*The following is an individual’s story of surviving fluoroquinolone toxicity. It is not medical advice. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the story. Thank you, and please be cautious with all treatments.
I want to tell my story of recovery that was a little different from all I read here on the site.
It all started in January 2016 with a persistent throat infection where the doctor in my city prescribed me a course of Levaquin (Levofloxacin) 750mg once daily for 5 days with prednisone for an allergy in my airway. With the second tablet started to realize I was getting anxious, depressive and could not understand what was happening, and could not sleep at night. The next day I woke up worse, anxiety and depression, fear were almost uncontrollable, so I tried the doctor who had passed me the antibiotic and told her what was happening, he told me that the antibiotic was not to blame for what I was feeling and told me to finish the course of it. Still not knowing the side effects of fluoroquinolones, I finished the course with a lot of suffering.
The days went by and I realized that I had not returned to be the same as before, although I was very lucky to have had no other side effects such as nerve problems, neuropathies and tendon problems. My nights sleep was horrible, I had lost interest in everything, was afraid to do the simplest things that I used to love and had no control of my own emotions until I looked on the fluoroquinolones and my world fell with everything I read, I thought I was doomed to live side effects for life.
In February I sought a medical psychiatrist who prescribed me an antidepressant (Escitalopram). It made my anxiety much worse and gave up using it. I started researching and found that using a benzodiazepine also could only delay my recovery then dropped out of conventional medicine and looked into gentle healing methods.
I cut alcoholic beverages, caffeine and tried to keep away from sugar. As I sought acupuncture and yoga to help me endure the side effects until gradually they were becoming less intense. Over the months I started to have good days where I could do pretty much everything that I liked to do before Levaquin, and others where the symptoms were back and I could not do anything, just trying to distract me until the day could pass and that the best days were back. During this time also I avoided any kind of allopathic medicine, especially NSAIDS and steroids. I also took several tests and they all came back normal, including vitamins and minerals. The things that helped me at that time were: exercise (I ask to carefully those who have tendon problems and nerves) breathing exercises, which help a lot in anxiety, reading, yoga, religion (spirituality) is wedded to God me It helped immensely to go through this whole situation that was by far one of the hardest I ever had in my entire life. I tried to let my body recover alone because I thought so would be the best way to get full recovery, without haste, without despair, even seeing that I had horrible days where my mind was going down hill and that it was difficult to believe any recovery.
Well now I’m almost 6 months out and I can say that I am not fully recovered, but I’m on the road today still feel anxiety and occasional fear, I still have some bad days, but I know I will get there. I can now sleep well, I am eating well, I do exercises and I am almost back to all that I liked before. I hope next year be able to return to my studies I had to stop because of problems related to the antibiotic. Stress can be terrible for people who are seeking recovery. Try to look for something to make you well, look for something that brings relief for all those months I tried many things that could help me get some relief in my symptoms, and without realizing I was recovering. I wish you all a great recovery, have calm, have faith and above all do not despair, there is no miracle cure for the problem, I think the best cure is time. Avoid taking everything you read on the internet because what may be good for one may not be for others. Any questions or concerns will be here to help them.
** The story above is truthful, accurate and told to the best of the ability of the writer. It is not intended as medical advice. No person who submits his or her story, nor the people associated with Floxie Hope, diagnoses or treats any illness. The story above should not be substituted for professionally provided medical advice. Please consult your doctor before trying anything that has been mentioned in this story, or in any other story on this site. Please also note that people have varying responses to the treatments mentioned in each story. What helps one person may not help, and may even hurt, another person. It is important that you understand that supplements, IVs, essential oils, and all other treatments, affect people differently depending on the millions of variables that make each of us unique. Please use appropriate caution and prudence, and get professional medical advice.
Hola Marcela, Finalmente en que fecha te curaste?
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I went from a happy and quite optimistic person who was taking classes in college to a depressed, anxious, panic fueled mess who had to drop college after taking this medication this past March! I’ve lost all interest in life, I’m so terribly depressed and hopeless, I’m tired and I am in such emotional pain all bc of this drug. I’m hoping that with time I will get better bc I don’t think I can go on like this. It’s awful! And had I know this drugs effects I would never ever have taken it, it has stolen my life and livelihood at the moment and I’ve had no relief since the day I started it. Your story gives me a glimmer of hope and I won’t give up trying to find myself again.
