Post Marketing Reports for March 2000

Doc 50
1732From: Thyme1234@a...
Date: Sat Mar 25, 2000 3:04am
Subject: Levaquin Reaction

I took this medication for the first time two days ago for a sinus infection.
An hour after the second dose, I experienced palpitaions, irregular and fast
heartbeat, trouble sleeping and impaired mental alertness. I had to ask my
physician to change my antibiotic. I'd like to know if anyone has had any
lasting effects from this medication after taking it for such a short time.





Doc 49
1695From: Angie Henry <anghenry@h...
Date: Sat Mar 18, 2000 6:34pm
Subject: No Subject

I have been reading the postings here for a couple of weeks and have
had my suspicions confirmed. The Levaquin I took in Nov. for bronchitis
has left me with side effects. Had many side effects while taking the
med. but have been left with only(?) the joint and tendon problems.
Thanks to all of you who have posted your situation it has been in a
strange way a comfort to know I am not alone and not crazy to think the
antibiotic is to blame.

Read something about eating chicken. Are they adding quinolones to
chicken feed? Any articles on this?

Will be willing to write letters or anything to help prevent others
from suffering from this med.

Am hopeful that I will recover in time and am exploring many
alternative treatments and an ND.

Doc 47
1691From: Thomas Mitchell <tmitchell@m...
Date: Thu Mar 16, 2000 11:06pm
Subject: Question from a worried Levaquin user....

I was treated in the late summer/early fall of 1999 with Levaquin for a
possible prostate infection. I took it for 3 weeks. I had no noticeable
symptoms and wasn't aware of any of the dangers associated with this
medication. Well, I was given it again for 10 days at the first of
March 2000 for sinus infection. I was supposed to take it for 14 days
but this time I stopped after 10 days because I was experiencing pvc's
and irregular heartbeats. These started about 5 days into taking the
medication. It started the morning after I had a few alcohol drinks.
Anyway, I have had benign pvcs before but this time I wondered if it
might be the Levaquin because I hadn't had them in about a year and I
also seemed to have some other minor versions of symptoms of reacting
to the medicine. I had very minor confusion at times (so minor I don't
know if it truly qualifies as confusion) and also some pain in one of
my finger joints and some in my jaw and other random aches (all
seemingly minor except the finger pain, it seems more pronounced). None
of these symptoms have affected my lifestyle and that is why I term
them minor. I also noticed that my endurance during exercise seemed to
deteriorate. I could barely jog 2 miles without being completely worn
out, my leg muscles would feel completely drained and I just couldn't
seem to get enough oxygen and I just couldn't go on. This isn't normal
for me. I have been a jogger for years and even though I am not a big
distance runner I shouldn't be wiped out like that. So anyway, all this
made me suspect the Levaquin. I stopped it last Thursday and the pvcs
continued. On Monday I greatly increased my potassium intake and they
stopped and haven't been back since. I still feel somewhat nervous or
hyper and my heart also beats heavier but I seem to have improved
somewhat since going off the medicine. My aches and pains are still
here and not much improved but are not debilitating. I am hoping they
too will improve. My exercise tolerance seems to have improved somewhat
too but not enough in this short time to be sure. But my question is
this. I have read the posts here and am wondering if anyone has any
info on whether I should expect to get worse symptoms now that I have
gone off it, especially since my symptoms weren't as bad as what many
here have suffered? Do symptoms seem to level off or do they tend to
get worse once you stop the drug? I am hoping to completely recover but
don't know what to expect. For someone with milder symptoms is it
generally expected that they will recover well from the experience? I
feel deeply for those who suffer worse than I do, but am very concerned
for my health too. I just wonder what I can reasonably expect. I don't
want to sit around needlessly worrying that things will get worse, but
I would like to know what the general tendency is with the symptoms. Do
they keep getting worse or level off after you stop taking the drug? I
am sorry if I am being a bother to this group but would appreciate any
words that might be helpful to me. Thank you very much. If you want to
you may email me direct at tmitchell@m... (I didn't know for
sure if the address appears on my message so I included it here). Thank
you for listening and please accept my heartfelt concern for anyone
having to go thru this very distressing ordeal.




