Post Marketing Reports for June 1999

Doc 53
337From: Cari Covey <c.covey@w...
Date: Fri Jun 18, 1999 5:23am
Subject: No Subject

Help!

I was given 20 500 MG Tablets of Cipro, Took nine and now have
severe debilitating headaches, nausea, blurred vision and have
become anemic. Please tell me how long these symptoms last.



Doc 52
325From: jmule70230@a...
Date: Mon Jun 14, 1999 6:18am
Subject: Response to "Concerned"

Hey Concerned:
If you were suffering from an adverse drug reaction to a quinolone antibiotic, you would not have sad what you did. First of all, you said you had an almost fatal reaction to penicillin. How long did it take you to recover? Days, weeks? Quinolones reactions last for years of constant pain and suffering. Simple basic everyday chores that you wouldn't even think about normally , or now a major challenge to even try and do them. I use to be able to clean my entire apartment in about 4 hours. Now it takes me weeks. I'd rather have had an almost fatal reaction to penicillan and have recovered in a week than to have had to go through this constant nightmare for the last 16 moths. As for the package insert, I was never given an insert. I reported my reactions to the my doctor(s) and pharmacy and believe me I saw them 2 times a week when my reaction started. They never told me there was a package insert, I did not know. I was given a 1/2 a page computer printout that said nothing about adverse effects. An no matter how many doctors I went to or how many times I went to the pharmacy, they all said the quinolones wouldn't have caused my symptoms. And I am the one that had to ask the question "could it be the antibiotics"? They never put forth the proposition that I could be suffering from an ADR. Not once. You say the quinolones should be used appropriately. In my case and all the other cases I am hearing about, none of the quinolones were used appropriately. They were all used as first lines of defense among a list of other negligent actions that I know my doctor was guilty of . The quinolone antibiotics need to be removed from the market with the exception that they be used only as last lines of defense. I went from a hard working, atheletic person (I was in construction) to a person suffering in constant pain. I never leave my apartment and have no life. It happened overnight by swallowing some pills. overnight! You know the Health Insurance Industry did a survey to find out how people liked their new HMO's. You know what, an overwhelming majority responded that they loved their new HMO's. Another health care advocacy group looked over the study and found out that the Insurance Company only interviewed people that did not have any health problems and therefore didn't use their HMO. They redid the study from a population that were ill and they got just the opposite results. You remind me of the Insuance people.

Doc 62
279From: Claude Brigante <claude@m...
Date: Sat Jun 5, 1999 2:49pm
Subject: No Subject

Hi, my name is Judy & I'm trying to post my message on the
adverse reactions forum message board. I'm new to cyberworld
& not sure of what I'm doing. I took Levaquin in Feb 99 for
bronchitis. On the day I stopped the drug I was hit with
severe knee pain that has spread to both knees, hips, shin
bones, back & rib cage. Also, severe bouts of diarrhea with
gas pains so severe it feels like I'm having a heart attack.
tests show that my heart is fine. Also have been tested for
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus & Lymes Dx as I live in the woods.
All negative. I've just now concluded that my symptoms are
from the drug. Any info, both of your expereiences & possible
remedies will be much appreciated. I'm getting desperate. My
E-Mail address is: claude@mpinet.net. Thanks, Judy


Doc 61
272From: Andrew Jarrett <Andrew@a...
Date: Thu Jun 3, 1999 9:25pm
Subject: Antibiotics

Hi B

Thank you for reading & replying to my posting.

We have looked at the RXList sight and found a lot of
information there.

I was given Cefadroxil & Metronidazole together, IV 24 hours
and afterwards given the same thing in capsules to be taken
for another 4 days. I discontinued taking them after 2 days
as I was being sick with it. ( Nausea, Shortness of breath &
Lack of apetite )

I have had many other antibiotics like Augmentine, Doxycycline
and Erythromycin in the last five months.

Windy days does not help me because of my dizziness.

Initial reaction to Ciprofloxacin, just one tablet Severe
vomitting, beetroot red face, sweat one moment and shivering
the next, bowel movement, felt like my head was going to blow
up. All this happened 15 minutes after taking the initial
dose of 500mg.

