Post Marketing Reports for July 2001

4406From: jgordon@j...
Date: Thu Jul 12, 2001 4:18am
Subject: Re: ADR's

I have continued to have leg pain and occassional bouts with dzziness. Most
recently, the rashes on my legs have been the issue. I went to the dermatologist
and he said that I have folliculitis. Has anyone else experienced this? IS my
immune system shot? I have never had any skin issues before the FQ's. Any
comments are appreciated.

Jeff, 33
floxin and cipro


4372From: Arlene <arlene@c...>
Date: Sun Jul 8, 2001 0:58pm
Subject: Re: Problems with Levaquin

I'll bet Ortho McNeil denies having had any reports of long term reactions.
Let us know. I called three times over the 21 months I was sick to report my
problems and they acted like I was the only one who had ever called.
According to them, there are just no long term reactions and once the
medicine is "out of your system" you can't have problems.
Arlene


4378From: phoenixwhite70@h...
Date: Sun Jul 8, 2001 10:14pm
Subject: tendonitis help please!

I have just searched the entire forum and I am trying to pull this
all together. I just discovered today that Levaquin and the
tendonitis in both my ankles is probably related. I have had two 3
day courses of Levaquin since April and started a third today when I
was reading the PDR and saw the info on tendonitis. Of course, that
is the last quinolone that will ever cross my lips!

A question from my perusal of the forum. What is MSM? Is it an
acronym for a longer name?

I am guessing that the cortisone treatments to the ankles with my
Physical therapy treatments are not the thing to do. I also have
been doing gentle ankle stretching exercises and the PT people are
wanting to progress to more serious ankle exercises this week. The
NSAIDS seem to help immensely but the next day after I stop using
them I have severe rebound pain.

It seems that it takes time for the Levaquin to leave the system. Is
this the action that finally happens? Is there a way to chase it out
faster? Or does one simply give attention to resting the tendon
until it heals or does one provide the proper supplements for the
tendons to heal faster? Or both?

I am quite an active person so this is new for me. I have been
intuitively supplementing with calcium, magnesium, Vit c, pycnogenol
and the best multiple vitamin I can find. In addition I have been
taking a precription strength NSAID since Advil was not enough.

My thoughts are with all of you who have struggled with this. Any
thoughts are welcome.

Amy

4381From: tigressproductions@y...
Date: Mon Jul 9, 2001 9:52am
Subject: Re: Problems with Levaquin

Hi all,
I was told by my doctor (who believes me and knows
about the problems with Levaquin) that the drug stores
in the system - it never leaves. He says "You will
either get better or you won't". I know this isn't
that encouraging but at least it's honest. The first
doctor, the idiot who gave me Levaquin for a "possible
UTI", thought that the only adverse reactions were to
joints and tendons. I am at the point now where I am
doing damage control - trying to find out if there is
any permanent damage in my body. If you are unfamilar
with my reactions, read my first and second postings,
as they contain most of my problems. I am most
concerned now about my eyes, achilles tendons, right
elbow and shoulder. I continue to have all of the
other problems - neuropathy, burning, vertigo, stomach
problems sometimes, etc., but I am hopeful that these
problems will go away. I'm trying to stay positive.
My best wishes to all.
JL

4357From: write_paula@h...
Date: Sat Jul 7, 2001 8:24pm
Subject: Problems with Levaquin

I have been reading the reactions of others using Levaquin and I am
getting furious. I am also experiencing some of the reactions that I
read about. I started out on 6/11 with a kidney infection. My
physician started me out on Levaquin for a 16 day treatment for the
infection. After about a week, the infection got better but I
developed kidney stones (not sure where that came from but possible
side effect of the drug). The worst part of all is the pain I have
experienced in my right heel and both legs. I have a weakness in my
legs and pain that feels like what I would imagine arthritis might
feel like. I did NOT have this pain before taking the drug. The
pain was terrible for a week or so while lying down. It had an effect
on my sleep and I would have to get up and walk around. Now, that
has subsided somewhat but I have weakness and pain when I get up
after sitting or lying down. It does get better when I walk around a
little. I suspected the drug but not until today when I came upon
this website did I know it is related to this med. Funny,
the "expected" side effects do not say all of this!

Now, I am hoping that one of you will give me good news to tell me
that these symptoms will go away soon.

Monday I am going back to my doctor and going to call Ortho-McNeil. I
am going to use information from all of you that I get off of this
website to fuel my fire! I will let you know what happens.

I feel foolish in a way about this, like I should have known better.
You see, my job is to protect the public health.


4369From: indiomary@a...
Date: Sun Jul 8, 2001 7:50am
Subject: Neuropathy

For the last 19 months I have had ADRs to three weeks of Cipro that were
primarily psychological/psychiatric, except for muscle jerks which could be
caused by the antidepressants I am taking. Now I am having both hands "go to
sleep" without apparent cause, like cutting off the circulation. I am
concerned it might be neuropathy caused by the Cipro. Has anyone had this
happen a long time after the original ADR? Is it likely to get worse?

Thanks for your help.
Mary


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


4326From: Irene Au <irene_au@y...>
Date: Mon Jul 2, 2001 1:02pm
Subject: Macrobid -> Keflex -> now Cipro for UTI (allergic to
penicillins and sulfas)

Hi,

I came down with a UTI on Friday afternoon and was prescribed
Macrobid for it (I am allergic to penicillins and sulfas). For two
nights in a row, I woke up repeatedly in the middle of the night with
numbness and tingling in my arms and legs; it was very frightening.
I later discovered that macrobid can cause neuropathy and asked my
doctor for a different antibiotic. I switched to Keflex yesterday;
this morning I woke up with some bumps on my legs. This is
reminiscent of the hive breakouts I have had when I discovered I was
allergic to penicllin and sulfas, and if I take another dose of
Keflex I may react similarly to it.

Now, the doctor is prescribing Cipro for 10 days. I hesitate to take
it after reading about the risks of taking quinolones, but I am not
sure what my alternatives are. Confounding all this is that there is
a chance I may be pregnant, but it is too early to determine by
pregnancy test.

I would appreciate any insight you may have to offer. You can respond
here or mail me directly. mailto:irene_au@y...

--Irene
[cipro or any other fluoroquinolone is NOT to be prescribed if there is a chance that the person may be pregnant, unless the mothers life is in danger,edior]


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


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


4599From: BubNan1@m...
Date: Mon Aug 13, 2001 7:16am
Subject: Aneurysm (Cipro?)

It wasn't until my husband had a reaction to Cipro did the doctors
discover an aneurysm on his brain. Does anyone know if there has
been a linking to the drug Ciprofloxacin and an aneurysm?

We have an appt. today with the neurosurgeon to discuss the date of
his operation. But I do NOT beleive that my husband is up for brain
surgery while he is still suffering from the adverse reaction to that
damn drug. (acute insomnia, back, arm and leg pain, anxiety, etc.)

It has been nearly a month now, with no relief in sight. I know
many of you have been suffering for years and after going through it
for just a month I feel that we will both lose our minds if the
symptoms do not get better. How do you cope????????????????????


4601From: buddy.solomon@c...
Date: Mon Aug 13, 2001 2:02pm
Subject: Any advice???

All:

I'm now 3 weeks into my post Levaquin ordeal. I stopped taking the
medication after 28 days of 500 mg per day. It took 21 days before I
noticed any significant symptoms-some lightheadedness, stiffness in
achilles and pain in upper arms--nothing too drastic. After things
got a bit worse, I looked on the Ortho website and was amazed to find
that the drug could cause tendon problems.

