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Suggest Treatment For Painful Finger Joints When On Levofloxacin

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2015
Question: I've been taking Levofloxacin for 7 days. 2 weeks prior I took a full Zpack for coughing/sinus infection. For the last few days I have had very painful finger joints. I normally have Fibromyalgia pain in my hips and shoulders but never in my fingers. I have pain in some of my toes and my neck as well which is not usual. Could this be because of the Levofloxacin? Or Fibromyalgia? Or both? I don't know finger joint pain is part of Fibromyalgia.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would say Levofloxacine at this time!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this pain that you hav reported. Levofloxacine is known to cause tendon and muscle pain. Given the fact that you have never had these pains before and it comes shortly after taking a drug that can cause this pain as a side effects, I will want to lean towards this drug as the possible cause at this time. Since the treatment is over, I am certain that you would soon be on your way to recovery. I encourage you to exercise some patience as you get on course to regaining your health.

Please, healthy diet. good sleep, much fruits, vegetables, fibers and regular exercises on most days of the week are great ways to stay healthy. Give them a try and for sure you will not regret them.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (44 minutes later)
Thank you for the fast reply. I feel relieved knowing now that I don't have arthritis. I wondered because I do not have red, warm, swollen joints at all. Just a lot of pain.

Is it true that people with AB- blood are more apt to get the rarer side effects?

How rare is this side effect of joint pain, if it is rare at all?
Should I go to the ER to get this flushed out of my system?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is not a rare side effect!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Muscle and joint pain are pretty common with levaquin especially in juniors and older persons. However, there is no clear documentation about this being more sever or common in blood group AB individuals.

I hope this addresses your worry. Feel free to ask for more clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Should I go to the ER for an IV flush?

I'm reading that this pain is progressive and permanent from so many others. I am really getting scared now. If I go to the ER and get an IV flush, will it help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
NO ER visit!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

There is no way a flush can be of help. This drug is everywhere and what people refer to as flushing is really out of place at this time.

Be calm, exercise patience and the side effects will gradually fade away. It usually takes some time. If you get too concerned at this time, you may get the wrong procedures being done.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (14 hours later)
Ok thank you. I went to the ER before you responded because I didn't want to take the chance of not helping myself if it were possible. All labs came out good, sed rate 7, uric acid 6.3

Diagnosis: Arthralgia - multiple sites
Additional Diagnosis - Side affect from Levaquin

I did have a couple of low results:
Mean Corpuscular Volume 77.1
Auto Neutrophils 45.7
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can you upbe relaxed.load the report?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Please upload the entire report for me to go through and report accordingly.
Am happy you went to the ER and have objective findings to convince yourself and
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Thank you, I have attached the pics
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
There is nothing to be bothered about!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have reviewed your test results and discharge summary. For now, am optimistic and these results do not warrant any further investigations. They are borderline and unless they are again flagged in future, I will not want to aggressive investigate them. These are transient and all would soon return to normal.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Thank you so much for the follow up! I REALLY appreciate it :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Best wishes and keep me posted with your recovery.

Cheers!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Painful Finger Joints When On Levofloxacin

Brief Answer: I would say Levofloxacine at this time! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this pain that you hav reported. Levofloxacine is known to cause tendon and muscle pain. Given the fact that you have never had these pains before and it comes shortly after taking a drug that can cause this pain as a side effects, I will want to lean towards this drug as the possible cause at this time. Since the treatment is over, I am certain that you would soon be on your way to recovery. I encourage you to exercise some patience as you get on course to regaining your health. Please, healthy diet. good sleep, much fruits, vegetables, fibers and regular exercises on most days of the week are great ways to stay healthy. Give them a try and for sure you will not regret them. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.