Levaquin And Cats Information

Levaquin And Cats Resource

Levaquin And Cats Resource in Questions

Possible MRSA? Ok, I've has quite a few medical problems lately, but one of things that really concerns me is an old scar from an abcessed lymph node in my elbow has swollen and gotten hard. Why does this concern me so? Because I was recently in the hospital for abdominal pain and the swelling started a day or so after I got out. I am concerned I may have contacted MRSA. Here is my progression of symptoms and events- I get out of the hospital and my old scar becomes painful, then it becomes swollen and painful, then it is red, swollen, painful and warm to the touch, stays that way for a day or so and then the swelling reduces, the pain lessens, it no longer is warm to the touch or red, but it has condensed into a a very hard mass beneath the skin that is still mildly sore when pressed. I went to the Dr who order me back on levaquin (I used it for cat scratch) and ordered blood test including a blood bacteria coulture, but no test for MRSA that I know of, should I be concerned that this is MRSA? Side note, I did not have any surgery while in the hospital, got blood drawn, like 700 times but no surgery. Also if this is MRSA how long would it take to kill me w/o treatment? I've been experiencing these symptoms for 3 weeks.

Cute Fuzzy Kitty replied: "You can contact MRSA other ways too, it sounds more like celluitis, but I am not here to diagnose you. The blood work will pick up what needs to be seen. IF there is reason for concern more blood will be drawn Meanwhile follow your doctor's instructions and try EPSOM SALTS. They work wonders I used them twice a day for an abcess I had on my arm from a cat bite. WIthin three days it was gone. You have to soak the infected area in salts and hot water for 20 minutes each time."

luvgiraffes replied: "I agree with the above post that it is probably cellulitis. You may have irritated the scar on your elbow while laying in bed, or perhaps when a tourniquet was used in that area for blood draw. Did you perhaps have an IV in that arm at anytime during your hospital stay? Many things could have caused cellulitis in that area. For the most individuals, it is hard to contract MRSA on intact skin. If you had a scratch in the area of the old scar you would be more apt to get MRSA there. If the hard lump were MRSA it would form an abcess and start draining. An actual sample from the area would be the only way the doctor could tell if it were MRSA or not. If this slighty sore lump stays the way it is, don't worry about dying from MRSA. An obvious need for antibiotics (in that area) will arise way before getting anywhere close to death."

kidney infection? I developed a kidney infection 3 weeks ago...they put me on levaquin 500mg for 10 days plus IV antibiotics at the ER. Just went back to Doctor because I'm still in pain and sure enough I still have red and white blood cells in my urine..I have had an ultrasound and cat scan...everything comes back normal except the urine and I'm in PAIN!!! I see a urologist on Monday...yes I drink lots and lots of water and I'm only 24...anybody else have this problem??? also my doc said no more antibiotics because he thinks something else is going on.... had a light fever to begin with but now it's gone..they didn't say anything about bacterium...still have a sharp pain in side from front to back just under the rib cage right side.

Michael P (MD) replied: "Has a bacterium been isolated from your urine or your blood? If so, did it disappear from subsequent samples after therapy? Did you have fever, and if so, did it respond to the antibiotic therapy? Is it going up again now that you are off the antibiotics? If it is, I would go straight back to the ER."

