Levaquin Leads to Achilles Tendon Problems

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg tablets for 11 days (until 2 days ago) against pneumonia.

I have developed severe pain in my achilles tendons (mostly on the left side ). I can hardly walk in the morning. Not having had any problems before I could not figure whatever could be the reason for this problem, especially since I have been doing stretching exercises for years.

My wife and I both have Chronic Lyme disease. Levaquin is one of the medicines given orally and by IV to treat Lyme and other tick-borne co-infections. Several people that we have spoken with personally have taken Levaquin and experienced serious tendon problems.

My wife has a tendon that has split (per MRI results), and she was told it was probably from taking the Levaquin. She is disabled at this point and we have found nothing to help reverse the situation. I have also read about tendon problems from use of Levaquin on several forums related to Lyme disease.

I was diagnosed in an emergency room with pneumonia after some mysterious symptoms that included blood pressure over 200 and pulse of 110 with sputum containing blood. I was given a prescription for Levaquin for the "pneumonia."

After two days, there was tremendous swelling of my right arm and left leg.

There was acute weakness and pain of the left Achilles tendon. My left leg bothers me to this day--about 8 months later.

I was in doubt about the pneumonia diagnosis to begin with, and still am. Doubly in doubt about the prescription, since I have never been allergic or had any reaction to drugs in 85 years.

I have had a prostate problem for years. I was often given Cipro or Levaquin for frequent kidney infections. I was also prescribed Levaquin after two prostate surgeries.

During this period I noticed I was having pains in my knees that kept getting worse, but I did not associate them with the use of the two drugs. Following one particularly painful bout, I found it necessary to use a cane to walk from the parking lot to work. I even consulted an orthopedic doctor who recommended surgery. However, after an MRI, he said I could probably put it off until my 60s, about 5 years away.

I still have knee pain off and on, but I have discovered that if I stay away from Levaquin and Cipro my problem is not as bad. I blame these two medications for the acute pain I have experienced in the past.

I just finished taking Levaquin for 10 days for a sinus infection. After the 5th day I noticed extreme pain in my muscles through my entire body. I just finish my 10th pill 3 days ago and am still in extreme pain. I feel like I'm an 80 year old woman in a 34 year old's body.

This is very interesting information as I am suffering from achilles bursitis which is inflammation of the achilles tendon. I've suffered from this condition for a couple years. I've taken Levaquin several different times for sinus infections because it helped me more than other antibiotics. I'll never take it again after reading this.

I have had shoulder and upper arm pains and stiffness since being on a 750 mg dose of levaquin for five days. That was about a month ago. Still have symptoms. Want to know if anything can be done to help with the healing process. I have started glucosomine sulfate. Don't know if that will help or hurt.
Thanks.

I am a doctor, and I took Levaquin 750 mg for 5 days to treat a bacterial bronchial infection. Subsequently, I
noticed a tightness in my left Achilles tendon which hampered my ability to walk normally.

Two days later, I felt a similar, but less intense, sensation in my right Achilles tendon. Three days later, I woke up with a severely swollen left ankle and I could barely walk.

An MRI of the ankle showed a severe tendino-pathy and a completely severed Achilles tendon. I underwent repair of the tendon with a pigskin graft; then, over six weeks in a wheelchair in a non-weight bearing cast.

The cast is off and I am currently on partial-weight bearing with a walker. It's a slow and arduous process.

I was on Levaquin for a sinus infection for two weeks. After the first week, I noticed that both my shoulders ached and I had some numbness in my leg, arm & hand, but it didn't occur to me that this drug was the cause. I hadn't noticed the joint side effect listed on the drug info because it was buried amongst a host of others towards the bottom. I started to feel joint achiness in my entire body, from my fingers to my toes, especially in my knees and shoulders. It continued to progress after I had finished the full dose of the drug.

About one month later, my knees are still stiff, my shoulders ache and feel weak, and I still feel achy/week all over, on and off. The pain is enough to keep me up some nights. After doing more research, I'm pretty positive that Levaquin is responsible for the havoc created in my body.

The frustrating part is that I haven't seen any information that tells me that this is going to be temporary or what I can take to counteract the antibiotic effects. I don't believe that this is a rare side effect. This drug should be recalled! How many people will have to experience this before that will happen? I am a 48 yr. old active female, but feel about 70! Can anyone help?

I think I have suffered the side effects of Levaquin... After being treated for pneumonia & bronchitis both, I was prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin once a day. After the 6th day/dose, I had terrible pain in the soft part of my left ankle, and my ankle got very swollen. Then soon after, the pain started shooting up my leg and swelling also started up my leg.

I went back to the doctor and they did 5 x-rays and an ultrasound, and I was told no problem was found that the doctors could see. Two doctors that observed me were very stumped as to why this was occuring. I was told that if it gets red or worse to come back in & they would do an MRI.

I asked the doctor if this would be a reaction to the Levaquin, and the doctors didn't believe it was related & that would be very rare if it was at all! But they did have me stop taking the drug, and I had 4 pills left...

After 10 days, my left ankle, toes and calf are still swollen and sore, and it is very painful to walk. The doctors also suggested steroids may be an alternative if I have to go back to the doctor if swelling doesn't go down! I am very tired all the time, have no energy at all, I wonder when or if the swelling will go down.

I just couldn't believe after reading all the side effects posted on this web page that people were experiencing the same thing I was!! I think they need to pull this drug off the market. I have never exeperienced any reaction from any drugs I've take before... and I do not regulary take any medication. I just want to warn people to be careful! Still recovering in Minnesota!

I WAS GIVEN THIS DRUG FOR A FOOT ULCER. AFTER BEING ON THIS DRUG, THE ACHILLES TENDON IN MY RIGHT LEG WAS RUPTURED. SEVEN YEARS LATER I AM STILL IN A WHEELCHAIR UNABLE TO WALK MORE THAN A FEW FEET.

