December 4th
2008
4:21 PM
I went to a walk-in clinic with ear pain...was told I had an ear infection and prescribed Avelox. Took the first pill about 6pm with dinner and an hour later felt very cold..could not get warm, dry mouth, tremors in my lips, then the left side of my face started to lose feeling...not all the way numb but not as sensitive to touch as the right side of my face. Worse than all of that was the "detached, out of bodish" feeling and the mounting anxiety. I went to bed hoping to sleep it off and no better this morning. I woke up with muscle soreness and weakness in my left arm. My heartrate is sitting about 90-100 bpm and I feel so jittery. I went to my regular doc who said I didn't even have an ear infection. When does this go away?! I hate this feeling of not being normal, being so anxious. And I am so mad because I didn't even need this antibiotic!!
-- By day_mags | Reply | Private Message me
December 2th
2008
11:30 AM
I was put on Cipro for 10 days for a sinus infection and it did nothing so I went back to the doctor and was prescribed Avelox. I took my prescribed dose of 1 400 mg tablet once daily and after the third dose began to feel some very strange sensations. I started cramping and hurting from my elbows to my finger tips as well as I started having night sweats, tremors/jerking when trying to go to sleep which is another story in itself. I may have gotten 9 hours sleep in 4 days. All of this over a sinus infection. I guess we are simply being lab rats for the Rx companies.
-- By mawalk | Reply | Private Message me
November 14th
2008
11:45 AM
Took my first dose on Wednesday 11/12/08, and felt amazing. I could not believe how much better I felt when I got up Thursday morning. Took my second dose around lunch time, and noticed that by Thursday night I wasn't feeling too well. Had a hard time sleeping Thursday night as my legs were bothering me. Called the Dr. this morning, as I felt like I might be having some side effects. Wants to see me tomorrow to make sure I'm not having tendon problems. Legs feel weird...just a rubbery feeling, and some mild pain. Makes me feel like I have to move them. Also, felt jittery upon waking this morning. Can't sleep...wake up at 4:30am - 5:30am and can not get back to sleep. I just want to get well, and they give me a medicine that should not be prescribed unless other antibiotics have not worked, and then be supervised the entire time on the medicine. I am so mad, I can't see straight! Now I have to waste more time, going back to the Dr. (not my usual Dr. BTW...I had to go to a "walk in" clinic because I couldn't get into see my normal Dr. soon enough), so that he can tell me my legs are fine, and write me another stupid presciption! I've been dealing with trying to get some meds for almost a week now! CRAZY! Not to mention this crap is really expensive! $60 for 10 stinkin' pills. Would of been $160 if I didn't have insurance. That's a lot of money down the drain! Guess I'm glad I never took my 3rd dose of this stuff, or I might of done some serious damage! DO NOT TAKE THIS...IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!!!!!!
-- By froglover1069 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 24th
2008
7:17 PM
Today I went to the minor emergency clinic locally and I was given 10 day samples of Avalox. My throat is very raw and I was sick, but didn't have a fever and I was welcoming the medications given to me, because I felt so sick. BUT... after leaving the doctor's office we went through a drive through to get lunch and continued across the street to go shopping for winter coats when I decided to take my new medicine with my food and water. Immediately, in less than five minutes I felt like throwing up, and I felt very very dizzy and weak. I almost couldn't get out of the car my head felt so thick and foggy. When we walked in the store, my husband had to hold onto me because I felt as if my equilibrium was off. I just felt so dizzy, we didn't even get to do the shopping. When we got back in the car I fell asleep right away and I remember thinking to myself in my sleep that I felt a huge tremendous pressure around my skull as if someone was squeezing it. But I was so tired I thought, well if my head explodes, that's ok I'm too tired to tell my husband. Now that sounds downright nuts, who thinks like that in their sleep? I was basically too drained to cry for help. I called the doctor's office to tell them about my reaction and they said that was definitely the antibiotic, not the allergy medicine and that if it continues when I take the pill tomorrow to call them.I'm asking for a Z Pack. I am glad I found this website, I feel it could have saved my life! I would have probably followed their advise. I am going to give them this link so they can read for themselves!
-- By moggy | Reply | Private Message me
May 21th
2008
3:23 PM
Was prescribed Avelox 400 mg tablets for a sinus infections (second one in a row.) Became severely depressed, crying in public places (and I am not a crier), couldn't sleep, headache and just felt disconnected all together. By day four couldn't take it any more and called the doctor. Was prescribed Azithromycin pack to clear things up.
