Post Marketing Reports for June 2001

Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 9:17am
Subject: Re: hip pains

Holly,
That was one of my first ADR reactions to those drugs. It's been
nine months now and I still have it but not near as intense. It seems to
move from joint to joint, concentrating on the hip, knee, elbow, ankle, and
back. You may also notice sharp pains like you have a sliver in the knee or
elbow when you bump it agiasnt something but when you touch it nothings
there. The ADR's with these drugs is very extensive. You may want to review
an earlier post on the yahoo web site in which I posted the various
documented ADR's. Best of luck to you. The only advice that I can give from
experience is to DEMAND that your doctor treat you for the ADR's and if
he/she refuses FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR. These problems are a medical reality
that requires treatment. If this medicene was given in error then consult an
attorney to investigate the possiblity of medical malpractice. You should
also file an ADR with the FDA regarding what is happening. On an earlier
post I posted the link you use to do this online.

4197From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 9:49am
Subject: Re: Levaquin GI side effects
I had Floxin and Cipro and like your friend, been there, and still am there.
My son also has stomach problems after he had Levaquin. I am now 4 years and
he is almost 2 years. You didn't mention any of her other symptoms, but my
son and I have alot more than just stomach problems. I stopped eating
poultry last Feb.2000 and feel a little better (this word is rather relative)
but when my son , who refuses to stop eating chicken, does eat it, he feels
the difference. The reason to stop eating poultry is because they feed them
the flouroquinolones to ward off salmonella, so if you are allergic to the FQ
drugs, you are poisoning yourself little by little every time you eat
poultry. I got this info from the top pharmacist of the maker of Floxin, and
then it hit the papers later on.

Good luck,
Sherry

4199From: Arlene Shovald arlene@c...
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 0:03pm
Subject: Re: hip pains

Holly -
I still have a lot of pain in my hip joints, especially at night. I took one
Levaqin in March of 1998 and other than the various aches and pains and
mysterious rashes that surface now and then I'm pretty much recovered. But
yes, the hip pain lingers on and has me wondering if someday I might need a
hip replacement. Scary. When I get up to walk sometimes I have a hard time
getting started. You would think I was 90 instead of 61. I have always been
active and continue to do aerobics, swim and yoga. But still the pain is
there. So you aren't alone.
Arlene

From: dandhevig@h...
To: quinolones@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 12:06 PM
Subject: [quinolones] hip pains


My husband told me last night that one of his hips was bothering
him. Any of you with ADR from Cipro, did you have joint pain in your
hips or just mostly ankles, elbows, etc.? Also, could extreme
tiredness be an effect of the drug too? Thanks! Holly


4207From: phd4549@y...
Date: Sun Jun 17, 2001 11:54am
Subject: Hello, again, everyone...

Sorry to report that, though we thought we were headed for the
clearing with this thing, my son has regressed. He took a summer job
in D.C. and we thought he was doing well, but he's regressed to "post-
event" status, almost, and we're going down to bring him home
tomorrow.

Damn.

(Arlene, I told you something like this was going to happen.)

He did go to a psychologist this summer who diagnosed him with Post
Traumatic Tress Syndrome, resulting from the Cipro/caffeine episode
at college. But understanding what happened to him hasn't helped.
He's still in the obsessive thinking rut, and we think that maybe
we're going to abandon psychology for psychiatry, a scary step we had
hoped to avoid.

Any comments or ideas on the eve of my son returning home? I'm
feeling helpless again. I'm assuming we're going for a psychiatric
assessment within the next few weeks. Any insight into any of that?
And of course, into the evil mind drugs we may be looking at to
remedy what the other evil mind drug did?

Thanks

From: "Wentz, Mike" mwentz@t...
Reply-To: quinolones@yahoogroups.com
To: "'quinolones@yahoogroups.com'" quinolones@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [quinolones] Interesting appointment
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 11:05:47 -0500

I have posted a few times, and just wanted post something interesting that
just happened...

I went into a Neurologist about the symptoms that I have been having from
the Cipro, which I took for 2 1/2 months. (Of course, the Dr. that
prescribed it to me insisted it was not the Cipro...) I described the
symptoms, he did some basic tests, and then he dropped the bomb on me...

He told me that if I would have come in two days earlier he would have told
me it wasn't the Cipro, but that he had just seen a patient YESTERDAY, that
had the exact same symptoms, and she also blamed the Cipro she was taking.
He told me he told her it was unlikely that it was the Cipro, but he was
open minded enough that now he thinks there maybe something to this. He
told me he is going to call her back and discuss it with her. I am going
to
continue to work with him to see what we can come up with.

Unfortunately, I think this is how this problem is going to be addressed -
little investigations here and there, until finally there becomes enough
'cases' that they cannot help but examine the situation.

I am rambling a little here, but it was exciting to finally here a Doctor
acknowledge the possibility it was the Cipro.

4186From: Beth <b_kokoruda@y...>
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 6:11am
Subject: Levaquin & Reactions

Good Morning, I just joined the group and have actually joined on
behalf of my mother who has taken Levaquin and Trovan at one time and
is now experiencing possible brain damage. Mild, right now, but the
doctors' think that pieces of Myelin are peeling off the nerves in
her brain.

Both drugs caused her severe headaches and the Levaquin caused severe
pain in her limbs. We are not sure what to do. Can anyone share
their experiences so I can pass them onto my mom? Also, are there
any legal actions taking place against the manufacturer? Her medical
bills are about to skyrocket as a result, they believe, from taking
the Levaquin.

I know there is a class action suit again the Trovan manufacturer,
but that seems to cause liver damage, not neurological.

Any insight would be appreciated.
Beth

4183From: kjbundy@w...
Date: Mon Jun 11, 2001 3:23pm
Subject: GI Problems - Tess

Tess,
Your friend is going through exactly what I did! After 1 Tequin I
required prednisone pills and shots in order to be able to eat, and
eventualy ended up in the hospital on IVs for 10 days and had every test
but the colonoscopy because I was just too sick for the prep. NOTHING
ever showed up on the tests and all my doctor could say was a person
could go a long time without nutrition, and my severe diarrhea really
wasn't a big concern! The only two things he did that I consider truly
helpful were on one of the last days he finally gave me peach ReSource,
a dairy-free/soy-free version of their nutrition drink, and then he
ordered a shot of Benadryl and prescribed liquid Benadryl, 4 teaspoons
twice a day for my return home.
Once I got home my mom fed me sips of homemade chicken soup broth
(some might disagree with that because of the quinolones in poultry
concern, though), nibbles of white rice, and Danimals liquid yogurt
throughout the day as I could tolerate it. She also ordered the peach
ReSource from the druggist and I started that as soon as it arrived, and
found I could also eventually tolerate a Flintsones chewable with
calcium after awhile.
My regular internist also put me on precription Imodium, and Carafate
20 minutes before meals and at bedtime, which also helped.
Slowly but surely I was able to get off the liquid Benadryl except
for the occasional stomach ache, which it would clear right up. I still
take a daily Flintstones chewable, drink the Resource (ordered online
from Novartis) every morning for breakfast, use Imodium as needed and
have to watch what I eat very carefully, but things are much better now.
I did finally show some blood in my stool, though, so I may still
have to endure the colonoscopy if that doesn't clear. But the misery
has subsided and I'm eating now, so things are looking much better
anyway!
One warning: This medcine seems to store in the body and just last
week, after about 3 weeks of peace, I got a fierce yeast infection and
a return of the diarrhea and nausea, as well as a bonus of depression
and obsessive thoughts, but I am slowly but surely working my way back
again.
Anyway, good luck with your friend, and please feel free to contact
me personally if you would like!
--Kelly


4188From: dandhevig@h...
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 0:06pm
Subject: hip pains

My husband told me last night that one of his hips was bothering
him. Any of you with ADR from Cipro, did you have joint pain in your
hips or just mostly ankles, elbows, etc.? Also, could extreme
tiredness be an effect of the drug too? Thanks! Holly

4189From: jgordon@j...
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 0:29pm
Subject: Re: hip pains

I took cipro for two weeks and have a groin pull that won't heel. My legs
also hurt, muscles and joints.

Jeff

4192From: Elaine Mueller <elaine_mueller@h...>
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 2:37pm
Subject: tendonitis

I took nine levaquins in late February, suffered tendonitis, becoming
increasingly severe. finally achilles tendon ruptured. surgeon discovered
considerable necrosis, which had to be scraped away, and
after researching levaquin ADRs is convinced levaquin was, indeed, the
cause. I am 74; can age be a factor in this? My doctor does not know what
kind of recovery I can expect,since he has never seen a case like mine
before. Have read that quinolones and other drugs are not sufficently
tested with elderly patients, who are likely to be taking a variety of other
prescription drugs. I take provochol, ziac and fosoamax. Should we
sufferers from ADRs keep track of other drugs that may be interacting
adversely with quinolone drugs?

4194From: djcmick@a...
Date: Tue Jun 12, 2001 11:24am
Subject: Re: hip pains

For what it's worth, I've experienced pain in both my hips. While the
majority of pain was in other places, my hips did get FQ'd as well. But, it
seems to have subsided in this area but has remained elsewhere. I think any
joint or tendon can be FQ'D if your unlucky enough to experience this nasty
ADR to fluroquinolones.

Dan

4163From: testie2k@y...
Date: Sun Jun 10, 2001 5:06am
Subject: Re: Levaquin GI side effects

We haven't talked about any specifically, I'll ask but I don't
believe there are any, mostly she's weak and tired becase she can't
eat anything - she's lost 30 pounds in the 4-6 weeks since this
started and can pretty much only manage to go from the bed to
bathroom and back again. So what happens when it attacks the nerves
in the gut, is there treatment or recovery? I've been looking for
info on the GI symptpms, mostly I've found only info on the
muscle/tendon pain. Thanks for any info.

