January 2004 Post Marketing Report

From: "tandwrootbeer" <tandwrootbeer@y...>
Date: Thu Jan 1, 2004 6:45 am
Subject: Side Effects of Levaquin
My mother began taking Levaquin, 500mg daily, on Dec. 26 for
pneumonia. Though she started feeling a bit better almost
immediately, she has experienced some awful side effects. She had
diarreah, has thrown up several times, has become weak, has extreme
anxiety/panic attacks, very dry throat, insomnia, and light
headedeness. She is so tired, yet cannot rest. She is also
uninsured. So, I told her to stop taking the Levaquin (I told her
this about 20 min. ago) and to go back to the Urgent Care dr.
tomorrow. There must be some other pneumonia medicine she can take

From: sweet1956pea@a...
Date: Sat Jan 3, 2004 5:48 pm
Subject: "reply" from MedWatch
I guess I should have known..... got a canned, generic form "letter" in
response to all the time and energy and effort put in to sending in the FDA
report. What a joke. Silly of me to think that anyone reporting might actually
be taken seriously. Just hope those who are the "powers that be" never get floxed ~Y'all take care. Have a great day.
Patti

From: "Honey Moon" <justdewit38@a...>
Date: Mon Jan 5, 2004 10:13 am
Subject: avelox side effects
Hi I have been having problems with tics both verbal and physical,
weakness on occasion , tremors, possible partial seizures, staring
spells, "freezing up" ect since taking one dose of avelox in
december. It was helped with the use of ativan and benadryl . If I
miss a dose of either , I get real bad again. I've been off work
since I took this med. I got an mri with contrast which came back
normal and tomarro I'll be getting an eeg (or ekg?) (which ever one
they do to your head). I also get confused occasionally. I'm getting
frustrated. The doc says that it isn't the drug anymore, it couldn't
be because it's out of my system now, yet the symptoms are still
present and yesterday they were very violent and severe.What do I do
besides these tests that keep coming up normal? (as in , Its all in
your head?)

From: t w <virgotw95@y...>
Date: Sun Jan 4, 2004 8:15 pm
Subject: Re: [quinolones] Re: New poster with symptoms
Hi,
I am 22 and i took Cipro for 7 days for a UTI about 4 months
ago....i just want to let you know that it is a drug from HELL....and i mean
it...it has ruined my life.....i don't mean to scare you, but honestly
these drugs are poisonous and they can stay in your system for a long
long long time......so make sure you never ever take a quinolone
again....tell your doctor that you are allergic to fluoroquinolones so that he
will never prescribe any drug belonging to this family.....
ive had neurological problems such as dizziness and confusion and
also my heart started feeling weird about 2 months into taking
Cipro....and no matter what doctors say, these symptoms are caused directly by
quinolones....i was a perfectly healthy 21 yr old when i took them....so
just some friendly advice....STAY AWAY FROM FLUOROQUINOLONES and tell
all of your friends and family to do so also as they are very commonly
prescribed for very minor things such as a uti....take care
Tamara



tpaine1994 <howshrewdcanibe@y...> wrote:I didn't realize Trovan was from
the quinilone family. Now I'm
wondering why he prescribed Cipro when I reminded him that I hadn't
been able to handle the Trovan the previous time. Maybe Trovan and
Cipro have different safety profiles.
tpaine


From: "raemuir" <mlvoght@s...>
Date: Tue Jan 6, 2004 8:22 am
Subject: Re: just not the same anymore
--- In quinolones@yahoogroups.com, sweet1956pea@a... wrote:
My biggest problem is the mental ~ I cannot even do "normal"
> tasks, such as placing an order properly, remembering a
conversation, reading ~
> things like that.
A few weeks ago a friend told me she had a UTI and was taking Cipro. I
told her Cipro was the drug that put me in a soon-to-be 2 year
nightmare. "It's causing me no problem," she said.
Two days ago we visited, she was fishing about for a name, and
said, "I just can't seem to remember anything any more."
Oh no!! Oh no!!
Marty

