I had walking pneumonia at Thanksgiving and was prescribed levaquin. The next day I noticed soreness in calves. The soreness, in three days, developed into tendonitis in ankles and in shoulders. I had no idea that levaquin was causing this and took levaquin for the ten days prescribed. This has now caused me considerable pain and limited my mobility and activities for five months. It seems to be permanent and I am very angry.
I have levaquin-induced tendonitis. Is there anything that will help me?
Question posted by donpat123 on 24 April 2010
Last updated on 14 May 2023
This question has also been asked and answered here: How long does tendonitis last from taking Levaquin?
39 Answers Page 2
I just read the first question and response. In a way, the person who answered the question (with no heart, as described) is correct. At the time, there was NO RESEARCH to go by. No one could give you any answers. But, now , if you google your questions, you will have some good articles to read. How do I know? I've suffer from Nephropathy ( induced tendinitis) from the Drug, Levaquin. No pharmacist or Doctor is going to tell or warn you about this 6-14 years ago... because no one knew... at least most didn't. I had to go to a well know homeopathic doctor for help. Cost me 3K to find out information. First and foremost, get on a good probiotic... the more you help your immune system, the better you will feel. I also recommend a dietary enzyme to assist you in eliminating waste in the body ( the quicker you can do that, better you will fee). DO NOT EAT ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING. Those preservatives or NON FOOD fillers will cause you even more pain than you think.
Exercise. As painful as it sounds, daily stretching, yoga or Pilates helps over time ( 2 months to start feeling better). It really works, folks.
Take a B-complex... you energy is being depleted in many ways. MAGNESIUM; To help with leg cramps, bone health and muscles. Fish oil , Vitamin D, C and K. are taken daily as well.
I've had this happen to me and have been experiencing pain for 14 years! Imagine that! And NO DRUGS... imagine that even further. It's Awful, but there is no way in Hell that I will take ONE MORE "FDA APPROVED DRUG" ever again. So, I self manage my pain. Self medicating... Yes, I said it. Cannibas helps assist the pain management... lol, but don't be fooled. IT DOES NOT TAKE the pain away. IT just keeps you from complaining that much.
Eat Healthy. If you are over 50 ( mentalpause... lol) or if you don't own you're own hormones, you will need to get on a BIO IDENTICAL Hormone therapy. This means it is natural... but EXPENSIVE. It does help but it is just one of many combinations needed to be able to manage this pain. If you do this, I promise you , you could have up to 2 years FREE OF PAIN... like a remission of some sort. My pain free time lasted about 2 years and the pain came back. Why? like every other human, "I FELT BETTER SO I STOPPED". Yeah, don't do that. If and when you start feeling better, continue this method... because it WILL come back. Why? Because your cells are messed up now... and even the new cells that multiply are developed with the same molecular structure as the effected ones. They are all bad... so you are pretty much screwed.
Massages are great... just warn your masseur. AND , if you don't drink a lot of water afterwards, it will be like someone beat you up, later. I've spend everyday of my life, since this has happened to me, 14 years ago, researching, reading other peoples blogs and find those that have the same experiences as I do.
I just didn't come up with these things. Most came from my homeopathic doctor and others came from experienced Levaquin victims, like myself. What I'm most worried about is what will happen to me/us when I get older? I'm already 55. This is eating my muscles, pretty much and now, I have to go back into the gym to build them up. I've exercised my entire life... nothing new for me... but after my hysterectomy,I could swear I lost 35% of my strength/muscles. The pain got much worse without my ovaries. IT's been 6 years with no breaks from Pain. However, some months or weeks are better than others.
Finally, last food for thought: Do NOT GET STRESSED. This culprit will excellerate your pain. And that will take MONTHS to get over.
I hope this crazy rant finds someone to help. If anything, you are not the only person crying. I'm right there with ya!
