Took the Levaquin. Major side effects. Anyone have success with it?

Ok, uncle!! I, very reluctantly, took the levaquin. So flippin' expensive!! And after researching a little online, know I know why. I'm sure it's to cover their asses on all the lawsuits they've gotten from this drug. I have had major D and my D was actually under control, I felt from probiotics and other supplements. I was up all night with insomnia and being a mom, I need my sleep. I might add, I am extremely sensitive to meds. I mean I feel dizzy taking 1 tylenol. This is one of the reasons I don't take anything, because I'm the one who gets all the side effects from drugs.
My question is, has anyone taken this drug with success? How long did you take it? Did you have any of the gnarly side effects? Is there a different antibiotic that works for crohn's infections?
Thanks for all of your reply's. Every one has been so helpful.

I never took it but someone else on here had tendon issues from it. Glad you are going to try and help get some help with your CD . I too am senitive to meds but with this disease I had to start somewhere. Keep your self aware of the tendon problems though .Hope you sleep better tonight I was on prednisone and that keep me awake until I tapered down on the mgs. Wish I could be more helpfull but I don't know much about that drug. lol gail

I am on it now and I have had no side effects-I usually have all the side effects. This is day 14 of 20 that I am supposed to be on it.
Sj

I don't know if Levaquin is available by pill--but I took it in the IV and oddly, got the tendonitis only in the arm where the IV was placed. It has since gone away, but it took months--and the inflammation was real.

Levaquin is in the same class as Cipro which is one of the most common antibiotics used for CD along with Flagyl. Unfortunately, I'm highly allergic to a lot of antibiotics and finding more everyday that I can't take. But, for those who can take it, it can literally save their lives. I'm currently suffering from a sinus infection and can't find an antibiotic that I can take for it, so it gets worse everyday.

Can you call your doctor for a different antibiotic? Maybe something that you won't have such a strong reaction to?

Sorry to dig this post up, but the side effects that you're reporting for Levaquin are very serious. I developed very agressive, active crohn's disease after a second exposure and subsequent adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial. The first time, it was Tequin the second time was Levaquin. Both times, it was for nothing more than a sinus infection.

Don't take my word for it, go to fluoroquinolones.org and check out what happens to thousands every year. If you read it, you'll think it is fantastic, but I assure you it is very real and has happened to me. There is generally a syndrome of predictably-evolving symptoms that occur. Insomnia, brain fog, peripheral neuropathy, shooting pains, elevated anxiety with depersonalization, tendinitis, tinnitus, dryness similar to Sjogren's without the antibodies, and everybody's favorite... drug-induced lupus.

The side effects generally go away, but for some of us they're semi permanent. In this case, "some" means about 5% (at last guess) of those who take the drugs. I suffered with tendinitis and plantar fascitis for three years, long-nerve neuropathies that faded over a period of 24 months, I have tinnitus (ringing of the ears), dryness of the eyes/ears/mouth/sinuses. The drugs are cleared from the body in a few days, but the fallout remains for years.

It took 24 months of complaining to a gastro ent. to get a scope and small bowel series done. It was discovered that I had a 14cm stricture in my terminal ileum, which nearly doubled in size over the following year while taking steroids and a 5-asa. I'm now taking Humira and am (fingers-crossed) fairly side-effect free.

The reaction to the fluoroquinolone destroyed my life to nearly 3 years. It is honestly no laughing matter.

Before the reaction, I was 200lbs, 30 years old, and in excellent health. I was a runner, and loved to be outdoors. The only health issue which plagued me were elevated trigs. and sinus infections (semi-annually); keflex took care of the sinuses very well... until the new wonder-drugs came along. I now weigh 280lbs, am 33, can finally run on the treadmill 3 times a week. I realize, it could have been much worse and am very thankful. It has become my life's mission to inform others about the dangers associated with fluoroquinolones.

The most insulting part of the whole experience is to have a physician disbelieve you when the entire syndrome is detailed in the physician's desk reference trailing all of the way back to the initial drug - naldixic acid. I have a medical background, a former/childhood physician who has reacted, and a brother who is a clinical pharmacist... and still, the GP whom I was seeing was in disbelief.

The reaction has nothing to do with dosage or duration, it's totally spontaneous. The only thing predictable is that re-exposure yields disastrous results.

Thanks FallColors,

The fluoroqinolone class of drugs is supposed to be used just as it was on you... as a life-saving measure. The problem is that they're typically passed out like candy as samples, which have no drug inserts. This means that somebody potentially reacting to them isn't aware that they are until the symptoms have progressed to a level which is intolerable and affecting their ability to work or live.

I can't even claim that the drugs didn't get rid of the sinus infection, because they did. I was just left with some extras.

The whole point of this is that it isn't a drug allergy; it's a hypersensitivity reaction. The drugs quickly reach toxic levels in some people's bodies because the liver cannot clear them fast enough. An allergy is a straight-forward and usually instant indication. This takes days or weeks to develop, but can be instantaneous as it was with me.

My "You see, Timmy" point is just to caution others about fluoroquinolones. They are, in fact, dangerous. The side effects of hypersensitivity RARELY subside after stopping the drug, which defies common sense.

I know this is an old thread but I've been searching for information on the side effects of Levaquin.  After taking it for less than 2 weeks,for a sinus infection,  I got horrible pains in my legs. I was literally, on the couch for a full week only getting up to use the bathroom.  I'm 44, active and have never had a single problem with my legs or knees. I've been off of it for a little over two weeks and still can't do the things I need to do because of the horrible pain! I tried to walk a block and half the other day and couldn't make it without stopping nad choking back tears.  It's like the worst charlie horse you've ever had when it's at it's worst and feels like a charlie horse that has just stopped but hurts like crazy the rest of the time. My knees feel like they are held together with really tight rubber bands and ache all the time. As a bonus I got Thrush from it. I have follow up appointments with both my primary care physician and orthopedist next week if the symptoms are still persistent. I sincerely don't know what I'll do if they can't find something to help me!

I'm certainly not telling people not to follow their doctor's orders but I wish I had known then what I know now! Please read up on the side effects of this medication before you take it or give it to a family member!