From: t w <virgotw95@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 6, 2004 8:38 pm
Subject: Cipro ADR's -- will they ever go away?????????
Hello everyone,
Remember me....I am the one who took Cipro for a UTI in
September....I have to say that I am much better now, but still not normal as I
still have insomnia.....I feel like I am about the only one with this problem as
nobody replied to a prior post....I would like to know what has helped for the
people experiencing insomnia, I tried valerian and it did not work for me, and I
am very afraid to try benzodiapenes as ppl say these have actually made them
worse.....will my insomnia ever go away???...I would love to here from anyone
that has had insomnia as an FQ ADR and I would love to know how long it lasted
as well as what has/is helping them. Also, I have major neck pain in the
morning sometimes, has anyone else experienced this???? Any advice will be
highly appreciated. Thanks so much guys.
Sincerely,
Tamara


From: "ddmdoro" <ddmdoro@y...>
Date: Wed Jan 7, 2004 3:41 pm
Subject: In need of encouragement
If I ever improve dramatically, I will be sure to post positive
messages from time to time. It's been just over 3 months since I took Cipro for five days for a UTI. The bad effects took approx two weeks to kick in. I don't
recall that I had any indication that there was a problem when I was actually taking the drug-other than feeling really down (depressed).
I sometimes have drenching night sweats from time to time, which I
mistakenly took as a sign that I might be getting better. But I can
live w/that. My leg muscles feel like they're bulging when I'm
standing still. I can also live w/that if nothing else goes wrong.
I am REALLY troubled by tremors, especially in hands/arms and also
by the weakness in my arms. It seems that my fingers and hands don't
do what they're supposed to do. Clumsy. I take small amounts of
inderal (which slows down the heart) to reduce the tremors so that I
don't go NUTS.
Is there anyone out there who has had similar symptoms and who had
made considerable gains over a period of time??? I'd LOVE to hear
that you have. Does it seem that MANY people improve within a year's
time? Any encouragement would be most appreciated. Thanks.

From: "ddcoleman33" <rfcoleman200@h...>
Date: Thu Jan 8, 2004 8:28 am
Subject: reactions to drug
does anyone know about hallucinations to the drug Quinoline. This is
the situation my mom is 83 and blind . When she took the drug on a
monday she started seeing words and colors and some people ect . she
is now seeing colors shapes ect . I have ruled out vision problems
related to her sight with her doctor. We took her off the drtug on
wed of the same week then started her on sithromac pack she took her
last one today . she was perscribed this for ammonia. she is on many
other meds . her regular doctor had all her levels checked with
blood work ect. he belives it not related to them. this has been 11
days since she took it . This has never happend before with any
other antibiotic. any one heared of suc a thing doreen



From: "Jenny" <jmoreau.i@s...>
Date: Fri Jan 9, 2004 12:18 pm
Subject: RE: [quinolones] report
Do you have spells where your body is slowing down and progressively
your having more and more problems walking to the point of being frozen
in place and hold on to something?
Jenny


From: "floraman1" <floraman1@m...>
Date: Fri Jan 9, 2004 1:38 pm
Subject: Have taken 6 doses of Ciprofloxacin for prostatitis. I feel weird.
I am not taking anymore of these pills. I have the foggy feeling in
my head. Mostly, the front of my face and my eyes feel foggy, and my
concentration and motor skills are noticably decreased. Has anyone
had the same symptoms here? Will they go away quickly? I used to
rarely lose at playing foosball in the breakroom, but now it is very
difficult to win anymore - just in the last few days. I know some
folks here have had worse side effects, but this is bad enough for
me. Please, someone tell me this will go away quickly.


From: "ikimini" <ikimini@y...>
Date: Sat Jan 10, 2004 1:38 pm
Subject: cipro and tequin caused diarrhea
I took cipro and tequin for more than a week and this caused a
serious diarrhea from the second day. How long will this last and
what can i take to stop it. help please.


