This site is to give HOPE to those who are suffering from Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome as a result of being poisoned by fluoroquinolone antibiotics – Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Floxin, etc. It contains stories of healing.
Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox and all other fluoroquinolones are dangerous drugs that can have devastating effects that cumulatively I’ll refer to as Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome or Floxing. Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome/Floxing includes damage to connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, etc.) throughout the body, damage to the nervous systems (central, peripheral and autonomic), and more. The damage done by fluoroquinolone antibiotics can destroy a person’s quality of life or even kill them. Certainly, there is a time and a place for drugs with dangerous side effects. If you find yourself in a septic shock induced coma, fluoroquinolones may save your life. Unfortunately, these drugs are not being reserved for life or death situations. People are being prescribed them for urinary tract infections, suspected prostate infections, upper respiratory infections, as a prophylactic for travelers’ diarrhea, ear infections, pink eye, etc. Thousands of people have suffered needlessly from the devastating effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, when another, safer antibiotic could have, and should have, been used.
The damage done by fluoroquinolones is largely unacknowledged by the medical establishment and an accurate diagnosis, compensation and relief are difficult to come by. There is no known cure for Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome/Floxing. However, many people continue to LIVE after being poisoned by fluroquinolones. They find healing, recovery, perseverance, compassion and hope. These are their stories.
This site is meant to give hope for healing to those who are adversely effected by fluoroquinolones. It is no way meant to disregard the pain of those who are chronically suffering from the horrifying effects of Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox or the other fluoroquinolones. There are people who don’t recover. Their stories are real and they matter. There are also people who are able to recover and I share their stories with the hope that they inspire others, or at least give hope that recovery is possible.
Here is a New York Times article about the dangers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics – http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/popular-antibiotics-may-carry-serious-side-effects/?_r=0 – more news stories, research papers and other resources can be found on the “Links and Resources” page.
Here is a Facebook group that is a great resource for those going through Fluoroquinolone Toxicity – https://www.facebook.com/groups/floxies/
Featured post – I’m floxed. Now what?
The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Solution Ebook has helped many Floxies to recover, including Daniel, Cindy and Ruth. As a bonus, you will also receive The Floxie Food Guide – a book of diet guidelines to help you through fluoroquinolone toxicity:
I’m more and more convinced, it just malpractice
could not agree more
They showed a small part of this interview
I was floxed in Feb 2015 while tapering benzo. Horrific. I then got further damage from Flagyl and macrobid after Cipro. Tapered benzo. Felt like I was healing for a year afterwards and that I made it out alive. But then had to take antibiotics was given steroids and went back on klonopin, had Versed for endoscopy and CT scans with dye and never same since. Constant burning skin and tongue and mouth and mast cell activation. Had to go back on benzo and tried several antidepressants like cymbalta, amitriptyline, Prozac (has fluorine) and now dr wants Luvox ( has fluorine). Took PPIs (had fluoirine) for ulcers and used fluoride toothpaste 12 times. I am totally messed up and find no way out. I’m on benzo and going to start Luvox. I’ve been inpatient and outpatient for psych and awaiting inpatient again. Gut and brain and skin are so messed up I can’t sweat and my detox pathways are messed up. I react to everything and can barely eat. I even react badly to water in shower. What can I do? I am totally hopeless. Even naturopath said to stay on klonopin and take Luvox and magnesium and drink vegan shakes.
I too was floxed feb 2015. Sorry you have been through so much, but the CT scan dye (I refused both) and the steroids in particular were probably critical in your setback. As I posted earlier, antidepressants have been shown to be no better than placebos, and they have their own risks. I was on them for decades. Never again. Unfortunately the PPIs likely damaged your gut microbiome even more and it is so crucial to good health. If I were you I would find a good ND or integrative doctor that does IV therapy and who can guide you in healing your gut which I think is priority one. As long as you continue these drugs I am afraid you will just put off healing.
I’m very suicidal and desperate I don’t know what to do. Who to see, what advice to follow,
Hi joanne, I really don’t know what to say to you. That’s a crazy situation we’re dealing with. I was 2 years out in december, never had any gut issues. Then I took a powerful probiotic and I messed up my guts with it, and it seems that I can’t really heal from this mess. I developed a bad allergy, and I’m sure it is not a coincidence. Anyway, I know this is not very supportive, but if it makes you feel just a little better, feel free to ask anything. I’ll answer with pleasure.
If you post the general area where you live, perhaps someone can refer you to a healthcare provider that helped them. I found the ND who saved me through this site.
Joanne,
Don’t give up!
You will get better!!
Your gut has been destroyed and cannot supply your body with what it needs to function properly.
So concentrate on everything that heals your gut. Eat a raw potato every day, or if you can’t do that drink a table spoon of potato starch in cold water. Also, eat a green banana daily and drink bone broth throughout the day at least 3 cups.
Then slowly (not too much too fast) add good bacteria either through foods such as slow fermented Sauer kraut, keifer or probiotics(I use Visbiome, formerly VSL).
And stay away from anything that kills bacteria of course antibiotics but even natural bacterial killers such as lots of garlic, most herbs and herbal supplements, lots of apple cider vinegar, anything that will kill the bacteria that you need to desperately build back up. Look up all supplements and foods you want to use as medicine and make sure they dont kill bacteria. Also don’t use anything on your skin that kills bacteria such hand sanitizer, use gloves when doing dishes, etc.
As for the anti depressants, I wouldn’t worry about stopping them until you are better because our gut bacteria creates all the chemicals our brains need and when it has been destroyed you might need that help until it’s been restored.
Remember you were healing before but you took antibiotics again and destroyed everything you had built back up, so you CAN do it AGAIN!
I’m so sorry to hear about your suffering, Joanne! Please don’t give up; you never know when healing might be around the next corner. I know how hard this vicious FQ poisoning is. Getting better can be very slow, but it can happen. My tendon ruptures from Cipro have all healed with time. Please speak to a therapist and naturopath if you can and keep connecting with all the online Cipro support groups you can find. Antidepressants (except for those that include FQs) might be needed right now to keep the suicidal thoughts at bay, though long-term other options might be healthier. Antidepressants helped me for many years; I only gave them up because they were giving me bone fractures after many years.. Sending you lots of positive energy.
Like L. wrote;as long as you use this mix of “medicines” your problem will not be solved.Most PPI’s don’t have fluorine in it,as far as I can find,but antidepressivants have.Depression is not a lack of antidepressivants in your brain,but a deficiency of essential oils,vitamines (B-complex),Vitamine D,magnesium etc.Those “medicines” won’t solve your medical problems,changing your food habbits,exercise,going out,in the garden (if you have one),especially when the sun shines,and even singing/whistling work better than those pills (which only suppress the symptoms,while the things I mentioned take away the causes).
Magnesium is extremely important;a defficiency causes lots of problems,among which being frightened without a real cause,and panic attacks,and depression.But the fluorine in Luvox will keep on robbing your prescious magnesium,and other important vit’s and minerals.PPI’s cause a deficiency in magnesium,zinc,vit.B12 etc.As long as you don’t eliminate the deficiencies on essential oils (Omega-3 being the most important for psychical wellbeing),vitamine B-complex (B3 is essential for your brain functioning;a deficiency causes all kinds of psychic symptoms),and minerals like magnesium and zinc.
One of the many “pills” nature offers agains depressions.is Curcumin,probably one of the most usefull,and researched natural substances:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28236605
I hope that we can help you to solve your problems and feel well but it will take time.One last,important advice: stay away as far as possible from everything,containing Fluoride/Fluorine.Once being floxed you are extremely sencitive to fluoride and even the smallest dose of this extremely aggresive poison will worsen your symptoms.
Here’s an article from Dr.Mercola that might help:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/07/reversing-depression-without-antidepressants.aspx
I’m astonished that even the naturopath told you to stay on Klonopin and take Luvox (Fluorine);might it be that he’s afraid to come in conflict with your regular doctor/psychiatrist?
Oh,and the Klonopin can be replaced by CBD oil,a safe,effective and completely natural anti-psychotic.Your nathuropath should know this,and all the other things I wrote.
Andrea, may I ask what probiotics you took that caused you bad gut issues? I hope your stomach will heal in time!!
Hi dee. The probiotics I took are from an italian brand named bromatech. I took the one that it’s called “enterelle”. It used ti cure severe cases of diarreha and to kinda reset your flora. After that you’re supposed to start with another probiotic and then with another one. But after 3 or 4 days I was extremely costipated and bloated.
Andrea thanks for the Probiotic info. Do you know how many bacteria your dose had?? It sounds a lot like our VSL #3 brand here in the US. 2 pills had 225 billion bacteria or 1 pill had 112 billion which was for fixing IBS etc. I took 1 pill for about a week and it made my stomach bloat and loose bathroom. I stopped taking it and slowly better. But I suppose it can really throw you off? I did have IBS before I got floxed and loose stools so thought I was a candidate for the strong probiotic? I guess we are more sensitive and have to be very careful with anything?? Although some floxies respond really well to the stronger probiotic!! Have you tried bone broth yet for your stomach or fermented foods??
No Dee, I never tried bone broth, but I’m going to, whenever I can find it, even if I think a vegan diet would work better, at least for me. Yeah, some probiotics are good to treat some problems, but unecessary/dangerous for others. And this is expecially true for us floxies, that are already so weak. I might be wrong, but this particular probiotic I took, was only 3 kinds of different probiotics but in huge amounts, like 700 billion, or something like that. It was probably like dropping a bomb on an already healhty gut….
In the past I took some lighter probiotics and never noticed anything from them, not good not bad. So this one was really soemthing wrong for me…
Andrea,the Lactospore I used (and wrote about) did a good job for me.When I started I had an unstable stool,sometimes normal,sometimes loose.I used them for a few month,during which my stool stabilized.When they ran out,I didn’t buy a new container because I had invested in the expensive Mag.Threonate (money is often the problem),but,untill now,my stool is still very stable and has even survived two probable foodpoisonings;a few hours of diarrea,and a quick recovery,and,to my surprise,no feeling of being sick,at all.
For now,I’m waiting to see how long this possitive effect lasts;I hope it’s a permanent effect.If not,I order them again;these really work! And they are cheap!
I bought them here (€10 for 60 tabs,enough for 2 months)
https://www.bulkpowders.co.uk/lactospore-tablets.html
Henk, in the last few days I was taking another probiotic that the dietician suggested. I was feeling a little better, but then I stopped because I started a 3 days water fast, hoping that soimething would change, but it seems that it didn’t work the way I expected…
Oh, to anyone who’s interested to know how fasting for 3 days affected me, this time (last time was more or less a year ago) I felt way better : less fatigue, not so weak etc. But in the last 12 hours, all the aches and pain in my leg, (and this time my elbow too) returned. Quite strong. After the first meal I took a pill of mag. and 5000 iu of vitamin d3. One hour later I started to feel better. Today I felt way better, so after dinner I took the mag/vit d again. That’s weird.
Andrea,that’s a puzzling reaction.Might it be that something in your food causes the fatigue? Normaly,fasting gives fatigue,the first days,becuase there’s no (food/energy intake,and your body starts up a cleaning process,which needs energy as well.Could you try to eat gluten-free for a few days,or a week,to see how you react on that? I know,pasta’s and bread (gluten-rich) are the base of italian food (you’ve got great bread;I really like it !) but being floxed,or having taken other AB’s, leaves many people with all kinds of allergies.
While controlling my glucose,after my first AB course in 2004,I noticed that bread and pasta’s made my glucose-level rise extremely while potatoes didn’t.This amazed me because potatoes have a much higher glycemic index than wheat products.While the other symptoms of adverse reactions,more or less disappeared,once I used the Beck Protocol,my sensitivity for wheat did go down but I couln’t eat more than 3 slices of bread without my glucose rise way to high.And now,after the Cipro,I got stck on a max of 1 1/2 slice of bread,and 30 grams of white,35 grams of “brown” pasta.And bread and pasta’s do give me fatigue.
So,you might try a week,or so,on potatoes,and rice (works fine for me),to see if a gluten intolerans plays a role,here. Might also help a bit concerning your intestinal problems.I hope,I’m wrong becuase an Italian without his favorite pasta’s…I feel pity for you if gluten is the cause.
Which probiotic are you using now? I hope,this one will work without any problem.If not,you might try that Lactospore (spores,not the actual bacteria).This one heals and protects the inner lining of your intestines and creates a healthy environment for your gut flora,as far as I know/read.I have a very positive experience with this one,and I used a lót of other different probiotica without result,after my first AB course.Cost me lots of money,too;some were quite expensive.But for now you choose another one;let’s hope this works well.Let us know,please.
Thanks for your reply Henk. I’ve checked the probiotics I’m taking right now : no lactospore (bacillus coagulans) in it. But I’ve also checked the other probiotic I was taking before, and it does contain the lactospore you took. 2 billions. So, it I can say, it was useless for me.
Another thing. I’ve checked one of the ingredient of the enterelle, the probiotic that messed up my gut flora. One of the main ingredients is enterococcus faecium, probably why this probiotic is named like that. Look it up what it is :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterococcus_faecium
Oh I was also reading about another ingredient of this enterelle. It’s name is saccharomyces boulardii. It’s a specie of yeast. In Italy is also sold, as as over the counter drug, form treating diarreha. I’ve read that, in the past, there was a restriction, because it was causing candida. I’m starting to think that I could be affected by it. I was thinking about a antimicotic, but before taking it, I want to get tested first.
Sorry, there have been rare cases of candida in immunosuppred patients and patient with chatheter.
Ciao Andrea,I think,like I wrote you before,that the Saccharomyces Boulardii (a ferment/yeast) caused the problems.This one is,in a healthy gut, in normal/small quantities present in your intestines,and might,in a balanced intestinal flora,even be usefull but by using that Enterelle on a balanced gut flora,that yeast became dominant and caused the symptoms,like bloating.
You took the Enterelle while not having intestinal problems;did you take the other AB,with the lactospore,on that same reasonably healthy gut flora as well? That might explain why you,then,didn’t experience any positive reactions,then;there was no need for it (nothing to repair).
I hope that the probio you’re using now will bring everything back to normal. When the nasty symptoms continue,you might consider trying that Lactospore.It is proven usefull against your symptoms,successfully,by people with IBS.I use(d) it in combination with Inuline (a pré-biotic).Inulin is the perfect supp to make the usage of probiotics more succcessfull;use it,whenever you take probiotics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_coagulans
Henk, I’ve used that probiotic (bacillus coagulans) in a combo with inuline and enzymes from curcumin and ginger after the mess caused by enterelle. Nothing really changed.
Right now, I’m using another one. It contains 4 different strains for a total of 70 billions CFU. It seems to give me the opposite effect of enterelle. If you know what I mean…well maybe, even if not pleasent, something is moving…
Does anybody know what all these fake comments are doing here? Those with random “names” and no text? Some troll,I suppose.Lisa,can you,please,block the sender/source,if it is a scam or a troll?
I was just thinking about that too Henk. Someone with way too much time on their hands. I figured it we all ignored he/she would just go away. Kind of pathetic when you think about it.
Back in early September, I was given Cipro after a prostate biopsy and so started my story of tendon/ligament pain and neuropathy. But I saw a herbalist fairly quickly and, along with high doses of magnesium, started on a detox regime to remove the fluorine from the body. Early in February, I had surgery to remove my prostate and had to stop all my medications including the magnesium and herbal tinctures but experienced two weeks without any symptoms of toxicity at all and wondered whether I had recovered. But then I was given a course of Cefalexin for a urinary infection and my toxicity symptoms have reappeared. I’m back on magnesium and the herbal tinctures again. How is it though, that I can apparently recover and perhaps be detoxed from all fluorine only to experience the same symptoms again from a drug that contains no fluorine? I don’t understand.
Well Mike, for the same reason we can have relapses from Advil or prednisone or gluten or a 100 other things. We just don’t know. That’s why we buy meat that has not been given any antibiotics. The triggers to bring this beast back seem to be endless. Please see my post above about finding an ND who can give you the protocol for treating UTIs without antibiotics.
Thanks, L. Sorry, but what is an ND? Unfortunately, no matter what it is, I can’t imagine I’m anywhere near one . . . living, as I do, on a Scottish Island. Even my herbalist is an expensive ferry trip away.
Yikes. You are isolated. It is a naturopathic doctor. It must be difficult for you. Even living not that far from a major city, it is still hard to find natural practitioners, but still much easier than most. Hopefully more and more will be turning that way.
Yes, we are isolated . . . and a long way from anywhere I would describe as a major city. And though we have a hospital here, I have to fly to the hospital in Aberdeen for any major surgery or treatment for cancer. I’ve had a search but I don’t think there are any NDs anywhere in Scotland!!
https://www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk/natural_medicine/scotland/Naturopath
Mike, there’re days, even weeks where I feel almost healed. Almost no pain, no fatigue. I feel normal. And maybe I’m eating junk food, not taking supplements etc. Then, there’re times when, even if I’m eating extremely healthy, taking all the right supplements, no matter what, I feel like crap again. These side effects are so terrible expecially because they’re so unpredictable. I think it has lots to do with stress. That’s probably why, when, even if I’m eating lots of crap and “not giving a damn”, I still menage to feel good. Probably that feeling of “freedom” to eat whatever you like is relaxing. I fdon’t know. Just my opinion of course. But defenetly stress has lots to do with our symptoms.
Hi Mike, I had the symptoms come back from non fluoride drugs, and I’m a bit scared about having any anesthetic. Do you know what they gave you when you had surgery at all?
had tooth extraction day 4 now. pain getting worse. can only see dentist monday but can get script per phone of antibiotics. I see yellow stuff . hope its not dry socket. what pain meds do we tolorate and which antibiotics, he want to give clarithromycin (Klacid here in south africa)
As for the antibiotic: clarithromycin has no fluoride/fluorine in it’s composition;might be a “safe” choice (no AB is 100% safe,same for most synthetic medicines,and a few of the natural ones).
Best,take a good probiotic,and a good magnesium supplement while using that AB.Don’t take the magnesium too close to the clarithromycin,but one or more hours seperated.
For pain,the safest choice is Paracetamole.Don’t take more than the max advised dose;both clarithromycin and Paracetamole can cause liver damage.
Might also be helpfull to rinse your mouth with hot salt water,and/or chamomilla tea,several times a day.Do you have Colloïdal Silverwater at hand? Than use it,both as a rinse and small oral doses to strenghten your immune system.
I hope you’ll feel well soon;good luck!
The magnesium should be taken four hours away from the antibiotic (per Dr Jay Cohen.)
Clarithromycin FDA warning d.d.februari 2018:don’t use if you have heart problems.Don’t use combined with statins:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarithromycin
So sorry Ursula. It really sucks when we try to deal with other issues in addition to floxing. I copied this from a list Lisa posted somewhere on here a year or so ago. The ones that seemed to be safer choices were: Antibiotics to avoid in addition to flqs
Amoxicillin
Penicillin seems to be well tolerated – unless you’re allergic to it.
Cephalosporins seem to be well tolerated
Z-pack
And of course like every other damn thing, people have sometimes reacted to these as wel. And recently something else came out about z pack and heart issues, but I don’t know if she would take it off the safer list at this point or not. I read that the one your doctor wants to use is similar to penicilin so sounds like as good a choice as any.
As for pain meds, I cannot recall which I had but I was give two different ones…no issues at all. I would be less concerned with those. I would only request that they not also contain an NSAID which they sometimes will do.
oops the phrase “antibiotics to avoid in addition to flqs” should NOT be there. I copy and pasted and forgot to remove that part
Hi L, Ah, you found one!! Just an expensive ferry and 300 miles away on some of the twistiest roads in Britain. Just out of the question . . . physically and financially.
Mike,you might contact him/her and ask if a telephonic consultation is possible.
I guess so. I doubt it though. My herbalist is not allowed to prescribe without my presence.
Good idea! and ask also if he can refer to someone closer
😦
Doeas anyone have any expereince with Fluconazole or any other antifungal drugs, thanks.
I had a reaction with fluconazole, it lasted a month, I wouldn’t take it again.
Thanks saff
Hi Andrea,
I had a couple of reactions to fluconazole too and they lasted a two or three months. Possibly there is another antifungal that doesn’t have fluoride that you can take.
To everyone who is taking supplements, do you take them permanently or do you make some breaks between? I am now taking magnesium citrate, vitamin D, vitamin B12 injection and spray, iron and folic acid (as I have depletion in all of these). I decided to be persisting and simply hold it. After how long did you make some breaks between?
Hi Attsy,you’d better not use fat-soluble vitamines (A,D,E) on a continuous base. I,personally,use all supplements except magnesium in periods.I eat quite a lot of cheese,so,magnesium is important for me,to compensate for all the calcium in the cheese.The soft cheeses I eat contain vit.K 1,and I use vit.K2 as well,since a few weeks;don’t yet know how I will handle that one in the future.
When I use vitamine supp’s I usually ,when a daily serving is 2 or 3 pill’s/tab’s,just take one and try to get most of what I need from healthy foods.I do use vit D3,but not constantly.I have a Philips narrow band UV-B lamp and use it as well,also not constantly.And I try to go out in the sun as much as possible during the months one can obtain vit.D. from it,where I live (april-august).
Funny you should ask. I was told by one integrative MD that I should take breaks from all supplements. This actually concerned me especially for ones I take for my eyes and also for the MAG, fish oil and D. He said to use them say, one week on, one week off. Or one month on, one month off. Out of curiosity I did a search online and could find no other source that said that. So, I asked another integrative MD (one who is trained both in internal medicine and pulmonology and also a Lyme specialist) , and he said “There is no need to do that.” So, what I have done is split the difference. The ones that concerned me (above) I take daily. Other ones, like all the mitochondrial supplements and others, I do one week one, one week off. I also take probiotics every day.
Hi Henk and L,
thank you for your tips, I guess I will go for month now and then take some rest but continue with magnesium, iron and B12 for longer time. I will probably also add vit e, c and k. I hope it will work as I strongly believe in it. And my colon is now in situation when it seems it will keep it down.
thanks 🙂
Hi Attsy,you’re welcome.Don’t forget that vit. E is one of the fat soluble vitamines;don’t take this one for a too long periode.And vit B 12 injections ánd the vit.B12 spray is not a good idea;use the spray only when not using the injections,or vice versa.
Henk, I was thinking about using spray and injections together so I will take the spray after I finish with the injections. And will take vitamin E for shorter period for sure :).
Thank you.
Guys, does anyone of you have an idea why after a 3 days water fast, wich supposeldy gives many benefits, I felt better overall, but it triggered the pain in my ankles and legs so bad? It’s a weird reaction. I’ve noticed that, as soon as I took some vitamin d3, I felt way better. Any idea?
I have no idea, but sometimes we attribute a relapse to the wrong thing. It’s logical to try to blame the single thing we can think of, but sometimes I think we just don’t know why a side effect came back. It’s possible it had nothing to do with the fasting. Sometimes I have a return of the disgusting phantom scents, or the squeezing sensation around my neck, after having done nothing different than the day before. The connection unfortunately is not always clear cut.
I know what you mean L. But in this case I really think the fast is the reason. Even months ago, when I did my first water fast, it triggered my symptoms. This time I felt way better overall, but by the third day, the pain really increased (It wasn’t bothering me lately) and as soon as I started to eat again and took the D3, I felt better.
Yes I sometimes have relapse without reason, sometimes I think it’s because I did something which contributed to the relapse (B12 injection – once but now it seems ok, tooth anesthesia, I ate one time chocolate and my body didn’t like it, too much walking etc….). So you food and water fast? I did only food fasting and I drank during my food fasting water and herbal tea.
Attsy, I don’t understand what you mean by “you food and water fast?” Anyway I meant I fasted for 3 days (complete food abstinence) and only drinking water with the exception of 2 camomille teas.
I just saw in your post “water fast” so I thought that you are also not drinking water – sorry english is not my mother tongue, but as I understand now you drink water, so you did it the same way as me. It helped me but I guess relapses are quite normal maybe your body needed the vitamins as you stopped with food? How long are you going to continue? I think 3 days may be just fine for now.
I haven’t done it yet, Attsy, but what has been recommended to me now by both an integrative MD and (unbelievaby) and regular MD is supervised water only fasting. It is supervised so they can monitor you, do blood tests, etc. They would like me to do longer but because I am already thin, it would be a week of fasting then 3-4 days of “breaking” the fast under supervision. It is supposed to act like a reset button, and has proven useful for auto immune disease. There are only a very small handful of places in the world that do it that are recognized by health care professionals as reputable and effective.
Hi L, that’s great that you can do it under supervision! Honestly I would not do it again or at least not for 10 days as I did before (but I was completely out of my mind). And I also think that 3 days are just fine! Hope it will help you as it helped me.
Thanks. it’s kind of a last resort. will have to borrow money to do it because you need to actually stay there on premises
L, please be careful! I’ve been reading a lot about fasting in the last year. As you said, it is SUPPOSED to act like a reset button, but you know damn well our symptoms are so tricky and different from many other ill people. As I wrote previously, the fast made my skeletal muscle problems worse. And since you’ve been so badly damaged by the FQ, I’m afraid it could hurt you. Just be careful, if you feel like something it’s going in the wrong direction, just start to eat again.
Anyaway, there’s a terrific scientist who’s becoming more and more famus lately. He’s Italian, but lives in the sates. He’s been studying and experimenting fasting for the last two decades. He’s name is Valter Longo. He also invented what’s called “fasting mimicking diet”. It’s an extremely calories restricted regimen to do for 5 days. It should have the same benefits of a 3 days only water fast, but without the side effects. He developed this regimen for the cancer patients who found a total fast too extreme. He sell a kit with all the foods and supplements to take. It’s quite expensive, but sonner or later I’m going to try it. Just google fasting mimicking diet or Valter Longo. There’s plenty of interviews about the topic.
Antùyway, Here’s a Link 🙂
https://valterlongo.com/
Yes I sometimes have relapse without reason, sometimes I think it’s because I did something which contributed to the relapse (B12 injection – once but now it seems ok, tooth anesthesia, I ate one time chocolate and my body didn’t like it, too much walking etc….). So you food and water fast? I did only food fasting and I drank during my food fasting water and herbal tea.
sorry double post :S
Is it safe to take Quercetin with Mirtazapine 15mg?
The only herb that I know can present problems with some kinds of antidepressants is st johns wart. I think if you do an online search and can’t find anything it would likely be ok. I have taken quercetin many times, but I am not on antidepressants. (You might want to try turmeric with 95% curcumoid as an alternative.)
Hey everybody
Looking for feedback from those of you who experienced fuzzy brain and lightheadedness due to FQs. Around October of last year – I was getting better; probably back to 90% of normal with only two symptoms remaining.
Then I got two new sypmtoms; this strange tingling and cold sensation in my legs (which is a symptom I had when initially floxed, but it had been gone for over 2 years) and a sense of lightheadedness. Fast forward to today – most of my symptoms have gotten so much better that I would consider myself very nearly well (95% to 98%) EXCEPT FOR THE LIGHTHEADEDNESS.
Lightheadedness is often, but not always, accompanied by a band headache. I don’t seem to have any brain fog or cognitive problems just feel like I might pass out. It is not positional related. It comes and goes more than it did when it first appeared but when it comes on sometimes it nearly leaves me unable to function. I may go for a week with only a few mild episodes and then experience nearly constant symptoms for three or four days.
So, my big question: is this FQ related? Have others on here had similar symptoms that eventually went away like many of our floxie symptoms? Or is there maybe something I need to bug my western medicine doctor about to investigate?
Just as a reminder; I developed high blood pressure out of the blue around a year ago – has to be FQ related somehow. One month it was 118/76 and the next it was 140/90. I have since started medication and lost a bit of weight and BP is back to previous numbers. Given that “out of the blue” high BP my western medicine doc did send me for an ultrasound to rule out an aortic aneurysm (the latest FQ black box warning) and that came back negative – thankfully.
When tested last year my blood sugar was high end of normal at 98 and my integrative medicine doc doesn’t think I need re-checking yet.
I have also been dealing with a very sore neck and tinnitus for over a year now – maybe a floxie issue maybe not; but the neck is responding to physical therapy and the tinnitus is so quiet now that it isn’t really an issue. I have read up on the possibility of FQs causing cerebrospinal fluid leakage on this site – the neck, tinnitus, and lightheadedness are all symptoms – so there is a possibility that is the culprit. If it turns out not to be something else my integrative medicine dock is up to investigating that angle.
Opinions greatly appreciated.
Hi A.Coleman,a (fasting?) bloodsugar is at the high end of “normal”.Actually,it doesn’t mean much;can becaused by many different reasons (adrenaline,for instance).And,as I wrote,it’s (at the high end of) NORMAL! Nothing to worry about;just hold on to a carb-restricted diet,and keep away from sugar(s).
Your bloodpreasure,140/90: same thing.A little on the “high end” but not really a reason to worry.A BP of 130/85 is concidered acceptable,especially when you’re aged over 45/50,and even worrying about your BP is enough for a higher than normal BP.A little bit of movement before,or during the measurement,too,is enough to cause a higher BP.And some intense workout can cause a high (!) BP which could last for hours.
When you want to get usefull info on your blood sugar,you have to take a measurement of your fasting level (before breakfast),one,directly before a meal,one,an hour after,and one,two hours after that meal.Do this measurement regime on different meals;it is helpfull on detecting what food sources bring your bloodsugar to a too high level.If so,change your food choices.
Your BP changes throughout the day (and night);this is normal.For a usefull measurement you have to relax at least 10-20 minutes ,sit in the right position during that measurement,and don’t move (not even a finger),or talk during the measurement.And don’t worry about 140/90;it’s hardly any higher than the adviced 130/85,concidered normal for elder people.Nothing to worry about,really.
The lightheadedness might be a symptom of bloodsugar fluctuations (and a high sensitivity for those fluctuations;most people don’t feel,or notice them).To be sure,you’d have to buy a glucose meter.You can also try if some kind of distraction helps,here.
Thanks Henk for the feedback. The blood sugar was fasting. I have been thinking about getting a meter and testing my own and if things don’t clear up in a bit that is my next step.
As to high BP. At least in the U.S. they have now targeted 120//80 as the top end of normal with pre-hypertension going up to 130/85. I wouldn’t have been concerned if the BP had crept up over a few years but it literally spiked up in one month. I have been monitoring the BP carefully at home and do take measurements as you recommend and at multiple times during the day.
I too think the blood sugar fluctuations might be the issue as I almost always feel a bit better after eating. As to your recommendation to avoid sugar; I have been eating Paleo (with a few minor cheats) since the beginning of the year.
My guess would be it is the blood pressure medicine causing the light headedness. Same thing happened to a friend. It was so bad one day he went to the doctor, sure something was really wrong. They lowered his dosage and it went away.
As for the tinnitus I got that as one of my dozens of cipro “parting gifts” and it has only worsened over 4 years. For others it has gone away or reduced, so kind of a crap shoot.
I would think so too, but the light headedness began before I started taking the blood pressure meds – by a month. And I also stopped the meds for a few days to see if they were causing the problem and there was no change. I am on the lowest dosage of my med; guess I could cut it in half. Maybe something to try.
Sorry to hear your tinnitus has only gotten worse. As I said mine has improved to the point where it is really not even an issue and not because I acclimated but because it is about 1/4 to 1/5 as loud as it was when it was the worst.
wow! I hope I can look forward to that one day
A. Coleman,
I don’t know the cause of your problems. Probably many are flox-related, others maybe not. But I can tell you that, while it’s very important to monitor your blood pressure, it’s also true that today doctors are lowering the “normal” range of blood pressure, just like they did with cholesterol. And I know for sure, that’s just another move to keep the prescription drugs market prosperous. Now, I’m not telling you to don’t care about your blood pressure, but also don’t worry too much if you have a BP a little over the normal range. Regarding your glycemic index, it is also very important to avoid blood glucose spikes but I don’t think it’s wise to avoid carbs. Remember, not all carbs are created equal. Foods like legumes, whole grains, all kinds of veggies, are your friends. You should eat them, in moderation, with every meal. Actually, they should be the big part of your meal. Even fruits it’s good, as long as you eat it in moderation (2 or 3 fruits a day), whoile (not pureed or in a shake, chewing it’s very important) and avoid the tropical ones (too much sugar). Try to move, as much as you can. Just a brisk walk everyday, for 30-45 minutes can do wonders, also to your blood pressure. 🙂
Andrea,
Thanks for the thoughts and feedback. I too think my problems are likely FQ related – I guess a part of me was hoping there was a medical cause that could be treated because without these I would consider myself well. Heck if I could even just have the weird cold/tingly legs I would be good – at least until it gets to be winter again – LOL.
Based on your feedback and Henk’s I started cutting my BP medication in half; and monitoring BP. After reading Henk’s post and yours I read up a bit more and do think that if I could get my untreated BP into the 120 – 135 over 80 – 85 range that I might be better not on the meds. What I didn’t note in the original post was that those BPs were my May and June 2018 numbers. I didn’t get treatment until December and that was after my BP was up to 145/93.
I am trying to eat Paleo, since the beginning of the year. Haven’t had a blood sugar test in a bit over a year. So no legumes or grains, but lots of fruit and veggies. I do eat lots of bananas but lots of apples and berries too along with nuts. I may buy a home glucose monitor and follow Henk’s recommendations to see if that is the source of the problems.
I exercise regularly and have never smoked. One of the things I did before floxing and started doing again as soon as I was able was exercising. I work out at least 4 to 5 days a week – which includes cardio. Interestingly I have always had problems getting my heart rate elevated – even pre floxing I could not get my heart rate over 150 even running a 5K in under 23 minutes.
I have noticed since the high BP started that mine is actually much lower after working out. Heart rate stays elevated for a while, but BP goes down into the 105 / 72 area.
I am going to try the 1/2 dose of the BP meds for a week and see how my symptoms change. After two days the results are not promising symptom wise, though my BP only went up to 125/80. If, at the end of the week my BP stays at that level I may try going off the meds for a week and monitoring. I don’t think it is medication related as I had the light-headedness for a month or so before starting medication; but if adjusting that gives the desired results then GREAT.
Hypertensy (and heart/bloodvessel problems) is not a BP medicine deficiency but a magnesium deficiency.High(er) bloodsugar,and even diabetis is magnesium deficiency related as well. Raised cholesterol is not a statin deficiency,and one apple a day works almost as well as statins,but without the negative adverse affects.Cholesterol is extremely important for a good health!
Magnesium citrate,or,even better,magnesium bisglycinate work well on a high(er) bloodpressure.Keep in mind that,for elder people,a little higher BP is considered normal than for younger people;for 60+ a BP of 160/90 is concidered normal/acceptable.No medication needed,except for greedy doctors. A lower BP is,of course,better.
Very important: keep your adrenalin as low as possible;it can rise your BP level in minutes.When your blood sugar level gets to low,your body produces adrenalin to raise your BS-level by releasing sugar from the liver.This adrenaline circulates for about 3 days in your blood (and raises your BP during that time),before it’s all broken down.
A. Coleman
One thing some men over 50/60 years old take is a small dose of aspirin, due to its antithrombotic properties.Here in Italy is called,indeed, cardioaspirin, or “aspirinetta”, meaning small aspirin. It’s 100 mg of acetylsalicidic acid instead of the normal 500 mg. I’m just telling you this, since it seems that this BP medications are bothering you quite a bit. Of course, I’m not telling you , you should try it. Maybe just read about it. I know many floxies have trouble and relapses with NSAIDs, but aspirin should be on the “safe” side. I even read an article about it on this website. Me personally, I’ve taken aspirin, after being floxed, for ten days once a day (500 mg,always after a meal) because of an inflammation in my urethra, after a cystoscopy. Didn’t bothered me at all. But, remember we’re all different.
Hi A. Coleman,
I have just read your post. It might be antibiotics related. As my colon is healing very nicely I have similar problems to yours.
My BP is normal (but when I went through benzo withdrawal it fluctuated the same way as yours for a few months).
I also have the feeling of passing out which comes out of nowhere and my sugar in blood is a bit higher than the norm and the iron is now at the bottom of the norm. Which I didn’t have before I was floxed. I cut off alot of sugar from my diet now. I went for rehabilitation for the sore neck. Before I was floxed I used to be quite hot all the time, now my legs and hands are cold and I feel cold sensations inside. I catch cold like every month and as spring started I am pretty allergic (which I didn’t have before I was floxed to this extent).
I take magnesium, B12 injections and another supplements (folic acid, vit. D, C and A).
Someone recommended here borage, so I drink a cup daily.
I hope your symptoms will improve.
Attsy,
Interesting how similar our symptoms are. Because my main issue when floxed initially were digestive problems and peripheral neuropathy. The digestion is much improved and the neuropathy has almost gone away. In fact in the last month it has been completely gone most days.
I actually anticipate that eventually I will be able to stop the BP meds; at least until I am in my 60s (I am 52 now) – maybe a year who knows. If it is FQ related.
What I didn’t say in my post was that I have been eating Paleo (mostly – cheats include still using milk in green tea lattes and oats for breakfast) since the beginning of the year, which was about 2 months after light headedness started; so my sugar is much less than before.
Sure hope if it is a FQ symptom that it resolves in a few months; because then I might consider myself well.
A. Coleman,
yes, that’s why I reacted because it seemed to me very similar.
I also had mainly digestion issues but it improved a lot. I followed low-residude diet without gluten and lactose. But I sometimes cheat now, unfortunately for example today I ate some gluten free cake outside and I don’t feel well now. It would be great if I could again eat like before I was floxed but it will never happen as I was diagnosed (shortly before I was floxed) with celiac disease. I heard about Paleo but never studied it. Maybe I will look into it.
I do believe that you would be able to get off your BP medication in the future, if it’s FQ related.
Hope the symptomps and everything related will go away soon.
Hi A Coleman – I’ve a year out from being floxed and struggle with very similar symptoms, cold and hot sensations in my legs, which come ago. Pressure in my face and temples and also cluster headaches, accompanied by lightheadedness and black floaters in my vision.The severity of these symptoms comes and go but are fairly constant over the last 8 months.I thought it was possible that I had sinus issues caused by the Cipro/Levaquin so I went to see an ENT who did a CAT scan of my sinuses. Results showed my sinuses were pristine. He recommended me to a neurologist stating that sometimes cluster headaches will mirror sinus symptoms,he also acknowledged that these antibiotics can cause neurological issues. Based on all the reading on this site it seems to be seeing a neurologist might be a waste of time so I haven’t taken him up on his referral. Things that have helped me: For lightheadedness Ashwagandha root, Headaches/Pressure: Tylenol, Magnesium, Acupuncture, Glutathione tablets. Hot cold sensation and tingling in the legs: Alpha lipoic acid, Meyers cocktail (IV treatment).
Have you done anything different? Taking a new supplement? Are you still eating antibiotic free meat? The reason I ask is I’m pretty much positive my symptoms flare up if I put the wrong thing in my body.
Kyle,
Thanks for sharing. I did see neurologists, but they really didn’t do much other than confirm I had some peripheral nerve damage.
I will investigate the Ashwagandha root. I am already doing tylenol as needed. I take 600 mg of Mg daily, upped from 400 mg when I got recent Mg RBC results. I used to do acupuncture regularly, but haven’t been in quite a while. I do take liposomal glutathione daily. Tried ALA and while it worked for neuropathy it also made the headaches worse, so I stopped.
I haven’t done anything noticeably different. Just a relapse. I eat Paleo and organic, so don’t think it is food related. Since the beginning of the year I haven’t even been to a restaurant.
I was floxed in December now about 3 months out, am only 21, had to withdraw from college for psychological reasons, im suffering from severe psychological adverse effects from Levaquin from a 10 day prescription, I’m pushing though even though I’m scared, this website helps me a lot i learn new things everyday from it , while sometimes reading the bad stories worries me, but i am appreciative of all the good info, specifically a guy named Jason he contributes a lot of good stuff in some of he posts comments.
Craig – so sorry to hear. College should be the best years of your life!
Just remember that time helps nearly everyone to some degree. I know in early days it is REALLY HARD to push on; especially if you think it may be years before you are well. I am 3 1/2 years out and getting closer; hoping to be well in 6 to 12 months.
IMO – being young is a key to a quicker recovery. I think those who are younger recover quite a bit faster than those of us who are older – I was 48 when I was floxed.
Hold on; eat clean; follow the recommendations on here especially for Mg, Vitamin D, Vitamin B. Other things may help you individually. Don’t know how you are located or how money impacts your situation, but acupuncture may help both mind and body. I know it really helped me mentally and helped me physically some too.
Stay strong
Thanks for responding, I’m trying to gain as much info on this site a little bit daily as it’s hrs for me to retain much i have severe brain fog on top of already pretty bad adhd so it’s tough, i want to come up with a plan to try to be well enough to return to school in August, I’m already 3 months out, i wouldn’t say I’m better if anything my symptoms have been progressive but also changing, so far what I’m planning on doing is takin PQQ, magnesium, probiotic ( already taking but going to get a better one) , Mito Q, working out and using sauna, acupuncture, yoga, trying to eat better, trying to minimise fluorine exposure, not touching alcohol or caffeine, caffeine i haven’t had in over a year anyway so will be easy , alcohol will be easy as i never was a big drinker, but i did like to go to parties as I’m in a fraternity and drink on vacations weddings special occasions etc.. but i would never drink for no reason … . This all happened to me because a doctor prescribed me Levaquin for a suspected bronchitis which i probably didn’t even have all he said was i should take a probiotic with it cause it’s strong and causes stomach issues .. i can’t believe he would do this because on the computer it says i have a bad psychiatric reaction to prednisone and I’m pretty sure Levaquin has a black box warning for nervous system reactions.. about a year before this happened i had a adverse reaction to methylprednisolone that resulted in severe panic attacks/ anxiety for a year which i completely recovered from which is why i think i am mentally toughing this out and i became skeptical of medicine but when i got the Levaquin i thought oh it’s just a antibiotic what can go wrong .. sorry for the lengthy response it’s just i feel good talking about it as i have no one to talk about with at home because i feel as the only people who really understand are the ones who have gone through this