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Jane
8 years ago
Anna,
My symptons first started when I was taking Levaquin in the hospital for meningitis. I attributed the pains to my illness, but the exact same pains persisted long after the infection was cleared. Every month I have a week long episode of severe flu like body aches and whole body weakness that so bad I can’t stand for more than a few minutes. It gradually lets up and I feel semi normal for a few weeks- then it hits again. Can’t figure out any triggers or anything that helps. I just ride it out and hope it will fade eventually
s40friend3
8 years ago
I feel I have made great improvement taking Eissac Tea to cleanse my body since I was floxied. :/. It is gentle and you really don’tsee any marked difference in your body except the ability of elimination several times a day (which is highly recommended). I gave Eissac to my son when he was young and we discovered he was very toxic (mercury poisoning from ground water). His hair color actually changed to a lighter shade during the several months he took it! And so much improvement was seen in him!
I also see my ND at least 2-3 days per week and take many supplements and homeopathic remedies, cut out gluten and casin(all dairy).
You can read more about Eissac tea(and purchase if you’re interested) at
Just wanted to let you guys know. I’m about 18 months out and I went and rode some real mountain bike trails for the first time since Cipro.
The trails were fairly challenging, especially the climbs which are full of roots and rocks.
I found I still had the same finesse I always had on the trails (sorry to boast, but it’s true 🙂 ) and was pleasantly surprised at my stamina.
Also every time there was a fork in the trail that said “Easy” one way and “Hard” the other I took “Hard” and still nearly “cleaned” the whole trail, only putting my foot down once.
I rode for amout 30 min, which I consider good for a first time.
So it was a good day.
For all of you floxed people who used to be into sports, there is hope that you can get back to the activities you love.
Jane
8 years ago
Does anyone know from experience which meds are alternatives for Cipro if suffering from UTI? I know Cipro is the goto med for that and wonder what else can be given instead…
Ryan L
8 years ago
This may be a question that Lisa can answer best, but are there any floxies who’ve done a FMT (Fecal Matter Transplant) as part of their FQ recovery? I’ve read numerous posts in the past on this site about how FQ wipe out good and bad bacteria, and that some types (O Formigenes) cannot be supplemented at the moment. So if one of these non supplemental bacteria’s is completely wiped out by the FQ, it would seem that a FMT is currently the only way to get them back in your system. I think the medical criteria for having a FMT is that you must have had (or currently have) a C-diff bacterial infection, but I could be wrong.
Andrew K.
8 years ago
Hi all! Especially Lisa!! First off, I want to say a huge thank you for this site. It calms me to know that I am not alone and that a lot of people do recover. However, I know you are probably sick of the stories, but I have to put mine in here and ask if you’ve had the same symptoms…here it goes. I was a healthy, 31 year old male who was prescribed Cipro for an acute epididymitis. I took one dose on the morning of 6/2/16. It went okay (or so I thought) just some cracking of the joints but nothing else…I thought I was okay. Then, I took my second at night time after dinner…and omg it hit me like a train. Sudden rush of severe anxiety sweats and it felt like I had the flu. I couldn’t walk for a few days because my joints hurt so bad.
But, the real scary side effects started a couple of weeks ago, around 7/8/16. This includes: insomnia, GI issues (pain, bloating, constipated feeling), loss of appetite & weight (and I was never a big guy, always around 135 pounds so any weight loss is scary…I’m now down to 124..eek!), joint pain, brain fog (with flashes at night that help keep me up), leg/arm twitches while trying to sleep, dry mouth (with bitter taste & bad breath…I’m worried it might cause dental problems in the future), and of course the horrible anxiety with the rapid heartbeat…almost every time I move, the heart freaks out to over 100 bpm!! I don’t want heart issues! 🙁
I am freaked out because I have never had an issue sleeping..I LOVE sleeping and could always sleep in til 2pm if I wanted. Now I am lucky if I sleep 2 hours (without meds). There have been nights I haven’t slept AT ALL (awful feeling & really triggers the anxiety). My primary care prescribed Zolpidem, which is helping, but I don’t want to rely on sleep meds for the rest of my life. Does the insomnia go away??? The insomnia and GI issues and my most concern. Do most of, if not all the side effects go away after the 4-6 months? Thanks!!
-Andrew K.
Andrew K.