From: "jonasstodart" <jonasstodart@y...>
Date: Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:40 am
Subject: my story and some quinolone reaction questions for you guys...
my name is Jonas, i am a 28 year old professional trainer and
triathalete....eating right, nutrition, exercise and an overall
healthy non drinking/nonsmoking lifestyle have been my daily
regiment for my whole life...unofortunately one day i woke up with
pains in my bladder/prostrate area........not sure what on earth was
casuing this pain i went to the doctor who "without any type of
fluid/semen/bacterial test" told me that i had prostatitis...common
in men he said, and that i needed to take a lengthy course of
LEVAQUIN to get rid of it...i think i was in and out of his door in
4 mins...well not after 4 to 5 days of levaquin...i started
experiencing alot of the symptoms that all of you have suffered from
tingliness, rapid heartbeat, foggy brain, muscle spasms, tendon
pain...panic attaks...feellings like i couldn't breathe....and so
on....now i have never experiecened any of this ever before in my 28
years...i went back to the doc and i asked him if these were also
symptoms of prostatis and he told me no...so i figured it had to be
the levaquin and he told me i was ridicuolous.....anyways...i
stopped taking the levaquin after i ended up in the ER one night
feeling like i was going to die...after stopping taking the levaquin
i started to feel better in the upcoming weeks but i still had the
prostatitis symptoms and i still had levaquin reactions but not as
bad....i went to a new urologist and after me telling him that i had
taken levaquin and reacted to it....he said that was strange and
proceeded to give me something else instead CIPROFLAXIN...now i am
well educated..i thought...and i asked him if this drug would be
safe for me and so on and he said it was fine...i never knew it was
also a quinolone...i didnt even know what quinolones were...i regret
so much not having seen this website back then...i could have put a
stop to it....i took the cipro and was still having the same
reactions and the whole time i was thinking that it was still the
levaquin in me...finally after feeling like i was going mad i
stumbled onto this website and threw away the cipro so fast once i
found out it was in the same family as the levaquin.....a month
later now i still have the prostatitis...fair enough..i am taking
steps to get proper cultures..specim tests, fluid tests...and so on
to really see what the casue is...whether bacterial or not...and you
know if they never cured it...i could live with that pain my whole
life....but these side effects to levaquin and ciproflaxin....wow is all i
have to say!!!
my biggest problems are i feel like my body is constantly shaking..i
have tingliness and burnign sensations all over my back and arms
like spiders crawling everywhere......i can deal with this in the
day...as mentally i just block them out telling my self that i know
its reactions to drugs i took its not me going crazy.....but the
hardest thing to deal with is sleeping at night...as i lie down to
sleep naturally exhasuted....my body is shaking and tingling. and
its impossible to actually fall asleep...so im asking for
help....does anyone have any good ideas on how to sleep
better....and also are there any success stories out there of people
who have gotten beter over time..i am hoping that over time these
symptoms will get less and less and i will get back to being
normal...its very frustarting i have to admit as my job requires the
utmost rest.....training people for 7 hours in the gym needs your
energy and focus and also training for my triatholons as
well...basically both of my careers are in jeopardy...i would love
to hear any suggestions and advice and so on....
thanks in advance...and i wish the best of luck for everyone who is
suffering from these terrible drugs.....
jonas


From: "Brian Hickey" <brian.hickey@v...>
Date: Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:57 pm
Subject: Headaches???
Has anyone had migraine headaches that were triggered from any of these
medications. And if so, has anything helped to alleviate the pain???
Thanks - Brian

From: "lb1ng4" <lindajatkinson@h...>
Date: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:44 am
Subject: bilateral achilles tendon partial ruptures
I am new to this group. The posting mechanism is one I'm still
figuring out. Forgive any duplication. After 18 months of pain and lots of physical therapy, an MRI revealed that both achilles
tendons have partial tears. My caregivers and I have determined this
must be a result of Levaquin I took in August 2002. Now we think we know the why, but I look for help from professionals who have seen this before.
Is there a doc or physical therapist who has treated Levaquin induced
tears on both legs ? Is there an orthopedic surgeon who has operated on this condition? What did he/she see? Is there a fellow sufferer who has found comfort? How? I am supported by a highly competent and steadfast group of
caregivers, but no one has seen this condition before. We are hopeful that there is a provider somewhere who can shed some light on what a chemically (rather than traumatically)injured achilles tendon looks like.
To date I have been on a conservative course of immobilization and
physical therapy. Will this do the job? Two orthopedic surgeons who have seen me and the MRI counseled that a surgery might be necessary to fix the tears.
I appreciate the help of anyone out there who has experience to
share. Many thanks.



