I took Levaquin 500 mg x 2 days and almost immediately started having leg/calf cramps and swelling. My doctor d/c'd the drug, and 3 weeks later I still having relentless calf cramps. Anyone else have this problem, and how long did it last?
Anonymous How long does tendonitis last from taking Levaquin?
- Posted:
- 31 Aug 2009 by Anonymous
- Topics:
- levaquin, tendonitis
Details:
Responses (8)
robo6 Sep 2009
Sorry, I could not find any information on the duration of tendonitis as a Levaquin side effect. Tendonitis is a rare, but well documented side effect of Levaquin.
You will find more information at http://www.drugs.com/sfx/levaquin-side-effects.html
Kelly leigh26 Oct 2009
Hello, well I took Levaquin also and I have been having many issues. I was diagnosed with achilles tendonitis, and my foot has been extremly swollen for about a month now. I have been on pain killers for the same amount of time; not to mention having to use cructhes and at times not even being able to go to work. I cant even drive. I have a second opinion soon, because I fear there is more to my problem, then just the tendonitis. I don't know how long this will last, but I can tell you one thing; I'm starting with other issues as well like chest pains, stomach pains, and both my legs will start to just shake while lying down. I don't know if any of these are related to taking the levaquin, but it is scary nonetheless. I don't know how long this will last but one thing I can tell you is I feel this is going to be permanent damage, and that is my biggest concern now. Do yourself a favor and contact a lawyer that is handling the class action lawsuit, I did; not sure if it will help but it can't hurt. Hope you get better soon!
19 Jul 2011
I took a 5 day dose of 500mg, and woke up with pretty severe tendonitis the day after I stopped treatment. After thinking about it, I realized the Levaquin was the only thing I had done different, and being 32 years old and in good shape, shouldn't be dealing with it. I could barely walk. I then proceeded to hop on the internet and scare the crap out of myself with stories of permanent disablement. While the effects of the drug are not completely gone yet,(this is day 5), I am reporting on this site to give some others hope and to maybe calm you down a bit.
When I woke up the day after my last dose, the first thing I noticed was my hands were very painful, and felt swollen. Then I noticed that my feet and toes were the same way, and then I tried to bend my elbow and knees. All painful, swollen feeling, and brittle. Start researching, enter panic mode. I thought I would never hike, play my guitar, throw a baseball with my boy, work around the house, etc...
sushi53
5 Sep 2011
I just finished a 5 day treatment of 750mg and also have had the worse foot and calf pain I have ever experienced. I am stretching and doing whatever I can. It is so sensitive to the touch of the very tip fo my heel and my calf feels like a rubber band has been stretched so tight it's going to pop! I have taken this medication before but never have I had a reaction like this. I pray this will get better. Do not know what going to the doctor would resolve but sure do need this to be over with. I have lots on my plate coming up that requires me to stand and walk. Pray that I am well soon and all of you as too!
MariyaA213
24 Jul 2012
I'm freaking out just like you were... your post is the only one making me feel better. I just hope I don't have nerve damage as I have tingling and what seems like nerve irritation all over espeacially arms and feet. I hope I get better... I think this Levoquin and all like products should be pulled from the market. I don't even take the percocets they prescribe and I feel so stupid for taking this. Thank you so much again. I'm around your age and very active. I hope your okay, and we'll all be okay from being drugged by our doctors.
SDJoe
Nezzieq
oneluckymama
seahear3 Feb 2012
I came to this site looking for ' answers ' too. I took Levaquin 750mg for nine days. Noticed pain/soreness in my right upper arm, thought I just lifted my work cart out of the car wrong and pulled it. My new car ( 2012 Acura TX) has a much smaller trunk area than the previous car , so getting the work cart in/out has been an adjustment. Pain/soreness persisted then when it ' traveled ' to my other arm , then knee I knew something was wrong. Both arms hurt everyday. I'm depressed . Does anyone take medication to take the edge off ? If so , please share. I just hate to take medication...
C.E.
