Post Marketing Reports for May 2000

Doc 81

1976From: tzap2@w...
Date: Fri May 5, 2000 0:07am
Subject: Re: Fwd: drug reaction

Hi Linda! Well I am still in the exact shape I was in 1 1/2 years ago.
I have found a doctor (Rhumatologist) that is at least trying to help
me. Him and the ENT doctor both have concluded that my hearing will
never come back. As for the rest of it, well I don't have to tell you
what a mystery it all is. Stephen seems like a very nice person. I
told him if I could help him in anyway to let me know. I tried to get a
hold of those internet attorneys but they never called me back. I am
going to still pursue a law suit. I don't think it's right or fair for
that matter that so many people are hurt by these drugs. Not only that
but the lack of decent medical treatment I got should never happen to
any one again. I wrote Ralph Nader's organization a note hoping they
can find me an attorney. I will see what happens. Well I things get
better for you too! I know this is going to sound strange but in a
strange way through all of this madness I have met some really nice
people. Take Care!
Warmest Regards,
Tina


Doc 83
1979From: No1DOSMOM@a...
Date: Fri May 5, 2000 8:17am
Subject: Re: Cheri

Hi, everyone. Hope all is well. Cheri was very sick after we got back from
Washington, DC. Thanks to United Air Lines (dead last in customer service)
we had the return trip from hell.

Here is an update. Dr. F started her on high doses of Maalox and also
recommended heat therapy. He said we would see some improvement with the ADR
in a week if this was going to work. He didn't want to start her on any
other medications if possible. Neurologically, we've seen some improvement.
Her irritibility is better and so is her depression--also the rash. Dr. F
said maybe in three to four months her eyes would be better. He's hoping the
tendon problems will be better in 6 months. He said we have to expect her to
have peaks and valleys until this stuff is out of her system. My husband,
oldest daughter and I were surprised that Dr. F said it would take 4-5 years
to know everything we need to know about the adverse side effects of this
drug. He said we're dealing with a pediatric reaction so . . . Cheri is
only his 5th or 6th Pediatric patient. Maybe in six or seven months if
everything is getting better we can start massage therapy for Cheri in order
to keep the muscles relaxed so they don't pull on the tendons so much. God,
a few lousy pills and this is what we have to deal with. Cheri's life has
been turned upside down.

Our pediatrician is very concerned because of the tendon inflammation. She
is already warning us that Cheri is going to have to contend with chronic
tendinitis for the rest of her life. Her ankle is a little better--still
painful and stiff, but better. Unfortunately she was at the orthopedic
surgeon a couple of days ago and he said the rotator cuff is very bad.

My oldest daughter found an interesting article in Wednesday's US News and
World Report--front page--about how the drug companies are hiding the
contraindications of the drugs they produce in confusing package inserts and
the FDA is letting them get away with it. Also, it talked about how doctors
don't know what they are prescribing
(SURPRISE!!! SURPRISE!!) You may want to get a copy of it--especially if you
want your blood pressure to go up about 50 points!

Regards to all. Will keep you posted.

~Pat Fakes


Doc 86

1986From: gwasch@n...
Date: Sun May 7, 2000 5:00am
Subject: Re: Tendon Rupture

Hi,
I am trying to find someone who has had tremors and chills especially at
night. Sometimes this is accompanied by nausea. How long does it take to
get the poison out of your systems

gary

Doc 85

1981From: Bob Johannsen <bob_johannsen@h...
Date: Fri May 5, 2000 5:41pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: drug reaction

Tina, do you have tinnitus along with your hearing loss? In general, I'm
wondering how often FQs result in tinnitus, and at what tonal frequencies.

I was left with permanent 65 Hertz buzzing from quinacrine (Atabrine).

Doc 84
1980From: quinalones@m...
Date: Fri May 5, 2000 6:44pm
Subject: Tendon Rupture

On December 17, 1998 I was given a prescription for Levaquin to treat
a sinus infection. I developed pain in my heels around December 24th,
1998. The next morining I awoke with knots on BOTH of my ankles on
the
inside, just below the bone. I had moderate pain ,and when I tried to
stand, I fell if I leaned forward. I called my Dr's office and a
nurse
taking calls suggested the swelling that accompanied the pain and
knots might be caused by congestive heart failure. I had NO other
symptoms of CHF, so I took some Excedrin and waited to see. The next
day I continued to apply ice to the areas and stayed off my feet. On
Monday morning I went to my Dr's office, where he was puzzeled about
what appeared to be Tendonitis of BOTH ankles. He did some tests and
called me the next day and referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I
got
two opinions and both said I had ruptured BOTH tendons! I went in for
surgery to have BOTH tendons repaired on Januay 15, 1999. It was much
worse than the surgeon had predicted. I was also on Medrol, a steroid
at the time of taking the Levaquin. I have asked Dr's for 1 1/2 years
how this could happen, and the ONLY answer I got was possibly the
steroids and a visit to a Chiropractor "might" have caused the
rupture. MORE- On last Friday I went to my Dermaologist who I hadn't
seen for several years. He asked about the scars. He then asked me if
I had been on any Antibiotic like Cipro just before the Dual
Ruptures, and I said yes. He then informed me that many documented
cases of Tendon Rupture reported after taking Cipro or other drugs in
that family. I checked with my Pharmacy and they said Levaquin was
prescribed for me on 12-17-98, and again in April 1999. I then called
the maker of Levaquin twice, and spoke to two different women about
any cases of this being reported. Both were very evasive and would
not
answer the question. Anyone with information, or similar Ruptures
please contact me. I would like to build a database of cases to see
if
there may be a basis of a class action law suit.
Please e-mail me quinalones@m... Barry


Doc 2
2011From: lorayne1@a...
Date: Tue May 9, 2000 11:45am
Subject: Cipro & Biaxin