4170From: nngeometry@a...
Date: Sun Jun 10, 2001 3:16pm
Subject: Tequin,Levaquin,Remicade,Crohn's...

Hi! I'm so happy to find your group. My son is 24 yrs. old-diagnosed
with Crohn's Disease at age 15. Three weeks ago he was hospitalized
for a week- he was given Levaquin, Prednisone, Asacol,... they
finally tried Remicade- his Crohn's symptoms vanished! (Prior to the
Crohn's flare-up, he had walking pneumonia and a bacterial infection-
Augmentin sent him into a nose-dive- he will NEVER take that again!)
Since leaving the hospital, he developed a cough, sinus congestion...
he was given Tequin. He has taken 3 doses- this morning he couldn't
walk! His legs were hurting him sooooo bad- as I helped him get to
the bathroom- he fainted from the pain. He says it is the calf area
and the quad area. It really scared me- I almost dialed 911. He has
been on the sofa all day- needing assistance to even move his legs.
Has anyone out there had a similar experience? Thanks for listening.
Nancy (a weary, worried mom)

4156From: testie2k@y...
Date: Sat Jun 9, 2001 8:07pm
Subject: Levaquin GI side effects

Hi - I found this group looking for help and info for a friend. She
was prescribed Levaquin for pneumonia, and within a few days had
severe diarreah, couldn't eat or drink anything, everything that she
ate went right through her and felt like she had eaten broken glass.
She ended up in the hospital on IV's and improved somewhat, but even
after more than a month is only now able to eat small amounts of rice
milk and vegetable broth. She's had 5 doctors, GI series,
colonoscopy, every test possible and still they cannot tell her what
is wrong with her or how to fix it. They are supposing that she had a
reaction to the Levequin and it caused ulceration of the intestines,
but no evidence of that was found on any test.

If anyone has any experience with these symptoms and knows of any
treatment, I'd like to hear it. I'll check the recommended sites in
the mean time, thanks for any and all suggestions.

Tess
4141From: Tootsie <tootsietx_1129@y...>
Date: Sat Jun 9, 2001 8:10am
Subject: Re: First appt. with new doctor and high BP

The reason my doctor send me to the neurologist was
the numbness in my hands and partial numbness around
my spine between my shoulder blades. He also ordered
an MRI.

The neurologist was getting really bad readings on the
mapping and kept asking if I was diabetic. He said
that the carpal tunnel was to the point that if I
didn't have surgery really soon, there would be
permanent damage to the nerve and then surgery
wouldn't help. I had it done on both hands and the
numbness is completely gone from the first hand and
almost gone from the second hand. However, my fingers
and wrists are so messed up in the joints, that I
still have trouble using my hands. My fingers won't
allow me to open my hand all the way or close it for
that matter. If I lay my hand palm down on a flat
surface, only the base just above the wrist and the
tips of my fingers touch the surface.

The MRI and nerve mapping showed very severe cervical
spondylosis at C5, C6, C7. They are telling me that
is the cause of my back pain and numbness. The doctor
kept asking me if I had been in an accident and hurt
my neck. He said this level of spondylosis is usually
only seen in really old patients around 80 unless
there has been an injury. I was in a damaging
accident alright...I took Levaquin!!

Tootsie
4121From: June Lang <tigressproductions@y...>
Date: Fri Jun 8, 2001 8:05am
Subject: Levaquin ADR Needs Advice for Dr.

Hello all. I took 5 250 mg Levaquin pills for five
days two weeks ago. This is what I've experienced so
far.
Severe leg weakness
I've been unable to work
Severe nausea
Severe headache, after which one eyelid is droopy
and the other remains tight.
Severe pain in elbow and shoulder
Severe muscle cramps in stomach and legs
Tingling in hand, numbness and tingling in my hands
and more.
My doctor told me to go to an acupunturist for the
shoulder and elbow pain. She seems aware of an ADR
with this drug but other than that is unwilling to
help me further. She said "this drug has helped a lot
of people". I printed out some of the postings in
this forum and took them with me. She read them,
but... I have asked her to refer me to someone who can
help me and I'm waiting for a referral.
My questions to all of you have suffered ADR to
Levaquin:
Can you give me any useful information to present
to the doctors?
This reaction seems to have a progression to it.
I have experienced all of the above reactions at
different times and to different degrees. I am now
most concerned about my eyes. What information can I
provide to doctors about what to check? My arms,
legs, eyes, etc. What tests should they conduct?

Any information will be helpful. I plan to be as
active as possible in not only finding out what has
happened to me and how to treat it, but also to try to
get this drug taken off the market.
If anyone is aware of a class action lawsuit that
is pending, please let me know. I have read all of
the postings in this forum. My heart goes out to all
of you. It is my feeling that the only way to get
this drug off the market is to sue the drug company.
I am going to start writing letters to everyone I can
think of and proceed from there.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help
with info to give to the doctors.

Regards,
JL

4125From: Tootsie <tootsietx_1129@y...>
Date: Fri Jun 8, 2001 10:56am
Subject: Re: Biaxin

During one of my "flares", I was in the doctor's
office with several complaints and one of them was an
on going sore throat(around 10 days without getting
better) He prescribed Biaxin and I had no problem
with it. He has also told me to use Lotrimin on the
Candida rash. I laughed at him and said something
like fighting Candida and taking more antibiotics
seems like creating a microbiological battlefield on
my body. He just gave me a smug look and left the
room. This is the doctor I fired and the one who
originally gave me the Levaquin.

Anyway, I didn't have a problem with the Biaxin, my
throat got better, I am still fighting the
Candida..going on 8 months now.

Tootsie

4130From: mrsmep@y...
Date: Fri Jun 8, 2001 4:36pm
Subject: Tequin side effects

I have had nearly all the side effects others have reported-extreme
fatigue, weakness, severe insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks, nausea,
blood in stools, pounding/racing heart, severe headache, severe back
pain, pain all over the body, as if every single bone aches, etc.
But, I have also been having terrible sweating attacks that soak my
clothes. I also have a low-grade fever after 10 days on Tequin (I
stopped it after 10 of the 14 days when I realized the reason I was
feeling worse was the medication), so my doctor prescribed Zithromax
today. I had been on Augmentin and then Biaxin prior to the Tequin.
I had pneumonia.

Has anyone else had these terrrible sweats, low-grade fever, or blood
in stool? I also am having an extremely difficult time communicating.
I lose my train of thought, cannot find the words I want to use,
ramble, and have trouble speaking. I feel as if I have had a stroke.
I am


4109From: Wentz, Mike <mwentz@t...>
Date: Thu Jun 7, 2001 4:06am
Subject: RE: Everyone's persistance

I had soreness in my arms and chest - difficult to lift even a milk jug. At
first, I thought I just slept wrong. Then it got worse, and it felt like my
heart was always racing...

The day after I went off the drug was when the real fun began....six months
later, the fun never ends....

4110From: Tootsie <tootsietx_1129@y...>
Date: Thu Jun 7, 2001 7:52am
Subject: First appt. with new doctor and high BP

I just started posting to this group last week. I
have many of the same symptoms listed for the AR to
quinolones. In November I took 2(two) Levaquin.
About 30 minutes after the second dose, I broke out in
a rash and y'all know the rest of the story. It was
straight down hill from there.

In January when I went to my regular doctor with
completely numb fingers and thumbs, I asked him if the
AR could still be part of my problem. He, of course,
said "No".

Here I am 2 carpal tunnel surgeries later, still
constantly fatigued, and joint and muscle pain that
gets worse daily. Yesterday I went to a new doctor.
She is running tests for arthritis and lupus. She
seems very understanding. My strategy with her is to
test out her personality and let her run whatever
tests she wants first. Maybe I really have something
else. Maybe it is not a result of the Levaquin. All
I know is that until last November, I was quite
healthy for a 48 year old that has worked hard all her
life. When I go back for my test results, I will ask
what she thinks about the problems stemming from the
reaction.

BTW, has anyone ever suddenly developed high blood
pressure from this? I have always been on the low
side of normal until this happened. Everytime I went
to the other doctor since November it was running
borderline high...145/90 or so. Yesterday, I almost
had a stroke just looking at my numbers :-o 175/107
YIKES!! They took it several more times before they
let me leave. I know it can go up from the anxiety of
being at the doctor's office, but that was scary.
Besides, I have spent so much time with doctor's and
hospitals in the last 6 months, they do not upset me.

Tootsie

4090From: Arlene Shovald <arlene@c...>
Date: Mon Jun 4, 2001 1:15pm
Subject: Re: Research

Yes - the eardrops are being prescribed for children. My daughter worked at a
preschool and refused to administer them. I think the parents took the kid out
of school because she refused but she wasn't about to be responsible for what
could happen after what I went through.
Arlene


4045From: tbandu@b...
Date: Fri Jun 1, 2001 4:29pm
Subject: help

I was misdiagnosed last year as having tuberculosis and placed on 16
tabs a day including 1000mg ciprofloxacin twice a day. I am still
coming to terms with side effects. Part of coming to terms is to
name and shame cipro and other quinolones. Please tell your story on
my message board, so others who are unfortunate enough to be given
this awful drug can know what to expect. Maybe you have a good story
(unlikely but you never know!!!!!). Please make it your business to
help others.
http://www.tbandu.btinternet.co.uk/
Many thanks

4048From: tootsietx_1129@y...
Date: Fri Jun 1, 2001 8:21pm
Subject: Levaquin reactions

I just found this group and I can't believe there are so many people
with the same symptoms I have after taking Levaquin.

