Post Marketing Reports March 2003

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Mon, 31 Mar 2003 10:23:34 -0500 by Guest, #1595
I was purscribed Leviquin for an Upper Respitory Infection. I was also given cough syrup with codeine.
After about 3 days, I started experiencing moderate anxiety attacks and paranoia. Immediately I suspected the codeine and stopped taking it. After two days my attacks subsided. Then on the third day, I had another moderate attack. I called my Dr. and he took me off the Leviquin too. The next day I was fine, but then two days later, I had a severe panic attack, I attempted to sleep, and could not. It lasted a gruelling 3 and a half hours.
I visited my Dr. again, and he did an intervention and put me in the psych ward for depression and anxiety. It took two days and 100 mg of antidepressant to level me out.
I have never had any reactions to codeine or any antibiodic before.
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Mon, 31 Mar 2003 01:24:42 -0500 by Guest, #1592
i was given a 10-day regimen of 250mg Levaquin for a pesky respiratory infection with fever. Day2, infection cleared up and fever gone, feeling better. Day4 (today) my feet have swelled up with lump-like mounds on the sole, very similar to 2 adverse allergic reactions to e-mycin anti-biotics some years ago (except reactions occurred day 1.)
This site is scary (what with all the bad reports.) But with my medical insurance dropped, i think i will tuff it out a few more days, despite some other incidental discomforts that may well just be anxiety. Wish me luck!! - Jay (PS thanks for the site)
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Sun, 30 Mar 2003 16:37:00 -0500 by Guest, #1586
I was prescribed Levaquin after catching pneumonia in the hospital after surgery. I was on the Levaquin for five days at home. First night I did not sleep at all. Since then I only sleep a few hours per night. The other symptom I have is severe heartburn. I have not been able to eat anything in five days. Took the last pill yesterday and will hopefully feel better in the next day or two. I called my doctor on the second day and told him about the two side affects. He told me the Levaquin had nothing to do with what I was feeling. And to see a GI doctor for the heartburn problem. Not the answers I was looking for.

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Sun, 30 Mar 2003 14:48:43 -0500 by Guest, #1584
I TOOK LEVAQUIN FOR TWO DAYS FOR A SINUS INFECTION FOR TWO DAYS I BECAME ITCHY TO THE SKIN ITCHY TO THE VAGINA AREA. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE ABOUT THIS DRUG OVER 200 PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SUDE AFFECT. I TOLD MY DOCTOR I WAS A DIABETIC AND HE STILL PRESCIBE THIS MEDICATION.

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Sun, 30 Mar 2003 12:57:12 -0500 by Guest, #1583
I started taking Levaquin approx. two weeks ago. The first morning after taking the drug I woke up feeling very dizzy and nauseated. That quickly spiraled into a full fledged panic attack. I didn't know it at the time. My wife phoned 911 and I was rushed to the emergency room. After an EKG and Echo Cardiogram proved negative a doctor came in and told me I had a panic attack. He subscribed an anti anxiety drug.
I filled that subscription and saw my doctor the next day. He scheduled me for a Stress Echo and a Halter Monitor. The Stress Echo was negative and so was the Halter Monitor.
I continued to feel bad. I had continuous heart palpitations and a sinking “Dropping Feeling”. My heart would race up to 150 beats per minute and then I would have to struggle to calm myself.
It wasn’t until today that I started to research this drug on the internet and found that I was not alone and that perhaps Levaquin had something to do with my symptoms.
I have no phobias or fears. I’ve spoken in public for years, I love to socialize, I am not afraid of heights, driving etc. Panic Attacks are associated with some fear that triggers an attack. I simply would not accept that hypothesis.
Thank you everyone that has made a post. I took my last pill last night. I had two heart palpitations this morning already, but I feel better knowing that there is a reason.
I am scheduled to see my doctor tomorrow where I was going to demand to have an angiogram. FORGET THAT! Instead were going to have a conversation about him filing an ADR to the FDA on this drug.
Thanks again

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Sat, 29 Mar 2003 23:45:32 -0500 by Guest, #1579
I was prescribed Levaquin for a chronic sinus infection, one 500 MG tablet daily for 10 days. By the end of the second day I could hardly walk for pain in both hips and knees. My sinus headache was somewhat better, but believe me I am disposing of the other pills.

