Date: Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:28pm Subject: Re: Cipro, Hair loss ruffin144 I had rapid hair loss too. I tried some sort of natural shampoo, but it made my scalp burn worse. My scalp burned quite a bit earlier on in my floxing. Fortunaltely, my hair stopped falling out and started growing back about 6-7 months after taking the Levaquin.

Good luck,

Michele

22806 From: "c_moreheadus" <c_morehead@...> Date: Sun May 1, 2005 2:51am Subject: Re: Dadgummit c_moreheadus

I've got the TMJ thing going on now - post 8 mos Levaquin poisoning. It appears that mine is the result of a late term cycling. Hang in there, it will pass. get a TMJ massage or chew gum to prevent the teeth grinding.

good luck

'c'

22819 From: "Asmodeus Azarak" <forgottengod@...> Date: Mon May 2, 2005 7:52pm Subject: Re: NEED ADVICE!!!!! asmodeusazarak

I forget all the details of my bloodwork and all (been more than two years since I was originally floxed), but I do remember a few things. One is that my blood clotting factor was all messed up on leviquin  and a bit after. That eventually passed and I'm pretty sure my blood is clotting normally these days (or at least "good enough" not to cause me a problem)

I had one test come back with a borderline rhematoid factor shortly after I was floxed. The bloodwork was repeated and came back negative later. For whatever reason I think the quinolones can throw that test off. How long has it been for you (I'm sure you'd said in the list I'm just not remembering) if it's only been a couple months you may find some things changing.

Regardless I hope you find improvement.

22824 From: "patjcase" <PatJCase@...>  Date: Tue May 3, 2005 3:23pm Subject: Linda (wakko1689)--Thank you... patjcase for your response to my inquiry about the possibility of Avelox triggering mania in my daughter, who suffers from bipolar disorder. I just stumbled across it today; sorry for the delay in acknowledging your comments. I understand the differentiation you are making between a *trigger* of BP mania and *symptoms* that mimic same. Either way, quinolone-induced mania (if that is what happened to my daughter) would have only compounded her preexisting condition. We have retained a lawyer to assist our daughter in facing her UAD and public intoxication charges. I have faxed him a few articles that mention the pyschiatric side effects of quinolones. I am anxious to hear what he has to say about my "theory". Here is a link to an abstract of a journal article about antimicrobial-induced mania:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=

Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11799346

Thank you again for raising that important distinction. It might be an easier argument to prove than my original one. Perhaps a judge might be persuaded that Avelox caused manic symptoms in my daughter, who is already predisposed to mania, when he/she might not be convinced that the drug actually *exacerbated* her condition.

Pat

22836 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 2:01am Subject: Re: Anti CCP pttmnlyn

thanks for the info. yes, my sed rate was 56 and my anti ccp was 72. my rheumy is convinced it's RA. My rf factor however was negative along with all the other markers. i'm holding onto thin hope that maybe the anti ccp was a falst positive and im still suffering ADR but time will tell. blessings

layne

22838 From: "kat52pug" <kat52pug@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 4:45am Subject: Abnormal EEG's from Levaquin kat52pug

Hi, everybody! I'm new to this group, but need some information. Have had scleroderma, an auto-immune connective tissue disease for several years, but was in excellent shape under the circumstances  before taking a round of Levaquin on 11/3/04. Ended up with what I  now know was a serum sickness type of ADR (delayed onset), which  included the whole enchilada of symptoms: joint pain, extremely low body temp (down to 95.1 at times), fluctuating blood pressure, blurred & double vision, anorexia, panic attacks, severe headaches, nausea, etc.. Ended up in ER 5 weeks later, & was given Levaquin again by IV because I had blood in urine (another symptom of fq's) & the doc thought I had a "possible" kidney infection. Three days later, went off deep end...focal seizures, suicidal depression,  stiff neck, paranoia, drenching sweats, etc., etc., etc. Anyway, to make a long story short, was hospitalized (2) separate times, in ER (3) different times, saw (6) different doctors over 41/2 month period. Am on the road to recovery, tho still have roaming residual side effects. It's been a nightmare, but my main worry is the fact that I had an abnormal EEG in Dec.04 while in hospital, & a follow-up EEG in Jan.05 ( a whole month later ) was abnormal in the exact same pattern from the exact same area of my brain. Neurologist had me on Keppra for seizures, Zoloft for depression, Regaln for nausea, & Midrin for migraines, BESIDES all the medications I had been previously taking for scleroderma! When I kept getting weaker & weaker, & none of the doctors could figure out the cause, I found the Levaquin connection thru research of my own. Well, needless to say, I fought with the docs over it, but finally (2) of them admitted that I had "more than likely" had a ADR to the  antibiotic. So I took myself off all the drugs they had given me, & that's when I started healing.

Question: Does anybody know if my EEG will ever return to normal?  My EX-neurologist argues that my "idiopathic seizure disorder" had nothing to do with a reaction to Levaquin (we all know better), BUT he says that he has never had a case where someone had (2) abnormal  EEG's, & then their brain waves returned to normal. Is furious with  me for discontinuing the anti-seizure meds, & has informed me that the State of Texas can suspend my driver's license for (6) months for going against medical advice & refusing treatment!!! Should I have another EEG to see what it shows, or should I just go about my life, continue to heal, & hope that my medical records get buried somewhere? HELP!

Kathy in Texas

22839 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 1:12pm Subject: Re: Anti CCP pttmnlyn

thanks for the info. yes, my sed rate was 56 and my anti ccp was 72. my rheumy is convinced it's RA. My rf factor however was negative along with all the other markers. i'm holding onto thin hope that maybe the anti ccp was a falst positive and im still suffering ADR but time will tell. blessings

layne

22843 From: "emibustillo" <emibustillo@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 4:22pm Subject: puffy eyes, help anyone pls emibustillo

does any one have develop a bit puffy eyes??? or something like that ???????? pls help

22844 From: "Sally" <tailsclown@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 6:01pm Subject: Tequin Death? aeroclowngirl

Hi, folks I just talked to my boy friends niece in Missouri. Her girl friend was a healthy person, never went to the doctors. She began having upper respiratory problems. The doctor prescribed Tequin. She went home, took the pill, next thing, she was rushed in an ambulance to the ER. She had a stroke and died. No explanation from the medical people. My niece told the ER doc about the Tequin and she just said, "I'll make a note of that." This niece was also prescribed Tequin and had disassociation problems. They were so creepy that she stopped taking the drug right away. (This was prior to her friends death). More and more I believe that we need publicity BIG TIME! The only way anything gets done is when the media gets a hold of things. I, on the other hand, has body wide pain now. Every joint in my body aches. I have good days, emotionally, and bad days. I'm having a bad day today. But at least, I'm alive!

Sally

22845 From: "Dachman" <dachman@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 6:49pm Subject: Re: Tequin Death? Dachman

Sally I'm so sorry to here about this. It should never have  happened. I'm also sorry to here about your body wide joint pain but I know exactly how you feel because I have the same thing.I went to the Rhume yesterday that I go to. I had Xrays of my Hips and knees. The gaps between the bones was at this point quite even which is good but the noise and chrunching I know isn't. These drug erode are cartridge and connective tissuse. I feel I have a form of OA tho the Rhume I go to doesn't say that. I've started taking Glucosimine/Chondritin which is very beneficial for the the cartridge you may consider trying this for a period of time but if you do give  it a good period of time ie months. Here is a site to a Dr who is highly regarded in regards to Arthritis http://www.drtheo.com/ and has written a book by the tittle of The Arthritis Cure I'm reading it now and it goes over the advantages of taking these two supplements. Note also he recomends a couple that he has lab tested  ersonally because alot of times the quality isn't what the company  says it is. Here is the page of his reccomended products.http://www.drtheo.com/resultchart.html

I've just started taking the Osteo brand tripple strength it is two caplets twice a day.

Best Regards

David

22846 From: "Betty Crawley" <beejay31@...> Date: Wed May 4, 2005 7:35pm Subject: Re: Tequin Death? bettycrawley

Dear Sally: I am not familiar with the drug, Tequin -- but can truly relate to the fact some medicatiions are extremely dangerous, and can cause death.

On May 23, 2002 our 38 year old daughter was seen by her Primary Care Physician for an upper respiratory infection. The Physician gave her samples of Cipro -- and told her she should be MUCH BETTER in a few days!

Our daughter had kidney problems -- only one kidney functioned -- and at reduced capacity. She was under th care of a Kidney Specialist -- and this was all in her Chart. We believe the Dr. either did not review her chart closely -- or else did Not know Cipro should NOT be routinely prescribed for individuals with kidney disease.

Cipro should ONLY be given to one with kidney problem IF it is the "drug of last resort" -- after all other medications have failed.

On May 25, 2002, after taking Cipro for two days, our daughter died quite suddenly and unexpectedly Th cause of death was "Acute Circulatory Collapse - due to Myocardial Infarction." Our daughter had NO history of heart problems -- and it was only several months aftere her death that we learned Cipro can be fatal if given to individuals with kidney disease. It can cause th circulatory system to shut down.

The Doctor never admitted the Cipro could be the cause -- tho we have researched Cipro, spoken to Nurses and others in the Medical Profession, and all have told us our daughter should NEVER have been given Cipro.

We are still devastated by the death of our daughter -- and we feel very strongly Doctors often hand out samples of medicines without actually researching them to determine adverse reactions. We feel too th Pharmaceutical Companies give these meds to the Physicians and don't fully explain the risks in using these medications for some patients -- especially those with other pre-existing conditions.