Last November, I developed a severe fever and fatigue. No other
symptoms. There were night sweats that would drench my clothes and
hair so badly that I looked as if I just stepped out of the shower.
After 3 nights of this not going away, I went to my regular doctor.
He suspected a UTI because there were no other symptoms to go on and
ordered a UA and prescribed Levaquin. He said start the meds and
when we get the lab results we will let you know for sure.

I filled the script and took the first 500mg dose about 2 pm that
day. That night I got up because of one of the night sweats and
noticed a slight rash on the inside of my thighs but thought it was a
heat rash due to the fever. The next day I took my second dose at 2
pm. By 3 pm I had a rash all over my body. It was under the skin
and looked like measles instead of a raised rash. I called the
doctor's office and spoke to the nurse. She said to stop the
levaquin and take benedryl and she would call me back after she
talked to the doctor. When she called back, she said he agreed with
what she said. The night sweats continued for 2 weeks.

Over the next few weeks, my symptoms worsened. The rash got worse.
All my joints hurt to the point I could hardly walk or pick up
anything. I gained 12 pounds in 2 days due to swelling. My skin
felt burned and bruised at the same time. I couldn't stand much more
than my clothes to touch me. I had trouble swallowing. For about 2
weeks, I had almost no saliva. My eyes got worse and I had to go
from reading glasses to bifocals. A yeast infection developed under
one breast and my left armpit and my groin area. I was having very
bad leg cramps at night and was taking quinine sulfate twice a day
but that only slowed them some. By December, some of those symptoms
had gotten better, but I started having pain in my hands and arms at
night. My fingers went completely numb in both hands except for the
little finger(the nerve that is affected by carpal tunnel does not go
to the little finger).

I went back to the doctor the first week in January. My leg cramps
were coming more often so he prescribed Klonapin .5mg at night. It
helps some if I take it and the quinine sulfate. I had a really bad
sore throat and the numbness and pain in my hands. It was so bad I
couldn't sleep at night. He ordered nerve mapping and an MRI.
Both tests showed cervical spondylitis at the level they usually see
in an 80 year old. I am 48. The tests also showed carpal tunnel
syndrome with damage to the nerve that if I didn't get surgery soon,
it could be permanently damaged. I have since had surgery on both
hands. The numbness is better. Everything else is getting worse.

My joints all hurt from my shoulders to my toes. My achilles tendons
seem to lock at times. I am so stiff that it is very difficult to
get out of bed in the mornings. My knees have gotten really bad the
last 2 weeks. The large muscles of my legs are very weak and burn and
shake with fatigue after about a 2 minute walk from the parking lot
to my office. Today I started having nerve crawing feelings in my
hair.

I have been back to the original Levaquin prescribing doctor a couple
of times and he dismisses my symptoms as normal arthritis pains and
said the November episode couldn't have anything to do with what is
happening now. He prescribed Vioxx. I took it for 2 months and it
didn't do a thing to help. He also couldn't confirm that I actually
had a UTI in November. He and I have had a few unpleasant discussions
and I decided to go to a joint specialist. I have an appt. next
Wednesday.

Now what really upsets me is all this may have been caused from
taking a medicine than I probably didn't need anyway. Is there hope
that this will get better in time or does this crap cause permanent
damage? I don't like being OLD at only 48!!!!

Tootsie

4049From: jhnrchsn@y...
Date: Fri Jun 1, 2001 9:16pm
Subject: Leviquin

I too am having severe muscle cramping that moves all over my body. I
am a 39 year old female and feel like I could die. My head swims and
my vision does not focus. Some days I can hardly walk or make a fist.
I am now on Vioxx, we'll see.....
How long does this last? Is there permanent damage? My dr. thought
that the tendon ruptures that I told him I read of, were from Leviquin
injections only. Has anyone had that from the pills?
Any help would be appreciated.

4057From: JTuttle962@a...
Date: Sat Jun 2, 2001 3:08am
Subject: Re: Levaquin reactions-to Tootsie

Hi there,
Thanks for your post; so sorry you have been through such a nightmare.
No one likes going through these adverse reactions and the
ignorance/resistance from docs regarding them. It has been almost 3 years
since I took Levaquin and Cipro and my elbows, knees and ankles are still
very bad. I just don't see a bright future right now....but I am trying to
stay positive.

Judie

4062From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Sat Jun 2, 2001 7:12am
Subject: Re: HELP ME NAME AND SHAME QUINOLONES

I have a very interesting story. Maybe all of you can help me figure out
what to do with it.

I live on Long Island, NY, and this past week, the Health Dept. reported that
a number of restaurants in the area owned by the same man have had an
outbreak of SHIGELLOSIS. This is a bacteria infection that is VERY
contagious. Over 500 people, so far, have come down with the symptoms. They
treat it with antibiotics.

I called my 2 drs. and asked them what antibiotic they were going to
prescribe and they said CIPRO. I then called the Health Dept. and relayed my
fears to them. I also said that if all these people were taking Cipro, and
even if 100 of them came down with ADRs, this would be a great groundbreaking
find that their ADRs are from the Cipro. I told him about me and my son etc.
He put me on with an Inspector. I relayed the same to her. I said,
shouldn't these people be informed about what could happen to them? They
should be warned that a week or two can go by or even later, and they will
have all these weird things happen to their body and they WILL NOT put two
and two together. The inspector, first said I should call the FDA, and told
her we went that route already. She also said, she can FULLY understand
where I am coming from because a few years ago she had a terrible ADR from
Cipro. I asked her if she would allow anyone she knows to take the drug
since she knows first hand, and she said she couldn't answer that question.
She said there was nothing the Health Dept. could do and it is up to the
patient and their doctors to inform each other.

WHAT CAN I DO? THIS IS A PERFECT SCENERIO. I DON'T KNOW IF THE NEWSPAPERS
WILL EVEN CONSIDER A STORY.

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
Sherry


4324From: tigressproductions@y...
Date: Sat Jun 30, 2001 7:41am
Subject: Re: Levaquin and Eye Problems

Hi all,

I've been having a very bad twitch in my left eye and
the pupil is continuously dilated. It seems every day
brings a new problem. The left eye looks completely
different from the right one, the eyelids don't match.
Has anyone had eye problems? Do you have any info on
what is happening that causes the twitch and dilation?
My eyesight was never good but now it's also a bit
fuzzy.
To refresh my history: I took 5 250 mg Levaquin pills
(the last pill was taken on 5/29). This eye problem is
one of many that I'm suffering.
Thanks a lot for any info,
JL

4325From: ldbuckle@b...
Date: Sat Jun 30, 2001 8:57am
Subject: Re: Re: Levaquin and Eye Problems

Dear JL,
For the past four months since taking my last Tequin, my left eyelid has
been drooping...My eyes don't look the same. My vision has been "dimmer"
(need more lights turned on in the house), eyes get tired more easily, as
well has continuing to have no strength in my hands (and joint pain in the
hands and fingers). I recognized the joint pain and weakness as Tequin
problems, but never associated the drooping eyelid and eye problems.

Tequin was the fifth FQ I've been on...fairly major reactions to Levaquin
and Floxin...This was minor in comparison and did fix my UTI.

Hope this is helpful.
Lynn

4334From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Tue Jul 3, 2001 1:21pm
Subject: Re: Re: Up with Patti

I know that I have a problem with my liver after taking the floxin and cipro.
One doctor who believes in the ADRs of FQ drugs did tell me that it can be
genetic. I stopped my father from taking Cipro a few weeks ago if you
remember that posting. His doctor thought I was nuts. Oh well, better nuts
than dead!

Sherry

4335From: tigressproductions@y...
Date: Wed Jul 4, 2001 2:49pm
Subject: Re: Re: Levaquin and Eye Problems

Hi,

My left eyelid is droopy also and my right eyelid
tight. My left pupil is dilated and everything is a
bit fuzzier than usual. My eyes are strained when
looking at the computer screen too long. I have
problems with bright lights, everything seems too
bright. I also have a twitch in my left eye. I think
I need some tests to see what damage has been done.

Regards,
JL

4312From: jwk <jwk@c...
Date: Fri Jun 29, 2001 8:49am
Subject: colonoscopies

I would like to ask those of you who have had nausea, loss of appetite and loss of weight and have had colonoscopies if there were any findings that made them worth doing. My doctor wants me to have one because of my age and now since the levaquin I simply have no appetite and absolutely cring at the thought that I have to eat something. The gastroenterologist who is scheduled to do it uses fentanyl for pain and versed for sedation. I told them of the problems with medications and reactions to food and it was essentially ignored and of course you don't get to talk with the doctor, just the office staff. It's the versed that I've really heard of people having problems with and don't need anymore since the levaquin caused me brain damage, seizure disorder and cataracts amongst other things. I don't have a stomach ulcer and was negative for the bacteria. Please email me at jwk@c... if you have any information or comments. Many thanks.

4277From: Kanefer@a...
Date: Mon Jun 25, 2001 8:11pm
Subject: Symptoms list - June 25

LEVAQUIN

Cassandra, 31, sinusitis
I was diagnosed with sinusitis May 2000, prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 7
days. Symptoms started a week later.
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling, burning, numbness due to small fiber nerve
damage which affected most of my left side of the body (cheek, neck, both
arms, left leg).
Hypersensitivity to hot and cold
Anxiety, depression
4 months into ADR tendon problems occurred with both arms (primarily wrist
and elbow joints).
Muscle weakness followed. 1 year later I'm still recovering with mild flare
ups of the above symptoms.

Earl age 52, prostatitis
joint pain & tendon problems: arches in both feet, achilles tendons, knees,
elbows, unable to lift arms above horizontal without extreme shoulder pain
pain in lower back, rib cage & neck
sprained my little finger 12 weeks ago it wont heal
took exactly 504 CIPRO in twelve months for prostate troubles in 1996
(my condition would reocurr or never clear up completly -so i would be on
them for a while then off then back on ,till i finally decided to just live
with the problem and just quit going to the dr. for the prostate thing) !
Now disabled, unable to work
Doctor.says it's osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia & and unknown
polyneuropathy--what's your opinion?

Elaine, pneumonia, Feb. 2001
Tendonitis which finally resulted in rupture of the achilles tendon.
I am currently recovering from surgery to re-attach; the tendon had a lot of
necrosis (which had to be scraped away) and my doctor has no idea what kind
of recovery I can expect from my thinned-out tendon. I think this finding of
necrosis is very important, because the people suffering from tendonitis may
well have a lot of dead tissue in there and if it's not removed, can they
ever get past the pain?
I suffered excruciating pain before the rupture: after surgery, although I'm
in an uncomfortable brace and can't put weight on that foot, I am at least
free from pain for the first time in months

Felix, prostatitis:
dry mouth, dry eyes
severe joint pain: hip & leg, especially L leg
inability to walk due to pain 3 days into Levaquin therapy
testing for: Sjogren's Syndrome

JL(tigress), I took five 250 mg Levaquin pills - took the last one 5/29
Severe muscle cramps and spasms in my right leg
Sharp pain in Achilles tendons that comes & goes
Persistent pain in elbow and feet, mostly heels.
My heart rate is now irregular and my blood pressure is high. (This was not
the case prior to taking the drug).
Persistent & severe overall weakness.
Peripheral neuropathy: left eye has been twitching. My eyelids no longer
look the same. One loose, the other tight.
Visual problems
Lightheadedness and sometimes nauseous.
I'm still experiencing many problems.
Now working part time.
I am waiting for a lot of test results.

June L., 250 mg Levaquin pills for five days, two weeks ago.
Severe leg weakness
Severe muscle cramps in stomach and legs
Severe pain in elbow and shoulder
Severe nausea
Severe headache, after which one eyelid is droopy and the other remains tight.
Peripheral neuropathy: Tingling in hand, numbness and tingling in my hands
and more.
I've been unable to work
My doctor told me to go to an acupunturist for the shoulder and elbow pain.
She seems aware of an ADR with this drug but other than that is unwilling to
help me further. She said "this drug has helped a lot of people". I have
asked her to refer me to someone who can help me and I'm waiting for a
referral.

Ken age 39 prostatitis
muscle spasms
Severe joint pain: elbows & arches of both feet
sleeplessness
Anxiety (Depersonalization, Derealization)
stomach problems.

Marci A., 40, sinus infection, 500mg Levaquin for 21 days, June 2000

Initial Symptoms: Pain in upper arms, shoulders and balls of feet 2-3 days
after first dose, pain behind right knee a few days later.
Subsequent Symptoms: Approximately 1 week following the last dose,
side-effects had in fact gotten worse, not gone away. ALOT of pain, often
unable to even lift arms by the end of the day. I was also having numbness,
twitching, tingling, burning and the crawling feeling. Referred to a
neurologist, given an EMG, & diagnosed with Demyelinating Neuropathy.
Tested negative for mineral deficiency and diabetes, referred to physical
therapy.
30-45 days Following Last Dose: Heart palpitations, chest pain ahd
shortness of breath. Referred to cardiologist, all tests normal. Heart
palpitations stopped about 2 months later.
When I was in to see my doctor about the heart thing, I brought up it
also being a side-effect of Levaquin. She continued to deny my symptoms were
Levaquin related. That very day, my doctor had another patient come in with
the exact side effects I was having - also having taken Levaquin. At this
time, my doctor started looking into the possibility of both of us having
ADRs to Levaquin. My doctor did file an ADR on me with the FDA.
Continuing Symptoms: peripheral neuropathy: pain, numbness, twitching,
tingling, burning and crawling mostly in my upper left arm, occasionally in
right arm as well. I am not under any treatment and I have just resigned
myself to this pain for as long as it is here. I have had virtually no change
in symptoms (no better or worse) since March of this year. I had a really bad
three weeks in January and early February... no idea why.

Michael
Levaquin 500 mg/day for 20 days in late August & September, 2000
Joint pain: hands and knees
Insomnia/due to pain
panic attacks during the middle of the night
Peripheral neuropathy: nerve pain and that electrical tingling feeling

Paul K., age 49, infected cyst on leg:
500 mg/day for 9 days
Initial Symptoms: depression; insomnia; cardiac distress; abdominal
pain; joint and muscle pain; cramps and muscle spasms; severe
paresthesia; altered smell and taste; weight loss.
Continuing Symptoms: disturbed sleep; difficulty concentrating; frequent
cardiac arrhythmia and elevated blood pressure; persistent burning
sensation of skin; pain in most major joints, including left shoulder
injury; persistent rib cage soreness. Severity of some of these symptoms
appears to have become cyclical.

Susan, Pelvic abscess due to abdominal surgery
Levaquin- 500mg for 16 days
torn achilles tendons
pain in joints and tendons
brain fog, mental confusion
Sensory nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy: mushy feeling in the area of my
achilles tendons. I also experienced the tingling and crawling feelings.

Terri, chronic Sinusitis:
heart palpitations
Pain and weakness in my chest, ribs and generalized pain, severe pain that
seemed like it was in my nerves
Joint pain: shoulders, arms and knees, Inability to lift my arms after about
a week on LEVAQUIN
Insomnia, fatigue, depression, fear that my heart would stop if I fell
asleep. I've not taken any quinolones for 7 months (since November). Getting
better, but still not the same as before. I'd taken LEVAQUIN off and on 2 or
3 years. I'd even taken Raxar (now off the market) after a bout with
pneumonia. I finally put it all together one night while I laid in fear of
closing my eyes. My chest felt so heavy, it felt like by own body would crush
my heart. I was also so swollen, I thought my arteries were getting closed
off. My doctor had also started treating me for depression. The chronic
illness really gets to you after about 4 years. I got up and looked online
for any sort of side affects for both Wellbutrin, and LEVAQUIN. Lo and
behold, nothing similar to this for Wellbutrin, but TONS of info on the
LEVAQUIN. I quit taking it immediately. I did have bronchitis once, and
took Biaxin with no ill affects. I kept feeling like I was having a relapse
though, then found they were feeding quinolones to poultry. I've now quit
eating poultry about a month ago. I seem to have less joint pain and
swelling. I eat very little beef for fear of what antibiotics they may be
being feed. I also eat seafood. I guess I'm almost turning into a vegetarian
out of necessity.

Tootsie, 48, 2(two) Levaquin, November 2000
Skin rash: broke out 30 minutes after the second dose, persistent, recurring.
Mouth: Sore throat, Candida, ulcers - a lot of mouth ulcers all at once; a
new one started 2 days ago on my gum and bottom lip right center of my mouth.
I also had dry mouth the first few weeks - there were about 2 weeks that
there was no saliva.
Peripheral neuropathy: complete numbness in fingers and thumbs, for a couple
of days now my scalp has been itching and has the crawly feeling.
Short term memory loss
I am on Effexor XR for depression. I also have problems that have nothing to
do with Levaquin that has contributed to the depression. The ADR just made
it worse.
Fatigue
Joint & Muscle pain: knees, ankles, shoulders, neck, and hands are the
worst. They seem to be continually getting worse. I am so stiff of the
mornings I can hardly get out of bed.
Visual difficulties: had to go into bifocals about 3 weeks after the
Levaquin.
Increased blood pressure: Yesterday, I almost had a stroke just looking at
my numbers :-o 175/107 YIKES!! They took it several more times before they
let me leave. I know it can go up from the anxiety of being at the doctor's
office, but that was scary.
Tests: for arthritis and lupus.
Here I am 2 carpal tunnel surgeries later, still constantly fatigued, and
joint and muscle pain that gets worse daily. Until last November, I was
quite healthy for a 48 year old that has worked hard all her life.

----
Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent joint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Molly, after 10 months on Levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
----
Levaquin, Cipro, Floxin
David F, prostatitis
severe back pain
joint pain, tendonitis in all joints
leg cramps
muscle pain
liver lesions
damage to lymph nodes
was on 500 mg twice daily for 2 months - diagnosis of prostitis was in eror
actually had kidney stones with no infections present.
Been suffering for 9 months now doctors have no answers
--------------------
CIPRO

Jeff, 33, Cipro, sinus and ear infection (also using steroidal nasal spray)
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation left side of chest/side

It is a full 3 1/2 years later and I still have mild to moderate burning in
my left chest/side. I am on 600 - 900 mg's of Neurontin each day and have to
take a mild pain pill every once in a while. Before the Cipro, I had never
experienced this type of pain in my life. My Neuro says I have ridiculopathy
of the T5 nerve that runs from my back to my front. He says it may never get
all that much better. He doesn't believe it has anything to do with the FQ I
took. Seems odd however that my syptoms came on just as I was taking the
drug.

Judie
Cipro, 1999, 2 times following oral surgery
w/i 30 days, torn tendons right elbow & necrosis
w/i 1 year, overall extreme joint pain
2 years later: still have bad elbow(s) and overall joint pain
I had carpal tunnel surgery 12/2000

Mary, age 56, traveler's diarrhea
Cipro 500 mg. 2 times a day for 20 days in November 1999
Psychological: exacerbation of pre-existing Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: severe depression (for almost 18
months), suicidal tendencies, depersonalization, out of body experiences.
Insomnia
Muscle twitches diagnosed as Myoclonus.


