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What Causes Body Pains And Swelling Of Feet With Prednisone And Levaquin Therapy?

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Posted on Tue, 10 Jun 2014
Question: In 2011 I had pneumonia. I was given 750mg of Levaquin for 6 days and Prednisone for 10. The 3rd day after going off the prednisone I got up and the pain and swelling started in my feet and within 1/2 hour had worked its way up my entire body. I went back to the doctor and he put me back on prednisone at a lower dose and tapered me off slower. The pain went away while on it and immediately came back as soon as I stopped. I was in severe pain every day for almost a year and then it tapered off, but I still couldn't do everything I used to do. In Sept of 2013 I started noticing more pain. It is everywhere and the places that the pain never went away is worse. The ball of my feet are swollen and get worse as the day goes on. It is like walking on 2 rocks. I have been to 2 different Rheumatologists. I have been tested for everything at least twice. First I fell into the inflammatory group that included Lupos. I was tested for that with all the others. My test showed no Lupos but my inflammation level was too low to be arthitis. He gave up after he put me on prednisone for 10 days hoping it would stop the pain but it didn't. He said I have worse than fybromyalgia but not arthritis. I asked him if he thought the levaquin & prednisone did this and he said probably but he couldn't prove it. At OHSU they could tell me nothing other than I could try taking Cymbalta or a couple of different meds like it. I also have this discoloration on both of the front of my legs that have been there since the beginning and only the first specialist addressed it saying he was very concerned about it. I would like to see an orthepedic doctor because I have so much pain in my joint & muscles. The doctor at OHSU believes that the only damage levaquin & prednisone can do is tendon damage. I also told him that years ago, either 3 or 4 times I took Avelox for sinus infection & bronchitis and never had a side effect. It worked great. So I feel that kind of proves that levaquin & prednisone should not be taken together. All I know is that I have been in pain for over 3 years now. It is progressive and it getting extremely difficult to work. I am really worried about that and am tired of being lab rat for medications that don't work. Please give me your opinion. Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Probably it looks as side effect of Levaquin and

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I have studied your case.
As per your symptoms probably it looks as side effect of prednisone and Levaquin therapy.
But you can prevent further damage by properly tapering drug and starting healthy life style.

You may need clinical examination and medication and care accordingly so I will advise to consult physician or orthopaedic specialist.
I consider blood investigation for autoimmune diseases, investigation like Accp.RA factor ANA,dsDNA, ssDNA ,ESR,CRP are normal.

If you improve your immunity by healthy and fresh diet with high natural anti-oxidant then recovery is possible.
I will advise you to take neurotropics like methylcobalamine for improving health.
Many of my patients with chronic diseases find great relief by doing yoga, pranayama, and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Continue your medication and exercises.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (16 hours later)
I have had all of those blood tests and all are negative. Also, all of my regular blood work is normal. I am a healthy person with energy I just can't use. I have been wanting to go to an orthopaedic specialist since 2 rheumatologists say I don't have arthritis. The last one thinks it is peripheral neuropathy. I dont know how that would explain the popping in my joints and a couple of other things that I am sure is tendon related. The last doctor wants to put me on Cymbalta. My immunity is fine. The only thing I get is a sinus infection twice a year from allergies.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thats gr8 that all your blood test are normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Thats gr8 that all your blood test are normal.

Consult orthopaedic surgeon with your reports.

Till time continue physiotherapy.

Many of my patients with chronic diseases find great relief by doing yoga, pranayama, and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Continue your medication and exercises.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 5164 Questions

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What Causes Body Pains And Swelling Of Feet With Prednisone And Levaquin Therapy?

Brief Answer: Probably it looks as side effect of Levaquin and Detailed Answer: Hello I have studied your case. As per your symptoms probably it looks as side effect of prednisone and Levaquin therapy. But you can prevent further damage by properly tapering drug and starting healthy life style. You may need clinical examination and medication and care accordingly so I will advise to consult physician or orthopaedic specialist. I consider blood investigation for autoimmune diseases, investigation like Accp.RA factor ANA,dsDNA, ssDNA ,ESR,CRP are normal. If you improve your immunity by healthy and fresh diet with high natural anti-oxidant then recovery is possible. I will advise you to take neurotropics like methylcobalamine for improving health. Many of my patients with chronic diseases find great relief by doing yoga, pranayama, and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Continue your medication and exercises. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.