8 years ago
Thank you so much for your reply, L! I am happy to hear that you’re doing much better! And I hope that all of your side effects will ease up (and hopefully disappear) soon!! I hate to pester you on it, but did you happen to take anything for the insomnia? I have been taking Zolpidem (the generic to Ambien) which is a non-benzo…or did you force yourself through it? Because the lack of sleep really makes my anxiety and my heart go crazy!! And I’m also wondering if I should stop the sleep med. (I don’t want to rely on it). I have tried chamomile and melatonin and Valerian root..and they do nothing for me.
Also, you say to avoid fluoride? You mean even brushing your teeth and doing a fluoride rinse will cause a relapse? Because most toothpastes have fluoride in them…my drinking water in my town has fluoride in it (a tiny amount but it’s there). And I do a fluoride rinse every once in a while. What would be a safe alternative? Just because I don’t want any dental problems on top of this…yikes! Thank you so much!! 🙂
Deanne
8 years ago
Sorry to ask again but I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and would like to bring the proper literature that I have seen posted to share with our doctors. Could someone post that link again?
Ryan L
8 years ago
Just saw a commercial for another pain treatment (Quell). The website says that it is “100% drug free, for widespread relief of chronic pain” and that it is “designed for people with back pain, arthritic pain, nerve pain, leg and foot pain and more.” This might be good product for nerve and muscle pain. However, I’d be concerned about someone using it to mask tendon pain. If someone decides to try this, please let us know how it works for you.
Hello there Folks, im Arthur.
Its been 4 months since my floxing, and im doing better each day.
The first months are the worst, but its a good thing, its your body reacting the first detoxifying process.
Be positive and keep fighting, u gonna get trought this.
Oh, and thanks so much for the creators of this site and the people here helping with their sotrys, sharing their knowledges.
My love go to you all
Arthur,
Jim Z
8 years ago
Just an update with the hopes of motivating anyone who reads this. I was put on 2 courses of Cipro for an alleged prostate infection. At about day 40 I connected the dots, realised that the cluster of symptoms I was experiencing must have been related to Cipro, and I stopped taking it. For any men reading this: if you get prostatitis do some research. I was subsequently advised, by one of the top Urologists in my city, that antibiotics do nothing for the vast majority of prostatitis cases.
Im in month 5 post Cipro now and I had a pretty good week followed by a couple bad days. I havent been floxed as severely as others – most of my issues are neurological. Twitching all over, mostly in the calves, headaches, tingling in the face, arms and feet. Weird pains in my legs. Weird “tightness” feelings in my cheek, and nose. Carpal Tunnel magically started appearing during the night. Ringing in my ears. Insomnia for weeks – I could only get a few hours of sleep by taking Ativan. I can sleep with just melatonin now – for 5 to 6 hours straight – this is a big improvement.
I went to a private clinic today (I live in Canada) and I had a consult/exam by a Neurologist. He did a bunch of tests. He ruled out Multiple Sclerosis, ALs and other neurological diseases. In a way this was a relief because I feared I may have developed a drastic incurable neurological disorder. But deep down I knew that these symptoms were caused by CIPRO. It was too much of a coincidence that all of this started happening after being on that POISON.
But something surprising happened during my consult with this Neurologist. He actually acknowledged that Cipro probably caused all of these symptoms. He said “Cipro probably caused this and then your anxiety ramped them up and made them worse”. This was the first time any doctor even acknowledged this. He didnt look at me like I was crazy – like other doctors have – he didnt ask me to disregard the notion that Cipro has damaged my health – like one doctor i visited did. What a relief. When he heard that my GP put me on CIPRO for so long he was surprised – “Thats way too long to be on that stuff” he said.
I think im 50% better than where I was 5 months ago. Now that the doubt has been removed and I know this isnt MS, ALS, or some kind of Brain/Spinal tumour, I think my anxiety will calm down and I can work on the remaining 50%.
Anyhow, just want to spread some hope.
FloxFromCipropol
8 years ago
Jim Z, I’m the same situation, cipro, doxy, augmentin,
bactrim … and nothing
helped and the worst: 1 year out I am fq agony.
I was prescribed cipro only 2 weeks 2x500mg.
Fq symptoms started 6 months after last cipro pill,
probably triggered by bactrim.
Fucking urologists destroyed my body.
Now have been using ir lamp for sinus infection 7th month.
Prostate symptoms are less, I hope i cure it completly someday.