Doc 44
1649From: JoAnne Busch <jannb@u...
Date: Sat Mar 11, 2000 8:56pm
Subject: LEVAQUIN

My 85 year old mother was prescribed Levaquin for a kidney
infection. Two days after she began taking it the pain in her
feet made it difficult to walk, she was seen by a second
doctor, no diagnosis and take advil for pain. Five days later
we again seen a doctor (#3), stopped Levaquin, did not give a
reason, by that time Mom's feet were black from ankles bones
to heels. Dr. #3 prescribed Celebrex for swelling. On Day 9
returned to see Dr. #4 who though "bruising" might be caused
by predisone which Mom takes for polymyalgia, changed some of
her other meds. On Day 15 we were finally able to see Mom's
primary physican who suspected rupture of the achilles
tendons, had Mom seen by an orthopedist that day who also
thought it was ruptured achilles tendons but wanted a MRI to
confirm t his. Finally on Day 29 the MRI was done, results on
Day 31 confirmed it was ruptured achilles tendons. They
offered surgery which we are vehemently opposed to for reasons
I won't go into here. Now this woman who has worked so very
hard for the last twenty years to maintain her mental and
physical health can barely walk and experiences a high pain
level. I have just read through 43 e-mails from other victims
of this horrible drug. What will it take to end this
travesty?




Doc 43
1648From: JoAnne Busch <jannb@u...
Date: Sat Mar 11, 2000 10:15pm
Subject: levaquin

My 85 year old mother took levaquin for kidney infection.
Suffered ruptured achilles tendons both feet, pain set in on
2nd day, seen drs. 3 more times, 4th time suspected achilles
tendons, 5th dr. confirmed with MRI. Recommended surgery, not
an option due to age and other health problems. Feet turned
black in one week, now has faded, pain, weakness in ankles
and now knees with equilibrium problems. To see her suffer
leaves me seething.


Doc 42
1633From: Steven Weintraut <zacware@h...
Date: Wed Mar 8, 2000 10:06pm
Subject: Levaquin...Is there any Hope to get better?

I am a new victim, and in reading the countless array of tragic posts
there seems to be no hope for me. Can anyone report success getting
over this?

I took 7 days of Tequin a few weeks ago. No problems. I've been on
Cipro and Floxcin withouts problems in the past as well.

Yesterday, I took one Levaquin, within an hour I became nauseous, very
dizzy, and in the middle of the night woke up in cold sweats and was
severely shaking.

I went to the ER, they did nothing. Said it'll wear off and to
discontinue the drug.

24 hours later I am still shaking and dizzy, my doctor thinks i'm
crazy, she's never heard of such a reaction. I feel like I'm having an
anxiety attack, my muscles are trembling

The only thing they suggest is taking Benedryl. I don't know whether to
try that or not.

Is there any hope that I will get better. I am extremely depressed
right now after reading all of these horror stories. WHAT CAN I DO TO
GET BETTER!!!!!!!




Doc 41
1617From: TMorri9898@a...
Date: Sun Mar 5, 2000 11:32am
Subject: My Levaquin story

I took Levaquin from Feb. 7- Feb.13, 2000 for bronchitis. Since I'm often
sensitive to medication, I specifically asked the MD if I was likely to
experience side-effects. He replied that he often prescribed Levaquin and
that it was usually very "well-tolerated'
Well, it cleared up the infection beautifully, I have to say, but after just
one pill I noticed many side-effects. I called the Dr and he said it was
probably dose-related and to cut from 500 to 250. I had a 10-day prescription
but stopped after 7 due to worsening tendon and joint problems.

Well, here I am three weeks later and wondering if I'll ever be back to
normal. I've NEVER had joint or muscle problems- have fitness-walked 2 miles
almost every day for over 10 years- and now can't go around the block without
hobbling. Also, my eyes are having difficulty focusing. Can anyone out there
give me the good news that this is a temporary condition? I can be patient as
long as I know it WILL resolve eventually! Thanks- and my heart goes out to
all of you -Mindy

Doc 40
1608From: olive woodward <owoodward@h...
Date: Sat Mar 4, 2000 8:16am
Subject: How long before rupture-safe?

