Any good reports from people who've taken Levaquin?

I will be adding it to the Doxy I started a week ago.

--Annie

I agree...be cautious with excercise, I was, and I still pulled some rib cartilage.

I did forget to mention that the dose I'm supposed to taking is 1000mg a day (250mg 4x/day), which to me seems a lot.

I am not a big person. I mean 5'3" and average to ample, but I would say that if it goes according to bodysize, I wouldn't be up there with the big guys and do wonder why my LLMD has rx'd me such a big dose. But, I had my local GP double-check it and apparently it is right that I should take this dose.

As I have both babesia and bartonella - which treatment should I assume this is the Bartonella or Babesia?

Yet, the ABX seemed to do the job it was supposed to. As usual with Lyme, I traded one thing for another, and would do it again considering the results.

BTW, here is a list of possible problems with this ABX:

What are the possible side effects of LEVAQUIN?

LEVAQUIN is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects caused by LEVAQUIN, which are usually mild, include nausea, diarrhea, itching, abdominal pain, dizziness, flatulence, rash and vaginitis in women.

You should be careful about driving or operating machinery until you are sure LEVAQUIN is not causing dizziness.

Allergic reactions have been reported in patients receiving quinolones including LEVAQUIN, even after just one dose. If you develop hives, skin rash or other symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should stop taking this medication and call your healthcare professional.

Ruptures of the shoulder, hand, or Achilles tendons have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including LEVAQUIN. If you develop pain, swelling, or rupture of a tendon you should stop taking LEVAQUIN and contact your healthcare professional.

Some quinolone antibiotics have been associated with the development of phototoxicity ("sunburns" and "blistering sunburns") following exposure to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet light such as artificial ultraviolet light used in tanning salons. LEVAQUIN has been infrequently associated with phototoxicity. You should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light while you are taking LEVAQUIN.

If you have diabetes and you develop a hypoglycemic reaction while on LEVAQUIN, you should stop taking LEVAQUIN and call your healthcare professional.

Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving quinolone antibiotics including LEVAQUIN. If you have experienced convulsions in the past, be sure to let your physician know that you have a history of convulsions.

Quinolones, including LEVAQUIN, may also cause central nervous system stimulation which may lead to tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts.

I have kind of make a deal with myself not to read the possible adverse reactions lists, because I'm freaked out enough as it is, thinking every bad reaction will happen to ME!

But, as you posted it, I read it and PHEW! it wasn't too nightmarish.

Glad it helped you, but sorry it caused a problem with your foot.

Have other people done Nexium with the Levaquin? I am doing this and my LLMD said it's supposed to make a big difference for the treatment.

--Annie

So, I broke it in half, convincing myself that if I took only the 125mg to start with I would only have a reaction half as bad, IF I were to have a reaction.

Does anyone else do this?

Also, does anyone know why it says on the leaflet that Levaquin should not be taken for more than 14 days?

I'm supposed to be on it for 30.

However, I also had sporatic great days on it so I think it helped.

My hands and feet started to feel hot and burning on and off yesterday (first day on the 1/2 dose). I kept having to look and see if they were bright red, they felt like they were, but weren't.

Overnight, I kept waking up, low-grade sweating all night (but that happened my first night on Doxy also), and generally feeling very odd and aware of feeling like I was breathing fast and like my heart was fast, and as if my neck was getting an "electric" pulsing feeling in it, not severely, just mild.

I have had this electric/pulse feeling in my neck and spine before, but not for a loooong time - funny it should appear on this day.

I don't want to fax my LLMD at the first sign of anything that makes me anxious (cause he'll get fed up with me).

Could this be my body just "adjusting" to th drug, a herx, or an adverse reaction?

DLL

Would pinpricks count as something "bad" in relation to Levaquin. Since yesterday, I get the odd migrating pinprick feelingin arms and torso.

Also am sore between my shoulderblades in back.

I gues what I should have asked those who did well on Levaquin was - Does doing well on it mean a lack of ANY side-effects like what I described?

I'm new here and don't have a lyme dx, but I do have some experience with Levaquin. I've had a possible lupus dx for 5 years, so my GP prescribed Levaquin for pneumonia because it's such a strong antibiotic.

I was on 500 mg per day, and I felt really rough at first. After that initial reaction I started to feel great! The best I had in a while in fact. Too bad I was only on it for 2 weeks! LOL! I wish I had known more about abx and herxing then.

It's so weird you mentioned the burning hands and feet. I have a similar reaction to almost every antibiotic I have ever taken. Never really understood why. I wondered if it was an allergic reaction, but it seemed to get better over time.

I think the primary concern about taking Levaquin for more than 14 days is its effects on the liver. One of the other drugs in the same class as Levaquin has been reported to cause liver damage when taken for more than 14 days. Hence they're more careful with all the drugs in this class. Your doc will probably monitor your liver enzymes to make sure no damage is being done.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Bel

Would you describe those pinpricks as a tingling sensation? I ask because Levaquin has been associalted in some instances with peripheral neuropathy. If you're having sensations like this, and they continue, I personally feel that would warrent a mention to the doc. I'm not trying to scare you, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.

IMO, doing well on it doesn't necessarily mean a lack of ANY side effects. I had a few myself, but they improved. I guess it really just depends on the individual.

I have now faxed my LLMD and am awaiting a reply (and guess I won't take the Lev. in meantime).

I did not put in my fax that I have only taken half the dosage so far (500mg a day instead of a 1000)....

I still cannot figure out why I'm on such a high dose, if "grown men" are on less than "little me".

Definitely it's been pinpricks, not tinging. Just a few.