Comments on: Serious Side Effects Associated with Levaquin

By: carla

carla — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:03:56 +0000

my levaquin nightmare started in nov 2004. prior to taking it for pnuemonia, i was a very active woman who could walk miles like nothing..run up and down stairs like a feather flying!… dance the night away in high heels no trouble.
never was one with pain or needing pain meds..
never ever! UNTIL I TOOK LEVAQUIN.
i started to take it unaware of the side effects..it cleared my pnuemonia but within a week of taking it my knee started to feel sore…i didnt think much of it..but it kept getting worse and worse pain..then in both legs..from the knees and down.
i was limping and started to wear sneakers and low shoes because of the pain was unbearable no matter what i did. i figured i must have just over done it or something ..but as time passed the pain got worse and i could barely walk.
all i wanted to do was sit or lie down…i figured if i rested it that it would go away or ease up and that didnt work either..the pain was excruciatingly unrelenting.
it felt like my tendons and ligaments were being shredded and ripped.
i couldnt squat …cause of the pain and to get back up my tendons have no strength.
at night in bed my legs would just throb and throb.
here i was then going to ortho docs , one after another…all to no avail..’
all they said was put ice on it after any excercise.
i had mris, showed minor arthritis which is typical for my age.
i did physical therapy and that made me feel worse.
from an active woman to a woman almost at a standstill was my life!
to walk one block seemed like torture..and as it was ahead of me i felt like i was facing mt everest.
dancing days were done.
standing still on lines was excruciating as well.
now up and down stairs at a snails pace.
its been eight years of torture..it is only slightly less painful.
accupuncture helps some..but the pain is never gone.
its not excruciating as it was the first year…but its always always always there.
i do use ice on my legs at night to calm the pain and inflammation. and you can be sure after sitting here it will be agonizing to get up and get my legs going…and as always..the pain!! the stiffness…getting out of a car after a long ride..standing too long…im sure all of you can relate.
and how did i discover what was wrong with me after all these years and trying desperately to unravel this mystery ..a friend of mine , who knows my story , saw something about levaquin and ruptured tendons online and immediately knew that was what had happened with me…it was the drug.
she emailed it to me and soon as i saw the heading..it was like Bingo..
suddenly all the pieces fit and it made sense.
i am sad for how it has devestated my life and changed it in many ways.
a woman who used to love to walk and dance , now has become quite sedentary..not by choice but because of pain.
i am thankful for this site ….and knowing others who understand so well.
that drug should be off the market thats for sure.
whenever i go out i see so many people hobbling around, with walkers, canes , etc..and i just know in my gut..that many of them are victims of levaquin..the big cover up secret… its like an epidemic…they have criippled so many of us!!

By: mike

mike — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:21:35 +0000

I was on 2 roundS of Levaquin5 years ago. After the second round I could not raise my right arm above my shoulder, and large knots were showing up on my ankle and bottom of my feet. My wife was also on Levaquin for pnuemonia at the same time. Her reaction was so bad she had blood blisters on her legs and partial paralasis. It took 3 doctors and barage of test to find it was syrum poisoning- the real name for the “reaction” of Levaquin. It took 3 years for me to start feeling better. My wife was back in the hospital today for her feet. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:49:45 +0000

I am a 31 year old Mommy of three in great health. I went to a walk in clinic 3 days ago because of a bad cold. The doc said that I had a sinus infection and broncitis and prescribed Levaquin. He also gave me a steroid shot. The first night after taking the drug I could not sleep AT ALL. I was awake pretty much all night and the night after that. I also feel WEIRD and like my mind is in a fog. I thought at first it might be from the steriod shot but after research I am convinced its the Levaquin. I also have barely eaten in three days because I have no appetite. I am stopping this drug immediately. I have had sinus infections in the past and amoxicillin has always worked for me. I am going to call and try to get the script changed. I have no idea why this doctor gave me such a strong drug. I hope these side effects go away quickly. Its awful!

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:42:39 +0000

I took Levaquin and cipro about 3 years ago for my prostatitis on and off for about 1 year. I am not sure the exact time but I took the stuff for 45 to 60 days total over about 1 year. Only warning I was told about was ruptured Achilles tendon which I didn’t have so I didn’t link my other problems to the drug and kept taking it because it did help my severe prostate pain.
I noticed aches and pains in all my tendons since and after a few years has passed the pain has continued.

I fell like I an old man and it takes much time to even get out of bed or up out of a chair and moving. The bottoms of my feet are so sore I can hardly walk. Calves down to my heals are sore. Right shoulder and left elbow tendons sore and Back of Neck and back too.

Biceps near elbow and up as well as back of elbow. Feet from heal to toes hurt including tops of feet. Wrist fingers and back of hand bother me. Maybe I should just say I hurt all over except my face and eye lids. I also noticed ringing in my ears when this all started too and it never goes away.

Just walking up or down steps and I get and hear threads in my knees tearing followed by pain which seems to get better in time only to happen again. Example, all I need to do it put pressure on my elbow to turn over in bed and I hear and feel threads tearing again in my elbows and shoulders.