Once you've discontinued the drug, start with gently getting back into your physical routine. Injured tendons need lots of time and slow introduction of load bearing activities to heal. Get a referral for physical therapy if you are seriously impaired or were not physically active before levaquin. You will need to do some light exercise to stimulate the regeneration of the tendon and a physical therapist with knowledge of the issue may be able to help you.
Hi Cthlos,
I am a month following 3 pills with tendon pains all over. Every time I exercise (even just walking) I find my knee or Achilles hurts again. what kinds of light exercise did you do to stimulate them? Should I continue light exercise even if it causes some tendon pain?
I have waited a month and quit my job to avoid strenuous activity. I used to do yoga and am afraid to get back into it, even if its gentle, because i get so inflammed sometimes with enlarged veins.
I took a 5 day course 500mg and in the third day my left arm around bicep shoulder area started to ache. It is now 6 days and it isn’t any better at first I thought I might’ve slept funny but I would think it would be better by now if that was the case when I told my doctor I was afraid to take this drug because of what I read he pooh-poohed it he said the side effects are rare now I’m wondering how long I’m going to have this pain and what I should do about it if anything it’s really scary .
Sadly from all my research, which has been a lot, it seems that each person responds differently. Some recover quickly, some never seem to recover. My husband took it for about 4 days and the tendonitis was so terrible he was incapacitated. We have our own business, and he could not work it... no one gave a damn, and I still had to find a way to pay bills. Waiting 10 years to settle a lawsuit is no answer. It has been over a year, and my husband gets brief periods where the tendonitis settles down. It always comes back, and he has been left with a noticeable limp. I suspect he will never fully recover. I don't know of any answer, and the doctors tell us therapy may make it worst, and steroids will make it worst. They say rest might help. The worst thing is that the Levaquin did not get rid of his problem, a UTI. They switched to Doxycycline and it promptly went away.
I took a week long course of cipro for a UTI about a month ago. On the last day of treatment I woke up and could barely walk with pains in my knees and ankles. I went back to the doctor and he put me on steroids and nsaids. My condition only got worse. A week later Dr tested me for arthritis and put me on arthrotec (a NSAID for arthritis). Tests came back negative for arthritis. After searching through many boards and medical websites I thought I may have cipro toxicity induced tendinitis. Finally Dr. has agreed that it’s likely that is the culprit. He scheduled a MRI and gave me tramadol for the pain. The tramadol helps some but it is still a struggle to walk most days.
I’m one month into this nightmare. Just hoping it gets better eventually.
JarrodR,
You must get some magnesium into you as soon as possible, cipro leaches magnesium out of the cells. Any kind will do except oxide, not absorbable. Take up to 1000mg a day in divided doses. Take it until you start to get loose stools then you can back off a bit. Do not take steroids or nsaids they are the worst thing for you now and could make matters worse. Look at the web floxie hope, and the levaquin solution web site. Tons of info for you there. This is a marathon not a sprint. Also look at fluroquine facebook. Act now and you have a good chance. Most Doctors do not know or understand what to do for fluroquine toxicity. I am 3 years in with damage from cipro, but am recovering now. Please, please follow my advice and do your research.
There is no evidence that magnesium has anything to do with this recommending megadoses of this mineral is not safe.
Dr. Boisen
There has been plenty of research on how magnesium is leached from the cells after fluroquinolones and quinolones are taken. If you are interested you can find these research papers and much more on floxiehope. Athletes and the older generation are particularly at risk.
I was on approx. 4 weeks of a 6 week prescription Levaquin for staph infection of total hip replacement. I was.on it for approximately 4 weeks when I started to have severe bilateral shoulder pain. I saw my infectious disease doctor worried that this was more than overuse of the walker. Medication was stopped and a new antibiotic started. I had been having ongoing hip pain which was thought to be inflammation from the 2nd surgery (irrigation and debridement of prosthesis and replacement of plastic liner. Both my surgeon and infectious disease doctors were concerned that I had lingering infection. I underwent an aspiration which was negative. I then tried 7+ weeks of PT which did nothing to alleviate the pain. Underwent a 2nd aspiration which was also negative. Today it struck me that this could be tendonitis of hip due to Levaquin! My pain is worse than before my first surgery. I am due to see my surgeon next week
and am going to request an MRI. Will tendon issues always show up on MRI? I'm so done with this pain!
