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.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and
Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries
Of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a ‘Ram Ban’
(very effective) medicine or all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water With two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If Taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research Conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors Treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half Teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, Out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally Relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not Walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a Glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce The level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As Mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic Cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon Lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This Process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears Stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and Protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.. Scientists have found That honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of
Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral Diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food Relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘ Ingredient’ Which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the Ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder And three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to Four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the Chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with Warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts Cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach And at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one Cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three time s a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half Tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. When the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!