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Neurologist's Reaction to Levaquin

During my last visit to my neurologist (August 31), I mentioned to him that my pulmonologist initially prescribed me with Levaquin (for minor Kleibsella) but I politely refused because of the effects on my nerves (I was given Augmentin instead). I was very surprised with his reaction about it. He said that this "side effects are over-blown". He does not believe that Levaquin (or Fluoroquinolones) has side effects to the nerves. he said there has never been any studies that say about Levaquin or Fluoroquinolones causing damage to the nerves.

I did not argue with him because, as a layman without medical background, I am not well-equipped with sufficient knowledge to argue on something he studied for many years.

I am so tempted to bring him the article I read in one of Mrs.D's links about antibiotics but I dont want to antagonize him because he is good in his area. But, I was just disappointed how can he not know about it????? How can he properly diagnose his patients whose cause has not been determined - but were on this antibiotic????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idiopathic PN (Post 912695)

I do not hesitate to bring my doctor information that I find. In fact I once brought her some info on Red Yeast Rice I was taking for cholesterol. As she was reading it she said, "Hmm, interesting". When she finished she said, "Your numbers have improved, keep doing what you're doing".

Your doctor said he doesn't believe Fluoroquinolones have any effect on nerves. The key words are "He doesn't believe" so maybe you should enlighten him with some info on the subject. I actually diagnosed my own PIN by researching on the internet, and bringing many pages of info to my doctor. I was very careful not to read into any site that was an advertisement for products unlike the links that Mrs. D recommends.

I was given Levaquin a few years back for about 10 days, and Cipro throughout the years until I realized what was going on. It is now in my medical records that I am allergic to all Fluoroquinolones. I never would have known about it if I wasn't able to search on the internet, and I would probably be given this antibotic to this day when I have a bladder problem.

I understand what you mean about having complete faith in your doctor. Maybe you could bring him the info, and say something like, "My friend told me about this, what do you think, Doctor? I value your opinion".

Unfortunately we have to make our doctors feel like they have the almighty power to make decisions about our health issues. Nowadays we are able to take our health issues in our own hands thanks to the internet and..........Mrs. D! ;)

I am not surprised.

It would probably not sway an arrogant neurologist to give proof
of the problem.

But here is some anyway.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11793615

http://www.drugcite.com/?q=Levaquin

http://www.drugcite.com/?q=Cipro&a=&s=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse...uoroquinolones

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/the...ent?oid=935475

http://www.jaycohenmd.com/fluoroquinolone.html

Here is a study Dr. Cohen discusses, where he found many doctors DON'T LISTEN or take patients side effects seriously.
The topic is statins...but I believe it can be for any drug class and this illustrates how narrow minded doctors can be.
http://www.medicationsense.com/artic...cts012108.html

Doctors are really undertrained and undereducated in the area of drugs. They often do not even understand how a drug actually works in the body. I spent 40+ yrs fielding questions and pointing this out. Even when they massively overdose a patient, and yes, this does happen, when reminded they can become very combative and nasty. I have had many horrible situations I have had to endure, in the patient's best interest.

Choose your battles carefully. Sometimes it is not worth it to argue with a doctor. But you as a patient have the RIGHT to refuse a drug treatment at any time. I have found for myself, that being docile, and even resorting to "begging" (when I was in the hospital with my C-section), works best. In the end they cannot force you to take ANYTHING(unless you are declared incompetent, and have legal commitment papers, and are in an "institution").

I would beg to differ with him... That med sure didn't do me any good.

I always help reg. MD's with information they do not bother to learn. Thankfully, I have an integrative MD that is amazing. That is the only way I have been healing from my Dyautonomia(Autonomic Neuropathy). He knows how to heal with supplements and diet.

I agree with Mrs D that trying to educate them will likely not work. There is not many open to learning from a patient.

BTW, how did the addition of Spiriva work?

Some reg. docs are able to learn. It is worth the effort. I always hope it will interest them to learn about supplements. You never know when you plant a seed. If we are forced to keep the new heathcare stuff, they will have to learn.

As I mentioned, I dont want to alienate myself from this doctor. He is good in his field (he does not have people skill, though). He seems to be upset when his patient does not accept his prescription. Example, he prescribed me with Nortriptyline but later I was prescribed with Symbicort. I read that Nortriptyline does not go well with Symbicort. So, I notified the neurologist's clinic about the contra -indication of Symbicort to Nortriptyline. The nurse came back to me with the advice from neuro that says something like: "If that is your decision, you can stop it but Dr.xx hoped that you read the information from a reputable site because he has not encountered any such contra-indication."

During my last visit, I complained about my pain getting worse and he said:"I dont know what other medicine to give you because there might be again side effects". This comment came after my story about Levaquin. We just agreed that he will again give me another EMG/NCV test because I have minimal loss of a reflex in my left leg. (The first EMG/NCV tests were done by another neurologist.)

Mrs.D, your links are really very helpful. Well, I dont know why doctors dont know about this infomration. Do they not read? Anyway, there are things that we dont h ave control over with, and this is one of them. I just have to courteously assert my patient's right. Afterall, its my body.