My experience with Levaquin

[RitaZ.]

It all started Thursday when I took my first dose at 9:30 pm. I think I slept a total of 4.5 hours that night and felt very anxious. I didn't understand where any of that was coming from, so I was worried. My husband suggested that it could be the medicine. Still, I continued to take the med, I'm pissed at myself for doing it. Long story short, I called my doctor's office yesterday to set up an appointment because I wasn't feeling right. I explained everything to the nurse in great detail. I waited, but they never returned my call. Anyway, last night in the middle of the night, again couldn't sleep and went to the bathroom, all of a sudden my heart started racing out of control, I almost passed out. I woke up DH and told him that he had to take me to the ER, I couldn't take it anymore.

He took me to the hospital and didn't wait long to be taken in to see the doctor. They had to give some med to lower my hear trate, which still didn't go below 100 bmp. They did all kinds of blood tests, EKG, monitored me constantly, IV, etc. I was admittted to the hospital and discharged in the late aftenoon. In the end, this is what was found: my potassium was a little low and I have anemia, something that has never happened to me. I really do think Levaquin messed me up, I've looked up information about it and it's quite scary. I have to see my regular doctor in a few days, not the bozo that didn't return my call.

From Thrusday to last night, I probably slept a total of 20 hours. I've never had any sleep problems in my life. The insomnia was absolutely horrible, I thought I was going to go mad, the anxiety, the heart pounding, etc. Levaquin, never again!

 

[yeartolate]

Yet one more reason to steer clear of antibiotics unless it is crucial.


That class of antibiotics has alot of reported side effects - ugly ones at that.

 

[Disney Doll]

Sounds like a med reaction. Have you had a problem with reactions to meds in the past?

 

[RitaZ.]

Sounds like a med reaction. Have you had a problem with reactions to meds in the past?

DD~ The biggest reaction I've ever had from a med was an upset stomach, KWIM. This scared the heck out of me. I can't tell you how hard it was to want to sleep, but not be able to. The doctor didn't even tell me of the possible side effects. I even asked if the med was new and was told that it has been around for a while.

Year~ Yes, it does have very scary side effects. My jaw dropped when I started reading of the problems others have/had with Levaquin.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Is this a new antibiotic? I saw a thing on TV yesterday about a suit if I am not mistaken. You know one of those ...If you have taken Leviquin ....that was the first time I had heard of it and was unsure what it was for.

 

[minkydog]

Levaquin is well known to cause sleepiness, but I don't know about the other symptoms. What were you on this powerful drug for? could the bacterial infection have done this? I hope you feel better now. Whatever the cause, it's sounds like an icky experience

 

[Christine]

Rita Z.,

I have had some odd medicine reactions lately. I don't if it is because I'm getting older and my chemistry is changing or what the issue is because I never had any problems years ago.

A few months ago I was given Macrobid for a suspected UTI. I had taken Macrobid about 15 years ago with no apparent problems. When I took it this time, it was a different story. About 4 hours after I took the first pill, my heart rate shot up to 140 and stayed that way for hours. I had some beta blockers on hand (I occasionally have to take them due to being on Synthroid) so I was able to get the heart rate down myself. About 2 hours after the second pill, I got a very bad sore throat. I mean, one minute I didn't have a sore throat and then the next, it was very painful. My temperature also went up to about 100 degrees during this time. When the pill wore off, it all went away. I *thought* I was just getting sick but then realized it was the medicine.

Then, last month I took Keflex because I had had a cough for 6 weeks and we thought I might have sinus infection even though I had no sinus pressure etc. just post nasal drip. Well, after I took it I got the worst headache and I really felt so fatigued. I finally stopped it after two days. I'm sure if I had continued any of these meds, I would have also ended up at the ER.

I've now sworn off meds unless I'm dying.

By the way, I've heard that Levaquin is some really potent stuff.

 

[RitaZ.]

Levaquin is well known to cause sleepiness, but I don't know about the other symptoms. What were you on this powerful drug for? could the bacterial infection have done this? I hope you feel better now. Whatever the cause, it's sounds like an icky experience

It was for a UTI. The doctors agreed that it was probably a reaction to the med. I even saw a cardiologist while I was there and he felt that it was medicine related and my heart is fine. I had some of the less common side effects. Some of the reports I've read are about ruptured tendors that later led to chronic problems.

Christine, I have taken Macrobid and Keflex in the past without problems. The ER doctor asked me if I have thyroid problems, I don't. He checked anyway and no problems there. Everyone reacts differently to meds, so we really have to listen to our bodies. Levaquin is very powerful and I would have to be dying to take this again.

 

[minkydog]

It was for a UTI. The doctors agreed that it was probably a reaction to the med. I even saw a cardiologist while I was there and he felt that it was medicine related and my heart is fine. I had some of the less common side effects. Some of the reports I've read are about ruptured tendors that later led to chronic problems.

Christine, I have taken Macrobid and Keflex in the past without problems. The ER doctor asked me if I have thyroid problems, I don't. He checked anyway and no problems there. Everyone reacts differently to meds, so we really have to listen to our bodies. Levaquin is very powerful and I would have to be dying to take this again.

Wow, it does sound like a medication reaction. I would absolutely not take it again

 

[RitaZ.]

Minky~ Thanks for the good wishes!

DH and I are supposed to go away this weekend to celebrate our 18th anniversary. Yesterday I didn't think I'd have the strength to go, but this morning I feel a little better. It may be a good distraction for me.

 

[pumba]

I have to add my two cents in on this post. My mil has it in her records ....on her carry list of drugs that she takes and bad reaction to this one. It makes her violently ill.....she is sick for a week and then has to take another antibiotic to get rid of the bad stuff that the levaquin made. She has a problem with her lungs and gets pnemonia every six or so months. Finally it is listed at the ER that she is not to get this medication. IT is a major antibiotic we were told and that is why they gave it to her....
Put it on your records that you can not take it....and carry it in your purse with a list of your meds that you take and ones that you are allergic to

 

[RitaZ.]

Put it on your records that you can not take it....and carry it in your purse with a list of your meds that you take and ones that you are allergic to

Pumba, I definitely will when I go to see my doctor.

 

[Christine]

Yeah, my doctor has put me down for adverse reactions to both of my *problem* meds. He said that he wasn't terming it an "allergic" reaction but an "adverse" reaction.

 

[tiggersmom2]

My orthodontist was just released from the hospital. He was taking Levaquin and suffered a grand mal seizure while driving. The Levaquin was determined to be the cause of his seizure. There have been many reports of seizures while on this medication, I would never take it.

 

[RitaZ.]

My orthodontist was just released from the hospital. He was taking Levaquin and suffered a grand mal seizure while driving. The Levaquin was determined to be the cause of his seizure. There have been many reports of seizures while on this medication, I would never take it.

Lori~ Yes, that's another reaction. The cure is worse than the illness. I hope that he's ok.

BTW, are you pregnant? I see the ticker at the bottom of your post.

 

[Christine]

I do have two co-workers here that take Levaquin at least once a year for sinus infections and they have ZERO problems with it and think it's a wonder drug!!

Also, as far as adverse effects, if you look up any drug it will scare the bejesus out of you!! Gosh, I was looking up Claritin one day on the internet and almost didn't take it.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I had a HORRIBLE reaction to Levaquin. I will never take it again. Racing heart, dizziness, disoriented, etc. I was terrified and called my pharmacist who told me it was from the meds...

Switched to Z pak and was fine...