Looking for answers regarding an unknown illness? I am a 33 year old male. About 2 and a half years ago, I began getting a pain in my groin, including the perineum and just to the left of that. I also had an irritating feeling in my penis from time to time, but not necessairly after urinating. At the time, My doctor thought it could be a prostate infection and perscribed Levaquin for 2 weeks. The pain did not improve and instead, whithin a day or two of finishing the levaquin, I began getting extremely painful cankersores in my mouth. Additionally, I began feeling very shaky and weak in my muscles.. I also had severe diarrhea for long periods of time. I would get strange sensations as if something were lightly tickling my face (like a hair) when nothing was there. Within another month, I began getting extremely dizzy upon standing or bending over. It got to the point for awhile that I could hardly sit at a dinner table and eat. The severity of the dizzyness seemed to coincide with the severity of the diarrhea--being at it's worst when I was pretty much passing water. Along with all of this, I was completely exhausted and felt like I was walking around in a fog most of the time. Sometimes, very suddenly all of these symptoms would stop--maybe for a day, or just a few minutes, but they would always come back. Eventually, after about 6 or 7 months, they gradually went away. During that time, I was seen by several specialists, none of which could offer me an explination, save eliminate some of the 'bigger' diseases like MS, Lupus, STD's, etc. They gave me many tests including the typical blood tests, urine tests, an MRI of my brain, colonoscopy, CAT Scan of my torso and a couple of auto-immune tests ruling out the lupus and colitis. They eventually all told me it was caused by stress. Believe me--I was stressed alright, but that stress was caused by my symptoms, not the other way around. It was extremely isolating to see the doctor's throw up their hands and say there was nothing wrong with me when I could plainly tell there was. Anyway, now, I am getting some of those same symptoms back again. I have the pain in my groin and went to the urologist hoping that somehow, they would have an answer for me. They told me I had a prostate infection and perscribed 500 mg of Cipro for 2 weeks. Having finished that a couple of days ago with the groin pain still present, they perscribed it for another two weeks. I've also been getting the same sensations that preceeded my dizziness the first time around, though not as pronounced as before. I'm trying to avoid ruining my summer with another long bout of whatever this is. I almost have the sense that I potentially do have a prostate infection of some kind, but having that is weakening me to the point where I'm getting sinus infections, maybe all of it caused by viruses since the antibiotics don't seem to help. I would truely appreciate any direction you could give me if you have had similar symptoms and found answers. From my web research, I am definately nervous that it could be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, though most of the doctors I've asked do not feel that is what it is. From the symptoms of CFS i've read, most do not exactly coincide with mine, and my exhaustion is probabably not as severe. I am hesitant about taking the Cipro. I wonder if by taking these antibiotics, I am weakening my immune system which is allowing other viruses to take root. My sinus problems are pretty much just a post-nasal drip, nothing too severe. I probably should have mentioned that I have psoriasis, which, being an auto-immune disease, makes me wonder if I have another one that is making me susceptible to illness.

Joe D replied: "The exhaustion following bouts of diarrhea are likely from dehydration. The discomfort you describe is consistent with a urinary tract infection (UTI), and the treatment, especially the Cipro, is ideal for that infection. Rather than attribute your other conditions to the UTI, it is likely you have other issues causing the infections in your sinuses. Cipro is not effective against the Gram Positive bacteria normally associated with Upper Respiratory infections. The dizziness associated with standing or bending over is called 'postural hypotension' and is common side effect of dehydration, which could tie into your diarrhea. Basic things you can do (aside from seeing your doctor, or another physician if you feel the need), is be sure you remain properly hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, and I recommend using something such as Gator aid, at least for a few days to replenish your electrolytes from the diarrhea. Watch your diet, and be sure you take a daily multivitamin with minerals. Again, the diarrhea can deplete your body's stores of minerals and electrolytes. See an EVENT physician regarding the Upper Respiratory conditions, and consider a non-prescription allergy remedy such as Claritin-D to help keep your sinuses clear. Good Luck"

Shano replied: "Go to get a second opinion it sounds like chronic fatigue syndrome for the pain take tylenol for the diarrhea try eating banana's."

gelia replied: "i am not sure of your symptoms but i do know that they are giving you entirely too much antibiotic. seriously your body gets immuned and then they dont help like they should.. a spinal, mri usually gets results...good luck hope you get better"

getting over Bronchitits ? So im getting over bronchitits,.. but i still feel a slight wheezyish feel in my back from time to time when i breathe,.. it doesnt hurt,. i feel SOO much btter then i did,.. still a bit shakey due to the levaquin antiibiotic but that will go away,.. i hope. but the sound in my back,.. kinda feels like as if i has a cat purring on my back, Is it just the remains of bronchitis still comming out of me? Also,.. Now im scard to ask about this but,..I have like a roundish small bump inbetween my collarone.. It dont hurt,.. if i shrug my shoulders it moves away like its not there,.. swollen glad from the infection maybe? I highly doubt is cancer,.. iv been a healthy girl all my life. Dont smoke ciggs,. from time to time ill smoke pot though but only to relax me cause of work. And im very careful with how much i smoke. Cause if its too much i liertally freak out. Anyways if anyone has any good advice just let me know. Waitin for my doc call in the meantime

