I switched from tindamax to levaquin about a month ago for my fistula treatment. A few weeks ago I started with upper arm/shoulder pain in outside of my left arm (I'm right handed, don't recall straining anything).

Could this be tendonitis? I'm not sure what tendonitis symptoms are in the upper arm area. Has anyone had upper arm pain that was dx'd as tendonitis? I'll probably send my doc a note, but would be a little embarassed if it's just a strain of some sort ... Thanks.

I've had tendonitis a couple of times in my forearm. The pain is relentless but both times I treated with a Velcro band that puts pressure on the tendon. It took weeks to heal and I had to give up weights at the gym in the interim. I'd say that if your pain has lasted more than a week, you might want to have it checked.

Sue

I'd put a call into your doctor (if they haven't knocked off due to the weekend or holiday) or the pharmacy. I believe that any short term damage is reversible. I would not mess around with any homemade slings or contraptions. At worst you should be able to revert back to Tindimax for a short while until you get further clarification. I experienced tendon problems with my achilles tendons while on repeated courses of Cipro. The problem went away after I stopped the medication.

I had severe pain in my elbow where it hurt to bend it or lift anything. I had the same pain behind my knee. My doc was concerned so I had to come off the drug.

Thanks guys - I'm going to send my dr. an email (doubt whether I'll hear back for a few days), and in the meanwhile, stop the cipro, and try the tindamax again - thanks for the suggestion, Luckyone. Just don't want this to be a non-reversible issue - have had enough of those to last me a lifetime.

Have a great New Year!

Side effect of Levaquin is tendon rupture, I am a nurse and cared for 4 patients in the ICU who had their tendons rupture after taking Levaquin. Stay away from that drug!

Thanks, MJL: I quite the levaquin yesterday, and decided to hold of restarting the tindamax for now. Do you happen to know how long the time frame is for rupturing a tendon after feeling pain in the area? Just curious ---

Information on how long the risk of tendon rupture persists after levofloxacin use is hard to find. Some sources stated that the risk of tendon rupture could occur as early as a few hours to as late as 3 months after the initial dose, with most occurring at the 2-week mark4. Hope that helps.

Thanks MJL, your information is helpful. I'll have to have a discussion w/my dr. re. these antibiotics. I don't think they're doing much for my fistula, anyhow, so not worth the risk. Thanks again for your information!

Dear NancyAnn
Levaquin has side effects, which include hardening of the tendons and even brain matter. Ruptured achilles tendons have been reported after use, as well as long term confusion, similar to alzheimers. Please take Levaquin with care!!! jmkDragon

Tendon rupture is generally with the Achilles tendon, not the arm or shoulder. But, tendonitis is definitely related to the flouroquinones. If you don't hear back from your doc right away, you can call your pharmacist for advice. However, you are doing what the pharmacist would recommend anyway, stopping the drug until you hear from the doc.

I deal with tendonitis all the time with my enteropathic arthritis and it is never injury/strain related for me. It can be very debilitating. If you tolerate NSAIDs, you can take some to see if it helps, but make sure to stop it right away if you develop any GI side effects. It is sort of an individual thing. I can take up to a few weeks without any trouble. I have to balance one thing against another to stay functional.

Jan

Thanks Jan and JMKDragon. I'm having intense aches in many more places other than the shoulder, now: toes, fingers, hands, etc. - especially at night. So now I'm thinking it's not tendonitis. Been off the levaq. just shy of a week, with minimal difference in the shoulder, although that pain seems to come-and-go.

I'll try an advil tonight, need some sleep....

I've seen the side effects of Levaquin last over six months after stopping it. B-12 shots seem to help speed the process of eliminating it from your system, though.