Stopped taking Avelox - still suffering effects!

[KellyG999]

Due to the horrible increase in terrifying side effects, I stopped taking the Avelox I was given for a sinus infection. I can't even describe the utter hopelessness, severe depression and panic I felt an hour or so after each dose. I thought I was going crazy, but many of you let me know this can definitely result from Avelox.

This morning I woke up with the most awful muscle soreness in my legs and shoulders/arms. I hadn't taken a dose since yesterday morning! I am really a mess and not sure when this stuff will stop wreaking havoc on my body.

I am really pretty scared. Even the panic is still coming in waves, and I can't bear the thought of trying to function this way more than a day or two. Please think good thoughts for me, and pray if you are willing. I have 2 all-day meetings in a row tomorrow and Thursday. I have to pull myself together.

Thanks for listening and sorry to be a baby about this.

help!
KellyG

[Joe S.]

Medical poisoning is often hard to deal with. I hope that you are feeling better.

[jmkboyer]

Thinking happy thoughts for you, KellyG!  I can't imagine having to make it through work feeling like that.  Good luck tomorrow.

MB

[irish]

My son had the muscles affected big time and after waiting a couple of weeks and being miserable they put him on prednisone for a 10 day taper and that really helped.

If you are having such mental anguish you need to talk to your doc about a possible medication for your anxiety, etc. So many medications have these Central nervous system effects and they need to have treatment also. It takes the body awhile to get over this. The prednisone may help the CNS issues too. Please don't try to suffer through this as it needs to be assessed by a doc. Irish

[mshistory]

I agree - please let your doctor know how badly you've reacted to this medication. Perhaps they can give you something to help, and at the very least, you should be monitored. I am so sorry you've had such a horrible experience with something that was supposed to make you feel better! Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

[Bella]

Hi Kelly, I am so sorry this is happening to you.  You are not being a baby, these CNS symptoms are legitimately terrifying.  If you can, now is the time to try and hang on to the fact this is a drug reaction, and not "you" having these thoughts and fears.  Joe's recommendations for meditation and breathing may be helpful. Take one day at a time and believe these symptoms will pass.

I agree with others that your doctor may be able to give you something to help with the anxiety if it becomes too overwhelming.

A word of caution:  although Irish's son was helped by Prednisone, and I'm so glad he was, both Pred and NSAIDS are contraindicated with concurrent use of the FQ's, and this is stated on the drug inserts as increasing risk for ADR's.  It is well accepted within the FQ victim community that those taking these meds concurrently or soon after with an FQ are "hit harder" and longer.  It is unknown as to how much time should pass after an FQ as to when it's safe to start Pred or an NSAID.  I take Ibuprofen without a problem now, but held off for quite a while after the initial insult.

I am wishing you the best, and pray this reaction passes soon uneventfully.

[KellyG999]

Thank you for all the support. The doc simply said, stop taking it. That much I already figured out!

I am better today, the panic has lessened so hopefully it is leaving my system. I noticed some large bruises where I was feeling muscle pain yesterday, which seems odd.

Anyway, I am going to stick with sinus rinses and other natural stuff to keep my sinuses clear. Sheesh!!

Hugs to all,
KellyG

[Bella]

Good!  I'm glad, Kelly.  Thanks for the update!

[artsyamerican]

For me the anxiety - crazy feeling wore off after I quit taking the meds...however...my arm pain continued.  After an MRI - a torn rotator cuff was found.  There is actually a class action law suit against the makers of Avelox/Cipro for the torn ligament problem.  I would have never known what happened to me had I not heard about this lawsuit on the news months after this episode!  Now on all my medical records it says ALLERGY TO CIPRO!

Hang in there girl! If it gets unbareable I too agree that a steroid shot will do the trick.  HOWEVER -  I would not let a sinus infection slide - they can be very dangerous if let untreated.   Try a Z-Pac - (antibiotic) this one usually does the trick for me.