Dan P replied: "Yes, it is the mucous in your lungs trying to come up. Drink lots of water - this thins out mucous and makes it easier to bring up and expell. Glad you are feeling better, but what you're going through is part of getting better. It will be a little while longer before your 100% better. But the more you can cough up, the lesser the "purring" sensation will occur. As far as smoking, you should quit."

sheilakel replied: "It took me a month to get over my Bronchitits and I am still coughing up stuff. Drink a lot of water and sleep with 2 pillows, keeping your head above your chest. See what the Doc says."

rustoria617 replied: "Next time you have bronchitis, request zythromax, not levaquin. Much easier on your system and more specific for respiratory infections. I'm really surprised you weren't prescribed that. The lump could be a lymph node reaction to your infection, but still needs to be checked out. Not big deal if you wait awhile tho, it might just go away."

L L replied: "its probably mucus"

What could these symptoms be? I haven't been feeling well in almost two months. It started with what was a sinus infection. I had nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and I vomited twice. I was told that this was caused by the post-nasal drip from my sinus infection, and the dizziness is coming from allergies. I haven't felt better, I took two types of antibiotics, a Z-Pack, and Levaquin 500mg. And I've read all of the horrible things that antibiotics can do to you. Now I can't digest anything, my stomach hurts all the time. I have a lot of gas, I still feel nauseous occasionally, dizzy occasionally. I'm not a doctor, but I think that anyone can logically deduce that I never had a sinus infection. I went to the doctors yesterday, I took a blood test, urine test, and X-Ray, everything was normal. And after all that and a 6 hour wait, I got the awesome answer of "I don't know". I'm a little agitated, as I am sure you all can observe, what do some of you think I have? I have pressure in my head, occasional nausea, occasional dizziness, now I have stomach cramps, bloating, gas, constipation. No bleeding in stool, no vomiting. I think the next best thing for me to do, is to get a CAT scan. It's hard for me to find a hospital aside from the student health center here at my school, and to make matters worse I am an out-of-state student 1,200 miles away from home; nothing is worse then getting sick away from home.

mz_dazed replied: "The adrenal glands are a pair of small glands located just above the kidneys. They secrete many important hormones including adrenaline, but the most important adrenal hormone is cortisol. This natural form of cortisone is so important that we must produce it on a daily basis in order to stay alive. It is a stress hormone that helps our bodies adapt to every type of stress, including emotional and physical stress. Cortisol functions in many important ways including: reducing inflammation, maintaining normal blood sugar, main- taining a normal blood pressure, and enabling normal thyroid metabolism. Cortisol is also necessary for a normal immune response. Failure of the body to produce enough cortisol is called Addison's disease, hypocortisolism or adrenal insufficiency. Typically, this diagnosis is only made when severe or life threatening adrenal failure occurs. Fortunately, a brilliant Harvard endocrinologist named William McK. Jefferies recognized that health was impaired even by low-grade deficiencies of cortisol that were not immediately life threatening. Some common symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include: * Fatigue * Poor appetite * Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain * Muscle weakness * Low blood pressure, dizziness and palpitations * Anxiety and depression * Darkening of the skin * Decreased tolerance to cold * Reduced ability to fight infections * Loss of pubic and underarm hair Dr. Jefferies also wrote that conditions such as allergies and autoimmiune disorders reflected adrenal insufficiency. P.S. This type of condition shows up as "normal" on all tests. Its only when one is hours from death that they get diagnosed as Addisons. People also can get this condition after a major stress or trauma including an infection of some sort. Go to another doc asap. You need to be on some prednisone for a while. P.S.S I didn't say this person has Addison's. ACTH stim sounds like a good idea, although its not fail safe."

