What Causes Stiffness In Ankles And Pain In Calves After Stopping Levoquill?

Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 Answered on

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I received you email Dr. thank you! I replied to it but I am also going this rout.

Diverticulitis is thankfully gone, I can walk better but my ankles are still stiff and my calves are sore. I am using cold packs and ibuprofen. I am concerned that I am still having these problems 3 weeks after stopping the Levoquill. Also my balance is still a problem.I misspelled the name of the drug, it is Levoquin or Levofloraxcin (generic) this is what gave me the tendonitis in my Achilles tendons.

Will this condition go away eventually?

Thank you
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Good to hear that you have some relief

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

It's good to see you

I have gone through your query carefully and it takes time for tendinosis (Tendoachillis tendon) to heal but eventually heal in most of the cases. Beside having Ibuprofen my suggestion would be to have drug levocarnitine (Tab. Evion-LC), collagen peptide and hylauronic acid combination (Tab.Tendomac). This helps in relief of calf soreness and ankle stiffness. Your local pharmacist or your GP might know about these drugs. Hot water fomentation help to relax the sore muscles.

You may continue with exercises along with vitamin D, B12 as this helps in balance improvement. Every drug has certain time period before it get totally metabolised in the body(half life) and by 3 weeks, levofloxacin is totally removed from the body.

Hope this suffices and I shall be glad to answer any further query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (4 hours later)

What about my loss of balance, is this caused by the stiffness in my legs and ankles?

Thanks doctor!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Muscle stiffness can lead to painful walking

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome
I have gone through your query. Our gait/balance depends on proper functioning of the nervous, muscular and skeletal system.This can be affected by a disease or deficiency of vital nutrients (vitamin B12,D,calcium etc.).Muscle stiffness can lead to difficult and painful walking but it's uncommon to have loss of balance.
To help you better please tell me-
1.Do you have chronic disease like thyroid dysfunction or diabetes?
2.Do you smoke or take alcohol?
3.Do you have night cramp/tremor of hand?
Looking forward to your reply.
Meanwhile you may have muscle relaxant drug like baclofen (Lioresal) along with the treatment as discussed earlier.Get it prescribed from your local doctor.
Hope this helps .
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (17 minutes later)

No diabetes. thyroid hasn't been tested. night cramps in legs occasionally.
I use alcohol, a little more than moderately but never get inebriated. Smoke one to 2 cigars a day. Had quit for 3 months prior and will stop again now that I am feeling better. I did not use any alcohol when I was on the antibiotics and 3 days after.Balance problem only surfaced after I started the Levoquin.

Liver function tests normal.

Thanks again!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Neuropathy is caused by chronic smoking/alcoholism

Detailed Answer:
Hello
The Neuropathy (disease of nerve) is caused by chronic smoking/alcohol.So,you may quit them at the earliest. With such a short duration of symptom (balance loss),I hope you will get over with the treatment (vitamin B12 shot/pill)as discussed previously along with exercises.
A simple way to prevent night cramp is stretch your calf muscle before going to bed 3-4 times and each time holding for 10-15 seconds. Quinine water tonic is also useful to prevent night cramps before going to bed. I hope this information will be helpful to prevent night cramps.
If you have further query I shall be glad to answer. Take care and wish you good health.
Regards
Dr.chugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar