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.
http://www.hormonesmatter.com/fluoroquinolones-101-antibiotics-to-avoid/
Definitions –
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic (noun): A dangerous class of antibiotics with severe adverse side effects. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics include Cipro (Ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (Levofloxacin), Avelox (Moxifloxacin) and others.
Flox (verb): The act of suffering from an adverse reaction to a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
Floxie (noun): A person who has been floxed. Floxies suffer in a myriad of ways and display a large variety of symptoms.
Being floxed can include the following, and more:
Peripheral Nervous System: Tingling, numbness, prickling, burning pain, pins/needles sensation,
electrical or shooting pain, skin crawling, sensation, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, allodynia
(sensitivity to touch), numbness, weakness, twitching, tremors, spasms.
Central Nervous System: Dizziness, malaise, weakness, impaired coordination, nightmares,
insomnia, headaches, agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, disorientation, impaired concentration or
memory, confusion, depersonalization, hallucinations, psychoses.
Musculoskeletal: Muscle pain, weakness, soreness; joint swelling, pain; tendon pain, ruptures.
Special Senses: Diminished or altered visual, olfactory, auditory functioning, tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, shortness of breath, hypertension, palpitations, chest pain.
Skin: Rash, swelling, hair loss, sweating, intolerance to heat and\or cold.
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
Typically, if a person suffers from one of the side effects listed above, they suffer from several. Floxing symptoms can appear immediately, or they can be delayed, sometime for weeks or months after a person is FINISHED taking the fluoroquinolone. Delayed reactions often lead to people not attributing their sudden decline in health to the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. People are commonly misdiagnosed as having a known autoimmune disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus or MS, or they are told that they have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety, etc. Or they are disregarded and told that they are crazy, that they are imagining that their health declined markedly in just a matter of days and that there is no way that an antibiotic could lead to systemic damage. Those who disregard the victims of fluoroquinolones are wrong. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause all the damage listed above and more.
Despite the horrifying side effects associated with fluoroquinolones, they are prescribed indiscriminately and thousands of people have been adversely affected by them, often without the person knowing the cause of their pain, disability, anxiety, etc. The medical establishment, doctors, pharmacists, the FDA, etc. generally don’t acknowledge the damage done by fluoroquinolone antibiotics despite the fact that the devastating damage that they cause is reported throughout the internet, and in some medical journals.
That is the background of floxing. I will try not to dwell on it. This site is not about the pain that fluoroquinolones cause. It is about the recovery process. It is about hope. It is about people who have gotten better. It is about healing. It is about life going on. It is about time healing wounds.
When I was first floxed, I was hungry for stories of healing and hope. I needed some helpful and hopeful words of wisdom in order to calm my nerves and cure my anxiety. I hope that this site provides that for you.
My life has gone on. I’m 95-99% better and I have every reason to believe that eventually I will be 100% healed. In many ways, my life is actually better than it was before I got floxed. I had to learn how to cope with being sick and some of those coping skills have made my life better in other areas.
I want to share with other people what helped me, in case what helped me can help them. I’d also like to share tips and advice from other Floxies who have recovered. Please don’t hesitate to send me your story and I’ll put it up on the site.
My heart goes out to all victims of fluoroquinolones. They are evil, awful drugs and I know what it’s like to be adversely affected by them. You are not alone. Please have hope that you will be one of the people who recovers, who gets better, who heals.
This site is a compilation of stories from people who have been floxed and who have recovered. Their stories are their own and what helped them may or may not help you. Unfortunately, everyone’s recovery is different and there isn’t one thing that helps everybody (except, possibly, time, which seems to help most people). You will not find a magic bullet cure in this site. I wish that I could offer you a cure, but I can’t. What I can offer you is stories of perseverance, hope and healing. There are tips contained in each story and hopefully what helped the Floxie who recovered can also help you.
Hi, My name is Jason and I am a "Floxie" too. My mission is to help others, share knowledge and awareness with Floxie Hope. Join me in my mission to spread hope for those affected.
I was floxed with Cipro and ended up in a wheel chair for over a year. I’m not fully recovered, but mitochondrial specialists I’ve contacted confirm that magnesium has played a major role in my recovery.
BIG question. The COVID vaccines have an RNA component. Are we at risk taking any of the vaccines? Has anyone who is also a floxie been vaccinated and done well in terms of side effects.?
Hey David, I am hoping to release a blog article on this topic early next week.
How d I access a blog? All new to me.
