results.Can you ask Boston if this is related?
Thanks again!

Doc 211

848From: Greg Robertson <bluehen@u...
Date: Thu Nov 18, 1999 10:13am
Subject: Re: neurological symptoms

Until now, and possibly still, I am considering a personal suit. My doctor
told me to take a second pill after the first caused projectile vomiting,
dizziness, and the inability to stand. He told me to take it with Zantac to
keep it down. I think his advice to take this second pill was negligent.
Additionally, the hospital did nothing for eight hours, they just let me
convulse on an ER table. They should have at least flushed out my system.

However, I just discovered other people similarly affected last night, so my
theories may be changing. When I was first injured there was not much out
there about Levaquin and I had only found two others injured. One blew out
her tendons and the other is a friend who only had slurred speech for one
day. The latter was lucky enough to have gone to a hospital where the ER
staff flushed out his system before sending him home

Doc 210
846From: bluehen@u...
Date: Thu Nov 18, 1999 0:07am
Subject: neurological symptoms

I took two doses of Levaquin in January of 1998. I still suffer from
seizure-like episodes, tremors, slurred speech, right side
weakness,discoordination, and dystonic or clonic-type movements. I
have been told its all in my head, and am glad (yet also saddened) to
see that others have had similar side- effects with quinolones and with
levaquin in particular. I have had two MRI's and two EEG's and all
were normal. However, neuro-psych testing showed a closed head injury
that is improving but that can be exacerbated by stressful situations.

I am now going to have a 24-hour EEG and will also travel to Boston's
dystonia clinic to see if the Levaquin has caused dystonia. Please
contact me if you would like to talk. I am an attorney who is very
frustrated with the lack on medical knowledge on this subject,
especially in the ER context. I am considering suit against several
players.