From: "carolhorton12" <carolthorton@a...>
Date: Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:16 pm
Subject: Severe Adverse Reaction to Levaquin
On Nov. 4th I was prescribed Levaquin by my physician for a non-
productive yet persistent cough. I have been diagnosed with
brochiectasis and have had several bouts with pneumonia. After
taking Levaquin for 5 days one ankle became "stiff." I thought it
was just that, inasmuch as I had climbed a number of stairs a couple
of days previously. Two days later the other ankle became stiff and
neither got any better. After two weeks of my feet/ankles/legs
becoming sorer I finally had the good sense to return to the
prescribing doctor. He suggested a diuretic to calm the swelling -
and I went home. Five days later I had searing pain in both calves
at once and immediately returned to the doctor. The latter turned
grey as he said, this is a possible reaction to Levaquin, and I was
sent to an orthopod. After testing, MRI, etc., on December 3 I had
BILATERAL surgery to reconnect my achilles tendons and have been
wheel-chair bound, with casts on both legs from just below the knee
down, since. Of course I am not allowed to put any weight on my
legs. I spent the first 4 1/2 weeks post surgery in a "skilled
nursing facility," a.k.a. nursing home, and am very happy now to be
home.
I would be eager to hear from anyone who has had adverse effects
from Levaquin.



From: "carolhorton12" <carolthorton@a...>
Date: Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:23 pm
Subject: Re: bilateral achilles tendon partial ruptures
I, too, am brand new to this site. And yes, I am indeed a fellow
sufferer (see my posting of just a few minutes ago). We are
different in that the tendons in both legs ruptured, but I do
believe I had a very great surgeon. I don't know where you live - I
am in Southern California. Dr. Stephen Kay practices in West Los
Angeles and is part of a group of 4 or 5 orthopods. He was
recommended by my internist who gave me the drug, so I was prepared
not to like him. I have now seen the light - he is wonderful. His
phone: 310-553-2882. He and his cohort, Dr. Bliss, plan to write me
up for some journal (they took polaroids on the operating table), as
they had never before seen a BILATERIAL rupture of the Achilles.



From: Larry M <l.marranzino@s...>
Date: Fri Jan 16, 2004 10:03 pm
Subject: New person Long Term Cipro
Hi,
I have been reading the Posts for a short time & wanted to ask those who have
used Cipro for long periods what to expect. I am on Cipro 1000-mg perday for a
year or 18 months at this point..I have been now been taking it for a little
over 2-months I notice some of the things shared here.. My Doc has said to only
be concerned if my tendons start to become sore or my Vision becomes blurry.
The combo I am curretnly on aside from other regular meds are, Cipro & Zithromax
& Myambutol .. I was diagnosed with MAIC in Oct after having one of many Bronc's
it came back that I had this complex as I have had (have) COPD & Pulmonary
Fibrosis ie: Interstial Lung Disease..
I am allergic to all Sulfa drugs as that was the ODC yet can't do. I have as
well done several rounds of Levaquin for pneumonia and Avelox which I know are
in the same family.
PS. MAIC or MAC is .. Mycobaterium Avium Intercellular Complex.
Larry



From: "hockeybuff3" <Mhidinout@a...>
Date: Sun Jan 18, 2004 4:53 am
Subject: Pain
I'm a 40 year old male. I was treated for Prostatitis and
Cystitis and was on antibiotics for 2 years almost non-stop. Four of the
antibiotics I was on were Quinolones. As a result I have two
problems. First, Systemic Candidiasis/Leaky Gut Syndrome. Second, I
have excruciating pain after ejaculation. I do not have any erectile
problems, and the pain begins only after ejaculation. It begins in or
near my prostate, then radiates to my balls, then to my penis. It
lasts for a few days. It's severe pain with a burning sensation.
I did not have problems urinating, except for pain, but within the last
two weeks have begun to feel a clamping sensation when I urinate.
Could it be nerve damage from quinolones? I have undergone an
endoscopy, cystoscopy, and colonoscopy, all showing no problems
anywhere. Also, I had all of these tests done without anesthesia, so
this should indicate the pain level I'm experiencing. I lost my
job and my health insurance, so I can't go to any doctors.
Any help anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Desperate & Frustrated