You may cure prostate in odessa using autovaccine or
in Georgia Eliava institute using bacteriophages but costs are
very very high.
more information prostatitis.ning.com forum.
Catherine
8 years ago
Jim Z, thank you for your words. I am so glad a doctor recognized that Cipro caused your symptoms. Did he say they will go away all together? Has anyone out there had a relapse. I took Cipro and Fagyl one year ago and have had symptoms: tingling, numbness, muscle cramps, burning, muscle and tendon pain, weight loss, naseau, vomiting, strange sensations in my face, brain fog, eye issues, muscle twitching, anxiety and depression. I was slowly progressing with less symptoms felt like I was recovering and then the symptons returned suddenly. Has anyone experienced this. I am feeling so depressed and scared, has anyone had a relapse and then got better? HELP!!! I have two young children and just want to be their mom.
Jane
8 years ago
Has anyone taken Bactrim for a uti, and did it flare up any symptoms? I’m afraid to take Cipro. Thanks
FloxFromCipropol
8 years ago
Jane, I have taken bactrim (biseptol), this drug triggered fq agony.
I read on this forum one person after recovery was prescribed bactrim
And again fq symptoms occured him.
I suggest to use augmentin on uti – penicylines are safer.
We also have NitroxolinForte drug for uti and bladder infection,
i dont know if this drug is in your country.
Bacteria culture is the good idea and the best abx.
And … conult your doctor 😉
If you have very very very big bank account you may
use bacteriophages from georgia eliava institiute
Very epensive treatment 5000$ or more.
The best solution: please print sites first from floxie
and second from myquinstory and show it your doctor.
If doctor is aware of fq poisoning so should give the best abx.
L
8 years ago
Jane—yes, d-mannose is a preventative measure, and it is also used in the naturopathic protocol for treatment of UTIs (it involves that, high doses of vitamin A and C and herb pharm’s urinary system support—can’t recall the amounts and details) took me a couple weeks, but urinalysis showed it got rid of it! And don’t beat yourself up—we ALL trusted our doctors. (never again! 😉 )
Anna,
My symptons first started when I was taking Levaquin in the hospital for meningitis. I attributed the pains to my illness, but the exact same pains persisted long after the infection was cleared. Every month I have a week long episode of severe flu like body aches and whole body weakness that so bad I can’t stand for more than a few minutes. It gradually lets up and I feel semi normal for a few weeks- then it hits again. Can’t figure out any triggers or anything that helps. I just ride it out and hope it will fade eventually
I feel I have made great improvement taking Eissac Tea to cleanse my body since I was floxied. :/. It is gentle and you really don’tsee any marked difference in your body except the ability of elimination several times a day (which is highly recommended). I gave Eissac to my son when he was young and we discovered he was very toxic (mercury poisoning from ground water). His hair color actually changed to a lighter shade during the several months he took it! And so much improvement was seen in him!
I also see my ND at least 2-3 days per week and take many supplements and homeopathic remedies, cut out gluten and casin(all dairy).
You can read more about Eissac tea(and purchase if you’re interested) at
http://www.herbalhealer.com/essiac.html
God’s Blessings on all of you,
Kelley
Hopefully this gives some hope! Hugs!
Just wanted to let you guys know. I’m about 18 months out and I went and rode some real mountain bike trails for the first time since Cipro.
The trails were fairly challenging, especially the climbs which are full of roots and rocks.
I found I still had the same finesse I always had on the trails (sorry to boast, but it’s true 🙂 ) and was pleasantly surprised at my stamina.
Also every time there was a fork in the trail that said “Easy” one way and “Hard” the other I took “Hard” and still nearly “cleaned” the whole trail, only putting my foot down once.
I rode for amout 30 min, which I consider good for a first time.
So it was a good day.
For all of you floxed people who used to be into sports, there is hope that you can get back to the activities you love.
Does anyone know from experience which meds are alternatives for Cipro if suffering from UTI? I know Cipro is the goto med for that and wonder what else can be given instead…
This may be a question that Lisa can answer best, but are there any floxies who’ve done a FMT (Fecal Matter Transplant) as part of their FQ recovery? I’ve read numerous posts in the past on this site about how FQ wipe out good and bad bacteria, and that some types (O Formigenes) cannot be supplemented at the moment. So if one of these non supplemental bacteria’s is completely wiped out by the FQ, it would seem that a FMT is currently the only way to get them back in your system. I think the medical criteria for having a FMT is that you must have had (or currently have) a C-diff bacterial infection, but I could be wrong.