We filed a complaint with the State Board of Health which does licensing of Physicians -- hoping they would at least reprimand the Physician who precribed the Cipro. This did not happen -- apparently doctors are reluctant to find another doctor at fault -- so obviously this same Physician can continue to prescribe Cipro -- and we can only hope and pray he is more careful in the future in prescribing medications.

Betty

22848 From: "kat52pug" <kat52pug@...> Date: Thu May 5, 2005 5:35am Subject: Abnormal EEG's kat52pug

Taunda,

Thanks for the encouragement, & for proving my nutty neurologist wrong! Maybe if I think of what happened to my brain as an "infection" caused by Levaquin, it will eventually "heal"! I'm not giving up hope, just wandering if it screwed up my brain permanently, even tho my outward CNS symptoms have cleared up. On the lighter side, I've always been a little bit "psychic" & nutty; my 26 yr old son says maybe the weird brain waves are what make me what he calls "special", that they may have always been like that, & not to  let the stupid doctors drug me into conforming to their narrow standards! HA! (He loves me just the way I am, wacko personality & all.)

Kathy

22849 From: "Helen" <acenzi@...> Date: Thu May 5, 2005 3:11pm Subject: I don't understand!! hlnczn

How could all that information be put out by the drug company and yet every dr that I have seen just cannot say that any of my symtoms are caused by the poison levaquin. I'm so depressed. If only one of them would acknowledge that even one thing was caused by an adverse reaction to this drug, I would feel a little better. I've been to an ear,nose and throat specialist, an allergist, two gp's, and I've had all the blood tests that were negative for anything. What I'm left with is tinnitus, depression, nightmares and aches and pains in my entire body. As you can see, I'm having a very bad day. I'm hoping that just saying all this will make me feel better. Thanks for listening

22850 From: "Asmodeus Azarak" <forgottengod@...> Date: Thu May 5, 2005 4:39pm Subject: Re: I don't understand!! asmodeusazarak

I know how you feel believe me. I've lost a vast majority of my faith in modern medacince and it's practitioners. That said you will find people out there that will believe you. Not too long ago I had to go into the hospital for an injury unrelated to my quinilone issue. I was adamant about no quinolones and I insisted on seeing a nutritionalist about my diet. I was taken very seriously. Some of the nurses and staff I spoke to will probably think twice before taking a quinilone and the nutritionist was thinking about switching to an antibiotic free diet. Doctor's are the hardest to get through to because most of them think a patient can't teach them anything but keep looking until you find decent doctors there are some out there.

22851 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...> Date: Thu May 5, 2005 7:20pm Subject: UPDATE pttmnlyn

Hi all. Just wanted to update all of you. I took my blood work to my primary care physician. WBC, ESR and anti CCP elevated but everything else normal. She told me point blank: It is impossible for me to believe that this is not quinolone related. I have seen with my own eyes - levaquin give people kind of a self limiting lupus so why couldn't it do the same for Rheumatoid Arthritis. She even called my rheumatologist right there during our appointment to discuss it with him. She is so very wonderful. She spoke to him and told him her thoughts. He said that he was totally unaware of quinolines effecting anything but the achilles (hahahahahaaaahahahahaha) and that i was highly suspicious for RA. Anyway i go to see him tomorrow for xrays. my finger knuckles are still really swollen and my thumbs and ring finger and starting to lose function and are very painful. So, my primary care told me that regardless of the cause she is concerned about the inflammation and to go ahead witht he methotrexate to get the swelling under control. She said she has had two patients that had the lupus like reaction to levaquin that went ahead with the meds and 3 or 4 months later just magically cleared up. So, she doesn't think it is a bad idea for me to take the drugs. I would just refuse and wait it out but im really concerned that the inflammation is going to do permanent damage to my joints. So... my plan is to smile and nod at the rheumatologist but go ahead with the meds (with much fear and trembling) and pray that i either a. go into remission or b. am "magically" healed - knowing full well the ADR finally worked it's way out of my body.

This may be the wrong move but im desperate to feel better and my hands are really painful and swollen. My tinnitis is still there, fatigue but the joint pain is better in lower body. i have had some "electricalshocks"in my toes of late Hope all of you are better.

blessings

layne

22853 From: "hjvander" <hvandeventer@...>

Date: Fri May 6, 2005 4:43am

Subject: 4 month anniversary hjvander

Four months ago today I nonchalantly took my first dose of Levaquin

(for a sinus infection). I had no idea at the time how my life was

about to change. I took it around noon on January 5th, and later

that evening I noticed that my knees felt a little tender and

swollen. Later that night I was walking down a flight of stairs and

could hear my left knee making a very audible popping sound with

every step I took. This was something I definitely noticed, because

my knees never popped before. The next morning at work a couple of

my co-workers asked me if I was ok...they noticed that I was

walking "kind of funny". I told them that I had started a new

antibiotic and that one of side effects (per the insert) was joint

pain, and that I would be glad once I was done with the 10 day dose

and the side effects were over (oh, how wrong that assumption would

turn out to be). That afternoon I took my second (and as it turns

out, my last) dose of Levaquin. I ended up having to leave work

early that day because I was having increased difficulties walking

and severe knee joint pain. That night I called my dr's office and

got the ok to stop the Levaquin. I ended up taking four more days

off work due to the severe joint pain. Within a few days, the joint

pain had spread to my ankles and hips. I soon did some research on

the internet and came across this group. Over the course of 6 weeks

I gradually showed some slight improvement, before suffering a

terrible relapse - during which the joint pain spread even

further...mainly to my shoulders, elbows and wrists. Since that

time I've had cycles where I have a couple "normal" (which is maybe

60% of my pre-floxing normal functioning) weeks followed by weeks of

setbacks. Today, I'm in the middle of a bad cycle and my knees and

ankles have been bothering me quite a bit. It is now normal for ALL

of my joints to pop continuously throughout the day. It is also

normal for my knees to feel stiff and achey. I've been to numerous

specialists and had many tests run, but everything's come back

normal. I've learned to not take my health for granted. I've also

learned that I will never, ever, look at a new prescription from my

doc the same way again. I hope to post back on this site on my one

year anniversary and happily report that I've successfully beaten

the Levaquin nightmare and am back on top 100% again. I don't know

that will necessarily happen. However, what I do know is that no

matter what condition I'm in on January 5, 2006, I will still be

fighting these ADR's will all the strength I have to muster. And I

also know that - come hell or high water - I will always have the

caring people on this board to turn to for support. Best wishes to

all!

-hjvander

22854 From: "areljenkins" <areljenkins@...>

Date: Fri May 6, 2005 7:15am

Subject: Hello, and welcome to Hell, my name is Levaquin and I'll be your guide... areljenkins

Hello all, and please let me begin by saying that my heart goes

out to everyone who has been injured by these drugs.

I am 23 years old, and my life over the last four and a half

months has basically been a nightmare.

I was given two 10 day courses (20 days total with five days in

between) of 500mg twice per day in December for a sinus infection

and bronchitis. While I was on the drug, the side effects were

generally mild: I became very fatigued/dizzy for a few hours after

taking it, and I had intense pains in my abdomen. My doctor and I

both thought these pains were pulled muscles from coughing. I

couldn't even sit up without first turning onto my side. I knew

nothing of the drug I was taking.

I started noticing more aches/pains and a strange burning

sensation in my right hip shortly after stopping the medication (if

you can call it that), and began researching. I found this site and

others like it sometime toward the beginning of January, and, sad as

this is, knowing that others are experiencing what I am has helped

somewhat, misery loves company and all that I guess. And I also

learned of the calcium/magnesium supplements (thank you) and I have

been taking 1000mg/500mg respectively every day since.

A week or so after discontinuing the drug, while I was sitting at

my computer, the burning pain decided it would like to be free of

the confines of my hip, and over the course of a couple hours, it

spread first down one leg, then up through my lower back and

eventually wormed its way down into my other leg. Needless to say, I

didn't sleep much that night, but when I awoke the burning (napalm

in my legs is the most apt description I can think of) was limited

to my left leg, and compeletely gone after a few hours.

I still have no idea what this burning was, I have experienced

nothing quite like it before or since, thankfully...

This was the first inkling I had that something was terribly wrong

with me.

At two weeks after stopping, I was lying in bed trying to sleep (I

have had little in the way of insomnia due to this), I began having

tingling/electric sensations on the inside of my left foot below the

boney-thing above the arch (sorry, no doctor am I), this slowly

turned to pain, then back to tingling and so on. I began having

trouble walking, which (that time) lasted for a month or so. I also

bought two Ace ankle support bandage thingies, which I'm still

wearing. Someday I might write a thank-you letter to Ace, I can't

walk without them.

When that cleared up, I began walking again, and a short time

later (merely days), I was walking through some store (Circuit City,

I believe) and started having severe pains in the bottom of my foot

near the heel. Now I, being stupid as sin at this point, didn't go

out to the car, oh no, I continued walking normally all day, pain be

damned.

Plantar Fasciitis sucks. Two months of my life spent in front of a

television, hobbling around like an old man (no offense intended to

old men, I plan on being one one day, but I am only 23) was not my

plan for the beginning of 2005. I went to a podiatrist, and he did

very little himself (x-ray), and he sent me off to physical therapy.

I have to pause here to apologize profusely for the length of

this, I have a lot to say, and have never been very good at keeping

my writing susinct enough for people who don't enjoy reading

encyclopaedias. Four months (and counting) of my life, and all I

have to show for it is this lousy post.