Went to PCP, told to stop drug and I would recover in a couple of
days. However, symptoms multiplied after I stopped taking the drug.
For the first 10 days or so, I began to have muscle aches in the calf,
dizziness, muscle weakness, some numbness in limbs at night, pain in
feet, metal taste in mouth, pain in lower back, etc. Doctor was still
saying I would get better soon and that the only real issue was the
risk of tendon rupture. I felt like I was getting worse so I went to
see a rheumotologist/internist. He gave me an initial diagnosis of
Reiter's (spelling?) Syndrome rather than a reaction to levaquin.

Both Docs said I could proceed with my family vacation to Disney
World. We were in Disney World for 8 days and just got back
yesterday. Symptoms appeared to be leveling off after 4 days in
Disney with the worst problem being severe pain in heel and balls of
both feet after walking around the park with my kids for 3-4 hours.
However, my symptoms began to get a bit worse after spending 4 hours
in direct sunlight and chlorinated water at a water park. The muscle
twitching is back and seems to be moving up my legs slowly. In
addition, the muscle weakness seems to be getting a bit worse.

Went back to rheumotologist today and he now believes I had a reaction
to levaquin rather than Reiders syndrome based on results of blood
work. However, blood work looks normal. He says I just need time to
let my body heal. He is sending me for a nerve test tomorrow (ECG?)
to see if there is any nerve damage.

Based on posts to this forum, I can't tell when most people "level out
" on progression of symptoms. Does age, general health, etc. seem to
make a difference for anyone on progression of symptoms, recovery
period, etc.? Any recommendations for tests to be done, remedies,
etc.?

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks and I pray that all the members of the group will feel better
very soon,

Buddy


4607From: derek@m...
Date: Wed Aug 15, 2001 6:00am
Subject: ADR to CIPRO

I am really glad to have come across this discussion group and to
discover I am not the only one suffering problems after taking a
quinolone drug. I was recently prescribed CIPRO by my doctor and as a
result I have now developed a number of side-effects from taking this
drug. I took it for 7 days (14 x 250mg). Side-effects started with
flatulence on day 3, then I began to notice fleeting joint pains,
aches in various parts of my body and the sensation that I could feel
my heart beat. On the evening of day 7 I had what I can only describe
as a panic attack. After that a night of sleeplessness, sweating and
feelings of anxiety. Needless to say I took no more CIPRO after this.

In the 2 and a half weeks since I stopped taking the drug my joint
pains (knees, elbows, wrists) have worsened and I have aches that
come and go in various parts of my body, the neck is the worst. I
have near constant earache, poor concentration and my head feels
spaced out. Also today a new symptom: tingling in my legs and the
back of my head. I wonder what is next?

I have ordered a copy of the book "Bitter Pills" in order to find out
more about what is happening to me. The NYTimes has the first chapter
of this book online at http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/f/fried-
pills.html

Its astonishing to do a search on Google and to find so many others
who have suffered by taking this drug as well.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=cipro+pains

I understand that CIPRO can cause erosion of cartilage in joints. I
am considering taking glucosamine and chondroitin in order, hopefully
to, protect my joints from the worst effects. Has anyone found that
taking glucosamine has been a help?

Do others find, that like me, their symptoms are getting worst since
they stopped the drug rather than better?

Derek


4581From: Ari Lesser <alesser@u...>
Date: Sat Aug 11, 2001 6:56am
Subject: Re: Re: ok,i took the levaquin.....please read.

D Fuller I read your article with great interest. I took Levaquin for 45
days and after ther fith day had severe pain in both of my hamstrings. Was
advised to continue meds and tak an atni inflamatory alll to no avail I
have been to internists, sports doctors and my own physician who doublt that
meds caused my problem with my hamstings, It has been seven months since i
stoppped taking the meds but still have problem sitting down for more than
20 minutes. I ahve taken vioxx corison shots and other anti inflamatories
all to no avail, the E M G and Ultra sound were all negative. This Monday I
go in for a bone scan that I am sure will be negative. The first week I took
Levaquin I jogged 25 miles but since the pain in the pain in the hamstrings
I barely walk a mile a day. I would sincerely appreciate any factual
material that you could share on tseh affects of levaquin and any ideas on
healing. it has been seven months of hell. Thank you. Ari
At 09:31 PM 8/10/01 EDT, you wrote:
>In a message dated 8/10/01 5:53:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>peng2112@y... writes:
>
>
>> peng2112@y...
>>
>
>Just to let you know there is nothing "Joe McCarthy" about these drugs
>causing the reaction five months later. If you wish I will forward you
>several clinical studies which prove without a doubt that this is exactly
>what happens, sometimes as much as a year later. You would also be advised
>that my attorneys have also proven without a doubt with specific scientific
>FACTS that this is exactly what happened in my case and we are in the
>middle of SUING both the doctors involved as well as the drug manufactures
>for medical malpractice and have over a dozen medical experts (all with phd's
>and numerous other initials after thier names) who will testify in court that
>not only is this possible this is EXACTLY what happened to me. These experts
>are so outraged at what has happened they recommended to my attorneys
>(Sheller, Ludwig, and Bady) NOT to settle this case out of court and also
>advised them not to accept ANYTHING LESS than full damages. I am one of many
>clients of this law firm which has proven TIME AND TIME AGIAN in a court of
>law that this is what these drugs are capable of. I have also read as well
>as researched several such civil cases agiasnt the manufacture who, RATHER
>THAN HAVE THESE ADR'S BECOME A PART OF THE COURT RECORD have settled out of
>court sometime for millions of dollars. I wish with all my heart that you
>will never need to read anything on this site agian, and I say this with no
>malice, as I only have your best interest at heart. But should you find that
>you are one of these "Joe McCarthy" statistics feel more than welcomed to
>join the rest of us here in HELL ON EARTH.
>

4585From: cshinn1@a...
Date: Sat Aug 11, 2001 11:14am
Subject: 3 yrs or more

Based on my experience with the ADR to Levaquin, it takes at least 3
years to be able to live/perform a near normal life!

Even after 3 years, symptoms still exist, ie., numb toes, pain in
ankles, burning (eyes, mouth, skin), visual problems, passing pain in
back of hands and lower arms, and at times - imbalance in walking,
etc. I still have neuro problems with my brain.

I could not work the first 1 1/2 yrs after the adverse reaction.

I only had one pill, and my being was "devastated" for a long time! I
can only extend my heart felt "caring" to those that took Levaquin
much longer!

This site is wonderful-- to turn to! I read all your posting with
great interest and compassion.

Carole




4596From: Ari Lesser <alesser@u...>
Date: Sun Aug 12, 2001 2:47pm
Subject: Re: Dr. Jay Cohen Article

Jay Shalom from Ontario Canada. I am one of theose sad indivusals who took
Levaquin for 45 days and ended up with sever hamstring problems in both of
my legs. B efores taking the meds I was in A-1 shape runining 25 miles a
week; I experienced pain five days into the meds and was told to continue
the meds and take anti inflatories to ease the pain. It has been six months
since I have stopped the meds and I am still in discomfort in my Hamstrings;
My dor has had me take ultraa sound investigaion, cat scan, M G R, and
to-morrow I go in for a bone scan. I ahve taken Viox to no avail. Ice
packs seems to help along with massage therapy. Most of the doctors hsere
do not believe the A D R's even when shown the Bayer warnings. If yu have
any literature re what the meds have done to my tendons or how to heal them
I would be very appreciative. As a family counsellor it is very hard to sit
down and give attention to my clients.
yours Ar Lesser


Steve,

My 17 year old daughter was floxed last year (March 2000) and is still
suffering terribly. She saw Dr. Flockhart two times and during the first
visit he told us she could never have anything in the Tetracycline family
again. I can't urge you enough to check out a connection with your problem
and the other medication before you take another pill.

