I’ve never been prescribed Levaquin myself, but it sounds like a lot of people here have had serious problems with it. I think that a lot of times drug companies rush to get their medications to the market and they really don’t do adequate studies. However, you can report problems with medications to the FDA here:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm
It sounds like it might be worth your time to do this.
Marria, Thanks I did use this site to report my problem.[U][COLOR=#810081]https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scrip…tch-online.htm[/COLOR][/U]
I have been told, it could take up to a year for this to go away. [U]If it ever does!![/U]
I’m getting a little impatient with all this. I know some people are a lot worse off then me, that doesn’t change the fact that I would like to be able to use my arms and shoulders for more that 2 min’s at a time. I know, I sound like a big baby SORRY 
I’m so sorry to hear you are going through this…and it is NOT complaining or whining to want to have full use of your arms for everyday tasks and knitting! It’s completely understandable how frustrated you are…I would be too.
It sounds like you have told your doctor about your pain. If it were me, I think I’d keep talking to the doctor about possible alternatives or at least keep him/her updated to the fact that it is NOT getting better. Doctors are good at what they do, but sometimes we forget that they serve a LOT of people and unless you keep in touch with them about your side effects, results and such, they don’t know what’s going on and thus cannot be expected to help.
There’s got to be a way for you to get the relief you need without such drastic side effects. I am praying for your health and that you are soon pain free. 
[COLOR=blue] Thank You very much. I do know and believe in God’s healing. I have gone back to work for a while. It is a repetitive movement I do with my arms. It’s not a hard job, but I do move my arms back and forth all day. I have turned in my notice. I have two more weeks to work. I am then not working at all. I had already retired sometime back. I was doing a little extra for extra spending money. I took two weeks off a couple of weeks ago to give my arms the rest I thought they needed. They do get some better when I don’t use them much. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0000ff]I keep thinking of all the things I wanted to knit up. I guess that can wait though 
I have just been worrying that I might not ever be able to knit again. I’ll bet I have at least $5,000 in yarn in my stash 
and that’s a low estimate :teehee: [/COLOR]
I think I may have said this before, but if your regular doc won’t do anything about the pain, ask to be referred to a physical medicine doctor, also known as a physiatrist. Here’s an explanation of what that is from the website of the doctor I see:
http://idahopmr.com/what_is_physiatry.php
He has helped tremendously with my chronic pain (from 2 car accidents and a bad fall).
If you don’t mind my asking, who told you it could take that long to clear up? I know I didn’t take the medication as long as you did, since I quit using it the second day I started having problems with my forearms. They’re OK now, but the elbow (the first pain site I noticed) and my knees still are achy. I’m wondering if it could take me that long to get back to normal, too…
Thanks!!!
Miccisue, When I called the E.N.T. Dr’s office about my problem. I talked with a nurse. She checked on it and called me back. She said if it was a severe type side effect, It could take up to a year for all the symptom’s to go away. I’m in hopes that’s not the case with me 
My husband got better as soon as he got off Levaquin and on to a Z-pack. The drug company must be pushing Levaquin hard because it doesn’t seem to have a very good track record with patients. Whatever this sinus bug is that hit everyone this year, it’s especially nasty. Hope you feel better soon!
Whipstitch, Glad your husband is better:woohoo: Mine on the other hand is an on going sinus problem, had it for years.
Dr. is wanting to do surgery on my sinus. I guess I have had an injury at some time in my life that has messed up my sinus drains. He showed me my xrays of how close together they were. He said that’s why I couldn’t breath out of that side and it gets stopped up and infections get started. I might have that done down the road. I feel like I need to get this problem with my arms and shoulders cleared up first. When I do have my sinuses taken care of, It won’t be that Dr. I have do the surgery :pout:
BOO :grrr: to Levaquin!!!
Indygirl, I’m sorry to hear about all the trouble you’re having, but thank you for sharing your problems here! I have chronic sinus issues, but thankfully have never been prescribed levaquin, though now I know not to take it!
My sinuses are really small, and I have allergies, which get me all plugged up, and then infections start, it’s just terrible. Someone from my church recently told me about this nasal spray she found at the health food store, Nutrabiotic Nasal Spray. It’s got grapefruit seed extract in it, which is a natural antibiotic.
Anyway, I love this stuff! I was on an antibiotic that just did not kill the infection I had, and was about to go back to the doctor for a stronger one, but was resisting because I really don’t like taking too many antibiotics. That nasal spray helped so much, and all the infection was killed off in about a week. It was awesome.
I know you’ve got issues with sinus drainage, but wanted to tell you about the nutrabiotic spray. Maybe it could help?
I had sinus surgery a few years ago after antibiotics, antifungals, and decongestants did nothing to help my chronic sinus infections and pain. One of the bones in each side of my sinuses was filled with air, causing an obstruction. I felt better almost immediately after the surgery (I could actually breathe through my nose!), and my recovery time was only about a week. My throat was actually more sore from the breathing tube used when they operated, than my nose/sinuses were from the actual operation.
I hope your pain goes away, and I think you should seriously consider the surgery once your arms feel better.
Beaniacle, Thanks for your concern about my health problem. After my arms and shoulders are better, I am going to get the surgery on my sinus. The Dr. said it was an in office type surgery he would be doing on me. He showed me the x-rays. He said it looked like sometime in my life I had been hit in the nose. It has pretty much closed up that one side. no drainage or breathing from that side I guess.
BTW. I tried to knit two rounds on a sock I was knitting on before this all took place. The top of my arms hurt so bad. I had to put it back away for now.
happy knitting
Mod’s, do we need to move this thread? Not sure if It should be in this topic.
I’m so sorry to hear of your reaction to this med. It sounds awful, not being able to knit makes it even worse. I would suggest asking your Dr. to put you on some other medication. Sometimes I wonder what the FDA is thinking when they approve some of the drugs that are out there. I wonder how they would feel about this drug if one of them was experiencing the arm pain you are? Hope and pray things are better for you soon.
KR
Well, My arms and shouldes are some better now. I have started to knit a little, I can’t do much at a time though. I had a pair of socks on the needles for my D.D. for Christmas. I already had one finished. I had the other one down to the heel flap. I have knit about 1/2 in’ at a time. I have about 1 in’ to go before starting the toe now. If I knit for very long my arms and shoulders start to hurt and burn again.
When and if I get these finished I will post them on here.
I’m getting so impatient about not being able to use my arms much. If I do much cleaning they stat up again. I’ve been doing it anyway though. Someone needs to do it. I don’t have any choice in that matter :gah:
Hopefully soon I’ll be back to knitting full speed again.
Just to let everyone know. My arm’s and shoulder’s are getting better each day. Today I knit about 4 or 5 in’ on a scarf and it didn’t hurt. I’m so excited I could just :happydance: :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:
I’m trying to not overdo at first. I put the socks away. I think those were harder to work with than anything else. I tend to pull the yarn tighter when knitting socks.
:woot: cloud9 :woot: cloud9 :woot: cloud9
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you have been able to knit again without pain.
Hooray! So glad to hear it. Smart not to overdo it at first!
Glad you’re feeling better. Please don’t overdo!!
GOOD NEWS! :woohoo:
I know it’s hard to stop when you finally get going again…but, like the others said…DON’T OVER DO IT!