My tendons still brittle and have reoccurring tendonitis form the initial doses I took a few years back? I ache so bad I can’t sleep nights and took so much aleve and other over the counter pain meds my stomach is upset to the point I am sitting on the toilet about 10 times a day. Now depression has set in too. I do not think the symtoms will ever get better.

By: Mark K.

Mark K. — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:04:03 +0000

I was in the hospital a little over a month ago for an infection in my leg. Once the IV antibiotics were finished and the infection was almost cleared up the Hospitalist who was treating me decided that I still needed more antibiotics and prescribed a 10 day course of Levaquin. I read up on the drug online before taking it and told him that I didn’t want to take it, that I was afraid of the side effects. He assured me that it was perfectly fine and safe, that he had even taken it before and had no problems at all.

It has been approximately a month since I finished the medication. The only symptoms I had while taking it was a little mild diarrhea which went away with no problem. However, within the last week I’ve been having some joint pain and a little difficulty walking on the same leg on which I had the infection. Then today, about 4 hours ago as I was getting on the bus I heard a loud “pop” in my left knee and my knee buckled and I can not put any weight on it at all. It hurts like crazy whenever I try to put weight on it or move it or put any kind of “torque” on it. Could this be the ruptured tendon problem that I read about and that scared me to death when I studied Levaquin before taking it? I’m scared. I’m 50 years old and overweight and can barely walk because I can’t support it.

I do not know if this was caused by the Levaquin or not, but it seems suspicious to me, particularly since despite my weight I have never had an previous knee or other joint issues. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. I pray that I will be able to walk and that this will not be one of the debilitating conditions that I’ve heard horror stories about.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:37:41 +0000

I was prescribed this drug for asthmatic bronchitis. I have taken it for 3 days. I kept wondering why my breathing continued to get better but the body aches became unbearable. My bones feel like someone is beating them with a baseball bat in my arms, pelvis and legs…even my hands & fingers, feet & toes ache. It’s severe pain. I knew about the side effects with regard to ruptured tendons, but there was no warning of severe bone pain or severe body aches. I’m stopping the drug as of NOW.

By: Annie P

Annie P — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:53:33 +0000

I was prescribed Levaquin after a long (10 week) sinus infection that would not go away after trying 3 other rounds of antibiotics.. I was also taking Flonase. After 7 days my knees were a little sore & stiff. By day 8 I could barely walk. Both of my knees are swollen and the pain is excruciating. I really hope this goes away. I am a 50 year old active woman who can no longer even go up & down stairs. WHY IS THERE NO INFO ON IF THIS CLEARS UP AND HOW? I am scared!

By: Sally

Sally — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:36:43 +0000

I was given Levaquin for a staph infection following breast cancer surgery a month ago. Not only do I need to start treatments for the cancer but this medicine has all but crippled me. I can’t stand up from a chair because my knees are so painful and swollen I simply can’t do it without help. It took care of the infection but I am in do much pain I can’t sleep. And now I won’t go out to dinner-I’m 49 years old and if losing all of my hair isn’t enough I need to have help sitting, standing and on stairs. I don’t think I’ve ever felt something as bad as this and it seems to have jumped to my elbow. Does anyone have any good news about this? A short time before this gets better would be awsome right now. Thanks much!

By: michelle ryan

michelle ryan — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:13:41 +0000

I was in the hosp in 2010 july I had found od out that I have a severe case of respiratory infection double of what the normal person was to have I ended up put into hosp and IV’ed 100 mg a day for 7 days it hurt so bad and on top of that I had cancer too..now all joints are kkillng me a yr later i was watching tv and saw the commercial about liviquin in hosp now shoulder is messed up and so is my ankles i get real bruised up after that real easy and not to mention…. my hip is real sore THANKS LEVERAIQUIN I CANT OPEN A COKE BOTTLE MY HANDS HURT SO FKN BAD

By: aj schure

aj schure — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:21:01 +0000

is there any class action law suits going on about leveraquin??iwas on this in april of this year since have had herniated discs in neck and my shoulder and hands are in extreme pain???arpil???it does not end!!!

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:50:18 +0000

I have been on Levaquin many times and at least 2 different times for over 6 months. I have problems with the joint in my hands and elbows and now my hips. They won’t quit hurting and the pain is getting unbearable. I was on the strongest dose several times and then the 500mg also. I haven’t found anything to help with the pain and it just seems to be getting worse. I am trying to get over having back surgeries and this pain is holding me back. I just want to be pain free. Can anyone help me???

By: regina dent

regina dent — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 03:06:10 +0000

i have been on levofloxacin for 5 days for an sinus infection and was given 750mg i finish the 5 pills but soon as i took the first one i started hearing this wheezing in my chest and shortness of breath and dry cough and muscle pains out of this world my knees are swollen feet i can hardly stand on them my neck is stiff my shoulders are stiff i cant really move my right arm and i take baby steps i am in agonizing pain and i already have a terminally ill disease do i have a law suit i can barely drive i just cant take it and headaches chest pain it really feels if im going to die i need an anixety pill do i confront my doctor and can i sue the medical company i dont even want to go to work because i stand and walk all day .my hips hurt everything is just out of wack im going to my doctor 07/06/2011 i cant even get a good nites sleep im in so much pain what should i do plz help i walk like a baby and just turn 48 on july 4th.