Magnesium, vit c, coq10, vitd3, multivitamin, also ozone autohemotherapy, HBD oil, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. All these have helped me on the path to healing. Others have said IV's of multivitamins, and glutathione have helped. There is no one cure and everyone is different, it's really trial and error. It also seems to be cyclical, so relapse's seem a constant occurance. It is best to think in terms of years for healing rather than months. I am three years in but greatly improved.
Unfortunately I have HAD to be on Levaquin off and on for years. I have had 4 sinus surgeries and Levaquin is the only drug that will help. I too, irrigate my sinuses daily. Years before the black box warning, I thought I had injured my shoulder playing ball with my son. Got physical therapy which only made things worse. I finally quit work and did not have sinus infection for 5 years, until recently. Levaquin prescribed again... guess what... yep, shoulder pain started back. I have now had to have 5 oral doses and a stay in the hospital due to sinus infection causing bronchitis and exacerbation of asthma. Also had IV steroids. After six months of being off medication I began noticing improvement in joint, tendon pain and fatigue.
But have had to get another dose and now my whole body hurts! But what can you do when you have tried; vitamins, herbs, all home and natural remedies that you can research but nothing helps the pain but you need the medication to live. I didn't read Kari Knox's book but I read the things she recommended that helped her. I guess it would probably help, but can't afford that much stuff on a fixed income.
I am so sorry about all of your illnesses. I hate to tell you, but every time you take a fluoroquinolone you increase the damage in your body, which is usually permanent. Each round creates more weakness in the tendons and connective tissue. I realize your doc believe you must be on the med, and perhaps you must be, but please understand that every time you take it, you are compromising your health. I have read on the Internet a few cases where people continued this round treatment and ended up permanently bedridden. I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but it's important to be fully informed.
There's no other antibiotic (e.g. from the penicillin family, tetracycline family, etc) that you can take instead of fluoroquinlones? Are you allergic to every other antibiotic besides fluoroquinolones? If not, then stop taking fluoroquinolones immediately. Like the poster before me said, these toxic drugs build up in your system and can and will cause permanent, irreversible damage if you keep taking them. Your doctor claiming that they're the only antibiotics you can take is a load of steaming bullsh*t. There are numerous other, safer antibiotics out there you can switch to.
I took ciprofloxacin for 5 days for a bladder infection. On the last day I started having very sore knees. I was aware of the possible side effects from the literature. I have been off the med about 10 days and my knee issues are still with me. My Dr. and her nurse more or less "blew me off" so today I consulted a pharmacist. She told me 69% of those with side effects develop tendonitis. Pretty sure that's what is going on. She said REST, ice, anti-inflammatory drugs. Hoping it will resolve. I will be educating my Dr. on Monday.
Absolutely no anti inflammatory drugs! They exacerbate the symptoms.. All nsaids should be avoided.. Also steroid injections. Several different doctors told me to take Ibuprofen for the swelling but I never had any swelling.. They don't seem to know anything about this.. It's not like a sports injury at all.. Magnesium depletion from the joints and tendons is what causes the pain I believe.. I was unable to walk without crutches for a few weeks with my achilles.. Now I am back to work five months later with little pain.. Sometimes quite painful in the mornings.. I used magnesium creams and Epsom salt baths which I think helped.. Time is the answer I think.. All the best..
I took two rounds of Cipro 8 years ago for 2 UTIs. Shortly thereafter I developed severe tendonitis which has never gone away. Anyone else a long-term sufferer?
I am inquiring about Daveacoustic warning about NSAIDs because all the sites that ive been on suggests anti inflammatories so I'm concerned and confused because I've been taking it twice now stong doses and i really can't afford for it to exacerbate the symptoms cause I'm in agony and can't walk.