Pat


4566From: bubnan1 <BubNan1@m...>
Date: Thu Aug 9, 2001 6:31pm
Subject: Re: ok,i took the levaquin.....please read.

Some people have an immediate reaction. My husband had the chills and night
sweats after 2 days of taking the drug


4572From: helenlgordon@h...
Date: Thu Aug 9, 2001 9:17pm
Subject: Re: ok,i took the levaquin.....please read.

to: peng2112@y...

if you had any doubts at all, why did you even bother trying to find
out about this horrible class of drugs which can cause all sorts of
damage??? the doctor, who is a long time friend is NOT your
friend...a friend is someone who listens..not one who blows you
off!!! your friend probably knows you would not want to damage your
friendship, so, your friend probably had samples of the levaquin or a
coupon for you to use in order to get it free. big deal.. it did not
cost him anything... but, god forbid, you get any one of the adr's
you have read about here and all the articles written and documented,
you only have yourself to blame...you would not be able to have a law
suit because you had been fully informed by all the adrs... i have
had damage for 3 & 1/2 years and the thousands and thousands of
dollars shelled out and there is no end in sight...good luck, you
REALLY need it....what are you thinking?? there are so many other
drugs on the market that can be used and that DO NOT cause the adr's
as the quinolones.....



Date: Thu Aug 9, 2001 3:59pm
Subject: Re: ok,i took the levaquin.....please read.

What really concerns me is you state that you expressed your concerns to your
doctor and he dismissed them. Please be advised that I also expressed my
concerns about the REACTIONS I was experiencing to these drugs, (as well as a
lot of the others who have suffered from these adrs), and and they too were
DISMISSED by the doctors. Even when I had presented documentation that
hundreds of thousands of people were suffering in this manner from these
drugs my doctor stated that in his opion I would be a "first" if indeed this
was the case. I suffered for months without treatment because he "dismissed"
my concerns as well. I did not get any real efffective treatment until I
found a doctor that took my concerns seriouslly and did not dismiss them out
of hand and began treatment to control the damage that was being done. Let
us hope that if you are unfortunate enough to suffer an adr to these drugs
that your complaints are not dismissed just as readily as your current
concerns have been. Many of the folks on this site suffered for years before
anything was done to help them becuase thier doctors refused to believe that
these drugs cause so much damage. As one doctor explained it to me once, the
problem is that these symptons have no known test that a doctor can point to,
the mechanism by which the damage is done is still not fully understood and
there really is no treatment other than pain managemnt. Since you now have a
illness with no visible means of damage to observe and test for, no known
cure, and no prognosis for recovery, the doctor's EGO refuses to recognize it
and will blame in on anything other than what it really is even when he is
handed PROOF POSITIVE that these drugs CAN AND WILL do this much damage to
certian people. I just hope and pray that neither you or your doctor will
ever need to test this theory.




Regarding your gamble to take the levaquin my noticeable ADR's did not show
up until 5 months after I had stopped taking the pills. I was on 500 mg
twice daily. Besides the inability to sleep thru the night, the first
sympton I noticed was intense back, hip and pelvis pain of no known orgin. I
also experienced intense muscle and tendon aches through out my body as well
as lack of muscle strenght. I also experienced loss of vision to the point
of needing glasses (bifocals) as well as intense pain in the ankle and
knees.
It felt like a red hot sliver was being stuck in it. I went from lifting
weights to being unable to open a soda bottle. I am now, almost a year
later, still suffering from pain in all my joints which is requiring me to
be
on heavy duty anti inflammotory drugs just to be functional. Some days the
pain is so intense that I am unable to dress myself. I am currently under
the care of one of the top 100 rhuematologist in the nation and his
diagnosis
is poly (multiple) arithisis, chemically induced, tendonitis of all the
major
supporting joints, agian chemically induced as well as damage to my liver,
and damage to the major ligaments that connect the hip to the pelvis. I
have undergone mutiple MRI's, full body xrays, Cat Scans, liver scans, IVP
xrays, cystos, full and complete blood work ups, urinanylisis, bone scans,
muscle samples for biopsys and god knows how many other test. I am the
healthiest miserable crippled person you will ever meet. All test have come
back negative with the exception of the liver test which showed damage from
these drugs as well as eye and ligament test which showed the same. The
doctors have no clue as to the mechanism by which this damage is done but it
is without question a result of these drugs and at this time it appears to
be
permanent. I went from a healthy physically active construction worker to a
crippled person who's every day is an intense act of will to just get out of
bed and I am taking darvocet (an extreme narcotic pain killer) for pain
management like it was candy. As well as anti inflamatory drugs daily. I
would not even take an aspirin for a head ache before this. My medical bills
have exceeded $100,000.00 since the start of this mess and there is no end
in
sight. Even something as simple as typing this response is darn near
impossible to do. Hopefully you will be one of the more fortunate ones who
do not experience this type of reaction. Believe it or not I am on of the
luckier ones compared to the rest of the folks on this website.

Best of luck




4576From: dpbraswell@m...
Date: Fri Aug 10, 2001 3:49pm
Subject: Thanking for letting me know I'm not crazy.

I just want to thank you all for this group. I'm one of those people
who never have a reaction to medicine. I've taken Levaquin for the
past 3 nights trying to treat a sinus infection.

Because these were free samples they didn't come with any
information. Mr. Doctor told me that there may be some dizziness. The
first 2 days everything was fine. I infact thought I was getting
better. Last night, after I took my dose I woke up about 4 hours
later with the need to vomit. I went to the bathroom but nothing
happen. When I returned to bed I dozed and woke up with what I can
only call a panick attack. Along with that I had this tingling thru-
out my body. I felt that I was having a stroke. I toke today off from
work and I was just lazy all day and decided to take a nap. The whole
time I was laying down I was having these pains and I felt like my
heart was beating so fast.

When I woke up I did a search for Levaquin. I went to their site and
it listed the percentage of side effects were as low as .4%. I again
thought that I was just crazy then I found this site.

I feel so much better about all of this.

Thanks again.
 

4577From: No1DOSMOM@a...
Date: Fri Aug 10, 2001 1:17pm
Subject: Re: Tetracycline

Hi, everyone. I have received numerous questions on my reply to Steve.

When we took Cheri to see Dr. F the first time, my husband and oldest
daughter both took notes, while he examined Cheri and I asked question. Now,
you have to realize we were all pretty much a basket case because Cheri was
in such bad condition. Both my husband and Teri looked at their notes, and
they each had underlined that Cheri could never take anything in the
Tetracycline family again. After we came back from Washington, we even put
it on her medical records and medical alert bracelet, so I know we didn't
imagine it. None of us can remember the explanation, but . . .

Perhaps Melvin could shed some light on this. I wish I could tell you more,
but I can't

My best to all of you. Believe me, I know what each and every one of you are
going through. Since March 2000 my daughter's life has been turned upside
down because of 5 miserable pills. It has been the nightmare from hell.

Pat



4555From: Jeanne M Welling <jeannemwelling@n...>
Date: Wed Aug 8, 2001 3:49am
Subject: Re: ok,i am really scared now....doc just prescribed
levaquin...help please?