Hi - i'm new here but can relate to all accounts. I took cipro (for
suspected typhoid, which i did *not* have) at the end of August 1999 and
damaged my right bicep seriously on the last day of 10 day course. I had
noticed some soreness in it, but docs did not warn me and I worked out at
the gym as I always have. It improved, but a month later, using a PT
theraband, blew out every tendon (but they say didn't tear)in my right
shoulder, esp. rotator cuff. No one warned me about being careful, even
though I told my doc I thought the bicep problem came from the cipro (i
noticed "tendinitis" listed in side effects, but it didn't signal anything
serious to me!) I am much improved now, I'd say 50% improved in the right
arm and shoulder. (Originally I could not use the arm at all for 3 weeks,
and then pathetically only for about a month after that. Lost 6 weeks of
work because I couldn't drive my car) Lacking strength and lost some range
of motion, but steadily, *slowly* improving all the time. I have some
nagging tendinitis in my left shoulder and bicep now. Also transient pains
- serious pain in the thumb extensor the first month from using my
fingernail clipper! It has gone away.
I have always been very active - weights 2x a week, running or biking every
day, and African dance 2 or 3x a week.
My question - After reading many posts here, I am afraid about the danger of
rupture. Of course I continue to exercise carefully as part of my recovery.
Here it is seven months after my 10-day course (I skipped the last dose
when my arm went). Am I still in danger of rupture? I know to be careful,
but how careful? The arm is painful whenever I exercise it, so pain is no
longer a useful indication of when to stop!
Any help would be great!
Olive Woodward

Doc 61
1765From: No1DOSMOM@a...
Date: Fri Mar 31, 2000 7:33pm
Subject: Re: Rheumatologist testing

Matt,

Cheri had x-rays and had enough blood drawn for at least a dozen different
blood screens. At first I didn't like the doctor--he said he had prescribed
Levaquin and had just started taking it himself for a sinus infection. He
seemed to scoff at the ruptured tendon information, but at my urgings he did
pull out the Physician's Desk Reference Book and looked at the section about
side effects and warnings (although he did think it was safe to give this
drug to a 16 year old because most 16 year olds have mature skeletons
according to him).

I kept persisting that she had been fine before this (in fact she holds a red
belt in Tae Kwon Do--one belt away from black), has been playing the piano
since she has been two and normally is a ball of energy (Straight A honor
student, tons of activities).

After his examination, he said he was going to run all the blood tests and
take the x-rays to rule out infective arthritis and juvenile arthritis, but
he had to admit to common sense and the fact that she had been fine before
the Levaquin. He said the tests will tell. I think it would be ironic if he
started having problems after taking this drug.

Keep the faith, Matt. I know what you are going through because it kills me
to see my beautiful, bouncy daughter so down. God bless. I'll keep you
posted.

~Pat Fakes



Doc 60
1763From: Matt Ewing <aoksys@m...
Date: Fri Mar 31, 2000 10:12pm
Subject: Re: Rheumatologist testing

Pat:

What tests did the rheumo give to Cheri?

My rheumo denied that Levaquin causes problems after the Levaquin was
discontinued and did rather cursory movement tests before concluding that I
just had arthritis. (I have no family history or arthritis, whatsoever). I
am 43.

He didn't want to hear the sequence of recent medical events prior to my
being FQed by the GI (Dr. Jack Ass), where I had made numerous complaints
about everything else, and was thoroughly examined by numerous other medical
professionals who made absolutely no observation of any joint, muscular, or
movement problems, nor noted any complaint from me about it. Everything
started with the Levaquin.

If I had been FQed four months earlier, then:

1) the dermatologist would have been alarmed. He had checked me over
thoroughly four months earlier and removed a mole and numerous skin tags.

2) I would have never survived the exercise stress test two months earlier
at the cardiologist. I would have been immediately pulled under by the
treadmill and been run over, repeatedly!

3) I would have let out a hair-straightening scream at the orthopedist when
he tested my ankle a few weeks earlier for an old sprain injury. I only had
local discomfort that bothered me when I was sleeping, not when I was
walking or standing. Thanks to Levaquin, I now ache all over, especially
from my hips to my feet.

It is amazing that my rheumo seems base his knowledge on whatever the drug
rep told him. It is sheer arrogance that he would never believe his own
patient, even though his field is not one that ordinarily dispenses
antibiotics nilly-willy.

