Post Marketing Reports for December 2002

From: "mj_hendershott" <mj_hendershott@y...>
Date: Tue Dec 3, 2002 6:41 pm
Subject: my story..levaquin..cipro
Hello All,
I am new to this group. In late September had a uti prescribed cipro
for 2 days and it went away. It was back again three weeks later,
again prescribed cipro didn't work that time. Then went on Augmentin
and eventually Levaquin and that solved it. Somewhere during this
time I developed severe fatigue and aches in my neck and shoulders.
THought it was related to a new pillow. Then last week my face was
beginning to feel strange (I had bells palsy a couple of years ago)
so I thought I might be having a reoccurance). Anyway the doc gave me
a 4 day script for Prednisone, which I finished Sunday. At the same
time I again developed another UTI. I was given Levaquin again. Today
is day two on Levaquin and I now have numbness/weakness in my right
arm and hand/almost like joint pain. I called the doctor she said was
not related (i don't believe her). Any suggestions? I am really
scared, it actually feels strange to even type with my right hand.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Mary

From: Jennifer Smith <jsmithereen@y...>
Date: Wed Dec 4, 2002 8:00 am
Subject: Re: [quinolones] New Levaquin story: comments?
Hi.
I'm new to this group. I had had a bronchial
infection about a month ago and after zithromax didn't
relieve it, my doctor had me take an x-ray and said
that if that came out indicative of pneumonia he'd
prescribe levaquin (I didn't know about quinolones at
that point and usually tolerate other strains of
antibiotics pretty well). I had an operation for
endometriosis on 11/25 and noticed that my bronchial
infection was back, probably due to my suppressed
immune system (I also have rheumatoid arthritis and
fibromyalgia). The doc on call the day after
Thanksgiving said to go ahead and take the levaquin.
So I filled the scrip and started taking it, and
though I had been feeling better vis a vis
recuperation from my operation, on Saturday I had
severe muscle pain. Sunday too. Monday was
definitely better, but by Monday night (I was taking
the Levaquin, 500 mg pill per day each day at 8 am),
more pain. I couldn't take another day off work so
came in Tuesday. I was ok for the first three hours
but took my pill and from after lunch until I went to
sleep around 8 pm I was miserable. I don't think I
have ever experienced this much muscle and joint pain
in my life. I called my doc and he said to stop
taking it and see what happens.

Now, I generally get quite a large amount of muscle
pain from RA and fibromyalgia. But this seemed
suspicious, so I did a search on the internet and
found you guys. Do you think it's levaquin-related?
Do people with suppressed immune systems tend to be
affected more than others by quinolones? Any more
information you can share with me?

Thanks very much,

Jennifer

From: "shybasset" <SRo2930269@a...>
Date: Wed Dec 4, 2002 10:05 am
Subject: Levaquin--25 days (now foot pain)
After a prostatitis bout my FP and my URO both prescribed
Leviquin...Uro said to take it 28 days...no improvement in
Prostatitis...and after 25 days, I have pain 9(upon walking) in my
right foot just below the ankle are(bones that are on top of foot
below ankle). I now limp...too much pain when I bring my foot flexed
from finishing a complete step) . I told the URO to do a culture for
Prostatitis first to see if it was bacterial infec., but he
refused...said to try "shotgun" Levaquin because it has good prostate
penetration...Prostatitis NO better and now I have to limp. Any
comments about foot pain when walking and what you have done about
it? Thanks....Shybasset


From: "J.SNOOK" <jayjena@p...>
Date: Tue Dec 10, 2002 4:29 pm
Subject: Re: [quinolones] Floxies everywhere


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Hello I am new and I was wondering I have been dizzy on and off for about a
year now. I took Levaquin the first time in Dec of 2001 for pnemonia and then I
experienced dizziness later on the drug and for months after I didnt make the
connection until now. Then my dizziness let up for awhile and I ended up on
Cipro and then Levaquin for Diverticulitis in August now I am dizzy on and off
since then I dont know what to do. Dr. doesnt know what to do they think I am
just anxious. Please someone help!!!! Jena

From: mailto:Jen Zeigler <nettazig@y...
To: quinolones@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 3:38 PM
Subject: [quinolones] Floxies everywhere


It seems like everywhere I turn these days, I meet another floxing
victim. Every time someone says they are having trouble with the
antibiotic they are taking, I almost cringe before I hear the
answer, because I already know what it is going to be....a
fluoroquinolone. Last week at work, a co-worker and I were chatting
and somehow it came up about antibiotics and she was telling me that
she was taking one that was giving her problems. The culprit?
Levaquin! I told her to stop taking it immediately and to call her
doctor right then and there. I also printed her off a bunch of
documents (thanks Dave!) and directed her to the forum. Then
tonight, I'm sitting in my shrink's office, and I start chatting
with the couple next to me. Somehow (again!) the conversation came
around to antibiotics. This woman told me how 15 minutes after
taking an antibiotic, she went into anyphylactic(sp?) shock. The
culprit again? Levaquin! I told them a bit about fq's that the
doc's neglected to tell them (which was a lot!!), and also directed
them to the site. Fortunately, the woman was smart enough to get a
medalert bracelet, but she said she has come across a lot of doctors
who don't even know what fluoroquinolones are!!!! If we are such a
small percentage that we can't even get acknowledgement from
doctors, the FDA, or the drug companies, why do I seem to be running
across more and more victims?

Jen

From: "tbpdaily <dstrong@g...>" <dstrong@g...>
Date: Thu Dec 12, 2002 1:13 pm
Subject: Newly Floxed! Anything a person can do?
After taking Floxin for 5 days (thank the Lord it was no longer than
that) and stopping because of side effects, I am now scared out of my
wits after beginning to research this drug! I noticed the "mild"
side effects about 4 hours after the first dose and after
experiencing joint pain my doctor told me to discontinue the
medication. I was taking it for a Klebsiella pneumonae overgrowth in
my gut and now have everything else going wrong!

I have the fuzzy head, dizziness, insomnia like you wouldn't believe,
heart racing or fluttering, manual dexterity compromised, muscle
weakness, lips/arms/legs tingle, ears ringing, and my
wrists/ankles/shoulders/hips/neck are painful. I feel like my hands
and my head are "floating" sometimes and it's very difficult to put a
sentence together sometimes.

Is there anything you can do to help alleviate these symptoms or to
help your body rid itself of the effects of the "deadly quinolones"?
I've read that certain minerals/vitamins (calcium, iron, etc.) and
antacids decrease the effectiveness of quinolones but I would assume
that is only while you are actually taking the drug. Is there
anything to help after you've stopped?


From: "cablelaw <cablelaw@y...>" <cablelaw@y...>
Date: Sat Dec 21, 2002 10:15 pm
Subject: Anyone have a Levaquin case?
I have a client who was prescribed Levaquin by his podiatrist. After
taking the drug for about 10 days, my client began suffering
excruciating bilateral knee pain and swelling. My client informed
his doctor about the problems and the drug was immediately
discontinued. My client instantly noticed about 30% improvement in
the knee pain/swelling, but continues to have similar residual
problems.

If you or anyone you know has been involved in any type of product
liability actions against the manufacturer of Levaquin for similar
sde effects, I'd like to get in touch with their attorneys.

Keith D. Cable, Esq.
THE CABLE LAW OFFICE
614 Hillswick Cir.
Folsom, CA 95630
(916)984-7007
cablelaw@y...