Serrana, How long did it take for you to notice real improvement after the Levaquin side effects? I am beginning to wonder if this is ever going to get better. I have zero energy and face going back to work this week. I'm more than a little scared.
He should have, its his job. All the consultation rooms etc aren't marketing. He needs held accountable IMO.
Byrd Feeder said:
By the way, my CVS pharmacist said it would all go away when I stopped the med. he knows nothing about levaquin toxicity, which probably answers why the pharmacist didn't question the script.
This is why I switched to a mom and pop style pharmacy. They are getting harder and harder to find, but your search for a pharmacist should be jaut as important as your search for a rheumatologist or any other practitioner, for that matter. My pharmacist knows my name, my conditions,a md actually counsels me with each med I am prescribed. He has caught errors in prescribing and once stopped me from taking a drug that I was already taking in 2 other forms already.
FWIW a PharmD program is FOUR years after undergrad. One can enter pharmacy school after 2 years of college but most don't (same as an OD or MD) and then a min of 42 weeks of rotation. Medical School is slightly longer with more practice. A doc can enter general practice with the same level of education and only 10 weeks longer practicum. Things are a bit convoluted these days but in a technical sense a pharmacist signs off a docs prescriptions in terms of saftey, interactions etc etc. Docs dispensing free samples is rapidly becoming a non event.
Grumpy is very correct. You don't pick one based on where he works. As an aside because of their responsibility, many make more money than your Rheumy.
TYPO ALERT!
"a md actually counsels me with each med....."
SHOULD READ:
"and actually counsels me with each med......." Sorry for the confusion!
Damned auto-correct got me.
Auto correct and I have a long-standing feud!
Bad heel pain today. Wondering if this is the beginning of an Achilles problem. Can't seem to find any information except that it's different for each patient. Not much help there. Keep your fingers crossed for me that they don't rupture.
Fingers crossed! Frustrating, isn’t it, trying to figure out what’s going on when the symptomm is the same as what might happen with PsA.
Let us know how things go!
Talk to your doc about plantar faciitis. I had horrible heel pain for months before I brought it up to both my rheumy and GP. They both immediately said plantar faciitis. Hurts like crazy, but is easily fixable. Buy some decent orthotics (Dr Scholls makes some decent ones that won't cost an arm and a leg), and do stretching exercises that will gently stretch out those tendons. A lot of runners get this thing, so I just did runner warm-up exercises and it seemed to work.
Hi Wolf,
Yes, it does feel much like plantar fasciitis, which I have had many times. I use orthotics, and usually they help a great deal. I suppose it is in my favor that I keep those tendons stretched. It just seems like nothing is helping right now. So much of what is happening is similar to what I've already experienced from PsA, and, as Seenie says, that is part of my frustration. I keep wondering if my symptoms are more of the usual or are related to the Levaquin toxicity. Sometimes my heels feel like they are on fire, but it goes away only to return a few hours later. This also is happening in my biceps tendons and in the muscles of my neck and upper back.
I appreciate your answering my question and thank you for your suggestions. I can use all the help I can get right now.
Thanks for the pep talk, Seenie. You're a pal!
I'm so sorry you are dealing with all of this. Just doesn't seem fair, does it?!? Its not enough that we are in so much pain on a daily basis...not to mention (at least in my case) the fingers and wrists not working right...or the back muscles. Or fill in the blank. To have levaquin toxicity on top of it all is just...well I don't even have words. I'm sending warm fuzzies your way, and hope you find some resolution to it all really really really soon.
It's very hard sometimes to separate what's caused by PsA, what's "normal aging" process and what is a complication from something else. However what I am told many times by my various specialists is that there are times where the reason is not clear, but the treatment usually is. In November 2102, I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff as well as a torn bicep. The rotator cuff was repaired by suturing through an arthroscope incision. The torn bicep was done with an open incision, the bicep was removed from the insertion site, and repositioned /anchored through a hole drilled in my humerus bone. As my surgeon said ( after I must have asked him 100 times !), there could be numerous causes, but he could not say definitively it was the PsA, but as long as the repairs work that's what counts ! I had been treated for plantar fasciitis over two years before the ortho foot and ankle specialist said surgery was the only option left. So again surgery ( 6 months after the RTC and bicep) There was a tear but the surgeon would not confirm if PsA was the culprit or not. I know if you are like me you want the answers in black and white, yet too many times we have to accept the gray answers. It's hard to do, yet I'm finally starting to accept this fact, otherwise I will make myself nuttier than I already am ! HANG IN THERE everyone. "When you are at the end of your rope, tie another knot"! I think we all likely have more knots than rope :0)
Hi Babs, and thanks for your words of encouragement. I agree that many times it doesn’t matter what is causing the symptoms we get so frequently. Most often, treatment protocols are the same no matter what is causing these issues. Unfortunately, it matters a great deal if my symptoms are caused by the Levaquin toxicity I am experiencing these days. If they are a result of my reaction to the drug, treating them with the usual anti-inflammatories and/or aggressive physical therapy is contraindicated. It’s so hard to know what to do. At any rate, you are right that tying another knot in the rope is always a good response!