That is what happened to my husband also. He was given levaquin a prostate
infection. By day 11 he could hardly get out of bed. That was Aug of 2000.
There are many other good antibotics that work also. Check out this site and
it will hopefully answer some of your questions. www.prostatitis.org

As for my husband he continues to work {construction} however he has pain
in his feet and both of his elbows. Once in awhile he has anxiety attacks
and feels like he did initially after taking the levaquin. It is usually
short lived though. Take care all.

Jeanne



4558From: bubnan1 <BubNan1@m...>
Date: Wed Aug 8, 2001 6:42am
Subject: Re: ok,i am really scared now....doc just prescribed
levaquin......

David,
My husband and I were never afraid to take ANY medication. We took the
doctor at his word and hardly read the insert of the drug that was
prescribed. We just took it.
Well our lives have certainly changed over this past month due to the drug
Ciprofloxacin (Quinolone family) that my husband took for a bladder
infection. NEVER and I do mean NEVER will either one of us take any
anti-biotic from the Quinolone family ever again. I only hope my husband
recovers enough to be able to function. He has only slept hour intervals
for 3 weeks now. And his pain is excruciating in his back, in his legs, and
in his arms. Not to mention what it is doing to his mind.......Please have
your Dr. prescribe another anti-biotic. Nothing may happen but I would not
want you to take the chance.
Sincerely, Pat



4563From: stephen gunder <stephengunder@h...>
Date: Thu Aug 9, 2001 4:28pm
Subject: Interesting affects/Question about excasberation of
Levaquin ADRs

My levaquin ADR happened 13 months ago. I still have many neurological and
neuromuscular symptoms. I was given doxycycline for a skin condition. If I
only take 1 pill I get major head pressure and all my neurological symptoms
flare up big time. If levaquin supposedly caused me to have nerve damage,
then why would taking doxycycline bother me at all. I am not currently
taking any of the doxy, but was just wondering if any one might be able to
help me postulate about the observance. I would appreciate any comments.


Steve

_


4530From: Viper w/ Venom <duane@d...>
Date: Sat Aug 4, 2001 11:44pm
Subject: Re: Relapses or recurrences?

My mother's tendonists hasn't went away yet... she can hardly walk.. its
almost been 4 months since she took 3 pills of Levaquin (3, one per day, 500
mgs) --- So, I can't help you in this specific regard. I am sorry.


From: <rruehr@c...>
To: <quinolones@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 11:13 PM
Subject: [quinolones] Relapses or recurrences?


> Hello, I suffered from severe tendinitis for 4 to 5 months after taking
> levaquin in late January 2001. I finally got to the point that I could
> resume my normal adtivities including therapeutic water exercise for
> arthritis-related back and joint pain. Now, just when I was beginning
> to feel better again, my tendinites symptoms have returned. Has anyone
> out there had a similar relapse or recurrence, and how have you coped
> with it? Also, has anyone heard about any class action suits? I've
> read some messages indicating that it seems unlikely that any such suit
> would be successful because the drug companies and docs are pretty well
> protected, but it would be good to know if anything is planned. Thanks
> for responding. Ruthann
>


4542From: No1DOSMOM@a...
Date: Sun Aug 5, 2001 0:04pm
Subject: emedicine.com

I found this at http://www.emedicine.com/

May 18, 2001 -Vol 2 No. 5

· Multiple case reports of tendonitis (particularly Achilles tendonitis)
and some reports of tendon rupture in patients receiving oral and parenteral
fluoroquinolone treatment have suggested a relationship between these agents
and the development of tendinitis.
o The Food and Drug Administration has added a warning about the risk of
tendinitis and tendon rupture on the label of fluoroquinolones marketed in
the US.
o Tendinopathy can occur within a few days or weeks or months following
completion of a course of quinolones.
o Tendon rupture can occur without a history of specific trauma.
o Pathophysiology is unknown.
o Unlike other etiologies, bilateral tendinitis is common.



4543From: boblaunius@y...
Date: Sun Aug 5, 2001 5:02pm
Subject: 5 weeks feeling a little better

5 weeks have passed since my adr to levaquin, I am still in pain and
worry that i may tear my achilles tendons. I can walk simi pain free
but running still hurts . I hope they pull this drug quickly


4545From: BubNan1@m...
Date: Sun Aug 5, 2001 9:24pm
Subject: Husbands reaction to Cipro

My husband a perfectly healthy 62 year old was prescribed Cipro
approximately 26 days ago for a bladder infection by an emergency
room doctor. Two days after starting the drug he developed chills
and severe night sweats. PCP was called and another urine specimen
was taken. Continued to take Cipro. Five days later (on a Sunday) he
awoke not being able to walk, had numbness in his hands and feet.
Went back to ER and was told he had a possible stroke. A CT Scan
showed no sign of stroke but revealed an aneurosym on his brain which
we were told had no relevance to what he was experiencing.
An MRI was taken and again showed no signs of a stroke. The
Neurologist as well as the Neurosurgeon were baffled because he had
all the symptoms of a stroke. (but no one thought to check the
reactions to Cipro) He was sent to the ICU and was given heprin
(blood thinner) as a precaution and also Cipro through the I V line.
He continued with all his symptoms but now was unable to sleep. Had
another MRI and also a spinal tap. Which came back negative. He was
then transferred to the Massachusetts General Hospital at my request
where he underwent more testing MRI's, MRA's, Ultrasounds, Electroids
etc. etc.
Finally one of the Neurologists said that he would bet his reputation
that all his problems were due to the Cipro. Great news so we
thought. We could now concentrate on getting the aneurosym operated
on. WRONG! He came home from the hospital 6 days ago and although
he is off of the Cipro he is getting worse. Acute insomnia, severe
back pain, arms and legs ache, depression, anxiety, paranoia, etc.
etc. etc. PCP is on vacation so after speaking to his associate he
was given Klonipin .5mg and Flexerol a muscle relaxer to help him
sleep. But nothing seems to help. He is in so much pain, he is
exhausted and there is no relief in sight. He even started to take
Motrin 800mgs for the pain. All he does is pace, take showers, and
get agitated. I take him for rides at 3 in the morning, we go for
walks, we talk, we read books on the subject, but there is just no
relief. And I feel so helpless. He is supposed to go and see the
Neurosurgeon on the 13th of August 2001 to discuss the operation on
the aneurosym but until he feels somewhat better we couldn't even
think of putting him through an operation. What to do >>>>>>
Will he ever recover


4520From: cshinn1@a...
Date: Tue Jul 31, 2001 0:37pm
Subject: Levaquin

I wanted to post one more happening that did occur to me, during the
first 3 months of the adverse drug reaction to Levaquin...
before diagnosed with PN, I had an episode of immediately seeing
black webs in my left eye (the side of my body that was first
attacked by the drug reaction). It was found I had a "Posterior
Vitreous Detachment" PVD. The vitreous is a clear material much like
the white of an egg that fills the central cavity of the eye. This
vitreous is attached to the retina. It is also attached in the back
part of the eye to the optic nerve, the macula, and the large retinal
blood vessels.
Some eye doctors refer to it as "Black doilie", for that is what it
looks like...if it happens to you. It slowly disolves but it leaves
you with black floaters. I still have 2 or 3 floaters from that
episode. This happened in April of 1998.
Since the Levaquin must attack not just the peripheral nervous
system, it does affect parts of the CNS, too. (the Optic Nerve).
I had vision problems at that time....particularly around certain
lighting.
I wanted to add this incase other's had the same reaction - or if it
may assist anyone that is working and hopefully successful in getting
Levaquin removed from the market....

