Common High Potency Antibiotics Can Cripple and more

Gang:
First of all I know this has nothing to do with RVing, except it has a lot to do with all people including RVers, and is more of a danger to the over 65 age groups. But I consider the Heartland family my friends, and want them to know the major side effects of these routinely used antibiotic families, which have been in use since the 1980's (with the major side effects being immediately recognized), AND THERE IS NO RECOGNIZED REMEDIAL TREATMENT FOR THESE MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS! I am talking about Levaquin and its related antibiotics. Levaquin belongs to a group of medications known as fluoroquinolones or Quinolone Antibiotics (opens in new page), sometimes known just as "quinolones" for short, that also includes the antibiotics Cipro, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Norfloxacin, and Avelox. Levaquin side effects have been reported since the 80's, and the mechanism of damage is poorly understood. Tendon rupture and tendon deterioration are a known significant danger. The medical community seems to consider the benefit greater than the risk. Yet about 30 of Levaquin's fluoroquinolone siblings have been removed from the market due to 'unacceptable' numbers of significant side effects.

My 76 year old sister had diverticulitis 2 weeks ago, went to the ER (the only after hours choice in this rural town), was admitted to the hospital and given Levofloxacin overnight by IV, and then given a week's worth of oral Levofloxacin which was increased to a 10 day treatment by a GI specialist. A couple of nights ago she awoke with severe pain in both her left and right shoulders, and an intense burning sensation in her right hand. We went back to the ER that day, and were immediately asked if any of her tendons had "popped" (broken). The medical staff at the ER and her Dr.'s office could offer no remedial treatment for her condition. She still cannot lift her left arm up to her shoulder.

Last night I went looking for information on this common antibiotic side effect, and could find nothing from the well respected medical websites I use, like WebMD and Mayo Clinic. I only found the one website linked below, from tendon experts. They have a remedial treatment involving nutrition and vitamin/mineral supplements, and a LOT of information on the tendon conditions. In some people the tendons RAPIDLY deteriorate, snap, and people are crippled. The personal stories submitted on this website are terrible. Other side effects of the drug besides the tendon damage are:
Tendon falling apart, literally
Anxiety, claustrophobia, panic, brain fog, psychosis, dementia, etc
Detached retina
Phototoxicity (skin sensitive to sunlight)
Kidney failure

My sister's 2nd ER visit included blood tests that showed decreased kidney function (this was not expressed to us by the ER Dr's as ALSO a possible Levoflaxin side effect). She also has had severe emotional health problems since she started the antibiotic.

I guess this is a risk/benefit call by the medical community. I would just encourage all of my Heartland friends to ask SPECIFICALLY "WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?" when being offered strong antibiotic treatment. Also ask if there is an alternative antibiotic that could be used instead.

Read more: https://www.tendonitisexpert.com/levaquin-side-effects.html#ixzz5DJzJTo1k
Read more: https://www.tendonitisexpert.com/levaquin-tendonitis.html#ixzz5DJuisedN

Bill,

Thanks for sharing.

We ask lots of questions and also check the warnings and side effects for various meds using free apps or free websites.

One that we found shocking was Advair Diskus, which is commonly prescribed as an asthma treatment if the doctor hears any wheezing when evaluating your breathing. One of the medications in Advair Diskus is a steroid that depresses the immune system. Not surprisingly, the 3rd serious reaction listed for Advair Diskus is pneumonia, and it's also on the list of common side effects. Lots of people are taking Advair Diskus without anyone informing them of the long list of risks.

Ann was on Advair Diskus for a while and had pneumonia twice. We asked the doctor if the pneumonia was related to the prescription and were told no. We found out otherwise by looking on our own.

You have to be your own advocate.

We use the Epocrates app on our phones or Epocrates Online from the computer.

From my experience working on an ambulance as well as in an ER, everyone is taking a risk taking any drug. Nothing out there has the same affect on everyone else. Its not any different than peanut allergies. Educate yourself always and pay attention to the way a prescribed drug makes you feel. Question your Doc at every turn if you do not feel right. One of my instructors used to say that adverse reactions to man made drugs are just mother natures way of reminding us that we still are not in charge of things.

danemayer said:

Bill,


Ann was on Advair Diskus for a while and had pneumonia twice. We asked the doctor if the pneumonia was related to the prescription and were told no. We found out otherwise by looking on our own.

Click to expand...

Another good resource is to ask your pharmacist. I found information from the pharmacist that the doctor did not know or really care about when I confronted the doctor.

If we would have blindly followed the doctors advice, the result could have been kidney failure. Luckily, Label information additional consultation saved us from that situation.