Leviquin concerns

[malcomk]

I went to a Med-Express for a Sinus Infection and given the choice of an Antibiotic or a round of Steroids, since the Steroids don's always work for me I went with the Antibiotic and was given Leviquin.  The PA told me to take it with food because it might make me sick but did not tell me about any other side effects.  I want to know why the medical community is not made to go over all possible side effects with the patients before they are given the medication?  If he had told me of the HORRIBLE effects I would never have taken it.  I took my first pill and two hours later I passed out, woke up with stomach pains, muscle pain that got so bad I couldn't get off the couch a few days later, it suppressed my appitite for three days, had a "fuzzy" feeling in my head, couldn't understand a lot of what was going on at times, and when I called the Med-Express back the doctor told me my muscles had started to break down!  I went bake to them and switched me to Doxicyclin but I still have week knees, my arms jerk, pain in my neck and pretty much all of my muscles at any given time!  I want to know why the medical community does not have to take FIVE MINUTES with a patient to go over medication??  I am now looking at a long recovery and do not have insurance to help with it. The medical community needs to be held accountable along with the drug company!!!

[malcomk]

Thanks for your feedback, it's good to know others are so willing to share! I look forward to reading more on the subject.

[malcomk]

Thanks for the comments, it's great to know others are out there.  I look forward to learning more on Leviquin and what others have done.  Thanks again for support!

[mkh9]

I agree doctors should definitely tell the patient of possible side effects, but they don't. You have to ask and even then they act like you are taking up too much time. I always look the drugs up on line before taking anything and call the local pharmacist if I have questions. I would have stopped taking it if I had a bad reaction or called the doctor right away or doctor on call for this. You probably should have gone to the ER right away. It sounds like a very serious reaction. I am not blaming you I do blame our medical system and our doctors for not being more careful. That is why you have to be your own advocate. I hope you recover from this drug soon. I am very sorry to hear about this. My doctor tried to get me to take a drug called Sevella and I have migraines and take Imitrex for them. If I had taken the Imitrex with the Sevella it could shut down my brain stem and possible death. Luckily, I looked it up  and called the pharmacist and they NO WAY don't take Sevella with Imitrex. I called my GP back and they say well that is why I said to take half a pill, plus the pills were expired for two months (he had given me a sample). I wouldn't take the chance with half a pill either if I knew that was what he was trying to do.He should have warned me. This week the FDA has new "Black box warnings" for gabapentin (Neurontin) because it can cause homocidal ideation. I was on gabapentin for several months at a high dose for pain and lucky for me I didn't have a bad reaction like you did. Well, take care of yourself and watch out for these doctors who don't care just want to keep the bucks rolling in.
mkh9

[reddy111]

Any healthcare professional should go over at least the most common side effects however for whateever reasons many dont. That is why a patient has to stop a healthcare and demand explanations. The symptom you experienced on levaquin is a side effect that mant professionals miss to mention because its perceived as a less frequent occuring. Many meds cause muscle pain and fatigue and one of the reportable symtomps of levaquin is spontaneous tendon rupture
I know how you feel though and i also had the same reaction to levaquin
pain that kept me immobile and lasted for several weeks after stopping the drug. i actually had a pt with similar symtoms and when i told the MD that i thought this was levaquin related hevat first did not belief me either. He actually looked up the drug data and then consulted with infectious disease before stopping the drug. its a great drug unfortunately some have a hightened sensitivity like you and I .  i hope i helped a bit
redy111