Mike W., age 31, perfect health until prostatisis for which Cipro was given
as first medication
Cipro 500 for two months
Major muscle spasms and tremors
Chest pain
Racing heart
Soreness in arms & chest - difficult to lift even a milk jug. At first, I
thought I just slept wrong. Then it got worse.
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation in muscles
One quick word of warning: I took the Cipro for two months; the bad
reactions started slowly when I was on it, and then got worse when I stopped.
The day after I went off the drug was when the real fun began....six months
later, the fun never ends....

Olive,age 41. suspected typhoid (some kind of gut infection)
Tendon problems - severely damaged right shoulder, ongoing tendonitis in
*other* shoulder and often flare-ups in other joints.
Peripheral neuropathy: every now and then I get a tingling in my scalp, like
there is an insect on my head, lasting for a few hours.
----
Floxin, Cipro

Jeff, 33, Floxin/1 day, switched to Cipro/12 days
Skin Rash: red dots on arms, legs and buttocks
Joint and muscle pain: thigh, groin, hip, and legs
"Geographic tongue"
Night sweats
Anxiety, panic attacks
Now it has been a month since my last Cipro and I am still experiencing
muscle and joint pain in my legs. The rash is clearing up but not entirely
gone. I am still experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, which I never had
until the medicine.
testing: HIV. I thought that I was showing the signs and got tested. This
came back negative.

Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent oint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Linda
High blood pressure was among the 1st of my adrs. Mine went from 117/72 to
160/120.
Muscle spasms & cramps
Carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and neck surgery.
Visual difficulties: blurred vision and going from just reading glasses to a
full rx now.
It has been 5 years and I am still sick and unable to work. I have been to
five different neurologist and none of them would commit to an adr to the
quinolones.
Tests: I have had 3 mri's that have come back negative.
Pain in chest and hands
MD felt that either the Cipro directly affected the peripheral nervous
system, or may have affected my immune system, allowing something else to
attack it. I was just glad to hear that he would at least consider the
Cipro, and he told me to avoid it in the future (although that is a "no
brainer" at least he was acknowledging it). My Uro told me to get back on
the Cipro, and "get over" the side effects. Needless to say, he is no longer
my Uro.

Molly, after 10 months on levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
--------------
TROVAN

Sharon, UTI
I took 1 Trovan (quinolone) which is off the market now. In fact, I took 1
sample, a week before it went off the market and 4 Macrobid for a UTI
infection. Macrobid is not a quinolone but highly toxic to the nerves. I have
experienced in the course of 2 years:
massive bruising
wheezing
muscle spasms
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling in all areas of the body (mainly in legs for
the better part of 1 year), stinging and strange nerve sensations (crawling
like) from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It took me a year to
figure out it had something to do with those drugs. Yep, I have fought
depression, but keep going.
----------------

NOROXIN

Ned, 24, Noroxin/3 weeks
Headache: "eyepopping headaches," continuing
Skin rash
Insomnia
Anxiety/panic attacks
Vision deteriorated
Frequent Urination
I also thought that I had HIV (negative). I made a mistake of waiting too
long to get checked out and probably drove myself further into insanity. I've
been feeling better since I tested negative for HIV and some other major
illnesses but not 100%. For me the worst thing is this weird feeling in my
head that I get almost every day I fell like I'm lost, the left over anxiety
and panic attacks . I have hard time concentrating on my work or anything for
that matter. It's been almost a year for me. Good luck.

TEQUIN

mrsmep, pneumonia
extreme fatigue & weakness
severe insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks
nausea, blood in stools
pounding/racing heart
severe headache
severe back pain, pain all over the body, as if every single bone aches, etc.
terrible sweating attacks that soak my clothes.
I also have a low-grade fever after 10 days on Tequin (I stopped it after 10
of the 14 days when I realized the reason I was feeling worse was the
medication). I had been on Augmentin and then Biaxin prior to the Tequin.
I also am having an extremely difficult time communicating: lose my train of
thought, cannot find the words I want to use, ramble, and have trouble
speaking. I feel as if I have had a stroke.


4278From: testie2k@y...
Date: Tue Jun 26, 2001 4:04am
Subject: Re: Levaquin GI Side effects

I have an update on my friend - she's hospitalized again last
weekend, this time because she was bleeding from her colon, she was
dehydrated and anemic,still not able to eat much of anything. She's
been given blood, she's on steroids and feels somewhat better - they
think the bleeding has stopped. I'm not sure what else they're doing
to determine the cause of the problem (aside from Levaquin that we
know started this nightmare), I hope IF she lives through this (I'm
not sure she can go on for two years like this) she's going to sue
the crap out of the drug company, this has ruined her life, and I'm
sure she's not alone in that.

Tess

4249From: tigressproductions@y...
Date: Wed Jun 20, 2001 11:14pm
Subject: Update - Took Levaquin

Hi,
I posted several weeks ago asking for advice before
going to a new doctor. The good news is that I've
found a doctor who believes me. The bad news is that
I'm still experiencing many problems.
(I took 5 250 mg Levaquin pills - took the last one
5/29)
Prior to last week I had severe muscle cramps and
spasms in my right leg plus a host of other problems.
During the past week:
My heart rate is now irregular and my blood pressure
is high. This was not the case prior to taking the
drug.
My left eye has been twitching. My eyelids no longer
look the same. One loose, the other tight.
I still have severe overall weakness.
Still have pain in my elbow.
Still have pain in my feet, mostly heels.
Still lightheaded and sometimes nauseous.
Now working part time.
I am waiting for a lot of test results. My new doctor
is so far top notch but he has said to me that it will
either go away or it won't. I am better than I was
last week although not much.
JL


LEVAQUIN

Cassandra, 31, sinusitis
I was diagnosed with sinusitis May 2000, prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 7
days. Symptoms started a week later.
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling, burning, numbness due to small fiber nerve
damage which affected most of my left side of the body (cheek, neck, both
arms, left leg).
Hypersensitivity to hot and cold
Anxiety, depression
4 months into ADR tendon problems occurred with both arms (primarily wrist
and elbow joints).
Muscle weakness followed. 1 year later I'm still recovering with mild flare
ups of the above symptoms.

Earl age 52, prostatitis
joint pain & tendon problems: arches in both feet, achilles tendons, knees,
elbows, unable to lift arms above horizontal without extreme shoulder pain
pain in lower back, rib cage & neck
sprained my little finger 12 weeks ago it wont heal
took exactly 504 CIPRO in twelve months for prostate troubles in 1996
(my condition would reocurr or never clear up completly -so i would be on
them for a while then off then back on ,till i finally decided to just live
with the problem and just quit going to the dr. for the prostate thing) !
Now disabled, unable to work
Doctor.says it's osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia & and unknown
polyneuropathy--what's your opinion?

Elaine, pneumonia, Feb. 2001
Tendonitis which finally resulted in rupture of the achilles tendon.
I am currently recovering from surgery to re-attach; the tendon had a lot of
necrosis (which had to be scraped away) and my doctor has no idea what kind
of recovery I can expect from my thinned-out tendon. I think this finding of
necrosis is very important, because the people suffering from tendonitis may
well have a lot of dead tissue in there and if it's not removed, can they
ever get past the pain?
I suffered excruciating pain before the rupture: after surgery, although I'm
in an uncomfortable brace and can't put weight on that foot, I am at least
free from pain for the first time in months

Felix, prostatitis:
dry mouth, dry eyes
severe joint pain: hip & leg, especially L leg
inability to walk due to pain 3 days into Levaquin therapy
testing for: Sjogren's Syndrome

JL(tigress), I took five 250 mg Levaquin pills - took the last one 5/29
Severe muscle cramps and spasms in my right leg, plus a host of other
problems.
My heart rate is now irregular and my blood pressure is high. (This was not
the case prior to taking the drug).
Persistent & severe overall weakness.
Peripheral neuropathy: left eye has been twitching. My eyelids no longer
look the same. One loose, the other tight.
Persistent pain in elbow and feet, mostly heels.
Lightheadedness and sometimes nauseous.
I'm still experiencing many problems.
Now working part time.
I am waiting for a lot of test results.

June L., 250 mg Levaquin pills for five days, two weeks ago.
Severe leg weakness
Severe muscle cramps in stomach and legs
Severe pain in elbow and shoulder
Severe nausea
Severe headache, after which one eyelid is droopy and the other remains tight.
Peripheral neuropathy: Tingling in hand, numbness and tingling in my hands
and more.
I've been unable to work
My doctor told me to go to an acupunturist for the shoulder and elbow pain.
She seems aware of an ADR with this drug but other than that is unwilling to
help me further. She said "this drug has helped a lot of people". I have
asked her to refer me to someone who can help me and I'm waiting for a
referral.

Ken age 39 prostatitis
muscle spasms
Severe joint pain: elbows & arches of both feet
sleeplessness
Anxiety (Depersonalization, Derealization)
stomach problems.