Beginning of last year (2004), I was given Tequin, same abdominal

pain, aches throughout my body all year, partially torn rotator-cuff

in my left shoulder, and enough blood drawn (needlessly) to make

Dracula quiver in delight. I was finally feeling better around

September. No one ever told me about Tequin, so when the doctor

offered me Levaquin this year, I didn't even think twice about it.

Back to now, in the last four months I have experienced pain in

every joint in my body imaginable. Anything and everything I do

causes the involved joint to ache horribly the next day. I may well

pay dearly for writing this. My hands and feet are the worst. I have

had tendonitis in my right wrist off and on for about three years

now, and can't seem to completely get rid of it, now I know why.

Four days before beginning physical therapy, my left foot broke

(for some reason, while both feet hurt in the same places, the left

is always worse). Not literally broke, but the plantar fascia in my

left foot (tendon running along the bottom of the foot) decided that

it hated me and wanted me dead. I think it had a knife.

I couldn't really stand or walk for a couple of days, and had to

wrap padding around my foot to get around. I went to physical

therapy, and walked normally there (without limping) for the first

time in four days.

I don't know why, maybe it was the stretches that they gave me, or

maybe God Himself came down and blessed my feet, but the pain went

away after that. And I mean went away, poof, gone. Until about two

weeks later, which is why I'm posting this.

My biggest fear, like many of you probably, is tendon rupture. The

mere thought of it stops me cold, and sends me into hiding like a

dog during a thunder storm. Since the Achilles is the most notable

tendon to rupture, I always had some comfort (little, but some, any

port in a storm, etc...) in the fact that my achilles tendons were

totally pain free. No more.

When I wake up, there is only pain in my arms (wrists and elbows

mainly). I've dealt with this for so long due to the Tequin that its

now, sadly, a part of me. Minutes pass, demons do a little dance

around my feet, and viola! tingling, electric sensations begin in my

achilles tendons, followed by pain and more tingling. I can't figure

out which is worse, the pain, or the electricity. At least the pain

is a normal product of this world, I would greatly appreciate

anyone's explanation of the buzzing/electric feelings.

The first few steps I take each day are excruciating, I can't even

walk without first putting on my trusty Ace thingies. By the middle

of the day, I can walk okay, which is a great improvement over a

couple of months ago. The pain seems to come in waves. I stopped

doing my P.T. stretches until I talk to them tomorrow, and I now

have temporary orthotics (just got 'em last week). I'm worried that

the stretches may have caused this, over-stressing the tendons or

something.

I fear, that throughout the course of the last hour or so, that I

have lost the purpose of what I've been writing. I've realized that

there are very few questions for you lovely people to answer for me.

So I guess I should end with a happy note. My fatigue seems to going

down, there was a time when I literally could not get out of bed for

over an hour after waking up. A bulldozer would only have succeeded

in landing me on my face on the floor. The fog in my brain is slowly

receding, and I hope to be able to get back to writing my novel

someday soon, if my wrists permit it.

I feel so saddened by the plight we are all experiencing, as there

is no reason that I can see for it. Dozens of other antibiotics were

available to me, but this was given to me first. I've thought long

and hard about this, and have realized that if I was to physically

hurt someone as badly as I (and many of you) have been hurt, I would

be in jail. Not only are those responsible not incarcerated, they

are richer because of our pain. They came to us as people of

medicine, not exactly bound by the Hippocratic Oath, but as healers

none the less. Somehow, to me, that makes it worse.

I try not to get too bitter, but I admit that I have made my share

of phone calls to different lawyers, all to no avail. Apparently

there is no statute of limitations of when side effects can occur

after taking prescription drugs, which I find reprehensible.

Happy, I said I was going to end it happy, how easy it is to

forget. Physical therapy has proved to be a bit too much for me, the

pain is always worse when I leave, so tomorrow is my last

appointment for a while. I think I'll go back in a couple of months,

as 6 months seems to be the average recovery time.

I am doing better, save for my poor, abused achilles tendons. Not

long ago, I wouldn't have been able to write this, physically or

mentally. Again, I apologize for its length, and thank you for

taking the time to read this. Writing expels the demons, and I have

a lot running rampant through my body, wreaking havoc.

I would greatly appreciate any advice, feedback, or words of

encouragement from any of you who choose to do so, especially

regarding what to do about the achilles discomfort.

It wasn't really happy was it? Damn.

My heart goes out to all of you.

Arel Jenkins

5/6/2005

22857 From: "MicheleRuffin" <ruffin@...>

Date: Fri May 6, 2005 7:53pm

Subject: Re: Hello, and welcome to Hell, my name is Levaquin and I'll be your guide... ruffin144

Sorry you had to join us. I am now nearly a year out (Memorial weekend).

Obviously the worst weekend of my life. I have had burning and tingling,

buzzing, vibrating/ electric shock sentasions since day one. Along with

twitching. I think all but the twitching is nerve damage. I have also read

about peripheral neuropathy enough to know twitching can be from nerve

damage as well. Sometimes the buzzing is better, sometimes worse. My feet

also feel swollen at times. The morning time is the worst. I feel really

strange for a couple of hours after putting my socks on. They feel like

they are way too tight---same socks I have always worn. I had a lot of

problems with my hands at first, like I could not squeeze a windex bottle

more than a couple of times without my hands being tired. That went away,

but is back. Writing is very hard.

I recently tried calcium/magnesium again, and twitched myself nearly to

death. I have tried this several times with the same result. You really

think alot about ALS when you twitch constantly. Just when I thought I

would like to not be on this Earth anymore, I stopped the supplements and

the twitching calmed down. I have quite a bit of off and on weakness too.

I am pretty sure this is related to nerve damage. Why else would someone

feel like they are standing on a motor or have electric current running

through them? I never had this problem until I took Levaquin 500mg X

7pills. Oh how I wish I could go back and change that. I am glad to be

functional again, but I am not normal. Not physically or mentally. I worry

alot about neuromuscular disease. I just take it one day at a time. Good

luck to you.

Michele

22862 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...>

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 2:13am

Subject: Re: UPDATE pttmnlyn

Thanks Michelle. The good news is... there was NO damage to my joints according the

xrays. interesting because both of my thumbs are basically locked or sometimes like

trigger finger. i was sure there was going to be major damage to my thumb joints. so,

this gives me more hope that it's the quinolones jacking with my tendons and connective

tissues. I guess based on my SED rate and the physical exam he wants to go with more

fire power than just plaquenil to get my inflammation under control. i am so ready to feel

better that i would agree to cow dung injections at this point. isn't that sad!!! lol. i took

my boys swimming today and it felt GREAT in the pool. I would urge all of you, if you can,

to try and swim this summer. It's great for cardiovascular and just keeps your joints

moving with gentle resistance. Im even going to start going to a water aerobics class - me

and the blue hairs :) oh well. Anyway... i am still holding out hope that this will resolve

itself. And you're right Michelle... my personal faith is going to get me through this. I

can't start the methotrexate until my chest xrays come back clear - oh plus we are running

one more blood test for parvovirus b19. apparently if your kids get certain illnesses and

you catch them - they can manifest in RA type symptons. At least the rheumy is leaving

no stone unturned (except the obvious of course :) If my anti ccp blood test wasn't

elevated - i would be SURE it was the levaquin. but that blood test gives me pause.

anyway, that's all for now.

blessings

22864 From: "Brenda" <b-cotter@...>

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 11:37am

Subject: major relapse brenruth12

Hi all,

I was poisoned by Levaquin in late November (and had taken Cipro three months prior with unrecognized symptoms) . Post Levaquin, I had about three weeks of intense tendon pain (shoulders and neck in particular) but also whole body systemic effects that laid me out (head pressure, eye pain, vision distortion, fatigue, insomnia, tremors, and feeling deeply unwell). After those three weeks, I had been dealing mostly with tendon pain (spread everywhere) and head pressure, sometimes severe again but sometimes, for a week or two, markedly better.

Until now.

Last Thursday (after eating some chicken labeled antibiotic free from whole foods), I started getting intense Achilles tendon pain. Since then, all of my terrible symptoms have some back with force. Severe head pressure (in more areas), severe head tremor, eye pain and vision distortion, excruciating tendon pain (as bad as the first weeks), difficulty breathing, severe fatigue and generally feeling sick, so sick I can't really function. (pre- levaquin I was a very healthy person running 24 miles a week with high energy).

So my questions are:

Has anyone had this type of "relapse" that is so severe. If so, how long did it last?

Does anyone know the mechanism of these relapses? Is the body so sensitized that it has an "auto-immune" type reaction to a little bit of quinolone in food? I would really like to understand exactly how, if that little piece of chicken caused this, it unleashed such ferocious symptoms.

My doctors can't seem to answer the question of whether the damage to tendons is permanent or temporary (i,e, is it scar tissue or swelling that will subside). An MRI of my shoulder showed every major tendon thickened-and some fluid buildup. Is this likely to cause scarring?

Is there anything that is endocrine related about this? I wonder about that since it makes people so buzzy and causes insomnia. Could it affect or damage the adrenal gland?

Thanks for your help. Up till now, I was feeling very optimistic and basically biding my time and trying to be as healthy as possible. This week I have really hit a wall of despair. I have two small kids who I desperately want to be healthy for.

Thoughts, suggestions, like experiences? Can anyone give me a realistic sense of what I am in for? By the way, is it okay to take something like oxycodone or hydrocodone to deal with the height of tendon pain or will that make it worse. My Drs. are encouraging me to take either that or advil and I am concerned about both.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bren

22865 From: "aimee anderson" <andersonaimee@...>

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 0:59pm

Subject: RE: major relapse aimbogame

Brenda,

I'm am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am 18 months out, and

feeling absolutely great these days. I, too, was a high energy, marathon

runner before before being floxed, and I spent the better part of 12 - 14

months in various states of physical deterioration.

At this point, I really don't think anything I ate caused my relapses. I

would not have said this even 6 months ago. The relapses came so suddenly

sometimes, that I was reaching for something to blame it on.....the last

really bad relapse I had (6 months ago) happened the day after eating

salmon, so I figured it must have been the fish.

Since that time, I have very cautiously eaten fish, shellfish, chicken,

etc....anything that was supposed to cause a set-back and nothing happened.

Not one. I think this is just a weird drug that very possibly binds itself

to fat cells and leeches out over time.

I DID definitely have a relapse when I tried to lose weight or worked out

too much. I blame this on some residual drug getting into my bloodstream or

into my system, somehow. If I worked out to the point of having sore

muscles, it was almost guaranteed that I would feel ill for several days to

a week.

My symptoms were NOT severe regarding tendon pain, but I did have very sore

wrists and hips for a period of time. I had ALOT of tingling and numbness

in my arms and legs and especially in my face, lips and tongue. I would

have "cold flashes" in and outside of my body. It seemed like my body's

thermostat was all messed up. I could never get warm. I sometimes felt

fuzzy and buzzing in my head and had a very stiff neck for about 3 months.

I don't think I have enough hours in the day to list or even remember every

single symptom. Oh, and don't let me forget the panic attacks. Those were

just awful.

Relapses are unpredictable, as well. Sometimes they would last 2 - 3 weeks.

Sometimes just a few days. The one sure thing, however, is that they DID

get farther and farther apart, and eventually, they lasted for shorter and

shorter periods of time.

I found that a good old-fashioned hot bath helped as much as anything, both

to calm me down, and to relieve pain. I really believe no damage is

"permanent" as long as you don't push yourself and learn to be very, very

patient with your recovery. Some people here have suffered for a very long

time (years), and I continue to hope for a full recovery for everyone, but I

do believe the majority are significantly, if not completely recovered

within 12 -18 months.

I know I haven't answered all of your questions, but I hope some of this

helps.

I hope you're feeling better today!!

Aimee

22866 From: "Helen" <acenzi@...>

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 2:35pm

Subject: Re: I don't understand!! hlnczn

Hi, One of my doctors opened the book and was reading while I was

talking to him and finished up our appt with "well, it's still a

good drug". That's what I'm dealing with. It took three months to

find this dr. Now I have to start all over again.

22873 From: mcorey1234@...

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 6:53pm

Subject: Re: Tequin Death? makhool2004

My dear friend Janice had the very same thing happen to her in California

last year. She got pneumonia and was given Tequin, and then she died. Tequin's

evil claim to fame is that it is known to "prolong the QT interval" of the

beating heart. This most definitely is not good. I can't believe that these

horrible drugs are still on the market!

mc

22874 From: mcorey1234@...

Date: Sat May 7, 2005 7:10pm

Subject: Re: Tequin Death? makhool2004

From my own research, most quinolones are capable of causing sudden death

after the very first dose, from "acute circulatory collapse." Worse yet, no

quinolones are approved for use in anyone under the age of 18! I am so sorry for

your loss.

22875 From: "Kings1978" <kings1978@...>

Date: Sun May 8, 2005 1:50am

Subject: My 2 Cents kings1978

As a longtime permanent FQ afflicted person:

I keep reading all these panicked postings from people worrying that

they're dying or something, and complaining about their asshole f'ing

doctor, or the drug companies, or the medical "Establishment". And

they keep wondering when they will be normal again and what they can

do about it.

All you can do is: As I tell my doctor (s) get some f'ing data! Yes,

get the X-rays, EMGs, MRI,s blood tests etc to get an assessment of

the actual condition you are in.

As we all know from reading this board 99% of the time nothing will

be found or nothing major will be found. AND AND AND... you probably

cannot be treated anyway except to maybe relieve some of the pain.

It's like you broke your leg scoring 4 touchdowns in a single game

and now you'll just have to walk with a limp.

The fact that your doctor is dangerously undereducated and, is

apparently illiterate too, as he won't READ the medical literature on

the subject, and he's more comfortable falling for some pill pimp's

cock 'n' bull job than listening to his patient, is something we

cannot fix.

WE KNOW we were poisoned.

WE KNOW we are crippled,perhaps permanently in some (maybe most)

cases.

WE KNOW what we can eat and what we can't (or we will find out along

the way.)

Leave your doctor alone. After you've been assessed with the tests,

get on with life as best you can.

Get a medic alert card and bracelet and make the necessary lifestyle

arrangements.

And just do what you can to effect change. Medwatch, tell friends

and family, Congressional committees etc

Give yourselves a break. You got the doctor's number already. And

even if he believed you, you're still screwed. Didn't some famous

person say something like, "Worrying about things won't add a single

minute to your life"?

22876 From: "susannahthered" <dachzz@...>

Date: Sun May 8, 2005 5:45pm

Subject: Cipro reaction - the seven plagues -please help susannahthered

TO Yahoo Health group - quinotine:

I am very glad to join this group. I promise I won't use "bleep

words" as in the most recent post. However, I need some reassurance,

knowledge and direction. I was diagnosed with chronic Epstein-Barr

(mono) in December. Had mono in 1972. I am 56 years old now. Last

week I was diagnosed with MS (probably my first episode and

associated and/or resulting from the EBV). At Easter, I had a sore

toe and went to a podiatrist. Big mistake. Fear of risking greater

infection with an already compromised immune system by having him cut

open my toe, he put me on a ten day course of Cipro. Terrible

reaction - yeast everywhere, hives, swelling, headache and pain. He

then prescribed Diflucan for the yeast. Even worse reaction or a

combined reaction: my throat started swellling shut, my face looked

like ground meat from more hives. I was almost suicidal for several

weeks which I know is a common problem from Floxin and other big-gun

antibiotics. When I saw my new neurologist re: the EBV and the MS

symptoms, she put me on Provigil to help with my fatigue. I still

break out in hives with no apparent trigger. About two days ago, I

noticed an awful lot of hair coming out in a comb and tonight, after

washing it, it started coming out in fistfuls. I ran a search on

Provigil, then Difulcan - nothing, but the Cipro search came up with

alopecia. Can anyone out there tell me how long this can last? What

can I do? Some many "snake oil" sites out there it's scary. I feel

like the seven plagues of Egypt have settled in my body. Please

respond.

Mary

dachzz@...

22880 From: "kat52pug" <kat52pug@...>

Date: Sun May 8, 2005 8:43pm

Subject: Re: major relapse kat52pug

Brenda,

I, too, was poisoned by Levaquin, once in November, then again in

December when I ended up in ER from original unrecognized ADR's from

first dosing. Had many major documented physical & CNS symptoms, &

seems like the whole world (including myself) thought I was losing

my mind. Severe pain in joints, vision distortions, focal seizures,

deep depression, paranoia, anorexia, headaches, drenching sweats,

numbness & tingling in feet, hands & lower legs...you name it, I had

it! Showed up on tests as electrolyte imbalance, low potassium,

blood pressure spiking, then plummeting, abnormal EEG's, severe

weight loss. Diagnosed with depression, migraines, anorexia, panic

attacks, idiopathic seizure disorder, & "not eating properly". HA!

Started doing research on my own; docs didn't seem to care what was

causing it, only wanted to give me more drugs to treat symptoms!

Kept coming back to Addison's disease, which is failure of adrenal

glands, but some of my symptoms were still a puzzle till I stumbled

across a Levaquin web site three months into my illness, & all of a

sudden, it all fit! I hadn't even connected my "illness" to a drug,

cause after all, how could an antibiotic cause such craziness?!?

Got off all the other drugs I had been prescribed, because I

suspected my immune system was so charged up from the initial

reaction, that perhaps my side effects were multiplying & cascading,

one on top of the other. (NOTE: Have had scleroderma for several

years, which is an auto-immune connective tissue disease, wherein my

immune system doesn't recognize the difference between foreign

substances & my own tissue, so it attacks my own body. So all I

needed was something that revved THAT up!)

Am doing much better these days, tho still have roaming joint pains,

tingling & numbness. Wanted to let you know that hydrocodone eased

my pain tremendously, & the only side effect I had from it was

talking too much & laughing a lot; Motrin seemed to throw me into

an emotional low, & did not take care of the pain at all. In fact,

I only took it a couple of times, & my tendons seemed to hurt worse

the next day than they did at the time I took it. There's a reason

they say not to use NSAID's with Levaquin, & I believe that this

antibiotic stays in your tissues for a long time after you finish

taking the actual drug.

One more thing...make sure that all your medical records in all

doctor's offices, hospitals & pharmacies in your area update your

records to reflect an allergy to fluoroquinolines. (Even if you

have to fight to get this done, it may save your life someday.)

Take care, & keep in mind that time is on your side, & the symptoms

should slowly susbside, & the relapses will come further & further

apart. Stay positive, & don't be afraid; we've lived through the

worst of it, so we're no longer victims, but survivors, & we have

survived so that we can spread the word & possibly prevent others

from going through this nightmare.

Kathy

22882 From: "inthicket" <inthicket@...>

Date: Sun May 8, 2005 9:31pm

Subject: Tendon pain & recovery inthicket

Has anyone with 3+ months tendon swelling and pain gotten better?

