Post Marketing Reports for February 2002

From: "wp46army" <o28145@a...>
Date: Sat Feb 2, 2002 1:58 pm
Subject: Levaquin

Between July 30 and September 18 ,2001 I took 19 levaquin 500mg
tablets for an infection. I first noticed an achilles tendon problem
on Sept. 15th but didn't associate it with the levaquin until the
18th. Stopped taking the pills, but still have a swollen achilles
tendon. Had a number of therapy sessions at first which didn't help.
Any massage or stretching only seems to make it worse. My regular
doctor indicated it could take one to two years to get back to normal.
Is there anything I can do to speed recovery other than resting the
tendon as much as possible?




From: "shellstark32404" <shellstark32404@y...>
Date: Mon Feb 4, 2002 12:04 pm
Subject: Adverse skin reaction to Levaquin

On September 2nd,2001, I took Levaquin for three days for a urinary
tract infection. On the third day, my face turned bright red. Then
a hard crust of dead cells formed on my face. After 2 weeks, red
bumps started to appear and the crust started to peel. This lasted
for about 2 weeks. This entire process has repeated itself for over
5 months with no improvement. I also have hissing in my ears. How
can I get this drug out of my system? My face looks like I have
leprosy. Any help out there


From: "tina_marie77845" <tina_marie77845@y...>
Date: Tue Feb 5, 2002 3:28 am
Subject: I'm so ANGRY!

I am new to this forum. I found it after being up all night in pain.
I am on Cipro and my legs are killing me, my toes are tingling, my
stomach and intestines are on fire, I have a horendous headache...
But, that is not why I'm so %$#%&* angry!!!!! I have been having
problems off and on for the past 13 years, getting worse in the past
3. I have all the symptoms of Lupus, but have been tested several
times and they are all negative. I've had an MRI to rule out MS. I
have taken Floxin and Cipro in the past and had a terrible time, but
got through the prescription. My flare-ups come and go as often as
every month or as little as once a year. They last anywhere from a
week to three months. I am a 32 year old working mother of three.
These are my symptoms during flare-ups: extreme fatigue (bedridden
fatigue), pain for weeks after minimal excersize, extreme leg muscle
pain, joint pain, bones ache, bottom of feet feel like walking on
exposed bone, arthritis type pain in hands and forearms, numbness and
tingling in hands and feet, bladder problems, bowel problems, vision
problems, mental confusion, poor concentration, bad memory,
depression, skin crawling, nightmares, and probably many others i've
forgotten just now. I had a flare in October that lasted three
months. I couldn't walk at all during two weeks of that period. I
have become hypoglycemic. I had to have a hysterectomy at 29 due to a
severe case of adenomyosis. (wasting away of the uterine wall...which
is a muscle) I have endometriosis and have had several surgeries for
that. It's all falling apart, but no doctor on this earth can tell me
why. I am going to do some research and find out the dates that I
took Floxin and Cipro in the past. I know for a fact that I had Cipro
in 1988 soon after the birth of my first child. It's a little fishy
that when I see all these specialists and they ask me if I remember
when all this started, I always replied, "Right after the birth of my
son." My mother is so against medications and has always said that
the doctors have poisoned me with all the junk they've given me. I
never believed her till now.

I'm so sorry this is so long...but I needed to vent.


From: "cca0414" <cca0414@b...>
Date: Tue Feb 5, 2002 5:32 am
Subject: tendons, unraveling sensation
Hello All,
It has been one month since my reaction to Levaquin...tinnitus, rash,
tendonitis.

I am still doing the vitamin and mineral supplementation and I feel
that it has been very helpful. For example, the miserable tinnitus
did not begin to diminish until after I began the calcium/magnesium,
etc.., and that was approx. eight days after the last pill.

I still experience tendon pain, but it is only in the right leg
now...primarily the Achilles and foot. The ankle, foot, and tendon
feel stiff after long periods of inactivity, but seem to loosen up
after I move around. On the other hand, if I am too active, then the
heel area, foot, and calf get sore. All in all though, I feel I have
made progress. I do have a question, and that is about the
unraveling sensation that someone posted about. Sorry I can't
remember who it was, but he wrote:

<I still have a sensation of muscle fibers
pulling apart in my calf muscle sometimes, and nobody has
satisfactorily explained that yet.>

I, too,have that feeling in my right heel area and tendon. I had
described it as feeling as though something was crawling around, but
it does, in fact, feel exactly as the poster described it....as
though something is unraveling. I wonder if that sensation
originates in the nerves or if in fact something IS unraveling.
Anyone else have that happen? Any explanations?
Colleen


From: "c21dufrene" <c21dufrene@e...>
Date: Sat Feb 9, 2002 8:28 am
Subject: Levaquin or not?
Doctor states that I had an anxiety attack, not a reaction to the
single dose of Levaquin. Is there anyway to tell for sure?


