Post Marketing Reports September 2003

Sun, 28 Sep 2003 20:38:39 -0400 by Guest, #3566
I had been on levaquin for only 3 days for diverticulitis, I have been dizzy, wheezing, BUT the worst is the itching rash it stared out small tiny bumps from my waist down, they itched so badly I have rubbed them until they are sore. I had only been on for 3 days total, today is the fourth & the tiny bumps have turned into hives. It is Sunday here & the Dr office is closed so I called ER & the Dr on call has instructed me to take 25mg of benadryl 3 times a day. I would think the hives would get better he told me not to take anymore Levaquin, but today they seem larger. I guess it will take it some time to get out of my system. I will never take this drug again. The Dr on call also told me to see the Dr for an appt first thing in the morning. Good thing I work at the Dr office. I am itching like mad.

Sat, 27 Sep 2003 10:23:54 -0400 by Guest, #3561
I started taking Levaquin last week for seven days to combat an insect bite that had become infected. The second day on the antibiotic, my leg, feet, and hand muscles/joints started throbbing. As I have arthritis, I assumed it was due to that. However, the pain became increasingly intense throughout the week. I took my last pill this morning and the joint pain is worse than ever; unfortunately, only now did it occur to me to investigate side effects. I am a fitness instructor (aerobics, Yoga, Pilates) and the prescribing doctor is aware of this. I teach between eight and twelve classes a week, yet he never said anything about the antibiotic's potential side effects. After reading the many posts here describing severe joint pain, I do believe it is a dangerous potential side effect for all exercisers. I know I will be much more cautious about taking a new drug in the future, and can only hope that this joint pain will clear as the drug clears from my system.

Tue, 23 Sep 2003 19:53:01 -0400 by Guest, #3545
I recently began taking Levaquin for an infection I received after donating a kidney to my sister last year.

I too was never warned by my doctor about the potential side effects. I had no idea that this drug could cause tendon and muscle damage if rigorous exercise is performed.

I am currently training for a marathon and told my doctor this but was never warned about the risk. One day after taking the drug I was out running and began having extreme tendon pain. The pain was located just below my calf and has persisted for the last 2 weeks.

Just having recently moved to the US from Canada I am shocked at the lack of information the US doctors give to their patients. I had informed the doctor about my exercise schedule but no mention was made about the possible effects this drug could have on me.

If anyone has any questions about this posting please contact me at crabber@houston.rr.com


Tue, 23 Sep 2003 19:17:33 -0400 by Guest, #3544
I took Levaquin in June for a sinus infection and had no side effects. I am now taking it for a sinus/tonsil infection. This is my 7th day. Three days ago I started feeling pain in my chest, like someone is standing on it, I am having trouble breathing, I feel as if I have the flu because all of my bones, joints hurt. I have trouble sleeping, and my vision is blurred. I also sleep whenever I can and when I wake up I feel fine for about 30 minutes, and then I am exhausted again. It finally dawned on me that since I have no fever, that maybe I was having a reaction to the Levaquin and checked out this site. I hope these symptoms disappear soon so I can really start to feel better. Thanks to all of you for your input.

Mon, 22 Sep 2003 21:44:43 -0400 by Guest, #3539
I had a bad case of bronchitis and asked my doctor for an antibiotic. He insisted on Levaquin and did not state any side effects. After the first dose, I became very anxious, depressed, and could not sleep. After the second dose, I had the same symptoms, and I also had severe joint pain in one knee. Unfortunately,our power was out due to Hurricane Isabelle so I could not search for side effects on the web. It is only now after the third dose, that I have been able to discover that I am not the only one with these severe reactions. I will not take this drug again.

Mon, 22 Sep 2003 18:06:40 -0400 by Guest, #3537
I am taking levaquin for a sinus infection. I have dizziness and a sort of motion sickness when I walk where everything "sways". My sinus problem is no better after almost a week of meds and I am sick to my stomach now most days.

Mon, 22 Sep 2003 15:17:51 -0400 by tablasco, #3533
I had taken Levaquin for 1 week for a sinus infection (was prescribed 2 weeks worth). I stopped the medication when I started feeling severe depression. The depression started on the third day and I stopped the medication after the seventh day. I also was nauseous, dizzy and very tired. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning most days. I have stopped the medication for over a week. I am hoping the side effects go away soon. I am still tired and depressed.

