Levaquin Tendonitis, Lack of Range of Motion, Pain, Shoulder, Biceps Area

by Carol
(Florida)

I'm 66 yo female, horse farm owner, equestrian. Active.

I had bronchitis in August. Given prednisone + levaquin 500mg.

10 days after starting Levaquin I began having pain in right biceps area. Thought it was a muscle strain. It persisted to point where I had trouble steering in a car and, even now, months later, I can't reach over to open the passenger door with that arm or reach up to turn off a light switch from bed or reach my left scapula.

Limited range of motion. However, I can carry heavy bags of groceries! Go figure.

A neurological chiropractor I respect gave me some gentle exercises to help. I was also taking some ibupropen. The arm seemed somewhat better, but lately seems worse again.

I sometimes also feel a dull ache in my right hand and/or forearm. My neck has also been quite stiff since the Levaquin incident -- I have trouble turning my head to the right.

A doctor mentioned that I might have 'frozen shoulder' and recommended an MRI which I'll soon take. There was also some tenderness upon palpation in the shoulder area. If this is the case, can it be treated. I'm horrified that I may not have full use of my shoulder for the rest of my life.

I lost my life partner of 40 years last March. He was a wonderful sculptor. So I'm sure that my system has been more run-down than usual due to the pain of the loss.

That's the story in a nutshell. Thanks for any help.

C. Wolf



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Joshua Answers:


Hello Carol. Thanks for sharing your experience and for asking.

First off, why in the world did the doctor give you Levaquin for bronchitis? Did they test to verify that you had bacterial bronchitis?

The vast vast majority of bronchitis is viral, which antibiotics won't touch.


Next, Levaquin and steroids are a bad combination. I'll just assume that your doctor never bothered to educate him/herself adequately.

Questions re: that farther down.

I assume that you are off the Levaquin and Prednisone?

FYI, if you have issues with bronchitis, have your chiropractor adjust your thoracics. I have historical issue with bronchitis, and long story short, I can self adjust a couple specific spots and nip it in the bud when I feel it coming on. I'll tell you why later if your curious.




Various thoughts:

1. From a medical/health perspective, the loss of a loved one is a HUGE stress on the system and immune system. The stress can literally throw your system out of balance and lead to illness and such.

That is actually a factor that is a clue to identifying the cause of illness/disease.


2. Removing a Levaquin factor, yes, 'frozen shoulder' can absolutely be treated.

Adding the Levaquin factor, the damage may or may not be able to be healed.

As far as I can tell, people either have pain and symptoms for up to a year and then slowly get better, or they have significant tendon and connective tissue problems for the long term.

You're a couple months in...

Let's shift your 'horror' into 'motivation'.


I need more information.

1. How bad was the bronchitis?


2. Do you have a history of bronchitis?


3. Did the doctor do any tests to determine whether you had viral or bacterial bronchitis?


4. Why do you have limited range of motion? Becaues it hurts too much, or because it literally won't move?


5. What all directions is it limited? How limited is each direction? Can you rotate it in it's socket? Can you reach up to the ceiling? Etc.

The actuall question is, does it move in some directions but not in others?


6. Describe the pain. Where exactly? Sharp? Dull? Throbbing? Shooting? Constant? Intermittant? Only when moving it?


7. Is it hard to turn the neck because of tightness like the muscles won't let you turn that way, or stiffness, or pain?


Let's start with that. The answers to those questions will give me more to work with.

Use the 'comment' link below to reply.




Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com