Stay away from Levaquin!!!! I took it in December and my ankles are still swollen. My feet, ankles, and knee are always very sore and stiff. It has gotten worse, not better. My doctor gave me water pills to take down the swelling. I'm 7 days into the water pills, but it's not working.

I was given Levaquin for 7 days to combat pneumonia. I could not figure out why my tendons in each upper shoulder area pained me so.

When I went back to read the discharge papers I received from the emergency room, a closer look revealed this statement: "Rarely quinolones have been shown to cause tendon inflammation and even ruupture". The pain seems to be more severe at night, making it quite difficult to sleep.

I took three doses of 750 mg Levaquin on December 31st, January 1st and January 2nd. On January 5th I woke with horrendous pain in my right thigh and hip. My physician said it was in no way related to the drug/poison. It really hurt to walk, but after reading online the suffering that so many had gone through with this medicine, I felt lucky. Then... on January 14th I woke with excruciating right Achilles tendon pain, and three days later it was in both ankles. Of course I went to see my doctor, and he assured me this was not the drug's responsibility.

He is so ignorant. I am devastated. I feel like my life is destroyed. Can anyone please help me? How long will it take for this agony to pass? I am trying physical therapy and supportive measures to try to ease the pain, but nothing works. I can hardly walk. I am so terrified that one or both of these tendons will rupture. I am begging for some help from anyone.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a respiratory infection on 12/10/07. On the 10th and last day of the prescription, I noticed bilateral tenderness in my achilles tendons, more in my left than right. I used ice, NSAID, and rest to reduce the swelling. I finally gave in and saw a podiatrist on 1/25/08. He gave me a walking boot and scheduled an MRI. The results of the MRI showed a partial tear in the left achilles tendon. He confirmed that since I had no recent injuries, this was probably caused by the Levaquin.

I was told no surgery was needed, but I would need to wear a walking cast, and then physical therapy. I was never warned by the pharmacist or my ENT that this could even be a possible side effect. It seems to me that this should have been presented up front. I was definately told about the chance of nausea, vomiting, and all the other "normal" side effects of an antibiotic.

This has put such a terrible strain on my life. It's almost impossible to do my job. I am not supposed to spend more than an hour a day on my feet. My employer is graciously working around my condition, but frankly, this sucks. It hurts to walk or stand. As I read of the side effects others have experienced, I wonder if the recent stiffness in my hands and wrists might be associated too.

I really think this medication should be taken off the market. And... I think that doctors and pharmacists should research medications and their side effects more thoroughly before prescribing them. I don't think I can print the suggestions I have for the pharmaceutical companies. Thanks for listening.

I went through the horrors of a reaction to Levaquin last Sept.-Oct. 2007. I broke out in severe hives all over my arms, legs and back. I felt like I was being eaten alive by fire ants! There were a few on my neck, chest and face also. They actually got into the whites of my eyes. There were deep hives in the tendons of my feet that hurt so bad I could hardly walk or stand for more than a few minutes at a time.

I found tendon relief by taking 2 glucosamine (500 mg) & chondroitin (400mg) tablets plus 1 MSM (1000mg) tablet 3x daily. I also found a cream with the same thing by Nature's Plus. It was the only thing that I felt turned this reaction around.

So sorry for anyone going through this! Yes, I thought I was going to die, too. Hang in there, you are in my prayers.

I'm a 44 year-old-male. Very active in endurance sports. I was on Levaquin (750mm) for 6 days. Days 3,4,5 and 6 were very bad. Lots of joint pain in my knees and feet. I've been off of it for over a week now and still have trouble walking.

First, go to this site for very good info on this condition:
http://www.fluoroquinolones.org

Don't give up. Take control. This is your body. Nothing is as bad as sitting around waiting to be healed. Start with mild/gentle streching, hot/cold therapy, good diet, good sleep and positive outlook.

Good luck to us all.

We have been trying since 1999 to get "Black Box" warnings as well as "Dear Doctor" letters regarding this very common adverse reaction to the fluoroquinolone drugs without success. Public Citizen as well as the Attorney General of the State of Illinois had both filed petitions seeking this with the FDA, only to be ignored. In January of 2008 Public Citizen filed a lawsuit in Federal Court demanding the FDA review thier petition. Though required by law to do so the FDA chose instead not to repond properly to both petitions, and have been sued as a result of such malfeseance.

Visitors of this site who have an interest in the horrendous adverse reactions associated with this class are invited to log unto www.fqresearch.org where they will find well over 4000 medical journal entries, clinical studies, post marketing information, etc., the clearly document these severe and at time permanent reactions.

Personally I was both blinded (permanent double vision) and crippled (chronic tendonitis) by these drugs. That was over eight years ago. My life will NEVER be the same since then. There is not treatment available for the majority of these reactions.

Regards,

Mr. David T. Fuller
Director
Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation
www.fqresearch.org

I took levaquin for 3 days for a bladder infection in Feb. 07. Had a lot of joint pain and muscle spasms. 10 months after taking it, I have tendonitis in both of my feet. I don't think this damage ever leaves us. I don't know if I will ever get better. Please let everyone know what poison this stuff is.

My wife has taken this for 4 days. Last night, I had to take her to the emergency room. Her feet, legs, and ankles are swollen, and she is in pain. The doctor refused to even discus this drug and its effects. Tomorrow, she goes back to the doctor that prescribed this. I don't know what to do. She's 39, and has never dealt with anything like this. On top of this, we have no insurance, and she's scared that this will devestate us. I don't care if I lose everything, I just want her to stop hurting. If anyone can give me any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. My prayers to all of you. Thank you.

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg for 4 of my 10 days of prescription and after reading this I'm done. I was fine up until this morning when I woke up with severe knee pain in both knees. So bad that I had to have help out of bed and into the shower. (the shower didn't help much by the way) Both knees have sharp pains in them making it almost impossible to walk. By the way, I'm only 27 and have never had knee problems.