Why are comments from September and October? Couldn’t we just have a running list of comments top to bottom . Older comments could be deleted after a certain time. I’m so confused. Last Jason email me the blog.
The new site offers the same features as the old site with a new look. If you need help with the comments or functionality please reach out to the system that created the comment section since the start of the site. You can find thier help guide here https://jetpack.com/support/comments/
David-Where did you find the mito specialists that you mention here? I went to May clinic here in MN and saw a genetics doc and he did some tests and such and told me it didn’t damage the mito. My main complant 17 post flox though is still heavy fatigue, brain fog, and the time it takes me to recover from what used to be considered warm up exercises for me.
My Doctor prescribed levofloxicin for a bladder infection. Had bad reaction right away, after 3 pills. Aches in every joint, popping ankles and knees, tiredness, low back pain. It lessened for awhile, then a month later came back stronger.
I’m 76 yrs old but no one believes it. I have always moved like a very young person, weigh 115 lbs my whole life( except when pregnant).
I’ve always walked everywhere. Continue to walk 2 to 4 miles daily. I’m so afraid my tendons will be ruined. Don’t know whether to keep walking or just stop moving. Lately I’ve started sweating heavily for no reason. Doctor said this will go away by itself. I don’t trust her.
I had an Achilles’ tendon rupture in 2009 after taking Levaquin. Since then I have developed ligament, muscle, and tendon pain. I have chronic fatigue, foggy brain, IBS, reflux, anxiety and depression. A physical therapist said I have significant weakness in my legs. I’ve been told I have fibromyalgia. All my lab tests come back “perfect”. I think my problems may be related to Levaquin. How donI know for sure? How do I get diagnosed and treated?
Hello all,
I took Cipro 250mg 2x a day for 12 of 21 days. I couldn’t stand the feeling I was getting when I took them, diarrhea, gastric issues and being tired. I stopped my last pill on 7/12 and switched to Bactrium for my Prostatitis. It worked and felt fine. After I stopped Cipro I noticed mild twitching throughout my body and slight dizziness. Started in my feet to my neck going crazy so days and barely noticeable others. I went to a neurologist and thought it was something serious but they said it was just stress and anxiety. After finding out about the side effects I’m almost certain this has caused this to me and I really want it to stop. I’m wondering what I can do to fix my body and restore it to what it once was. I went from working out daily to now nothing being extremely tired and always twitching or spasming.
Jerome-Not sure if you will get this since your comment here is a couple years back. Very similar to my situation is why I responded. Let me know if you want to connect and share your story
I just finished a perscription of Ciprofloxacin that I was perscribed for an ear infection. I should have done my research, because I’m only finding information about these horrible delayed side effects now and I’m honestly pretty scared. I took 14 500mg pills over 7 days. Is there anything I can do to prevent symptoms before they start? I haven’t experienced joint pain as of yet, but I have been experiencing anxiety and depression. I’m only 27 years old, I dont want my life to be ruined before it’s even really begun. God I wish I had never taken those pills.
How can I know info have been floxed?? And how do I convince my drs.
Hello, Im a 35 years old man. I took one 500 mg of levaquin And stop right away when I read the scary stories about it. Im a active man and im scare to go back to the gym. I have no symptomes for now, maybe just a light pain on calves. May i I go back to the gym or should i wait. Really scare about tendonitis
Can anyone direct me to concrete info such as this site provides, but about ofloxacin eye drops? I take those every time I get an injection for NDME, and now I’m totally concerned, having read here.
Thanks!
Homes Cool! I also get eye injections and was being given “an antibiotic” at the end of each session. When I found out that it was Ofloxacin I stopped it immediately. I asked the eye doctor if there was another antibiotic available. His answer was that it is the only antibiotic kept in house. Now I get no antibiotic. A word of information … If you are using eyedrops daily for some other reason check into the length of time they are considered sterile. I found that the ones prescribed for me (Timolol) are only guaranteed sterile for 28 days after being opened. I now request that they be dispensed in two (2) 5 ml vials in place of the 10 ml vial.
Another bit of information …. When one instills an eyedrop it makes it’s way into the sinuses and hence into the system of the person. The eyes drain into the sinuses which allows anything put in them to enter the system that way. It is even said that the CORONA virus can enter through the eyes.
