Anyone taken Levaquin?

[torinsmom]

I get so freaked out taking a new medicine. I focus on all the side effects, so its hard to know if I actually have them. Anyway, I have had a sinus infection for several months. Had Zithromax and Augmentin, but it is still raging. My nasal packages are almost completely swollen shut. So the doctor has prescribed Levaquin, but told me it is heavy duty and has caused torn ligaments in rare cases. He also prescribed prednisone, which I've had before. Make me feel wired, but nothing terrible.

The leaflet that comes with the Levaquin says that taking steroids at the same time can increase the chance of torn ligaments. It also says that the use of NSAIDS with it can increase the risk of seizures. Great---I take ibuprofen every day for chronic headaches! Now I have my self all psyched out. I did not take either medicine last night. Thought I'd wait til I was at work with lots of responsible adults, just in case. I AM going to try taking Excedrin instead of ibuprofen and not taking the steroids until I talk to the pharmacist.

Anyone taken this, and did you have any problems? Some of the stuff on the internet is SCARY!

Marsha

 

[2Kds2K9]

My Dad was on Levaquin for a UTI and had the side effects of tendonitis. It was bad. I'd question your doctor more on the meds.

Good luck!

 

[torinsmom]

He told me there was a 0.6% chance of tendon rupture in the general population, but in the over 60 crowd, it could be as much as a 40% chance I am 39, btw. He said the main thing is to NOT do anything more strenuous than your normal activity while on the medicine or shortly after finishing it up. THAT part he was very clear about. I'm not sure how much adding steroids to the mix increases the 0.6% risk.

Marsha

 

[mhsjax]

I have taken it several times, love the stuff. Sometimes it is the only thing that knocks my sinus infection out.

Now, hubby different story. He took it once before, then he got a horrible sinus infection that was misdiagnosed by a after hours clinic, (one of the many reasons I won't use them) Anyway, out ENT put him on Levaquin to take care of it. He took a dose that day, the next morning he woke up and was covered in little tiny red pin prick looking things, I looked it up and said it was an allergic reaction and to call the Dr. He did, the nurse said NO NOT EVER take it again, it could have turned very ugly if he had.

My mom was on it all the time for her never ending bladder infections and she had no problems either. The stuff is scary and I had heard that Drs weren't prescribing it, I thought, but I guess I was wrong.

 

[Mkrop]

My mom years ago took it and was having sever chest paind, she thought she was having a heart attack, she called her Dr (instead of 911 and although he thought it was an allergic reaction but sent her tot he ER anyway. Yep it was an allergic reaction, they did run all kinds of tests on her heart and that was fine.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I've been on and off it for years and never had any issues.

 

[Nette]

I took it for a horrid sinus infection in 2008 (that I had also taken two other courses of antibiotics for w/ no result) and it finally killed that bug dead. I had no idea about the torn ligaments etc... If you're concerned about the steroid combination have you talked to the pharmacist about it? I hate steroids. The Levaquin was awesome though, I was so glad to get relief from that horrid infection.

 

[justhat]

I took this several times in my late teens/early 20s for chronic sinus infections and I was fine each time.

 

[dislaney]

I've taken it for a sinus infection and had no bad side effects.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I have been off and on of this stuff for many times a year, for many years! I love this stiff also!! no side effects what so ever, and it is the only thing that would work for me!!

 

[JessicaR]

Most people are OK on Levaquin. I'm not one of them. I had terrible pain in my joints while I was on it and after for a while. It did clear my sinus infection though. My sister takes it with no ill effects.

Have you tried nasal saline irrigation with a Neti Pot? Lots of people benefit greatly.

 

[stashbin]

I had to take it for an infection, and had no major problems. I did have to take it with food because it was so strong it made me sick if I didn't.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have taken it numerous times, no problems. It is the only thing that knocks out the bad sinus infection I get each year. I take a myriad of other prescriptions and have never had a side effect.

My dr. goes the 1 a day for 10 day route with this antibiotic. It seems to do the trick. Try to increase your water intake a lot during the cycle and keep yourself occupied so you don't worry on the side effects.

 

[Buckalew11]

My BIL took it and had horrible tendon problems. This was probably 6 yrs. ago(?) and he turns 50 this year. He'll never take it again. As a AT, he knew it was very bad.

I took it for pnemonia this past July. It did knock it right out of me though. However, for the past several months I have had bad tendonitis in my left arm and it did not occur to me that it could be a side effect from this med. I remember reading about it back in july and it saying it could take quite a bit of time for it to show up!

hmm...

OP, I hope you get this infection knocked out quickly and do all right.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I had to take it last year...and it was a waste of time and money! My doc thought it would help me. Well my throat wasn't getting any better and I was getting sicker...my doc thought I was nuts until I went back into the office and he saw that my throat was so bad it was almost closed off!! He had to put me on steroids and reg old amoxocillan! Guess what...from not eating or drinking for almost 4 days...I was able to swallow in 24 hours!!

 

[torinsmom]

Well, I took it this morning and so far, I only have a pretty bad stomachache. Kind of hard to know if that is from the medicine though. I was trying not to take ibuprofen, and it is that time of month, so I am wondering now if that is just cramps. The pharmacist said the steroids and NSAIDs are okay with the Levaquin, since I am only on it for 10 days. I just broke down and took ibuprofen to see if the stomach pain is cramps, because it is pretty moderate pain.

This stuff must be strong because it has not even been 12 hours and I am able to breathe through my nose already!

To whoever asked about the Neti-pot, I just started using a sinus rinse, which is close to the same thing. I know it will help if I just use it.

Marsha

 

[Fire14]

My mom was on it all the time for her never ending bladder infections and she had no problems either. The stuff is scary and I had heard that Drs weren't prescribing it, I thought, but I guess I was wrong.

I have had several residents take it w/o side effects.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

My mom took it for a sinus infection last year. Her knees really started to bother her. Once the prescription was through, her knees felt better. However, it didn knock the sinus infection out of her!

 

[rie'smom]

OP, get your sinuses flushed.

 

[torinsmom]

OP, get your sinuses flushed.

What do you mean? Myself or at a doctor? Right now, I am so swollen, the rinse comes back out the same nostril.

Marsha