LymeNet Flash: Hello, I am back and Levaquin

This is topic Hello, I am back and Levaquin in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/48926

Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :

Hello everyone. I have missed everybody so much. Our computer completly crashed, again. My husband is the culprit so he is not to use it again. LOL.

I have been going through the last 2 months of posts and I have missed quite a bit. I still have more reading to do. I hope everyone is hanging in there and doing well.

I have been on Zithro 250 and amox 3000mg a day for awhile now. I have had some new symptoms pop up. For example, very sore feet. Doc thought it was time to try and kill the bartonella. I am supposed to start Levaquin tommorow.

I am scared of that med though. I have read more bad comments than good about it. I have alot more to share but I want to get back to reading what I have missed.

Any thoughts on the Levaquin? Should I take the plunge? [Eek!]

Thanks, kit

Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :

I did not have any problem with 9 weeks of levaquin/ceftin and I had symptoms disappear.

Posted by liz dobell (Member # 8078) on :

Hi kit,

i've PM you with lot of advice

for anyone else interested levaquin has been the best abx i've ever taken so dont be afraid of starting it - it's given me lots of life back [Smile]

Prior to levaquin i was mainly bedridden with sever neuro CNS symptoms (the whole room spinning round & round & tipping upside down!!) -i'm now back managing to do lots physically - swimming, playing tennis - only things i dreamed of whilst bedridden

I started on levaquin in May -started on low dose for the 1st month (250mg 1x per day)as i was really weak then increased to full dose 500mg .

After only 6 weeks on it i had improved so much i started swimming & even went on holiday to visit my sister out in Dubai - where i managed meals out, went to a water park & managed rides than spun me round & round & i didnt even feel too dizzy!!! (i was also taking ceftin at the time for lyme)

Then in August after 3mths of levaquin my LLMD thought that might be sufficient for bart so stopped it, BUT after 3 weeks of stopping it all my neuro sx started to gradually return !! so i'm now back on levaquin +taking omeprazole(stomach pump to reduce acid & help absorption) & making good progress again

I never got any bad adverse reaction to it - only seemed to improve my neuro symptoms. no tendon trouble either. but everyone is differnet so see how you respond to it

LEVAQUIN ADVICE:

-start low dose 250mg- see how you react as everyone is different then increase to full dose 500mg
-always take on empty stomach 1/2 hr before food 1st thing in morning
-dont take magnesium, calcium supplements within 2 hrs of levaquin as stops absorption.
-if tolerating 500mg ok - take omeprazole 20mg at same time as levaquin as Dr B stressed this helps lots with absorption
-take for mininum 3 mths -may need longer like me - you'll know if you stop & symptoms returm

I hope this helps any other bart & levaquin takers,

Liz

Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :

Thank you Valy and Liz. I am going to start the Levaquin tommorow. I have alot to do with my children tonight and I don't want to have nausea or other side effects until I am at home.

Thanks again, it's good to be back.

kit

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

Kit,

I was on Levaquin a while back.

I did have burning pain in my quads on it and hip pain, both pain I also had on Biaxin. I think it was bart herxes, not a side effect.

While on Levaquin, people started telling me I looked healthy. So I took that as a sign tha tI was looking sick before the Levaquin.

-Aniek

Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :

I took leviquin without any side effects.

My advice would be just be vigilant... follow your instincts.... you know your body better than anyone

Best wishes

Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :

I got severe tendon pains of two arms after I have taken levequin for just 34 days at 500mg daily.

So far it is the abx that causes the worst side effects for me. I have taken Amox, Ketek, Doxy, Mepron, Zith, Rafmpin, Biaxin, IV Rocephin, Artemether, Tini, and some herebs.

I would be very careful about taking it, either at low dose or pulse it if it's necessary.

My sole pains are almost gone. I am not sure if Levaqin contributed to it though.

Levequin alarmed me that I needed to take the the side effects of abx seriously, which might play an important role in my healing.

Good luck.

Dave