I found this site while researching the effects of Levaquin. I also have PsA and was prescribed a generic form of this after two rounds of Z-pak didn't kill off the the infection so was give the "big brother"which I took for 4 days. The side effects are disabling and troubling. I commiserate with you and am trying to be positive. My doctor understands but there isn't much he can do for me. I've started some supplements and am trying to flush this out of my system. A little relief but I hear it can go on for quite a long time. Thanks for your post, I think it's interesting we both have PsA as well.
Mine felt that way too but didn't rupture. I don't know if that is permanent blessing or just a wave. I'm using crutches and a walker but staying off my feet as much as possible using ice and heat. The doc gave me an ointment that I can rub on the affected areas that is a topical anti-inflammatory. I can't say it will help you but it does me a little good. It's Voltaren.
Byrd Feeder said:
Auto correct and I have a long-standing feud!
Bad heel pain today. Wondering if this is the beginning of an Achilles problem. Can't seem to find any information except that it's different for each patient. Not much help there. Keep your fingers crossed for me that they don't rupture.
Hi 4real, and welcome to the forum! I’m sorry you are dealing with the effects of Levaquin toxicity. It surely isn’t a walk in the spring rain. I was floxed about five weeks ago with generic Levaquin, and it has been one of the most frightening rides I’ve ever been on. Like yours, my GP is very concerned and sympathetic, but has nothing to offer but time. It’s so hard to know how to respond to these side FX. The usual things we would turn to seem to make the situation even worse for many.
My doc gave me Voltaren, as well as a topical steroid. But I’ve been a bit afraid to use these because systemic anti-inflammatories have been shown to increase problems. Since Voltaren and topical steroids both are absorbed through the skin, I was reluctant to try them. But since you report some success, I will try the Voltaren.
Surprisingly, the thing I seem to get the most relief from is Epsom salt baths. One theory says the toxicity results when the drug depletes magnesium. Since Epsom salts are absorbed through the skin, I thought I’d give it a shot, and it does seem to help. It is very drying to my skin, so I’m pouring on lotions in an effort not to cause a psoriasis flare. I’m also taking a vitamin b complex, and vitamin c. I did try Coenzyme Q10, but I found it increased insomnia, so I have discontinued it for now. Because I also have Crohn’s disease, I haven’t used oral magnesium. I’m using orthotic inserts and trying to stay off my feet as much as possible. I return to work, teaching, tomorrow, and am considering a walker. I’m waiting to see if I will need it. I teach part-time.
Symptoms I have had since being floxed are multiple sites of tendinitis, (biceps, achilles, and thumbs), neck and upper back muscle pain, visual disturbances (floaters and wavy lines), insomnia and memory problems. In the beginning, I had a major flare of skin psoriasis. So far, I seem to have escaped neuropathy.
How long have you been experiencing this? What symptoms are you having?
I’m so sorry you are going through this.
Thank you for sharing. I'm a week out and am also experiences multiple sites of tendonitis, headache, insomnia, nausea. Some things seem a little better then worsen again. I too am taking some supplements, also something called liquid Zeolite that detoxifies. It seems some supplements are okay and some make it worse; I'm still trying to pin-point the cause/effect. I think I too have escaped neuropathy, but am concerned as some symptoms seem to occur in stages. I thought at first this would be over in a few days and now am beginning to understand the long range effects I may have to face. Fortunately the worst parts come and go. I experience some relief from my hot tub, but as of today am having electrical problems and the hot tub is one of the areas that doesn't work, and it's Sunday, of course. At least my computer is okay, for now... :-)
I'm not sure about my methotrexate dosage I usually take on Sundays. I don't know it will antagonize my condition or not. I'd hate to have a psoriasis outbreak too.
I'm sorry you are going through this too, and I'm also grateful that you posted, I don't feel so alone with my situation. I hope you will continue to share and remain hopeful this is temporary even if it is extreme and debilitating at present.