Sat, 20 Sep 2003 21:40:29 -0400 by Guest, #3522
Do not take this medication! I ended up in the ER with a bad rash, swollen joints , hands, dizziness, insominia, vomiting, elevated blood pressure, and swollen tongue. These side effects took three days to totally manisfest. I discontinued the meds myself . Took benedryl to offset the itching.
It is now on my list of drugs NOT TO EVER TAKE AGAIN!

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 15:20:35 -0400 by Guest, #3518
I visited the doctor after not being able to kick a chest cold and was prescribed a Z-pack. 10 days later I had to return when I was more sick than before, I now had pneumonia and was given Levaquin. The exact day I was given the first dose in the morning by the doctor I experienced confusion, faintness and exhaustion that afternoon--in fact I was worried I wouldn't be capable of driving myself home from work that afternoon. I initially attributed this to the illness and severe head cold, however as two weeks wore on I was continually losing my place in conversations, my body hurt worse all over than being sick, I had several severe headaches, and typically had about 1 hours worth of stand-up time energy per day, the rest of the day I would have to spend lying or sitting. This is very odd for me since I am an avid runner and have maintained good fitness for many years, I'm 33. Additionally I was in the middle of two important projects related to work which had to be sidelined because of depression. I tell people I have been more "sick" with the flu for far shorter periods of time but I have never been this sick for this long. After reading the many responses on here I believe I too was a victim of the effects of Levaquin. What frustrates me is I spoke to my doctor again on day 4 into the medication and told him that I felt WORSE, all they said was continue taking the medacation, never once telling me it was all common for this medication. Now like several other posting I am experiencing pretty painful digestion problems, I have taken myself off of it for about 36 hours now, and need to start eating yogurt--I will NEVER take that drug again.

Wed, 17 Sep 2003 09:41:17 -0400 by Guest, #3505
I took Levaquin as a third antibiotic for the treatment of a bad case of bronchitis that went into asthma and have had a chronic cough. This started one month ago. I first took Zithromax, then Augmentin. The Levaquin was a third antibiotic. The first day I felt I felt dizzy and lightheaded. the first night I had total insomnia and could not sleep. I woke up feeling very nauseated. The second day I felt even more dizzy than the day before. The second night I broke out into hives and itching on my feet. I took Benadryl and discontinued the antiobiotic.

Tue, 16 Sep 2003 22:19:50 -0400 by Guest, #3503
I have taken 5 doses . Today I noticed that my skin started to itch, and a very faint rash is all over my body. I am allergic to sulfa , and this is the same rash I would get from it. I called my pharmacist to check if Levaquin has sulfer in it. I was told that they didn't "think it did". Some companies use sulfa as a preservative I was told. I don't think I want to take this drug again!

Mon, 15 Sep 2003 14:08:09 -0400 by Guest, #3495
I had all the side effects of Stephanie39 and more.

I was admitted into ER on the 16th of August because i was struggling to breathe. I was treated for asthma, which i have never really had a problem with, and bronchitis. I was immediately put on various steriod treatments (intravenously and orally) and Levaquin 500mg PO q.d. I was then admitted to hospital. I left hospital 10 days later. After being there for 3 days my breathing was much better BUT i was feeling sicker and started with thrush in my mouth and swollen glands. I told the attending medical staff, including doctors about these symptoms. I was given an IV treatment of another antibiotic. (Rocephin) Day 3 i informed the doctor that i was starting to experience feelings of depression. He smiled and walked out. I can't tell how many various medications i was given during my stay but i do know that i had several different types of steriods, orally and intravenously and a few antibiotics but Levaquin was every day. When I left the hospital I was battling with depression, my body felt like it was poisened. I couldn't walk without my heart rate going wild. My muscles felt lame, my whole body felt edgy and like i had an electrical current running through me. My nerves in my legs and arms felt very agitated. I had a strange sensation of a mask on my face. I felt as if cotton wool was in my ears. I was incredibly dizzy and my balance was totally off - i felt like i would fall over all the time. It would take me an hour to get to the bathroom and back. (30 steps) The worst was that i didn't have the physical or mental stamina to do anything.I was very weak. The thrush/candida had now progressed into my colon and vagina.