Hi all! Especially Lisa!! First off, I want to say a huge thank you for this site. It calms me to know that I am not alone and that a lot of people do recover. However, I know you are probably sick of the stories, but I have to put mine in here and ask if you’ve had the same symptoms…here it goes. I was a healthy, 31 year old male who was prescribed Cipro for an acute epididymitis. I took one dose on the morning of 6/2/16. It went okay (or so I thought) just some cracking of the joints but nothing else…I thought I was okay. Then, I took my second at night time after dinner…and omg it hit me like a train. Sudden rush of severe anxiety sweats and it felt like I had the flu. I couldn’t walk for a few days because my joints hurt so bad.
But, the real scary side effects started a couple of weeks ago, around 7/8/16. This includes: insomnia, GI issues (pain, bloating, constipated feeling), loss of appetite & weight (and I was never a big guy, always around 135 pounds so any weight loss is scary…I’m now down to 124..eek!), joint pain, brain fog (with flashes at night that help keep me up), leg/arm twitches while trying to sleep, dry mouth (with bitter taste & bad breath…I’m worried it might cause dental problems in the future), and of course the horrible anxiety with the rapid heartbeat…almost every time I move, the heart freaks out to over 100 bpm!! I don’t want heart issues! 🙁
I am freaked out because I have never had an issue sleeping..I LOVE sleeping and could always sleep in til 2pm if I wanted. Now I am lucky if I sleep 2 hours (without meds). There have been nights I haven’t slept AT ALL (awful feeling & really triggers the anxiety). My primary care prescribed Zolpidem, which is helping, but I don’t want to rely on sleep meds for the rest of my life. Does the insomnia go away??? The insomnia and GI issues and my most concern. Do most of, if not all the side effects go away after the 4-6 months? Thanks!!
-Andrew K.
Thank you so much for your reply, L! I am happy to hear that you’re doing much better! And I hope that all of your side effects will ease up (and hopefully disappear) soon!! I hate to pester you on it, but did you happen to take anything for the insomnia? I have been taking Zolpidem (the generic to Ambien) which is a non-benzo…or did you force yourself through it? Because the lack of sleep really makes my anxiety and my heart go crazy!! And I’m also wondering if I should stop the sleep med. (I don’t want to rely on it). I have tried chamomile and melatonin and Valerian root..and they do nothing for me.
Also, you say to avoid fluoride? You mean even brushing your teeth and doing a fluoride rinse will cause a relapse? Because most toothpastes have fluoride in them…my drinking water in my town has fluoride in it (a tiny amount but it’s there). And I do a fluoride rinse every once in a while. What would be a safe alternative? Just because I don’t want any dental problems on top of this…yikes! Thank you so much!! 🙂
Sorry to ask again but I have a doctor appointment tomorrow and would like to bring the proper literature that I have seen posted to share with our doctors. Could someone post that link again?
Just saw a commercial for another pain treatment (Quell). The website says that it is “100% drug free, for widespread relief of chronic pain” and that it is “designed for people with back pain, arthritic pain, nerve pain, leg and foot pain and more.” This might be good product for nerve and muscle pain. However, I’d be concerned about someone using it to mask tendon pain. If someone decides to try this, please let us know how it works for you.
Here’s a link to their website:
http://getquell.com/
Ok, has anyone gotten tennis elbow after their floxing?
Hello there Folks, im Arthur.
Its been 4 months since my floxing, and im doing better each day.
The first months are the worst, but its a good thing, its your body reacting the first detoxifying process.
Be positive and keep fighting, u gonna get trought this.
Oh, and thanks so much for the creators of this site and the people here helping with their sotrys, sharing their knowledges.
My love go to you all
Arthur,
Just an update with the hopes of motivating anyone who reads this. I was put on 2 courses of Cipro for an alleged prostate infection. At about day 40 I connected the dots, realised that the cluster of symptoms I was experiencing must have been related to Cipro, and I stopped taking it. For any men reading this: if you get prostatitis do some research. I was subsequently advised, by one of the top Urologists in my city, that antibiotics do nothing for the vast majority of prostatitis cases.
