-------------------- HERX is a Four Letter Word! Posts: 716 | From If you're going through hell, keep going......Winston Churchill | Registered: Apr 2007
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
I don't want to tear anything and it feels like my knee is going to rip open. Not being able to walk is not what I want. And my LLMD said he's seen people in boots (for rest of life) because they've torn their Achilles on Levaquin.
Just doesn't seem like a herx to me.
It apparently happens to "healthy" non-Lymies who take it too.
manybites, So you tore something first go-round? And then when you took it later you were only able to handle 2 months?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Bummer canefan!!!
Load up on mag. Take small doses throughout the day so that it will be absorbed and not cause bowel problems.
Take a good mag like mag glycinate or mag malate, just don't take mag oxide. Mag oxide should only be used if you want to relieve constipation.
I've been told that vit C helps too. Not sure how much. Maybe a 1g per day would be good extra support if you are not already taking it.
I would also try to drink lots of water. Water is always good to flush out the bad.
Once you feel normal again maybe later you could try Factive or Cipro. Factive is supposed to be stronger and have less potential risk of problems.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Stop the levaquin, and call your dr. And, yes, load up on magnesium. IV magnesium would be wonderful. Short of that, transdermal (application on the skin) of magnesium oil (which isn't really an oil, just feels like it) is the best. Swanson's, online, has it the cheapest. Or oral, of course.
Tendon/ligament damage from fluoroquinolones is no joke. Yes, could be a herx, but I don't think so. Plus, you don't want to miss this one; it's serious if it continues.
What a drag, I've been through it twice. There's always rifampin.
Oh, and yeah, sammy is right about the vit C, except that you should take much more. IV is ideal. But if oral, say 10 grams spread out over the day.
Never a dull moment, huh?!
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Magnesium amino acid chelate - Solaray brand helped me when levaquin screwed up the tendon in my heel.
I bought it at Whole Foods.
Take care.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I had TERRIBLE pain in the knees and talked to my LLMD. He said that when he's seen tendon damage, it's started in the achilles, but to keep in contact with him regarding the pain. It lasted six weeks. Worst pain in all of treatment, and FIRST breakthrough.
I took coffee enemas and epsom salt baths daily for the pain, in addition to painkillers.
After six weeks, I could ride a bike and go for long walks. It was a huge breakthrough. At 12 weeks, we stopped the Levaquin. Babs was rearing it's ugly head and I needed Mepron.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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It is not worth it. I am still dealing with the effects of levaquin two years after taking it.
Posts: 169 | From The Poconos | Registered: Jun 2011
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Appreciate the feedback. It's really interesting to see that about half say it's a herx and to continue and the other half are very serious about stopping it and saying it destroys the tendons.
I can tell you this. It sure didn't feel like a herx. And I only took 250mg ONCE. My LLMD said the floxing is not dose-dependent.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
You know your body and how it reacts better than anyone.
If you don't think it's a herx, it probably isn't.
Maybe your llmd can come up with another med.
It took me over a year to resolve the heel pain I got from this med.
Take care and keep us posted on your progress.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
thanks for info
Ya I do not want a tear.
My LLMD wants to do Bactrim DS with Biaxin (on top of my ceftin/plaquenil) - flagyl pulsed.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
I remember being concerned about the tear, too, back when I was on factive. What my people told me is that would develop over time, with magnesium being unable to get where it needs to go to nourish the tendons, meaning, if the drug is going to cause a tear related to magnesium/etc., it is not going to be in the first day or even the first week, but after a number of weeks/months. Perhaps being floxed is another way to create a tear, or a problem entirely different from the tear? I don't know what that means really? Yes, interesting such bipolar opinions.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
People can tear a ligament from just one dose. You are wise to stop it. My doctor told me it was just a here so I continued it until my shoulder snapped. That hurt for 8 months. Load up on magnesium citrate (or another chelated form) and vitamin C.
Bactrim DS with biaxin or zithro was very helpful for me. I took it for a year and pretty much wiped the bart out (knock on wood).
You might want to try stromectol one of these days with you ALS symptoms.
-------------------- 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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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Thanks Nefferdun - appreciate it
Mag Tabs Sr (Burrascano recommended) are helping. I doubled up on em and felt more relief today. I have stopped the Levaquin per my LLMDs request. He was very adamant.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Wow that's intense manybites. You've def been through some rough rough times.
I'm ready to feel relief from Bart too!
I'm actually excited about Bactrim DS because I've been told it can hit babs too.
Ceftin I may switch out for Omnicef, don't know yet.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
quote:Originally posted by manybites: Sixgoofykids had a lower load in her knees and less pathogens that you have.
Siggoofkids has had the load I HAD 16 years ago.NOW i know on how to tell .
So the ones that have many pathogens and OVER 2 decades with bart in their KNEES -they get "FLOXED' for me their main issue is BART.
I had Lyme for over 30 years. And do not underestimate the pain I had. As I said, it was the worst pain in my whole treatment time ... in my knee joint, and throughout my whole body.
Canefan17, this kind of thing needs to be decided by the LLMD. My doctor listened to me and used his experience to determine whether it was a herx or tendon damage. Go with what your doctor says.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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When we gave it to TB + patients, we NEVER gave it to over 35 yo, due to high risk of liver and other complications... (just a FYI)
I'm 55 and knew the risks- I took it this winter- thought I was ok on it for a month or so- since mostly bedridden anyway.
Went off it to try a sleep aid (Rozarem)
When I went back on, 6 weeks later I had nonstop increasing symptoms, though my Liver function was ok-
migraines, loss of balance, increasing skin NUMBNESS till my face,lips and tongue went numb, ears LOUD ringing, weaker all the time- not a typical herx. Dr thought it could be possible stroke- Dr told me to stop it and in under 24 hrs it all went away.
I think it's too risky over age 40, esp if already have liver probs, history of alcohol use, hepatitis- anything affecting the liver. Liver failure is a REAL threat with this.
Posts: 8 | From Portland Oregon | Registered: Jun 2012
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
No one on here should be telling you to stick with it. It really bothers me when I see people giving out advice that could really be dangerous.
Always check with your doctor in regards to any side effects, allergies, herxing etc.
Posts: 1750 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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