Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

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Last post: Nov 2, 2009 8:50 PM by RunTedRun

johnnysocko

32 posts since
Jun 15, 2009

Currently Being Moderated

Oct 22, 2009 3:12 PM

Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

This gets logged in the F my life category.

So, I've been rehabilitating fairly successfully from my overtraining since Mid June using the 10% rule after a period of rest. Okay, biking instead of running. I've been making steady progress, though my lower back issues have dealt me a blow or two along the way. Just two weeks ago, I went for my first 5K since June, and while I determined to not push it, I turned in a 20:50, which was maybe pushing it a bit too much, but, it is evidence of my progress since June. I even set out to make a long range plan to get ready for the start of next spring's season.

Then, last Friday. Another kick in the a$$. Fever spike to 104 and I can't pi$$. My temp rarely goes above 100 even when sick. In the ER, I've got some infection down there, who knows what, and they give me some on site treatment and send me home with a script. Sat wasn't much better.

Us athletes hate to rest completely, right, so I biked some on Sat, and Sunday. Monday, I still wasn't right, but decided to take a very light jog just to keep things loose. Using my new Garmin, 0.7 miles into it, and my right calf felt like someone stuck a knife into the top of it.

Since Monday, the upper portion of both calves have been hindering my walking. It is oh so extremely tight in there. And, with my back, it's hard to bend over to really stretch them, but I've been trying. Best I could figure, that's why they were so tight, because I haven't been able to stretch them the past few weeks due to my back.

So, today, I finish up my meds. Still can't pee all that well. I decided to google this stuff, just for giggles. There right at the top of the friggin list is "Levaquin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel." and then, "Stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints." WTF! Noone told me this crap!

What the heck am I supposed to do now doc!

rocdoc50

185 posts since
Oct 4, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

1. Oct 22, 2009 8:00 PM

in response to: johnnysocko

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

johnnysocko, all I can say is CRAP!!!! Were you born on Friday 13th while a black cat crossed your path under a ladder at the same time smashing a mirror?

As a fellow male, just having problems with my plumbing would have been bad enough but the high temp, and tight calves would have been a sign to take it a little MORE easier than you did. Running a 20:50 by most accounts IS pushing it unless you are a regular sub 16:00min runner. Sounds like your body wasn't quite ready for that pace. Even though you said you were using the 10% rule regarding the amount of mileage you were doing each week, you ignored the fact that you probably shouldn't try to run like a track star during the races (Of course I say this as a person who only DREAMS of running that fast).

I see nothing wrong with the biking as I did quite a bit of it during my recovery from a Achillies tendon tear. Unfortunately, it sounds like you have the possibilities of some type of Achillies injury. I'm no doctor but my advice from going through this is get to a ortho doc as quickly as possible to x-ray/mri it to determine what type of damage (If any) has been done to your tendons. In any case, you should CEASE AND DESIST any type of running until that time as you may do evenmore damage. If you keep this up, you might soon be hearing a loud 'pop' which will definitely let you know that your running career is over for several months.

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johnnysocko

32 posts since
Jun 15, 2009

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2. Oct 24, 2009 6:17 AM

in response to: rocdoc50

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

Thanks for the input. Yes, often times it seems like someone filled my gene pool full of sewage.

I guess the notations about my running progress are probably unrelated to the major point. My intent is just to say, I really am very methodically, and very carefully staying within myself with my training. I may have pushed it a little a couple weeks back, but here's the thing - my recovery was relatively quick; post race soreness lasted maybe a day longer than I expected, and I rested myself with a light week afterwards. I am listening to my body during this whole new training program I was introduced to on this board, and by and large, I'm convinced it is my best shot to reaching new heights with this 45-50 year old carcass.

