I took 2 500mg of Levaquin back on April 18 2004 for a suspected throat infection. I didn't have an immediate reaction to the drug until 7 days later when my life become a living hell. I experienced tightness in my throat I thought I was choking, reflux acid from my stomach burned my throat and I developed the worst case of IMSOMNIA anyone could possible bear, I spent 3 days literally unable to fall asleep. I call the doctr and had him prescribe Ambien which only helped for 4 days after that even 2 ambiens wouldn't put me to sleep. I developed rapid heart beat and strong palpitations, I now have more black spots floting in my eyes,I bacame disoriented, irritable, depressed, and even on those four days when taking ambien I had the terrible nightmares and hallucinations, as I tried to concentrate on sleeping my mind just kept going on it's own making out a lot of nonsense visuals things. I stop to ambien and tried Valerian root which seem to help me better but upset my stomach. I developed Neck pain as if something had been ruptured on the right side off my neck. I also develedped pain in my shoulder radiating down my arm. Two months later I started to get muscle twitching, and the depression kept getting worse. I have never been the same ever since. It's been more than 4 months after the incident and the twitching, depression, neck pain (now on the left side too), irritability, panick/anxiety feeling in my stomack it's still here. I am taking supplements and magnesium to try to rid my system of these effects. I will be posting regularily as to any information I find that can be helpful to dealing with these side effects.

Eddie

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Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:33:53 -0400 by Guest, #6890

I posted here a little over a year ago because I had been prescibed Lebaquin for nausea and just feeling icky.. but they couldn't determine why. I didn't want to take more meds.. I wanted them to find out what was wrong with me.

My muscles.. especially my legs and the bottoms of my feet were so sore the few days I was on it that I could barely walk when I got out of bed in the morning.

That was over a year ago... and I still have the same muscle problem when I first get up. After I take a few steps and start moving I'm ok for the rest of the day.. but if I didn't have such a high tolerance for pain and KNOW that it would pass in a few stps I wouldn't even get out of bed in the morning.

I regret taking this medicine and not riding out the storms with whatever was ailing me to begining with.. and will have to be on my DEATH bed before I take any new drugs.

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Fri, 6 Aug 2004 08:20:40 -0400 by quail4, #6847

I just finished 14 days of 750mg of Levaquin. I have not found anyone who has taken this size of a dose. I am having the joint aches and pains. This morning I had difficulty breathing because my back and ribs hurt so much that to expand my lungs hurts. My husband is a physican assistant and he is feeling riddled with guilt. He and I both feel as if the drug company had done its part to not make the severity of these side affects known. These horrible side affects are listed as "less common or rare." That leads one to believe that very few people will have these problems. I just mentioned to someone yesterday how I felt worse since taking this medicine than I did before. They immediately said, "You aren't taking Levaquin are you?" There husband a healthy 30 something year old accountant had the same problems I am having. His gastrointestinal doctor said Levaquin is poison and he would have never put him on it. He told him to stop it immediately. Obviously some doctors are aware and admitting the problems this medicine causes. I am trying to be hopeful this morning after reading all of the posts that are echoing how I am feeling right now. I am afraid! For those of you who have gotten better many of us would benefit from knowing that these side affects are temporary and will pass. Thanks to all who have posted and provided clarity about this medicine.

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Wed, 4 Aug 2004 07:08:17 -0400 by Guest, #6813

I was very interested to find this site and the information people have provided. I think that almost any information found on the internet must be taken with a grain of salt: A particular car may receive rave reviews from several owners, while the same one is bashed as the worst vehicle possible by others. There are web sites that show "proof" that we never went to the moon, and other ones which have been set up to debunk them. As such, I hope that everyone will decide for themselves whether Levaquin is good or bad for them. As for me......

I had a script for Levaquin, given to me for a previous upper respiratory infection. At that time, I was able to beat it on my own without the meds. Over this past weekend, I developed a sinus infection *and* an upper resp. infection, and decided to employ the Levaquin (500 mg).

Monday night, I had very little in the way of side effects. Some slight muscular pain, mild chills/sweats, and restlessness, all of which could be attributed to the fact that I just generally felt bad. Last night, however, I took the second dose, and within about two hours, it felt as if somone had sucked every bit of moisture from my joints. Stretching alleviated some of the discomfort, and I was able to get to sleep, which did bring some pretty strange dreams.

Based on these symptoms (and after reading others' experiences), I'm going to cease the Levaquin, and see how things progress.... a "better safe than sorry" approach. If the infections don't subside, then I suppose it's off to the doc for an alternate solution.

Thanks again to everyone for posting your experiences, both good and bad.

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Mon, 2 Aug 2004 09:21:00 -0400 by debyanig, #6792

I was on a 10 days dosage of Levaquin for a sinus infection and experienced acute gastritis problems during that time. Even after completing the 10 day course, my symptoms did not go away and the doctor put me on another 10 days course of 500 mg Levaquin. I have not slpet for almost 5 nights in a row now. I hit upon this website this morning and read the postings and I am pretty sure that my sleeplessness is related to Levaquin. Thanks for the posting everybody.

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Sat, 31 Jul 2004 14:42:52 -0400 by Guest, #6769

Started on Levaquin 500 mg five days ago for a sinus infection and suffered severe cramps in my back after on it for less than 12 hrs. The cramps have fortunately largely abated by now, but last night I woke up with acid reflux and decided to take OTC Prilosec for it. An hour later I experienced the most vivid and horrific nightmares of my life! I couldn't get out of them and they felt like waking hallucinations. Would be interested in whether anyone else has experienced nightmares with Levaquin alone, or in combination with other drugs like Prilosec.

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