He did, however, give me a bag of free samples of Vioxx and a prescription
for Flexeril. Unfortunately, the Vioxx can cause GI bleeding (he knew that
I was still suffering from GI problems) and Flexeril is not indicated for
persons with urinary problems (he knew that I had interstitial cystitis, as
well). {See: www.ichelp.com for more information about interstitial
cystitis.}

What a damn moron!

Keep up the vigilance, Pat!

Matt


Doc 58
1759From: bhedman <bhedman@s...
Date: Fri Mar 31, 2000 0:42am
Subject: adverse reaction to levaquin

I was placed on 2 courses of Levaquin (500 mg/day for 28
days) after having a severe infection following a sinus
lift/bone graft procedure in preparation for dental implants.
I took the whole dosage--all the time complaining about the
severe body aches that got progressively worse. During most
of the dosing period I was on percocet for the severe facial
pain I was experiencing. This must have helped to mask the
severity of the muscle/joint aches. I have been off of the
levaquin for 10 days and the percocet for 7 and the body ache
is incredible. I feel as though I have aged 100 years
overnight. I have no appetite and I sleep barely 4 hours a
night. My surgeon claims to know nothing of these side
effects--sort of thinks that they are in my head. I was
beginning to agree until I found this site. My question is :
What do you take for this pain? My MD will not continue the
narcotics. He has prescribed ultram. I am scared to death to
take another new drug. He has done complete blood work and we
are waiting for some of the enzyme studies to come back. I
feel as though my life has been taken away from me. I must
say in fairness that I have had an anyphyllactic reaction to
penicillin and keflex, and 2 courses of z-max did not knock
out the infection; so this drug was not prescribed
frivolously, but I am still left to deal with the effects.


Doc 57

1758From: Ted Voboril <voboril@c...
Date: Wed Mar 29, 2000 8:30pm
Subject: concern about Levaquin - just got prescription

Based on what I have read here, it sounds as though there are too many
concerns and potential adverse effects & long-term side effects
associated with this drug to make it worth risking - despite the claims
that it is "well-tolerated" by most. (This seems to be true of most
prescription medicines).

My MD prescribed Levaquin for me yesterday (500mg for 10 days) for a
persistent sinus infection. I have taken one but now I'm considering
asking him to prescribe something else, or just not even take an
antibiotic at all. Any thoughts? thanks...



Doc 56
1753From: Randy Hupp <totoboy@a...
Date: Thu Mar 30, 2000 2:44am
Subject: the screwball doctors are floxing TOO MANY

Hi Just wanted to complain today about doctors using levaquin when they can
use some other drug// I am R.N. and lately seeing a lot of doctors using
levaquin for pneumonia, the last lady had 2 hip and knee replacments and
poor thing was getting I.V. levaquin. Like with her problems she needed
Levaquin!! I will doubt if she will walk again AFTER LEVAQUIN! Why in
heck can't they use another drug? Because they are // I can't print it here
but leave it to your imagination. Of course I have tried to think of ways
to warn the patient and family but I would loose my job and everyone knows
of my reaction to levaquin so even if I mailed these people my literature
on levaquin with no return address they would know it was me. Patient
advocate nurses are suppose to be// yeah go againast the doctor and you are
screwed, I hate my job! Thanks for listening! Patty



Doc 55
1750From: Rutledge <rutledge@s...
Date: Wed Mar 29, 2000 6:55am
Subject: tingly arms

I just took levaquin today and now can't sleep and my arms are
tingly....is that tendinitis?


Doc 54
1748From: Trudy Rutledge <trudyrutledge@h...
Date: Wed Mar 29, 2000 7:29am
Subject: What I forgot to say in first letter

I just finished reading back through several sections of chat.

I neglected to mention that on Thursday afternoon, my nurse mentioned a
heart murmer. I had had a phsycial on the previous Monday, and have
never heard it mentioned. My doctor says that yes, I do have a heart
murmer. Now supposed to get that checked on a week from tomorrow.