Duchess Ella replied: "Honestly, I have to agree with your doctor - I don't know. Nausea, bloating, gas, constipation, dizziness are all very general symptoms and can be seen in many problems. They do not fall neatly into one disease, but you may have more than one problem. Nausea, bloating, gas, stomachache - can be peptic ulcers, acid reflux (GERD) (you may also vomit), functional dyspepsia. Have you taken or been prescribed painkillers? Some of them can cause ulcers. Constipation, nausea & vomiting, cramps - can be irritable bowel syndrome (some people have alternating constipation and vomiting) You may also have an infection - gastroenteritis - which may cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, gas, dizziness. I know you may not like to hear this, but these symptoms may also have a psychological component. Some people can have nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, constipation when they are stressed, anxious, etc. Sometimes when people are anxious about their illness, they may start to have new symptoms that are psychological. This is termed "somatic symptoms". I should know - I get nausea whenever I am unhappy and dizziness and headaches before exams. However, I do have to disagree with the other poster - I don't believe you have Addison's disease. Most Addison's have severe muscle weakness and fatigue, and I assume you do not have this.Most of them do not have normal blood tests. They have low glucose, low sodium, high potassium, and acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). And it is definitely not true that most of them only get diagnosed hours before they die. A lot of patients are incidentally found to have Addison's on blood tests, usually for other problems. Regarding your chioce of getting a CT scan - is there a reason you make this choice? Are you particularly worried about certain diseases that can be found on a CT scan, or are you just hoping it can catch something? Please remember that CT scan, to put it simply, is actually a pumped up version of x-rays, i.e. a big dose of radiation. Since you're in school I guess you're still young, and have plenty of chance to accumulate radiation. Do understand that radiation itself has risks - it is known to cause cancers. If a CT scan does not help in diagnosis, I would not recommend doing it. Even for Addison's, we do have other kinds of blood tests for it (e.g. ACTH stimulation test) - a CT scan is only a later choice. I am sorry I cannot be more help to you, especially when you're all alone - but please do not worry excessively. I hope you will get well soon. Take care."

exposed to radiation and strong antibiotics, will my baby be ok? my last normal period was on 11-04-08, i was trying to conceive during my ovulating days which was around the 19th. On Nov. 27 i started having severe nausea and came down with a really high fever. so i checked my self into the emergency room, and the first thing they did was a pregnancy test, which came out negative. They couldn't get the fever to come down for hours, so they did all these these tests on me: abdominal cat scan, chest x rays, pelvic exam, sonogram of my gallbladder, they gave me morphine and perkasets (pain killers) for abdominal pain. they found out i had a kidney infection. So they put me on REALLY strong antibiotics called Levaquin.for about 5 days. On Dec. 1, i got what i thought was my period, but it was very light and only lasted that one day. Told my doc. she said its normal cause i was reallly sick...Took a pregnancy test this morning and it came out positive!!! Just want to know if all the radiation and medications will affect the embryo???

frog replied: "unlikely, but see your doctor"

Amanda replied: "I hope not but I'm not really sure. That should definitely be the first question you ask your doctor."

moonlightonalake replied: "See your doctor for reassurance. You will not get an accurate answer in here."

Samuel replied: "strong drugs, radiation, strong chances of some kind of infection to the embryo, yes...... sorryyyyyy"

Michelle H replied: "I hate to say it but it may. I would consult your doctor"

John M replied: "hard to say for sure, but I suspect that some of the effects you fear would have hit you harder had you been farther along, in terms of effect on the baby, than they will have at such an early stage. Best wishes for a healthy baby!"

sam a replied: "I think they would have seen the baby during the cat scan of you stomach Im not sure if it will harm the baby im sure it will be ok good luck"