Joint pain is one thing (have that too), but I'm finding the tendon

issues are much more debilitating to me and my MRIs are positive. The

question is whether the quins launch a chronic condition in the

tendons. After 5 months, I have just gotten worse.

22883 From: Andy Glasko <build_it95@...>

Date: Sun May 8, 2005 9:42pm

Subject: Re: Re: major relapse build_it95

Your advice is very important!!

I ended up in the ER about 13 months post-

LeLevaquinDADRiwith aalmonella infection that almost

killed me. The usual treatment is CiCiprout my

MEDIC-ALERT bracelet saved me. I really think a course

of CiCiproould have killed me. I highly recommend to

anyone with our ADADRroblem a bracelet. Just one mans

opinion, Andy.

22884 From: "hootinwiththehootowls" <hootinwiththehootowls@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 4:19am

Subject: Re: Cipro reaction - the seven plagues -please help hootinwithth...

Dear Mary

I took Cipro for 17 days in july of 2002. My adverse reactions

started within 3 days of the drug but I did not put it together

untill

it was to late. It is true what everyone claims to have experienced

with these type of drugs. I had severe reactions for 6 months.

Difficulty walking, eating, numbness, severe pain, muscle weakness,

burning, vision problems, all over. These are just some of my more

severe problems. I can tell you I believed that I would not survived

this. No help from any doctors. By the time I made my visit to a

Nuero doctor I could walk. I still have problems but.....Hang in

there. I promise they do get better. Probable one year of severe

problems but you will get better. It has been almost three years

this july and I have some relapses, not as severe but I do have them

when I use my muslces. I believe I will fully recovery and remember

this is very important to recovery. Keep this in mind always. Hang

in there you will see. You will improve. trust me I have been

through this.

22885 From: mcorey1234@...

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 2:14am

Subject: Re: Tendon pain & recovery makhool2004

It's been 2 and a half miserable years, and both my achilles tendons have

just gotten worse and worse.

22889 From: "Sue Parks" <doxiesrule@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 0:58pm

Subject: RE: Re: major relapse sueparks42

I took one dose of Levaquin and thought I was going to die. Could not catch

my breath, felt dizzy, weak, could not walk and was sweating like I had been

running for days.

This lasted about 1/2 hour, then the rest of the day I was just wore out.

Sue Parks ~AB~DLE~

22890 From: "MicheleRuffin" <ruffin@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 1:25pm

Subject: Re: Cipro reaction - the seven plagues -please help ruffin144

Mary,

My hair fell out from Levaquin. It started a couple of months into my

fairly severe reaction and continued for about 4-5 months. I did not have

big bald spots but a lot of thinning. I did nothing about it. It started

growing back around January and has continued.

Good luck.

Michele

22891 From: "maggchar" <maggchar@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 4:39pm

Subject: Re: Tendon pain & recovery maggchar

I'm at about 5months too and found out last week that my MRIs are

also positive. The results say that the right side has inflamed

lining and tendon, fluid in the joint and possible small partial

tears of the achilles, while the left has "just" fluid in the joint

(my pain and stiffness indicate somethings up with the left tendon

too).

My tendon issues seem to have reached a sort of plateau - my symptoms

are still cycling, but I haven't had any major setbacks with new or

worse-than-ever symptoms for the last few weeks (though I wouldn't be

shocked if I woke up tomorrow with some new, worse pain; and I'm

still terrified that I'll get a complete rupture). On the positive

side, I've been able to increase my ankle-area strength slightly

compared to a couple months ago.

I had an ER nurse who had achilles problems from fq's and 3 years

later, she said she still can't run for exercise. But she was looking

fairly functional otherwise, getting around the ER quickly and being

on her feet alot.

22892 From: "Asmodeus Azarak" <forgottengod@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 6:36pm

Subject: Re: Tendon pain & recovery asmodeusazarak

I've been having tendon, muscle, and joint issues for over 2 years.

They defintely have gotten better than where they were 2 years ago,

but the problems are far from gone. I'm still only able to maintain a

very minimal and basic level of activity, but that's more than where I

was at the the 3 month mark.

If you aren't already look into some of the advice about avoiding

antibiotics in your diet that you can find on this list. I've also

had success with magnesium suppliments. Take it easy, don't push

yourself too hard or you'll just end up making your tendons worse and

possibly doing permanent damage.

The best analogy I've found is to think of your muscles and tendons as

old rubber bands. If you stretch an old rubber band carefully it

still works okay, put is with a lot of weight or a sudden jerk and

it's going to rip or snap.

I've also had success with hot soaks (baths), massage therapy, and

acupuncture.

I hope you find some improvement, but realize it may be a snail's

pace. Mine has been. I'm 29 btw so youth isn't as much help as you

might hope.

22893 From: "goldmady" <goldmady@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 9:31pm

Subject: re: Levaquin and my mom goldmady

Hi,

I've been reading for a while now, because I thought my mother had a

reaction to Levaquin but it turned out she did not. However, she was

put on it on Friday, and today, although it is doing a great job of

fighting an infection, she is complaining of pain all over her body. I

immediately thought of the Levaquin and this group. Now, she has also

been sick with a high fever but the fever is gone, is on coumadin as

well, although I've lowered it with Levaquin, and was put on seroquel

too about two months ago for agitation. She suffers from dementia

caused by strokes. I guess I was wondering if any of you out there know

these drugs, and if it sounds like the levaquin that is the problem.

After reading your emails, I have become very hesitant to give her any

of the quinolones, and me, and did it only under a bad fever and

doctor's prescription.

Thanks for whatever feedback you can offer.

Lynn

22894 From: L S <buddy9144@...>

Date: Mon May 9, 2005 10:55pm

Subject: Re: Re: Tendon pain & recovery buddy9144

I'm a little over four months out and my calves/achilles/ankles got hit pretty hard. I'm only starting to see a little improvement over the last two weeks. Right now I can only ride a stationary bike for 10 min with no resistance. I think it takes a lot of time for these injuries to recover and you have to build up your strength/flexibility very very slowly. Hang in there!

22896 From: "pwdrskiers" <pwdrskiers@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 3:01am

Subject: vitamin D ?????? pwdrskiers

Just wondering if any of you longer term folks have been keeping a

diary over the years to figure out what helps, hurts or triggers

relapses. I'm at almost the 4 year mark and have seen lots of

improvement. Most of my nerve related problems are gone, the fatigue

is pretty much gone, the brain fog is much improved, etc. The one

issue that continues to cycle for me is the tendon pain.

The tendons were horrible for the first 8 to 10 months. Then I had

some recovery, the relapse, then recovery, etc. etc. My relapses are

never as bad as teh initial problems, but they are bad nonetheless.

The good periods allow for more activity and the pain levels come way

down. I have never been able to get back to running or tennis again,

but I have been able to play a little golf, skied once, lift light

weights and bike long distances. A long way from my former athletic

abilities but its progress.

The one thing I have noticed is that I always feel better during the

summer. It does not seem to be tied to the warm weather though. I

have felt closest to my old self anytime we go to the beach or I am

outdoors alot. Interesting to find that during my most recent

"bloodletting" at the doctor, I was found to deficient in vitamin D

and low levels can be associated with muscular skeletal pain (best

source of D is the sun). This is probably another dead end, but my

personal experience indicates that vitamin d could be beneficial for

my tendon pain. I am going to spend as much time as possible in the

sun without getting burned this summer and then supplement with

vitamin d during the winter months (although you must be careful with

D, because excessive levels can be very dangerous). We'll see what

happens.

Anyone else noticed less pain in the summer when you get more sun or

have been tested and diagnosed as deficient in vitamin D?

22897 From: "britefish1" <britefish1@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 11:32am

Subject: Anyone else noticed ? britefish1

I,ve been posting monthly updates and am now at 7 months. I am

interested in knowing if others have noticed this same

symptoms/routine. At 7 months I have had the symptoms go away up to 2-3

weeks now and then it seems if I do anything stressful which makes me

tired I seem to relapse ! I dont think it is food related as i stay

pretty much the same staying away from poultry , caffeine ,alcohol

etc.. The returning symptoms are fatigue, headache, stomach "knot" and

joints in my shoulder pop,ache and snap. It is worst in the morning .

After awhile (few days) the symptoms go away until I again do something

and get tired again. Am I imagining this ? Has anyone else noticed a

similar "routine " ? Has anyone found a way to slow/stop this circle ?

Please let me know . Thank You , Randy

22898 From: "missutiny" <missutiny@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 11:48am

Subject: Re: Anyone else noticed ? missutiny

yes; can't do anything other than remain sedentary.

22901 From: "Betty Crawley" <beejay31@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 1:37pm

Subject: Re: Re: Get Involved!! All These ADR's Count Have Been Prevented!!! bettycrawley

Thank you for informing me about the Petition. I had filed a report with Medwatch almost three years ago, as well as a Report with our State Department of Health -- which accepts complaints about Physicians. I feel very strongly the Cipro which was prescribed for our 38 year old daughter was the direct reason for her sudden and unexpected death -- after only two days of taking Cipro.

I printed out the Petition -- and am getting it off in the mail today. I HOPE Congress WILL do something!!

I have written to my Congressman as well as to the Senator from our State -- and only received "form" letters back -- thanking me for my concerns -- but NO action taken! I KNOW we needs hundreds of people sending in this Petition to get the attention of Congress -- and it would be so wonderful if EVERYONE who sees this Web Site would take the time to complete the Petition and mail it it!

We NEED all th help we can get to cause Congress to take some action!