I am glad I found this website to see that other people were having these same side effects because I was starting to think I was losing my mind.
-- By sweets14 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 24th
2008
1:18 PM
I am very scared right now and concerned, but recently I have been sick for the last 3 weeks or 4 weeks. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he prescribed some Amoxicillin for my sickness. He said he couldn't identify what I had so he gave me a broad based anti biotic. For about a week I took it and didn't get any better. The medicine caused me to get dizzy spells after sleep and before sleep. So this week I went back to the doctor and he said the medicine wasn't helping me and my white blood cell count had gone up. So I had to get some blood taken . Then the nurse couldn't find my vain easily. She managed to get a little blood though and took it for lab samples. The doctor came back and said I needed to take some Avelox and gave it to me. So for about two days I took it and I felt ok, but later the second day I started having a panic attack for no reason. I told my dad I needed to lay down.
After that, my dad made me some food and I laid down and watched TV and the feeling soon left. I was really feeling sick so I got a cold rag and put it on my forehead. I was looking forward to my mom coming home from Wednesday night church. I fell asleep for about 30 minutes. Then my mom came home and woke me up and we talked for a bit and then I went back to sleep.
Well, today I got curious about my medicine and looked it up and found out some terrible news. The medicine I am taking has actually landed people in the hospital. I found a site where people who had taken it posted what the side affects were. They all had reports about having anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and muscle aches.It was then I realized that my medicine is what caused the panic attack the day before. I called my dad instantly and told him about the bad side affects. He didn't really seem to care that much. He listened to me though, which is a step up from my mom. Then I called my mom and explained to her. She just ignored me and didn't care. I was crying and I felt so terrible and frustrated. I was just trying to explain to her that my medicine caused very bad side affects and even thoughts of suicide. She didn't really seem concerned though, she said she'd call my doctor and talk to him about it.
Right now my parents and I are just really stressed about this whole thing. I refuse to take my medicine because of it's dangerous side affects... but if I don't have any medication at all I won't get better. I'm just in a really bad situation and I am just so depressed I feel as if I could burst!! Everyday I feel like utter crap and my vision is screwed up and I don't have an appetite so I have to make myself eat. Also, my white blood cell count keeps getting higher and if something isn't done soon what I have could be very dangerous.
I keep praying to God... but it doesn't feel like he hears me. I am in great emotional pain, my parents are never home and I'm lonely the majority of the day to , and being sick doesn't help. I am starting to experience a bit of the thoughts of suicide.I keep convincing myself I need to live and I'll get better and I don't need to die. It's hard though I am fighting with all my might to keep it away.
-- By pookiepoops | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
April 22th
2008
9:03 AM
I too have recently been taking Avelox...prescribed for inner ear...I usually have no problems with antibiotics....I have taken Cipro for skin trouble with no problem...I get strep thought at least twice a year, so i have resistance to lots of meds....I am on day 5 of this medication and I feel as if I have the flu...I am extremely nauseas and my legs feel like they weigh 100lbs each...I have
no motivation to do any thing....I am so tired but due to this crap I can not sleep....my boyfriend thinks Im a hypochondriac...I my self was starting to think i was a bit crazy until I found this site... Thank you all for sharing your stories....I now realize that I am not crazy but this drug in fact can make you feel sicker than you were to begin with...Thank you all so much!!!
