Azithromycin symptoms and conditions

Diagnosed with MRSA on my right leg 2 months ago, was prescribed Bactrim(2 a day for 7 days) and didn't have any major side-effects. I now have MRSA again and have been prescribed a higher dosage of Bactrim and have some possible side-effects as well. As noted by others, I can not sleep (as is evident by this posting time, if its EST), but I am exhausted! Also, I have occasional shooting pain down my right arm and my fingers on my right hand are numb. This usually occurs while I'm lying down.

Not sure if these are directly related to the Bactrim, but thought I'd post in case anyone else has had something similar. Seems not too much out there regarding the arm pain (as I try to self-diagnose in the middle of the night :) ).

In July 2007, I was put on Levaquin for pneumonia. I was 53 years old, working full-time, active. The pneumonia was caused by aspiration when vomiting. I had never had these problems - pneumonia or aspiration - before. I had gradually worsening generalized joint and muscle pain and stiffness, which I reported to my doctor after about 5 days on the Levaquin. The pain I was experiencing was worse than the pneumonia symptoms (mostly high fever). The course of levaquin was supposed to be 14 days. After 9 days, I could not tolerate it any longer. My doctor put me on a Z-pack (azithromycin) for the remainder of my treatment. It is a year later, and I am still plagued with muscle pain in my back, shoulders, arm, abdomen - and, at its worst, my legs. The only way I'm able to function is on prescription painkillers, which I detest having to take - but they're a lifesaver. I've been seeing a rheumatologist since December '07. He dosen't seem to believe the levaquin - pain connection. He thinks I may have Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I have consistently elevated blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, a muscle enzyme which indicates muscle damage. I was on prednisone 10 mg. from early March '08 which I have just weaned off of after suffering a depressive episode with a suicide attempt at the begining of this month. I can't work now. I'm terrified of becoming permanently disabled. Finding answers has been very difficult but I firmly believe that the Levaquin started all this.

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.

I was prescribed Biaxin 500 mg, for bronchitis, to be taken twice a day on 2/26/08. It is now 2/29/08 and I have not had relief from a massive headache which occurred within 2 hours of taking my first dose of Biaxin. And even worse, I still do not have any relief from my original illness. I have had bronchitis many times before and have always been prescribed Azithromycin, which cleared up my infection and I started feeling at least a bit of improvement within 24 hours. Along with the severe headache I am experiencing a bad taste in my mouth that won't go away, as well as sleeplessness, tremors and numbness in my extremities.

I was prescribed Zpac antibiotic (zithromax), for bronchitis, cured the bronchitis, then gave me Guillain-Barre, which can be fatal

I am a 38 yr old female in excellent health--thin and fit, and don't take antibiotics. I had a bacterial infection and was prescribed levaquin. After the first dose, 24 hrs (500 mg 1x day) I experienced joint pain in a place i'd once injured a wrist. A few hours later it was into my hands--a deep ache, with a tight, numb feeling them. By the second dose--48 hrs later, it my joints and forearm area ached as if I'd lifted crazy weights. It moved into my shoulders, neck, hips. By the third dose, I was sleepless. My head ached at the nape of my neck and ears rang. When I got out of bed, I felt shin splints, sore ankles and my fingetips feel like they're asleep. I called the doctor and they told me to discontinue the meds. The bummer is, I was only warned at the doc's ofc of the tummy effects (which didn't happen at all to me since I timed the meals and no booze were ingested). Also the pharmacy did not provide counsel or an informational sheet which floors me after seeing this website. I really hurt. I have faith the symptoms will subside since I'm so early in the dosing. I would never take this again.