I had an achilles rupture 10 days after taking Levaquin. This was followed by surgical repair. I had horrible tendon pain for several months until I contacted an MD in California that had done some research on this. He suggested high absorbtion (chelated) Magnesium. IT WORKS! 2-3 weeks later there was a significant improvement.

Note that Magnesium does not absorb easily so you need the Chelate. By the way, when I saw another MD for an unrelated problem, he asked why I noted on my chart "no levaquin". After I explained, he told me he had taken levaquin a few weeks earlier and could barely walk because of achilles pain. I told him about the magnesium and on a later visit, he told me that he had tried it and it worked for him also.

Add me to the list. I have Bartonella (a lyme co-infection) and one of the primary drugs to resolve is Levaquin. Day 3 into my treatment of 1x daily 500 mgs, I went for an easy jog---I'm a semi-competitive runner currently doing about 35 miles a week. 10 minutes into it, I had to stop due to tendon inflammation. I walked home and the leg continued to be sore all day. I iced it last night and it seems fine today.

Despite that I will discontinue taking Levaquin. Unfortunately it seemed like it was working for the Bartonella symptoms. I pray that my tendon isnt permanently damaged. Good luck to everyone.

Chris

About a mounth ago I was on an antibiotic call Cipro 250mg two a day for 7 days right after that I started complaining to my husband that my legs were hurting and felt sore clear down to my feet.Thought it would go away but it feels like my legs are just not right and my feet are cold too most of the time

I have a daughter who was put on this med over the weekend for a UTI 500mg twice a day thats quite alot more than I took after reading this site I will tell her to watch for swollen anclells or feet the sad thing is then its to late.

I took 500 mg levaquin for 10 days. I am 28 and my body ache is not going even a week after stopping the medicine. I am getting tired very easily and the muscle pain is not going away. How long does it take for the pain to go away ?

I developed severe levaquin-induced achilles tendonitis which included small tears and severe inflammation of the tendon. I needed 4 months of physical therapy to achieve a partial recovery. http://www.iamnoexpert.com/?p=42

The pain and inflammation waxed and waned for about a year, but it gets better in time. I read about using magnesium as suggested in a comment above, makes sense. I tried it but could not say how well it worked. I also had acupuncture which seemed to help a lot.

I got all the crap mentioned in this website after taking Levaquin 750 for 7 days for a sinus infection. 2 weeks later I still have trouble walking.

My husband David took Levaquin for pneumonia and Mrsa. He is now wheelchair-bound. The pain started in his neck, then moved to his shoulders and arms. Now it is in every joint and muscle. David has to have assistance with daily activities. We have gone to multiple doctors and until recently when he was hospitalized for a sprained ankle, no one would listen to our concerns.

I hope you have better luck with the doctors than we did. They all want to blame this on Fibromyalgia and RA. We have three kids and one income. We've lost our car and some other things. We're now selling personal property just to make it. Isnt it great how a medication can cure one thing and instantly put a 35 year old self-employed man in a wheelchair? I think the FDA needs to look at their standards for safe.

Just finished a 21-day prescription of Levaquin. Shoulder joint pain started about 10 days ago and now it is in knees. Dr. never told me about potential side effects. I am very upset and want to know what I can do to get rid of the pain and weakness.

My husband had been on prednisone (steroid) for a rheumatoid arthritis flare when he developed pneumonia 4/08. Fifteen days of Levaquin for the pneumonia triggered the FULL BODY tendinopathy, including so much swelling of his hands that he now has carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain was excruciating. The swimming pool was his life saver. It was the ONLY place he was/is pain free, because he "unloads" all his tendons in the pool through zero gravity. If you can get into a warm pool with this, do it FAST! It feels GREAT. Hydrocodone and oral prednisone for the rheumatoid arthritis that persists has reduced the pain further. But, as we've reduced the prednisone, the tendinopathy pain is coming back big time. My hub's rheumatologist doesn't know what else to do. Does any body have a doc or phys. therapist that knows how to treat this???

I took Levaquin about a year ago for a sinus infection. I woke up in the middle of the night with all of my muscles contracting and relaxing. I was very anxious and could see the muscles in my body, especially my arms and legs, continually convulsing. I had to go to the ER and was released after taking some Ativan. I discontinued the pills. Now, just two weeks ago, I dislocated my posterior tibial tendon (ankle) and I've been told that this is a very difficult thing to do and very rare. Could this be related to the Levaquin taken almost a full year ago?

About two months ago I was prescribed a four week dose of levaquin for a prostatitus condition....

After two weeks I had trouble walking due to the pain in my knees and calves and I discontinued the medication. the pain has yet to subside....its horrific....

I took levaquin last November, 2007. After five days, I suffered severe tendonitis in both achilles tendons that lasted for four months and I still have some effects today. I could not walk without pain; the drug should never have been on the market.

So yesterday, six years after I took levaquin and then ruptured my achilles,and over 10 years after significant evidence of a problem with flouroquinilones and tendon problems, the FDA has decided that people should be warned about flouroquinilones.

It is good to know that the FDA is able to respond so quickly and are diligently working in the interest of public health!

The timing of this warning of course has nothing to do with the fact that Public Citizen got fed up with the stalling and filed a lawsuit against the FDA forcing them to issue the warning. If I sound bitter, it is only because I am!

I finshed taking Levaquin a few days ago, which I took for 10 days for a bacterial infection that I've had on and off for about 6 weeks and didn't seem to clear up after 2 other antibiotics. At one point about three weeks ago I thought I was getting better and felt well enough to work out.

I did my usual workout on the treadmill and a workout with dumb bells. It wasn't unusual for me to experience occassional soreness. I did have a bit of soreness in my upper arm, but figured it was due to the fact that I hadn't worked out for a little while. It really caused no discomfort. A few days later I was starting to get pretty sick again, this time the doctor prescribed Levaquin.

