Post Marketing Reports for January 2003

From: "floxed_one <floxed_one@y...>" <floxed_one@y...>
Date: Wed Jan 1, 2003 12:13 pm
Subject: How Do I Treat My Levaquin Tendon Damage??
Two days after taking Levaquin, I experienced pain in my calf muscles
and a extreme pain in the bottom of my foot, like plantar facitis,
and I put any weight on the foot. I immediately stopped taking
Levaquin, but the problems continued.

After 1 week, the foot pain decreased and I could walk without pain.
BUT, there is still a sensation like a swelling under the arch of the
foot that hasn't gone away. And the left achilles tendon
feels "tired". Not pain just a "tired" feeling.

I also had the sunburn feeling in one leg. Unfortunately this keeps
coming back also and it's been over a month now since I took the drug.

In addition, I have wrist and arm/elbow pain which I've never had
before.

The Doctors and Nurses aren't much help and claim they've never seen
this reaction before. They have read the description in the notices,
but never seen it.

How should I treat thse problems? It's been over a month since I
took the Levaquin and I'm still having problems.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.


From: "martealmanry <martealmanry@y...>" <martealmanry@y...>
Date: Sun Jan 5, 2003 9:46 am
Subject: knee problems
I took levaquin from March till May in 2002 and had severe knee
problems requiring injections every week for 3 weeks. Had bronchitis
2 times since Thanksgiving. Took levaquin again, and I am mostly
immobile with knees. Anyone else having problems plus night sweats
and disoriented.


From: "seekinghealth26 <seekinghealth@s...>" <seekinghealth@s...>
Date: Tue Jan 7, 2003 8:55 pm
Subject: New
Hi everyone,

I have to say that after finding this group, and reading some of the
messages (and other things I've found out about quinolones on the
web), I'm scared to death. A little background....(it's long...sorry)

I had been having recurrent sinus infections and also have sleep
apnea, so I had sinus surgery in August 2002. After the surgery, I
began having recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia. On November 11th I
went to my general doctor and was told I had a bad sinus infection
again, and since I had been having all the other problems he put me
on Levaquin, instead of the usual Augmentin, etc. On December 6th, I
was at work, and passed out in the middle of our office. The
paramedics came, checked my blood sugar (I'm insulin resistant and
was taking GlucophageXR), and my blood pressure, etc. They said
everything seemed normal, told me to just get something to eat, drink
water, and rest.

The next day, December 7th, I was at work, and felt sick to my
stomach, I got sick in the restroom, then went to our breakroom, sat
down at the table...and that's the last I remember...then I was on
the floor with a crowd around me (they had found me passed out at the
table). They had called the paramedics, but before they even got
there I passed out again. I also stopped breathing and had to be
given rescue breathing until the paramedics got there. The paramedics
came and took me to the ER...my blood sugar was ok, but my blood
pressure was 90/50. They did every test imaginable in the ER..but in
the end said they figured my blood sugar must have dropped, and that
I should be ok. They gave me tons of fluids, then sent me home. I
stayed home over a week, feeling like crap. I had muscle aches, my
joints hurt and were stiff, and I still felt lightheaded. I thought
I must be coming down with the flu or something.

I went back to my general doctor, and he said he thought it was
probably the Glucophage...so he took me off it...but he also sent me
to a cardiologist to have a work up done, just to be sure. The
cardiologist found that I have Mitral Valve Prolapse with leakage,
but he didn't think it was bad enough to have caused me to pass out.
He said that Levaquin can sometimes cause heart rhythm problems, so
he took me off it and put me on Trimox instead. After that I began to
feel somewhat better and went back to work.

Ok...then on December 22nd, I went back to my regular doctor for a
follow up, and because the Trimox didn't seem to be working and my
sinus infection was getting worse. He said he didn't think the
Levaquin had anything to do with my passing out (he said it sometimes
made people a little dizzy when they first started taking it, but he
had never heard of it making anyone pass out or anything), so he told
me to start taking it again for the sinus infection. So I stopped the
Trimox and started back on the Levaquin.

On December 25th, at my family Christmas party, I began feeling bad
and got very dizzy. I had someone take me home. On December 26th, I
was miserable. The joints in my hands were hurting so bad that I sat
beside the bathtub running hot water over my hands for about an hour
(until the hot water ran out). After finally finding some of the
self heating hand warmers (that they use for hunting), and putting on
gloves, then wrapping them around my hands...I was able to relax
enough to sleep a little.

Then on December 27th, I passed out twice again at work. Again came
the paramedics and I ended up back in the ER. They didn't even
bother to do many tests this time...the doctor came in (a different
doctor this time), and said he thought the Levaquin might be causing
problems, and wanted me to stop taking it. But he also wanted me to
go see a Neurolgist to have an EEG, to check for any type of seizure
disorder...just in case.

Ok...so...now I've been to the ER twice, my general doctor, a
cardiologist, and a neurologist. I'm feeling a little better since
stopping the Levaquin....but still not anywhere near 100%. First of
all my sinus infection is still going (have an ENT appt. tomorrow).
But I also just have absolutely no energy. All I want to do is
sleep. I still feel lightheaded often, and keep feeling like my
heart is racing at times (for no reason). My hands are still aching
too. *sigh* Is this all really from the Levaquin?!?!?! I knew I
hadn't had Levaquin before...but after reading what other drugs are
in the quinolone class...I think I've had Cipro and maybe Tequin. I
had an episode about a year ago..and then another in June...where I
had passed out also (that's why they've been sending me to all the
different doctors...because it's happened before)...and I'm wondering
if it was when I was on one of the other quinolones? I guess I can
try calling my doctors office or the pharmacy and see if they can
tell me when I had them before.

I'm so confused. And angry...that none of the doctors I saw seemed
to know all the problems that the quinolones can cause.






From: "elektronikme <elektronikme@y...>" <elektronikme@y...>
Date: Sun Jan 12, 2003 12:58 am
Subject: Cipro side effects?
hi! my name's Lance, i'm 20 years old, and this is my first post
here.

i've been enduring this battle for almost 3 years now and still have
got no answers.

it all started with what my doctor thought to be a UTI infection back
in May of 200. he started me off on Doxycycline and i took 2 pills
of 100 mg for 20 days. that didn't seem to work, so next he put me
on Cipro, 500mg pills fro 14 days.

still, I had my urinary problems ... and the around the first day (or
perhaps a few days after the first pill) I began to notice that my
legs felt a bit tingly. not a bad feeling, but almost like I had to
rub them or something, hard to explain.

Well, it's 3 years later and my urinary symptoms are small compared
to all the other mess I've been going through.

I have:

muscles that constanty twitch, but most often in the morning or when
at rest

legs muscles feel cramped and sore sometimes when standing for long
periods of time

my hair has began to mysteriously fall out (not dramatic, but enough
for me to notice).

i feel fatigued sometimes and can excessively yawn during certain
times of the day

now my the joints in my knees have began to creak when i'm coming up
from a squatted position. and they crack constanty when i walk
sometimes. no pain in the joints, but this awful tearing/popping
noise.

now i'm just wondering. when is this mess going to STOP.

is it possible that all of these symptoms could be caused by the
Cipro? like, if it caused some sort of deficiency or poisoning in my
body that is progressively getting worse?

i've gone to three neurologists and they all looked at me like i was
a bit crazy. i kept telling them that i thought i had multiple
scleroris because of my symptoms but they ran 2 MRI's and ruled that
out. i'm still very very nervous about my future and how
this "condition" is going to compromise me.

anyone have any clue if Cipro could be to blame? and if so, can i
treat this?




From: "holydaf <mbateman77@h...>" <mbateman77@h...>
Date: Tue Jan 14, 2003 2:42 pm
Subject: Avelox
I've been on Avelox 14 days - 16 days to go (400 mg/day) for chronic
sinus infection. Following a CT-scan and exam, I am told that I am
better, though I feel worse. No fever but my head has a constant
shrill ringing on the inside and frontal pain between the eyes. Can
anyone out there relate to this?

It's torture living alone inside my head. Maybe it would comfort me
to know that I am experiencing side-affects rather than further sinus
symptoms/complications. I'll do anything to clear up this infection
too avoid another surgery.


From: "lisafk2003 <Lisaklep@m...>" <Lisaklep@m...>
Date: Wed Jan 15, 2003 3:40 pm
Subject: levaquin
I took one 500 mg. pill on Jan. 13, 2003. I developed a headache
with nausea which steadily worsened until I was forced to go the the
ER for a shot. I also had strange pains in the backs of my legs and
hips, but I attributed this to the infection (sinus) for which I was
being treated. I took another pill on the following day and the
pain in my legs increased dramatically. I am an avid walker (35
miles per week, fast pace, LOTS of hills), and the pain in my legs
and buttocks was similar to what you would feel if you had REALLY
overdone a workout. I won't take another pill, but I'm scared that
I may have done some damage. If anyone else has had a similar
experience, I'd like to hear it. God bless you all.




From: "ktromb <kathrynt@m...>" <kathrynt@m...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 5:56 pm
Subject: Another newbie........
What a nightmare! I just found this group today after being told by
my doc today that the sudden "arthritis" I have might be from the
Levaquin I was taking for a sinus infection. He gave me a
prescription of prednisone to treat the arthritis and told me to
take ibuprofen too. Is this smart or will it just make the pain
worse?

kt


From: "ktromb <kathrynt@m...>" <kathrynt@m...>
Date: Sat Jan 25, 2003 8:30 am
Subject: Newbie is amazed...
Thanks to all of you who so quickly responded to my first post. I'm
delighted (but a bit overwhelmed at the moment). I did sleep well,
better than I have for weeks and I'm not as stiff and sore this
morning. I hope the improvement lasts, but am prepared to deal with
it if I experience the return of symptoms that so many of you
mentioned.

Last night was my third nite off of Levaquin. I had a monster
headache, which has been typical for the last month... but my doc
and I had been thinking those were SINUS headaches. Now I think
maybe it's the quinolone. I did a combo of aspirin and tylenol and
slept well. I didn't take the prednisone and don't plan on it.