Nanook of the North-Canadian Gal replied: "Hi :) first of all, congrats! And I'm sorry you were so sick. It's actually good you went and got it treated, because a prolonged untreated high fever can be bad for baby. (Welcome to pregnancy, you just can't win lol.) I was on really strong antibiotics too for a chest infection for weeks, as well as some other meds when I didn't know I was pregnant. (the first 4-6 weeks.) those other meds included pain killers, and 2 puffers, one a corticosteroid, because I have asthma and had huge trouble breathing. *my baby girl is healthy and normal* The sonogram is absolutely nothing to worry about; you will be getting more of those (it's just an ultrasound) and they are perfectly, absolutely, safe :) The X ray was of your chest. I wouldn't be concerned. Yes, there is a little radiation, but not a lot, and it wasn't directed at your pelvic area. A CAT scan isn't a huge issue either. Many women get infections when they are pregnant and have to take antibiotics without any ill effects. During the first 2 weeks, your baby wasn't even conceived. During the first month of pregnancy the baby isn't even connected to your bloodstream yet, that's why my doc said the antibiotics and meds weren't a huge deal (when I was panicking!) It's going to be okay. Although I wouldn't recommend chugging a lot more meds at this point, a lot of us have had to take things, have X rays, (or even have had a night of partying or even drugs) without doing damage. (Disclaimer: I am NOT saying it's okay to drink or do drugs during pregnancy.) I'm just saying, I really wouldn't worry. Just take your vitamins and do everything in your power that's healthy from this point on. Your OB/GYN will be able to clear your mind more when you tell her your concerns. Congrats again!"

amykissinger replied: "I'm sure you'll be OK-- good luck!"

the quiet1 replied: ""If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant while taking LEVAQUIN, talk to your healthcare professional before taking this medication. LEVAQUIN is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown." As to the radiation, it could affect the embryo in many ways. Below I listed a site you can go to since there is too much info to copy and paste here for you. Good Luck and do what you need to as well as get another test. Store bought tests are less accurate. Ask for a blood test it is more accurate."

Please help. What antibiotics (or combo of antibiotics) would treat all of these bacteria? Major infection.? - Strepotcoccus viridans - Haemophilus influenzae - Haemophilus parainfluenzae - Neisseria - Bacteroides Gracilis (I don't think it's the same as fragilis or whatever). It's gracilis on the report. I've been fighting a major infection, started as a dental infection (a root canal didn't go far enough and left part of the infected root in the tooth, allowing the infection to progress into a HUGE mess). It took 6 months to figure out what was making me so sick - I was bedridden for weeks. The infection had developed into osteomyelitis (bone infection). I've just had 2 teeth removed (the one with the shallow root canal and another the infection spread into), and under one of them some of the jawbone was mushy and had to also be removed. The infection had also spread through the lymph system of my head and neck, making me really sick. And, it was bad in my parotid gland - that still hurts a lot, and a cat scan revealed it had been very affected. The list above is the bacteria that they cultured from the surgical site (not just from inside my mouth). There was moderate growth of all of them even though I'd been on antibiotics for months. Now that the teeth have been removed and the bone cleaned out, antibiotics finally have a real chance at fighting the infection (which is still causing fevers, illness and jaw and parotid pain). Problem is, finding the right antibiotics that 1, treat the infection and 2, I don't have a reaction to has been difficult. Augmentin made me swell like crazy, my blood pressure which is normally 117-135 went to 185. I've tried Augmentin twice now and the same thing happens each time. Levaquin made me start feeling super panicky at night, and wouldn't let me sleep. It was unbearable. Clindamycin worked for the 1st 2 months I was on it, but a previous doctor stopped it and restarted it before the infection was gone (and before either tooth had been pulled) and I developed resistance to it. Plus, now they tell me that some of these bacteria are resistant to clindamycin anyway. I know one of the resistant ones was the viridans, but I forget the other that was also resistant to clindamycin. One of my doctors suggested trying the clindamycin again, since at least I had no side effects and since the source of the infection has finally been removed now. But, since it doesn't treat all of the bactiria, he's not sure what to do. I also took Flagyl, which seemed to help, but not nearly enough. But at least I could tolerate the drug. But it by itself I don't think treats all the bacteria involved either. Any ideas on what combo of drugs would treat this infection? They're talking about putting me on IV antibiotics and even doing a hyperbaric chamber (?) but they think if we can just find the right antibiotics that I could take orally we could avoid all that. I've seen an infectious disease doctor, but they want me to keep trying Augmentin (they were out of town when I swelled so they didn't see my swelling, although my primary doctor did and took me off of the Augmentin immediately). Please help. Thanks.

jongtzeven11 replied: "With such a widespread infection IV antibiotics sounds like a good idea to obtain a high drug concentration. It would lead to a faster cure and less suffering. But if you insist on taking oral antibioics, cefuroxime axetil covers streptococci viridans, haemophilus influenzae and nisseria. Cefuroxime is a 2nd generation cephalosporin and is a 1st line drug in view of a penicillin allergy. However 10% of people with penicillin allergy will develop a reaction of cephalosporins."

