Levaquin and knees

I was given Levaquin for a prostate infection. They prescribed me 750 mg for 30 days. I have been off of the drug for 3 weeks and I still have pain in my tendons. Shoulder tendons, knees, elbow and hands. How long can this last? I feel like I am dying.

I was given a Rx for Levaquin on Dec 17th (5 day dose). I started it on the 17th. By Saturday the 20th, I wasn't feeling good at all, my ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists and finger joints hurt. I only had one dose left so stupid me, I took it.

I have had pain ever since. I had read the sheet you get from the drugstore when I had the Rx filled. I remembered something about possible joint pain but didn't think much about it until the pain didn't go away after I stopped taking the drug.

Wednesday the 24th, I looked Levaquin up on an internet drug site and looked at the side effect list again. That is when I realized that the pain I was having was under the "notify your doctor" category. Their office was closed until the 29th. I tried to call the 29th but the phone was always busy. I finally got through today and told them my symptoms and told them to put in my chart to not give me that drug again. The nurse called back to say that they put it in my chart and to take otc stuff for the pain.
I have been taking Advil and a combination pill of glucosamine and condroitin (those are probably not spelled correctly - sorry). I am better but still not 100%.

Today is the 31st and my last dose of Levaquin was Dec 21. I am down to knee pain and a puffy feeling (not really swollen externally but feels swollen internally), left shoulder pain (worse in the morning when I wake up), my hips hurt off and on and my ankles hurt off and on. I am concerned about one of my ankles because I already have a haglund deformaty there so there is already damage to the area.

When I try to get out of a chair, I feel like I am 90 (I am only 49). I really hope this gets better soon. I haven't heard anything about a law suit or anyone who has a way to speed the recovery. Please, let me know if anyone knows how to help this get better faster.

Today is Christmas day 2008. And a Merry Christmas to me ha!!!!!!!! I was given a prescription for the drug Levaquin on the 19th of December for a suspicion of pneumonia. The x rays done at the hospital found no evidence of pneumonia but my doctor wanted me to take it anyway because since I have asthma and my lungs sounded so bad I was told that I was at risk for developing any secondary infection that was out there. My husband filled the prescription on the 20th which was Saturday, took the first one of a seven day supply 500 mg tablets. About 4 hours after taking just one pill was awakened by severe and agonizing pain in both of my feet and my knees that I was writhing in pain. Since I have nerve damage in my feet anyhow I know what the pain that I normally experience feels like and instantly knew that this was not normal for me. When I thought that I finally might be able to walk I hobbled into the kitchen and dug the list of side affects out of the garbage (stupid me had not read them first.) I discovered that it was one of the side affects. Called the on call doctor in the morning since it was on the weekend and he stopped it immediately and put me on something else. I only took that one pill and since Saturday night every night I wake up in agonizing knee pain and I have never had pains in my knees before. The pain is so bad that I feel like I am ready to go on a morphine drip, or cut my legs off above the knees. Six days now from one pill, how much longer can this go on? I really feel bad for the people that contined to trust their doctors and continued with the full course of the medication and I realize that what I am experiencing is minor compared to what others are going through. This drug should come with a handout that says: Take this drug at a risk to your health!!!!!! Last night the pain lasted all night and I cried all night. Have to get through this day am entertaining for the holiday and have had no sleep. Actually getting afraid to go to sleep at this point.............D.

I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis and put on the usual regime of Levaquin (500mg a day) and Flagel. The case turned worse and was admitted to the hospital (they thought I had a blockage but turned out did not) and was put on IV of the same medication. Released from the hospital 4 days later and stayed on the Levaquin as prescribed. When I ran out, I called my regular doctor who sent in the renewal prescription. However the his aide made an error and the bottle read 500mg 4 times a day…nobody including the pharmacy caught it. So for 3 days I was taking 2000mg a day of Levaquin. When I started getting worse (truly thought I was dying), I got to the doctor and he said I had taken turn for the worse and could not figure out why. He asked if I was taking the meds and I said yes 4 times a day…his face when white. I had the bottle with me and he panicked. They apologized for the error and I was told to stay off my feet, no heels, they ran ekg’s that day and the following Monday, blood work to check the kidneys etc.

Subsequently, I have had extreme pain in my joints and muscles – everyday, all day. Some days I just cry it hurts so bad. If I bend down I can hardly get back up because of my right knee. I have talked with a doctor I happened to run into about this and she said that Levaquin dosage has saturated my body and gotten into the joint and muscles and takes a long time to work it out. I can hardly lift my arms above my shoulder without severe pain. Stabbing pains in my knees, shoulders, arms and hands.

I have not gone back to the doctor because when I mentioned the pain the when I was in that last time…he just wanted to give me more meds! I have been seeing a massage therapist who specializes in deep tissue restoration and repair. It helps some, but he as well says this is going to take a lot to time to work out.

I have depression to the point of feeling like I am a nothing and what good am I to anyone feeling like this. So like snoop45...that is exactly what i feel like!

dawn62

J.

Hi everyone.I just finished my 2nd round of levaquin 500 mil the 750 mil was given to me after my pneumonia and hospitalization I was terrified.I had never been hospitalized for anything.I'm 42 quit smoking 6 yrs ago.No other health issues,well could stand to lose some pounds.
5 days ago my knee began to hurt which I never thought twice about since I have knee issues but, then my right knee, then my hands now my entire body is sore and hurting so bad I cannot walk up the stairs to our home now due to the severe pain in my knees.I have had no other side effects.I have been on STD from my job since 11 24 due to the pneumonia.I am suppose to see my doctor today and go back to work tomorrow ha that a joke the pin I'm in.He has been my doctor since I was 19 yrs old.He is a good doctor and I am scared to death to find out what he has to say about my symptoms and the crazy bad side effects. I do not want to go back in the hospital or be told what I have is permanent.At first I thought I had the Flu.My immune system is shot due to the pneumonia so I just thought well this is great I've got the flu .Then I began reading online the side effects of this drug and was horrified.

I would implore any and all who may be prescribed this drug to talk it over with there Dr.or ask for another drug.Yes the drug kicked the pneumonia out of me which 6 other drugs could not but,the side effects are terrible for some.
I will pray for us all here today.God help us to heal.I UNDERSTAND WHAT EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH.Hang in there. Don't give up hope or faith.

Extreme fatigue, inability to eat, terror attacks, and a tendon rupture. These were just some of my side effects. It has been 2 yrs and although I am recovering (ever so slowly) I have some PERMANENT damage that I am living with. The tendon was repaired surgically but my arms are in daily pain and it's not the "take an aspirin and sit with a heating pad" kind of pain. It pretty much makes my arms useless. I also have problems with knees and ankles too. I never imagined this would happen given how fit I was at 46. Now at 48 I like to remember how I used to be.

Why in the world would anyone suggest "just take it with lots of water" or "be sure to take it on a full stomach" or "after it's out of your system you will be ok"??? How condescending and inconsiderate. It is NOT worth the risk. Please don't take the chance. I only hope my suffering can help someone else.

This stuff is poison. It's not "like a poison", it is a poison. I'm sure it does kil lots of bad things..... along with way too many good things. I am not left to suffer the long term effects and it is not fun.