posted
I'm suppose to start levoquin tomorrow. I've heard nothing but bad stuff about it. My mom took it and has trouble with her knees ever since. I'm kinda nervouse about taking it. I told my LLMD about my mom and he just said that if I start having any kind of pain to let him know. Has anyone else taken levoquin? Did you have good results from it? Any problems? Thanks ahead of time for your help with this.
Posts: 48 | From Eden Prairie, MN | Registered: Feb 2010
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canbravelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9785
posted
Levaquin is very powerful as well as very scary stuff.
It knocked back the Bartonella infection, but I ended up some intense side effects - hypoglycemic reactions, feeling as though my Achilles tendons were going to tear one morning at 4 AM, and a painful arrythmia which landed me in emergency and left me with a heart rate of 115 at rest for a week or two afterward.
There is sufficient information about others who have suffered permanent damage from Levaquin. There are websites devoted to this subject.
Could that have been a herx? Who knows, but if it was I feel it was too aggressive, and dangerous to my life.
If I were to do it again, I would take the alternative - I forget what it is but a number of people here have expressed that it was more effective.
Best,
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I took Levaquin for 30 days to treat bartonella. I had no problems with it. It got rid of my bart.
Doctors give patients Levaquin for sore throats and many other conditions. However, that is usually for 10 days or so, not 30. So, it is commonly prescribed by non-lyme doctors, and many people take it for many medical conditions.
Here's what Burrascano says about Levaquin on p. 25:
"Levofloxacin is generally well tolerated, with almost no stomach upset. Very rarely, it can cause confusion- this is temporary (clears in a few days) and may be relieved by lowering the dose. There is, however, one side effect that would require it to be stopped- it may cause a painful tendonitis, usually of the largest tendons. If this happens, then the levofloxacin must be stopped or tendon rupture may occur. It has been suggested that loading the patient with magnesium may prevent this problem, and if the tendons do become affected, parenteral high dose vitamin C (plus parenteral magnesium) may afford rapid relief."
So, based on this and what my lyme doc told me, tendon problems are rare. They are not the norm by any means. Take a lot of magnesium today. Also, take it while you are on Levaquin, but make sure it is at least 4 hours away from the Levaquin or it will reduce the effectiveness of the Levaquin. (My lyme doc's rule.)
If you start to get any tendon pain, stop the med and take lots of magnesium.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
I did three months of IV levaquin and IV rifampin. I can tell you that the combo kicked my butt! I actually felt worse while taking it. That being said, I did make headway and i think it got rid of bart for me.
It got me to another level of wellness. I had only one minor issue with my elbow. I decided to vaccuum one day and now I have a sharp pain in my elbow that I can't get rid of.
Take it easy on your joints and tendons. Even limit housework and overextending your joints.
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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