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Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:21:35 -0500 by Guest, #1556
I took a 500mg dose of Levaquin last night and experienced many of the very negative symptoms mentioned above. I have taken Cipro in the past with only minor side effects. It started with hallucinogenic type dreams that woke me up. Once up I could not get back to sleep and I was severely chilled. For the rest of the night I had spells of being severely chilled followed by overheated. I also have a headache although that could do to the sinus infection I have. I also experienced bringing in the ears, shaking, extreme thirst, muscle pain, and anxiety. It has been about 14 hours since taking the first pill and I am starting to feel a little better. Obviously I will never take this again!

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Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:18:54 -0500 by Guest, #1555
I was prescribed Levaquin for a urinary tract infection. After one dose, I felt very much better and continued for 7 days. However, I did experience some uncomfortable side effects. I gained a lot of water weight which hopefully will come off now that I am off it. Also, I have been very sore in my joints and muscles and didn't know it could be a side effect until I found this site. I feel like I spent the last week doing very heavy work..it is hard to get up from a sitting position and I ache all over.
I also have been experiencing what feels like severe heartburn. Even after drinking plain water.
Another thing I experienced right away and throughout the course of treatment was shakiness, almost like I was going to pass out.
Today I feel somewhat less shaky though still very sore. I stopped Levaquin yesterday and am hoping I will feel better soon.

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Wed, 26 Mar 2003 20:54:29 -0500 by Guest, #1547
I went to my urologist to have a cystoscopy, and they gave me levaquin right afterwards to avoid future infection. I had taken it before,, many times. This time my face swoll up and I turned beet red. The scariest thing was that my throat began to shut. My blood pressure shot up higher than I had ever seen it. After mega doses of benadryl through an IV. The symptoms slowed.. I still don't understand why I had taken it many time before, and this time it reacted funny.

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Wed, 26 Mar 2003 18:19:54 -0500 by Guest, #1544
I was given Levaquin for a sinus infection 500 mg for 21 days have not been able to sleep -extreem pain in joints - bad dreams not been abel to eat. dizzy - no energy hard to walk -feel bad all the time -wish I wouold have read this site befor takeing all med. can not understand why the med profesion would give this type of med to people? could be $$$$$$$$$$$

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Mon, 24 Mar 2003 22:30:28 -0500 by rgg, #1526
DON'T EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING WITH CAFFEINE IN IT WHILE TAKING LEVAQUIN. GNC'S WEBSITE HAS A WARNING ABOUT THIS AND THAT IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE AND DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS!
GO TO WWW.GNC.COM
LEVAQUIN'S MANUFACTURER'S DON'T WARN YOU ABOUT THIS. PROBABLY BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR COFFEE TO TAKE AN ANTIBIOTIC, SO THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY WOULD LOSE MONEY.

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Mon, 24 Mar 2003 22:25:57 -0500 by rgg, #1525
Therapeutic, deep muscle massage got rid of my pain.
I was having terrible excruciating pain and went to an Osteopathic doctor. I brought research info I found that states that Levaquin combines with metal ions in the body to form a compound, and that Levaquin has an affinity for Aluminum first, then copper and so on. I alreay knew my body was high in Aluminum (aluminum gets into our bodies from baking powder, pepto bismo, antacids, aluminum baking dishes, aluminum foil, lotions, deodorants, soda cans, etc.). My level is 5x the top of the normal range. The D.O. recommended massage, exercise and stretching to try to work out the metal toxicity, plus hot baths, antioxidants, lots and lots of water, and chelated minerals. The chelated minerals bind with metals in the body and help you eliminate them. I saw the biggest change after the massage. The first one was very painful, and I knew it would be because my body was in so much pain. I took a hot bath after the massage and found that the pain in my right chest, upper back and ribs was gone. I could finally sit up in bed and roll over without feeling like someone was stabbing me in the chest with a knife and I could take a deeper breath.
I had been in excrutiating pain. I think I surprised the hell out the masseuse when she had me sit up and I yelled out from the horrible pain in my chest. I have had 3 massages and am getting better with each one. It is a deep muscle, therapeutic massage. You need someone who is very good at this! But, I know I am not done, because I have no energy still. She is working on getting phlem out of my chest too with chest P.T. (basically beating on your chest cavity with cupped hands).
I don't know if the Levaquin did any good at all, it seems like all it did was cause me a hellish 6 weeks so far. The Osteopathic doctor also recommended an alkaline diet (protein, vegies, fruit, no grains, no acidic foods like tomatoes, but lemon juice in water is good for you - it becomes alkaline in the body). This diet helps you eliminate toxic metals from the body while you are doing all of the other things to get rid of it. To learn more about metal toxicity, type it into your search engine.
I was taking tylenol with codeine 24 hours a day for the pain - which the D.O. said is really bad for your liver and won't help get rid of the metals so she switched me to Hydrocodone. I don't need the pain medication anymore - after my third massage. I kept searching for answers on the internet because no one seemed to have any. When I found Levaquin combines with metals in the body. I thought perhaps I had found the answer. Longterm, I don't know if all of the aches and pains will stay away. I hope this really is the solution. I am 42, and have always been very strong, independent, healthy, and full of energy. I want to get back to that.
Robin