Sincerely,

Betty

22902 From: "garym52" <ggmab@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 3:19pm

Subject: Re: Anyone else noticed ? garym52

Randy,

I have experienced what you describe, but it seems to be getting

better. In the beginning (for the first 16-18 months), any physical

activity would result in a major relapse. For the past couple of

months, that seems to be fading as I have been playing golf once a

week we little negative results. Just four to five months ago, that

wasn't possible. I'm still not even close to back to normal, but

I'll take any improvement.

Hang in there, things should get better. They have for me.

Take care,

Gary

22903 From: "MicheleRuffin" <ruffin@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 3:37pm

Subject: Re: Re: Anyone else noticed ? ruffin144

Does anyone still have tremors (I guess). Not sure how to describe. Not

really the shakes. More muscle tremor off and on when trying to do things.

Probably from lack of use.

How about feet, ankle and lower leg pain and weakness? My ankles seem

really weak now. I remember my tendon on outside of ankle sort of popping

last year. Do not think I ruptured it, but did have a lot of problem with

it for a while.

Michele

22904 From: "britefish1" <britefish1@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 4:10pm

Subject: Re: Anyone else noticed ? britefish1

Thanks for the reply all of you . Without this forum all of us would

be literally in the dark . What happens to me is after physical

activity I get extremely tired and then the side affects start up. I

posted awhile ago concerning eating fish in that I thought the Sword

fish I had caught and eaten had set off the cycle again but as this

fish is far from land I now think it was the Physical exercise that

set it off. I now firmly believe it's the exercise. Im just wondering

if others have noticed that it seems to relapse after exercise. This

poison had a powerful psychological affect and im wondering if

ADRENALIN like caffeine sets it off ! Anyone else noticed a change

after exercise ? Curious , Randy

22905 From: "britefish1" <britefish1@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 4:34pm

Subject: Re: Anyone else noticed ? britefish1

Hi Michelle , I call them "shakey" not quite tremors but

kinda "shakey weak" feeling. Not quite tremors.

22906 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 5:05pm

Subject: I AM SO FRUSTRATED pttmnlyn

everyday seems a little worse now. i am 4 months post flox. now it's my jaw and my neck

too. as many of you know, my rheumy is ready to start me on methotrexate (by the way

thanks for the paquenil warning). He believes the timing of the levaquin and the symptons

is coincidental, i of course, do not. But now, I am feeling so unsure and am desperate to

feel better. I know i have asked before, but maybe i might get some new responses this

time:

1. Have any of you had blood work done?

2. Did you have a high sed rate?

3. Didyou have a positive anti ccp?

4. Have or are you experiences long term inflammation or swelling in any joints?

These are the things - along with visible inflammation in my fingers which is giving my

doctor the ammunition to diagnose me with RA. However, i still am holding out hope that

this is an immune RESPONSE set off by the quinolones that will vanish in time and NOT an

immune disease. I know Dr. Flockhart has stated that quinonlones can set off immune

type responses but not the real disease. I pray so.

The exercise thing is so true. i went bike riding with my boys sunday and today i can

hardly move. Much worse in the mornings. Again, all things that mimick RA. I never

thought i would say this but i am praying this is just a severe ADR.

Just wanting to know if anyone else can relate (michelle is my cohort i know)

blessings and hang in there

layne

22907 From: "Sally" <tailsclown@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 5:14pm

Subject: Tremors aeroclowngirl

May 7 marked my 5 month out mark. I still have "tremors."

It's hard to explain where in the body this feeling is originating.

I believe it's my nerves. They are worse during the night or when my

body finally rests, though I have them in my legs during the day.

There is a very slight burn to them. The severe burning had

disappeared for an entire 6 weeks and then I relapsed rather badly

and I've been left with this. The neuropathy is in my hands now and

it's difficult to tolerate that as I need them so badly to do my job.

I have found, like others have mentioned, that fatigue can prompt a

relapse. Sleep is the most important thing I can do for myself. If I

don't get enough sleep, I have body wide pain. (Actually, I have that

anyway consistently... but to much lesser degree)

When I think about the fact that I was bed ridden in February with

the "shakes" so bad and all the nerves in my body burning with

excruciating pain, the anxiety, the thoughts of "I would rather die

than live like this", the inability to eat, the loss of weight and

the depression that wouldn't end............ I am truly thankful for

where I am now. I am working in my clowning field. Probably taking on

half of my regular load of gigs, I am hungry and eating organic and

maintaining weight, I have energy again, I rescheduled my wedding for

Oct 9th, 05, I'm happy and looking to the future! And I have HOPE!

My life is changed. I have pain to deal with now, but I'm light years

from where I was from Dec 7 to March 7!

I know this is long, but I think it has helped me to see where people

were and where they are now, and especially their state of mind. Hope

this helps someone else... especially newbies. We'll all get through

this!

Sally

22910 From: "Asmodeus Azarak" <forgottengod@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 7:58pm

Subject: Re: I AM SO FRUSTRATED asmodeusazarak

I don't remember the names of all the peices of the bloodwork, not a

medical doctor.

I can say a few things that may tell you something and may not.

Bloodwork: While on Levaquin my clotting factor was really poor and I

bruised easily. At one point I tested low positive for Rhematoid

Arthritis.

I saw (among many other doctors) a rhematologist who took x-rays,

studied my condition etc. His opinion was I did not have rhematoid

arthristis. We repeated the bloodwork a month or two later and it

came back negative.

My joints have always been an issue but there has been very little

visible inflimation. X-rays showed no sign of arthritis and no

abnormalities.

For me desperation to feel better quickly is how I ended up on

levaquin. So one thing I've learned is as much as you want to feel

better "right now" you have to be careful and thoughtful about the

paths you follow to try to recover.

I too have the pain, inflamation, and am worse in the morning. Still

you want to keep an open mind because rheamtoid arthristis is a

serious condition, and is more serious the later you start treatment,

so maybe a good thing to do is look for a second, or even a third

opinion until you feel more comfortable that your doctor has

considered the possibilities and you can truth their diagnosis. It

can take going through a lot of doctors to find a good one.

22911 From: L S <buddy9144@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 9:43pm

Subject: Re: Tremors buddy9144

I too have tremors. I use to have them all the time in my whole body. Now I mostly have them at night while sleeping or as I'm waking. If I excercise a muscle, I also get them. I have to say it's gotten a lot better over the four months. I also had burning, couldn't eat, and very weak. All symptoms are slowly improving with time. I was floxed Jan 1, 05.

22912 From: "MicheleRuffin" <ruffin@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 11:22pm

Subject: Re: Re: Anyone else noticed ? ruffin144

Brian,

You described one of my symptoms perfectley--where it feels like the muscle

wants to twitch, but it vibrates inside.

I still also have tremors or shakes off and on too.

Michele

22913 From: "garym52" <ggmab@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 11:24pm

Subject: Re: Anyone else noticed ? garym52

Randy,

I definitely noticed a correlation to both physical activity and

adrenaline to increased symptoms. For whatever reason, any

stimulant sends me directly into a relapse. Like i mentioned

earlier, it seems to be getting better for me, but I'll be a two

years next month. It has been a long and difficult journey.

Michelle,

I have/had a bunch of tremors on exertion of my muscle. They would

shake like a leaf, and I have lost strenght in my legs also. I

don't know if the strength loss is due to the fq's, or the inability

to use the muscles. Either way, my legs, ankles, shoulders and just

about every other muscle in my body is weaker and I have had a bunch

of pain in those muscles. I use to have a feeling of weakness in my

jaw muscles, as they would tire when i would eat. Just this

morning, as I was chewing gum for the first time in probably a year

and a half, I noticed that the muscles didn't get fatigued. I took

that as a positive, and it kinda goes with everything else going on

in my life right now (i've started playing golf again and haven't

had to many problems).

The best advice i can offer, is not to get in a hurry in terms of

your recovery. This is a long term condition for many of us, and if

you don't treat it that way, it can really beat you down

emotionally. Just when i was at my lowest point (about the 12-14

month point), I started having some good days. At twenty-three

months, I have many more good days than bads. In fact, I almost

have forgotten how bad the bad ones really were. Now if my

shoulders are aching, I have a tendency to feel sorry for myself,

until i remember back to how bad it was at the 8 month mark. Then i

feel grateful for where I'm at today. My muscles still twitch

profusely, and they still fatigue more quickly than before being

floxed, but the slowly the rest of my life is getting back to normal.

Take care,

Gary

22914 From: "garym52" <ggmab@...>

Date: Tue May 10, 2005 11:32pm

Subject: Re: I AM SO FRUSTRATED garym52

Layne,

I don't want to discourage you, but I got progressively worse for a

full year. No improvement at all until about the 14 month mark. My

neuro suggested RA as a possibility for my muscle/joint pains, but

it was the fq. The rheumy dx'd FM.

Hang in there, and do what you have to do in terms of meds. If you

feel the need to try some of the RA meds, do some research and go

for it. Just make sure that nothing you take is contraindicated for

use with FQ's or is NSAID's.

Keep your spirits up, this will take every bit of goodness in your

life if you let it. Don't let it, you have to fight back!

Sometimes, the darkest moments of our lives are followed by the

brightest. You will emerge from the darkness that is an FQ adr, it

just might take some time. Better days are ahead.

Take care,

Gary

22915 From: "MicheleRuffin" <ruffin@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 0:40am

Subject: Re: Re: Anyone else noticed ? ruffin144

Gary,

Thanks for the encouraging words. My jaws tire also. In fact every muscle

in my body tires easily and trembles with much use. You and I pretty much

have had the same symptoms. I will be at 1 year in a couple of weeks.