I have previously taken rounds of Cipro, and was struck by one thing in
the messages I read. 13 years ago I had an acute angle glaucoma
attack. Laser surgery in both eyes seemed to eliminate the problem.
But my eyes are very sensitive. I have had bouts of sore throat, etc,
and been given 4 prescriptions of Cipro in the last year. About a year
ago, I experienced very dry eyes, and ended up having to have silicone
shunts or plugs inserted into the tear ducts of both eyes. My eyes
have become so light-sensitive, since last spring, that I wear these
wrap around drop-in inserts in my prescription glasses. (My son says I
look like Roy Orbison) Often when walking into a friend's classroom, if
the sun is just right, I have to put my "sunglasses" on and hold my
hand over my eyes. This has been a major problem, and in no way has it
ever been suggested by my eye specialist that there is any connection.
And there may not be, just made me think after reading postings. I am
also allergic to all metals (like jewelry worn on skin) except gold. I
am my mother's daughter, who has an endless list of allergies. Again,
thank you for listening and reading, and I will go back farther
tomorrow to read more of the chat. Typing this and reading of other's
problems has taken my mind off of mine, if only for a little bit.


Doc 53
1738From: Carrie Sue Suldovsky <herbup@d...
Date: Sun Mar 26, 2000 5:23pm
Subject: Judy, thank you Did anyone one have this after Levaquin?

The stuff you have gone through! Wow, I hope my digestion doesn't
start that!! I had no problems taking the stuff but I stopped after
7 days.. The Rx. said take one 500 for 14 days.. But I could not
walk.. The strangest thing is the pain is just as bad when off my
feet with them up.. I at least am walking some.. But this is so
strange to me why did the FDA o.k. this when this could be a side.
claude brigante wrote:
I've just passed the 1 yeaf mark. The pains in my shin bones,
knees, joints
in legs has improved. To take it's place, I have pain in my
shoulders &
arms, & something is happening to 2 of my fingers. When I wake up
in the
morning, my ring finger & index finger's first joint, (the one
closest to
the nail)is bent. I can unbend it but it's like a stuck
flap/hinge - it
flips up into normal finger position, it doesn't move smoothly.
It gets
better as the day goes on, but it's most disconcerting. I lay in
bed &
"flip" those two fingers until they start to move more fluidly.
It's very
weird. The large stomach ulcer that developed 2 months after FQ,
(the leg
pains, especially the knees, were the first symptom, 5 days after
taking
500mgs of Levaquin, once a day for 5 days) has flared up again
seriously, I
can't eat again, just brown rice, oatmeal, toast & Mylanta, (&
Previcid),
have serious diarrhea, with constant cramping, & I've agreed to
have a
colonoscopy & another endoscopy. I've never had a colon exam &
I'm 62yo, so
it would be appropriate even if I weren't symptomatic. The
insomnia,
nightmares, screaming in my sleep, (husband tells me, I don't hear
it) &
anxiety that causes gasping for breath, (which is particularly
severe
tonite), seems to be worsening. I never had a stomach problem or a
diarrhea
problem before FQ. So I guess I didn't make the 1 year mark. But
I'm
willing to go for the15 months mark, (I just made that up, it
doesn't really
seem to be a significant benchmark). I'm seeing a shrink who
thinks the
Levaquin was the "Trigger" & the naturally ensuing depression
keeps it
going. That's OK with me, as long as he gives me something for
this
anxiety. Previously, he had insisted on trying new
antidepressants, (I'm
already on 20mgs Prozac for IC), but I had instantaneous ADRs &
refused to
take any more after doing only 1/2. Now he has me on Klonapin &
it's making
me a zombie. I've slept about 16 hours since taking a 1/2 & now
I'm awake,
gasping & afraid to take more than a small quarter. The tiredness
&
weakness I experienced from a half was scary, I don't want that to
happen
again. I'm hoping I can determine a proper (tiny) dose that will
work for
me & control this anxiety & gasping yet not knock me out. So I
seem to be
getting worse, unfortunately, but I'm still very optimistic. If I
could
beat IC to a constant pain level of 0 to1, except for occasional
flare-ups
which are rare & short lived, after what it was 14 years ago,
which was a
pain level from 9 to 11, then I can "beat" this. Someone gave me
a website
of a dietician named Kripsin that really resonated with me & I've
contacted
her. She sent me a health questionnaire that is stunning! in it's
detail.
She is my next move after the colon tests. The questionnaire is
so long,
it'll take me that long to complete it! I'm scheduled for the
colonoscopy
in 2 weeks. It saddens me in a poignant way that every new person
who finds
this forum always asks the same question - "how long will this
take to go
away?" "WILL it go away?" Dear God in heaven, I wish I knew that
answer.
Blessings to us all, Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie Sue Suldovsky
To: quinolones@eGroups.com
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2000 3:47 PM
Subject: [quinolones] Did anyone one have this after Levaquin?
Pain in body.. At first I thought it was due to not being out of
bed...
"I had a cold like condition that soon turned into a full blown
sinus
and lung infection, I was very sick and the pain in my head was
killing
me. Each new cough would feel like the back of my head would
soon blast
off"... So I do know I needed a Rx. but darn this is not what I

wanted.

