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calf muscle severe tightness and knee joint issues

Posted by lewee @lewee, Nov 19 6:46pm

had bad lung infection and eventually lung dr. gave me a 5 day dose of a strong antibiotic Levofloxacin (750 mg) (quinolone family). it worked!!!!!! however on the 5th day my calf muscles froze up. okay a week later. now, though my knee tendons and knees are acting up. anybody have any experience with this medication? the information pharmacy sheets advised watch out for serious tendon problems.

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Nov 20 6:01am

@lewee
Have you had tendon issues before? Are you over 60? Have you ever taken this medication before? Did you talk to your lung doctor about this and see what they would advise? Have you reached out to an orthopedic specialist, sports medicine specialist and/or physiotherapist?

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lewee | @lewee | Nov 20 9:08pm

78. never had tendon issues before. never took this medication before. lung doctor said yes this could happen and advised to stop. however, i had already finished a 5 day treatment. eventually , when tendons stated up after a month i went to orthopedic walk-in. saw a pa who only advised my knee was not bone on bone. offered pt and steroid shot. took advantage of shot and made appointment for a orthopedic doctor visit in december. recently the other knee stated acting like the other one which so far has not acted up since receiving the steroid shot.. i'm obliviously concerned!!!

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 21 6:58am
In reply to @lewee "78. never had tendon issues before. never took this medication before. lung doctor said yes this..." + (show)
Profile picture for lewee @lewee

78. never had tendon issues before. never took this medication before. lung doctor said yes this could happen and advised to stop. however, i had already finished a 5 day treatment. eventually , when tendons stated up after a month i went to orthopedic walk-in. saw a pa who only advised my knee was not bone on bone. offered pt and steroid shot. took advantage of shot and made appointment for a orthopedic doctor visit in december. recently the other knee stated acting like the other one which so far has not acted up since receiving the steroid shot.. i'm obliviously concerned!!!

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Hi lewee,

I understand your concern. It seems like there are two related issues 1) side effects from Levofloxacin, and 2) the nature of your knee/calf problems.

Sounds like the drug caused the painful cramps, and you've stopped taking the meds.

The knee issues sound to me like they originated outside of the Levofloxacin problem. I don't think a steroid (cortisone) shot would cause problems with the knee. It is designed to reduce inflammation - and its efficacy is hit and miss.

But yeah get X-rays and find out what is going on from a good ortho surgeon. It's very good you're not bone-on-bone. PT may be the way to go.

All the best to you friend.

Joe

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donnalouise1 | @donnalouise1 | Nov 22 6:42am

Cypro( in Quinolone family) sent me to ER with rupturing tendons in my back.

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reets70 | @reets70 | Nov 23 5:14am

I had the same experience with Levoflaxin. I swore I would never take it again. But, it did work to clear up a severe infection.

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