I really didn't have any side affects except that about 4 days after starting the meds my arm started to hurt more. I thought this was odd since I hadn't worked out for a few weeks and the arm had felt better. I went back to the doctor for a recheck a couple days ago. I'm still not completely well, but I'm not on any more med's for now. The doctor feels since I was so sick for so long it will just take my body a while to recover, I do feel a little better each day.

I mentioned the arm situation, which was pretty sore by then, the pain is going up and down my arm form the elbow area, but the doctor didn't mention this could be a side affect of the Levaquin. It wasn't until last night that my husband saw a report on the news linking Levaquin to tendon and joint problems. After learning this info and doing some research, I'm quite sure my arm pain is related to the Levaquin. How could my arm have been better, then get worse with no activity? I'm taking Ibuprofin 800mg. now and hoefully it will get better.

I noticed that when I am driving for trips greater than 1 hour I have trouble walking for about 10 minutes. It is my left achilles tendon. I have also had trouble sleeping on my right shoulder. I took Cipro about two years ago. I have had the pain about two years. I never made the connection until now.

Levaquin : 5 days for sinus infection. Experienced disorientation, insomnia, muscle soreness. Double burst shoulder requiring surgery.

This occured 3 years ago and am still experiencing very bad muscle soreness. Shoulder, after surgery, just not the same, still pain.

Levaquin can be dangerous in my opinion and experience. Do your best to avoid it just in case you happen to be victim to it's "side effects". Avoid driving if on levaquin due to induced disorientation.

Anyone who has been recently given Cipro and / or Levaquin should not take it and ask for something else that is not a fluoroquinolone. I was taking Cipro for a slight diverticulitis attack back in April 2008. The knuckle of my left thumb would snap when I try to either bend it or straighten it out. Also, I would hear a snap coming from my legs when I walk. My doctor denies that thes symptoms are from Cipro but "old age" (I am an otherwise healthy 51 year old).

Meanwhile, I have primary lymphedema in my right leg so my lymphatic system is not working properly. How could he do this to me?! He knows that I have this condition and he still gave me this poison!!!!

I have have been taking 1500 mg of Glucosamine for about a month and it helps a bit. I am thinking of taking MSM with it.

I want to be an advocate against these poisons!!!! I want to spread the word how dangerous these drugs are.

Im searching information on why both of my achilles tendons and both my elbows suddenly started hurting only to find this website after taking my last dose of levaquin 1 hour ago. I am a 51 year old telephone repair person that climbs ladders and poles all day. Now I am afraid to move for fear of a rupture.

I was on the medication for exactly 1 week ending today but I can hardly walk since about the second day. With my job I never thought of the medication. I did read the warnings in the beginning regarding tendonitis occurring in persons mostly over 60 or taking prednisone (i had a script for prednisone to be taken at the same time but skipped it just because of that comment) What should I expect now. Do I continue to try to climb and risk a tear or what....

I took levequin for 5 days for a wound that would not heal. I now have tendoapathy in my left achilles tendon and I have both shoulder pain, I cannot reach up. My doc took me off med right away but said he didn't think it was the medication. of course not he prescribed it. Not sure if he is right or it is the levaquin. how do i get rid of my pain?

I am a 21 year old female who has had recurrent sinus infections for the past 4 years. Levaquin is the drug that works the best for me so I have taken it several times a year since high school. 3 years ago, I began having severe pain in both knees that could not be explained by an injury. I went to orthopedic doctors who could not give me any answers, tried physical therapy (which only made my knees more painful), and eventually had to quit being a college athlete.

To this day, I am unable to walk around my college campus or go up the stairs without pain. If I do ANY amount of exercise - as simple as throwing around a frisbee or doing leg lifts - I will hardly be able to walk the next day. I have periodic back pain and what feels like carpal tunnel in my arms.

I feel cheated that the medicine that cures my illnesses is ruining my quality of life. I am 21 - I should be able to run on the treadmill or play softball with my friends. Does anyone know if the pain will ever go away?

As I posted earlier, Chelated Magnesium worked very well for me in combating the tendonitis in my achilles and shoulders. Magnesium does not absorb easily so you really need the Chelated Magnesium. I hope it works for some of you like it did for me, I saw big improvement in 2 weeks. This was recommended to me by a MD in California that had done some research into fluoroquinolone adverse effects. If anyone else has positive results from this, please post.

I was prescribed Levaquin for a Sinus infection. Within 24 hourse of taking the medication, my body felt as if it was poisoned. I felt extreme pain in every joint, muscles, bones and every part of my body. I stopped taking the medication; and my doctor then apologized for not telling me about the side effects!

The doctor said the side effects should disappear in a few days. Well, I just got worse. I was unable to move and get out of bed. I was screaming and crying in excruciating and indescribable pain. Long story short, I now have Fibromyalgia. My husband, who is also a doctor, and I are completely convinced I have Levaquin induced Fibromyalgia. However, we can't get another doctor to agree.

I was in perfect health, other than a slight infection, and now I am in pain everyday. My organs have now been affected by the drug. I struggle to get through everyday, with virtually no help from my doctors. I believe this is a toxic drug, and we are experience drug toxicity - not a simple drug reaction or side affect! As of July, 2008 this drug finally has the "Black Box" warning.

My life will never be the same. I have no quality of life now, and it certainly affects my husband, as he has to watch me go through this horror. I do not even know my body anymore.

I have taken cipro and levaquin. I have been on that medication for my pneumonia, sinus infections, and kidney, bladder infections. I had some reactions using the drug, but i have ignored it and kept taken my medication. Well I am in misery and no one can find out why. I am starting to have pain everywhere and barely can move my arms and legs and i feel ill all the time. can Levaquin or Cipro be the reason why I never ever felt good in all these years. I need help cause doctors are not able to find what's wrong even though they see I am in pain.

I recently went to the dr for a painful sinus infection. I asked the PA who was to treat me that I would like either samples of anitibiotics or rx for a generic due to insurance issues. He brought me a bag with some nasal spray and 5 individual blister pks of pills (levaquin). I was not given any information on the meds and did not have worries as I am healthy and never had a reaction. Well after the 2nd day, I awoke with painful swelling in my hands and feet.

