Ciprofloxacin poisoning?

Hi Kelly,

I'm sorry you had such a bad reaction to the Cipro.  The bad effects usually creep up on people so they take the whole course or even second or third courses before they're aware anything is wrong.  Hopefully, because you stopped after your 3rd tablet, you won't have any lasting symptoms.

I think there are 3 things you need to watch out for:

the first is to make sure you never, ever, take another Fluoroquinolone - this group comprises Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin (Avelox), and Ofloxacin - and there are other names so always check any antibiotic you're given in the future - even the one you're on now.  Some doctors don't really twig that people allergic to Cipro will also be allergic to Levo, for example.

The second is to be aware of any new aches and pains that may start anytime from the next few days to the next few months.  If you get any pains start in your ankles or other joints that you really can't explain (especially stabbing pains or pain on walking) this could be the onset of tendinitis caused by the Cipro.  Doctors will say it will have left the body after 36 hours but the damage it does before it leaves can take months to manifest itself.

Thirdly, please don't take Ibuprofen or any other NSAIDs for at least a year!  People have taken Cipro with no after effects then taken an Ibuprofen 6 months later and only then do the Adverse Reactions start.  Paracetamol should be ok if you need anything but definitely not a NSAID.  This applies to steroids as well - don't take them.

You may feel your gut is upset after the Cipro - and also with whatever you're on now.  The best thing to do is take regular doses of a good probiotic or a good live yoghurt to help replace the good bacteria in your gut. 

Hopefully you'll be on the mend now and you can put all this behind you.  When you get back to the UK you should send in a Yellow Card report to the MHRA - it's easy to do on line and the address is in this link:

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/fluoroquinolone-toxicity-syndrome-427305

if everyone fills in a Yellow Card report the MHRA will have a better picture of just how these drugs are harming people!

The link also has some useful web addresses of help and information groups.

Good luck,

Miriam

Hi Miriam 

Thank you for your fast reply and for all of your advice. I shall definitely be listening to what you have said. I already have  tendinitis in my right wrist, and ibuprofen I try and avoid due to being asthmatic so I will defiantly avoid now for at least a year and I should hopefully not need any steroids but if I do I will try and do without. 

I can't believe that 3 tablets have made me this ill, I'm full of aches and pains at the minute but just not sure if it's because I've been lay in bed for over 48hrs or the infection or the reaction 😢 I suppose I should be thankful I didn't carry on and finish the course and come out a lot worse like some of the others on the forum. 

I'm going to fill in the yellow card now if I can whilst all is fresh in my mind. It's really quite shocking just how many people have gotten ill using this medication.

Thanks again 

Kelly x 

Kelly,

Miriam is correct and I would add if you can get your hands on CSL3 probiotic then grab it. It's typically $50 for a bottle of 60 capsules. I took 1 every 12 hours for a month and it helped me a lot. I am still on it but down to once a day. I took over 60 tablets in a 30 day timeframe or 2 tabs (1000mg a day) a day. I was at the extreme for the toxicity but now 14 months later I am at 97% healed. 

I would go about a year with taking any NSAIDs. I can take Motrin again and prednisone now with no issues. Took me 12 months minimum and that was for only 200mg a day on the Motrin or lowest dose Naproxen. Now I am up to 800mg a day on Motrin if I need it but NOT upto 3 times a day yet. Maybe in another 6-12 months but when you take Motrin and it reacts to Cipro toxicity it makes me very ill and sick to my stomach and it takes 2-3 days to clear. So that's what will happen if you accidentally take any NSAIDs. Healing is better but still slower than before the Cipro. I also had issues with salsa or tomato paste during the worst of my toxicity and now it's gone. So just be aware of things you eat as well. I also had brain fog and severe pain behind my eyes that lasted 10 months. My ophthalmologist said my eyes are in perfect health with no issues and said the Cipro toxicity should be temporary in terms of eye nerve pain. He said it will take time to heal and get back to normal. So be aware of that as well. That's about all I have now. I hope you get through this fast and with as little pain as possible. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Hi Chris 

