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Levaquin...I'm scared...

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Posted 8/6/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
So my Dr is switching me to Levaquin...I've been on Rifampin for a long time, and plateaued, so I have to make the switch. I'm scared about tendon rupture, and I remember seeing on here a while back that taking high doses of magnesium can prevent that.

Does anyone know the proper dosage of magnesium?

Thanks!
Posted 8/6/2014 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Or any other info about it? Did it help? Having a really hard time getting rid of Bartonella.
Posted 8/6/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have any info? I want to know if I should take high doses of magnesium before I begin levaquin, and during, but not sure what a high dose is. Any one have success using levaquin? Is it worth it?
Posted 8/6/2014 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Levaquin is scary stuff. It is a miracle drug for some and a debilitating one for others. The problem is, you don't know which category you will fall in - basically you are taking a risk because of the tendonitis, tendon rupture, and nerve damage issues with the drug. Do you have any other options? Did you speak to your Dr about it?

What dose of magnesium did your Dr recommend? You can start with 400mg of magnesium and bring it up to maybe 800 - 1000mg, but that is just my suggestion, you should confirm with your MD what dose he/she wants you on.
Posted 8/7/2014 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
You should do a search on "floxed" in google so you can at least make an informed decision. Here is a link to a facebook page with a ton of info and stories from people who had an adverse reaction, https://www.facebook.com/groups/191063714251094/.
I was floxed five years ago post surgery and am still having issues, I wouldn't take it under any condition ever. It can do a lot more harm than just damaging tendons.
Magnesium may or may not prevent an adverse reaction, and it may help somewhat if one has had an adverse reaction, I personally wouldn't count on it being a definate preventive. I take anywhere from 500 to 1500 mg a day, and weigh about 180 lbs, it helps some issues, and is absolutely necessary if one is dealing with a fluoroquinolone reaction but it is not a miracle cure.
Posted 8/7/2014 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
HI sooverthis,

Just like anything else, be very aware of how your body is responding to the drug. There are always different herbs/drugs to try if one doesn't work. And like Chapelle said it can be a very good drug for some, not for others.

As far as the magnesium - talk to your dr like others suggested. You can do the epsom salt baths too, those have magnesium in it and you don't have to worry about dosing. :)

Try not to be too scared, just be aware -> you are in charge of your treatment! Good luck! PS I took levaquin for 10 days about 1.5 years before I was treated for lyme and it was fine. no tendon ruptures here, was short term though!

~beth
Posted 8/7/2014 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm targeting Bart, and have done high doses of rifampin for months, along with bactrim, and some others...nothing's hitting it. My Dr said levaquin doesn't cause the rupture, the Bartonella does because it spaz's out from being hit so hard. I don't really know what my other options would be...cipro, but I hear that's worse than levaquin.

This sucks...I really wanted to avoid the bad drugs, and I already have tendon pain which is from Bart...so proof it is in the tendons and needs to get out, but how will I know if it's a herx, or a bad reaction? Are there warning signs, or does it just mess you up out of the blue?
Posted 8/7/2014 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
1200 mg of magnesium maleate taken right before bed, levaquin 1st thing in the morning.
Posted 8/7/2014 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
cipro carries the same risks as levaquin. it is the drug that causes the rupture, not the bacteria.

the side effects of these drugs can hit you like a brick or develop over time. the scary part is, some of the side effects can be nonreversible. have you tried a cephalosporin yet? like omnicef?

I have/had bartonella, and the Bactrim plus Zithromax combo antibiotic therapy worked for me!! have you tried that yet? I know you said you were on Bactrim, but you didn't mention Zithromax.

I know this is so difficult for you, and I am so sorry you are in this situation - but as a pharmacist and a lymie - I avoid certain drugs, such as flagyl and tindamax bc of their cancer risks, and the fluroquinolones (levaquin and cipro) bc of the serious side effects.
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