Best wishes
Farah


Doc 59
271From: Tony Bivens <tonybivens@h...
Date: Thu Jun 3, 1999 10:43am
Subject: Reaction to Trovan

I was prescribed 5 days of 200 mg oral Trovan for pneumonia. I had been
sick for months with respiratory infections. The doctor thought the
pneumonia was viral but prescribed the Trovan just in case there was a
bacterial component. I had an immediate reaction to the medication. One
hour after taking, I was dizzy, had blurred vision, trembling, flushed chest
and head to the point that my skin was painful, and my blood pressure shot
up to 170/100. I went to the emergency room, was given benadryl for 24
hours and the symptoms subsided. The doctor changed me over to Zithromax
for 5 days. I still have a respiratory problem not related to the Trovan,
but the pneumonia went away by itself. I will never take this medication
again and others should think twice before taking it. The FDA should study
these drugs further.




Doc 58
270From: Andrew Jarrett <Andrew@a...
Date: Wed Jun 2, 1999 8:11pm
Subject: METRONIDAZOLE & CEFADROXIL on IV for 24 Hours.

Hello to all Dizzinews Readers,

I am Farah, 35 years of age and new to Quinolones
My husband Andrew was the one who found out about Quinolones.

I was a very healthy, active and happy person until last
August when I went to have tests for my monthly periodic pain
which was a simple routine at the local day care centre in the
hospital. (Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy)

After 3 days I felt really sick, vomitting, chill and shaky. I
was rushed to hospital after reacting very badly to
CIPROFLOXACIN. In hospital I was told that during the tests my
womb had been punctured slightly and I had an infection. The
Doctors put me on the following Antibiotics on a 24 hour I.V.
Drip METRONIDAZOLE & CEFADROXIL.
While I was on this drip I felt very sick, vomitting and
almost like my head was about to blow.

After spending 4 days in hospital I came back home not very
steady but getting better. I started back to work to after a
further 10 days and getting back to living a normal life when
after 3 weeks I felt very tired, neck pain and headache which
I put down to stress.
When I hung my handbag on my left shoulder, it started aching.
As I am a machinist sewing rugby jerseys it really did not
help me.

The fourth week I started getting severe migraines and felt
very faint. My GP. put me on Antibiotics again saying I have a
sinus infection. After one week suddenly came the vertigo and
nausea first thing in the morning after a shower.

I was referred by my GP to an ENT Consultant. He carried out
several tests (Blood Tests, Allergy Test, C.T. Scan, etc). In
3 weeks time I shall be going for an MRI Scan and Vestibular
Function Testing.

The diagnosis at the beginning was Maxillo Sinusitis and
Labyrinthitis, Vestibulopathy.
I am currently taking 16mg X 2 a day Betahistine
Dehydrochloride but they do not seem to be working.

I have this unsteady feeling all the time and some days are
worse than others.
Day to day work around the house, going shopping or even just
walking down the road have become a big task now. Windy days
are a nightmare. Anxiety is creaping in too as I have never
been sick in my life before.

I wonder if the Antibiotics that were administered on I.V.
would have caused this Dizziness ?

Thank you for reading my posting.
Kind Regards,

Farah.
Manchester, UK

Doc 57
269From: JTLEGALRN@a...
Date: Tue Jun 1, 1999 9:52pm
Subject: cardiac reaction to levaquin

I am new to this group and am curious to know if anyone has experienced any
heart problems associated with levaquin therapy, i. e. palpitations,
arrhythmias, tachycardia, bradycardia etc.
Thank you.
J. Takach

Doc 56
Dr. Solomon:

You have almost restored my faith in the medical profession (almost being the key word)! I commend you for your research and your willingness to believe the patient. I had an allergic reaction after taking only took two Levaquin and continue with adverse affects, such as visual damage (neurological in nature according to the opthamologist), bone pain, burning in the calf muscles, involuntary muscle contractions, and now, over two months after the reaction, an inflamed tendon in my right hand (could have been caused by the Levaquin OR the methylprednisolone I was given to combat the reaction to the Levaquin). As you say, warnings tend to be buried in the fine print. I'm not particularly an "athletic" person, but for a 5'5", 110 lb. "delicate" woman, I do lots of lifting and working around the house! When an ordinary, healthy person suddenly develops health problems immediately after a reaction to a medication, it is only logical to assume that the culprit is the medication, but no one believes us. I'm to the point that I don't even consider pursuing the cause behind the current problems because I don't think they can be fixed and my theories will only be laughed straight out of the doctor's office.

When I began having the allergic reaction, I couldn't breathe, even felt as though I only had a tiny straw down my throat to breath through, but the doctor told me there was nothing wrong. The visual problems started the same day. He asked me if these problems were listed on the monograph the pharmacy gave me, and when I told him yes, he told me not to pay attention to those monographs, to ignore them. After an unholy night of muscle contractions, crawling sensations under the skin, and so on ad nauseum, the next night I was in the emergency room with a severe, all-consuming nodular rash, and THAT'S when I lost faith in the medical profession as a whole.

Yes, as you can no doubt tell, every time I think about it I GET MAD and then I ramble, but that's not your fault. Just wanted to tell you that I find it refreshing to find a doctor as conscientious as you appear. Thank you. And curses to those doctors like Robin saw.

Anita


Doc 78
356From: k.bilger@w...
Date: Wed Jun 23, 1999 11:39pm
Subject: Tremors caused by CIPRO

A few years ago, I was treated with Cipro for a sinus infection over an extended length of time. Progressively, my health deteriated. Each doctor I saw had a different solution including additional medications as well as accusations of emotional problems stemming from stress. After seeing many, many doctors and experiencing problems including severe diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, confusion, and tremors of hands, legs, and head, I went to the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In a short time, I was diagnosed with pseudomembraneous colitis. Vancomycin was prescribed and worked; however, the tremors which cause my head to shake have continued. At times, they are worse than others. The only positive improvement occurred in December, 1998 when under the care of a chiropracter using an electronic method of muscle relaxant on my neck and back muscles, the tremors disappeared. However, as soon as daily treatments ended, the tremors returned and are growing progressively worse. As a teacher, I am concerned about my future in the classroom. And yes, I realize I am fortunate to have recovered as fully as I have. Any information or encouragement would be appreciated.


Doc 77
355From: Karna K. Bilger <k.bilger@w...
Date: Wed Jun 23, 1999 10:52pm
Subject: Tremors resulting from CIPRO

A few years ago, I was treated with Cipro for a sinus
infection over an extended length of time. Progressively, my
health deteriated. Each doctor I saw had a different solution
including additional medications as well as accusations of
emotional problems stemming from stress. After seeing many,
many doctors and experiencing problems including severe
diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, confusion, and tremors of hands,
legs, and head, I went to the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma. In a short time, I was diagnosed with
pseudomembraneous colitis. Vancomycin was prescribed and
worked; however, the tremors which cause my head to shake have
continued. At times, they are worse than others. The only
positive improvement occurred in December, 1998 when under the
care of a chiropracter using a electronic method of muscle
relaxant on my neck and back muscles the tremors disappeared.
However, as soon as daily treatments ended the tremors
returned are growing progressively worse. As a teacher, I am
concerned about my future in the classroom. And yes, I
realize I am fortunate to have recovered as fully as I have.
Any information or encouragement would be appreciated.



Doc 76
351From: Donna Rathsack <donnar@p...
Date: Wed Jun 23, 1999 4:06pm
Subject: Adverse Reaction to Cipro

I started using Cipro about a week ago 750mg per day. All of a sudden, I experience muscle cramps, aches, spasms, twitches, etc, numbness in left arm and hand (thumb). I have similar symptoms in my right arm and hand, but not to the same degree. This progressed to sore and achy muscles all over body (back, neck, throat, calves, thighs) along with spasms and jerking. The area with the most symptoms is still my left arm. Became afraid of ALS and started doing research. Came across info on another site about quinolones and came here. I called my doctor who said to stop taking the Cipro and start drinking lots of fluids. I'm not sure if I am better, because I believe anxiety is playing a part now. After reading ALS symptoms, I have been quite afraid. Has anyone else experienced anything like this??

Doc 75
348From: aenelson1@m...
Date: Tue Jun 22, 1999 11:10am
Subject: Levaquin adverse reactions

I am an athletic and healthy woman in her forties. Levaquin 500mg was
prescribed for me to take for 10 days after cauterization of a nasal
passage. On the third day I developed diarrhea and took acidophilus to try
and balance my intestinal flora. On the 5th or 6th day my joints ached so
bad I could barely get out of bed, it was awful. I lost 4 LB in 8 days and
stopped taking the medication. My low back is still stiff and sore, but
fortunately my other joints are back to normal.
The next time I am asked by a member of the medical profession if I am
allergic to any medications, I will make sure 'Levaquin' is listed in
capitol letters.




Doc 74
341From: shawnee1@s...
Date: Fri Jun 18, 1999 1:01pm
Subject: Throat tightness/numbness/rash etc.