BTW at the time of trying to get a diagnoses, I heard the possibility
of MS more than once...and that's CNS.

God bless to you all!


4524From: josephalbanese@y...
Date: Thu Aug 2, 2001 5:08am
Subject: POSSIBLE CONNECTION BETWEEN LEVAQUIN AND HYPERTHYROID

Hi Paula,

I just read your posting from 7/14/01.

Do your heels continue to feel better? How are they in the mornings?

What were the results of the blood samples the doctor took to
determine if you have had any muscle and tissue damage?

I also am very athletic. I run 2 - 3 miles every day and play tennis
1 -2 times per week without any previous injuries or tendon problems.

Then, 3 months ago, I had Levaquin for 10 days. I have had Achilles
pain and knee pain ever since. The Achilles loosen up pretty good
during the day, but are extremely tight every single morning.

My other symptoms are: nervousness, muscle tremor, fast / irregular
Heartbeat, sweating and 10 lb weight loss (the weight loss stopped
after ending medication). Since these symptoms are the same as for
an overactive thyroid, the doctor did a test and sure enough, I am
hyper-thyroid. (Please see my message post #3666.) Three doctors
also concur that the tendon problems could be a result of the
hyper-thyroid.

It is possible, since the side effects from Levaquin are the same as
for overactive thyroid, that THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN LEVAQUIN
AND THE ONSET OF HYPERTHYROID. Maybe the FDA can investigate this
??? Many people on this forum with these symptoms (including tendon
problems) may be walking around not knowing (or being tested for)
this.

I will also post this memo on the forum.

Please let me know what you think.,

Joe
joe40(at)optonline.com




Date: Tue Jul 24, 2001 11:52am
Subject: Re: Re: LEVAQUIN

this does not appear to be temporary. I have been suffering with extreme
tendonist and joint and muscle pain for almost a year. Doctors are baffled
and have yet to do anything to help. Everything I have been reading on this
site indicates your one of the luckier ones. The drug companies have known
about these adrs since 1983 but continue to market them and urologist hand
them out like candy. Just about everyone on here will tell you that thier
doctors refuse to believe the damage is being caused by these drugs. Even
when I presented the evidence to my doctors they still refuse to believe it.
I went from a very active physical person to a cripple as a resutl of this
crap.




4495From: Paul Keels <ggpak@f...>
Date: Tue Jul 24, 2001 5:28pm
Subject: Re: Re: LEVAQUIN

my mother is allergic to fq's. after my adr, she mentioned she had a
reaction to cipro several years ago. she was on vacation and had to go
to the emergency room with facial swelling, etc.

- paul k.



4498From: jamnorton2000@y...
Date: Wed Jul 25, 2001 4:58am
Subject: Hypoglycemia and Tequin?

Hi all!
My name is Jamie, I am a first year pharmacy student and I am working
on a paper for the different side effects of antibiotics and I came
across this site. I can't even imagine what some of you are living
through, I feel terrible for all involved! I was curious after I
read some of the your ADR symptoms so I went and looked up the
package insert on Tequin (one of the newest fluoroquinolones that was
prescribed for me) and not only did it mention these types of side
effects but it also mentioned hypoglycemia. I have also heard of
stories where people have had some pretty serious problems with
hypoglycemia(more than what the label would indicate). I was
wondering if anyone out there has had this kind of reaction or if
they knew of any incidences of this. I am really curious as to why
the FDA would let something like this stay on the market. Any
insight into this would really be appreciated, the company did not
seem to know what I was talking about.
Thanks-
Jamie


4506From: boblaunius@y...
Date: Sat Jul 28, 2001 10:23am
Subject: levaquin

I was treated for a prostate infection with levaquin and it nearly
crippled me. I had burning and tingling with severe pain in my anklrs
and tendons. I saw my doctor and was taken off the med. It is now one
month later and I am beginning to feel better, however every morning
my ankle tendons are sore. This drug schould be banned. After reading
all these other posts I have realized that this drug is dangerous


4507From: buddy.solomon@c...
Date: Sat Jul 28, 2001 3:53pm
Subject: photo toxic reaction to levaquin

has anyone experienced a phototoxic reaction (or is familiar with the
problem) to levaquin? When I began taking the drug, I called the doc
to see if there were any problems with me taking Levaquin and going
to the pool with the kids and playing golf. He said the only
potential problem might be an increased risk of sunburn and that I
should stay out of the sun if I appeared to be sensitive. I never
experienced any sun sensitivity. However, in doing some research, it
appears that the sun can also trigger some toxic reactions to
quinolones but I don't know if this includes levaquin.

Any help available.

My symptoms appear to be getting gradually worse after being off the
drug for 5 days. More tendon and joint aches, getting cold very easy
(cold hands and feet when its 85 degrees outside), urinating
frequently, etc.

Can anyone offer insight into photosensitivity?

any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Buddy


4512From: cshinn1@a...
Date: Sun Jul 29, 2001 6:32pm
Subject: Buddy and Levaquin

Reading Buddy's email and reading the replies....I just don't know
how this can continue with the quinolone family --- the the docs so
unaware of the drug reactions! Does any one have any idea what the
TRUE figures may be of people that have ADR's to Levaquin, for
instance. It's certainly much higher than what the manufacturer
quotes.
So many of us will carry the affects of the reaction....throughout
the rest of their lives! How can the medical field be so ignorant?
and arrogant?

BTW, when I wrote an email to FDA back in 1998 and their response was
that they were aware that during the trials some people had responses
to the drug..... "Peripheral Neuropathy like". "like"(???)

I have filed their response!



4471From: cshinn1@a...
Date: Sat Jul 21, 2001 3:17am
Subject: ADR to Levaquin

I'm new to this site...and have learned so much by reviewing all the archived
email on the subject.
2/98 was the onset of my ADR to Levaquin. I was dx with PN. & treated
so...Neurontin and tri-cyc antidepressant (the antidepressant was to ease
facial/eye/mouth and ear burning).
My symptoms were more/less as yours. feet/ankles--hands and lower arm pain,
gastro problems in the beginning (losing 20 lbs), insomnia. I have slowly
got better to the point I am off Neurontin (took myself off). I tried going
off Pamelor but got to 10MG and burning sensations returned. So now on 25MG
- & will probably have to got up more.
My last problem has been dx of Cardiomyopathy. I believe it may be related
to the Levaquin ADR since high blood pressure and fast heart beat began
w/Levaquin ADR. Leaky valve, enlarged heart which has affected the pumping
mechanism of my heart. This will probably sooner or later be terminal. No
large amt of symptoms (of heart failure) apparent now.
I could not work for the 1st year after ADR. I did return to work 7/99. I am
a Realtor. I cannot handle what I could...fatigue faster. Plus I do notice
a reduction in my organization skills -- since the ADR.
No doctor has agreed that my maladies are related to Levaquin. Gross symptoms
began the very night I took the 1st pill!
Also Levaquin was given to me only 2 months following an asthma
hospitalization (w/steriods). I do not know what antibiotic was administered
to me (intravenously) during that hospitalization.
Just wanted to introduce myself.

Carole Robinson Shinn
Huntington Beach, CA
(email) cshinn1@a...


4473From: cc cc <cccentheos@h...>
Date: Sat Jul 21, 2001 10:27am
Subject:

Forward: Badoir

These studies/articles below address DNA issues and Fluoroquinolones



: 6: Howard BM, Pinney RJ, Smith JT. Related Articles

Function of the SOS process in repair of DNA damage induced by modern
4-quinolones.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 1993 Jul;45(7):658-62.
PMID: 7692035 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
Related Articles



: Hiraku Y, Kawanishi S.
Distinct mechanisms of guanine-specific DNA photodamage induced by nalidixic
acid and fluoroquinolone antibacterials.
Arch Biochem Biophys. 2000 Oct 15;382(2):211-8.
PMID: 11068871 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

10: Enzmann H, Wiemann C, Ahr HJ, Schluter G. Related Articles

Damage to mitochondrial DNA induced by the quinolone Bay y 3118 in embryonic
turkey liver.
Mutat Res. 1999 Apr 6;425(2):213-24.
PMID: 10216214 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

20: Marzano C, Severin E, Pani B, Guiotto A, Bordin F. Related Articles

DNA damage and cytotoxicity induced in mammalian cells by a
tetramethylfuroquinolinone derivative.
Environ Mol Mutagen. 1997;29(3):256-64.
PMID: 9142168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

21: Lawrence JW, Claire DC, Weissig V, Rowe TC. Related Articles

Delayed cytotoxicity and cleavage of mitochondrial DNA in
ciprofloxacin-treated mammalian cells.
Mol Pharmacol. 1996 Nov;50(5):1178-88.
PMID: 8913349 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2:




Verna LK, Holman SA, Lee VC, Hoh J. Related Articles

UVA-induced oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells after H2O2
or sparfloxacin exposure.
Cell Biol Toxicol. 2000;16(5):303-12.
PMID: 11201054 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
:

Chetelat AA, Albertini S, Gocke E.
Related Articles

The photomutagenicity of fluoroquinolones in tests for gene mutation,
chromosomal aberration, gene conversion and DNA breakage (Comet assay).
Mutagenesis. 1996 Sep;11(5):497-504.
PMID: 8921512 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
27: Riesbeck K, Forsgren A. Related Articles

CP-115,953 stimulates cytokine production by lymphocytes.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1995 Feb;39(2):476-83.
PMID: 7726518 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
34: Mukherjee A, Sen S, Agarwal K. Related Articles

Ciprofloxacin: mammalian DNA topoisomerase type II poison in vivo.
Mutat Res. 1993 Feb;301(2):87-92.

42: Lewin CS, Howard BM, Ratcliffe NT, Smith JT. Related Articles

4-quinolones and the SOS response.
J Med Microbiol. 1989 Jun;29(2):139-44.
PMID: 2659796 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Spratt TE, Schultz SS, Levy DE, Chen D, Schluter G, Williams GM. Related
Articles

Different mechanisms for the photoinduced production of oxidative DNA damage
by fluoroquinolones differing in photostability.
Chem Res Toxicol. 1999 Sep;12(9):809-15.
PMID: 10490502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Gocke E, Albertini S, Chetelat AA, Kirchner S, Muster W. Related Articles

The photomutagenicity of fluoroquinolones and other drugs.
Toxicol Lett. 1998 Dec 28;102-103:375-81. Review.
PMID: 10022282 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: Hartmann A, Golet EM, Gartiser S, Alder AC, Koller T, Widmer RM. Related
Articles

Primary DNA damage but not mutagenicity correlates with ciprofloxacin
concentrations in German hospital wastewaters.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1999 Feb;36(2):115-9.
PMID: 9888954 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Martinez L, Chignell CF. Related Articles

Photocleavage of DNA by the fluoroquinolone antibacterials.
J Photochem Photobiol B. 1998 Aug 21;45(1):51-9.
PMID: 9819899 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13: Arriaga-Alba M, Barron-Moreno F, Flores-Paz R, Garcia-Jimenez E,
Rivera-Sanchez R. Related Articles

Genotoxic evaluation of norfloxacin and pipemidic acid with the Escherichia
coli Pol A-/Pol A+ and the ames test.
Arch Med Res. 1998 Autumn;29(3):235-40.
PMID: 9775457 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

19: Umezawa N, Arakane K, Ryu A, Mashiko S, Hirobe M, Nagano T. Related
Articles

Participation of reactive oxygen species in phototoxicity induced by
quinolone antibacterial agents.
Arch Biochem Biophys. 1997 Jun 15;342(2):275-81.
PMID: 9186488 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.urbanfischer.de/journals/intjhyg

/content/2000/issue2/4410018a.pdf
... 720­728 (1997). chromosome aberrations by quinolones: possible mecha-
Position
paper of ... cytes ­ a biomarker for DNA damage in human popula- gutachten
...
http://www.urbanfischer.de/journals/intjhyg

/content/2000/issue2/4410018a.pdf
http://www.med.nyu.edu/cmetmp/61/updateApril2001.pdf
... iii) activities of non-fluorinated quinolones; (iv) mechanistic insights
obtained
from ... constitute a potentially lethal DNA damage. The manner in which ...
http://www.med.nyu.edu/cmetmp/61/updateApril2001(1996).

CPD Contents and Abstracts, Vol 2, No. 2
... DNA replication, irreversible DNA damage and thus cell death ... to a
partially denatured
DNA pocket created by the ... activity relationships of quinolones as well
as ...
http://www.bentham.org/cpd/cpd2-2.html [More Results From:
www.bentham.org]

3. Photogeneration of Oxidative DNA Damage
Quinolones such as nalidixic acid, lomefloxacin and ciprofloxacin, are
effective antibiotics due to their ability to inhibit bacterial gyrase.
Several of these quinolones however are phototoxic, causing skin
inflammation to patients who go out in the sun with their skin unprotected.
The phototoxicity appears to be due to the quinolones reacting with light to
form reactive oxygen species which then damage the cell. We have found that
singlet oxygen, produced by the interaction of light with lomefloxacin,
reacts with DNA to form the mutagenic base 8-oxoguanine. We are extending
our studies to characterize the reaction more fully. 1, We will examine how
light interacts with the reactive quinolones: what the quinolones are
converted to and what reactive oxygen species are formed. 2, The reactivity
with DNA will be examined: what other damage is done to the DNA. 3, The
ability of the cell to repair the damage will be investigated by examining
unscheduled DNA synthesis and the lifetime of the individual adducts in the
DNA. http://www.ahf.org/research/research09.html




Antibiotic resistance


Widespread resistance problems exist today in a global sense because the
incorporation of antibiotics with a high resistance potential into animal
feeds and because of the uncontrolled use of antibiotics with a resistance
potential in the clinical setting. The proven targets for the main ant
microbial drugs are cell wall biosynthesis, protein synthesis and DNA
replication and repair, almost all have been developed resistant against
their drugs. In DNA replication, one group of enzymes have proved to be
effective target for therapeutic agents, which is topoisomerases enzymes,
they are present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, where in eukaryotes
they are targets for antitumour agents. In bacteria, DNA gyrase is one of
the famous target among topoisomerases. DNA gyrase is an essential bacterial
enzyme, catalyzes the ATP-dependent negative super-coiling of
double-stranded closed-circular DNA. It consists of two subunits, gyrA and
gyrB. GyrA has an N-terminal domain (59-64 KDa) involved in DNA breakage and
reunion, while C-terminal (33 KDa) has a role in DNA protein interaction.
GyrB consists of an N-terminal domain (43Kda) containing the ATPase
activity, and a C-terminal (47Kda) interacts with both gyrA and DNA. There
are two main groups of antibiotics targeting topoisomerases. The first is
natural product antibiotics, Coumarine that inhibits DNA gyrases by
competing with ATP for binding to the enzyme at GyrB subunit. The second,
completely synthetic antibiotics are the fluoroquinolones, which are
extremely potent. These react with N-terminal of gyrA to inhibit DNA
segregation and induce irreversible DNA damage.