After reading so many of everyone’s stories, I feel I got off easy, but not without some agony. I developed a double whammy of acute bronchitis and pleurisy in my left lung. If you are not familiar with pleurisy, it feels like hit with a baseball bat in your ribs each time you attempt to take a normal breath. I was completely uninformed of the condition and it is now burned in my memory forever. I was prescribed azithromycin and Prednisone for a month. I started with two 20mg (40mgtotal) tabs for 7 days and then tapered off in the following manner. 1 ½ tabs for 7 days, 1 tab for 7days and then ½ a tab for the last 7 days. I have read many of the users who have been on Prednisone for years at a time and my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I experienced a large number of side effects for being on it for such a short period. My wife was ready to attach the ole cinder block to my ankles and drop me in the lake, but she stuck through it. The first side effects began within the first week. My appetite went through the stratosphere, my heart felt like it was going to erupt out of my chest on some nights and finally, my memory just went to (for lack of a better work) shit. After coming home from the grocery store on multiple occasions, I left the house key in the key hole on the outside, only to find it the next morning on my way out the door. My short term memory was just misfiring constantly. There are too many funny stories to tell. For some odd reason, I did not gain near as much weight as I should have given the mass quantity of food I ingested. The total weight gain was only around seven or eight pounds. The most prominent side effect was my mood swings. I am a laid back person my nature, but not for that 30 day period. I had to make a conscious effort to not put myself in a position to disagree with another individual. When it did occur, it was just not a pretty site. A few of the other side effects were lack of sleep and profuse sweating. I would wake up every morning and my pillow was drenched. I live in Austin, Texas, so the AC was pegged and 67 degrees and no one was allowed to touch the thermostat without grave consequences. I broke out the winter pajamas for the kids and my wife wrapped up in multiple layers of clothing, while I was spread eagle under the ceiling fan (Highest setting of course) in my birthday suit, and was still only the in the moderate comfort range. More side effects included swelling of my ankles and hands. I was not on it long enough to get the infamous moon face or the hump on the back of the neck. The side effects after stopping the dosage were no less entertaining. I took my last dose seven days ago. The three main effects have been rashes on my ankles and under my arms, severe energy loss and heartburn. The worst of it all has been my energy level, or the lack of. My energy level crashed so hard I have had to literally peel myself out of bed each morning. If I did not have a two year old daughter and a four year old son, I would probably still be asleep right now. It has been getting a little easier each day. I have started walking each morning now and hopefully this will end soon. I have also been drinking large amounts of water. That has seemed to help me out. The heartburn was easily treatable with some Pepcid AC. I hope my experience offers some solace to those in a similar situation and fair warning to those who are about to embark on this medication.

I am on Levaquin 500 now for what I was told was a respirtory infection, this is my 4th antibotic for the same problem. I am extremely sore and feel as if there are hundred pound weights on my ankles, it hurts to walk. My stomach is sore, my muscles are so tired, it hurts to situp. I am so lightheaded after taking this medicine, I feel ok before I take it but it all hits me at once after I have taken it. I have only been on Levaquin 4 days is this normal?

Let me tell you guys It has been horrible for me.
a) My doctor gave me a Zpak for a strep throat it was gone in a few days.
But a few weeks later I had a stomach pains that would not go away so then the doctor did a test for H Pylori the antibody test came back positive so then I was on PrevPak(which has Azithromycin) after the 2 week period of these drugs I had a infection come up in my growing area, had burning pain for peeing. It sucked because I was on a trip to Universal Studios and was in Miami for New Years Eve. Well after this went away I had another infection come again in the growing and now its finally starting to go away after the doctor gave me some fugal pills and medications for it. What a nigthmare. With all this going I had diary and hemoroids nasty situation and normally have mouth ulcers so can you image the past two months have been hell for me!!!