I am so much better that I was at 3-6 months.

Michele

22916 From: "pttmnlyn" <laynepittman@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 2:25am

Subject: Re: I AM SO FRUSTRATED pttmnlyn

Thank you Gary.

I am beginning to truly understand the verse in Romans that says suffering produces

patience, patience produces endurance and endurance produces hope.. that never fails.

I will make it through this. I am just mind boggled at the ineptitude of wester doctors.

truly scary that they just dole out this stuff and then have no idea of the repercutions.

Then, they are all so narrow minded and tunnel visioned that they can't put two and two

together to help you. I know im preaching to the choir.

I never thought i'd say this but i PRAY you are right and this is an ADR cause at least then i

have a chance of feeling better. I know i will. Someday. Patience..... eh

God Bless all of you and may we all be better because of this.

Layne

22917 From: "britefish1" <britefish1@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 11:05am

Subject: Imagine ! britefish1

I have a friend who's father is a cardiac surgeon who was just

diagnosed with a UTI and the diagnosing doc prescribed Levaquin ! He

took two and was immediately feeling so miserable he told the doctor he

wasnt taking any more and change the prescription ! imagine that !!

22919 From: "Helen" <acenzi@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 1:32pm

Subject: new pain at 6-1/2 months hlnczn

Three days ago I had a little discomfort in my left thumb. Today it's

both thumbs and moving to my wrist. Anyone else have this? I can't

make a fist or hold onto anything without pain. Helen

22920 From: "pmfddm" <pamsy48@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 1:51pm

Subject: Hope This Helps pmfddm

When my Dr. diagnosed me with an ADR to Cipro, he gave me this

helpful

information: It will take about 6-12 months to begin feeling better;

watch my salt intake; keep my feet up whenever possible; take

care

of myself like when I was pregnant-eating well and resting and not

overdoing; and stress will only make matters worse.

Unfortunately, he was out of the office when I was prescribed the

Cipro for a UTI and had never given it to me before, but was very

understanding and helpful. So by passing this on, I hope I can be

helpful to others. I just passed my 6 month mark and slowly am

beginning to get my life back. It does get better.

22924 From: "pmfddm" <pamsy48@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 3:14pm

Subject: Re: Hope This Helps pmfddm

My feet do swell and seem to get worse and more noticable in the

evening. That along with my thumbs and leg aches seem to be what is

lingering and constantly bothering me. I quite honestly was in a fog

back in October when he did the blood work (all negative) but maybe

it has to do with retaining water or just to try and alleviate any

additional aches and swelling. He also had me begin a course of

steroids which might have been the reason, but I think overall it

was to try to help the swelling of my joints. ---

22925 From: tailsclown@...

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 11:28am

Subject: Helen:Thumbs aeroclowngirl

Unfortunately, I, at 5 months, now have the pain in my hands as well. They

started in the thumbs and index fingers and have now moved to the wrists and the

middle and 4th fingers.

I play guitar as part of my clowning act and find that I can barely do one

song. And balloon twisting, which is so much a part of my act, is excruciating.

I can only hope, that with time, these pains, too, will move out of my hands.

Keep hope alive!

Sally

22926 From: "Jason" <hopesprings24seven@...>

Date: Wed May 11, 2005 5:40pm

Subject: Re: Imagine ! hopesprings2...

He is smart. I wish I had done that. From head to toe, I felt so

crappy and

nauseous after my first dose of Cipro, my body was basically yelling

in my ear

with a megaphone, "Don't take this s**t!! Repeat: Do NOT take this

poison!"

But I listened to my doctor instead of my body. When I told my doctor

the next

day, she said "well, stick with it, and unless the unpleasant

symptoms get

significantly worse." So I powered through 14 days of it as

prescribed -- a real

trooper, I was. But now, three months later I'm the REAL trooper,

powering

through ADRs, doing my best to stay hopeful and healthy. According to

that

big report (I forget the link but it's all over these postings), when

you're six

months out, that's typically a good indication of how severely you've

been

floxed, so I'm hoping things don't get much worse for me by mid July

(my 6-

month mark).

Though I've suffered some brutal setbacks thanks to FQs, there are

many

people on this site with much more severe and disabling symptoms than

I

have so far experienced, so I pray for them first. Then I pray I may

heal as

well.

--jason

22936 From: "Helen" <acenzi@...>

Date: Thu May 12, 2005 6:41pm

Subject: hearing loss hlnczn

Just got back from 2nd appt with an ENT. Guess what? I've lost

another 5% of my hearing in my left ear since Feb 4. Tinnitus is a bad

as ever but they have some white noise aids that cost $1700.00 and of

course no insurance will pay for it. I have tried ginko and other

things but nothing has help the ringing in my ears. The dr. said he

prescribes this poison to many people and he guesses that I'm just one

of the unlucky ones. Talk about an understatement.

22948 From: "ddmdoro" <ddmdoro@...>

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 0:47am

Subject: Re: ALS ddmdoro

I agree. My brother suggested I might have that when I experienced

the onset of the Cipro ADR. Hand tremors, exhaustion, extreme

weakness in arms, anxiety, depression, etc. for several mos. It took

almost 6 mos to feel appreciably better and now, at 20 mos. I am

doing very well.

22949 From: "Helen" <acenzi@...>

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 1:42am

Subject: predisone hlnczn

Hi all, I had appt with gp today. He finally believes that I had a

severe adverse reaction from levaquin. I feel better just knowing that

someone believes me and will finally try to help me. He wrote:

Diagnosis: tinnitus, adverse reaction to levaquin and depression. He

wants me to take 6 days of predisone (20 mg.), trazodone sp? 50 mg for

depression and insomnia and zoloft 25mg for depression. I'm glad he

believes me but I'm afraid to take anything. I know that you have all

talked about these meds before but I need to hear from anyone who has

taken any of these or from anyone that hasn't for the same reasons I'm

afraid. Thanks, Helen

22950 From: "kat52pug" <kat52pug@...>

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 2:30am

Subject: Re: Jarrow Bio-sil and connective tissue kat52pug

Be very, very careful with anything containing silica or silicone.

I have scleroderma, which is an auto-immune connective tissue

disease, which means I already had antibodies that attack my

cartilage & connective tissue BEFORE my Levaquin poisoning.

Scleroderma is similar to "silicosis", a disease caused by breathing

in silica dust. Also, women whose silicone breast implants ruptured

developed a connective tissue disease almost identical to

scleroderma, due to silicone being released into their systems!!!

PLEASE be careful! If there's the slightest chance it could cause

what I have lived with for several years, you sure don't want to

compound your tendon problems...it could backfire on you in the long

run!

22954 From: mcorey1234@...

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 2:19am

Subject: Re: predisone makhool2004

From what I understand, Prednisone is contraindicated in anyone who has been

floxed. My own fiancee is living proof of that. She's lucky to be here today,

and another friend of mine who took prednisone actually died when she was also

given Tequin.

May God help us all.

mc

22959 From: "Linda" <lmcgurl1@...>

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 0:47pm

Subject: Re: predisone linmaemc

In the past 7/8 years I've had levaquin at least 7/8 times. Had no

idea it had side effects which showed up later. In ignorance (when

fibromyalgia symptoms showed up) I also took trazadone. amitrips and

prednisone off and on to *help* with odd pains, etc.

For years in between I had neuropathy symptoms, a swollen tongue,

bladder spasms, fuzzy vision etc...felt rotten. Sent to a Rheumy for

high sed rate and aches, pains etc.

A year ago I was diagnosed with Multiple myeloma and have taken

deacadron (dexomethosone) in heavy doses as well as thalidomide. In

the fall (2004) I was given a double dose of levaquin and as of

january 2005 have had severe neuropathy and now blown tendons in the

Achielles (sp?) heel. Am having PT on the heels.

My GP belives the quinns might have given me the tendon trouble

but my oncologist won't even consider the Levequinn as a source of

my trouble.

I for one will NOT take Amitriptolene or Trazodone again....and

NEVER any floxens!!!! Sometimes I think these combnatins of drugs

gave me the MM. They are poisons in a coctail! I don't know if it

gave me MM but I'm a female and 53. MM favors the elderly > 65 and

males...of which I'm neither.

Does anyone have any ideas on taking magnesium, or

vitamins/minertals that help relieve anything? Obviuosly having

cancer limits my wanting to try ANYTHiNG controversial.

Right now i am trying to be on NO meds for anyhting...they all

SCARE the crap out of me now.

Thanks for listening and my vent on these awful life altering

drugs.

LM

22961 From: "pmfddm" <pamsy48@...>

Date: Sat May 14, 2005 2:17pm

Subject: Re: predisone pmfddm

---Helen: I began Methylprednisolone a few weeks after my ADR to

Cipro in November. It was 21 pills for 6 days tapering off each

day.

Then I took 28 days of Prednisone to continue to "boost my immune

system" as the Dr. stated. Although it did help me to function with

everything in December it really did have some drawbacks you

should discuss with your Dr. before beginning. I gained 5 pounds in

just a few short weeks, my face was always noticeably "puffy" as was

my left leg toward the end and I never really felt like myself. It

made me feel very good when I was on the largest amount, but felt

worse with each descending amount. After experiencing the wonder of

good days, the bad days felt even more intense. Maybe you could

work

with him to get something just for the depression or sleeping.

Having

a good night's rest and looking forward to each day, I believe might

help you deal with all you are going through a little better.

