Post Marketing Reports for May 2002

From: "kbondaruk" <kbondaruk@h...>
Date: Fri May 3, 2002 12:37 pm
Subject: levaquin anaphylactic reaction

On my third day, third dose of levaquin I had difficulty breathing
because of swelling of my tongue and airways, as well as
increased bp, and tingling tremors throughout my body. On the
fourth day, fourth dose I had an anaphylactic reaction and had to
call an ambulance to rush me to the emergency room where I
spent 5 days in the hospital. Another major symptom that
appeared on the 4th day was the very strong taste of sodium in
my mouth (i.e, "like a cup of salt in my mouth"). I'm working
through many of the symptoms I see posted, and my symptoms
change almost daily. It has been 6 weeks and my doctors don't
seem to recognize the neurological trauma I'm feeling. But I'm
curious: has anyone else experienced the swelling of tongue
and airways, and/or the taste of salt?
Karen


From: "leilanirose11" <leilanirose11@y...>
Date: Sun May 5, 2002 9:16 am
Subject: Muscle pain in calves

I was prescribed Tequin for sinisitis. After five days of therapy I
started having severe pain in my lower legs. I also have had
insomnia. I contacted my doctor and he had me stop the Tequin. I
realize that the adverse reactions I'm experiencing are not uncommon.

Will taking a calcium and magnesium supplement help ease to cramp-
like pain I'm feeling in my calves? Any other measures that may
decrease the pain. Approximately how long before the pain
subsides?

Any responses would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Leilani



From: "rachjasm" <rachjasm@a...>
Date: Tue May 7, 2002 6:28 am
Subject: newbie question
I was told to take 4 motrin 2x a day for 3 weeks for the levaquin
reactions that I had from 2 months ago. (The joint and muscle aches
are hanging on). I thought I read on the website something about not
using advil etc.. What do I take to relieve a sinus headache or help
joint inflammation that would be safe?

The ENT has now prescribed 3 weeks of Ceftin for the chronic
sinusitis that the Levaquin didn't even fix. I have gone on the
internet about it and nothing seems as bad as FQ's. Anyone know
anything about this drug?

Thanks for all the advice. This website has been such a help.


From: "Edward Eggleston" <eseggleston@m...>
Date: Thu May 9, 2002 8:14 pm
Subject: RE: [quinolones] Re: OT/ Slightly

I have recently developed fibromyalgia-like symptoms also, but I have not
taken Macrodantin.
I took Levaquin a little over two years ago, and I have been dealing with
fairly severe
tendon/joint problems in my wrists and hands since then.

E. Eggleston
From: "valforson" <valforson@a...>
Date: Fri May 10, 2002 1:58 pm
Subject: Help, left side pains under rib cage

After a bad kidney infection, I was given Levaquin to take for 5
days. Ever since then I have had a dull ache on the left side of my
back and it wraps around to the front under my rib cage. I had a dye
test to rule out and kidney trouble or kidney stones. Along with
this ache I have had stomach cramping, gas, and other just
discomfort. I am 36 years old and I have never had any trouble like
this before, I have never even had gas or heartburn or anything like
this. Has anyone had trouble like this, or does anyone have any idea
if this could be related to the Levaquin ????


From: Kathryn English <katye25@h...>
Date: Mon May 13, 2002 9:59 pm
Subject: Brain Swelling: Levaquin

After having kidney surgery, I was prescribed Levaquin. Almost
immediately I began to have severe head and neck pain accompanied by
ringing in my ears and double vision. I was at level ten pain that
could not be relieved by any pain medication. I felt like I wanted to
die; the pain was so intense.
I returned to my doctor who said this was not a side effect from
the
medication. I then visited another doctor who said I was
suffering muscle tension headaches. Still not satisfied (and after 2
trips to the emergency room), I went to a massage therapist who did a
test and advised me not to take my remaining pill (I had taken 9 0f 10
already). Almost immediately the ringing in my ear receded, but my
vision was still double. I
credited the reduced pain and hearing help to my massage therapist
releasing pressure points.
Since my vision was still abnormal, I was referred to an eye
specialist. After hours of testing, it was determined that my brain
had
swelled. A quick check on his computer confirmed this was a side
effect
of the medication. I feel somewhat vindicated because I KNEW something

was terribly wrong and that the medication was the cause. Every doctor

said to me that my symptoms didn't resemble any of the side effects of
Levaquin. They were dead wrong. It is important to take charge of
your
own health and to get to the bottom of what is causing you to feel bad.

Go with your instincts--I went through 5 doctors before being
diagnosed. The eye specialist ordered a LP (lumbar puncture) to reduce

the pain and sight problems. It has been just 1 1/2 weeks since my
last dose and my vision is still screwed up. I honestly feel that not
taking that last pill saved me and my mind.


From: "frenchquarters" <frenchquarters@y...>
Date: Fri May 31, 2002 2:06 pm
Subject: Quinolones "Need Direction"
I live in Michigan, and was diagnosed with a P.N about 6 or 7 years
ago. I've had been dealing with it pretty will until recently, about
2 years ago after many trips to the doctor for muscular pains, my
doctor sent me to a rumatologist who then sent me to the University
of Michigan Medical Center who determined I have a P.N, What I
already knew. None of the doctors really knows why I should be
hurting all over. I then was sent to Mayo clinic at my request,
hoping to get an answer for the muscular pain, my doctors sent all my
my mecical records to them, after being poked and proded and many
more test they determined I have P.N, what do you know. The doctors
at Mayo's believe there may be secondary problem for the excessive
pain, but did not address it. This left me at square one, with no
where to turn, I went back to my primary doctor he's very
understanding and he realizes that I'm deperate for help. He ask me
to look around at home or at work to see if I may ever have been
around anything toxic. I called my supervisor at work " I work for a
Pharmacudical Company" after talking with her for a while she
remembered a product that work on caused lamness in dogs, cartiledge,
ligaments and tendon damage, the product was a quinolone, I work with
this drug everyday "5 days a week" for at least 2 years, after doing
a bit of internet research, including this site, I and my wife feel
like the last piece of the puzzel just fell in place. I then returned
to my doctor with this new found news with many printout off internet
sites, he read them and told me this very likely could be causing my
pain but really didn't know what to do about, it or how to prove it.
He said being an antibiotic toxins would be out of my system but
damage may already be done, still not liking the answers I returned
to my rhumatologist and after doing more blood test and speaking to a
toxacologist, basically told me what my primary doctor had told me,
said I really didn't need to see him any more because what is
happening to me isn't in the rhumitology field.

I'm looking for awnsers, I'm 50 year old male, who is not working at
this time, due to a muscular and joint pain, who has a P.N, and I
believe a secondary problem, at this time I take neurontin which
helps the burning in my feet, and an anti-deppresent, can anyone
point me in the right direction, or is there none.

Thank-you, Denny