From: "kcac_1" <kcac_1@y...>
Date: Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:57 am
Subject: Re: Is Cipro Induced Tinnitus Forever?
Justin and Mcorey
Thank you for the responses. I feel fortunate, because while I have
the tinnitus, some of my other symptoms are fading: hpersensitivty to
light, and a really strange sensation of cold air being blown on to
my chest, neck and face. It's almost impossible to describe, kind of
a tingling feeling.
I too, am going to be tested for hearing loss. I don't think there is
any, and I don't think they will find any physiological problems
causing the tinnitus. I'm hoping like Justin, that at some point the
tinnitus will fade. You're right, you have to try not to think about
the tinnitus or it will own you. I will give the white noise for
sleeping idea a try.
The part that bugs me the most about all this is that my problem is
somewhat self inflicted. I took the pills without doing much of a
search on the web. I did go to the Bayer website and read of possible
side effects, but if I had done a search in www.groups.google.com and
read some of the accounts there, I would have told my doctor
to find another way.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
Kenn

From: sweet1956pea@a...
Date: Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:41 am
Subject: doctors don't believe "black and white"
I have taken papers to drs. re:this poison. Of course, since it is from the
internet, and not "legitimate" medical research, it is bogus ~ the problems
don't exist. And of course, they won't believe the patients who are living this "world" backwards. I would not wish this curse on anyone ~ even those "experts" who are doing this to us, and refuse to believe us. I wonder how long it took for "legitimate" medical sources to admit Thalidamide caused such devastating defects in babies. Of course they don't want to hear stuff like that ~ they lose money by not being able to sell their drug. Another of course, sort of in reverse ~ I am sure it was PATIENTS who first reported that the blood pressure medication that is now used for hair growth (Rogaine) indeed did have that ability. And another of course, since it could MAKE millions of dollars for businesses, they took the word of the patients. Also, Viagra ~ that came about from another medication that happened to have a serendipitously good side effect. And they make multi-millions on that drug. Why should they admit problems from a drug that might cause sales to drop, or even the possibility of the drug being banned by the government. Ha! Fat chance of that. It is all the bottom line folks ~ profit for the greedy companies. But we all know that, don't we! This is a stupid question, but has anyone read the excerpt from "Bitter
Pills" by Stephen Fried? I don't recall anyone mentioning that on this forum
(but then again, remember the memory). I read it online yesterday. I made me
physically sick. I was going to buy the book, but after reading the small
portion I did, I know that I will not be able to read the book now. Because I
absolutely, positively know that my life was being described in that excerpt.
It scares me to read more, as I don't think I want to know what other problems
might develop. It affected me the way reading the medical description of
crucifixion. The cold finger of fear wrapped itself around me.
Y'all take care. Have a great day! 8o)

Patti

From: "iluvscotty2hottie" <iluvscotty2hottie@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:03 am
Subject: Looking for Answers
I posted a few days ago about my husband who was given Levaquin for a
sinus infection and the adverse reactions that he has had. After
almost a month since taking the last pill, he is still having trouble
sleeping and has no energy at all. Is this normal and how long will
it last? He is so down about not feeling good and now worrys about
his health and has so much anxiety. This is very unnormal for him
because he has NEVER worried about anything.....he left that for me,
which by the way has gotten worse also! I have been giving him the
magnesium supplement (500 mg. a day) and it seems to be helping the
pain in his arm and neck. Can someone please tell me what the
magnesium does exactly? He has a couple of new symptoms though which
come and go. His left eye is bothering him and he also gets pains in
the back of his leg behind the knee on down. Is this his achilles
tendon? We are going on vacation the end of March and he is so
afraid that he will still be feeling bad. From what I've read on this
board, I'm afraid that he will never get better. It has been very
helpful and informative being on this site but it has also really
scares me. I only wish I would of found it before he took nine days
worth of the Levaquin. This horrible "medicine" has affected our
whole family. Thanks for listening.




From: "build_it95" <build_it95@y...>
Date: Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:41 pm
Subject: Levaquin ADR's
Has anyone had any dental problems? I just shattered a tooth. Also
wondered if anyone else has had hair loss (pubic hair and eyelashes
are falling out in large quantity)??