You will get through this. I was suicidal for months because of these toxins…out of control anxiety, horrific depression, paranoia, and over 30 physical side effects, including vision problems, a sensation of choking, struggling for each breath and nightmarish nerve damage to where everything in the world asphyxiated me. I am not sure how I got through. I didn’t expect to. But I did. You will too. Just hand in there. Eat clean, avoid fluoride, gmos, and any meats that are not organic. Make sure to get enough magnesium, take good probiotics and do breathing exercises to switch into parasympathetic mode.
I too have all sorts of other crazy physical side effects as well! Thank you SO much for your story and reply, it really helps so much to hear another’s story and their hope and to know I’m not alone. I feel like I’m going crazy and I just want my life back! I’ve started magnesium and been on probiotics so I guess I’m on the right track! Blessings to you!
It’s going to all leave . First off get off these sites. The people on here will cause you to go into a state of even more panic and despair. I’ve spoken to 50 people. You’ll heal . But it will take a year . If you eat super clean stay positive and stay off these sites you’ll be fine. The people that healed all had clean healthy lifestyles. The ones that stayed sick are the ones that kept taking benzodiazepines and when asked what they did for health one literally stayed heroin . Another …. cocaine .
My white blood cell where elevated but no pneumonia
I was prescribe This meds for severe asthma is has been my worst experience ever I go to the doctor and let them know is the antibiotic that is causing severe anxiety and they ignore me I just took 3 dose of 500mg but I have 5days with no sleep and palpitations muscle stress on the back and neck numbness cold sweat hot flash in chest and back i suffer anxiety and depression already but it was under control with serterline hopefully I will recover soon with faith
For asthma???? Why would they give you a fluoroquinolone for asthma? Did you have asthma with pneumonia? That’s nuts. Sorry it happened. And if you are on steroidal asthma meds the steroids don’t help with the reaction.
I too had my depression and snxiety inder control with sertraline, it no longer works since taking this horrendous antibiotic. Im suffering terrible amd debilitating depression, anxiety and now a new problem…panic attacks! Which i never had before!
Wow, this story is so much similar to mine after pneumonia and Levaquin. I am a runner and had terrible tendonitis for a few months after going off the med. Got that under control, then I started having random panic attacks starting a few weeks after going off of Levaquin. At first, they were almost 30 days apart. That went on for 4 months, then they started becoming more frequent. I was having 3 or 4 per day. There was never any reason for them. I was not stressed at work, I live a pretty peaceful and happy life. Wife is wonderful, 3 boys doing well in college. One day, I had 11 panic attacks in one day. I went for a short run trying to stop them, but had 2 panic attacks during my run. So, after 18 months of panic attacks and depression, it was time to go to the Dr. I have no history of depression or panic attacks so it is more than just a coincidence. Dr. put me on some anti depressants indicating it was one of 3 possible things. Heart palpitations, anxiety and depression, or my lungs are not taking in enough oxygen and the body responds. Now I am just sleepy, unmotivated, in a daze. It worked though. I went 3 months without an episode. So, I tried to go off of the drug gradually over several months. But then the panic attacks came back with vengeance. I started having daily panic attacks. So, it took several weeks of pill popping to stop the panic attacks. I have tried several times to go off the anti depressant with the same result. I guess this will be my life from now on. Sleepy, in a daze, forgetful, unmotivated. Went back to Dr. to refill my meds. He said ‘now we know what it is. Anxiety. You will be taking this for the rest of your life.’. The thought of that really stinks.
Hi Kevin,
I’m so sorry for everything that you have been through, and everything you’re still going through! Please know that people have gotten through fluoroquinolone-induced anxiety, and that there is hope for you too. It’s really depressing and disheartening to hear from a doctor that you will have to deal with this forever, but try not to let that prognosis get you down. Your doctor should be trying to help you to overcome this, not depressing you (though I doubt that he intended to do that). Seeing as people have recovered from anxiety and anxiety attacks, I don’t know how your doctor supposes that he knows that you’ll be dealing with this forever. He doesn’t know that. Your body, mind, and spirit have remarkable healing powers. Try to believe that you can get through this.
Have you read Ruth’s story on this site? She has a lot of great advice in her story, and in the comments on it, for overcoming fluoroquinolone related anxiety.
Some things that helped me to get through the anxiety and loss of motivation are:
1. Meditation
2. Magnesium supplementation
3. Brewer’s yeast (I think the uridine and B vitamins in it helped)
4. Going on relaxing vacations
5. Getting away from anxiety-inducing stimuli
6. Paradoxically, getting angry about this whole thing helped me to feel more in-control and less anxious.
If you’re on benzodiazepines, please be very careful getting off of them. Find a doctor who specializes in weaning you off of them, and also look into the Ashton Manual for help.
You are not doomed.
Hugs,
Lisa
Kevin, please don’t think that. I was on different anti-depressants for decades. I was told I would have to be on them for life, but I didn’t buy that. I weaned myself off slowly after starting on turmeric (95% curcuminoids) and I was doing GREAT until the Cipro. (BTW they did studies showing turmeric more effective than Prozac…AND another study showed they were no better than a placebo.)
So, my floxing, which I don’t want to review for the 90th time was horrendous. I wanted out. Vision issues, breathing problems, mobility problems, excruciating pain asphyxiated by even the mildest scent, paranoia, suicidal thoughts (constant) and anxiety / panic beyond description. Here’s a little snapshot of when I was actually a little BETTER. I was shopping in trader joes (I would stand in front of shelves and just cry, knowing I could not at that point eat almost anything they sold.) At one point a woman’s cart tapped my cart, gently. I stood frozen in absolute fear, like a deer caught in the headlights. I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, I just stood there while tears rolled down my eyes. This poor woman kept asking if I was ok, and if she could do anything. I literally could not speak. She finally walked away. I wasn’t able to move for another 30 seconds or so.
If I was driving and someone so much as honked at me, I had to pull off the road because I would be so freaked out. I couldn’t listen to music or watch tv for months because it was too agitating. Still, given all that, I refused to go on any kinds of meds. (And I was seeing an excellent ND who would not have encouraged me to take any pharmaceuticals and in fact would have been cautioning me not to.)
Additionally, you are adding MORE possible side effects now into the mix. I would be wary of any medication post-floxing. If I were in your shoes, I would start on a good turmeric (95% curcuminoids) and then after a few weeks, start to wean off the antidepressant. (You need to go slowly or you can end up with some pretty awful side effects.)
BTW, I no longer take the turmeric. Never did go back on antidepressants, in spite of going through a year of post -Cipro mental hell. I just toughed it out. And this was after more than 40 years on antidepressants I was told I would need for life.
Have you or anyone here tried ketamine for the anxiety and depression. I’ve seen some clinics opening up in town that offer the treatment. I’ve heard it really helps some people.
Taking lavaquin just caused me alot of stomitch issues I got h pylori can’t eat nothing idk wat to do ? What can help me I’m planning to see a natrual pathic doc anyone knows what can help me I’ve took lavaquin back in October n it really messed my body up n my stomitch but I can’t eat nothing it hard for me .
Hey Im kinda having the same sytmoms as u alot of enxiety goen on n can’t take nothing at all or else my enxiety gets worst idk wat helps ? Can u call me at 6505097463
Marcella how are you feeling now? If you’re cured from the anxiety, how long did it ultimately take and what did you do?
My biggest obstacle right now seems to be determining if my chronic Sinusitis is causing a lot of my symptoms or the levaquin. I have fatigue, I have congestion, I have headaches, but I had a lot of that before the levaquin. My anxiety is still full force, but I don’t know if that’s because I have anxiety about having anxiety, or if it’s still the drug. It’s a nightmare.
Physically, I’d say I feel 75% better tendon pain wise (but I have yet to go back to the gym, so I feel that’d be the real test). The burning has subsided a bit, but I still feel it significantly. Anyone relate to the burning thing? My appetite is still meh. I can eat, but I’ve lost all of my desire for pleasure eating. And again, I have no idea if this is due to the chronic sinutis or the aftermath of levaquin.
Today marks only the 2 week mark since my last dose. But in terms of my anxiety, it feels like one step forward and then two steps back. I can get through what I absolutely need to get through, and then that’s it. Does anyone recommend lexapro? I’m now starting to REALLY worry if this is all permanent now. :-/ after only 3 damn doses…
Hey Aaron! Glad to see you’re doing better physically. I have to say physically speaking I don’t hurt as much before. My left wrist feels a bit tingly on the palm side, but overall the tendon pain is a lot better. Although, I haven’t been back to the gym yet so I guess we’ll see.