The future of clinical use of quinolones is shadowed by the recent
development of resistance, which generally results from mutations in the
structural genes of the target enzymes. This is one of the most potent
antibiotics resistant strategies. The two other mechanisms are decreasing
the accumulation and/or destroying the antibiotics. In case of Gyrases,
almost all resistant strains have one mutation in GyrA or GyrB or two
mutations in both subunits. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found two
mechanisms for resistance, by producing mutation in GyrB and altering the
levels of intracellular accumulation of drugs. In E. coli, a previously
described clinical isolate has mutation in gene encoding for gyrA subunit
(gly81asp) resistant to fluoroquinolones but susceptible to nalidixic acid,
and then a spontaneous E. coli mutant was isolated from the first one, it
has (asp82 glu) in addition (gly81asp), which becomes resistant to nalidixic
acid too. Staphylococcus aureus developed resistant to cyclothialidine by
mutation mapped in GyrB subunit near to ATP and coumarine binding sites.
Mutant resistant to cinodine was isolated which exhibited an enhanced
sensitivity to nalidixic acid. So, it is apparent that some ant microbial
agent have cross resistant while others not. Generally, antibiotics affected
by a single mutation are those for which the mutation occurs in their
preferred target.

Antibiotic resistant microbes against therapeutic agents targeting DNA
gyrase have been overcome by mutating the gene encode the target protein.
So, the cell has a mechanism to sense the existing drug followed by
correction mechanism. This process might be inherited by some how in the
genetic apparatus of these microbes. It is possible to be a feedback
mechanism, where signals molecules could play major role in controlling such
mechanism. It is very precise and accurate in the resulted resistant.
Specifically, in prokaryotes, no compartment organization, this means that,
gyrase and ant microbial agent; gyrase and their DNA; transcription of the
gyrase genes, and finally gyrase translation are take place in the
cytoplasm. This indicating that these processes are in close contact with
each other and might be signally connected. So, even if this mechanism of
resistance is product of natural selection, it must be based on genetic
mechanism already exist in the cell, which lead to such mutation. Such
mechanism can provide bitter alternative to produce drugs act on disrupting
the signal providing resistance.


Reference

Barbosa, T. Levy, S. The impact of antibiotic use on resistance development
and persistence. Drug Resistance Updates. 3, 303-311 (2000).

Maxwell, A. DNA gyrase as a drug target. Trends Microbiol. 5, 102-109
(1997).

Truong, Q. Van, J. Shlaes, D. Gutmann, L. A noval, double mutation in DNA
gyrase A of E. coli conferring resistance to quinolones antibiotics. Anti.
Agent and Chemo. Jan. 85-90 (1997).

Kocagoz, T. Hackbarth, C. Unsal, I. Rosenberg, E. Nikaido, H. & Chambers, H.
Gyrase mutations in laboratory-selected, fluoroquinolones-resistant mutants
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. Anti. Agent and chemo. Aug. 1768-1774
(1996).

Stieger, M. et al. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 40, 1060-1062.

8: Polianskaia GG, Sizova LS. Related Articles

[The genotoxic effect of ciprofloxacin on cultured cells from the kangaroo
rat kidney and on skin fibroblasts from the Indian muntjac].
Tsitologiia. 1996;38(9):958-73. Russian.
PMID: 9019897 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
10: Takayama S, Hirohashi M, Kato M, Shimada H. Related Articles

Toxicity of quinolone antimicrobial agents.
J Toxicol Environ Health. 1995 May;45(1):1-45. Review.
PMID: 7752287 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]




4477From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Sat Jul 21, 2001 3:18pm
Subject: Re: Patti

I called Ortho-McNeil again a few weeks ago and spoke to a woman who is a
nurse and takes down all the info about the ADRs. I told her about my
problems with (again, because I did this a few years ago) floxin and cipro
and my son's problems with levaquin. She asked for my name and address.
Last Sat. I got a certified letter in the mail from a Janssen Research
Foundation with an authorization form for the names and addresses of my
physicians and for me to allow them to get all the info on MY problems with
levaquin. The only problem with this form is that it was my son who took the
levaquin and not me. This woman was not listening. MY name is on the form.
Evidentally this group is doing research on levaquin and its side effects.

I tried calling her, but she hasn't responded to me yet. I don't know if my
son would be a willing participant (we are not on speaking terms at this
moment anyway) because although he still feels lousy, he is not dwelling on
it. He hates when I bring up anything from this forum. I also think that
whenever he has gone to the doctors re: levaquin and his ADR to it, they
don't believe him, so I don't know what type of feedback they would get from
these doctors.

The return envelope reads:

Attention: Drug Safety and Surveillance
Janssen Research Foundation
Welsh and Mckean Roads
Spring House, PA 19477-0776

Their phone number is: 215-628-5000

Has anyone else heard of them or gotten this form? I am giving you the info
so that you can bombard them with calls.

Sherry



4479From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Sat Jul 21, 2001 3:37pm
Subject: Re: Mild strokes and levaquin

Steve,

I just wrote a post about my MRIs, but the reason why I took the first one
last summer was that I was standing at the fax machine at work and I suddenly
got this really strange feeling come over me, like tingling, and I could not
see out of my right eye. It was so strange. My boss drove me to the
emergency room. The doctor there didn't even take any tests. As soon as I
said something about all my other problems with the cipro and floxin and
fibromyalgia, he headed south. My family doctor is the one who sent me for
the MRI. She was mortified that this doctor did nothing to see if it was a
mini stroke or not.

sherry


4480From: Beadit42@a...
Date: Sat Jul 21, 2001 3:41pm
Subject: Re: Commonality of symptos - To Patti

My liver functions were abnormal for some time. It depended if I had taken a
medicine or not. I had liver functions reaching 1100 (yes) and they thought
I had hepitits. I had a special test in a big NY hospital 2 years ago to see
what the heck was going on, and they really couldn't tell much, but after the
test was done and I was still in the hospital, the doctor came in to tell me
I couldn't go home yet, because my liver functions were 2000. (yes) He was
baffled!

Sherry


4482From: Rakugodess@a...
Date: Sun Jul 22, 2001 11:25am
Subject: LEVAQUIN

Hello everyone,

Well, what a surprize! Not really. I've lost faith in dr.s over the
past few years. I found this place as a result of posting to another
group dedicated to arthritis. I listed a post about my Levaquin &
Celebrex interaction and few people responded maybe their rheumies
are smarter than mine. Fortunately, someone recently steered me in
this direction thank goodness! Now, I'm beginning to piece things
together. I guess I'm having a difficult time sorting through all
the msgs. My story goes like this. Have had RA (rheumatoid
arthritis) for 3 years now and many soft tissue/tendon problems for
years prior to diagnosis. Seemed to be responding to the med's when
I got an upper respiratory infection...my rheumy put me on Levaquin
(what was he thinking?) even though I was currently on synthroid,
celebrex, plaquenil, prilosec, and methotrexate and had been on
prednisone up until a few short months prior.

