I'm starting to have swelling in my legs and pain in both knees. Will this dissipate over time or is there something to counter act these side effects. These symptoms started after finishing a ten day regimen of 500 mg. Do I need to go see my physician?
Levaquin - Can side effects be treated?
Question posted by Nola99 on 21 June 2012
Last updated on 23 June 2018
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3 Answers
C.E.
21 June 2012
Nola99, I'm am sorry that you have taken Levaquin. So many people are suffering from taking this Rx! There is currently a FDA Black Box warning on this med for possible tendon rupture in various parts of the body, and many Class Action suits are ongoing. If you rupture a tendon, I suggest that you contact an attorney handling one of these suits ASAP (look up on the Web). There is a cut-off for accepting new clients for the suits. I took 5 days @ 750 mg. My legs also swoll so much to where the skin was very taught and painful. I couldn't move my knees. I was told that a doctor cannot help to counter the side affects! All they can do is take care of resulting damage, such as treating a tendon that has "burst." However, I found, through Drugs.com, information on several supplements that have greatly helped me.
I stayed off my legs for four days while I began taking the supplements; otherwise, from my swelling and pain level, I'm sure my tendon(s) would have ruptured. If you want a listing of supplements to take, and there are several, just let me know. Best wishes, C.E.
C.E.
21 June 2012
Nola99, I'm I going ahead and posting the supplement, etc., information, that will hopefully be of help.
In general, I talked with a pharmacist and he said that the affects of Levaquin can progress for up to one year or more. After that, if needed, you will probably be working with your doctor to repair any damage that may have been caused by the Levaquin.
I am not a medical professional, but I found sites that suggested that taking divided doses for the day of up to 8,000 mgs of vitamin C (there are 1,000 mg tablets available), 1,000 mgs of Tylenol (be sure to consider other medications that have Tylenol so that you don’t overdose on this), 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’s side effects. I also take 400 mgs. of Magnesium. For the “brain fog” caused by the Levaquin, I also take up to 3 Tbps.
of coconut oil over the day. (If this doesn’t help you, you may want to try Taurine which is a precursor to GABA.) The coconut oil can be used to cook with or eaten “straight.” This oil is showing promise for treatment of Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease at a higher dosage. Levaquin can also cause depression. I have now started taking Imipramine, an anti-depressant, which is helping considerably.
I am trying to take the least amount of vitamin C as I can to keep the pain away. I suggest drinking lots of water to cut down on acidity, etc. Ester C is less acidic.
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. In the first week+, I almost constantly used ice packs.
The above has helped me greatly, and my walking time has increased over time with lowered tiredness/pain. The grocery stores' electric carts have been a blessing. This information has truly helped me, and I hope it will help you as well.
Together, I know it seems like a lot of pills to take, but, since it helps to keep me out of pain, it is well worth it.
Also, as you improve, you can gradually walk more. As muscle strength can be affected by Levaquin, you may also want to gently increase overall strength training.
Take care, C.E.
Malindalang
16 July 2012
GO to a physician ASAP-the ? is will this physician believe in Levaquin toxicity? If not, move on and find one that does. This is a real thing, I have been floxed for over three yrs. and still live in pain. I have tried numerous things. My feet are still swollen to this day. I am so sorry you have to go through this. It is awful. You are in my prayers. Please, do you best to find a dr. that understands this or you will be pushed to the side and not believed. This is not really an antibiotic, it is really a chemo drug used as an antibiotic and it blasts the system. Facebook has a great support group with so many members. If you type in Levaquin or fluorquinolines you will find it. Many there help each other get through this and at times it can be overwhelming as too much advice is given. Please let us know how you are doing.
C.E.
25 Oct 2012
I am checking back to see how you are doing. Have you found something that has helped you (supplements, etc.)? C.E.
vincastle
11 July 2013
This is unbelievable. I still have swollen feet and took Levaquin for 6 days. Pain in every joint and even around eyes.Swelling in feet continues and I am frustrated. Still on some pain meds.
C.E.
11 July 2013
I read that Tylenol/Acetaminophen can destroy ones Glutathione that we apparently need to help us recover. Please research and see what you think.
Angel786
15 March 2014
I took Levafloxin for 10 days due to a chest infection. On the 7th day, I started getting pain and swelling around my right knee. I wonder if it will go away.
tjhampton1963
11 April 2017
I took Levaquin around Jan 1st of this year, it was a 7 day pill. Around the fourth day I could not put any weight on my legs. The symptoms have gotten better but after spending four months reading the serious side affects that other people have I am convinced that this drug should have been taken off the market. I am actually lucky I didn't have the swelling and other pain people have experienced. If I set for too long it takes me a while to get going. At night sometimes I have to put heating pad on my legs. This and the Gabapentin that was prescribed for me has helped me sleep but sometimes I do wake up with them hurting. I am at a loss as what to do. So far I have not read of anyone having difficulty with walking. I am a 54 yr. old Dental Assistant and with my job I need to be on my feet a lot and be able to move quickly if needed.
I don't know any of you but I feel for the ones that are really suffering with tendon damage, swelling, etc.
I would like to ask C.E. what supplements he/she took that help with the symptoms.
I wish you all the best and hope for recovery.
T.H.
I was just getting ready to send this and noticed that the one wrote by C.E. was dated 2012 and here it is 2017. So if anyone else has any advice please post.
sueziegenhorn
20 Sep 2017
What are the list of supplements to take? I went to the drugs.com website, but found nothing on this. My friend took a round of Levaquin and is suffering horribly even though she's been off the drug for two months now.
Drsmistake2011
13 Dec 2017
Can you please tell me what supplements you take? I’m miserable, and my pain management dr acts like this is just me.
Lisa Levin-Davidson
23 June 2018
Would You Be Willing To Provide Me With That List Of Supplements,The Name Brands That You Take And The Dosages Please?
I Ended Up In A Wheelchair For 2 Weeks , And I Fall All Of The Time After A Doctor On Call In The Hospital Ordered 750 MG Intravenously Of LEVAQUIN. I Was On It For 3 Days Until Another Doctor THANK GOD, Took Me Off Of It, Because No One Could Figure Out Why I Couldn’t Stand Up. (Not Even With Assistance.)
THIS DOCTOR KNEW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH C.E. AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR BEING SO WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP OTHERS WITH YOUR ADVICE,ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN .
kaismama
21 June 2012
Yes, I'd see my dr. That is a serious side effect and needs to be addressed.
balbanese
21 June 2012
I would say yes on seeing the Dr.
Related topics
levaquin, pain, side effect, swelling, knee
Further information
- Levaquin uses and safety info
- Levaquin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levaquin (detailed)
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