Im in month 5 post Cipro now and I had a pretty good week followed by a couple bad days. I havent been floxed as severely as others – most of my issues are neurological. Twitching all over, mostly in the calves, headaches, tingling in the face, arms and feet. Weird pains in my legs. Weird “tightness” feelings in my cheek, and nose. Carpal Tunnel magically started appearing during the night. Ringing in my ears. Insomnia for weeks – I could only get a few hours of sleep by taking Ativan. I can sleep with just melatonin now – for 5 to 6 hours straight – this is a big improvement.
I went to a private clinic today (I live in Canada) and I had a consult/exam by a Neurologist. He did a bunch of tests. He ruled out Multiple Sclerosis, ALs and other neurological diseases. In a way this was a relief because I feared I may have developed a drastic incurable neurological disorder. But deep down I knew that these symptoms were caused by CIPRO. It was too much of a coincidence that all of this started happening after being on that POISON.
But something surprising happened during my consult with this Neurologist. He actually acknowledged that Cipro probably caused all of these symptoms. He said “Cipro probably caused this and then your anxiety ramped them up and made them worse”. This was the first time any doctor even acknowledged this. He didnt look at me like I was crazy – like other doctors have – he didnt ask me to disregard the notion that Cipro has damaged my health – like one doctor i visited did. What a relief. When he heard that my GP put me on CIPRO for so long he was surprised – “Thats way too long to be on that stuff” he said.
I think im 50% better than where I was 5 months ago. Now that the doubt has been removed and I know this isnt MS, ALS, or some kind of Brain/Spinal tumour, I think my anxiety will calm down and I can work on the remaining 50%.
Anyhow, just want to spread some hope.
Jim Z, I’m the same situation, cipro, doxy, augmentin,
bactrim … and nothing
helped and the worst: 1 year out I am fq agony.
I was prescribed cipro only 2 weeks 2x500mg.
Fq symptoms started 6 months after last cipro pill,
probably triggered by bactrim.
Fucking urologists destroyed my body.
Now have been using ir lamp for sinus infection 7th month.
Prostate symptoms are less, I hope i cure it completly someday.
You may cure prostate in odessa using autovaccine or
in Georgia Eliava institute using bacteriophages but costs are
very very high.
more information prostatitis.ning.com forum.
Jim Z, thank you for your words. I am so glad a doctor recognized that Cipro caused your symptoms. Did he say they will go away all together? Has anyone out there had a relapse. I took Cipro and Fagyl one year ago and have had symptoms: tingling, numbness, muscle cramps, burning, muscle and tendon pain, weight loss, naseau, vomiting, strange sensations in my face, brain fog, eye issues, muscle twitching, anxiety and depression. I was slowly progressing with less symptoms felt like I was recovering and then the symptons returned suddenly. Has anyone experienced this. I am feeling so depressed and scared, has anyone had a relapse and then got better? HELP!!! I have two young children and just want to be their mom.
Has anyone taken Bactrim for a uti, and did it flare up any symptoms? I’m afraid to take Cipro. Thanks
Jane, I have taken bactrim (biseptol), this drug triggered fq agony.
I read on this forum one person after recovery was prescribed bactrim
And again fq symptoms occured him.
I suggest to use augmentin on uti – penicylines are safer.
We also have NitroxolinForte drug for uti and bladder infection,
i dont know if this drug is in your country.
Bacteria culture is the good idea and the best abx.
And … conult your doctor 😉
Isnt bactrim a penicillin?
Jane, read this, it may help:
https://floxiehope.com/2014/08/08/antibiotics-after-fluoroquinolone-toxicity/
Vee: bactrim is sulfa drug + sth 😉
Jane, d-mannoze is safe and natural, you may also read:
http://www.myquinstory.info/what-helps/
of course dont eat NSAIDs 🙂
If you have very very very big bank account you may
use bacteriophages from georgia eliava institiute
Very epensive treatment 5000$ or more.
The best solution: please print sites first from floxie
and second from myquinstory and show it your doctor.
If doctor is aware of fq poisoning so should give the best abx.
Jane—yes, d-mannose is a preventative measure, and it is also used in the naturopathic protocol for treatment of UTIs (it involves that, high doses of vitamin A and C and herb pharm’s urinary system support—can’t recall the amounts and details) took me a couple weeks, but urinalysis showed it got rid of it! And don’t beat yourself up—we ALL trusted our doctors. (never again! 😉 )