Topic: Day 13 of Levaquin..left achilles discomfort
bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
So..day 13 of Levaquin. I notice that my left achilles is a bit sore. Not bad. On a scale of 1-10 it is about a 2. But it is there.
It's not so painful as it is noticeable. Funny think is my left leg / calf is the one that tends to twich the most. And now my left achilles is aching.
Hmmm....
Should I stop the levaquin or give it a few days to see if it gets better / worse? I'd like to do levaquin for at least a month if possible!
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I started to get stuff like that around the 2 week mark, like you.
It kept slowly getting worse, it moved to my knees, etc.....so I only lasted either 4 or 6 weeks.
By now, the side effects that lingered after I stopped are gone (about 4 months later?).....so for me, even though I stayed on it awhile longer, the side effects eventually went away.
Some people have a hard time getting those side effects to go away though, even after stopping the med. So just go with your gut. If it gets worse, I'd stop. I personally had to watch it get worse before I was persuaded to stop. But stopping now would be justified too.
I would say it's a good sign it's not at an 8 or 9, but it will probably slowly get worse, like mine did. When I started walking down the stairs like an old lady, I got scared and stopped.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi 1200 --
I have not taken Levaquin -- but from what I have seen the tendon problems go away after it is stopped --
If the Levaquin is helping you personally I would contenue its use until no further good benefit is gained or serious tendon problems aeries --
Gluecosimine Sulfate will help with tendon problems -- also joint problems --
2000mg per day is the dose I take --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I would call your LLMD immediately and leave a clear message of what is wrong. I would also stop taking the Levaquin until you determine with your LLMD whether it is safe for you. I would also take magnesium.
This is not something to mess around with. I didn't have problems with Levaquin other than a terrible herx .... but problems are a possibility. You need to talk to your doctor.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Ditch it now. You don't want long term side effects. And no, the physical long term side effects aren't the bad ones (unless it's tremendous pain), but you could get the neuropsychological side effects after stopping.
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Thanks all. So. The pain is gone today.
I'm going to keep going. Funny...I don't feel any better on levaquin. Calves still twitch a bit.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
UP up up your Mg levels. It has helped me tremendously while on Lev. I was on crutches the first time after only four days, but have since been able to use it twice without incident b/c I know now to increase my Mg (per LLMD) 2 weeks b/f and during Tx. (Remember of course not to take any Mg within 2-3 hours of Lev.)
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
bcb, You should definitely call your LLMD! Levaquin and others in that class are known to cause tendon rupture. You do not want to risk rupturing your achilles! When you're on these meds, the pain can dissipate for a bit, but that doesn't really mean much. And, from what I know (though I am not a doc), you CAN still have tendon issues in the short-term and long=term after these meds are discontinued.
Maybe the type of magnesium you are taking is not being absorbed by your body?? Is it mag oxide? That one I have been told is not easily absorbed.
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
So I have a call and email into my LLMD. It hasn't gotten any better, but also hasn't gotten any worse. I may push for a switch to rifampin.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Levaquin can cause tendon rupture up to a year AFTER taking the drug so you don't have to be on it to experience disaster.
It was great against bartonella for me. Got me to 90% in five weeks but also gave me tendonitis. I thought I was herxing and the LLMD agreed as the pain was in my muscles, not the tendons. Then one day my shoulder just snapped like I had been stabbed with a knife.\
The pain continued for 8 months and was much worse than the pain of lyme. Lying down made it much worse so I could only sleep sitting up and if I fell over while sleeping I would wake up in severe pain.
I found DL Methionine and Lysine with magnesium and B12 got rid of the pain so I would suggest really boosting amino acids, magnsium and vitamin C while you are on it.
If you search DL Methionine it repairs damage to tendons and muscles and is a precursor to glutathione and Sam-E.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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