Michael
Levaquin 500 mg/day for 20 days in late August & September, 2000
Joint pain: hands and knees
Insomnia/due to pain
panic attacks during the middle of the night
Peripheral neuropathy: nerve pain and that electrical tingling feeling

Paul, infected cyst on leg:
500 mg/day for 9 days
Initial Symptoms: depression, insomnia, cardiac distress, abdominal pain,
mouth was bright red, weight loss, joint and muscle pain, cramps and muscle
spasms; peripheral neuropathy: severe paresthesia, pins & needles sensations
in the back of neck on the left side, teeth hurt all on the left side,
altered smell and taste, visual disturbance: hazy vision, seeing halos
around street lights. I was checked for Glaucoma not more than a month into
my ADR, and diagnosed as having mild ametropia.
Continuing Symptoms: disturbed sleep; difficulty concentrating; frequent
cardiac arrhythmia and elevated blood pressure, peripheral neuropathy:
persistent burning sensation of skin; pain in most major joints, including
left shoulder injury; persistent rib cage soreness. Severity of some of these
symptoms appears to have become cyclical.

Susan, Pelvic abscess due to abdominal surgery
Levaquin- 500mg for 16 days
torn achilles tendons
pain in joints and tendons
brain fog, mental confusion
Sensory nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy: mushy feeling in the area of my
achilles tendons. I also experienced the tingling and crawling feelings.

Terri, chronic Sinusitis:
heart palpitations
Pain and weakness in my chest, ribs and generalized pain, severe pain that
seemed like it was in my nerves
Joint pain: shoulders, arms and knees, Inability to lift my arms after about
a week on LEVAQUIN
Insomnia, fatigue, depression, fear that my heart would stop if I fell
asleep. I've not taken any quinolones for 7 months (since November). Getting
better, but still not the same as before. I'd taken LEVAQUIN off and on 2 or
3 years. I'd even taken Raxar (now off the market) after a bout with
pneumonia. I finally put it all together one night while I laid in fear of
closing my eyes. My chest felt so heavy, it felt like by own body would crush
my heart. I was also so swollen, I thought my arteries were getting closed
off. My doctor had also started treating me for depression. The chronic
illness really gets to you after about 4 years. I got up and looked online
for any sort of side affects for both Wellbutrin, and LEVAQUIN. Lo and
behold, nothing similar to this for Wellbutrin, but TONS of info on the
LEVAQUIN. I quit taking it immediately. I did have bronchitis once, and
took Biaxin with no ill affects. I kept feeling like I was having a relapse
though, then found they were feeding quinolones to poultry. I've now quit
eating poultry about a month ago. I seem to have less joint pain and
swelling. I eat very little beef for fear of what antibiotics they may be
being feed. I also eat seafood. I guess I'm almost turning into a vegetarian
out of necessity.

Tootsie, 48, 2(two) Levaquin, November 2000
Skin rash: broke out 30 minutes after the second dose, persistent, recurring.
Mouth: Sore throat, Candida, ulcers - a lot of mouth ulcers all at once; a
new one started 2 days ago on my gum and bottom lip right center of my mouth.
I also had dry mouth the first few weeks - there were about 2 weeks that
there was no saliva.
Peripheral neuropathy: complete numbness in fingers and thumbs, for a couple
of days now my scalp has been itching and has the crawly feeling.
Short term memory loss
I am on Effexor XR for depression. I also have problems that have nothing to
do with Levaquin that has contributed to the depression. The ADR just made
it worse.
Fatigue
Joint & Muscle pain: knees, ankles, shoulders, neck, and hands are the
worst. They seem to be continually getting worse. I am so stiff of the
mornings I can hardly get out of bed.
Visual difficulties: had to go into bifocals about 3 weeks after the
Levaquin.
Increased blood pressure: Yesterday, I almost had a stroke just looking at
my numbers :-o 175/107 YIKES!! They took it several more times before they
let me leave. I know it can go up from the anxiety of being at the doctor's
office, but that was scary.
Tests: for arthritis and lupus.
Here I am 2 carpal tunnel surgeries later, still constantly fatigued, and
joint and muscle pain that gets worse daily. Until last November, I was
quite healthy for a 48 year old that has worked hard all her life.

----
Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent joint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Molly, after 10 months on Levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
----
Levaquin, Cipro, Floxin
David F, prostatitis
severe back pain
joint pain, tendonitis in all joints
leg cramps
muscle pain
liver lesions
damage to lymph nodes
was on 500 mg twice daily for 2 months - diagnosis of prostitis was in eror
actually had kidney stones with no infections present.
Been suffering for 9 months now doctors have no answers
--------------------
CIPRO

Jeff, 33, Cipro, sinus and ear infection (also using steroidal nasal spray)
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation left side of chest/side

It is a full 3 1/2 years later and I still have mild to moderate burning in
my left chest/side. I am on 600 - 900 mg's of Neurontin each day and have to
take a mild pain pill every once in a while. Before the Cipro, I had never
experienced this type of pain in my life. My Neuro says I have ridiculopathy
of the T5 nerve that runs from my back to my front. He says it may never get
all that much better. He doesn't believe it has anything to do with the FQ I
took. Seems odd however that my syptoms came on just as I was taking the
drug.

Judie
Cipro, 1999, 2 times following oral surgery
w/i 30 days, torn tendons right elbow & necrosis
w/i 1 year, overall extreme joint pain
2 years later: still have bad elbow(s) and overall joint pain
I had carpal tunnel surgery 12/2000

Mary, age 56, traveler's diarrhea
Cipro 500 mg. 2 times a day for 20 days in November 1999
Psychological: exacerbation of pre-existing Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: severe depression (for almost 18
months), suicidal tendencies, depersonalization, out of body experiences.
Insomnia
Muscle twitches diagnosed as Myoclonus.


Mike W., age 31, perfect health until prostatisis for which Cipro was given
as first medication
Cipro 500 for two months
Major muscle spasms and tremors
Chest pain
Racing heart
Soreness in arms & chest - difficult to lift even a milk jug. At first, I
thought I just slept wrong. Then it got worse.
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation in muscles
One quick word of warning: I took the Cipro for two months; the bad
reactions started slowly when I was on it, and then got worse when I stopped.
The day after I went off the drug was when the real fun began....six months
later, the fun never ends....

Olive,age 41. suspected typhoid (some kind of gut infection)
Tendon problems - severely damaged right shoulder, ongoing tendonitis in
*other* shoulder and often flare-ups in other joints.
Peripheral neuropathy: every now and then I get a tingling in my scalp, like
there is an insect on my head, lasting for a few hours.
----
Floxin, Cipro

Jeff, 33, Floxin/1 day, switched to Cipro/12 days
Skin Rash: red dots on arms, legs and buttocks
Joint and muscle pain: thigh, groin, hip, and legs
"Geographic tongue"
Night sweats
Anxiety, panic attacks
Now it has been a month since my last Cipro and I am still experiencing
muscle and joint pain in my legs. The rash is clearing up but not entirely
gone. I am still experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, which I never had
until the medicine.
testing: HIV. I thought that I was showing the signs and got tested. This
came back negative.

Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent oint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Linda
High blood pressure was among the 1st of my adrs. Mine went from 117/72 to
160/120.
Muscle spasms & cramps
Carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and neck surgery.
Visual difficulties: blurred vision and going from just reading glasses to a
full rx now.
It has been 5 years and I am still sick and unable to work. I have been to
five different neurologist and none of them would commit to an adr to the
quinolones.
Tests: I have had 3 mri's that have come back negative.
Pain in chest and hands
MD felt that either the Cipro directly affected the peripheral nervous
system, or may have affected my immune system, allowing something else to
attack it. I was just glad to hear that he would at least consider the
Cipro, and he told me to avoid it in the future (although that is a "no
brainer" at least he was acknowledging it). My Uro told me to get back on
the Cipro, and "get over" the side effects. Needless to say, he is no longer
my Uro.

Molly, after 10 months on levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
--------------
TROVAN

Sharon, UTI
I took 1 Trovan (quinolone) which is off the market now. In fact, I took 1
sample, a week before it went off the market and 4 Macrobid for a UTI
infection. Macrobid is not a quinolone but highly toxic to the nerves. I have
experienced in the course of 2 years:
massive bruising
wheezing
muscle spasms
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling in all areas of the body (mainly in legs for
the better part of 1 year), stinging and strange nerve sensations (crawling
like) from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It took me a year to
figure out it had something to do with those drugs. Yep, I have fought
depression, but keep going.
----------------

NOROXIN

Ned, 24, Noroxin/3 weeks
Headache: "eyepopping headaches," continuing
Skin rash
Insomnia
Anxiety/panic attacks
Vision deteriorated
Frequent Urination
I also thought that I had HIV (negative). I made a mistake of waiting too
long to get checked out and probably drove myself further into insanity. I've
been feeling better since I tested negative for HIV and some other major
illnesses but not 100%. For me the worst thing is this weird feeling in my
head that I get almost every day I fell like I'm lost, the left over anxiety
and panic attacks . I have hard time concentrating on my work or anything for
that matter. It's been almost a year for me. Good luck.

TEQUIN

mrsmep, pneumonia
extreme fatigue & weakness
severe insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks
nausea, blood in stools
pounding/racing heart
severe headache
severe back pain, pain all over the body, as if every single bone aches, etc.
terrible sweating attacks that soak my clothes.
I also have a low-grade fever after 10 days on Tequin (I stopped it after 10
of the 14 days when I realized the reason I was feeling worse was the
medication). I had been on Augmentin and then Biaxin prior to the Tequin.
I also am having an extremely difficult time communicating: lose my train of
thought, cannot find the words I want to use, ramble, and have trouble
speaking. I feel as if I have had a stroke.

