Just started Levaquin 2 days ago (starting at 250 mg, because I'm a wimp), and I'm having severe migraines and back/neck/shoulder pain, along with my usual soup of symptoms. Can it be a herx this soon, or is this a side effect?
I'm taking it specifically to target salmonella (have a chronic infection, which can cause arthritis symptoms). Bartonella tests have all been neg.
Any advice about taking levaquin is welcome. I've been reading previous posts and they have me a little scared.
Thanks for any thoughts on this, Cactus
Posted by Lioness (Member # 10655) on :
I was at my LLMD this morning and told them I had recently been given a prescription for Levaquin(for another infection). He said "Levaquin is very bad for people with Lyme"
I took it a few times years ago before my tonsils were removed, but can't remember the side effects or if I would even have thought it was side effects.
But, I just though I would let you know what they told me today. Maybe you could get a different ABX.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Cactus,
I had great improvement on Levaquin. I too am battling Salmonella, and it's the only med that made my salmonella titers go down. Although they increased when I went off it. (I'm assuming we have the same N.VA LLMD)
I've had herxes start within hours of taking some abx. 2 days is pretty common with many abx.
I have lots of shoulder and back pain, and my LLMD thinks it's from the salmonella. So that would make sense that it exists in a salmonella herx. I know salmonella can cause spinal arthritis, particularly the sacroiliac joints.
Any spinal inflammation could cause symptoms anywhere in the back or shoulders.
The tendon problems with Levaquin can happen. I was on it for months with no problems. I was careful not to push too much with exercise, lifting or pulling.
Do you know what tendon pain feels like? Tendons connect the muscles to bone or muscle to muscle. I explain tendon pain is feeling pain along the bone. That's the pain to worry about with Levaquin.
If you are worried you have tendon pain, call your doctor and explain the pain.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Thanks, Lioness and Aniek.
Aniek, I'm glad to hear you've had improvement on levaquin - it's good to hear the positive results, esp since you've got the salmonella issue,too. I've suspected that you and I have the same LLMD also!
And thanks for the tendon pain explanation - I wasn't sure how to tell the difference.
Definitely herxing, but differently for me - having strange hot/cold sensations up and down my arms, and sweating like crazy. Also - shaking.
What an experience this has been...
Posted by lymeflox (Member # 10543) on :
Cactus:
Your dose of levaquin seems low, but anyway perhaps you are experiencing an hypersensitivity to it.
Thanks for the links, Lymeflox. I will look into that as well.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
Cactus, I was also on a low dose of Levaquin for a few months. I was attempting to treat suspected Bart.
I don't know but... my reaction to it was about identical to yours.
Thanks for posting this. I think I ought to be tested for Salmonella. I match what you and Aniek are describing very closely.
I'll ask at my next appointment, thank you!
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
True, I definitely think it's worth checking into...
Also, in my case, I have what appears to be a chronic problem with legionella - if I remember correctly, the levaquin should be hitting that as well.
Hope you're having some good days, Cactus
Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
I was prescribed levaquin for something else. Took it for a couple of days but was too afraid to take it after I read some warnings hear about it. I checked it out on the internet and found it had some possible nasty side effects that I didn't want to get into.
Later, my LLMD wanted to give it to me but I told him I was too afraid to take it so we went a different route.
I heard a lot about the leg pains that can become permanent so I had gotten scared. Funny thing is that I did get a couple of bad charlie horse type pains in my calves after taking it for two days.
Personally, I'm still kind of afraid of levaquin but my LLMD doesn't seem to have an issue with it.
Posted by clpgotlyme (Member # 7875) on :
Cactus, I am pulsing Levaquin for Salmonella and Bart. I usually herx with the first dose or two with similar symptoms, then it calms down.
I have not had any tendon problems and I do heavy lifting (cleaning stalls and lifting hay bales)and would know.I worked up to 500mg./day as I am small and wimpy with meds,too. Try to stick with it if you can, it has been a great med for me. Cindy
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
I've been watching out for tendon pain, but thus far I don't think the pain I'm experiencing is specifically tendon pain. Thanks for the concerns & warning, Lymeindunkirk!
One heck of a herx, though. Ouch. And my back (lower to upper - you name it) is one big "ouch"... So I'm hanging out with the heating pad, but I'm hanging in there.
Hearing that it's been helpful for others is a big help.
Thank you for the encouragement, Cindy. It does seem to be calming down a bit, but I haven't worked up to my full 500 mg dose yet.
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
just wanted to add more variables as if you dont have enough.
the back pain may be related to endo as you know and adenomyosis. the hot and cold feelings with sweating can also be hormonal. I experienced these after my last surgery from hormonal fluxes even while ON BCPs.
it is so hard to separate everything OUT!!! I hope you are feeling better
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Hi Trails, I've been wondering how you're doing...
Yup, it's all intertwined and hard to pin down - yikes. Could be endo - ugh.
I'm thinking it's the levaquin, since most of the back pain started (or intensified) with the levaquin, but who knows what those little ovaries are up to - I'm not supplementing with any hormones right now (too wimpy to add it in and make more changes, adding yet more variables).
Hoping you're doing as well as can be these days!
Posted by OptiMisTick (Member # 399) on :
[ 25. February 2008, 03:27 AM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posted by LJS (Member # 9880) on :
I started taking Levaquin for a throat infection before I was diagnosed with Lyme. I thought I was going to never walk again. I was in such severe knee and joint pain, I could not climb the steps. It took several months without Levaquin to get back a feeling in my knees that did not wreak of pain.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)