Additionally, with each passing day, more pain and itching. I noticed the pain was localized to my joints. Not making the connection, I phoned a friend to ask if my sinus infection could get into my joints. She thought it might be the meds. I returned to my dr who prescribed ibuprofen and suggested that I take 1/2 pain pill 3x's a day. It has been one week since my last dose of meds and although the swelling in my hands is not as bad, I still have the pain especially in the ankles and find myself walking "flatfooted" due to the pain. Had I been told what to look out for, I would've discontinued the meds right away. It's a tragedy what has happened to young, active people due to this type of medication. I wish you all well.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg back in May 2008 for a mild sore throat. The second day I was on it I went to the ER because I wasn't feeling right, the Doctor in the ER told me Levaquin was a good antibotic and for me to continue on taking it and I did. I went back to my PCP (he wasn't the original PCP who prescribed me Levaquin, another PCP did) and I told him something was going on with my legs, they got extremely tight and very painful. He too told me to continue to take the medicine. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I went to my PCP telling him the same thing "something was wrong with me."

Of course, he just looked at me like I was a nut case. I even told him I NEVER had problems with my legs before. While I was on Levaquin I even developed oral thrush in my mouth (something else I have NEVER had). Needless to say, I freaked out! On the 6th day I went back to my PCP and told him Levaquin wasn't curing my sore throat and my legs were still hurting me. He put me on another medication which cleared my sore throat but not the pain in my legs. It has been 8 months since I have been off of Levaquin and the pain in my legs is worse.

I even went to an Orthopedic Dr. told him my theory that my leg pain was medication related and he too just shrugged it off. He sent me to a Physical Therapist because he felt like I pulled my hamstrings and my abductor muscles and I told him I thought his diagnosis was wrong. I went through Physical Therapy and it didn't help me one bit. It wasn't until I typed in Levaquin on the web and I saw how many people have experienced problems since they have taken Levaquin. I am livid because 3 Doctors didn't even tell me about the side affects. I never read side affects of medications, I figured the Doctors knew what they were doing so why bother.

Now I am convinced the pain in my legs is due to Levaquin and I think my husband now believes me because I never had any leg problems before and now I am in constant pain. Now I am trying to find a doctor who will actually listen to me and take me seriously. I just don't know what type of Doctor I need to see. I am not going back to the Orthopedic I went to because he just brushed me off. I cannot even stand for a long period of time or walk through a Mall because I am in that much pain. Now I am afraid to take any medication. This is horrible. Then to top it off I was told by the Pharmacist I should have never been put on Levaquin for a sore throat. Now here I sit completely miserable because I am in so much pain.

4 months since the last time I posted on this website. I am still having the same trouble with pain on my achilles tendons and on my heels where they attach. I have discomfort in both knees and elbows to. I have been treated 2 per day with anti-imflamatory medication (voltaren 75mg) and physical therapy 3xper week including heat and ultrasound - friction massage and stretching. It has helped somewhat but I still have swelling, pain and tightness if I have been on my feet for any length of time.(10 minutes or more) So it still is not healed.

I am a 57 year old female who is otherwise pretty healthy, about 12 lbs. overweight, don't smoke or drink, and have never had arthritis before. On Dec. 5th I was given a five day regimen (also samples....no literature to read) of Levaquin (750mg) by my own physician, to treat a small infection on my toe.

I started having some unusual pain in my legs within 24 hrs. that I chalked up to a long walk I'd taken the day before. Then I started having a weird disoriented feeling by the 2nd day, with periodic lightheadedness. I figured the head stuff was the drugs, but decided I could bear with it for 5 days.

I wish now I had searched the internet at that point and learned more about the drug, because by the third day the very painful, stiff muscles and tendons in my legs, from mid-thigh to the bottoms of my feet, the backs of my knees and in my elbows was almost crippling.

Since I take another prescription drug (Femara) that has caused me hand pain, I thought I was suddenly having a worse side effect from that pill. It just didn't occur to me that all this new pain was from the Levaquin, since I've never had trouble with antibiotics before.

Four days after finishing the drug and still in a lot of pain (despite hot baths and using 600 mg. of Ibuprofen twice a day, or acetaminophen when the Ibu. didn't help. Also, I have doubled up on my daily dose of Glucosamine but don't see it helping.) it finally occurred to me to start researching this drug online.

I have been shocked and horrified to see that these are common side effects of Levaquin, AND that people continue to suffer for months and years afterwards! I will call my doctor tomorrow (Monday) and tell her what's been going on. I have always trusted her judgment before this but now I am very distressed that she'd prescribe this drug without a warning of possible side effects.

Has anyone used accupuncture to try and heal the damage from Levaquin? Re. the Magnesium supplements as mentioned above by another blogger... I have a bottle of Mag. Citrate...would this be as useful as Chelated Magnesium?

Please give me some hope that I can rid myself of this painful condition!

Ok. This has scared me to death! I finished a 10 day cycle of 500mg Levaquin 2 days ago. I have not experienced any of these symptoms yet. Just let me tell you who prescribed this to me. It was my orthopedic surgeon for treatment of a cellulitus infection 4 days post-op ACL reconstruction surgery! I sincerely hope this does not create serious problems for me.

For the past couple of weeks I am experiencing pain in my right shoulder joint. I don't know if it's arthritis, aging sign, or due to having intravenous Levaquin at the emergency room a few months ago. Anybody know how long it takes for this medication to cause rotator cuff problems?

I am 70 year old man with heart failure. I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg for 10 days for a sinus infection. After 5 days I noticed a painful swelling on the top my left foot. It got worse on the 6th day and I call my doctor on the 7 day after I could no longer walk. My foot was badly swollen so I call the Dr. His nurse told me to keep taking Levaquin until it was gone.

