Overwhelming anxiety - (Please read!)

[GreyGoose]

I'm sure most of you already know about my experience with Cipro and Levaquin so I'll cut to the chase here.

After being treated for prostatitis for a month with Cipro and Cipro XR and then another whole month with Levaquin, I am left with sharp aches and pains that breifly come and go throughout my entire body at various times during the day as well as HORRIBLE, debillitating anxiety. I also get these quick, sharp pains that go through the right side of my head/brain about 3-4 times each day.

I suffered terribly for a week before I thought back to my last few experiences with Quinolones and remembered that I went through this EXACT same thing the last few times where I would finish the last of my Cipro/Levaquin and then within 3-5 days I'd get this little sore throat for a few days followed by debilitating anxiety that just would'nt let up.

I should tell you that I already suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc but these particular attacks seem to occur consistantly every time I take Quinolones for a month orso and then go off of them. I guess I'd just be interested to hear if anyone else sees a connection here or if I'm just losing my mind.

I'm currently taking Xanax, Vistaril and plan to try some Lexapro if this does'nt let up. The last time I came off of Quinolones, my anxiety got so bad I thought for sure I was going mad and ended up in the ER every day for nearly a week - that's HOW BAD it got.

Hope to hear from as many of you as possible regarding this. Thank you and MERRY CHRISTMAS:)

- Regards

[bti20]

Two months of Cipro turned me into a lunatic. It was unbelievable. Unrelenting intense anxiety, total insomnia and a feeling like the bones in my arms were on fire for about three days solid. Worst experience of my life. Feels like a bad dream now

[Richie]

I had the same experience with sever joint pain from Levaquin. 90 days later, I am 80% better but still have side effects. They are mitigating though as time goes on.

I have been told it takes a full year to get rid of everything.

Vitamin C also seems to help me here.

On the anxiety end, try to get some good sleep. Its a seratonin thing which good sleep helps. I used to take a drug called Remeron which helped for my sleep and anxiety attacks.

I would imagine your anxiety attacks are triggered by your fear of going on and off antibiotics.

[robertpagen]

Cipro, levaquin, floxin are not properly monitored by dispensing physicians. Please closely monitor yourself for these effects if you choose to taketheese meds.

[Dj Smitty]

I think Tequin is part of the same family...I was on that for 4 weeks and since it was having little to no effect on my problem (this is back in June), my doctor said it must not be an infection then because these particular antibiotics would surely kill it all. I didn't have any of these side effects but maybe it's because my doctor cut me off right at 4 weeks.

[Astrotitan]

Noroxin, which is in the same class as Cipro, gave me anxiety attacks and other pains. I experimented by regulating the dose after speaking with my Doc and sure enough the anxiety and other symtoms followed suit. I get he feeling that taking these types of antibiotics which no evidence of bacteria does more damage and aggrevates chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome for the long term.

[BSchuman]

I want to express my appreciation for what you said about Cipro. If you have the time, I think it would be helpful if one of you started a thread specifically chronicling your experiences with it.
I was prescribed it immediately after complaining of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms. I hesitated to take it because the last time I was prescribed an antibiotic (Bactrim) it did very little and I became much sicker shortly after discontinuing it. Ever since then, my stomach has been much weaker and I think it might be due to the Bactrim.
I decided about a week ago that I was going to try the Cipro but I did not know much about it. I kept putting it off. Also, I've noticed that my symptoms vary according to mood and diet so I haven't felt a need to add an antibiotic in the mix.
After reading your scary stories, I've decided finally that I absolutely will not take the Cipro. I thank you for sharing your experiences and encourage you to do so more on this forum.