Anywho, after taking the Levaquin I had an immediate reaction
dizziness, lightheadedness, palpatations, jittery, etc., I called the
pharmacist and he said no interactions blah, blah, blah, I called the
dr.s office of course it took a day for someone to get back to me and
I got a lame response at that. I quoted the PDR which stated
increased risk of adverse reaction with NSAIDS (hello celebrex!) and
I stopped taking it after the third day, yet the palpations,
increased heart rate, and by then heart arythmia did not stop. I got
really paranoid and scheduled an appt with a cardiologist who was
reluctant to blame another doctor's prescription for Levaquin "oh no
an antibiotic couldn't do that and besides it would be out of your
system by now (3 weeks later)" Further cardio tests were scheduled.
My synthroid dosage became suspect and I was put on a course of Xanax
until I could get in to see my rhuemy. The cardio dr who after many
tests confirmed a diagnosis of atrial premature contractions, and
mitral valve regurgatation wanted me to start more meds. I felt I
was a little young (45) to be on seven (7) drugs...I thought these
guys are going to kill me.

To make an long story short I stopped all the med's I was on...except
for the syntroid. Approximately 10 weeks later the heart thing
completely went away...completely, the cardio dr. has no
explanation. He cavalierly responded, "well you're the healthiest
person I'm going to see all day so let's not waste anymore time let's
just schedule a follow up in a couple of weeks..." Of course the
rheumy won't fess up either.

Not quite done yet...just a little more to go...come (March) 3 mos
after Levaquin...you guessed it...I still have a nagging sinus
infection for which I am prescribed Ceftin, luckily a different
family of antibiotics, but also a corticosteroid nasal spray. Two
weeks later (coincidence? maybe?) I'm having problems with tendonitis
of my achilles(!) and forearms and wrists which has not been resolved
to date with my current RA drug Enbrel. Interesting ay? I've been
going along thinking it's just my RA. Now, I think different.

My question how can a responsible rheumatologist prescribe any of the
quinolones to any of his patients? Most of them have got to be on
some type of NSAID. Guess he's too busy driving his porche and
playing golf to read a PDR or medical journal.

I now am beginning to question if my whole saga with arthritis didn't
start with all the antibiotics I had been prescribed for a post
surgical infection 12 years ago....when all my problems started...

Help...are there any comprehensive posts which could clarify my
concerns/questions or do I have to read all 4,481? I have no doubt
my recent tendonitis is related to the Levaquin...anyone ever been
diagnosed with RA and suspect quinolones the culprit...'cause I've
read some posts pointing toward auto-immune connections?...help!

Can anyone recommend a dr. who is familiar with these ADRs?

And of course sitting here writing this is making my wrists
hurt...guess I should have made it a shorter post...:^)

Regards,
Kate



4485From: buddy.solomon@c...
Date: Tue Jul 24, 2001 7:21am
Subject: Re: LEVAQUIN

just began researching levaquin after completing 14 days (out of 30)
of my second round of treatment for prostatitis. Have been
experiencing pain in both shoulders/upper arms for about one week and
tremendous stiffness, especially in the achilles, when I get out of
bed in the morning. I never imagined an antiobiotic could be causing
the muscle/tendon pain. However, this forum certainly woke me up and
I immediately made an appointment with my doctor. Went to the doc
today and he told me to stop taking levaquin immediately. He said my
symptoms would disappear within 4-5 days. However, based on reading
many of the posts in this forum, my symptoms may never disappear. I'm
hoping that this is temporary--can anyone provide any insight???

Thanks


4492From: phd4549@y...
Date: Tue Jul 24, 2001 3:49pm
Subject: The latest on my son

Hi, everyone. It's nice to see some familiar names , and
heartbreaking to see so many new ones. (God, when will this end?)
Anyway, just checking in to say that things are going as well as can
be expected. Ben gained back the 20 pounds he lost before he returned
home from college and Washington, D.C., so that's fantastic.
Behavioral therapy is a marvel, I must tell you, and it has helped
him so much with his Cipro-and-caffeine-acquired OCD. It's almost a
sure thing that he'll be going back to school at the end of next
month. Then we'll see how it goes from there. He's been excellent
about doing all the scary exposure exercises that Behavioral Therapy
requires. He still had to do some mental rearranging re: his thought
processes and faulty logic, but all told, not too bad for a kid who
was...what else can I call it...a wreck two months ago. He'll have to
live with having OCD for the rest of his life, but he's getting the
tools to handle it, I think, and if all goes well, life has the
possibility of being good again for him.

Thank all of you who have e-mailed me, asking about how he's doing.
As you know, nothing comforts like compassion from people who really
KNOW what being there is like. I hope, also, that those of you who
are into praying will remember Ben in your prayers tonight. One of my
doctors (believe it or not)prayed for him today during my office
visit and asked that a "band of angels" surround him as he fights his
way through this. So, maybe a prayer from a few of you will add an
angel or two to the bunch.

My hope is that all of you are doing OK and are prospering in spite
of what's been done to you.



4463From: Jaeckle, Cassandra O. <Cojaeckle@l...>
Date: Thu Jul 19, 2001 1:37pm
Subject: RE: Electric shock - tingling

Sharon and Paul,

I usually don't post very often but I thought I should since your talking
about exercise and how it may or may not help. My ADR was from Levaquin in
May 2000. My small fiber nerves took the bulk of the damage from the ADR.
I'm really not going to go into the symptoms because like most of us on this
forum their pretty much the same but they vary between each person. No
matter what, we've all experience a very traumatic change to our bodies. I
was a wreak for about 7 - 8 months after the initial reaction. I play
hockey (ice/roller) three to four times a week. When this hit me, I
couldn't play. I lost 25 pounds and my muscle tone was gone. By the 8
month the people that love me dearly encouraged me to get my life back,
start playing hockey again. I will admit the first month was very hard.
My symptoms went nuts. I thought I would never be the same again but as I
kept it up it seemed as if I was healing faster. As the months went by
everyone was seeing a difference in me and even I was smiling again. I was
finally feeling like myself again. When your exercising your are sweating
out a lot of stuff, your building your muscles, and so on. I'm not sure if
this helps you but I wanted to share my story because so far it's been the
missing link for me. I found that if I stopped for a few weeks from
playing that my symptoms re-appear (very mildly) but they still reappear.
That's the part that I think is weird but I try to not let it bother me.
Maybe one day I will be 100% back together but right now I'm pretty close
and I really think it's due to the exercise.
Cassandra


4470From: Jaeckle, Cassandra O. <Cojaeckle@l...>
Date: Fri Jul 20, 2001 7:03am
Subject: RE: to Cassandra

Judie, I know what you mean about wanting your life back. You will get it
back so don't give up. Your ADR seems to be more with the tendons and
muscles. My was a little different because my was more with my skin. I
did have two episodes where my arm muscles completely lost their strength.
I couldn't type at work, pick up a glass of milk, let alone my daughter.
Both times it happened it took 3 weeks before I gained my strength back. It
was very scary. When I exercise I were the elbow, wrist, and knee braces by
Bike. It's more a security thing. I read so many stories of people tearing
tendons on this forum that I was just taking a precaution by using the
braces. Have you tried any water exercises. Are you icing after you
exercise or walk? Does it help. Ice after, and then heat after that. See
if it helps. I purchased a hot tub due to this mess and it helps. All I
can say is don't give up and keep looking for answers and relief. Cassandra


4453From: NiceShyMiamiGuy@A...
Date: Tue Jul 17, 2001 6:28pm
Subject: Re: Problems with Levaquin

Arelene,
I called and asked and got the same response as you did - the response -
Levaquin is out of your system in 24 hrs - any reactions you have stop when
you stop taking the drug. I am not sure exacly how it works but I believe the
FDA makes the drug companies responsible for keeping track of adverse
reactions. The company does the research and keeps stats on drug reactions
and then reports those to the FDA. The lady that I spoke with assured me that
the problems that I was having had nothing to do with Levaquin and they had
no reports regarding Levaquin that she was aware of -- Makes you