I've heard people got help with Isotonix OPC-3 (an antioxidant formula that contains pycnogenol), Bromelaine Plus (also contains white willow bark), and Prime Joint Support Formula (has glucosamine and hyaluronic acid). Take 2 caps of each every 4 hours. Also take Heart Health Essential Omega III, and Curcumin Extreme.
I wouldn't take NSAIDs. I resorted to Tumeric, which I bought at Costco, and Magnesium. These have helped a lot but I still have the problems. I believe my tendonitis is permanent. But the supplements help me deal with it. Acupuncture helps and regular massage. Hope this helps.
I am also took Levaquin for 4 days and start having excruciating pain in my knees. It looks to me like palletal Tendonitis. It is like a month since I stopped taking Levaquin.
Sometimes, I feel like the pain is beside my knees. Do you think it is also caused by Levaquin?
I took Levofloxcin 500mg twice a day for 9 days. I started having sore ankle, then I immediately stopped. After I stopped I staring having sore knees and I was struggling to walk.
One of my friend suggested to go in green juice diet for 2 days which could possibly remove any toxicins that is causing the pain and inflammation. I took the following measures:
1. Stayed on green juice diet for 2 days.
2. I underwent 3 colonic hydrotherapy(once a week) which includes coffee enema.
3. Hot and ice cold water shower for the whole body. (Concentrating more on my legs)
4. Anti inflammatory (Naproxin) for 3 days.
5. Vegan diet for a week.
6. Always start of with green juice in the morning.
7. Avoided red meat, egg and milk products.
8. Took some rest
By sticking to the above routine my pain have totally faded away in 30 days time. Although I am not 100% now(my muscles feels slightly weak), I am sure I will get normal soon.
BTW I am a non-smoker and I used to have occasional pint which I stopped as well. I also gave up sugar a year ago. So worth considering these things as well.
Hope this will help someone.
All these colonics and spice recommendations is nonsense. There can be some improvement. If it’s only been days, many people recover completely. Those with months of Pain likely never will, unless how this is happening is figured out.
Dr 555's recommendation that, if you only took Cipro or Levo for days then the problem will resolve itself, is complete nonsense. Yes, I appreciate he is a trained doctor and feels he knows best but Fluoroquinlone Toxicity is an area that very few physicians know anything about as it doesn't fit any of the regular moulds.
if you are affected by Cipro, Levaquin (Lecofloxacin), Avelox (Moxifloxacin) or Ofloxacin you should NOT take NSAIDs or steroids as these very often will make things very much worse (yes, academics papers have been published about this and yes, Google will lead you to them).
You should rest as much as possible and not try to exercise through the pain, although some have found that keeping active does help. Know your body and stop as soon as you feel something is wrong as you may tear or rupture a tendon.
Do read about and take supplements such as magnesium and other essential minerals because the FQ chelates (hi-jacks) these minerals from your cells which means your metabolism goes very wrong. Many sufferers swear by soaking in a bath with Epsom salts but others say it makes things worse so try it with caution (just a handful for a few minutes) until you are sure it helps you.
A clean diet with no junk or booze will help your liver try and deal with this poison (although your liver cells will have been damaged!).
Please try to educate your doctors. In the USA, the FDA have already stated (in 2016) that this is a recognised syndrome (FQAD) and have issued two further updates since then. Make sure your doc (and Dr 555) is aware of this.
In the EU we are trailing behind but the EMA will hopefully announce their decision in line with the FDA next month.
This illness/syndrome/whatever is caused by a licenced medication handed out by doctors. They say you should have read the warnings but most of them don't take the warnings seriously! They can't cure it and the majority have no idea about how it damages just about every part of you. The people that do fully recover are few and far between yet your doctor will happily let you take it as he's never heard of anyone being affected. Tell your doctor that the effects are cumulative and those millions of people who have taken one or more courses without problems might only need just one more tablet to reach their tolerance threshold. Don't risk it.
