PMR or Floroquin side effects?

Posted by tm0110 @tm0110, Sep 9 7:42pm

Agree, this forum has been very helpful. I am waiting to see the Rheumatologist. PCP thinks I may have PMR. The complication is I was prescribed Levofloxacin following a zebra mussel laceration on my hand while swiming in the local fresh water lake. Sutured and healed. These PMR symptoms showed up about 3-4 weeks following the antibiotic course. Were these Floroquin side effects? I was returning to some serious exercise routines. Thought I overdid some new exercises. Within a week I can't move in the morning. Bilateral shoulder, clavicle, neck pain, plus bilateral hip, groin, glutes pain 8-9/10. I am/was a healthy 68 yo male, no meds no alergies and very active. Called PCP and we tried Celebrex. Not working. Prescribed a MethylPrednisolone dose pack while I wait to see Rheumatologist 4 weeks out. The pack is a 6 day course starting with 24mg day one and dropping 4mg each day. I have taken each daily dose all in the morning and the next day I wake up, my symptoms are back. Today was 8mg. Prior to today the evenings around 8-10pm are 1-2/10 pain and I feel good. Tonight we are not there yet. As you all know the prednisone relief is extraordinary. I also noticed the fatigue today in the afternoon from the dose pack's taper. I am looking forward to more clear answers so I can develop a plan. I was encouraged that many of you are back to doing things you did pre PMR. Thank you for all of your sharing. Bless you all!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

nlcarl | @nlcarl | Sep 9 9:55pm

@ tm0110 - if I were you I would do everything I could to get to a rheumatologist. Waitlist for cancellations, whatever it takes. I’m grateful my PCP moved me on. Sending prayers your way.

boomermeg | @boomermeg | Sep 9 11:12pm

@tm0110
So sorry to hear what you've been going throug but so glad you're getting help and will see Rheumatologist for diagnosis and treatment. I can totally relate to the level of pain and disability you mention. I just got diagnosed 7/31/26 myself and it was a very long, very painful daily road to get there. Mid March started getting this horrible pain in both shoulders, in middle of night. Nothing helped it. Got much worse, went into upper arms, hands, fingers, legs. Pain, weakness, stiffness. Couldn't raise my arms above my shoulders. Couldn't get dressed without leaning over the bed. It was nuts. Legs/hips got so stiff if I sat for a few minutes I could hardly get up. It started middle of night got worse into the morning and lasted well into the day before it'd start to let up. Then it'd start all over again middle of night. This went on from March till July 31st when I saw Rheumatologist and got Prednisone that afternoon. Had Color Doppler Ultrasound following day to confirm if PMR (shoulders) and in case I had GCA (Giant Cell Arterits) (no) which is another condition we can get along with PMR.
Long story, but this is about you. Sounds to me like you need more Prednisone fast to get you through until you see the Rheumatologist. Might want to call Rheumatologist office and ask to get on cancellation list and tell them what's your symptoms are, any blood tests results, and you think it's PMR and the type of Prednisone doses you've been given etc. And ask if any way to get in sooner. I was lucky to get in that way in 2 days instead of 3.5 more weeks. Worth a try. I'd also ask your PCP for more Prednisone to hold you until you can see Rheumatologist. A 6 day course dropping each each day sounds very strange. Could make you worse?Tapering should not be fast, or in such high milligrams each time. And should you even be tapering yet??? Are your PMR symptoms totally under control? I'm just a newbie and I know it doesn't sound right.
I hope you can get in sooner with Rheumatologist and that your PCP will realize you need more Prednisone to last you until you can see Rheumatologist. Then that Dr. can help you taper properly at the right time. May you get the right help quickly. Don't ever give up. Life will get better, different maybe, but better. Blessings