I have just been diagnoised with mycobacterium avium on one sputum test,the
next one was negative,the next was postive for unidentifiable mycobacterium
not TB complex.
My Doctor prescribed Cipro and Biaxin the new type.He said these are the only
medicines that will kill this and I have to take this medicine for 6 months
to 1 year. Does anyone know if I can use another medicine that has the same
effect. I had a very bad reaction to Floxin's given to me for years.Leviquin
almost killed me.
ALL Info is greatly appreciated. Please reply as I was given a 10 day supply
until I see the Pulmonary Doctor. I don't know what he will give me. Anyone
had a Bronc?
Thanks



Doc 3
2017From: ejborovatz@f...
Date: Thu May 11, 2000 4:54am
Subject: levaquin adverse reactions

I had some numbness in my toes with my first dose of levaquin, but I
didn't put the connection together until after the 3rd dose and the
rest of my body was now becoming numb. My doctors have run all the
tests to eliminate other medical causes, and have dtermined that I
might have had a minor Guillain Barre Syndrome or even a reaction to
Levaquin. I am still numb and having difficulty walking and using
my hands. I also developed high heart rate and high blood pressure
that I never had before. They say that I must remain patient and
that it will eventually heal, but for an active person with children,
that waiting(already 6 weeks) is extremely difficult. Has anyone
else had similar reactions? Ed.




Doc 5
2039From: amrose@k...
Date: Mon May 15, 2000 8:01am
Subject: Levaquin adr?

I have never heard of Levaquin so I took the 10 day dose, trusting my
dr. The day after I stopped taking it I developed a red rash on my
arms and legs. The next day it was on my stomach and back. The next
it was on my face & chest. Then, my face began to swell and the rash
on my face became like a sunburn. It is hot to touch, red, some bumps
but due to excessive oil some small whiteheads.Sometimes it itches,
but not all the time. Seems worse in heat & humidity. I am on my way
to the
dr. to see if anything can be done. Has anyone else had this type of
reaction? I read other posts and so far I didn't see any. I don't
have any pain, some "weird" feelings though, kind of like
diorientation and a bad headache.

Doc 8
2111From: Elizabeth Carlson <betsy1122@d...>
Date: Sun May 21, 2000 11:53pm
Subject: Levaquin reaction

I am a new member of this egroup. It is scary reading everyone's stories. So far, my case is mild compared to many. I was given free samples of Levaquin from my doctor after seeing him for abdominal cramping that I had been experiencing for about 2 months. He suspected a bacterial infection and gave me the Levaquin.
Since they were samples (I work in the same medical facility as he does) - there was no package insert warning of side effects. I didn't even think of asking him if there were any! Du-u-u-uh! I guess lots of us just trust our doctors (no more!). All he said was not to drink coffee because the drug tended to cause insomnia, and one cup of coffee would feel like four. The day after the first 500mg pill, I started to get pains in my achilles tendons, the right more than the left. Also I had pains in my calf muscles and knees. I thought that it was because maybe I hadn't been doing my walking as much and I was getting out of shape, or that "old age" was creeping up on me (I'm 52). After the 3rd day, I couldn't figure out WHY my achilles tendons were hurting. I even sat down and inspected them, thinking I would find some swelling or something that would tell me why I was feeling this pain. It hurt at night when I got up to go to the bathroom and when I got up in the morning, I hobbled like an old lady!
Then I got the bright idea it might be a reaction to the Levaquin. So, I got on my computer and typed in "Levaquin" and was shocked to find all the sites and stories about this horrible drug and the other drugs in the quinolone family. After I read these I, of course, stopped the drug. All I ever took was three 500mg pills, and the last dose was three days ago. I have an appointment with my doctor this morning and I have printed many of the stories out - these doctors should KNOW WHAT THEY ARE PRESCRIBING! I always trusted this doctor and thought he was the best. I am going to show him these stories and suggest that he read them. Maybe he won't be so quick in prescribing a drug he knows nothing about. More and more, we are having to take our medical care into our own hands. Thanks to the advice of a kindhearted member of this egroup, I went out at 11:30 last night and bought 2 bottles of Maalox which I started last night. I will be interested in hearing what my doctor has to say today. I just hope this is as far as my symptoms go! Thanks for listening, everybody!!



Doc 7
2097From: luffagus@a...
Date: Sat May 20, 2000 6:19pm
Subject: need advice

Hello, I have to ask this question. I have a mycrobacterium infection of
unknown origin and my Dr. placed me on 1,000 mgs. of biaxin the new type and
500 mgs. o f leviquin daily. Don't you all think this is too high of a dosage
for something they do not even know what it is? I already stopped th
Leviquin. I have previous reactions to it.




Doc 7
2097From: luffagus@a...
Date: Sat May 20, 2000 6:19pm
Subject: need advice

Hello, I have to ask this question. I have a mycrobacterium infection of
unknown origin and my Dr. placed me on 1,000 mgs. of biaxin the new type and
500 mgs. o f leviquin daily. Don't you all think this is too high of a dosage
for something they do not even know what it is? I already stopped th
Leviquin. I have previous reactions to it.



Doc 9
2150From: ctowers@w...
Date: Wed May 31, 2000 8:45am
Subject: Levaquin caused Gastroparesis

Hi,

I developed Gastroparesis as a result of taking Levaquin for three
weeks. While I was on the medication, I had severe stomach cramps and
stabbing stomach pain. I called my doctor, and he assured me that
stomach problems were a normal side effect of Levaquin. He suggested
that I take Pepto Bismal while on the medication. Unfortunately, when
my treatment was done, my stomach problems remained. I recently had a
gastroscopy test, revealing Gastroparesis, a neurological disorder in
the stomach. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks.