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What Causes Pain In The Left Shoulder While On Levaquin For UTI?
Hello Doctor, I have been taking Levaquin from a UTI and just took my 3rd pill yesterday. I woke up today with mild pain in my left shoulder. After about 3 hours the pain level increased to about 8 out of 10. I read that this medication is known for damaging rotator cuffs and my symptoms sure feel like it. Would you have any suggestions as to what I should do and whether this is reversible? I read that it can never go away after this drug...Many thanks!
Tue, 11 Oct 2016
Hello.
I can understand you concern. However, since you have not had any external injury to the shoulder, I would not think rotator cuff injury likely at this point of time. Inflammation is a possibilty but I would not consider it likely either now.
Other causes for left shoulder pain which I think are likely are postural - due to improper sleeping posture, or more seriously due to conditions of the heart like angina.
If you donot have any risk factors for development of heart problems like advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, I would suggest you to take basic measures like application of hot fomentation with a hot water bag to the left shoulder and a short course of pain killers like paracetamol or ibuprofen an observe the pain. Also avoid using the joint for heavy work and for lifting objects. If there is no relief or if the pain gets worse, you may have to go for certain tests like an Xray of the shoulder joint in addition to a detailed physical examination by your doctor.
If you do have risk factors mentioned above, I suggest you visit the ER as early as possible and get an EKG and echocardiogram to rule out serious heart problems.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
I can understand you concern. However, since you have not had any external injury to the shoulder, I would not think rotator cuff injury likely at this point of time. Inflammation is a possibilty but I would not consider it likely either now.
Other causes for left shoulder pain which I think are likely are postural - due to improper sleeping posture, or more seriously due to conditions of the heart like angina.
If you donot have any risk factors for development of heart problems like advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, I would suggest you to take basic measures like application of hot fomentation with a hot water bag to the left shoulder and a short course of pain killers like paracetamol or ibuprofen an observe the pain. Also avoid using the joint for heavy work and for lifting objects. If there is no relief or if the pain gets worse, you may have to go for certain tests like an Xray of the shoulder joint in addition to a detailed physical examination by your doctor.
If you do have risk factors mentioned above, I suggest you visit the ER as early as possible and get an EKG and echocardiogram to rule out serious heart problems.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
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