My adverse drug reaction started after being put on Macrobid, a nitrofuritoin type drug for a simple bladder infection. I know this site is for Quinolone reactions but I'm having similar symptoms to some of you & just don't have anywhere else to get information. My symptoms started with a petechaie tiny red flat pinpoint rash on upper arms/legs/chest. Then woke up with numb face & burning around eyes & burning top of hands. Burning spread up arms then to feet & up legs. Now total body burning with patchy numbness. Stabbing pains & aches down legs.Arm & leg weakness,buzzing, pins & needles, shocks. Throat tightness, feels like I'm being choked.Pressure in head & ears. Vein in arm & ankle areas surfaced & burns.Legs & arms are now getting stiffness at the joints. This is such a nightmare, does anyone ever get better from adverse drug reactions? I was a healthy 43 yr.old woman b4 I took those "Bitter Pills". I would like to talk to anyone with similar symptoms & find out what you have done to try & help themselves get better if that is possible. My name is Gaylen, I live in northern Calif.Please email me at shawnee1@s...

Doc 72
371From: Andrew Jarrett <Andrew@a...
Date: Wed Jun 30, 1999 11:44am
Subject: ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)

Hello Everyone

I had a dizzy attack 9 months ago which has left me dizzy constantly since
then.

I had one 500mg Cipro and rushed to the A&E due to a reaction. The Cipro
was given for an infection in the womb. While in hospital I was pumped with
more Antibiotics via IV. Metronidazole & Cemetoxin. Does anyone know about
CEMETOXIN? And any side effects?

I have gone for many tests CT, MRI, Blood Works and now waiting for a VFT
(Vestibular Function Testing).

I still have some weird symptoms like Tremor, Joint pains, Facial pain,
Muscle twitches, Ear pain, Migraine & Lightheaded, Confusion, Aches & pains
in the shoulder & neck area. Has anyone else had similar symptoms?

I dont know if they will ever diagnose the matter if the dizzy is caused due
to an ADR.

Regards
Farah


Doc 71
368From: jackieknight@p...
Date: Tue Jun 29, 1999 11:20pm
Subject: Re: Potential cause of reaction

Sounds logical. Please read on and tell me whether my situation supports the theory or provide other comments, as you wish. I am hopefull that someone will tell me this joint or ligament pain will evetually go away. I am nearly disabled by the pain.

I was taking allergy shots and had gotten almost to my maintenance dose when a move and change of allergist occurred. The new allergist wanted to re-perform allergy testing before continuing treatment. I declined because I knew my insurance wouldn't pay for it. In addition, I trusted my "old" allergist. Subsequent to the cessation of allergy injections, I was prescribed Levaquin for sinus and bronchial infection. I was prescribed the drug several times (usually 2 weeks out of every 5 for a period of about 5 months) for chronic infection. During this time, I experienced no discernable adverse reactions, other than yeast infection, which many women experience when taking antibiotics.

I subsequently moved back and began seeing my "old" allergist again, who resumed allergy injections. About the time I was approaching my maintenance dose, I began having severe pain in virtually every joint in my body. When I give myself an allergy injection, I seem to notice a worsening of the joint pain, even though my allergist does not believe the reactions could be caused by the injections. I have not noticed any apparent swelling of my joints. In addition to the Levaquin, I was taking Accolate, Duratuss, Flonase, Albuterol, Serevent, and Flovent for asthma and chronic sinusitis.

If I sit or lie still I'm okay but beginning to move is excrutiating. After I've moved around for several minutes, the pain is barely noticeable. I've been tested for Lyme disease, arthritis, etc. with negative results. Will this get better?



Doc 70
363From: jmule70230@a...
Date: Tue Jun 29, 1999 1:36am
Subject: Re: ADR Recovery

Hi Tony,

I'm still into my ADR. Its been 16 months and I'm still suffering from muscle spasms over my entire body, burning, carpal tunnel syndrome, vision problems. The psychotic episodes, hallucinations, tremers and "panic attacks" as they were diagnosed by ER have disappeared as well as the hematuria and voiding dysfunction. It took abou 4 months for that stuff to disappear. For the last 2 months I have been receiving treatments once a week for the muscle spasms and they really worked. The treatments reduced my pain to where I could at least function. I started to go back to school via online distance education and was doing ok. When I stopped the treatments, the pain came back and I could hardly move and then subsequentlly failed all my classes. So I'm back in the same boat as I was. The treatments I was recieving defenitley worked in providing relief while I was receiving them but they are $400 a treatment. I don't have the money so that's why I stopped them. For anyone who has that kind of money I would recommend them. I get them in Philadelphia. I take Ultram for the pain it helps.