4266From: NiceShyMiamiGuy@A...
Date: Sat Jun 23, 2001 7:25pm
Subject: Caffienated beverages are ok to drink
www.stlurology.com/levoflox.html

This Uro page says its ok to take Levaquin with Coffee. I took it with
coffee and I thought that was part of the problem - but they say its ok to do
it. They also say that "other side effects rarely occure with Levaquin" --


4324From: tigressproductions@y...
Date: Sat Jun 30, 2001 7:41am
Subject: Re: Levaquin and Eye Problems

Hi all,

I've been having a very bad twitch in my left eye and
the pupil is continuously dilated. It seems every day
brings a new problem. The left eye looks completely
different from the right one, the eyelids don't match.
Has anyone had eye problems? Do you have any info on
what is happening that causes the twitch and dilation?
My eyesight was never good but now it's also a bit
fuzzy.
To refresh my history: I took 5 250 mg Levaquin pills
(the last pill was taken on 5/29). This eye problem is
one of many that I'm suffering.
Thanks a lot for any info,
JL

4325From: ldbuckle@b...
Date: Sat Jun 30, 2001 8:57am
Subject: Re: Re: Levaquin and Eye Problems

Dear JL,
For the past four months since taking my last Tequin, my left eyelid has
been drooping...My eyes don't look the same. My vision has been "dimmer"
(need more lights turned on in the house), eyes get tired more easily, as
well has continuing to have no strength in my hands (and joint pain in the
hands and fingers). I recognized the joint pain and weakness as Tequin
problems, but never associated the drooping eyelid and eye problems.

Tequin was the fifth FQ I've been on...fairly major reactions to Levaquin
and Floxin...This was minor in comparison and did fix my UTI.

Hope this is helpful.


Lynn



4313From: flyinggby@y...
Date: Fri Jun 29, 2001 9:17am
Subject: Re: article-doctors

Jeanne,
Yes,I do feel that levaquin was the cause of my mother's death. And
Yes I have reported it to FDA. I had a lawsuit case but because she
was 86, no one would take it. If I were rich, I would have continue
the suit. I have written detailed letters to the President of the
hospital board, President of the hospital and public relation. I
have
not heard from anyone. The hospital called once stating that they
are
not responsible for their doctors. Figure that one. I also put in a
complaint to the Medical Board and they have contacted me. They will
be looking into it. I don't think anything will come of it
but.......at least they will need to talk about it and it will be in
the space of discussion. And maybe, it won't happen again or....
maybe there will be more letters and complaints......and then someone
might take notice. Every bit helps. Thanks for asking about it.
Marlene

4314From: testie2k@y...
Date: Fri Jun 29, 2001 9:23am
Subject: Re: colonoscopies

Interesting timing. See my previous posts about my friend who had
taken Levaquin and had severe GI side effects, she has not been able
to eat for two months, everything that went in her felt like she'd
eaten broken glass. She was hospitalized twice, had GI Series and
colonoscopy with not conclusive findings.

Last week she was taken to the hospital because she was bleeding
rectally and was anemic. She got 2 pints of blood and steroids, and
now the diagnosis is Crohn's disease, which she did not have before
taking Levaquin, although the doctors are telling her "you can't
prove it was the Levaquin that caused it". She feels much better now
on the steroids, has five prescriptions to manage the Crohn's, and
feels lucky that she survived. I think given her story it might be
worth going through to see if Crohn's has developed. Good luck to
you, your case sounds EXACTLY like my friend's case.

Tess


4269From: Gary Phillips <silchem@p...>
Date: Sun Jun 24, 2001 10:18pm
Subject: Re: Re: hip pains

Yes my right hip has been the most severe and after many x-rays and
examinations the Docs find no answer. I know the answer Levaquin. I awakened
one morning after three weeks on it to never be the same again.


4277From: Kanefer@a...
Date: Mon Jun 25, 2001 8:11pm
Subject: Symptoms list - June 25

LEVAQUIN

Cassandra, 31, sinusitis
I was diagnosed with sinusitis May 2000, prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 7
days. Symptoms started a week later.
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling, burning, numbness due to small fiber nerve
damage which affected most of my left side of the body (cheek, neck, both
arms, left leg).
Hypersensitivity to hot and cold
Anxiety, depression
4 months into ADR tendon problems occurred with both arms (primarily wrist
and elbow joints).
Muscle weakness followed. 1 year later I'm still recovering with mild flare
ups of the above symptoms.

Earl age 52, prostatitis
joint pain & tendon problems: arches in both feet, achilles tendons, knees,
elbows, unable to lift arms above horizontal without extreme shoulder pain
pain in lower back, rib cage & neck
sprained my little finger 12 weeks ago it wont heal
took exactly 504 CIPRO in twelve months for prostate troubles in 1996
(my condition would reocurr or never clear up completly -so i would be on
them for a while then off then back on ,till i finally decided to just live
with the problem and just quit going to the dr. for the prostate thing) !
Now disabled, unable to work
Doctor.says it's osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia & and unknown
polyneuropathy--what's your opinion?

Elaine, pneumonia, Feb. 2001
Tendonitis which finally resulted in rupture of the achilles tendon.
I am currently recovering from surgery to re-attach; the tendon had a lot of
necrosis (which had to be scraped away) and my doctor has no idea what kind
of recovery I can expect from my thinned-out tendon. I think this finding of
necrosis is very important, because the people suffering from tendonitis may
well have a lot of dead tissue in there and if it's not removed, can they
ever get past the pain?
I suffered excruciating pain before the rupture: after surgery, although I'm
in an uncomfortable brace and can't put weight on that foot, I am at least
free from pain for the first time in months

Felix, prostatitis:
dry mouth, dry eyes
severe joint pain: hip & leg, especially L leg
inability to walk due to pain 3 days into Levaquin therapy
testing for: Sjogren's Syndrome

JL(tigress), I took five 250 mg Levaquin pills - took the last one 5/29
Severe muscle cramps and spasms in my right leg
Sharp pain in Achilles tendons that comes & goes
Persistent pain in elbow and feet, mostly heels.
My heart rate is now irregular and my blood pressure is high. (This was not
the case prior to taking the drug).
Persistent & severe overall weakness.
Peripheral neuropathy: left eye has been twitching. My eyelids no longer
look the same. One loose, the other tight.
Visual problems
Lightheadedness and sometimes nauseous.
I'm still experiencing many problems.
Now working part time.
I am waiting for a lot of test results.

June L., 250 mg Levaquin pills for five days, two weeks ago.
Severe leg weakness
Severe muscle cramps in stomach and legs
Severe pain in elbow and shoulder
Severe nausea
Severe headache, after which one eyelid is droopy and the other remains tight.
Peripheral neuropathy: Tingling in hand, numbness and tingling in my hands
and more.
I've been unable to work
My doctor told me to go to an acupunturist for the shoulder and elbow pain.
She seems aware of an ADR with this drug but other than that is unwilling to
help me further. She said "this drug has helped a lot of people". I have
asked her to refer me to someone who can help me and I'm waiting for a
referral.

Ken age 39 prostatitis
muscle spasms
Severe joint pain: elbows & arches of both feet
sleeplessness
Anxiety (Depersonalization, Derealization)
stomach problems.

Marci A., 40, sinus infection, 500mg Levaquin for 21 days, June 2000

Initial Symptoms: Pain in upper arms, shoulders and balls of feet 2-3 days
after first dose, pain behind right knee a few days later.
Subsequent Symptoms: Approximately 1 week following the last dose,
side-effects had in fact gotten worse, not gone away. ALOT of pain, often
unable to even lift arms by the end of the day. I was also having numbness,
twitching, tingling, burning and the crawling feeling. Referred to a
neurologist, given an EMG, & diagnosed with Demyelinating Neuropathy.
Tested negative for mineral deficiency and diabetes, referred to physical
therapy.
30-45 days Following Last Dose: Heart palpitations, chest pain ahd
shortness of breath. Referred to cardiologist, all tests normal. Heart
palpitations stopped about 2 months later.
When I was in to see my doctor about the heart thing, I brought up it
also being a side-effect of Levaquin. She continued to deny my symptoms were
Levaquin related. That very day, my doctor had another patient come in with
the exact side effects I was having - also having taken Levaquin. At this
time, my doctor started looking into the possibility of both of us having
ADRs to Levaquin. My doctor did file an ADR on me with the FDA.
Continuing Symptoms: peripheral neuropathy: pain, numbness, twitching,
tingling, burning and crawling mostly in my upper left arm, occasionally in
right arm as well. I am not under any treatment and I have just resigned
myself to this pain for as long as it is here. I have had virtually no change
in symptoms (no better or worse) since March of this year. I had a really bad
three weeks in January and early February... no idea why.

Michael
Levaquin 500 mg/day for 20 days in late August & September, 2000
Joint pain: hands and knees
Insomnia/due to pain
panic attacks during the middle of the night
Peripheral neuropathy: nerve pain and that electrical tingling feeling

Paul K., age 49, infected cyst on leg:
500 mg/day for 9 days
Initial Symptoms: depression; insomnia; cardiac distress; abdominal
pain; joint and muscle pain; cramps and muscle spasms; severe
paresthesia; altered smell and taste; weight loss.
Continuing Symptoms: disturbed sleep; difficulty concentrating; frequent
cardiac arrhythmia and elevated blood pressure; persistent burning
sensation of skin; pain in most major joints, including left shoulder
injury; persistent rib cage soreness. Severity of some of these symptoms
appears to have become cyclical.

Susan, Pelvic abscess due to abdominal surgery
Levaquin- 500mg for 16 days
torn achilles tendons
pain in joints and tendons
brain fog, mental confusion
Sensory nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy: mushy feeling in the area of my
achilles tendons. I also experienced the tingling and crawling feelings.