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Sat, 22 Mar 2003 13:11:20 -0500 by djmajors, #1502
I was diagnosed with bronchitis on 3-10-03. Prescribed a Zpac and phenergan/codeine syrup. 3-18-03 no better. Was prescribed Levaquin 500mg along with the syrup. Had taken levaquin before, only problem recalled was a dull constant headache. This time is different, however. On the 3rd day of taking the levaquin, I developed a sore (blister?) on the tip of my tongue. Thought it might be from eating an orange a day through this for the vitamin C. The 4th day I had 2 more places come up on the inside of my bottom lip and gum. Today would have been the 5th pill. I got up this morning to find my tongue, gums, and the inside of my mouth had 10 or so more sores. I called my doctor. I told him of this and of eating an orange a day. He told me to stop the levaquin and to come in on Monday. My question is this: If I had it before and didn't experince this, is it the levaquin? I eat oranges and never experienced this either. Also, I am constipated, my guess is from the phenergan/codeine syrup.

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Sat, 22 Mar 2003 10:38:05 -0500 by Guest, #1500
Ive been prescribed 250 mg of Levaquin for 9 days to treat a urine infection. The symptoms Ive experienced are diarreah, upset stomach and sore muscles. The pain is very slight and certainly tolerable. Other antibiotics Ive tried in the past usually cause similar symptoms including nausea so Im satistied with Levaquin.
A.B.

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Fri, 21 Mar 2003 22:33:46 -0500 by Guest, #1495
I took one dose of Levaquin today for a UTI and within a short period of time had several hives. After reading all of these posts Bactrim it is! THANK YOU!

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Fri, 21 Mar 2003 10:31:55 -0500 by Guest, #1492
i took only on lavaquin and within twenty minutes i had a Anaphylactic reaction. I had to be rushed to hospital where I was given a shot in the butt. Never going to take it again

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Thu, 20 Mar 2003 16:41:08 -0500 by Guest, #1489
After dec27 to now ,iam gradually getting over muscels ake in back and shoulders,and general sick feeling ,iwarn every body i see, to be wary of this med. Iam takeing ultra glucosamine with chondroitin sulface&msm it has really help.

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Thu, 20 Mar 2003 15:09:34 -0500 by Guest, #1488
Does the muscle pain and weakness ever go away? I posted my side effects here over 10 days ago, and still have extreme pain in my arm that now extends from my shoulder to my elbow. I stopped taking Levaquin over 2 weeks ago.

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Thu, 20 Mar 2003 12:09:52 -0500 by Guest, #1487
I have a bad kidney infection...I was prescribbed Levaquin for it...it makes me really dizzy & I get head aches...and I can't think strait...oh, I get stomach pains..I am on it now...I have 3 days to go...the kidney infection was really bad...it has helped with that, but the side effects are terrible...I just want to know please...should I take the next three, so that the kidney infection goes away or should I quit taking it and risk the infection coming back..I don't have insurance, I can't call and get a new prescription...

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Wed, 19 Mar 2003 23:30:41 -0500 by Guest, #1484
I also experienced loss of appetite while taking levaqin by the fourth day. I was given the prescription after apparently having a relapse of a sinus infection. I now have chest pains, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and I now ralize, the pain in my right hand the first night after taking this medication, could also be attributed to this drug. I contacted my doctor today to let him know of my side effects. Since I also have fibromyalgia, I was under the impression all of my symptoms were due to it except the loss of appetite. My doctor changed my medication to doxycycl. I am about to check the net on it, too. The pharmacy gave me a printout and it lists the same side effects. By the way, I also got the "weird" feeling and my stopped up for no reason, and I felt like my heart would race at times.CathyN

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Wed, 19 Mar 2003 22:37:47 -0500 by Guest, #1483
I started taking Levaquin 500mg on 3/14/03 for a sinus infection. it is now 3/20/03 I have severe pain over my entire body . It started on 3/19 with pain in my arms and my forearms. My hands are involved and my elbows ,sholder,back ,neck, hips , legs,knees you name it, it hurts. I am so scared. Iam 34 years old and have two sons and I could not hold a fork to cut my sons sandwhich for lunch. I am worried that I will be pain for a long time. My doctor seems to know about the side effects. That scares me after reading these posted statements. please if any one out there can shed any light on this topic for me please let me know. Marylee Alexander Pennsylvania

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Tue, 18 Mar 2003 14:16:21 -0500 by Guest, #1473
I must say, I'm sure glad my friend found this discussion forum for me. I had severe contact dermatitis that had gotten infected. The doctor prescribed a topical steroid cream to me, as well as a 7 day supply of levaquin. I've noticed since I started taking levaquin last week, that I've been "jittery", and haven't been myself. I missed my pill yesterday, and felt even more strange than normal (withdrawl perhaps?) I took another pill this morning, and the shaking/slight light-headed-ness, and swelling are back. I'm taking myself off of levaquin starting immediately. Having only taken 5 500mg doses, will these effects wear off fairly quickly once I stop taking it? I don't have insurance, therefore I don't have any income right now (I work construction).
Thanks for anything.
Thomas

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Mon, 17 Mar 2003 12:06:16 -0500 by Guest, #1462
I recently received an Rx for Levaquin to treat a chronic sinus infection. Cost me $40, but I'm very wary of taking it. Is there anyone out there who has NOT experienced bad side effects?? I don't know what to do. What other Antibiotics are good for Sinusitis??

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Sun, 16 Mar 2003 12:22:08 -0500 by Guest, #1450
bruised looking legs starting from ankles and slowly moving up legs. My doctor has never seen this before. He went to look it up in some book. Said he couldn't find it. Scary.

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Sat, 15 Mar 2003 08:16:45 -0500 by Guest, #1443
I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg for 7 days to treat my sore throat.After taking the second pill , I felt dizzy, my heart- beat increased significantly, I perspired profusely, my mouth and throat were very dry and my urine output was noticebly reduced. I was unable to stand for over one hour.
The following day I took the third pill and exactly the same thing happened.
I have stopped taking the Levaquin and the symptoms have dissapeared.
Hope there was no permanent damage.

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Thu, 13 Mar 2003 09:57:26 -0500 by Guest, #1424
I was prescribed Levaquin for a sore throat. Within days, I experienced, severe anxiety & dizziness, couldn't concentrate or focus, couldn't function properly at work, my legs felt week, felt cold, and jittery. I thought I was losing my mind. I will never take this medication again.

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Wed, 12 Mar 2003 22:55:59 -0500 by Guest, #1421
TOOK LEVAQUIN 500mg 1TIME A DAY FOR 44 DAYS. HAS BEEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE LAST PILL. HAVING SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT,HAVE BEEN GETTING A RASH ON HANDS AND FEET SOME SMALL RED SPOTS FLAT,SOME RAISED. IS THIS A NOTED SIDE EFFECT OF LEAQUIN? THIS RASH IS ALSO ITCHING.WAS ALSO TAKING ALLEGRA-D BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT ANY SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS FROM THIS DRUG FOR ALLERGYS AND CONGESTION.WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS ITCHY RASH ON HANDS AND FEET COULD BE THE LEVAQUIN AND WHEN IT GO AWAY ALONG WITH THE PAINS WEAKNESS AND JUST NOT FEELING GOOD.