My anxiety is still messed up though. I’m terrified of having a soda even. My problem on top of the lingering pain is that the sinus problem I had that I was taking the levaquin for is back. My face feels really congested and my ears feel congested. Very sensitive to sound, and I think that’s why I feel so fatigued, lightheaded, and a big source of my anxiety in general. I have a dos pack of Methylprednisolone, but I’m scared to take that, even ten days later, because of the horror stories. I’m thinking of going to an urgent care and asking for another safer anti biotic but I have no idea if that’s even safe.
What have you been doing for your anxiety all this time? Any meds? I’ve been using probiotics and Gaba and it seems to help during the day. I’m just confused as to where to go next.
Please do NOT take the prednisone. I was severely floxed and I think it was due in part to prednisone. What you might try for the sinus infection is oil of oregano. Buy the kind that comes already mixed in a carrier oil like natural factors. Place 3 drops under the tongue and let it sit a few seconds. Then add a bit of water and swallow go that 3 times a day for a week. Other options to look into are olive leaf extract and colloidal silver.
I’ve decided against the prednisone but I needed SOMETHING for this sinus pressure that wasn’t going away at all with otc products. I went to urgent care and he gave me amoxicillin and generic loratadine. Just couldn’t take the sinus pressure anymore. Hopefully this helps a lot more than it hurts…
I know how that is. At least the amoxicillin is one of the more benign antibiotics. But try to pick up the oregano oil for next time. It really works!
Hi Bobby, I’ve still got sinus problems myself even worse then before being dizziness, ear popping, headaches and slight tinnitis. I’m afraid to take anything the dr suggests as I would never have been in this situation if they only knew what they were doing in the first place. I found the best thing I tried for the anxiety was “ashwaghanda” but I stopped as after I took it I had a severe reoccurance of peripheral neuropathy. I might try it again if I don’t improve soon to see, as for the sinus issues I’m at a loss at how to deal with it I’m hoping it will magically go away. Who know maybe a few months from now we can write our own recovery stories 🙂 hopefuly!
Hi everyone. 27 year old male here. I was prescribed 500 mg levaquin for ten days for chronic sinutis. After the third dose I started feeling like my tendons in my wrist were weak and hurting. I then went on to read if this could be the medicine doing this to me, and was horrified by what I read. I called the doc the next day, and she said stop taking the levaquin immediately. I did and thought because I had only taken three I wouldn’t be in the trenches long. But Christ was I wrong. Both physical and mental effects. Tendons in both wrists, shoulders, knees, and ankles are hurting bad. Not excruciating, but notably bad. And I’m afraid to exercise and weight lift again.
Saturday night I went to a bar (piss poor choice I know) because a good friend of mine was home from California for Christmas. I, for no reason at all, just started to have a complete anxiety attack at the bar after three beers to the point where I had to leave the bar and go for a 20 minute walk just to be able to go back in to sip on water for the rest of the night. I also feel like I’m highly sensitive to sound, like every clank of a class and every bass drops hits me like an elephant on the chest.
I’ll also be overwhelmed by malaise and fatigue. I’ll be fine throughout the day, and just out of nowhere this weakness hits and I’m out for the count. I don’t know if this partially due to the remaining affects from my sinus infection because i do still feel like I have a sinus headache. But I’m scared shitless.
I’ve always had some lingering anxiety but NOTHING like this. I was otherwise is decent health. Took and been taking Tylenol sinus, Zyrtec for allergies, mucinex 12 hour for
Medicine and biotin, vitamin C, magnesium 250 mg, and CoQ110 maximum dose for vitamin in take. It’s only been exactly a week today since my last dose, and I know this all sounds like small potatoes compared to the other horror stories I’ve read. But I’m still scared shitless and am desperately looking for advice and relatable discussion. I’m just praying this isn’t permanent.
Also would like to add that I was NEVER told about the harsh side effects by my doctor or pharmacist. I was prescribed prednisone along with it, and luckily never took it, as I beat it can make things even worse. But I do have lasting sinus problems from my sinus infection and wonder if it’s safe to take now. Both for my sinus condition and to put a little pep in my step. Doctors appointment tomorrow, and hoping for something, ANYTHING that leans in the way of good news.