From: "jay_davis242" <jay_davis242@y...>
Date: Sat Feb 9, 2002 2:22 pm
Subject: Levaquinn ADR, at month 7
Well, Hello everyone it's now month 7 for me and I wanted to update
my condition and ask for any advice anyone might have. I experienced
an ADR to Levaquinn in July of 2001. My smyptoms were all Muscle
related. Burning, stiff, sore, muscles in my legs, arms, hands, and
shoulders. It's been 7 months now and the condition has gotten
better, but I'm still in bad shape. I still have the soreness and
pain. I've been seeing a PT 3 times a week who helps me stretch the
muscles and do some strenght training. Doing this I've gotten most
of my mobility back, but that's really it. Some of my tendons don't
hurt like they used and I would say overall I'm better. But it's so
hard to say becuase it's so slow and then teh cycling hits and I feel
like I'm starting over. Mentally I'm a wreck most of the time
depressed, frustrated, and generally just don't know what to do.
I've had every test done that I think can be done and the only thing
they say is wrong is my muscles as my joints are fine and there is no
swelling or redness. I don't know about nerve involvement as I don't
really have the burning that people describe. My therapy right now
is the PT 3 times a week, I take a magnesium, calcium, zinc, b
vitamins, e vitamins, and a few other antioxidants. I've been taking
ativan as a mood stabilizer, and oxycontine for the pain. I've read
the faq but what I really want to know is what should I expect, all
my doctors say it will go away, has it for anyone here? Also does
anyone know of a good workout routine for the muscles, what about
other supplements. Last but now least, does anyone know of a really
good doctor who deals with these conditions a lot. I don't care
where they are. This condition is killing my job, my family, and of
course me. Any insight or positive information would be really
appreciated. Please send any ideas to jay.davis@d...
Thank you so much, and God be with us all.

Jay Davis


From: "susan_w_77429" <susan_w_77429@y...>
Date: Thu Feb 14, 2002 7:26 am
Subject: Levaquin ADR-My Progress

Hello all,

It has now been nearly four months since my 2 doses of Levaquin.
I wish that I had good news to report, but alas, I am barely able
to walk and when I do the pain and weakness is unbearable. This
is all so unbelievable. Add to that the fact that even my closest
friends do not believe me when I tell them I only took two doses
and am having this much pain. I don't have the money for PT, but
I'm now wondering if my tendons, muscles are getting shorter? I
can not extend my legs completely straight comfortably when I lay
down. I have to put a pillow under my knees so they won't pull on
my muscle/tendons.

I also have damage in the muscle/tendon that runs from my neck to
my shoulder on the left side. It stays sore and putting on a pull-
over sweater always lets me know. Ouch!

I have been wondering if anyone has tried "Flor Essence" from the
Health Food Store. It has been around for a long time (100 years)
and is said to detoxify down to the cellular level. It's made from
combining 8 herbs. I want to try it but I honestly am afraid to try
anything after the Levaquin. I have had panic attacks off and on
since 1966 which makes me even more leary. If anyone is brave enough
to try this and finds that it does help, please let me know.

Thanks,
Susan

From: "juniperhill01" <juniperhill01@y...>
Date: Sat Feb 23, 2002 4:56 am
Subject: I'm another sad tale....


Hi, so glad I found this site! I have been living the nightmare since
November with very few answers. I am just now beginning to understand
what has happened to me.