Antibiotic question - which of these bacteria is not covered by this antibiotic? Which of these bacteria is not fought off by Augmentin? - Streptococcus Viridans - Bacteroides Gracilis - Haemophilus Influenzae - Hameophilus Parainfluenzae - Neisseria species It's a jawbone infection that cultured these bacteria. I've been given Augmentin XR and my doctor says it treats all the bugs, but although my body seems to be feeling better, the infection in my jaw is once again getting worse, and now a previously unaffected tooth is throbbing, and I feel the infection spreading back into the parotid gland area (around my ear) like it was before (in my cat scans this gland is showing up as inflamed too). I've been on the Augmentin for 7 days, but it doesn't seem to be working as well as Clindamycin did or Levaquin (which I cannot tolerate - bad reaction). The last time the infection spread all around my head like this it made me so sick I could not function. I just don't know what to do. Please help. Thanks. p.s. I've tried to explain this to my doctor but they keep telling me the augmentin fights all of these bugs and there's no reason that the infection should be spreading again. (???) Sorry one more thing - I've also been tested for everything and have no underlying illnesses. Also, prior to this I was completely healthy.

C N replied: "bacteriodes is an anaerobic bacteria that augmentin prob wont kill, things like flagyl/metronidaxzole will. the other problem may be that if u have an abcess in ur jaw it might need to be drained or u might need IV antibiotics. Go get a 2nd opinion"

Emily the Scientist replied: "I'm not a doctor but I agree with C N's opinion (background in microbiology) and, if I were you, would go to another doctor as C N recommended. You can't afford time to go by when antibiotics aren't responding (and your infection should have started getting better after 7 days if they were appropriate). You poor thing. =)"

I just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant, but I had a CAT scan last week, and was hospitalized for coliits... I had colitis about 2 weeks ago and was hospitalized and given 1 week of Levaquin 500mg 1xday.I also had an abdominal catscan while in the hospital which came back fine. Then I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy to make sure everything was ok. And it was. However, i took a Pregnancy test today, and as luck has it I'm pregnant...which makes me about 5 weeks. This would be my 2nd child, the first is now 7 months old. Did the catscan and antibiotics hurt my fetus? HELP!!

Lovepurple replied: "You really need to talk to your OB/GYN about that because it may be too early to tell if what you had done will affect your unborn child. I hope that it turns out okay."

intelligentaphrodite replied: "Ask your doctor. If you don't have one. Get one. Take another test just to be sure cuz sometimes pregnancy tests are flukes. Especially the cheap ones."

missy isa replied: "i am surprised the doctor did not know you are pg. i would go back to the dr and ask him since he knows what you took."

jeepwife4ever replied: "Antibiotics probaly wouldn't hurt your baby. I think if the CAT scan would have been too harmful they wouldn't done it. Try to relax, rest a lot, be good to yourself. Ask your doctors a lot of questions. Pray."

Mom replied: "I wouldn't think so.I'm sure every thing is alright."

Ginger M replied: "Make an appointment with your ob/gyn. Levaquin is a category C medication during pregnancy. Some mothers have to take these class of medications and do fine. However I am quite upset that the physician did not perform a pregnancy test on you. I am a nurse and we always performed pregnancy tests on women of childbearing age before we did any radiology or invasive tests. I read that levaquin has not been established as a safe drug in pregnant women. That does not mean that it has harmed your baby, just it has not been proven safe. There are alot of drugs on the market that are not proven safe. Just go to see your physician and I am sure everything will be fine. Those little babies can be stronger and resistant more than you think. Best of Luck and don't worry."

Gloria F replied: "No you should be fine because the baby has not been inplanted yet. Advice came from my co-worker who had pretty much the same thing happen to her. Congrats!"

bajinnoly replied: "probably. did you tell your doctor you could of been pregnant, cause if you did and the baby comes out with problems, you can file a lawsuit"