From: "gripperleash" <gripperleash@y...>
Date: Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:21 am
Subject: Tequin and ADR's help
I need help! on 9-21-02 my husband was told he had a sinus
infection and was given an IM injection of Kefzol and then
Tequin Tablets to take for 10 days, which he did. We were
never told of any possible side effects with the Tequin.
Instead of getting better he started to get worse and
experience other symptoms. Of course we didn't think that
any of those had anything to do with the medication. And
since it wasn't all at one time we looked at them as
different events and he thought he was working to hard.We
thought the rash he developed was because I changed laundry
soaps. By 12-02 he was in horrible shape and it was no
longer just a little headache or aches and pains, he was a
body with nothing inside. This was also when we noticed this
very large hard mass on his hip that went from the site of
the IM injection to his knee the width of about 3/4 of his
leg up into his back and into is stomach. After taking him
to the ER and getting no results I took him to our DR and
told him that I thought my husband was having an allergic
reaction from the injection he got that September. I thought
this because of the hard mass and when I put all of the
symptoms together that's what it equaled. My dr told me I
was not a dr. and that it was idiotic to think it could be
related. But at my prodding gave my husband a medrol pack
and Allegra. For a couple of days he felt better and then he
was done with the medrol pack and the allegra....he took a
turn for the worse and ended up in the hospital diagnosed
with Rhabdomyolysis secondary to Polymyositis (it was really
Dermatomyositis). For the last year I have been looking only
at the Kefzol injection as a cause, how could I know that it
might be something else? He is now being treated for the
myositis/Gottrons Sign and now Cushings. He has been on
prednisone for 1 year today and Imuran since May. I finally
got someone to listen to me and yesterday he an MRI on his
hip...he still has a very large hard mass, it tingles, it
hurts him so bad at times he can't walk. It's been very
heartbreaking to watch..he's only 28 and we have a child
that he wants to be a real dad to and hasn't been able to
since 9-02. Yesterday I decided to look up the drug Tequin
just because...and I found every symptom that I have seen in
my husband. I was shocked! We had to move to another state
to get my husband proper care because his dr.s in our home
town refused to do anything more than give him more drugs
and wouldn't run tests on his hip. I need to know: could
this have all been from the 10 days he took the Tequin? I
have never been able to say 100% that the Kefzol ADR's fit
all of his symptoms only 90% of them but I do believe I can
say 100% yes with the Tequin. My brain is so fried from
reading over the last year that this new information has
turned me into mush! What are the possible outcomes of
someone not being treated for an ADR to this type of drug?
Has anybody else experienced these types of side effects? I
do plan on reading the posts but that will take me a long
time so I am hoping to speed up the process a little by
telling you my story and asking questions now.
I appreciate any help we can get!
Deb

From: Rex Wockner <rex@c...>
Date: Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:29 am
Subject: cavities, floaters, tendons
I haven't had any cavities in 10 years but had two new ones last week. I
was floxed in July 2003 with Cipro. I had lots and lots of ADRs, almost
everything that ever has been discussed here. However, at this juncture,
only three ADRs remain: manageable pain/weakness in one Achilles tendon,
eye floaters (which have not gotten any worse since I first noticed them
but also have not gotten any better), and nasal congestion/post-nasal drip
even though double testing indicates I have no allergies at all and sinus
X-rays show I do not have a sinus infection. I try to avoid meat that has
been polluted with Cipro, I take magnesium, and I absolutely avoid soy,
which causes me to start a new cycle of symptoms. I'm encouraged by how
many of the symptoms have disappeared -- the weird right-side temple
headaches, blurry vision, the bizarre feeling of fullness in the legs and
behind the knees, the feeling that my arms had been electrified, numbness
and tingling all over the place, chest pains, eye burning. I'm back at the
gym and I am avoiding only one machine - the one that stretches your
Achilles tendons. I've stepped on it a few times at the lowest possible
weight and immediately felt it was a bad idea. What I'd really like to see
as the outcome of my experience is two things: (1) a payout to me and
other victims of quinolones by their makers and (2) the removal of these
drugs from the marketplace. What is the very best way to make these two
things happen? There are hundreds of us here. Instead of just complaining,
we should be organizing to be remimbursed for our own pain and suffering
and to protect other people from these terrible drugs.