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Tue, 11 Mar 2003 20:06:56 -0500 by Guest, #1407
After just two doses I began wondering if the Levaquin my doctor gave me for a sinus infection was making me feel worse. He gave me office samples for 10 days with no information on side effects whatsoever. I was having spells where I felt jittery and quivery all over. Not usual symptoms of a sinus infection and after finding this site,I immediately took myself off the medication. That was over a month ago and I have had a couple of twinges since, but thanks to your postings I will never take a medication without checking it out first.

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Tue, 11 Mar 2003 18:33:41 -0500 by Guest, #1406
I experienced,severe stomach pain,irregular breathing,rapid heartbeat,small fever,ringing in ears,headach;after six days of use and within fifteen minutes after taking levaquin.The ER sent me home.Two days later,they found posible heart damage.What happened? I was 43 years old and I thought healthy.Side effect?

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Tue, 11 Mar 2003 12:13:51 -0500 by Guest, #1403
I was taking levaquin for a sinus and skin infection and had to stop due to nausea, severe light-headedness, dizziness and almost passing out on several occassions. I couldnt work/drive/think etc.

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Sun, 9 Mar 2003 23:34:01 -0500 by Guest, #1390
I have a broncial infection to which I was give Levaqqil to solve. After a couple of days I had ringing ears, couldn't sleep, aching stomach, severe head aches and anxiety. I went back to the doctor, but he told me to finish the drugs. after 6 days I stopped as I couldn't get any sleep, and the ear ringing is driving me crazy. I stopped a yesterday and I still feel bad and have ringing ears. This is a scary experience.

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Sun, 9 Mar 2003 11:10:46 -0500 by Guest, #1388
i have levaquin for 4 days, i have never felt so weard. eyes are bothering me so much, like they feel like sometimes i can't focus, they ache, they are very dry. my hands started trembling too after my first dose.also my right forearm aches.after reading all of this, i'm taking myself off of it, would rather deal with the sinus infection.

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Sat, 8 Mar 2003 21:13:23 -0500 by Guest, #1384
realy sore mouth,,and raw feeling,,,numb tongue and dryness in the back of my throat like strap throat just after one pill of levaquin 500 mg back of throat is so raw.Lips on inside dry and cracking.

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Sat, 8 Mar 2003 12:58:01 -0500 by Vicki, #1377
Sorry everyone, I have to say the only real side affect I'm having from this drug is dul intestinal cramps and when I eat they become a little more severe that I have to lay down untill it passes. I've taken prevacid and tagment and this seems to work, along with tylenol for the mild headaches and to help ease the pain. I've just taken the fouth of seven doses. I'm glad I started taking it as my dizzyness, headaches and malice are slowly going away and I'm finally sleeping. I have several other problems that have been going on before I started taking the medication. I'm currently being tested for these other problems that are similar to what everyone else on this board is complaining is a side effect. I can not blame it on this medication. I've had at least four flu bugs and all the wonderful things the flu puts you through since December, severe lower back pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, muscle aches, joint aches, etc......This has been a bad year for illnesses for my family and I. Maybe this medication is curing what it's meant for and uncovering underlying illnesses for some patients, have one of the 70 possible flu virusis that are out there, rushing to get better or lifestyle is catching up to them. Then again, we are all different and can't all take the same medications. Vicki

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Fri, 7 Mar 2003 14:59:01 -0500 by Guest, #1368
I was given 500mg Levaquin for 7 days prior to percutaneous kidney stone removal procedure. I started getting 'visual migraines' which became severe headaches. I have never had migraines in my life before. I also have had trouble sleeping, and pain in my right arm. I have never had trouble sleeping, and I didn't know what was causing the pain in my arm.....until I found this message board. I wish I had seen it before I took the Levaquin. Now I am having decreased urination, and difficulty urinating. I have stents in both kidneys, and a nephrostomy, so there shouldn't be a problem. Fortunately, I have stopped taking the Levaquin. Unfortunately, not before the 7 day cycle was up, and not before I found out all the trouble it has caused!

