Levaquin and azithromycin

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.