I've had a job for twenty years that I have partially done from home because of PsA. Now I'm not able to walk or go into work. I think I need to go on partial disability and have called my boss to see where he wants to go with this. It's a very small company and no one else does any part of my job. I'm 68 so it would have come eventually I suppose, but I can't keep this up and I don't want the company to suffer. I haven't heard back from him yet... Are you working?
Byrd Feeder said:
Hi 4real, and welcome to the forum! I'm sorry you are dealing with the effects of Levaquin toxicity. It surely isn't a walk in the spring rain. I was flexed about five weeks ago with generic Levaquin, and it has been one of the most frightening rides I've ever been on. Like yours, my GP is very concerned and sympathetic, but has nothing to offer but time. It's so hard to know how to respond to these side FX. The usual things we would turn to seem to make the situation even worse for many.
My doc gave me Voltaren, as well as a topical steroid. But I've been a bit afraid to use these because systemic anti-inflammatories have been shown to increase problems. Since Voltaren and topical steroids both are absorbed through the skin, I was reluctant to try them. But since you report some success, I will try the Voltaren.
Surprisingly, the thing I seem to get the most relief from is Epsom salt baths. One theory says the toxicity results when the drug depletes magnesium. Since Epsom salts are absorbed through the skin, I thought I'd give it a shot, and it does seem to help. It is very drying to my skin, so I'm pouring on lotions in an effort not to cause a psoriasis flare. I'm also taking a vitamin b complex, and vitamin c. I did try Coenzyme Q10, but I found it increased insomnia, so I have discontinued it for now. I'm using orthotic inserts and trying to stay off my feet as much as possible. I return to work, teaching, tomorrow, and am considering a walker.
Symptoms I have had since being flexed are multiple sites of tendinitis, (biceps, achilles, and thumbs), neck and upper back muscle pain, visual disturbances (floaters and wavy lines), insomnia and memory problems. In the beginning, I had a major flare of skin psoriasis.
So far, I seem to have escaped neuropathy.
How long have you been experiencing this? What symptoms are you having?
I'm so sorry you are going through this.
It’s nice to meet you, too. It’s hard to describe how I felt when I first found out about this toxicity. I think I really didn’t believe it. How could an antibiotic cause something so awful? Like you, I am all to aware now that this is very real. The scariest part for me is that this won’t follow a normal recovery curve. Apparently you can feel fine and still experience tendon rupture for months following exposure to Levaquin.
I was scared to take my MTX, too, but my rheumy said to stay on it. I have not noticed any new problems as a result of taking methotrexate. I also did not want to deal with a PsA flare on top of this.
I am able to work only part-time because of PsA. I teach college classes. It’s interesting, though, that I was an accountant for 20 years. I understand when you say no one else at work can do any part of your job! But taking care of yourself has to be your priority. If your system is over stressed, it sets up an opportunity for the PsA to flare.
I should have included fatigue in my list of symptoms. I tire quickly since being floxed.
I agree that it helps to talk to someone else who is experiencing this. I am so glad to meet you. Please stay in touch, and feel free to message me with questions or for support, or even if you hear of a good book. 
People do get better.
Thanks for the tip on the methotrexate. The tendons that are sore like nurturing. If someone could rub your feet, Achilles, it does help. Ice cups when it's bad on the underside of feet. I'll stay in touch.
Byrd Feeder said:
It's nice to meet you, too. It's hard to describe how I felt when I first found out about this toxicity. I think I really didn't believe it. How could an antibiotic cause something so awful? Like you, I am all to aware now that this is very real. The scariest part for me is that this won't follow a normal recovery curve. Apparently you can feel fine and still experience tendon rupture for months following exposure to Levaquin.
I was scared to take my MTX, too, but my rheumy said to stay on it. I have not noticed any new problems as a result of taking methotrexate. I also did not want to deal with a PsA flare on top of this.
I am able to work only part-time because of PsA. I teach college classes. It's interesting, though, that I was an accountant for 20 years. I understand when you say no one else at work can do any part of your job! But taking care of yourself has to be your priority. If your system is over stressed, it sets up an opportunity for the PsA to flare.
I should have included fatigue in my list of symptoms. I tire quickly since being floxed.
I agree that it helps to talk to someone else who is experiencing this. I am so glad to meet you. Please stay in touch, and feel free to message me with questions or for support, or even if you hear of a good book. ;-)
People do get better.
That's useful advice. Thanks so much!
I am going back to work today. Cross your fingers!