I'm taking Levaquin and feeling really horrible. Extremely dizzy when standing and vertigo and pain in thigh muscles. I would appreciate any experiences and knowledge you might have about whether this is a herd or side effect. thanks
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
herx, not herd Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
You're probably going to get two answers on this, it's gonna permanently damage your tendons or body somehow or it's a great drug.
I can only tell you that all the tendon pain and leg pain went away a few days after I stopped. It was a miracle drug for me at the time.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
BE VERY VERY CAREFUL ... the effects of quinolone drugs like levaquin are CUMULATIVE!!
I would call the Dr and let him/her know about the side effects!!!
Levaquin can damage your ears and muscles, tendons, joints.
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
Droid, by miracle drug do you mean it made the Lyme & Cos. go away? Lymetoo...thank you, I have a call into the Dr. So far very few drugs have helped me and I had horrible vertigo with Mino. Feeling rather depressed! I'm 6 mos. into treatment and not much better.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's not for Lyme. Do you have bartonella?
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Levaquin can affect the large tendons.
Increased magnesium intake, like serious (I took 1000mg a day in 4-250mg doses away from abx) will help prevent tendon damage.
I love levaquin-it helped me for the two weeks I took it. I was pulled off it and put on meds for myco. Myco was flaring at the time.
I would take it again in a heartbeat.
But if you start getting Achilles tendinitis, or pain in the tendons that connect your thigh muscles to your knee-it's not for you.
There are other great bartonella alternatives out there.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
I mean it changed the trajectory of my declining health. There was months I couldn't use my right leg. It slowly brought strength back to it, along with CNS issues (bart), and general fogginess. But I knew I couldn't be on it for yrs. I stopped at 5 or 6 months.
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
I think I have Bart and asked him to treat me for it. I'm not making much progress with the Lyme and we felt that maybe if we can get the Bart under control I might get to feeling better. He did tell me to stop if I had tendon pain. The leg pain went away. He also ramped up the Mag., Calcium, Zinc, C and B's I'm going to take it again tomorrow and see what happens. I'm willing to risk it at this point.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
You're at where I was. People will say it could hit you down the road. Idk. I'm glad I did. Research bart with your symptoms. Your definitely in an endemic area.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Go easy on the calcium .. take mag 2 to 1 to the calcium.
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
I was really frustrated with slow healing and called someone with PaLyme and she suggested I discuss treating Bart. with Dr. I do feel like there is a slight shift in just 3 days. Could that be? I do have these weird twinges in my hip and shoulder. I hope, hope, hope I can continue with this. I HAVE to find a way to turn this around! I'm so grateful for your input! Lymetoo, I'll double check the mag/cal ratio.
A note of humor..when the LLMD said I want you to take Mag/Cal I said "MAD COW! I HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS! WHAT IS THAT SOME WEIRD BOVINE CONCOCTION?!!" LOL Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
LOL !
I hate baths, but when I took Levaquin I forced myself to take an 4 cup Epsom salt bath every single night - in addition to oral magnesium-
every single night that darn bath.
Mag/cal = mad cow- what am I in for now- So funny!!
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
great advice, Surprise, thank you. Just talked to the LLMD and he said to "suck it up unless the pain gets worse, then call him back" He said it is possible to feel better after 3 days on Levaquin. Praying this is something that will send me on a better path to healing!
It doesn't take much to make me happy these days...the highlight of my morning is that I figured out the little Gremlins! Posted by perfectly_healthy (Member # 43562) on :
Is the advice for more magnesium while taking Levaquin because it depletes magnesium? It seems I cannot keep up with enough magnesium. I am doing Mag++ injections, magnesium oil topically, magnesium citrate orally to bowel tolerance, and Epsom salt baths. I still feel depleted.
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Suck it up? Yeesh. Quinilone drugs were very helpful for me in the treatment of Bart. HOWEVER, you MUST take a lot of magnesium to support your body when you are taking them. Levaquin can rupture tendons and leave you physicially disabled. Take Magensium Glycenate. If anything take a few days off of the LEvaquin and buld up on Mag. Your doc should really be taking your symptoms more seriously, since Levaquin and ALL quinilones for that matter are notorious for rupturing tendons.
BE CAREFUL.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
For ph:
"The mechanism for tendonitis is not clearly known, but magnesium deficiency may play a role in some patients. For this reason, I recommend that Bartonella/BLO patients ideally take 600–1,000 mg of magnesium for two weeks before beginning Levaquin therapy. Once Levaquin is begun, the patient should continue the magnesium, being careful to take it three (or more) hours before or after the dose of Levaquin."
I hear ya Lymeboy. This Dr. is very casual but he's the best I've got. I find I have to do my own research on everything and this is a perfect example. Another time he neglected to tell me not to consume any alcohol while on Flagyl which I learned here, thank goodness. I decided to skip today's dose of Levaquin and just do the supplements. I will be very careful. Honestly don't know what I would do without this site!
Posted by perfectly_healthy (Member # 43562) on :
Hi TF,
Thank you for that link. So that link says to take Levaquin without food. The pharmacist told me to take it with food. I guess it is actually absorbed better without food but they tell you to take it with because of possible GI issues?
So if it is used for Bartonella, which I have, how does it work to treat a sinus infection? I am actually on 750 mg a day for 10 days.
Thanks!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Mvdr... That is funny about the mag/cal! PS.. Most Drs say to take way more calcium than we need .. and not ENOUGH magnesium.
perfectlyH .. MANY drugs deplete us of magnesium... so keep that mag going. Do you also avoid fluoride in your toothpaste and drinking water? Fluoride also depletes magnesium.
I don't know about Levaquin for a sinus infection. I think they use Cipro sometimes. I hate those drugs.
Posted by perfectly_healthy (Member # 43562) on :
Hi,
I have a whole house water filter that also filters fluoride and not fluoride in my toothpaste.
I feel completely mag depleted right now. I give myself a shot and start to feel better but I am only supposed to do them every other day.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
ph: 10 days might help a sinus infection, but it is not enough to treat bartonella.
Posted by perfectly_healthy (Member # 43562) on :
Hi TF,
I didn't think it would be long enough to get rid of Bart, but I was wondering why the Levaquin would get rid of the sinus infection if it also addresses Bartonella. I mean, how do we know the medication is actually "hitting" the sinus infection and not mostly hitting Bart?
Thanks!!
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
I know I'm mag. deficient. How can I get what I need without GI distress? Posted by perfectly_healthy (Member # 43562) on :
Mvdr,
Right now I am using mag citrate to bowel tolerance, magnesium oil (homemade double strength) applied to my arms, legs feet, daily detox baths with 3 to 4 cups of Epsom salt (stay in at least 30 minutes), and mag sulfate injections. Not sure if your doctor is willing to RX the latter but those help the most.
For the mag oil in case you are not familiar with it:
Heat 1 cup distilled water to boiling, remove from heat and add 2 cups magnesium flakes (like Ancient Minerals brand). Let cool, pour into a spray bottle, and use as needed.
The original recipe is 1:1 ratio and the Ancient Minerals site says their spray has 100 mg/8 sprays.
You can also buy the spray already made but it's way more expensive.
HTH!!
Posted by Mvdr (Member # 43034) on :
Thanks, Perfectly! I'll give it a try!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mvdr:
I know I'm mag. deficient. How can I get what I need without GI distress?
- The very best product out there is ReMag .. I'll come back to give you the link.
It is dynamite and reportedly is better than IV mag. No laxative effect.
Also, do not take mag oxide if you don't want the laxative effect. Take mag glycinate.
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