I started this after missing a week of work.. The next day I got
out of
bed and was feeling like the infection was not getting worse..
The
second day the head ache was gone so I started to do stuff, like
cleaning and other things that had gone un-done... The third day
I went
back to work.. Job is not hard but I do walk allot.. I could
not
understand why my legs felt so tired. By the 7th day I'm really
wondering what is up..
Mind you I've had joint problems in the past but nothing like
this...
So here I am hardly able to walk.. Tendon pain is very bad in
legs...
The thing that I want to know is how long this will last???
Please help... And on a lighter note feel free to go join
laughs&herbs@eGroups.com...



Doc 52
1735From: claude brigante <cbrigante@m...
Date: Sun Mar 26, 2000 6:10am
Subject: Fw: Did anyone one have this after Levaquin?

I've just passed the 1 yeaf mark. The pains in my shin bones, knees, joints
in legs has improved. To take it's place, I have pain in my shoulders &
arms, & something is happening to 2 of my fingers. When I wake up in the
morning, my ring finger & index finger's first joint, (the one closest to
the nail)is bent. I can unbend it but it's like a stuck flap/hinge - it
flips up into normal finger position, it doesn't move smoothly. It gets
better as the day goes on, but it's most disconcerting. I lay in bed &
"flip" those two fingers until they start to move more fluidly. It's very
weird. The large stomach ulcer that developed 2 months after FQ, (the leg
pains, especially the knees, were the first symptom, 5 days after taking
500mgs of Levaquin, once a day for 5 days) has flared up again seriously, I
can't eat again, just brown rice, oatmeal, toast & Mylanta, (& Previcid),
have serious diarrhea, with constant cramping, & I've agreed to have a
colonoscopy & another endoscopy. I've never had a colon exam & I'm 62yo, so
it would be appropriate even if I weren't symptomatic. The insomnia,
nightmares, screaming in my sleep, (husband tells me, I don't hear it) &
anxiety that causes gasping for breath, (which is particularly severe
tonite), seems to be worsening. I never had a stomach problem or a diarrhea
problem before FQ. So I guess I didn't make the 1 year mark. But I'm
willing to go for the15 months mark, (I just made that up, it doesn't really
seem to be a significant benchmark). I'm seeing a shrink who thinks the
Levaquin was the "Trigger" & the naturally ensuing depression keeps it
going. That's OK with me, as long as he gives me something for this
anxiety. Previously, he had insisted on trying new antidepressants, (I'm
already on 20mgs Prozac for IC), but I had instantaneous ADRs & refused to
take any more after doing only 1/2. Now he has me on Klonapin & it's making
me a zombie. I've slept about 16 hours since taking a 1/2 & now I'm awake,
gasping & afraid to take more than a small quarter. The tiredness &
weakness I experienced from a half was scary, I don't want that to happen
again. I'm hoping I can determine a proper (tiny) dose that will work for
me & control this anxiety & gasping yet not knock me out. So I seem to be
getting worse, unfortunately, but I'm still very optimistic. If I could
beat IC to a constant pain level of 0 to1, except for occasional flare-ups
which are rare & short lived, after what it was 14 years ago, which was a
pain level from 9 to 11, then I can "beat" this. Someone gave me a website
of a dietician named Kripsin that really resonated with me & I've contacted
her. She sent me a health questionnaire that is stunning! in it's detail.
She is my next move after the colon tests. The questionnaire is so long,
it'll take me that long to complete it! I'm scheduled for the colonoscopy
in 2 weeks. It saddens me in a poignant way that every new person who finds
this forum always asks the same question - "how long will this take to go
away?" "WILL it go away?" Dear God in heaven, I wish I knew that answer.
Blessings to us all, Judy


Doc 63
1773From: JMereel13@a...
Date: Thu Mar 23, 2000 3:30pm
Subject: Re: Re: Levaquin Reaction in Sixteen-Year-Old

Melvin,

Thanks again for the invaluable advice. My daughter did, in fact, have a CT
scan, and that's what revealed the acute maxillary sinusitis. It is
maddening that the doctor prescribed this antibiotic when there obviously was
other recourse; he prescribed Biaxin for her in a heartbeat when we reported
her ADR to Levaquin.