By: PAT PHILLIPS

PAT PHILLIPS — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:21:15 +0000

I AM 53 YEARS OLD. MY WIFE TOOK ME TO ER ON APRIL 22ND, THE DOCTOR SAID I HAD PNOMOIA ,HE TREATED ME WITH LEVIQUIN. I TOOK 7 DAYS OF MEDS. I NOW HAVE EXTREME KNEE PAIN. SEEING ORTHO. SURGEN ON MAY 19TH. I ALSO HAVE BLOOD IN STOOL,HAVE A COLONOSCOPY MAY 20TH. THIS HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE FOR ME, I AM A CEMENT FINISHER AND CANT WORK. CAN BARELY WALK. THANKS A LOT LEVIQUIN!!!

By: aj schure

aj schure — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:16:47 +0000

iam a 66yr male took leverqwuinn 500mg 9days of 10 iam in terrible pain from shoulders neck hands legs back knees if i had known of these side affects i never would have taken these!!does the pain subside??the phamacchist says its has to get out ur system??iam worried that this could be a lasting nightmare any answears???

By: Jill Hill

Jill Hill — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:43:43 +0000

I was diagnosed with bronchitis and dr put me on Leviquin, 500 mg for 10 days. I read the list of warnings and side effects when I picked up the pills. I called my pharmacist and asked about the warnings/side effects. She assured me they were only warnings and nothing to worry about, they were very rare and I should be ok and have no problems. I took the pills for 6 days with no problems. On 6th day, my left arm and shoulder were hurting real bad like I pulled a muscle. I had been cleaning my house and washing windows so thought I overdid it. Took the remaining 4 pills as instructed. The pain in arm and shoulder persisted. I can still work and go for walks. It’s just irritating as it hurts all the time. Don’t seem to have any of the other symptoms yet. I’ve been off Leviquin for 2 days now. Pain still persists and so far pain pills are working. I want to know if pain will go away on it’s own or get worse. I have metal hip so hopefully that won’t be affected on the long term. I agree with everyone else, do not take Leviquin. Is there class action suit we can file against the maker? I’m going to try the Floressence Tea.

By: Rhona

Rhona — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:49:34 +0000

My 89-yr old mom was prescribed levaquin. After 2 pills, she had EXTREME dry mouth,, couldn’t sleep, flushed face and since she lives alone she called 911 to check her vitals. One of the ENTs said he had the same reaction from this drug. Luckily she stopped taking the pills. Why don’t the doctors and in this case, a physican’s assistant read these websites to see people’s reactions instead of being influenced by the drug reps?

By: sue

sue — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:32:08 +0000

had two lithotripsies in the last year, both time levaquin iv at the hospital and post lithotripsy….2nd time, a few days later my knees were killing me (last nov) i wondered if they did something the way they moved me while i was under anesthesia..my knees still are killing me much of the time….and now i realize it was the levaquin….how long will this last?

By: Blaine

Blaine — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:48:59 +0000

I had a sinus infection and took levaquin for about 10-14 days and i actually didnt have any issues during the medication. Now months after first taking it i have horrible headaches and dizziness everyday. I dont sleep through the night anymore and have no energy and just feel weak all over. I am 26 years old and have a clean bill of health going into this. I have since been to the ER and had 2 CT Scans and nothing is getting better. This is devasting my life right now and i pray it gets better but dont have much hope. I can barely perform my job now and fear of getting fired. Has anyone tried taking any legal action this is not right?

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:27:10 +0000

I took 750 mg of levaquin daily for a sinus infection in Jan 2011. After 4 doses I started to feel intense pain in my lower extremities and my shoulders and arms. I stopped taking it but I got worse. Where I used to have an extremely strong grip, I find it hard to open a pop bottle. I cannot lift my arms to put on a coat without pain. At night, my calves and feet hurt and when I get up in the morning it is anguish getting out of bed. I shuffle until I can at least get me ankles to flex. I used to be extremely active and do the bulk of the work in my home so this has changed my life for the worse. At work when I get up from my chair I feel the same pain. I cannot simply get up and get moving which is embarrasing at meetings. My biggest worry is that this will not get better. I have not seen anywhere on line about when the pain will resolve. I will discuss with my doctor in an upcoming appt but was wondering if anyone had any info?

By: Gregg Cesario

Gregg Cesario — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:36:50 +0000

At last, others that have the same problem after taking levequin! I have suspected this drug for some time but had no proof. My orthopedic surgeon, my internest and my urologist are all puzzled by my rioaming and repeating condition.

Long story short – treated for divitriculitis initially…prescribed levaquin and it went away. Treated for the same condition over the next 3 years with similar results however suddenly, I began experiencing the popping sounds everyone describes. I have been severely impacted starting with my right shoulder going to the left, going to my left knee and now my right knee.