Vince

Doc 69
360From: Gregg & Mia Swan <gme@c...
Date: Sun Jun 27, 1999 9:13pm
Subject: Re: ADR RECOVERY

I took levaquin and was in serious pain afterwards. I experienced muscle
weakness, cramping, muscular pain all over, fasciculations (tics) in arms and
legs that felt like worms underneath my skin, facial tics, double vision,
anxiety, a rash on my chest, confusion, insomnia and depression.My hands and
feet would swell upon exercising and begin to burn and ache. It always felt
like the blood was stuck in my hands and feet. Now exercising to me then was a
leisurely walk in the mall for a period of 30-45 minutes I also had carpal
tunnel and my hands, arms, feet and legs felt half asleep-a type of neuropathy.
The rash went away quickly, the double vision went away after 2-3 months.The
pain reduced itself over a month but I was still in pain. I sat on my backside
in pain and felt sorry for myself for at least 6 weeks and after having been to
several physicians-who were all unclear as to what the problem was, I took the
reins into my own hands and became my own health manager. My physician told me
to exercise-so I swam. I could not do anything else. I started out with 10
minutes of swimming every other day, and worked up to every day. I took aspirin
before and after I exercised. I also took vitamins-which I believe helped a
lot-magnesium and malic acid, calcium and potassium. I also took COQ10 and zinc
for 3 months or so. It took me 2-3 months of lap swimming to be able to do
water aerobics-which I do now as well as swim laps. I was unable to walk as an
exercise as it hurt too much. Swimming was a non-weight bearing exercise and
was recommended.
Now unbeknownst to me, I was already on a pain killer-neurontin. After
researching on the internet, I realized that my medication was used to treat
certain types of nerve pain. After reducing my dosage to nothing, I realized
that I had been in constant pain but it was being managed well by the
medication-so I went back on it. I also found that after I stopped taking the
neurontin, that the tics and spasms were worse and the cramps in my feet
started back up again. Additionally, I experienced electrical type pain in my
arms and legs. Regular daily exercise in combination with a diet free of
caffeine, asparteme, processed carbohydrates and processed sugars further
reduced the symptoms and greatly increased my energy level.(I must admit that I
was tired and somewhat sore at first-that's why I began exercising in the
evening-and taking aspirin). I was following Dr. Adkins diet at the time. I got
a wrist brace for the carpal tunnel and that seemed to help things a lot. For
the insomnia, I exercised in the evening, didn't drink caffeine or eat
chocolate, took melatonin (1 mg at night), magnesium and calcium in the
evening. I was in bed watching TV (which was relaxing to me) by 9:30 (my goal
to be asleep by 10:30).I found that working on the computer for some reason
made getting to sleep a problem-so I stopped computer stuff by about 8:30pm ) I
found good sleep hygeine a must to improving-or I was up all night-and I only
hurt worse the next day.I was put on low dose dilantin and that seemed to stop
the tics and spasms altogether. By being your own health manager, doing your
own research on the topic, I believe that this is the first step to getting
better. I hope this helps.


Doc 68

357From: cgossett@t...
Date: Thu Jun 24, 1999 9:21am
Subject: Re: Trovan withdrawal

7km8hq$11d-@egroups.com wrote:
original article:http://www.egroups.com/group/quinolones/?start=347
Hey guys! Perhaps you can help. Was on 8 days of trovan about 1.5 months ago and am trying to find something to help with the feeling of withdrawal and fatigue that it left me. Fortunately the bilateral tingling in my arms
has gotten much better, but the fatigue and confusion are still there. Does anyone have a solution? Thanks!
Doc 67
386From: Jennifer & Thomas Weir <tomnjenny@w...
Date: Sun Jul 11, 1999 3:27pm
Subject: any help for nausea?

I am taking Levaquin for pneumonia and have experienced nausea since the
2nd dose (day 2). Am also taking Vioxx for the inflammation and trying
to avoid Darvocet-N for pain of pleurisy. After nearly 3 weeks of talk
& treatment about bronchitis due to possible asthma (am 53 and find it
odd I would develop asthma all of a sudden) I finally got a Dr. to
diagnose pleurisy after listening to my chest, then I had to ask for an
xray. Pleurisy sounded more reasonable to me since I kept having pain,
but I felt a little like a cry-baby. I never experienced fever or bad
cough but had shortness of breath and shoulder-blade area pain. Xray
revealed the pneumonia as well as a partially collapsed lower lung. I
take HRT, Wellbutin and Neurontin and feel like a walking pharmacy.
Also, I quit smoking (pack a day habit) March 5th and while I am ever so
grateful I don't have to deal with that during this illness, I also feel
like I should be feeling better not worse! I am not good with nausea
and hope there is something I can do to alleviate it. Thanks - Jenny