I think a trip to the bookstore and library is in order. I'll check out
books by Andrew Weil, as well as a few others that have been recommended.

We were very worried about what supplements to give her--thanks for the
advice about the Vit C and E, and the echinacea, as well as the magnesium and
potassium. She's taken all these before with no problems, but we felt we had
to exercise caution in giving her ANYTHING because we were very afraid of a
bad interaction with this drug.

Our next step will probably be to take her to a rheumatologist and a
nutritionist. We don't want to OD her on anything yet we don't want to give
her too little of anything that could help her. We will let you know what
comes up.

Forgive me if I'm sounding redundant, but thank you very much once again for
your prompt replies. I'm sure many people on this list have experienced the
shock and fear that accompanies this ADR. I can't sleep and I've had a
headache for days now because I'm so worried about her, and so angry at the
doctor and the drug companies. Knowledge can help alleviate some of that
feeling of helplessness. My whole family really appreciates everything
you've said, Melvin, and all the support and advice from everyone on this
list.

~Pat Fakes

Doc45
1651From: Steven Weintraut <zacware@h...
Date: Sun Mar 12, 2000 5:35pm
Subject: Levaquin Story Update

Yesterday, I was at the ER for the 2nd time. I was literally at the end
of my rope. I just wanted to die. That's how bad I felt. Ironically, I
have what I could easily say is the most beautiful little infant baby
girl I could have ever asked God to give me, and as my wife sat there
with me in the emeregency ward, every single person who walked by my
bed couldn't help but stop and talk to that little Angel of mine. Yet I
sat there completley in a fog, completely unable to appreicate any of
that. I just wanted everyone to leave me alone. I wanted my wife to go
home. I literally just wanted to curl up into a ball and die. Seriously

Well today, after seeing a psychiatrist yesterday, who actually seems
to care about me, and talking to my old family doctor who I haven't
seen in 10 years, who also was very willing to admit these symptoms
could be levaquin induced, I am now on my first 24 period of Xanax. I'm
disgusted with my current doctor, who is as of now no longer my current
doctor, who has her head stuck in her PDR and won't even look up for a
minute to realize how much of a joke that book reallly is. If I come
into any money, I think one of the first things I would do would be to
buy a bunch of internet terminals and go from doctors office to doctors
office and installing them as I ripped up and shredded that stupid PDR
into a million pieces.

Can you imagine that. Let's say I'm a doctor. I'm about to subscribe
someone Levaqin. Rather than opening that stupid book, I spend LESS
time walking over an internet terminal, and seeing losts of postings
about adverse reaction to this drug. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe I wouldn't
prescribe it?

I hadn't seen my original family doctor in over 10 years, but when he
heard of what I was going through, even though he was leaving on a 3
week vacation, he took the time to carefully listen to my problems and
gave me some recommendations of who I should see next.

Late night, and today, I actually got some work done. I played with my
children. I've managed to eat. And I've managed to sleep. I'm still not
feeling right. I'm still a little shaky. Most concerning though, it
that my skin feels itchy and burning, and a have a few small blisters
here and there, and that is most worrisome. But at least today, with
all of my discomformt, I have enough clarity of mind to enjoy my
children. Thank God. Thank you dear God for letting me enjoy that
again!!!!!! And although I feel far from "OK", I want to personally
thank that large number of people out there who have written me
privately to offer me courage, support and hope. I've always been very
intraverted, but if this horrible tragedy has taught me anything, it's
how wonderful, how absolutely WONDERFUL human beings can be. In the
midst of so many of you suffering, or the many of you who have gotten
over most of your suffering, you still take the time to view these
messages and risk reminding yourself of your own ordeal in order to
make things better for someone like myself. I'm not an overall
religious person, but god bless you. God bless all of you. You can't
imagine what the support I've gotten means to me. If I can now just get
past this residual shakiness, the skin burning sensations, and learn to
accept this a little more, I feel I might just make it.