My hands are puffy. My shoulders hurt, my feet hurt, but my back is
better. What happened to the days when I never even had to think
about my physical condition??

kt


From: "jerrytr2com <jerry@t...>" <jerry@t...>
Date: Sat Jan 25, 2003 12:19 pm
Subject: Cipro & Tendinitis
Hello,
I just came back from the doctor with a prescription for Cipro for
a case of "epididymitis".
I was alarmed to find out that "tendinitis" and "tendon rupture"
are listed among the "not common but serious" side effects. I have
suffered from chronic tendinitis since 1997. I live in abject fear
of anything that might make it worse.
A cursory websearch leads me to believe that tendon damage is
possible with any antibiotic in the "quinolones" category.
I called the doctor - she maintains that only a quinolone will
do.
A monograph I found on the web recommends the following:
"Drug Category: Antibiotics -- Empiric coverage varies with patient's
age. Males younger than 35 years need empiric coverage for C
trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae, usually with ceftriaxone and
doxycycline or azithromycin. Prepubertal patients and males older
than 35 years require empiric coverage for coliform bacteria (enteric
gram-negative bacilli or Pseudomonas). Both of these patient
populations may be treated with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (TMP-
SMZ); a fluoroquinolone also may be utilized in patients older than
35 years."

Any of this stuff NOT a quinolone? Thanks in advance,

- Jerry Kaidor


From: "jerrytr2com <jerry@t...>" <jerry@t...>
Date: Tue Jan 28, 2003 10:33 am
Subject: Shoulder Hurts
Hello,
On Saturday morning, a doc prescribed Cipro. A good boy, I raced
to the pharmacy, bought the drug ( $20 copay! ) and took ONE PILL
before reading the patient information and seeing the horrifying word
"tendinitis" - then researching it on the Internet.

Yesterday, Monday, I noticed a pain in my left shoulder, right
at the outer edge, where the shoulder ends and the arm begins. It
felt rather like the time I got swimmers shoulder, but I hadn't been
swimming.

Is it possible for this stuff to hurt a tendon with just ONE PILL?

- Jerry "Where's the Ice?" Kaidor ( jerry@t... )

p.s. I went to my GP first thing Monday morning, armed with
printouts, and obtained a prescription for a lesser, older antibiotic
called "Doxycycline". Which, of course, has its own panoply of
risks. I've been warned to stay out of the sun....


From: "jammcse <jammcse@y...>" <jammcse@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 28, 2003 6:41 pm
Subject: Spots and Floaters

I have been having problems with my eyes ever since taking cipro for
a urinary problem. I took cipro 500 mg twice a day for about 6 - 8
weeks, a total of 1000 mg per day. I have floaters and spots in my
vision. I have not been on the medication for several months but the
problems still persist. Has anyone else had similar issues? Thanks in
advance for any advice.


From: "bart_star <bartstar@r...>" <bartstar@r...>
Date: Thu Jan 30, 2003 5:48 pm
Subject: Just had a bad reaction to Levaquin
Yesterday, I was given a prescription of Levaquin for a sinus
infection. I also took some Sudafed for the congestion. Within a
short time, I started to experieince an allergic reaction: itchy all
over, and tingling of my lips and tongue, my lips also swelled
slightly. I took some Zyrtec to counteract the effects of the
reaction. Today I went to see my doctor. He told me to stop taking
the Levaquin and presrcribed me a short course of prednisone to
counteract the allergic reaction and to reduce the swelling. So far,
I've taken two tablets of the prednisone.

As a side note, I was on the Atkins diet. As part of my dieting
efforts, I was consuming a fair amount of aspartame. I discovered
that the aspartame was making me really sick. The main symptom I
experienced was sever insomnia. I stopped taking any aspartame laced
products and could finally get some sleep about three days later.
One week later I'm still not able to sleep for more than about 4-5
hours without waking.

I feel like modern medicine and the FDA ane trying to kill me. I
could sure use some advice. Help please!!!


From: SRo2930269@a...
Date: Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:41 am
Subject: Re: [quinolones] DENTAL symptoms from FQ's ????
Having been off of Leviquin for 2 months for prostatitis treatment (I passed
a kidney stone!! Jan 7 and uro became normal again, but 20 days later
proststitis "symptoms" reoccured!!Ugh), and I noticed that aching and pain
have occured ALL AT SAME TIME in 3 separate teeth not located together.
Dentist xrayed and said decay is under one crown and the other tooth needs
root canal. Have appt Mon for crown replacement and Tues. for root canal.
NOTE---after 20 days of restored uro function, my prostatitis symptoms
returned within 2 days of "jaw pain".
Does the return of prostatitis have anything to do with FQ still in my
body and attacking kidney/bladder causing my pros. to reyturn? Also, have
ANY of you had dental problems (jaw/tooth pain and/or changes in your dental
health) as a result??? of being floxed and FQ still creating havic??? Thanks
for replies.....I know of joint/tendon problems recurring in many of
you....haven't ever read hear about dental "flox" problems. Thanks for ALL
comments. Shybasset
BTW, the dental pain "comes and goes....just like the prostatitis symptoms)