Hello people! So first off I just want you all to know I keep this group in my prayers. Everyone dealing with this is a warrior in my eyes and you should feel the same about yourself! So a little about me, I’m a 33yo male and I’m just over a month into my journey. I went to the ER with stomach issues, was told I had colitis, later to find out I didnt, but was given 5 antibiotics. Two through my IV, one in a shot, and two to take home. I know, stupid me for allowing that. So I had cipro and flagyl to take home. On my 2nd day I started having severe shortness of breath, tingling and numbness, and of course anxiety. I immediately stopped both against Drs orders. A few days later I started having what I call tennis elbow in both arms while I slept, now in my knees and wrist. I’ve had brain zaps and then I then started having muscle pains from my calves, thighs, lower and upper back, and into my neck. The day after all of that started I had what felt like someone laying lit fuses on my chest and stomach. I have been a depressed, fatigued, sleepless, anxiety driven crazy person. I have pains that just come and go and never return and some that just like to move around. At the ripe age of 33 I now have a neurologist, cardiologist, gastro, ENT, dermatologists, and pretty much know what the gossip is in my local ER with all the nurses. I’ve had all sorts of test, that I had to demand, and the keep saying it’s all anxiety. I was pretty much told to stay away from the ER. Now here are my questions, do side affects keep just showing up like a annoying relative at thanksgiving, and once one of the symptoms goes away, does it usually stay away? Some things are better but it’s like I trade one for another. I stay positive and hopeful that I’m not that bad off but also worried I’ve yet to begin the fun stuff. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I hope everybody get better soon, and thank you for this page, I want to let you know that nitrofurantoin give to you the same side effects of cipro, 10 months ago when I was 36 weeks pregnant the doctor prescribed me nitrofurantoin for uti, she toll me it is safe for pregnant woman so I took just one because I dint want to drink any medication during my pregnancy , but after a day I start with muscle pain, head pain, join pain and insomnia , I toll to the doctor and she toll me that I was like that because I was pregnant , at 38 weeks my baby born thought cesarian , and after a week I had a uti again and they prescribed me again nitrofurantoin for 7 days twice a week, this time I took the 7 days and I start to have horrible pain in all my body, hips, nee , food , all my musculoskeletal body hurt bad and the doctor was keep telling me because I was pregnant, but I didn’t believe her , I toll her was the nitrofurantoin but she says impossible, even my husband toll me I was little crazy , my tummy was with horrible pain , but I start to take:
magnesium before bedtime, multivitamins, glucosamine, caltrate with vitamin d in the morning, also I boil fax seed and drink the buggy water before bed this help a lot with the horrible tummy, bladder pain, after 10 months sometimes I was good but sometimes I get the horrible pains againg, especially when is humid or when I walk under the rain.
My big problem or question is IF MY BABY ALSO HAS THIS ISSUES AND IF THERE ANY WAY TO HELP HIM, BECAUSE I TOOK ONE PILL IN MY 36 WEEK OF PREGNANCY, I REMEMBER SOMETIMES WHEN HE WAS ON HIS FEED HE USED TO CRY WHEN HE WAS 4 MONTHS AND HE USED TO HAVE A SAD FACE ALL THE TIME UNTIL 5 MONTHS, NOW HE RUN AM
ND ACTIVE, BUT HE HAD SLEEP DISORDER UNTIL 9 MONTHS, I START TO GIVE 3 times a week baby vitamins, I don’t think babies take magnesium . I stay away from doctor now, I don’t believe them anymore. If you have any advice please let me know, my symptoms after 10 months hips pain, muscle pain, neck pain, vertebra pain, pelvic floor burning and pain, leg burning with pain, ear pain, dry and red eyes, pain in joins from hands, my tummy doesn’t hurt anymore thank to the flaxseed .
Thank you for all you advices .
In Jan-feb. I took cipro 500 mg for 10 days.
And levaquin 750 mg for 2 days. Then became very sick and went to the ER. A allergy dr. gave me this. I thought I had a sinus infection but didn’t, just postnasal drip. On June 23 had a dental cleaning and became extremely ill the following day. Now it’s sept 5, 2016 and I have about 15-20 things wrong with me, I would go into details but I’m to tired to explain. This is the first site I posted on. how I wish I looked into this more before I took these drugs. I’m 68
Was very athletic now I just lie in bed.
Hi John,
I’m so, so, so sorry for everything you’re going through! Know that there are other people who know what you’re experiencing and who understand your pain. I encourage you to reach out. This page rarely gets comments/responses, but there is a lovely community of people who comment on the home page. Also, if you’re on facebook, there is a great support group on facebook that is very active. It is https://www.facebook.com/groups/floxies/.
Also, here are some recommendations for coping with this mess – https://floxiehope.com/2015/10/12/im-floxed-now-what/.
You are not alone. Hang in there. It will get better.
Best regards,
Lisa