I decided to stop the Levaquin because it was the only thing that was new. I did some research on the internet and found I was not alone with these problems. I have been off the Levaquin for 3 days and pain in my left foot keeps getting worse. I went back to the doctor yesterday and was prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide and Voltaren creams.

I looked on the web and found they aren't recommend for people with heart failure. I don't think I will use these meds. I am not sure what to do and am now on crutches and can't put any weight on my left foot.

I am 42 years old. Don't smoke or drink, eat healthy and live an active life.
I just finished 5 days of levaquin 750 mg. for a sinus infection. I took it 2 other times within the last year and didn't realize that the pain in my joints that I have been experiencing since I first started taking it was caused from the levaquin. This 3rd. time I was prescribed it, I really had severe joint pain in all my joints.

So tired I can hardly work and no energy at all. I knew something was wrong because I felt worse instead of better while I was taking it. I got on the internet to look up the side effects and saw all of these stories of people who had taken levaquin and had the exact same symptoms as I was having. This is really disturbing, I know that some medications have side effects but it seems that this medication causes disabling effects on people.

This medication needs to be taken off the market and the Dr.'s that prescribe this need to realize the severity of this drug and worn patients about it.
I pray that this pain in my joints doesn't last forever, and that I can return to my previous health soon.

I am 42 yr old a former pro surfer and am in perfect health and shape. I eat only the best foods available, home cooked, by me. NO SUGAR. My father is a MD and a world renown expert in health. I can swim 7 miles, and free dive 50 feet at length. After only 3 days of Levaquin for a infected eye injury, I had very painful achillies tendons and knees. I called my father and he immediately made me stop the Levaquin. 12 days later I am a mess. I can't even run with my 3 year old son. Dizzy and I feel like an old man. I cannot go back to any of my usual routine. It is quite scary. I wish you all a speedy recovery.

I am a 35 year old female and mother of 3 with health issues that I too believe were caused by Cipro. I took the antibiotic for approx 4 days for a UTI. I stopped taking the medication due to developing allergic hives as instructed by my doctor. One year later, out of no where, I developed severe pain and tingling in my right hand and arm. Then it went on to my left hand. Blood work was done to out rule autoimmune diseases. All were negative. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Eventually, this progressed to Dequevarains Tendenitis and Tennis elbow. I had recently given birth to my third child. This was an uncomplicated pregnancy just like my prior two with little weight gain and no water retention but my primary care doctor seems to feel that this was all brought on by my pregnancy.

I strongly disagree and although I worked at desk job for the prior 4 years no one would say that this was work related in any way shape or form. Why 2 months after the pregnancy did this arise when I had no symptoms during the pregnancy?

After extensive and expensive surgery was done to correct both of my hands I was researching the probability of re-occurrence and found the information regarding CIPRO.... Please help me, I am better now, but feel that I deserve an answer to all of this. I lost my job, became depressed while I was in pain for months because I could not even hold my newborn son without tears streaming down my face because of the pain. I couldn't even get a good nights rest even though the baby slept all night thru at 6 weeks of age.

I’m 38 yrs. Old. I was prescribed levaquin 500 MG for a sinus infection to take once per day for 21 days. The Allergist doctor said if your joints start aching, like in your knees call me and I'll change the prescription, don't try to work through it. I didn't think it to be a big deal. After a week into taking Levaquin my hand and arm would go numb in the middle of the night.

I thought maybe I was sleeping on it for too long and it went numb. After about 4 more days my knees and lower back started aching and from my achillies tendon to all the way up the back of my calf is extremely tender. I called the doctor and asked to have the prescription changed. The doctor never told me the damage this drug can cause to your tendons.

He just said if you have aching in your joints, like arthritis. What makes it worse is I went to see an ENT about 10 days after taking the medicine because my sinus' still didn't show signs of improving. I told the ENT that I was taking Levaquin. He said it was a good medicine and to keep taking it.

Even after I wrote down and told him my elbow joints were aching, had numbness in hand and pain in back of leg. I haven't taken the medicine for 2 days but the pain up the back of my calf and aching in my knees has not improved. As a matter of fact at this very moment the back of my calf feels like it’s burning.

I had an SI Joint fusion eight weeks ago. I had a sinus infection last week and started Levaquin. Started it on Friday and by Friday night my pain in my back, hip and leg got a lot worse. I spent the whole weekend in pain. I called the pharmacy today and they said to stop taking it. My surgery pain was getting a lot better and now it, plus my leg and knee hurt.

I am going to try and detox. My surgeon said don't worry and continue taking it. I don't get how they can ignore all of these side effects. I am worried that since I am more compromised I will have damage. I took a whole dose in Nov. and now that I think about it that is when my knee started hurting so bad I could hardly do stairs.

Back then I attributed it to my back pain. Now that my knee is hurting so much I think it was from the Levaquin. Geeze, my back, hip, knee and leg all hurt.

I took Levaquin for 6 days for a respiratory infection last week. I am an occupational therapist myself and when I started getting severe pain in my left arm and shoulder, I knew to stop the Levaquin right away, but it had already done it's dirty work. I have been in severe pain since last Thursday. I have tried therapy but I am still in terrible pain. It is unbelievable that they would still allow this drug to be prescribed. This disorder is not rare. It is becoming a very common problem with Levaquin. It is affecting my job performance. I will never take Levaquin again and suggest others refuse to use it.

I was prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin for 5 days to prevent infection after my appendectomy. I had heard a few years back that fluoroquinolones could "RARELY" cause tendonitis and/or tendon rupture in the elderly. I am a health nut, so naturally this frightened me. I refused to take these drugs when my ENT wanted to prescribe them to me for a sinus infection.

However, after my appendix was removed in Feb 2009, my surgeon told me that Levaquin was the "gold standard" antibiotic to prevent infection after this kind of surgery, and assured me that he had never heard of tendon issues with Levaquin. He said that he would take it!

I took 4 of the 5 pills before throwing the Levaquin away. I now have tendonitis in both Achilles tendons, left shoulder pain, and popping joints all over my body.

