I have taken it before for pneumonia and was on it for 30 days with no problem. I only have three more days but my arms and shoulders are killing me. Will this go away when I finish the Medicine?
Has anyone else had severe shoulder pain and stiffness from taking Levaquin ?
Question posted by Sambone1 on 7 March 2012
Last updated on 4 February 2022 by NotafriendofL
9 Answers
NotafriendofL
4 Feb 2022
Was prescribed years ago; experienced terrible hallucinations and nerve damage on right side neck, shoulder, arm. Wicked stuff.
patsy oliver
19 Feb 2018
yes I have and in my leg two, took it for 5 days. If I knew this would happen I wouldn't have took it. I guess I will learn to read up on all med. From what I have read you will all ways have the pain and it could get worst. As for my doctor I don't know.
webdeb
17 Dec 2017
I see you posted this question in 2012. I hope your pains are gone. I am 66yrs yrs and took 4 levofloxacin pills in march 2016 after having a tooth pulled. It is now 12/2017 and I have never had relief from the pains that began very quickly afterwards in my joints & tendons. Both my achilles tendons tore a few weeks after taking the 4 pills too. I have had constant shoulder pains for about the last 3+months and my hips, knees and wrists all have daily pains too. I know the pains are from levofloxacin as it is the same pains that began when I 1st took the pills. The Drs, even my Rhuematologist, dont think levoflixacin side effects last this long. Ive been told by Drs that no research has really been done on long term side effects from this drug, so in reality no one knows for sure. Has anyone found a Dr that knows alot about these side effects? Debbie
lauriethiels
14 Sep 2017
I had two six week rounds or Levoquin via pic-line last year for a serious bone infection. My last round was a year ago and I am still having horrible shoulder and wrist pain. So far, I have had to have tendons repaired in both wrists. I am trying to avoid shoulder surgery but feel it is inevitable. The pain is not getting any better and was diagnosed as having severe tendinitis in my shoulders. While I am glad to have my life, I wish I had been warned of the side effects of Levoquin. My only hopes is that they are not permanent.
sydneyjane
2 March 2015
I got shoulder pain from Levofloxacin, which is the same as Levaquin, I think. Boy, I wish I had read up on this drug before taking it. A doctor at an urgent care center gave it to me for bronchitis. 10 days, 500mg per day. On the 9th day, I got really bad shoulder pain. It's about 8 days later and it's not as bad as it was, but it still hurts when I move the shoulder, especially when I try to do things like put on my seat belt. I asked my doc for an MRI, just to make sure nothing is torn. Still, I told my doctor to add this drug to my list of allergies so that I never have to take it again. I hope this pain doesn't last, but I've read in other places where people have pain for weeks, months, even years. It's supposedly a rare side effect.
briantravis1004
3 March 2015
I would get to my own dr. or go to an orthopedic dr. They will be able to tell the pain and if there is any damage. I can not tell you if the pain will go away. Because I suffer with it all the time since I took the meds in April of 2008. I have to use pain patches that is name Lidocaine 5% patch, you can put on up to 3 at a time and only on for 12 hours on and 12 hours off.
sydneyjane
4 March 2015
Yeah, I saw my own doctor and she scheduled my MRI for tomorrow, so we'll see what happens. She doesn't seem to know much more than I do, so I probably will wind up having to see a specialist. Not much pain today, but that's only because I tried not to move my shoulder too much. But, then a new pain has come along - kind of sharp pain in my left bicep that lasts about a second and then goes away.
Jay the mailman
1 Jan 2019
Sydney how dis you make out?
sydneyjane
1 Jan 2019
I know it's been a few years since I initially responded, but I just wanted to report that my shoulder pain eventually went away. My mri showed there was a tear and the doctor recommended surgery, but a few months later my shoulder was fine and I have full range of motion again. I did some strength training so I'm not sure if that helped. Although, the doctor says I may still get arthritis in that shoulder when I am older.
triciajay
2 Aug 2013
My shoulder pain started yesterday, within 24 hours of taking the last pill of a 10 day regimen. First, the right shoulder, then within a few hours the left one also. It hurt to lift my arms. Still sore today, but a little less. Still some tightness in muscles in both arms.
briantravis1004
17 July 2012
I feel that taking the Levaquin and Predsinone together was the cause of both of my rotator cuffs to tear. I was thinking of having surgery but I have polymysitis and that causes the muscles to be weak and tear. My wife, my nurse and I feel it my not be worth the pain and rehab time.
Brian Travis
in God Speed
beejenigma
16 July 2012
I had no idea why I could not turn onto my right shoulder until I realized that it was not just my achilles that was due to the levaquin poisoning. It is my right thumb, hand, wrist, elbow, collarbone and shoulder! I also have a problem with my left knee and my neck on both sides! I haven't taken it since Jan and some of these problems are just now getting to be severe! This is insane! I am going to a new doc on Wed and I will not leave until I have someone taking this seriously. I am now walking my dogs with a hiking pole to alleviate the pain in my left ankle and knee but it is blowing out my right shoulder more due to holding the leashes in that hand so now I had to switch to the other side. This is just nuts!