April 18th
2008
9:33 AM
Sinus infection and chest congestion: doctor knew I was on HCTZ, a diuretic, as well as Zyrtec and Nasonex. The HCTZ I now known is an agent that should have triggered a modification of the treatment protocol. First night on the 400 mg Avelox, during conversation at the supper table, a black cloud of depression suddenly descended upon me like a curtain. Then I became extremely irritable and short-tempered. (Hard to blame on a drug, except that this came out of the blue right when I was feeling mentally and emotionally happy and relaxed, enjoying my husband's companionship. No reason for depression, irritability and short temper, especially to such an uncharacteristic degree. This was severe!) No sleep whatsoever that night due to shivering without getting warm, feeling like my whole body was crawling, feeling terrible frustration and anxiety and depression. Had taken the Avelox with my supper. Second night: unable to breathe through nose at all. Nasal passages so dry they hurt. I decided to abandon Nasonex and Zyrtic but never thought about stopping the HCTZ (the info insert from the drugstore never mentioned that). Insomnia and feeling electrified. Again, the feeling of total body crawling and restlessness. Irritable to the max. Frustration. Wound up sitting up most of the night to avoid waking loved one with my tossing and turning and misery. Third night, I took the Avelox early, at 5 p.m. Had been having to turn on the shower and steam up the bathroom to moisturize my nasal passages enough to bear the painful dryness. Also began using Ocean Mist to ease the pain. Despite the dryness, my nose was still too stopped up to breathe. Heavy sinus congestion and pain not any improved yet. Dozed some that night but a phone call came at midnight for my husband and after that I was wired awake again. I am desperate for rest. This is the fourth day and finally I'm coughing less and the congestion is coming up. But my sinuses are harder than ever to empty. Mucus extremely thick and sticky (sorry for the graphic quality of this post). One very severe side effect is that I am now incontinent. I never make it to the bathroom in time to urinate and so am wearing pads. Having to change them every time my bladder begins to fill. Leaking, dribbling and now gushing urine without any control whatsoever. I have just read the full prescribing info and wonder why on earth was I not given a safe antibiotic (I realize everything has some risks and side effects, but why was I exposed in this way to such a dangerous drug without a life-threatening disease to require its use?) This is an outrage. Now I"m stuck finishing the script or else my infection will be back worse than ever and then I'll be given yet another bad drug. I have only one clue to this question: I was asked what my Insurance company was just before the script was written. I cannot help wondering: what if I'd had no insurance, or another insurance? Would I then have been given a less-expensive and much safer, even safe drug? If you are ever asked just before the script is written what your insurance company is, ASK WHY THEY NEED TO KNOW. They will probably tell you it's so they can pick a Preferred drug. That would be a bogus answer, because after I told them what my insurance company was, they never went and looked for a list of preferred drugs! They simply swiftly wrote for Avelox! I was never told any of the bad effects. Now I fear getting the colitis, the tendonitis (no one told me not to exercise!). I even fear permanent incontinence. I also think that this depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and the horrible restlessness and whole body crawling sensation could be lasting and that really makes me feel very depressed. My husband has had to suffer with days and nights of my irritability and temper -- and he has cancer and I never wanted to ever be cross or complaining or to worry or burden him. This medicine is not worth it. THere are safer better options. DEMAND BETTER OPTIONS. I also wonder if the HCTC or Zyrtec or Nasonex taken on the same days could have damaged my kidneys or liver. I really think that antibiotic resistance is the ultimate bad side effect of this drug. What could be worse? Why is this being used for garden-variety sinus infections? Why is it not an option only for those who must have it or probably die of some life-threatening illness? This medicine needs more than a black box. This medicine should be available only to doctors treating patients who are in danger of dying of an illness. I have had doctors give me black box medicines before and I was spineless enough (and ill enough with severe, recurrent sinus infection) that I took the medicine. But from now on, never again. There are still better options and I deserve the safer options just as much as the next person -- no matter what my insurance coverage is! Doctors don't hesitate to use black box medicines anymore. Why do they hesitate so long to prescribe medicines without black boxes? They say it's because of the new resistance to antibiotics and the super bugs. Well now I'm susceptible to super bugs PLUS all these other severe side effects have to be endured. If anything else goes wrong, I'll come back and add another post. Meanwhile, I'm praying for each of you to make a full and speedy recovery.
-- By 1jesse | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 7th
2008
11:54 PM
I have bronchitis and my doctor prescribed Avelox. I have never been allergic to anything so I thought that I would be fine. So, took it for the first time yesterday and by 7pm I was having tingling all in my arms. I really didn't know which meds would have caused it. I am also on Prednisone and Hydro -PC for cough. Went to the doctor this morning they wanted to see me....he assumed that it was the cough medicine and took me off of it. Took my antibiotic this afternoon and guess who has tingling in arms and legs...Yeah, I am coming off of this. I have been talking my self through a panic attack, can't sleep and my eyes are kinda droopy. My face feels weird.....I will never take this again.