Terri, chronic Sinusitis:
heart palpitations
Pain and weakness in my chest, ribs and generalized pain, severe pain that
seemed like it was in my nerves
Joint pain: shoulders, arms and knees, Inability to lift my arms after about
a week on LEVAQUIN
Insomnia, fatigue, depression, fear that my heart would stop if I fell
asleep. I've not taken any quinolones for 7 months (since November). Getting
better, but still not the same as before. I'd taken LEVAQUIN off and on 2 or
3 years. I'd even taken Raxar (now off the market) after a bout with
pneumonia. I finally put it all together one night while I laid in fear of
closing my eyes. My chest felt so heavy, it felt like by own body would crush
my heart. I was also so swollen, I thought my arteries were getting closed
off. My doctor had also started treating me for depression. The chronic
illness really gets to you after about 4 years. I got up and looked online
for any sort of side affects for both Wellbutrin, and LEVAQUIN. Lo and
behold, nothing similar to this for Wellbutrin, but TONS of info on the
LEVAQUIN. I quit taking it immediately. I did have bronchitis once, and
took Biaxin with no ill affects. I kept feeling like I was having a relapse
though, then found they were feeding quinolones to poultry. I've now quit
eating poultry about a month ago. I seem to have less joint pain and
swelling. I eat very little beef for fear of what antibiotics they may be
being feed. I also eat seafood. I guess I'm almost turning into a vegetarian
out of necessity.

Tootsie, 48, 2(two) Levaquin, November 2000
Skin rash: broke out 30 minutes after the second dose, persistent, recurring.
Mouth: Sore throat, Candida, ulcers - a lot of mouth ulcers all at once; a
new one started 2 days ago on my gum and bottom lip right center of my mouth.
I also had dry mouth the first few weeks - there were about 2 weeks that
there was no saliva.
Peripheral neuropathy: complete numbness in fingers and thumbs, for a couple
of days now my scalp has been itching and has the crawly feeling.
Short term memory loss
I am on Effexor XR for depression. I also have problems that have nothing to
do with Levaquin that has contributed to the depression. The ADR just made
it worse.
Fatigue
Joint & Muscle pain: knees, ankles, shoulders, neck, and hands are the
worst. They seem to be continually getting worse. I am so stiff of the
mornings I can hardly get out of bed.
Visual difficulties: had to go into bifocals about 3 weeks after the
Levaquin.
Increased blood pressure: Yesterday, I almost had a stroke just looking at
my numbers :-o 175/107 YIKES!! They took it several more times before they
let me leave. I know it can go up from the anxiety of being at the doctor's
office, but that was scary.
Tests: for arthritis and lupus.
Here I am 2 carpal tunnel surgeries later, still constantly fatigued, and
joint and muscle pain that gets worse daily. Until last November, I was
quite healthy for a 48 year old that has worked hard all her life.

----
Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent joint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Molly, after 10 months on Levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
----
Levaquin, Cipro, Floxin
David F, prostatitis
severe back pain
joint pain, tendonitis in all joints
leg cramps
muscle pain
liver lesions
damage to lymph nodes
was on 500 mg twice daily for 2 months - diagnosis of prostitis was in eror
actually had kidney stones with no infections present.
Been suffering for 9 months now doctors have no answers
--------------------
CIPRO

Jeff, 33, Cipro, sinus and ear infection (also using steroidal nasal spray)
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation left side of chest/side

It is a full 3 1/2 years later and I still have mild to moderate burning in
my left chest/side. I am on 600 - 900 mg's of Neurontin each day and have to
take a mild pain pill every once in a while. Before the Cipro, I had never
experienced this type of pain in my life. My Neuro says I have ridiculopathy
of the T5 nerve that runs from my back to my front. He says it may never get
all that much better. He doesn't believe it has anything to do with the FQ I
took. Seems odd however that my syptoms came on just as I was taking the
drug.

Judie
Cipro, 1999, 2 times following oral surgery
w/i 30 days, torn tendons right elbow & necrosis
w/i 1 year, overall extreme joint pain
2 years later: still have bad elbow(s) and overall joint pain
I had carpal tunnel surgery 12/2000

Mary, age 56, traveler's diarrhea
Cipro 500 mg. 2 times a day for 20 days in November 1999
Psychological: exacerbation of pre-existing Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: severe depression (for almost 18
months), suicidal tendencies, depersonalization, out of body experiences.
Insomnia
Muscle twitches diagnosed as Myoclonus.


Mike W., age 31, perfect health until prostatisis for which Cipro was given
as first medication
Cipro 500 for two months
Major muscle spasms and tremors
Chest pain
Racing heart
Soreness in arms & chest - difficult to lift even a milk jug. At first, I
thought I just slept wrong. Then it got worse.
Peripheral neuropathy: burning sensation in muscles
One quick word of warning: I took the Cipro for two months; the bad
reactions started slowly when I was on it, and then got worse when I stopped.
The day after I went off the drug was when the real fun began....six months
later, the fun never ends....

Olive,age 41. suspected typhoid (some kind of gut infection)
Tendon problems - severely damaged right shoulder, ongoing tendonitis in
*other* shoulder and often flare-ups in other joints.
Peripheral neuropathy: every now and then I get a tingling in my scalp, like
there is an insect on my head, lasting for a few hours.
----
Floxin, Cipro

Jeff, 33, Floxin/1 day, switched to Cipro/12 days
Skin Rash: red dots on arms, legs and buttocks
Joint and muscle pain: thigh, groin, hip, and legs
"Geographic tongue"
Night sweats
Anxiety, panic attacks
Now it has been a month since my last Cipro and I am still experiencing
muscle and joint pain in my legs. The rash is clearing up but not entirely
gone. I am still experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, which I never had
until the medicine.
testing: HIV. I thought that I was showing the signs and got tested. This
came back negative.

Levaquin & Cipro
Judie, upper respiratory infection;
Lost all sense of smell for the better part of two years
Persistent oint problems: elbows, knees & ankles

Linda
High blood pressure was among the 1st of my adrs. Mine went from 117/72 to
160/120.
Muscle spasms & cramps
Carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and neck surgery.
Visual difficulties: blurred vision and going from just reading glasses to a
full rx now.
It has been 5 years and I am still sick and unable to work. I have been to
five different neurologist and none of them would commit to an adr to the
quinolones.
Tests: I have had 3 mri's that have come back negative.
Pain in chest and hands
MD felt that either the Cipro directly affected the peripheral nervous
system, or may have affected my immune system, allowing something else to
attack it. I was just glad to hear that he would at least consider the
Cipro, and he told me to avoid it in the future (although that is a "no
brainer" at least he was acknowledging it). My Uro told me to get back on
the Cipro, and "get over" the side effects. Needless to say, he is no longer
my Uro.

Molly, after 10 months on levaquin (beginning with 750 mgs of Cipro)
Continuing tongue and gums problem.
Achilles tendons are beginning to hurt
--------------
TROVAN

Sharon, UTI
I took 1 Trovan (quinolone) which is off the market now. In fact, I took 1
sample, a week before it went off the market and 4 Macrobid for a UTI
infection. Macrobid is not a quinolone but highly toxic to the nerves. I have
experienced in the course of 2 years:
massive bruising
wheezing
muscle spasms
Peripheral neuropathy: tingling in all areas of the body (mainly in legs for
the better part of 1 year), stinging and strange nerve sensations (crawling
like) from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. It took me a year to
figure out it had something to do with those drugs. Yep, I have fought
depression, but keep going.
----------------

NOROXIN

Ned, 24, Noroxin/3 weeks
Headache: "eyepopping headaches," continuing
Skin rash
Insomnia
Anxiety/panic attacks
Vision deteriorated
Frequent Urination
I also thought that I had HIV (negative). I made a mistake of waiting too
long to get checked out and probably drove myself further into insanity. I've
been feeling better since I tested negative for HIV and some other major
illnesses but not 100%. For me the worst thing is this weird feeling in my
head that I get almost every day I fell like I'm lost, the left over anxiety
and panic attacks . I have hard time concentrating on my work or anything for
that matter. It's been almost a year for me. Good luck.

TEQUIN

mrsmep, pneumonia
extreme fatigue & weakness
severe insomnia, anxiety and panic attacks
nausea, blood in stools
pounding/racing heart
severe headache
severe back pain, pain all over the body, as if every single bone aches, etc.
terrible sweating attacks that soak my clothes.
I also have a low-grade fever after 10 days on Tequin (I stopped it after 10
of the 14 days when I realized the reason I was feeling worse was the
medication). I had been on Augmentin and then Biaxin prior to the Tequin.
I also am having an extremely difficult time communicating: lose my train of
thought, cannot find the words I want to use, ramble, and have trouble
speaking. I feel as if I have had a stroke.


4278From: testie2k@y...
Date: Tue Jun 26, 2001 4:04am
Subject: Re: Levaquin GI Side effects

I have an update on my friend - she's hospitalized again last
weekend, this time because she was bleeding from her colon, she was
dehydrated and anemic,still not able to eat much of anything. She's
been given blood, she's on steroids and feels somewhat better - they
think the bleeding has stopped. I'm not sure what else they're doing
to determine the cause of the problem (aside from Levaquin that we
know started this nightmare), I hope IF she lives through this (I'm
not sure she can go on for two years like this) she's going to sue
the crap out of the drug company, this has ruined her life, and I'm
sure she's not alone in that.

Tess


4279From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Tue Jun 26, 2001 1:37am
Subject: Re: Update - Achilles Tendons Pain

Hi Patti,
Been there , done that. Wrote to the FDA a long time ago. Spoken to many
pharmacists, they love Cipro and Levaquin-no problems with them. They would
give them to their own families.

Sherry