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What Causes Soreness In Shoulders And Knees After Having Levofloxacin?
Question: I took the antibiotic levofloxacin 7 days and I am a mess. my shoulders are extremely sore my knees are sore I cant lift my left shoulder over my head or cant use it I have had chills off and on and had diareaha one day only thought I had the flu... am crying constantly I am stiff all over and I went back to my doctor after the 3rd day and she said these were not side effects and told me I had frozen shoulder and to go to physical therapy . I went to my chiropractor and had nurse up side effects and they are all there. I have had to take off of work federal express because I CANT FUNCTION so now I am off on FMLA. This drug has ruined me and my doctor lied to me about all my symtoms. how long to get this drug out of my system and what do I to speed this up. its been 10 days since my last one. Please help me.
Brief Answer:
A steroid course may be able to help
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query
Unfortunately there is no specific time duration and no specific treatment for your ailments.
The side effects of levofloxacin includes tendinitis and this is what you have probably suffered. However this is very very rare side effect of the drug. So rare in fact that in the last 15 years of practice, I have not seen more than 1 patient of your symptoms due to this drug.
The duration of the symptoms caused by this lasts from 10 days to over years. The symptoms however become less severe with time, but flare up of the symptoms occasionally are known.
I would suggest testing with a CPK and Urine for myoglobinuria. In case they are present and positive, you may meet the physician and request a prescription of steroids that may help you get better. Once better, the short duration steroid therapy may be stopped and thereafter we will have to watch.
While the tendinitis is active, like right now, I would suggest avoiding active physiotherapy. Pain killers may be taken but they may have limited benefit.
Sorry to be able to help you in a limited way, but that is the nature of the side effect. Please feel free to ask a follow up query. Best of luck. Dr Mittal
A steroid course may be able to help
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query
Unfortunately there is no specific time duration and no specific treatment for your ailments.
The side effects of levofloxacin includes tendinitis and this is what you have probably suffered. However this is very very rare side effect of the drug. So rare in fact that in the last 15 years of practice, I have not seen more than 1 patient of your symptoms due to this drug.
The duration of the symptoms caused by this lasts from 10 days to over years. The symptoms however become less severe with time, but flare up of the symptoms occasionally are known.
I would suggest testing with a CPK and Urine for myoglobinuria. In case they are present and positive, you may meet the physician and request a prescription of steroids that may help you get better. Once better, the short duration steroid therapy may be stopped and thereafter we will have to watch.
While the tendinitis is active, like right now, I would suggest avoiding active physiotherapy. Pain killers may be taken but they may have limited benefit.
Sorry to be able to help you in a limited way, but that is the nature of the side effect. Please feel free to ask a follow up query. Best of luck. Dr Mittal
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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