-- By imaclown2 | Reply | Private Message me
February 27th
2008
4:39 PM
I was prescribed this drug on a Wednesday for a sinus infection. By Saturday I could not stand up, was disoriented, dizzy, fatigued, and in general felt like crap. I did not take one on Sunday. I went back to the Doctor on Monday who told me I had fluid on my ear and that was why I was having those symptoms and it was not the medication. He gave me another round which I took around 3:00 p.m. on Monday. By 10:00 p.m. I had the dry heaves, could not stand up, was extremely dizzy, nauseated, fatigued again. I did not sleep any on Monday night. Tuesday morning I flushed remaining drug down the toilet. I has taken me 4 weeks to get to feeling some better. But, for the past several days, I have been having a crushing pain in my chest and upper body. I'm convinced it was from the Avelox. Something needs to be done to get this stuff off the market. I will never take this stuff again.
-- By m4403 | Reply | Private Message me
February 23th
2008
8:53 PM
I took Avelox for the 1st time 3 days ago for a sinus infection. After the 1st pill I began sneezing uncontrollably. I didn't sleep a wink that night. I took my 2nd and 3rd dose the next few days and literally had not slept for 3 days straight-total INSOMNIA. My hands and legs felt so tingly I had no idea what was happening. I felt faint. Then my mouth became so dry. I couldn't breathe-all I kept thinking was my throat was closing up. It was horrible. My teeth hurt, my lips were swollen and dry,my vision was blurry,vomiting,loose stool.... My eyes were sore and swollen and I had no idea I was having an allergic reaction to the Avelox. Today is the 1st day I haven't taken a dose and I'm still feeling funky. Tight chest and blurred vision bad.I am severely fatigued. I just wonder how long this medicine stays in your system.
-- By leelee11 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 1th
2008
2:11 PM
I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus for 14 days, and have been taking it for 9 days now. I couldn't figure out why I'm so exhausted, dizzy, not sleeping, having heart palpitations, and aching joints until I found this site. I will not take any more of the pills, and have a call into my Doctor. I'm not sure I trust him to prescribe another drug after he gave this to me.
-- By shenderson | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
January 11th
2008
8:06 PM
The first night wasn't too bad just some mild insomnia. The second night I tried to go to sleep but was having trouble breathing, heart palpitations and enough anxiety and fear that I wouldn't let go of my wife for most of the night. When I finally fell asleep I was still very groggy and had to miss some work and catch up. Last night I still had anxiety and weird breathing patterns and I've never had any problems with antibiotics before. I started taking them because I have been suffering from a cold for more than a week and finally started to get an ear infection. The sourness went away quick but the side affects are enough that I will discontinue my meds. The one post I read on here about suicidal tendecies had me concerned.
-- By vinnyl | Reply | Private Message me
January 2th
2008
11:50 AM
I took Avelox 2 months ago for 7 days and experienced dizziness and fatigue, my sinus infection cleared up but for the next 2 months the dizziness and fatigue did not go away. I couldn't figure out what it was until I got another sinus infection and was prescribed it again... This time I have had crazy anxiety attacks, it feels like a thousand pound person is crushing my chest, my heart is racing, my neck is stiff, my joints hurt, my head has constant pressure on it. I feel like I am going to go to sleep and not wake up. I have had psychological issues and emotional outbursts. I have lost complete function and control of my body. My arms jumped while I was trying to eat, and couldn't even grab a fork. I feel like I am dieing or going to die. Its just crazy... I wouldn't recommend anyone to take it.
-- By utkkcheer | Reply | Private Message me
December 28th
2007
2:49 AM
I am 24 year old male. The doctor said I have fluid in my ears. About on day 4 of taking the Avelox pill, I had a horrible attack. My pupils dilated and my heart began to race. My parents convinced me I was just having a panic attack or anxiety attack WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD IN MY LIFE. I cannot sleep I wake up feeling like I am in a nightmare. I am short of breath, I feel so absolutely horrible, I wish I stopped taking it sooner! I just finished my last pill, day 10. I find myself asking god to help me and I am not even religious. I pray that my heart and body start feeling normal again in a few days. I know tomorrow I will not feel better, I have been taking the pill at 7 pm every night for the past 10 days. So I know I am in for a few more hellish days and nights. Email me if you have any advice or if we can sue anyone for this.
-- By inredkenny | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 7th
2009
12:38 PM
My 20 yr old daughter was given Avelox 400mg to take one per day for 7 days for a sinus infection. Two hours after taking the first pill last night she became very drowsy and extremely nauseous and vomited several times. Her heart was racing and she felt unexplained anxiety as if she was having a panic attack, and couldn't sleep most of the night. Why don't doctors think before giving out medications!? Or at least warn the patient of these side effects which appear to be VERY common!
-- By diane567 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me