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Fri, 7 Mar 2003 09:59:20 -0500 by Guest, #1367
I've taken 500 mg of Levaquin for 13 days; cut back to 250 mg. Joint pain started about 7 days after start. Gotten so bad, have difficulty walking. First side effects consisted of short term (hours) of rash, intense heat, itching. The pain has gone from knees and elbows to fingers and ankles. Also brusing in legs. Suppose to be on for 7 more days, but have called the doc and told him I'm done with this. I took this med last year for a urinary trac infection and had to get off it then. Told the doc this but he didn't listen. Next time I listen to myself.
Pat

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Thu, 6 Mar 2003 23:04:02 -0500 by Guest, #1364
I had a hair analysis done 3 years ago to see if my mercury level was high. I found it was 1.92 when the acceptable level is 0 - 1, so it was almost 2x the norm, and my aluminum level is off the chart at 35.5 when it should be 0 - 9. My Naturopath recommended the standard for heavy metal toxicity: take chelated minerals (minerals compounded in such a way that they will bind with the heavy metals in my body and remove them) plus 2,000 mg vitamin C per day.
Well,I started back on my chelated mineral therapy and high antioxidants this morning and have felt the best I have felt in a month - since before I began Levaquin. Remember, this is only one day, but I could not help but pass on the information. Every day I have had aches and pains throughout my body, or in my neck, back and ribs or all of the above. I have had no energy. I am one of the people who has blood in my urine. Still have not had the thorough check-up to determine the cause. So, my lower right back is still sore and it hurts to take a deep breath, sneeze or cough, but unfortunately I think that may be kidney related an will take more than some chelated minerals to aleviate the pain. What prompted me to resume the chelated mineral therapy was doing a little research on the ingrediants in Levaquin.
I looked up the ingrediants in Levaquin and was surprised to find that it contains iron, even though the instructions say not to take it iron.
I did a little more research on-line and found that heavy metal toxicity can cause arthritis.
I also found the following, and I don't understand exactly what it means (does anyone else?): There was also some mention of how Levaquin "has the potential to form stable coordination compounds with many metal ions. This in vitro chelation potential has the following formation order: Al+3>Cu+2>Zn+2>Mg+2>Ca+2."
It made me wonder if it could cause a combination of metals that is harming me and causing all of these side effects. Or maybe because my body is so high in Aluminum (Al) to begin with, maybe this is why I have had such painful side effects. Or maybe Levaquin just dumped a large quantity of iron in my body, that has started arthritis. As you can see, I am grasping for answers and solutions, not bandaids, but getting at the root cause. There has to be something in our bodies that is "causing" all of this on a daily basis, that has to be removed.
I am really "searching" for answers because no one seems to have any. So please keep in mind that this is only one day that I feel better. I will give you updates. Let's hope for the best. I don't want to be like the others who have been debilitated by this. I want to prevent the osteochondrosis and arthritis and I want to stop the aches and pains for good. Good luck everyone!!!

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Thu, 6 Mar 2003 12:18:21 -0500 by Guest, #1357
I have been diagnosed with prostate infection for which I have gone through 2 14-day rounds of 500mg Levaquin. The infection seems to go away for a while, but inevitably comes back. I have been told I might need to take Levaquin daily for up to 6 months to get completely rid of the infection, but after reading all the problems with Levaquin, will definitely see other treatment. Does anyone know of another antibiotic not in the Levaquin family that might help?