From: "laguna454s3" <powerfactor2@a...>
Date: Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:50 am
Subject: Re: Is Cipro Induced Tinnitus Forever?
Yes I have gotten aggrevated tinnitus on Levaquin. I have some
tinnitus present in one ear from too many concerts years back of
which I now wear hearing protection but the Levaquin definetly
increases the effect. It seemed to go back to my normal levels
after getting off the med.
I took levaquin for 7 days in aug and 14 in oct 03 and the 2nd
time definetly heightened the symptoms.

John 35 yrs old


From: "wenger_mark" <wenger_mark@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:57 am
Subject: Delayed toxicity
Hi folks
Having experienced severe intermittent joint-pain 5 weeks (!!) after
being floxed (14 days Cipro 500mg bid), I had considerable
problems to convince my GP I was suffering from drug-induced damage.
Since laboratory findings (blood test, C-reactive Protein and
sedimentation rate, absence of swelling )were absolutely normal,
my doc was very scepitcal at first.
I also gave him a copy of Jay S Cohens 2001 article, in which
Cohen stated that ALL events occured DURING therapy.
After a long discussion ( 30 minutes!)I had convinced him to
file a report with the National health authorities.
After all, I advised him, tendon ruptures had also been reported to
Occur months after discontinuation of FQ therapy.
As for me, it would appear extremly unlikely to suffer from the
onset of a degenerative joint disease at the age of 23, especially
after never having had joint complaints in my previous life.
Questions:
Is there any scientific data available,to reiterate the possibility
of delayed toxicity (with the exception of tendon disorders)
associated with these drugs.
Any recollections of personal experiences, that appeared long after
Ending a FQ course would be appreciated.
Thank you
Mark


From: "ddmdoro" <ddmdoro@y...>
Date: Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:59 pm
Subject: Re: Worsening Symptoms... Month 4
Just wondering how you'redoing 8 months post. Any news?
I'm exactly four months, and three days ago thought I was on my way
to recovering - almost euphoric. My plan was to wait a few days
before informing the group - another success story - just in case it
was the cycling that I read about. Well, sure enough, last night and
today I'm feeling no better than two months ago. I HADN'T been
eliminating poulty, as I'm practicaly a vegetarian, but now I guess
I'll try. TREMORS throughout my body and especially in my arms/hands
drive me nuts. I'm back on larger doses of propananol (Inderal,
actually) to deal w/the tremors...otherwise I couldn't type this.
Weakness, exhaustion, aches and pains. I feel GREAT when I'm walking
outdoors, can go more than two miles, but feel like a rag later. Let
me take that back...the outside toes on my right foot would feel
better if I could cut them off. It's as if I hit a nerve when I
walk, so I almost have to curl them under for a while when I get
started. Anyway, the fresh air and exercise seem to diminish the
tremors. Right now, just about everything hurts - like I'm getting
the flu---
Anyway, I'm HOPING that you've improved and can share some good news
with us.



From: "lizalepper" <lizalepper@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:05 am
Subject: New to the group
Hello, my name is Liza. I am a 32 year old registered nurse who until
a month ago was perfectly healthy with no significant medical
history.
I happened to get a UTI and was prescribed Cipro, 500mg twice daily
for seven days. The UTI went away quickly but on the fifth day of
taking Cipro I started getting terrible body aches. I dismissed them
as being a flu coming on. On the sixth day the stiffness and aches
were getting much worse and after referring to a drug reference I
stopped taking the Cipro.
Since then I have been at times bedridden with tendinitis, having to
be turned over in bed by my husband. The pain has been everywhere, my
ankles, shoulders, knees, hips, hands and neck. It travels, each
morning it seems to be somewhere new. I had tinnitus which thankfully
is now gone. The twitching comes and goes, usually my eyelids or
muscles in the hands. I have had a lot of insomnia and when I do
sleep I wake up in terrible night sweats.
I was seen in the ER, my sed rate 95 and C-reactive protein 10.5. The
doc tested for rheumatoid factor and ANA, both negative. I was put on
five weeks of prednisone which alleviated the symptoms but now my
physician took me off and I am right back where I started. He insists
I have rheumatoid arthritis and wants me to take methotrexate and
Celebrex BID. I had xrays taken of my hands which showed no
degenerative changes. He is referring me to a rheumatologist but I
will not be able to see him for several weeks. My physician refuses
to listen to me about Cipro.
Any advice or sharing of similar experiences is greatly apprecaited
and welcome.
Liza Lepper, lizalepper@y...