Malindalang
16 July 2012
Levaquin is a drug that should be taken off the market. It is actually a chemo drug used for treatment for things it should not be. SInce I have been floxed, that is what you call it when you have a reaction to Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox, and a few others, my life has been ruined. On the third day, I was couch bound, screaming in pain, unable to eat, open eyes, noise sensitivity to even whispering, nausea, pain throughout my ENTIRE body, insomnia, muscle twitches and jumps all over my body, tendonitis, neuropathy, weight loss in the first two years, and then huge weight gain in two months with no answers. The pain was so severe, I could not walk, I had to have 24 hour care from a friend that was laid off from her job. I developed carpel tunnel in one day--yes-one day, my headache lasted for months, my stomach hurt, I had chest pain, and later followed depression and depersonalization.
I took this drug for a sinus infection on April 17, 2009 and by the 20th I could not move and the pain was there no matter what... I cried, deep breathed, screamed, I thought I was dying and no one knew why. I lost my teaching position which was only 8 months away from retirement eligibility, this drug has ruined so many lives. If I only knew, if I only knew. I pray for my life back. I have tried all sorts of things from supplements, to glutethion, the treatment for arthiritis even though it was neg, treatment for Lyme even thought that was neg. two times after paying $800 out of pocket for the only reliable test in Calf. Dr. that are aware of this side effects are very sympathic, but finding one is very hard. My drs. have been great. They have researched this drug and learned from me, through their readings how deadly this drug is and no one can be sure what is permanent and what is not. I still can not do much. Mostly just small things. I used to exercise 6 days a week and loved my job. I miss my life. Please, do what you can to see if you can find a dr. that KNOWS of this drugs and the side effects or your time is useless and not one test will show a thing accept, perhaps. auto immune now. I pray that your symptom stays to just your shoulder, but please, do not life to let anything pull on your arm as to rip the tendon as that is what sounds like is going on. THere is a lot of information on line if you look up Levaquin patient stories, or go to facebook and go the wall of pain or the wall of pain. I am not trying to scare you, although I am sure this does. But I want you to get to this right away. TOMORROW is best. Finding a neurologist or pain dr. that knows of this is best. I have tried so much in these three years from the glut. ,to Ozone therapy, to accup., to Bicillin shots in the butt, to going to the Fibro Clinic in Norwalk once a week, lying in the back seat of the car crying with every turn it hurt so bad. Yes, I am a bit better but no even close to how I felt before being floxed and the count of us if large. Over 200,000 just reported, that does not include those that are misdiagnosed with other things like Fibro. PLEASE do you research so you can follow your symptoms if any arise. I am praying for your healing... I mean that... I do not want my anyone to feel this pain. It is not tolerable and several people have committed suicide due to not being able to handle the pain. I am glad that so far you only feel your shoulder. Please, lord, let it be no more. Please go to face book and type in the Fluorquinolones and read up. Face book wall of pain and press the pictures for their stories, and just type in Levaquin patient stories. You are not alone in this battle. We, also, have a site that sells shirts and sweatshirts to raise money for research, we have a man that is floxed that bought stock in the company just to go to the metting to tell how this ruined his life,,, he goes when he can walk. For some, the side effects are minor, for others-deadly. Warn your family and all you know. This drug is the first thing that hospitals give out. The pharm. com. pushes on the sale of this drug. THe man that bought stock knows this as he was a pharm rep. selling these drugs and knew nothing about the side effect. It is now a black box label drug. My story is not the uncommon one, it is the common one as you will read in your research.
If you do not find a dr. that knows of the reaction, they will push you aside like it is not the meds... and IT IS... IT REALLY IS... I want you to heal. There are so many things people will tell you to try from magnesium to vit. c, d, b and milk thislte. THere is yet no clear answer as why some get better and most suffer. Hard to figure out. I am still searching for help as I will not give up to get better. Please, any new symptoms, find that RIGHT dr, and go right away. IT is so important. I am sorry if this scares you but it is all truthful and as I write this my hands are hurting on fire, my feet are hurting on fire, I have a headache, my eyes are foggy, my back, neck and shoulders hurt, and my stomach hurts. You name the test--I have had it from spinals, to EMGs, to scoping, 28 vials of blood at one time more than once, CAT scans, MRIs, and so much more. Still nothing shows but my feel swell, I have veins popping out, I cannot move in the mornings for hours, and life it a battle to beat this. Stay VERY strong, do not give up, fight this with all your faith, and heal. ANd proceed with caution with the drs. that do not understand. Walk away and find another. I wish you healing and health quickly.
Malinda
Jay the mailman
1 Jan 2019
How did you make out? I started January 2018 and it started in right forearm. Then left shoulder, right shoulder and now the pain is severe. Losing sleep.
Taller
7 March 2012
Levaquin is known for causing joint pain. Of course not everyone will experience this. I, however did. I would call your doctor and tell him/her what's going on. With three days left they may have you just stop it, so as not to cause further damage. In my case it took several months for my joint pain and swelling to subside. During that time my pain varied quite a bit. Sometimes it wouldn't be that bad and other times were terrible. I'm sorry you are going through this. Sincerely-Taller
Sambone1
8 March 2012
Thank you very much for your quick and careing response to my question about Levaquin. Will call my doctor. The pain is pretty bad and sure hope it goes away.
Taller
8 March 2012
You're welcome. I hope you feel better more quickly than I did. Good luck to you. Sincerely-Taller
Jay the mailman
1 Jan 2019
Taller, did your symptoms subside? Been a year now for me...
Related topics
levaquin, pain, pneumonia, medicine
Further information
- Levaquin uses and safety info
- Levaquin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levaquin (detailed)
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