6 May 2012
In general, I talked with a pharmacist and he said that the affects of Levaquin can progress for up to one year. After that, you will probably be working with your doctor to repair any continuing damage. I found sites that suggested that taking divided doses for the day of up to 10,000mgs of vitamin C, 1,000 mgs of Tylenol, 2,000/1,000 of Glucosamine/Chondroitin for joints, a B-complex vitamin, and 1 Fish Oil capsule (the most important seems the vitamin C and Tylenol) can help with Levaquin side affects.
A pharmacist also told me that too much Vitamin C can cause a problem with kidneys (i.e., kidney stones, etc.). I am trying to take the least amount of vitamin C as I can to keep the pain away. Also, cold packs (mine fit into a large cover) have greatly helped me with the pain (I have 4 packs that I rotate in the freezer). If your legs are in pain, I suggest that you please stay off them as much as possible, and "ice" the area to help your tendons.
20 Apr 2012
I took Levaquin Jan 2012 for 7 days. I immediately noticed pain down my spine, shoulders, elbows and hands. I took it for so long because I had been on two other meds that did not clear up my UTI and the doctor gave me this one. I have never been one to take a drug but I had been sick for over a month and nothing else had worked. I did read online first the side effects(I always do) and was nervous when I saw tendon rupture. But how often do the side effects happen and everyone I knew said that probably would never happen? I wish I would have followed my gut instinct and never took this drug. I was fine with only slight pain for a month or so after stopping the drug but now I have been in alot of pain for at least 6 weeks. My left elbow is horrible and I cannot straighten out my left arm at all and my right elbow is sore. Now my left knee are beginning to hurt. I went back to my doctor and now I have an appointment for the Orthopectic doctor. All of this because of a drug.
C.E.
6 May 2012
In general, I talked with a pharmacist and he said that the affects of Levaquin can progress for up to one year. After that, you will probably be working with your doctor to repair any continuing damage. I found sites that suggested that taking divided doses for the day of up to 10,000mgs of vitamin C, 1,000 mgs of Tylenol, 2,000/1,000 of Glucosamine/Chondroitin for joints, a B-complex vitamin, and 1 Fish Oil capsule (the most important seems the vitamin C and Tylenol) can help with Levaquin side affects.
3 Sep 2012
I had a severe leg cramp in my right calf off and on like you describe for 417 days after I began the Levaquin for a UTI. I took all of the dosage, like a good patient (10 days I think). On the 418th morning after beginning the Levaquin, my Achilles Tendon "popped" as in a complete rupture while doing a simple exercise routine. I would seek help from an orthopedic surgeon. Don't wait like I did, not thinking to much about the problem, expecting it to go away. I had been exercising and getting more and more fit for that entire year, then Boom this happens. Recovery is 6 months and now I wonder about my other calf. God Bless and take action.
JJ196428 Oct 2012
Several months ago I ended up in the ER with a Kidney Stone. I also had a bad UTI and was started on Levaquin 750 mg one daily for 7 days. I took it... over the next several days I began to hurt all over. I was working out about 3 days each week at the gym and can remember a terrible pain in my left knee that popped. My spine started hurting and knees were swollen and I had a stretching burning pain down my right leg. I could hardly walk. I made an appointment with my pcp and he injected my spine with cortisone and the pain in my ribs and side went away but the pain continued to worsen in my legs. I started taking prescription pain pills and ibuprophen as well as Vitamin C and Glucosamine. Everything seemed to just progress. I went back to my doctor and he injected both of my knees assuming this was arthritis... OMG! was that ever painful. Nothing worked...
3 Jan 2013
I took levaquin 500mg for 10 days then woke up on day eleven with severe pain to both inner knees. I could not bear weight and was unable to stand or walk. I'm taking pain meds around the clock . Pain is unbearable.
Doctor stated it would take 3-6 weeks to recover. I'm starting to wonder
if this will be permanent.
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar questions
I have levaquin-induced tendonitis. Is there anything that will help me?
I had walking pneumonia at Thanksgiving and was prescribed levaquin. The next day I noticed soreness in calves. The soreness, in three days, ...
2 answers • 24 Apr 2010 • 
Has anyone had any tendonitis (tennis elbow) type symptoms while taking Metanx?
I developed tendonitis about the same time I started taking the Metanx for neuropathy.