From: "legalstation" <legalstation@y...>
Date: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:09 pm
Subject: blindness
I have a friend who after taking 500mg of cipro had a stroke and is
now blind. Can anyone help us?



From: "ranbiglo" <ranbiglo@y...>
Date: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:41 pm
Subject: Another Newbie
Erased my first post accidentally so here I go again. Visited you
all first time on Jan 16th just before visit to endo. All began on
Jan 2 when got TEQUIN 400mg (7 days) for sinus infection. Jan. 4th
Hot flashes and coldness begin with no temp (97-98) readings. Think
it might be the drug but I'm not diabetic so rule out. Go to Dr.
Jan 5. CBC, CRX etc.-normal. Ask him if viral..reply don't
know..tells me take tylenol but finish TEQUIN.
Go home, no tylenol so take advil(know this was bad now. You won't
be surprised to know the national drug chain that filled scrip and
provides handout mentions nothing of NSAIDS and wasn't on bottle
either. So take advil with drug for next two days. Hot flashes and
coldness continue. Talk to Dad(Pharmacist) he doesn't mention
anything about NSAIDS either but we agree I should stop taking fever
reducers. He thinks it virus that won't elicit true fever. I
suffer until Sunday and yes I finished the poison on the 8th. Then
start taking tylenol. After several nights of no sleep due to
hot/cold/night sweats which many of you seem to be familiar with,
notice sound sensitivity when wife closes doors or drawers. This
only occurs when lying down at night. Following week I've had it
and go to ER. They were outstanding and really listened. Did
another CBC, Thyroid etc. all normal. Diagnose acute viral syndrome.
Tell me to alternate tylenol with motrin(NSAID). Interesting how
many people don't seem to know. I take their advice and have the
worst hot flash ever. After that get wise and realize something not
right with this picture. Dr. sends me to Infectious disease guy who
doesn't believe drug responsible..he's only heard of nightmares.
Next day my doc and he send me to endo. Before I go to appt, ..type
in fluoroquinolone reaction at work and voila!
Print info off and give to endo. She thinks plausible especially
when I describe nightime hot flash with sweat through which I could
smell the drug coming out of my pores. She does pituitary tests and
results are normal. I begin to believe ADR. However, no one is
providing me relief and once again go to ER. To my surprise my Doc
shows up and even though he hadn't time to read the stuff gathered
he prescribes temazepam for sleep and chlorazepate for day. Tells
me wellbutrin for smoking cessation to follow. Agrees that reaction
possible and that even though drug out of blood..may take long to
metabolize. I talk to Dad, when tell him of sound sensitivity he
believes ADR as well. Tell him I'm only going to take temazepam at
bedtime even though he doesn't seem to understand. I know the Lord
moves in mysterious ways and saw to it I got some Benzodiazapenes as
Dr. Cohen stated in article. Even though my Dr. was just treating
nerves. Which let's face it...it's true...damaged nerves. Will
stop the temazepam this Saturday as a test. Although the hot
flashes have been lessened the coldness still comes and goes. The
sound sensitivity has decreased. Now the musculoskeletal pains and
tendinopathy patterns are developed. At the moment, they have been
slight and transient in nature at back of knees, side of hips,
calves, and groin. Have experienced a few electrical buzzing
sensations here and there. The problem is we are all on the wrong
end of the bell curve. That 10% on either end that can be
affected. Unfortunately, that's the world of pharmaceuticals and as
you all see this time we got floxed. However; I do believe that the
increasing frequency of prescribing these drugs for minor infections
when other alternatives exist is inexcusable. They should only be
used in life threatening situations. Sorry for the lengthy entry
but had to get it out for my first time. Agreed with Dr. to wait it
out with drugs for 2 weeks before continuing. Please respond with
your thoughts on the symptoms expressed. As most of you it helps to
read the posts and replys in assessing your situation. We're all in
this together and I'm sure waiting to know what Vonnie thinks about
the class action aspect of this group of individuals pursuing
litigation.
Randy