The second day i was home i woke up and was in the most incredible pain. I was convinced that i would find bruising all over the top half of my body...i felt like someone had taken a bat and hit me all over with it. I could hardly move for the pain and no-one could touch me.
My husband took me back to hospital and after 4 hours they "could find nothing wrong" and sent me home saying i should take tylenol! I couldn't walk and was having dilerious type visions when i closed my eyes. When I got home i felt completely defeated and desperate. My husband found the site for Levaquin side effects and we both felt much better...there was hope.
I found a deep tissue massage therapist and got a treatment. I had hot ginger baths and used heating pads for sore muscles. I contacted a homeopath/accupuncturist and he told me to start taking Vit A,C,E and Selenium, (Anti-oxidants) Primadophilus Reuteri (which is good bacteria to counter-act the thrush) liquid concentrate Grapefruit Seed Extract (to kill the bad bacteria also for the thrush) and Milk Thistle to help my liver. I have also had 4 accupuncture treatments. (I had never had this before but was desperate- it definately worked for me. I could see an improvement about 4 hours later.) He also told me to drink at least a gallon of water a day and to only eat veggies for the first 4 days. (That was hell and i cheated.)
It's been just over two weeks of this treatment and i am finally able to do most things. I still haven't tried driving and won't be doing anything too active for a while. I did start with some very easy stretching Yoga exercises.
I have to continue the above treatment for 3 months at least before my homeopath thinks that my body will have rid itself of all the toxins!
I am very angry about this. I would hate for a child to have to go through what I did. Anyone can mail me for support.

My only fear is long term damage...especially to my Liver.

n.

Sat, 13 Sep 2003 10:04:33 -0400 by stephanie39, #3485
No new side effects, just want to reiterate what Levaquin did to me. What I resent is that no doctor involved ever mentioned problematic and painful side effects of the drug, yet when I had to be admitted to the emergency room for severe muscle and joint pains, the first thing the ER doctor said was "Levaquin causes painful, swollen joints and severe muscle and tendon pain, including rupture of the Achilles tendon."

Amazing that an unknown ER doctor, who had seen my case for less than 5 minutes, immediately caught and explained the cause of my problems. Thank God I hadn't forced myself to exercise, which I had considered doing, as I have now read on this website that exercise exacerbates the problem and could have caused ruptured tendons.

My main symptoms, which gradually grew worse as I continued the drug for 10 days, were metallic taste in my mouth, feeling of tiredness and heaviness in my body, increasing muscle and joint pain, especially in my knees, eventually spreading down the back of my legs toward my ankles. When I finally gave up and went to the Emergency Room, I could barely walk in; had to hold on to walls, chairs, etc. just to stay upright.

The ER doctor stopped the Levaquin and started me on Ibuprofin to combat the inflammation of the joints. (yet another drug??) So far it has been 24 hours since I stopped the Levaquin and I feel a little better - can almost walk again. I hope and pray the side effects will go away quickly, but I'm concerned since reading other people's lingering problems.

Thank you for this forum; I wish I had discovered it sooner!

Sat, 13 Sep 2003 07:59:21 -0400 by Guest, #3484
THRUSH IS POSSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT

Hello again,

As I stated before, I was diagnosed with Thrush; a fungal infection in my mouth. This is a direct result of all the antibiotics I have consumed over the past few months. I have been on levaquin, (both iv and tablets), Flagyl(Iv and tabs), Zitromax, Rosephin injections 7 straight days, amoxicillian, etc.

Thrush first reared its ugly head when I noticed my Coca Cola didn't taste right. Then next symptom was my tongue burned. I at first acredited this to hot peppers I had consumed the night before...LOL!

When the burning did not cease over night and I could not talk right, I investigated on the internet and found thrush. I do have it. White patches on my tongue. White patches in my mouth. This fungus can spread down your throat and cause major problems as you can well imagine. It can also cause a systematic yeast infection, which will spread through your bloodstream and could in fact KILL you if not treated. IF you suffer from a burning tongue, white patches, funny tasting foods, etc, after taking antibiotics of ANY kind, seek medical assistance. YOu need a prescription for Nystatin liquid to swish in mouth and swallow, you may also need an oral antifungal (possibly Difulcan), and you can also help your body by eating yogurt with active cultures (very important) and taking acidopholus tablets (check with your doctor before taking any over the counter medications or herbs. Herbs are natural but that does NOT mean they are safe. Arsenic is natural too!!!)