The infection came later and had nothing to do with running. My beef is with the ER doctor. I told him, them, I have joint problems, and very bad lower back issues. I carry around this McKenzie pillow everywhere I go, and I'm sure he noticed it on the bed. Yet, they prescribed me this antibiotic which can cause joint and tendon issues based on the drug company's own website, and noone mentioned a thing to me about it, or suggested I keep my eyes open for anything unusual. I mean, come on. When a doctor says you're getting an antibiotic, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking okay, getting some penicillin or whatever, taken it a hundred times before, no big deal. Who thinks they need to read the fine print when a doctor calls them in a harmless antibiotic?

"Call your doctor at the first sign of out of the ordinary joint pain, swelling, and stop taking the meds..." I didn't get that instruction. I even went back and checked the discharge papers, there was one for the meds, and it didn't say anything about it either. Those I actually had read on discharge, just to be safe. Alot of good that did me.

All I know is I've been off these meds for 2 days now, and the back of my legs below the knees remains tight as a drum. I'm concerned, and more than a little upset.

I suppose I was also interested in anyone in the Med Tent who may have any personal experience with this stuff, or some actually medical training and could offer some advice. I'm kind of at a loss to figure out how to proceed since I can barely walk now, let alone jog.

Ed.

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cpa0217

79 posts since
Sep 26, 2007

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3. Oct 24, 2009 11:30 AM

in response to: johnnysocko

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

Wow, that stinks! You're right, sudden achilles rupture is one of the side affects that the company mentions on it's own website. I can't believe they wouldn't mention that when they prescribed the drug.

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lmerullo

21 posts since
Aug 16, 2009

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4. Nov 1, 2009 12:11 PM

in response to: johnnysocko

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

Here's my favorite side effect: confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;

I took this drug once for a kidney infection. I was on a cruise for 7 days first (no sun exposure!) and on the next day home went out and crashed my motorcycle. In my head, I just didn't care! When my doc saw me the next day, she admitted lots of people have "mental" side effects. When I drove off the side of the road, I could have seriously hurt myself or someone else! This drug goes on my personal refusal list - there has to be an alternate.

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johnnysocko

32 posts since
Jun 15, 2009

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5. Nov 1, 2009 12:24 PM

in response to: lmerullo

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

My legs still ain't right. I've not been able to run for over 2 weeks now, and I've not been down for this long in almost 2 years since I started back. I'm starting to walk now with not much pain, so I'm hoping it's working its way out. I'm pretty convinced it was the meds.

I had to have a followup with a urologist last Thurs. Was it just me, or do all urologists offices smell a bit funny? I just didn't even want to get into it with him, because I have a feeling doctors won't really side with you. I'm sure he prescribes that multiple times a day, and gets no complaints, and surely isn't going to say it's a problematic medication.

As I was getting ready to leave after he basically gave me a clean bill of health, I had to speak up. "Oh doc, am I ever gonna pi$$ right again?"

Huh? He looked pretty dumbfounded-"your pee just tested clean".

"I don't care if its clean, I just don't pee right. I've been doing this multiple times a day for 45 years, and I've kind of got used to how its supposed to work for me. And, it ain't working."

So, he goes to put me on a 10 day supply of an antibiotic. I had to speak up, I had no choice. Thankfully, he had an alternative to the drug of choice, which obviously is Levaquin.

"I only ever heard of one case of an achilles tendon rupturing with L, but it will cause joint pain...", he says. Sure wish I knew that before the ER put me on it the first time.

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RunTedRun

46 posts since
Sep 19, 2008

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6. Nov 2, 2009 8:50 PM

in response to: johnnysocko

Re: Levaquin??!! *-%^&!"+

Did you get the catheter in the ER? After my last trip to the OR and the catheter it took about 6 months to pee "right" again. That thing not only HURT, it messed up my ability to pee right. You do know you are over training? Dude, you are sick. Sounds like your running and biking is NOT helping. I know the excercise is addictive as I am a poster boy for over traing/running with the H1N1 and 102 degree temp, etc. Still, take some time off and just give your body a chance to heal. Better to take 3-4 weeks completly off then to end up out for 6 months+ with an injury.... Anyways hope you feel better. Bladder stuff is the WORST. Hang in there.