I took Levaquin in mid-March began to have issues with pain in right ankle & bottom of foot. I thought it was related to an injury I suffered years ago & the resulting bone spurs. Pain got so bad I was walking with a cane. Went to Orthopedic urgent care yesterday & diagnosed with strained tendons on both sides of ankles. Now in knee high walking boot. Will see my surgeon in two weeks. Decided to see if connected to Levaquin. I was told by primary that ruptured tendons could occur, never anything about tendonitis. Even yesterday at urgent care I mentioned having been on Levaquin, and the PA said that would only be ruptured tendons not tendinitis. So even medical professionals don't realize the potential Side effects from this. I'm glad I found this site just sorry so many of you have had similar experience to me.
It is unfortunate. I an an ER Physician and I remember the original warning in 2006 was just for Achilles tendon rupture. I didn’t even pay attention to it until a few years ago, when the repeated warnings came out. I think what you have maybe simple localized tendinitis of the ankles, however. I hope so anyway. I got this problem in 2008 and it consists of widespread severe tendonopathies – as in about 25 of the major tendons of the body. It’s crippling-and worse that the patient is not believed.
I took levaquin for a sinus infection. My heel started hurting then. I didn't make the connection. I went to my new doctor who said it could be antibiotic complication. It all makes sense now. My right arm keep tingling too. Luckily not painful yet. Now what?
I was in a panic myself. My wife saw the warnings on the package but I ignored her. After only 2 doses both my calfs partially tore. I discontinued immediately because of the warning. I really feel for the people who kept taking the drug unaware that it was the cause of their pain. I was teetering on the edge of a full rupture for days. All I could do was creep around. I could not push up on my toes.
I had visions of months of disability. I went to a sports Medecin doctor - he said he sees a case a month of Levaquin poisoning - but there is nothing except time that will help. I kept going on the treadmill - gradually increasing my speed. Some recommend complete rest - I feel in my case trying to remain active helped flush my system out.
After a month I was back to normal.. Whew!
Jim
I too had a bad reaction to levaquin. After 2 days, my rotator cuff developed a tear and my achilles tendon was very painful. I spent about 9 months in physical therapy. I also had a PRP injection ( not covered by insurance and so it is expensive. After about 9 months my shoulder and tendon had improved. However today after playing a game of tennis my other achilles became very sore and painful. I will try to rehab it using the exercises I was taught in physical therapy. These types of antibiotics are awful and should only be used as a last resort.
I have been on Cipro low dose for the past YEAR for Crohn's. I am 51 and have severe tennis elbow, shoulder pain, balance issues, wrist/finger pain. I am mad because I talked my gastro Dr into allowing me to take it this long. I hope the damage I have done to myself is not permanent. I have taken my last pill today after reading many articles. Anyone with good news of recovery after joint pain? Will it get better with time?
Doubt you have Cipro effects. The tendonopathies are widespread, severe, and usually permanent. Your Gastro doctor has limited choices. Is not that doctors are trying to hurt you. There isn’t a perfect medicine for everything.
I am astounded by the ignorance of the doctors comments. I suggest he does a little research and he might learn something. There is so much evidence out there now that fluroquinolones do damage at the cellular level causing a multitude of serious health problems. They don't only damage tendons. These drugs pass the blood brain barrier. If this doctor stopped being so defensive of other doctors and understood that people just want help, which they aren't getting.
This is really horrible, I took two weeks of Ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily.. Half way through had horrific chest pains, Xrays showed nothing.. 2 weeks after finishing the drug my right arm seized up and was very painful.. Now over the last 3 days my achilles tendon is absolute agony, cannot move my foot.. Cannot get comfortable at all.. Have seen a really good Chiropractor I know and he was horrified reading about this. I already have stomach problems as well.. Really didn't want this, would have been nice to be warned as I now cannot work and do not get sick pay. Feel sorry for all others effected..
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- Levaquin uses and safety info
- Levaquin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levaquin (detailed)
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