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Wed, 5 Mar 2003 16:37:56 -0500 by Guest, #1353
You have to read the success one man had in overcoming the pain with MSM and Chondroitin at the following website. He said Levaquin turned his life upside down for 18 months!!! Now he is leading a normal life with occassional flare-ups.
http://www.msm-msm.com/bbs/messages/1391.html
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Wed, 5 Mar 2003 16:18:40 -0500 by Guest, #1352
I went to a Naturopath yesterday, fed up with MD's and their PA's! He did a simple urine test that found a lot of blood in the urine. They sent it to the lab and I will get the results today. I have had bad lower right back pain since March 2nd; plus a different neck, back and rib pain that persisted from 2/12 to 2/28 that now comes and goes.
The lower back pain that started 3/2/03 makes it hurt to take a deep breath, sneeze, bend over, or lie on my right side, but it does not hurt to press in that area???!!! It is between the ribs and hip, more to the back than to the side.
A week ago I called the MD who I saw the first time and who prescribed Levaquin on 2/8, and told him the symptoms that the PA dismissed on 2/20 as a virus were all side effects of Levaquin. He actually had the stupidity to tell me that the pain in my joints and muscles was not a side effect of Levaquin, but the vertigo was. I replied that on the literature that came with the Levaquin it says that those pains are side effects. He is blatently lying to me to try to cover his and his incompetent, unskilled PA's asses!
[PA=Physican's Assistant who attends 2 to 4 years of college to become a PA with a prerequisite of 2 years of college (in I would presume fine art, since it doesn't specify) and "some" experience in health care. But they are somehow qualified to diagnose and treat. They are merely put in place so that the medical facility can (an does) charge the same amount for an office visit to see a PA as they do to see an MD, and pay the PA's a lot less, so the facility nets more profit. This is what I found at my doctors when I asked about it and when I saw that the charge to me - as a self pay until my deductible is reached - was the same to see the MD as the PA. I was told that was how the organization was set it up. They have 1 MD on staff, 1 DO and several PAs.]

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Wed, 5 Mar 2003 14:36:13 -0500 by Guest, #1350
Glad I found this forum. Yesterday my doctor started me on Levaquin 500mg x10 for a mild case of epididmytis. I've taken two doses thusfar, but have decided to discontinue the medication after researching quinolones online. Also, I developed a small rash on my stomach last night, and a minor rash on my left flank today. Add to this the jittery/dizzy feelings and anxiety I'm feeling, and I think that's reason enough to d/c. My doctor should be calling in a new prescription today, from another class of antibiotics.
I fully recognize that my anxiety is most likely not from the medication-- rather, it's likely from KNOWING that all these potential side effects exist. However, I believe that the symptoms described by the userids of this forum are real, especially since there is so much negative press about this class of drugs. I'm starting medical school next year, and I assure you all that when I finally become a physician, I'll strongly encourage proactive patients. Why trust exclusively what the drug companies/literature says about a medication when there are multiple patients telling you about their bad side effects? Patients know how they feel, not some report.
As an aside, I think I'll start looking into when my girlfriend took levaquin. She's only 22 years old, but has suffered severe lower back pain for a couple years now (sometimes so bad she couldn't walk). I know she took levaquin at some time in the past-- I can remember looking at the pills. She deals with the pain through natural anti-inflammatories (flax oil, etc.), but she has gone through a lot of physicians while trying to find the cause. She's had x-rays, MRI's, physical therapy, steroid injections, and has met with multiple neurologists and orthopods. So far, no cause has been found. She was a perfectly health college athlete (equestrian) when her back pain struck out of the blue one day. I still remember, she was crying, and couldn't walk the two blocks to her class.
By no means have I suddenly concluded that her pain was caused by levaquin; rather, I relate this story to see if anyone else has experienced lasting low-back pain. I'll keep looking into that possibility, but in the meantime, I'l continue feeling relieved that I'm stopping a potentially dangerous medication. Good luck to all of you in dealing with your afflictions.
Nick
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Wed, 5 Mar 2003 13:45:50 -0500 by Guest, #1349
during a seven day course of Levaquin i experienced extreme gastrointestianl discomfort, chilling nightmares the general feeling of which would not subside upon waking. mentally i felt very strange and can only describe it as feeling "weird". i took my last dose two days ago and continue to have trouble sleeping. i am so glad i took the time to see if there was any information out here about this drug. i can say with certainty that i will absolutely never take it again and will make friends and family aware of my experience. thanks for all the informative posts. and good luck to those with lingering symptoms.

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Mon, 3 Mar 2003 10:36:13 -0500 by Guest, #1328
I was prescribed Levaquin for a bladder infection. After taking only two 500 mg. tablets I started having severe side effects. I had extreme muscle weakness and pain, nausea, dirreah, facial swelling, dizziness, nervousness, and impaired concentration that had me bedfast for three days. Sixth day after taking first dose and I am still experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain and slight dizziness.
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Sun, 2 Mar 2003 18:13:00 -0500 by Guest, #1325
DRY LIPS AND NUMB TONGUE AND DRYNESS OF THE MOUTH ..I NEVER HAD THIS UNTILL I TOOK THIS PILL.