I was given prednisone at same time and think rhas one reason I was do severely flowed. I would encourage you to find an integrative/ functional medicine doctor or Nd. Allopathy are mostly clueless unless they are integrative. I also encourage to think about filing a lawsuit against the dr and perhaps the pharmacy depending on which state you live in. Some require a pharmacy Consultation on all new RX. That is not made compliant by that littke electronic signatures box in done states. Also there was a new Dds warning at least 6 months ago that flqs should NOT be used for certain simple infections. Your dr was negligent. I urge you to seek out s medical malpractice atty, preferably one familiar with pharmaceutical law. Statute of limitations varies by state and you must file within that tone md of be forever barred from legal action
Ack!!!! Trying to type on tiny phone so all my s. Turn into d. Also it was an FDA warning
I’m so, so, so sorry for everything you’re going through, Bobby!
Here is a post about fluoroquinolone-induced anxiety – https://floxiehope.com/2015/06/22/treating-fluoroquinolone-anxiety/. Please read through the comments too.
Here are some additional posts that may help – https://floxiehope.com/?s=anxiety&submit=Search
Fluoroquinolones cause severe anxiety, and don’t let anyone dismiss it as a horrible symptom of fluoroquinolone toxicity. Unfortunately, anxiety makes everything worse.
If your doctor gives you benzodiazepines to deal with the anxiety, please be careful with them. They can be helpful, and can get you through the difficult times, but don’t get dependent on them or getting off of them can be just as difficult and damaging as the initial anxiety. They can also have paradoxical effects, and can lead to a long-lasting syndrome of toxicity. Taking them is certainly better than being suicidal, but please be very, very, very careful if you are prescribed them.
I suggest supplementing magnesium, brewer’s yeast (it has uridine and lots of B vitamins), and melatonin to sleep. Meditate. Go to a calming peaceful place. Try to stay away from things that induce anxiety.
Know that this is a symptom of fluoroquinolone toxicity and that it will pass.
Avoid fluoride.
Here are some other basic tips – https://floxiehope.com/2015/10/12/im-floxed-now-what/.
Hang in there. Believe that you will get through it. You will.
Regards,
Lisa
So sort bobby. All sadly normal with this poison. I had 30 side effects, several terrifying. I also had /have over reactions to loud noises (though it made my normal hearing worse). Vision problems, heart problems, torn meniscus, peripheral neuropathy and more. Re any problems you may experience with torn ligaments and other connective tissues do look into prolozone injections. Helped my torn meniscus a LOT. Not too expensive and after several months it helps the body to heal itself. You can get From some NDs, integrative doctors and sone sports medicine doctors. As for the anxiety mind was crippling but I did ge past it. Even enjoying coffee again.
How long did it take you to get over the anxiety? I just feel with three 500mg pills the affects shouldn’t be that bad? I recently bought 750mg Gaba supplements and probiotics. They worked this morning, but now I’m back to feeling like total garbage. Anyone recommend using two 750mg Gaba pills a day?
My sinus problems I originally used the levaquin for are back and I can’t get an appointment with my ENT until the eighth. I still have my prescription prednisone, but am scared to use it because of my ongoing anxiety.
Feels like I’m about to get an ulcer from all this anxiety. Lower left stomach is now in pain.
Also can’t believe I forgot to mention this. My skin feels like it’s sunburned among my whole body. There’s no redness or rash, just FEELS burnt. BUT when I wash my face in the shower, it gets especially irritated. My face is red right after the shower. Like burn victim red. After about 10-15 minutes (with some moisturizer) it goes away. The burning sensation is always there though, especially if I scratch an itch. Needless to say, another anxiety amplifier. It’s gotten a little better throughout the week, but still a significant nuisance. Anyone feel anything similar or know what I’m talking about?
Hi Booby my story is similar to yours except I beleive my major mistake was taking iboneurofen at the same time, I also took 3 500mg pills of ciproflaxin. It’s been 5 months now and I still feel like rubbish though the muscle pains have diminished greatly I’m still suffering from intense anxiety and major depression which I’ve never had before. Infact before this night mare I often used to tell my wife how happy I was. It astonishes me how we were given this poison over a simple sinus infection I’ve spoken to a few docs since and they’ve told me it’s unusual to prescribe such a powerful antibiotic for that, anyway I still try to find hope and find myself lingering on this website for inspiration let’s hope it gets better!