Before taking this drug I was an active, very healthy, 37 year old, who felt like a 20 year old. Now I feel like an 80 year old woman.

I begin physical therapy tomorrow, I am taking chelated magnesium, glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, a multi-vitamin, and cod liver oil. I am hoping that the combination of these supplements, physical therapy, and time will heal my body from all of the horrible side effects this POISON has caused!

My thoughts and prayers are with each person whose life has been changed from these poisonous drugs.

I took Levaquin IV in the hospital several times with no problems. I took a 10 day dose with no problems. A few months later, I started another 10 day dose and had severe tendon pain by day 4. I stopped immediately, but the tendinitis persisted, mostly in the left Achilles, but also behind knees, in fingers, wrists, etc.

I found some good relief from magnesium supplements and epsom salt baths. After about 8 weeks, I took a 5 day burst of Prednisone and this pretty much kicked it. It has now been about 2 months and I haven't had any more problems (knock wood). I do soak in epsom salts 1-2x week. Not sure if that really helps keep it at bay, but it sure is relaxing.

I was given samples of levaquin by my doctor for my diagnosis of pneumonia. 750 mg for 5 days. On day 2 my left achilles hurt so much, hard to walk. I began taking 3,000 mg of MSM daily, icing it twice daily, and epsom salt soaks. Still sore, but I think it's getting better. Trying to think positive and be proactive instead of reactive.

my grandma took this for years off & on for bladder infections. we think the because of it the tendon in her thumb snapped &, in addition, she's had to have several surgeries on her achilles tendon. she was wheelchair bound for weeks. i can't believe they still prescribe this stuff when it's rather obvious that it has some serious negative side effects.

I was prescribed Levaquin on December 12, 2008 by my ENT for a sinus infection. Within three hours I had strange pain in my right ankle that felt like phlebitis. I iced it and elevated it and the pain subsided. Five days later I woke up with what felt like a sprained ankle. I limped on the ankle. The next day the ankle was red and swollen. I saw my internist who tested me for gout and rheumatoid arthritis, etc. He casually mentioned that it could be the Levaquin. He said if my ankle wasn't significantly better in a week I might need to change to a different antibiotic. Three days after that I woke up with pain in my right shoulder, elbow, wrist, thumb, and knee as well, with severe achilles pain.

I was told by my sister about issues with Levaquin and joint damage. After looking it up online, I called the ENT who prescribed it and was told to stop it immediately. I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE BLACK BOX WARNING BY EITHER DOCTOR OR THE PHARMACY. But it only took me 30 seconds to find it online once alerted by my sister. Also learned that my earlier use of high dose Prednisone and a course of another quinolone, Avelox in the preceeding weeks made me more susceptible to the tendonitis.

The tendonitis spread all up and down all four limbs over a period of weeks. I could barely walk, couldn't lift a glass of water for weeks. An orthopedist put me in a walking boot cast for four weeks and two arm splints. I have been receiving physical therapy since early January and have been on four different NSAIDS. Almost four months later I still have constant pain in both ankles, knees, the bottom of my heels, and my left wrist and elbow. It hurts just to wash my hands sometimes.

I am a very active 50 year old woman who typically does Pilates three times a week. I like to ski,hike and bicycle, garden, cook, knit, etc. I have been incapacitated for almost four months. Can't participate in any of my normal activities. For several weeks I couldn't even hold a book to read or hold the telephone to talk for more than a few minutes. Magnet therapy has provided some(only some)relief for the pain. Got a set of 30 magnets from Nikken Co. You can find them on the internet. I tape the little magnets all over, wherever it hurts. I'll try anything!

I went through two different episodes of taking Levaquin. Shortly after starting the second round I began to have severe muscle pain in my quads and knee pain as well. That pain episode took practically a year to pass. Later I went through a period of plantar fasciitis. Now two years later I am experiencing severe achillies tendonosis. Is there never an end to this problem of having taken levaquin?

I went through two different episodes of taking Levaquin. Shortly after starting the second round I began to have severe muscle pain in my quads and knee pain as well. That pain episode took practically a year to pass. Later I went through a period of plantar fasciitis. Now two years later I am experiencing severe achillies tendonosis. Is there never an end to this problem of having taken levaquin?

After only 4 days of taking Levaquin at 500mg daily, this drug has attacked my tendons aggressively. Both of my achilles tendons feel ready to snap at any minute and other tendons throughout my body pop now. This drug may be good to fight some infections, but there is no way in hell that those experiencing these adverse drug reactions deserve what is happening to them.

These adverse side affects are immediate and apparently irreversible and there is no way that sufficient warning can be given for people to really understand how this hideous drug can cripple people almost immediately. It is basically criminal that the FDA allows people to become disabled by Levaquin daily. Very sad indeed and this needs to be stopped.

After only 4 days of taking Levaquin at 500mg daily, this drug has attacked my tendons aggressively. Both of my achilles tendons feel ready to snap at any minute and other tendons throughout my body pop now. This drug may be good to fight some infections, but there is no way in hell that those experiencing these adverse drug reactions deserve what is happening to them.

These adverse side affects are immediate and apparently irreversible and there is no way that sufficient warning can be given for people to really understand how this hideous drug can cripple people almost immediately. It is basically criminal that the FDA allows people to become disabled by Levaquin daily. Very sad indeed and this needs to be stopped.

I took Levaquin for sinusitus 6 days. The 6th day, I had a severe allergic reaction. Swelling of the ankles, wrist, face, diarrhea, nausea, sensitivity in all nerves and joints, heart racing, hallucinations, and my throat started to swell and close up. Was taken to the ER where they gave me 125mg of a steroid IV to get the swelling down. The ER Dr. told my husband this could have been very serious.