Gentleman: You are not immune to this infection. It is a yeast infection, related to the kind ladies get. And any of you that have ever been around a woman suffering from one KNOW how much agony they can be. YOu must seek assistance as well.

Please feel free to contact me directly at tellirma@hotmail.com. Together we can make the world a better place.

Never doubt that the ideas of a few people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
quote of Margaret Mead- Author

Sincerely,
Irma Fruci
Coleman Florida

Sat, 13 Sep 2003 07:24:54 -0400 by Guest, #3483
Hello again,

Update:

Went to my doctor's office and fired him. I was there thursday and told him about my ears and my nose and my burning tongue. He shoved a tongue depressor in my mouth, causing me massive distress, brought tears to my eyes. Said, Um hm, listened to my lungs, prescribed Zyrtec (allergy Medication) and sent me on my merry way!

NOT ONCE did he look in my ears or nose. Dumba...!

So friday I went back and fired him officially and professionally, in front of his staff and other patients. Changed to another primary care physician in the center (this one actually diagnosed my pneumonia 3 weeks ago) and went through urgent care.

After Spending most of Friday early am on the puter, I discovered that what I was suffering from in my mouth was a fungal infection caused by all the antibiotics I was taking and it is called Thrush. I confirmed this by looking at my tongue in a mirror and seeing white patches on the left side of my tongue. I tried a home remedy: DO NOT DO THIS!!!!! it said at web md I believe, I am not sure, to do 1part hydrogen peroxiide and 3 parts water, gargle and swish in mouth.

At first, the first 10 seconds, no reaciton...then HOLY CRAP!

My mouth foamed up like I had the rabies! and the PAIN!!!
OMG in Heaven. after rinsing with plain water I looked at my poor tongue through tears and saw the spots enlarge by the peroxide. Now, if I could see the spots before the peroxide and after, how come Doctor Dipsh> didnt see em with a magnifier and bright light?

The walk in doctor confirmed my own diagnosis of Thrush. Prescribed Nystatin liquid which I have to use 4-5 times a day (20-25 bucks at Winn Dixie Pharmacy prescription only)
Difulcan to combat a vaginal yeast infection
Doxycline for the sinus and Ear infections. (yes, another antibiotic!)
She said that the zithromax was having no effect whatsover on the ear infection or sinus'.

If you want to discuss any situation concerning this topic, please contact me at tellirma@hotmail.com. I am a writer for a newspaper and I am putting together a series on this. It is such BS. We must stick together and help ourselves and our dumba.. doctors....if we dont who will?
Sincerely,
Irma Fruci
Coleman Florida

Fri, 12 Sep 2003 00:49:53 -0400 by Guest, #3478
After realizing my doctor has absolutely no clue what is wrong with me (therefore how to help me), I began to do some research on the web for my symptoms.

I, too, have been on levaquin. I finished it just about a week ago. I was also on flagyl at the same time. Besides yet another yeast infection, I have noticed several disturbing side effects as well. I too was prescribed xanax for anxiety...but was this prescription for xanax prescribed to keep me "calm" during my hospital stay? Or was it to try to delay the reactions I may have, and indeed didmay actually currently be suffering with, in the end be due to Levaquin? I do not know. I do know I have been wired and wiped out....both witihin 15 minute time frames. I do know that I thoguth I was going through the "dt's" after stoping the Xanax...but was it the Levaquin that did this too me...I stopped both at the same time. I have an ear infection...two actually...lol...and a sinus infection and am now on Zithromax. How any infection could live in my body after being on practically every antibiotic known to mankind for the past two, three, months....is beyond me and my quacko doctors comprehension.

So now, the pneumonia is ebbiing..the ears and sinus are horrible....I have a broken tooth that hurts like hell...the joints of my lips are raw, my tongue is burning and I am still miserable. BUT...I will conqueor this too...with help from you.