Whatever

you decide I wish you good luck and sunnier days ahead. You are in

my

thoughts.

22963 From: "medication_problem" <medication_problem@...>

Date: Sun May 15, 2005 2:22am

Subject: Re: predisone medication_p...

Hi Linda,

Regarding the bladder spasms,did you mean frequent urination?I

took just one tablet of levaquin three and a half months ago and

within three hours of taking it the urinary frequency increased badly

and I didn't take more,but I still have the problem.Did you take any

medications for bladder spasms,did they help.

Jim

22964 From: "Linda" <lmcgurl1@...>

Date: Sun May 15, 2005 2:53pm

Subject: Re: predisone linmaemc

Jim,

Oh I wish I could be more helpful because I'm not sure what

caused the bladder spasms. I was on levequin and trazadone, then the

spasms began.

I've had these spasms (feeling the need to urinate but can't) off

and on for 6/7 years now. (since I was first given levequin and

Trazadone) I never took anything to help it....except drink LOTS of

water. At first I thought it had to be infection, etc. but my urine

was always clear of infection.

Recently, I was given Amitriptoline (sp?) to help me sleep (30mg

at night, I have inflamed tendons in ankles) Within 3 days of taking

it, the bladder spasms began really badly again. I ditched taking

the Amitrip two weeks ago (drank tons of water too) and the spasms

are better.

I'm sorry you feel this sensation, it is a woerd, irritating

feeling. (and tough to explain to an MD when NO infection is

present.)

The levequins are awful stuff but I think anti depressants

contribute to the med mess too.

Good luck and try drinking a lot of fluids...

LM

22966 From: "kat52pug" <kat52pug@...>

Date: Sun May 15, 2005 6:22pm

Subject: Re: Kevin, is it the caffeine? kat52pug

Rick,

Comparing my own ADR's to Levaquin to others I have read & studied

over the last few months, I have come to my own conclusion that this

drug is like a thief in the night; it sneaks in on the path of least

resistance, & preys on individual weaknesses.

Think about it:

If you have ever been depressed, with or without treatment, or are

going through unusual stress at the time of floxing, it seems to

concentrate on CNS symptoms. If you are not a coffee or soda

drinker, you have not built up a tolerance for caffeine in general,

so caffeine stays in your system longer, & the effect is magnified.

If you are athletic, & have slightly worn & eroded your joints &

tendons (which happens with lots of physical activity, ask any

professional athlete), your joints & tendons are more susceptible to

serious damage.

This is not to say that the fq's don't affect other areas of our

bodies, because it does. Once it gets in, it stays there to leave

it's "signature" damage. If you read the drug literature, all

the "trials" were performed on young, healthy, "normal" adults. How

many of us fall into that category?!? And what is "normal"

anyway?!? How many of us would have developed some of these

conditions in our "old age" anyway due to genetics, exposure to low-

level toxins in our systems, vitamin or mineral deficiencies that we

are unaware of at present, etc.?

Levaquin is a thief, & it has stolen years of relative health from

it's victims. I also believe that people that say they have

suffered no side effects from these drugs are playing Russian

roulette; that it slowly takes up residence in their bodies & waits

for a tiny chip in their "healthy" armour to hone in for the kill!

I took Cipro off & on for years, & looking back realize that I was

slowly developing side effects (kidney stones, osteoporosis, tooth

decay, etc.), but would never in my wildest dreams have connected

them to something as simple as an antibiotic! Then I was knocked

off my feet by Levaquin, but it still took months to make the

connection, because it was a delayed reaction (serum sickness). How

many thousands of people never make the connection, & suffer these

ADR's, thinking they are just falling apart physically or mentally,

& just seek more prescription drugs to treat supposedly unrelated

side effects? How many doctors make the connection? How many

unreported cases are out there? It could easily be in the millions,

& that is why we have to promote public awareness, even if it's only

by word of mouth.

Again, this is just me speaking out, & voicing my own personal

opinion. But one thing is for certain, my voice will never be

silenced! God bless all of us, & give us the strength to not just

sit & lick our wounds, but to make a difference.

Kathy

22967 From: "c_moreheadus" <c_morehead@...>

Date: Sun May 15, 2005 10:17pm

Subject: Re: Kevin, is it the caffeine? c_moreheadus

Kathy,

You're right on is stating that Quins will attack a suppressed system.

In fact, if you read the PDR, it will give a warning against

prescribing Levaquin to patients that have had any kind of head trauma

due to the fact that it will bring on CNS ADRs.

I too have had a myriad of exacerbated pains (past joint injuries that

are now acute) and other psych symptoms (due to a protracted Xanax

recovery-my GABA receptors were already under stress and the quins

took adavantage of the compremised state). These drugs really need to

be a last resort option and not a shotgun rememdy (we all agree!).

Stay strong and think positive.

C

22969 From: "Linda" <lmcgurl1@...>

Date: Sun May 15, 2005 10:29pm

Subject: Re: Kevin, is it the caffeine? linmaemc

Kathi...SO agree with your observations. Can readily attest to:

***Then I was knocked

off my feet by Levaquin, but it still took months to make the

connection, because it was a delayed reaction (serum sickness).***

That is exactly what happened with me. I never connected the

levaquin usage producing symptoms weeks later. Thought it was just

my body getting *old.* Now I know the latest tendon damage came from

two 7 day doses of levaquin back in October 2004.

I went to P/Therapy for the fisrt time last week. I brought

several articles on levaquin damaging tendons. The RPT had NEVER

heard of the connection...grrrr.

BTW, has anyone tried predisone to reduce the inflamtion in the

tendons? Has it helped/hurt?

Thanks to all,

LM

22973 From: Kathy Harris <kat52pug@...>

Date: Mon May 16, 2005 1:18am

Subject: Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) kat52pug

Linda,

CNS symptoms that I experienced, besides the neuropathies described in the following very educational link, were insomnia, paranoia, abnormal dreams, nightmares, focal seizures, visual distortions, severe headaches, dizziness, deep depression & suicidal thoughts, all corraborated by abnormal readings on (2) separate EEG's. These antibiotics are able to bypass the blood/brain barrier & screw with the GABA receptors in your brain, causing supposed "psychiatric" symptoms. The physical damage to actual nerve connections & nerve endings are more in line with what is classified as "neuropathies".

Hope this helps.

Kathy

Check out this link:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy

/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm

22977 From: dachzz@...

Date: Tue May 17, 2005 1:28am

Subject: Re: EBV and Cipro and lesions susannahthered

I have a chronic acute Epstein Barr Viral infection (mono) and thought taking

an antibiotic was better than having them carve my toe open. I took the

Cipro and then Diflucan at Easter with terrible reactions. I am still having

trouble. I joined this group when my hair started falling out. Now I seem to

have a traveling sore much like a large cold sore. First it was inside my nose

on my septum. It cleared up (after much sneezing) and I thought everything was

all right but now I have a lesion on my chest which won't go away and another

one starting about 3 inches away from it.

Has anyone had such complications with Cipro and chronic, acute viral

affections combined. I know my immune system was shot, but not I wonder what other

damage has been done to it.

Any response on this is greatly appreciated. I have learned a great deal by

reading the post of the last 10 days.

The real irony today is that my toenail fell off anyway. Can't win for

losing!

Mary

22980 From: "cheesefeast2000" <cheesefeast2000@...>

Date: Tue May 17, 2005 1:38pm

Subject: What the heck is wrong with me?!?! cheesefeast2000

Here's my story...

I'm a long-time anxiety, panic attack, OCD, depression sufferer.

I Had a MAJOR panic attack/Anxiety episode about 3 months ago

(triggered by something unrelated to any drugs I was on or the

prostatitis)

I Developed prostatitis at about this same time (again, unrelated)

I took Cipro XR (1,000mg) for a month

I took Xanax for 2 weeks

I took Ativan for 2 weeks

I took Oxazepam for a month (only at night)

I'm having almost constant anxiety w/ occassional panic attacks

Half-awake/half-asleep most nights, unrestful sleep and waking too early.

I jump at every little noise. I feel like my face and various other

parts are "vibrating/trembling" with anxiety (weird, I know). If I bow

my head like I'm taking a nap, a few seconds later my lower lip will

start quivering a little bit like I'm nervous or something.

Last night it took me 45 minutes to fall asleep, I only slept 3 hours

and during that three hours I woke up three different times kicking

like crazy and hollering after having nightmares.

It's been like this off and on for a number of nights. I took

Neurontin for two nights and it gave me bad anxiety (100mg dose) and

really bad anxiety (250mg dose) so I had to stop. I have been taking

Vistaril and sleeping like a baby with it but I've never had SUSTAINED

problems sleeping like this.

As I said, I took Cipro for a month and I know that Cipro can really

boost the heck out of any caffeine in your system so if you take a

1,000mg Cipro tablet and then drink 2 cups of coffee, it's like you

drank 10 cups of coffee!. I've also heard that Cipro can cause delayed

effects, stay in your system for months or even years and I'm finding

that I get extreme anxiety/jumpiness with even one cup of coffee and I

hav'nt taken any Cipro in about a month. And yet, when I drink coffee

now, I get the same intense anxiety I got when I drank coffee while on

the Cipro XR (1,000mg). Could it STILL be in my system??.

I quit the benzos cold-turkey 4 days ago. Am I still going through

benzo withdrawl?. Delayed side effects from the cipro?. Have I

developed a dependancy on benzos for sleep so that now I can't even

sleep without them?. What the heck is wrong with me?!?!

Sorry if any of this has been said/mentioned before. Just filling in