My story:

I have suffered from sinus infections for a couple of years. Finally
the Dr said we will tackle them for good! He started me on a course
of Leviquin. One course, and I still had congestion in my sinus
cavity, so he prolonged the course to 21 days. I was feeling better,
but one month later the sinus condition was still there. The good old
Doc said no problem and put me on a course of Avelox...10 days. I
went back and complained of terrible facial pain under my eye...he
said it must still be the sinus cavity and prolonged the Avelox to 21
days. I felt someone was pulling my eye from the backside with a pair
of plyers. I kept asking if it was a reaction from the Avelox, and
was told that that wasn't a side affect of the drug! At the end of
the Avelox (the day of the last dose) I came down with what I thought
was the flu. 103* temp, shooting pains in my back. That lasted for
five days. After that bout I never seemed to cool down and was always
in a cold sweat. Two weeks after that I developed severe pain on my
right side...mid back and three other spots going down my right side.
I thought I was having a gall bladder attack, but I knew it wasn't
because I don't have a gall bladder! I had a fever of 100.4*
constantly. I made an appointment with the Dr. and asked if it was
from all the antibiotic's that I had taken. Of course the answer was
a flat "NO". At this point I was scared and was what I seemed
thinking strange thoughts that I was dying. The Dr. claimed that I
had blood in my urine and said it was a kidney infection. I asked
about the pain in my high right back and eye and he dismissed it. He
gave me Cipro for seven days. On the last day of the Cipro I was
worse. I had started with unspeakable night sweats and terrors, I
couldn't sleep for more than 20 mins at a time and would startle and
jump in my sleep. I would wake up an cry and drive my poor husband
nuts. I called the Dr.....he gave me Cipro for another 10 days and
ordered CT scans of my whole body including my head....All
clear...nothing....Then he ordered ultra sound of my body...nothing.
I kept going back to the Dr. and was told it was menopause. He handed
me Paxil and sent me home. I called him again and said I was no
better. He suggested that I go to a Kidney specialist because I still
had blood in my urine and fevers. The kidney specialist said my
kidneys were fine, but the nerve bands on my right side were inflamed
from working too hard and lifting. He said there was no corrilation
with the antibiotic's that I took.

I hated nightime, and cryed daily. My husband was wonderful. He
forced me to go back to the Dr. I begged the Dr to listen to me. He
finally did. I was told that for some "unknown" reason I have
inflamation of the central nervous system and was given Neurontin and
told that it should go away in about 9 months. The Neurontin has been
a God send, and has helped greatly. That was two weeks ago. The
neuopathy has spred to my whole body, on both sides. My skin burns
when I touch it. Where do I go from here?

My Symptoms:

Extreme burning sensation on back
Burning skin when touched
Feeling "hot" all the time
Fatique feeling in muscles and nerve bands
Pain in right hand
Shooting pains in feet at night
Terrible facial pain and eye pain. It feels like arthritis in my
eyes!
Horrible full body pain if I orgasim (sorry for this one, but it's
true!

Thanks for listening!

Linda


From: "amvjoy1997" <amvjoy1997@y...>
Date: Tue Feb 26, 2002 1:26 pm
Subject: AVELOX Adverse Reaction!
Hi,
I had a bad sinus infection and was put on Doxycycline for 10 days,
then Augmenten 875 mg.s 2 times a day for 10 days when the sinus
infection didn't go away I was put on Avelox, 400 mgs. for 10 days.
It still was causing me problems so I was put on Avelox again. This
time I could only stomache it for 3 days. About a week after stopping
I began to have severe pain in my back. I couldn't sit, stand or lay
on my back. I have been to the emergency room 5 or 6 times, to an
orthepedic doctor who has put me in physical therapy, (which I don't
feel is helping at all) and I've also been to a chiropractor. The ER
has taken X-rays and they show nothing wrong, they took blood for a
Sedimentation rate and it came back normal. I have had a gut feeling
that the Avelox had done something from the beginning and now I'm
certain after reading other peoples reactions to those types of
antibiotics. The only thing that has alleviated the pain so far has
been a shot of demerol at the ER. I started walking around the block
last week and that night I noticed a lump? or knot? on the muscle or
tendon that attaches to my hip so I had to quit walking. I wouldn't
be a bit surprised if it wasn't a rupture of some sort!! I read that
Calcium and Magnesium helps, so I've started taking that. Also I'm
having problems with constipation, I've never had problems with
constipation before. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?? I
need help badly. I'm not sure how much longer I can handle this
amount of pain. I have endured pain before but was always able to get
a pain medication prescribed that would alleviate the pain. I had
Endometriosis for 8+ years. Vicodin only touches this pain and thats
when I take 2. Please,
If anyone has any information or suggestions please contact me at
amvjoy1997@y...