About a month ago, I was put on Bactrim for a sinus infection. Could only handle four days as it made me short of breath and nervous. Told my doctor and she put me on azithromycin which I started taking about 5 days after the Bactrim (wanted to get it out of my system first). One of the side effects was tiredness. I finished that course of antibiotic but was still very fatigued. Went back to the doctor and she said the azithromycin must not have cleared the infection so she put me on a 5 day course (1 a day) of Levaquin. My tiredeness continued and have been off for 6 days and the fatigue is so bad I had to go back to the doctor a few days ago and she ran blood work. None of the extreme fatigue started until I started on these antibiotics. Can it still be the antibiotics in my system causing me to be so extremely tired? Any thoughts would be welcomed. I'm chopping at the bit worried waiting for blood results. Thanks.

On the first dose of this medicine, which I just recieved today, i experienced no side affects. I took this medicine along with Albuterol and Azithromycin Tablets 250 mg*. On the second dose, however, I took Histussin, Albuterol, and Prelone and ran straight to the bathroom and started vomiting.

Prescribed Levaquin from Nextcare doctor after severe bronchitis with cough and wheezing for 3 weeks was not helped by Azithromycin or Albuterol. 4 days into the 500mg daily dose, I could not walk on rt leg. Knee pain and snapping so severe. Next day lt knee began to go out and snap. I had to scream each time I tried to straighten or bend my rt knee. Concurrently, left index finger swelled 2x normal size with pressure and pain as if it would pop. Rt wrist so sore that if it is touched, feels like all the nerves are exposed and being stabbed. Next my back began to hurt. This all happened before I realized it was toxicity from the antibiotic. I called the pharmacist explaining symptoms and she said mostly women get them and just take the last pill.
I did not, and went back to Nextcare dragging my right leg. The doctor then said he was 80% sure it is a reaction to Levaquin as my chest xray and blood tests came out negative for pneumonia or Valley Fever. So he said just rest a week. My symptoms are getting worse, I am trying to get into an orthopedist and have discontinued all my daily activities for the 9th day now as my rt knee is so horribly painful. It is snapping at least a hundred times a day with movement. I WAS an avid tennis player and have canceled everything due to pain and immobility. I have no support from any doctor so far as the urgent care center just does not care for individuals with a problem that they cannot dx as a cold or some simple thing.
I am in fear for my life after reading www.fqvctims.com site.
Help us all that we are allowed to be given poisons like this.
Ortho-McnNeil knows, so do the doctors, but enough of us have not died yet I guess. I can only hope I will not be one of them.

I took Azithromycin 500MG for 3 days recently for what seemed like mild flu symptoms (sinus issues, throat issues, spitting up some mucus). After 3 days I developed a full fledge chest infection that has hung around for a few days along with a worse cough than I had prior to going to the doc. I am now spitting up more mucus and running nose. I do seem to be feeling better overall (acutually jogged 4 miles today) but after reading the posts I have to think it has caused me some delay in fully recovering....

The first time I took levaquin was june of 2005 no problem I felt great.
The second time I took it, thanksgiving 2005 I felt as if I got ran over by a truck. My potassium dropped to 2.8 and I was having panic attacks and increased heart rate. I had to go to the e.r. on several occassions for potassium replacements. My wrists felt broken, couldn't figure out that one as it was so odd. It's a day away from February 2006 and I ampresently on azithromycin for sinus infection haemophilus influenzae and am just starting to feel better since Thanksgiving. There are other antibiotics to treat sinus infections. I will Never take levaquin again!

I took azithromycin (zpac) about a month and a half ago for a severe chest cough & nasal congestion and my ears partially closed during this illness and the ringing started a few days after I was better, Unfortunately my ears are still ringing today. It is driving me nuts.... Let me know if anyone finds any answers. BTW my gen med doctor cannot see anything wrong with my ears. The ringing is faint until Im in a silent room then its booming.
Thanks George (MrRochie)

I have not had any adverse reactions to Levaquin. After age 30 I suddenly became allergic to penicillan AND erythromycin,clarithromycin,azithromycin-- making prescribing antibiotics very difficult, especially since I was already allergic to sulfa drugs, too. I have taken Levaquin approx 5 times for various upper-respiratory infections, ear infections, etc---works great, but very expensive.