1 answer • 30 Aug 2010 •
How Long After Levaquin Stopping Do Side Effects Last?
After three days of levaquin I got depressed and kept having "panic attacks" - totally unusual for me. I stopped the pills and thought I ...
1 answer • 27 Sep 2010 • 1 star
Vimovo Efficacy - how long until I see improvement?
Just started Vimovo today for my Patella Tendonitis, how long until I see some improvment in my symptoms?
1 answer • 13 Nov 2010 •
How long after taking levaquin can side effects occur?
I took levaquin for 16 days and I am have lots of leg cramps.
3 answers • 20 Jan 2011 •
Mine have lasted for years. They improve for a while then flare up again. Muscle cramps are my main symptom.
I had a Levaquin reaction in fall 2007 after taking 3 500mg. tabs out of a series of 10. It just about killed me. The hives were all over my body, into my tendons and into my eyes. I could barely walk because the pain was so intense. The scars are still there. Since then, my right shoulder rotator cuff is always sore and difficult to fully heal. It is the second most vulnerable tendon to be affected by this drug. The first is the Achilles tendon, mine feel like they could rupture at anytime. Also have burning sensation in fore arms near elbow. I am so tired of hurting and taking pain meds. Nothing can be done to change this outcome except surgery if/when the tendon ruptures. You will never get better. These effects are for the rest of your life. This is a despicable drug and should not be used by ANYONE! Once you realize you are having a reaction, it's too late. This drug causes permanent damage to you body. There are so many other safer drugs to use... DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING IN THIS FLUOROQUINOLONE DRUG FAMILY!
I was treated with vancomyacin then levaquin for cellulitus and had a severe headace with left shoulder muscle pain while in the hospital. No medical professional ever mentioned this side effect to me. I finally got a hoarse throat which became asthma from hell with tiny itchy hives all over but on my fingers and back of neck was hell. They put me on another antibiotic, but the pain persisted at home. I read up on levaquin, one of the things they tell the patient that will interfere with levaquin is magnesium. I have taken something called Calm by Peter Gillham( magnesium citrate) for a long time because it calms the pain of fibromyalgia, I made me some with warm water, it makes one feel warm, I noticed the pain eased up when I got one of the warm flushes. I also noticed I was so cold especially in that shoulder and arm, my leg achelles tendon was so tight, I could barely move it before, after two days that pain went away and the tightness eased..
Expand this post...
I drink this Calm three times a day and it really helped. I am not able to take any pain meds, allergic to everything. Only one caution the magnesium makes a good laxative until you have what is necessary in your body. This drug should not be used by older people in my opinion. Always carry what you are allergic to in your pocket for the ER doctor to see. Do not depend on your doctor you tell them all this info and then when you need it they don't know anything ? My memory is not that good, plus they have the stuff to ask what your reaction was to said drug ? Also if we are allergic to this drug you probably will have the same reaction to CIPRO, same class of drugs.
In general, I talked with a pharmacist and he said that the affects of Levaquin can progress for up to one year. After that, you will probably be working with your doctor to repair any continuing damage. I found sites that suggested that taking divided doses for the day of up to 10,000mgs of vitamin C, 1,000 mgs of Tylenol, 2,000/1,000 of Glucosamine/Chondroitin for joints, a B-complex vitamin, and 1 Fish Oil capsule (the most important seems the vitamin C and Tylenol) can help with Levaquin side affects.
A pharmacist also told me that too much Vitamin C can cause a problem with kidneys (i.e., kidney stones, etc.). I am trying to take the least amount of vitamin C as I can to keep the pain away. Also, cold packs (mine fit into a large cover) have greatly helped me with the pain (I have 4 packs that I rotate in the freezer). If your legs are in pain, I suggest that you please stay off them as much as possible, and "ice" the area to help your tendons.
Expand this post...
The above has helped me greatly, and my walking time has greatly increased over time with lowered tiredness/pain. I am not a medical professional, but this information has truly helped me, and I hope it will help you as well.
Just taking the Vitamin C, Tylenol, and icing alone might be of help.
If anyone has additional helpful information, please post! Together, it seems like a lot of pills to take, but, since it helps to keep me out of pain, it is well worth it.
Best of wishes! C.E.