Any suggestions?
Please write me directly at tellirma@hotmail.com Thank You.


Thu, 11 Sep 2003 00:54:32 -0400 by Guest, #3476
Was given 7 days of Levaquin 500 mg by doctor in early July 2003 for a stubborn sinus and bronchial infection that was not responding to Erythromycin. First dose was early evening, and I quickly experienced rapid heartbeat, anxiety and insomnia. I called my doctor the next morning, he prescribed Xanax for the insomnia/anxiety. The second day I began to feel pronounced joint pain in my left hand. Symptoms grew to include: anxiety, extreme dizziness and fatigue, a sense of "lifelessness", like a vampire had sucked the blood out of me, some confusion, visual disturbances and nightmares. I decided to return to doctor 3 days after starting treatment to ask for another drug. He urged me to finish taking the Levaquin since I "only had a few days left"of treatment, but I could cut dose in half. On the drive home from the doctor, I nearly passed out, and I have never fainted in my life.

Two months post treatment, I continue to experience anxiety, some insomnia, joint pain as well as muscle twingles/tremors in left hand, and occasional "sprained"sensation in right ankle. My memory has been poor and I often seem scattered. I attribute these lingering symptoms to the Levaquin, as I had none before taking this drug.

Note that my physician at no time warned me of any side effects of the drug, nor did he tell me not to take it concurrent with NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen, Advil) or steroids (such as Advair Diskus, which he prescribed for my bronchitis).

I hope to minimize the recurring side effects by taking the right kinds of nutritional supplementation, by avoiding caffeine and alcohol (which I enjoy on occasion!) and sugar. Someone please tell me that these side effects will eventually disappear..........

Tue, 9 Sep 2003 12:50:06 -0400 by Guest, #3463
I took Levaquin for only two days for a sinus infection and bronchitis, my bloodpressure is up and my heart rate is 84, my chest is pounding all day and night, I do not sleep well or at all, my head hurts, I have swelling in my face and I am experiencing depression, crying spells and my body aches. I will never take it again. I am amazed that it is still prescribed by doctors after reading all the side effects that have been reported. After reporting my symptoms my doctor did take me off the med., if she hadn't I would have.

Mon, 8 Sep 2003 10:05:49 -0400 by Guest, #3457

Delayed reaction to CIPRO

6 weeks after a 12 day course 2 x500 mg ciprofloxacin
I developed serious knee joint pain, which caused me (22, M)to seek medical help at the ED.
CONCLUSION by M.D: A link between the drug and the joint
pain cannot be excluded.
CONCLUSION by me: The use of these drugs will cause
arthrosis deformans in a great proportion of patients (in 10 to 30 years).
CIPRO appears to be "safest" of the quinolones, as confirmed by animal testing.
However, other potent antibiotics such as Metronadizole are
not much better in terms of ADVR.





Mon, 8 Sep 2003 06:25:34 -0400 by Guest, #3455
My grandmother took Levaquin 500 mg for three days and on the 2nd and 3rd day when waking up in the middle of the night was paralyzed to the point she could not move her arms and legs to get up to go potty. She discontinued use and the next night was fine. The doctor put her on a sulfa drug to finish out her treatment.

I didn't ready any side effects of this sort on the prescription discription that listed all side effects.

I remember being on an antibiotic in the same family as levaquin and having the same result when waking up in the middle of the night. I could not move. I was ok when I woke up in the morning, but waking in the middle of the night before it wore off was paralyzing.


Thu, 4 Sep 2003 15:44:41 -0400 by Guest, #3438
I also have had problems from Levaquin. My problems started in April after being perscribed the drug for a sinus infection. I took the first pill with little or no side effects. By day three I had pain in my left hand so bad that I could not use it at all. On the sixth day the pain was bad that I could not do anything more then , lay in bed. The pain is in my arms and legs and hips and back, my ankles are sore, my elbows you name it. I just finished up a 20 visit run to the Physical therpaist for tennis elbow, then carpel tunnel syndrom. This is all in my left hand and arm where all of this started. My doctor is showing little or no concern about this. I am so tired of feeling this way. I have shakes in my legs that I can not control. I am tired all of the time and I get little finished before needing to rest again. Typing this is painfull. I have two active sons and I can not keep up with them at all. That is really hard to keep telling them no to everything they want to do . I hope that someone will read this and can help me. It is now September and I have already had enough. Thank you Marylee

Thu, 4 Sep 2003 00:00:23 -0400 by Guest, #3436
I have had the same side effects as everyone else.
I just got a RX for levaquin today and could not remember
why I did not want this again until I read this web site. I am not going to take this again. What other drugs can I take
for this condition ?
Thanks for your help.

Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:16:42 -0400 by Guest, #3433
My mother-in-law was recently hospitalized for a kidney infection. She is 79 years old. She has had allergic reactions to a number of antibiotics in the past few years, including Cipro which is in the same "family" as Levaquin. Since her infection was severe (temperature went to 104.7), the doctors decided to try a half-dose of Levaquin because she had had an allergic reaction at least one in every "type" of antibiotic. The first 3 days, she had mild leg spasms resembling restless leg syndrome. Since that is common in elderly people, especially those who have been very ill with little movement, we were not concerned about it. On the 4th day, after she had come home from the hospital, she began to have leg pain. At first, it was more of a burning sensation under the skin, but, as the days went by, it became unbearable pain. What had been helped by 2 mg of Valium and some tylenol, became barely tolerable with Darvon every 4 hours, Valium every 6 hours and 600 mg of Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours. The pain became so severe that she could not walk, and within a week, she was hospitalized for 9 more days with pain so bad that she could not sleep or walk. They finally put her on Vicodin for pain, which made it tolerable. They tested for everything but, by process of elimination, the Doctor decided that it must have been the Levaquin. It took over a week after they discontinued the Levaquin for the pain to lessen enough to leave off the Vicodin at night. Even after she came home, she had to take the pain medication round the clock to be able to bear it. She is now learning to walk again and still taking Vicodin at night for pain (2 weeks after she stopped taking the Levaquin).


Tue, 2 Sep 2003 14:33:06 -0400 by Guest, #3421
I was perscribed levaquin when I started experiencing yet another sinus infection. I also had an extremely sore throat and my ear hurt really bad. I know it was all do to the sinus infection. I took the medication for about 2 to 3 days and then I started feeling sick to my stomach, my stomach would hurt so bad I could not operate. I had an emotional break down, anxiety, depression, light head, extremely dizzy, I sweat so much that I was sweating the antibiotic (very stinky), and I had the worst headache of my entire life.

I went back to the doctor and she suggested I go to the hospital and get a spinal tap. I said I don't think so. So she gave me a shot for a migraine. I slept and slept, but my headache did subside substantially. I was sick for 1 whole week. I have never been that sick in my entire life.

My doctor told me that she was never perscribing that medicine to me again. I don't know if it was a side effect or an allergic reaction, but I didn't like it at all.



Mon, 1 Sep 2003 22:01:31 -0400 by Guest, #3416
I AM A FEMALE 63 YEARS OF AGE I WAS PUT ON LEVAQUIN 500 FOR A U.T.I. INFECTIONAFTER TAKING IT FOR 2 DAYS MY KNEES SWELLED AND I COULD HARDLY GET UP AND DOWN THEN PAIN IN MY LEFT SHOULDER AND RIGHT ELBOW MY NECK WAS SORE AND DOWN MY SPINE I WAS GETTING PRETTY UPSET BY ABOUT 7 TH DAY I WAS HURTING ALL OVER. IWENT BACK TO DR. HE SAID IT COULD BE MEDICINE THESE SIDE EFFECTS WERE NOT LISTED ON PRECAUTION PAPERS MY DAUGHTER FOUND THIS WEB SITE CALLED AND TOLD ME TO CLICK ON IT AND NOT TO TAKE ANY MORE OF THAT MEDICINE I HAVE BEEN OFF OF IT FOR 5 DAYS MY NECK IS BETTER BUT MY KNEES SHOULDER AND ELBOW IS STILL SWOLLEN AND HURTS I WONT EVER TAKE THIS MED. AGAIN AS LONG AS I AM IN MY RIGHT MIND THIS PAIN IS BAD. IF NOT FOR THIS WEB SITE I FEEL LIKE I MIGHT BE IN LOT WORSE SHAPE.