10 days later and have lots of pain in both ankles and wrist. My feet, ankles and legs up to the knees tingle and go numb. I also followed up with the MD who prescribed the med and he was shocked at all the symptoms. Told us that he had taken Levaquin himself and many of his patients as well without any problems other than insomnia. He did say one patient had IV Levaquin in the hospital and ruptured 2 tendons that had to be cast for several months. I am very concerned. He told me not to go to aerobics for a month, but I don't know when I will be able to exercise again. Just walking is painful. I also want to know if anyone has gotten better after experiencing all of this tendon pain.

This article and comments explain the severe pain and tightness in my left ankle and lower leg. I took 500 MG of Levaquin, one a day, for seven days for a bladder infection. The last day of the prescription was eight days ago, and two days ago the pain began. I have not been to a doctor yet, but if the pain continues, I will go with a copy of this article. Thank you!

I am also a victim of Levaquin poisoning. I took the antibiotic as a preemptive measure after having sinus surgery. Now I have horrible joint and tendon pain throughout my entire body. I also twitch constantly, different muscles convulse on their own no matter what medicines I take.

I never thought that at 28 years old my husband would have to wheel me to the bathroom and care for me like an invalid. My life has been severely altered by this medication.

IF ANYONE HAS FOUND HELP, OR ANYTHING THAT EVEN MINUTELY MIGHT BE ENCOURAGING I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT. MY DOCTORS ARE AT A LOSS...

I was prescribed Levaquin for asthmatic bronchitis that did not respond to Zpak therapy. The dosage was 500mg. After 3 -4 days of taking this medicine I noticed joint pain in my right Achilles tendon but dismissed it for a normal injury. However 3 days later I awoke to the same discomfort in my left ankle.

I immediately called my doctor who instructed me to discontinue it. The left ankle cleared up within a day or two but the right ankle is still sore although much improved after nearly a month. I've spoken to two doctors who assured me it is not a permanent condition but will clear up.

I took Levaquin back in FEB09 and although I didn't experience the muscle\tendon pain most have\are going through, I have been bothered by itchiness and breaking out in hives after something has touched my skin. Also, I've had a rash around my nose and have felt lethargic and tired since then.

I am now just starting to have less hive outbreaks and my nose rash is getting better as well as feeling less tired. I'm thinking my immune system was really taxed by Levaquin and is taking a while to recover. Going in for my annual physical next week so will report if something else is found.

Will for sure not take Levaquin again and not let anyone in my family take this drug.

Its May 29, 2009 my first post regarding achilles tendonitis was Aug. 4, 2008. All these months have passed and I still have pain and swelling. I had approx 6 mos of physical therapy and both Voltaren and then Relafen I seemed to have relief for a short time then after ending the therapy and going about on my own I am about back where I started.

Constant aching and swelling in both joints stiffness when I start out walking seems to lessen the more I walk. Evenings seem to hurt more when I wake in the morning there is still visible swelling. Time to go back to the doctor again...

I have read all these horrifying accounts. And can attribute all my pain and exhaustion to this reaction. I have chronic sinus infections and go between levaquin and amoxicillin.

So now - how do we fix ourselves? How do we rid ourselves of these toxins? And when we have green stuff coming out of our nose - what do we do?

This drug has stolen my early twenties from me, and damaged my career. Took levaquin late in 2007. By 2008, both my wrists had severe tendonitis, so I could no longer pursue my career in digital animation. My right knee also suffered from a partial tendon tear that cost me thousands of dollars in therapy and doctors. Thanks a lot for stealing my time and happiness. ALWAYS do your research before ingesting any drug. You never know what new poison these people will give you.

I took 750 mg of Levaquin for a respiratory infection that had lingered for months and was complicated by Asthma. The infection is gone, but I can barely walk! I am awakened several times each night by the pain in my left ankle and achilles tendon and am now experiencing pain in my left knee. When I discussed with my Dr. she suggested I be on two weeks bed rest and avoid stairs. Hello? That's no solution. I need answers not a bandaid! Its been about two months and there's no relief in sight. To tell the truth, its worse.

I was prescribed Levaquin( the AValox thenLevaquin) within a 2 1/2 month period for a persistent sinus infection. After my last does I began to notice a pulled muscle sensation in my left heel. I of course blew it off thinking it was age and my new exercise routine. 3 weeks later I visited doc who informed me that he believed it was achilles tear due to Levaquin. MRI confirmed it.

3 tears and now in walking boot cast for at least 4 weeks. I also noted all comments about shoulder pain. I have also had recurrent pain in front of right shoulder during this time and chalked it up to sleeping on it wrong but now I believe it may also be a result of Levaquin. I reported this to my allergist who had prescribed the drug and he was very concerned and told me he would report his findings.

Thank goodness for caring doctors like him. I did read about possible tendonapathy but was told by pharmacist that it was very rare....I guess I'm that rare individual unfortunately.

Dear David, I'm so concerned & very upset.I have been given Levaquin over the years & did ok (so I thought), but then recently I was given it in April & again now in June & I'm very ill & I can't seem to get better. I've been going to doctors & the Er & no one will listen, or says "oh it's this or that" & it isn't...I'm in so much pain I just don't know what to do. This is awful. I sit & cry & everyone thinks it's all in my head. It's clearly not.

I'm hurting in my knees, my calfs, the bottom of my feet, my shoulder & elbow. I'm a total mess. I cant squat or bend without needing some way of having to get up. I can't get up without major pain. I hurt just to bend down, brush my hair, steer my car lift a glass or a can of tea up to my mouth. I do continue to do all these activities but not without pain.

The pain can be unbearable. But I just deal with it. I have such problems going up & down stairs its just unbelievable. A month and half ago I was dancing-- not now. I can't even lay down on a beach towel without pain & I am embarrassed to get back up onto my feet without looking like I'm strange or like I'm 70-80 years old.

Also my vision seems to be messing up.I did have vision problems before but somethings not right. It's nuts. Something is Very Wrong. I'm 44 & something is clearly wrong I know my body. Can someone help? This is wrong. I'd write more but it's so long of a story... Plus I'm no wimp & don't want to sound like a big whiny baby.