I have had a sinus infection the past week and a half. The first trip to the family doctor resulted in my taking a generic version of Zithromax. While I have had Zithromax before in the brand name, the generic hasn’t helped me all that much. I thought this was rather odd, so I phoned the doctor office to make an inquiry, which ended with making another appointment to see the doctor. Ah, what a way to spend my hard earned money…even those $20 co-pays from the insurance company do add up.
I went to the doctor this morning again, ears feeling like they had been stuffed much like a turkey at Thanksgiving, head feeling clogged like a toilet with too much paper in it, and coughing a new song which will never hit the top 40. After being checked by the doctor (cold hands and all) I was told the sinus infection just wasn’t clearing up so well and now I needed more medication. Those of you who have read some of my diabetes posts know that I take a variety of meds for that condition so adding to my medication stockpile I now have 3 more as of today. While temporary, two of the three are to be used until they are completely gone. One is a nasal spray and the other is an inhaler. I have no problem using those and they seemed to help me immediately. The tablet I am to take beginning Thursday morning as the doctor thought it would be best to let the generic Zithromax work a bit longer.
The tablet is the reason for this posting. Levaquin is some really tripped out tablet! It’s used for infections such as I have, that aren’t completely cured by the original medication given and is also used for anthrax. Yes, you did read that right. Anthrax. So I questioned why this was given to me. I was told it would help get rid of the rest of the bacteria in my system that is clogging up my interior parts.
The expense is one thing (over $160 of which my insurance covered all but $50), but the four sheets worth of information that came along with the medication just about floored me! The side effects are rather alarming and very lengthy. I will list them here so everyone knows: tendinitis, pancreatitis, liver damage, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, weakness, itching, abdominal pain or tenderness, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, light colored bowel movements, dark colored urine, seizures, hallucinations, feeling restless, tremors, anxiety, nervousness, confusion, trouble sleeping, depression, nightmares, feeling lightheaded, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or acts, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips/face/tongue, hoarseness, throat tightness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, skin rash, diarrhea (which could signal a problem with your colitis), heart rhythm changes, changes in blood sugar (could be low or high), sensitivity to sunlight, and joint problems. But the manufacturer did list the most common side effects as being: dizziness, headache, constipation, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Oh, joy! What have I gotten myself into???
After consulting the doctor’s office again and the pharmacist I was informed in the years they have dispensed this drug no one had complained to them about any side effects. Ok, so here I am, guinea pig #1 in this household ready to try this medication in an effort to get better since I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I did check a lot of blogs and websites online about Levaquin. Some were very disturbing. Some just mentioned using the drug and not getting many side effects. I feel my chances of having a huge problem might be about 89/100. So I will try this new to me drug and hope it does what it’s supposed to do without messing up my body and what’s left of my poor head, brain included. Honestly, Levaquin has enough side effects that it should literally scare the sinus infection out of my body. If I was a sinus cavity bacteria my bags would be packed and I’d be running out the the body I was inhabiting as fast as I could slide, slip or wiggle.
Keep posted because I will be updating this post once I begin this medication and I will not lie to you about the side effects. If I feel any, they will be noted here. That’s the only way we can keep the drug companies honest enough. They make a lot of money from us and the truth about their drugs needs to be told.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Rosie // Mar 27, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Day 3 of taking Levaquin. So far all I have noticed is a slight headache, nothing I can’t deal with. I am finally feeling a lot better and noticing the sinuses are beginning to clear up. It’s amazing what a drug can do. Of course, I have other things I am doing such as nose drops, cough syrup, and the inhaler, but being able to breathe clearly, sleep better, and see a light at the end of the sinus tunnel is amazing!
2 Rosie // Apr 18, 2010 at 11:49 am
It’s been weeks since I used Levaquin. The only other thing I found was that I had a yeast infection. Three days of over the counter medication cleared that up. What I have been left with is a cough which is a side effect of the Nasonex. Otherwise I feel so much better. Lesson learned: trust the doctor, but do ask questions when something new is prescribed for you.
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