I'm just in shock at the things I'm reading. I will have to look all of this up on the internet as I've never heard of of half of this. Crazy. Can I ask how long did you take the cipro for? I only had 3 tablets I'm just hoping I will wake up tomorrow feeling better? I'd never have taken them if I'd have know the possible side effects, with being abroad and ill I just accepted what the doctor prescribed when really I should have researched. Lesson learnt I suppose 😔 

Thanks 

Kelly 

Hi Kelly (and Hi Chris!),

I think every one is in shock when they first read about what Cipro can do.  I remember staring at the screen in complete disbelief when I first saw the Cipro is Poison site.  The package leaflet lists a host of side effects but you never really believe any of them ever happen to anybody.  (Actually, I guess that would have been in Spanish so possibly not much help to you!).  When they do happen, you go to a doctor and they don't believe you because they also think it'll never happen to anyone!  That's why it's so important to send in a Yellow Card - and to update it if you get new symptoms start up.

Kelly, if you look at the link I gave you before, the websites there have loads of information and are a good place to start.  One has a UK address so might be more relevant to you.  There are many 'floxies' (welcome to the club!) on this forum or there are other support groups you could join. If you're in for a rough time (and, sadly, you might be) you'll need some support.

My best advice is stay strong, find out as much as you can about it - and heed what Chris just said about being careful what you eat.  Also, don't drink alcohol - your body is trying to get rid of toxins so don't give any more to deal with!

 

Kelly,

I took it for 30 days. 1000 mg a day or one tablet every 12 hours. I would have never taken them if I would have known this would have happened but now looking back, on the fifth day is when I started feeling ill with symptoms. So that was after 10 tablets. I have read that some folks that took 2-3 tablets got sick for 6 months or longer. Everyone is different so yours could possibly last a few days or a few months. You really need to avoid alcohol, sodas, caffeine, salsa, NSAIDS, etc.. Drink plenty of water, as in at least 3 bottled waters a day. You must stay active, if you can of course. Some folks are bedridden and literally can't do anything but you can start with simple walks. Also do not go on any type of cruiseship and stay off the water, i.e. boat trips. Your toxicity will increase 10 fold if you do. Most folks haven't experienced this and I have to share it because two of us did go through it. I lost 21 pounds in 18 hours. I couldn't even hold a sip of water down. I wasn't seasick either. I did 21 years in the military and on the water in high seas and I never got seasick. I knew what it was and the doctor on the ship did the best he could do. Those 2 days last November were the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. Kidney stones pale in comparison. It's like a kidney stone for a guy is like a black ant biting your hand compared to severe Cipro toxicity. Severe Cipro toxicity would be like someone shooting that same hand with a rifle. So you can only imagine how bad it can get. Anyway enough of that. I apologize if I scared you but folks need to know how bad it can get and to focus on what foods and things you can do to get better a little faster. You should be fine and I bet you will recover 100%. Time heals for sure. 

Thank you Chris, I will definitely take your advice as I certainly don't want to feel any worse than I do, although I'm not as bad as I was day two and three. Day five today and I've been out of bed today, and pottered around and then back in bed at 1pm until 3pm (sleeping) which I never ever do and still here now, zero energy at the moment. I just don't know if that is the ear infection or the cipro still in my system?

So I Will try and clean eat as much as I can and as much water as I can. Only steroid I take is my inhaler (asthmatic) so I'm just concerned about that really and will be avoiding alcohol, NSAID's etc. Absolutey crazy this. 

Will just have to see how I get on. Makes it so much worse being on holiday in a foreign country and having the language barrier and having two young children that want to be out and playing in the pool etc. I'm here until the 5th September, hoping my ear clears before I fly home as that's another concern. I really appreciate you replying to my messages. 

Thank you 

Kelly 

Thank you for your advice, I will have a look at the UK web address and the other links. I'd much rather be in the UK at the moment (even with the cold and rain) so that I'm able to see my GP, and discuss my concerns etc but I don't fly home until the 5th September.  I'm hoping my ear has cleared by then as flying with a bad ear infection is another concern. I will just have to take each day as it comes now and deal with what ever is going to happen.

  I feel for anyone who's had a reaction from cypro and anyone who is still suffering with the effects and im shocked at how bad it has effected some. I wish everyone a speedy recovery.

Kelly x 

Hi Praj,

again, I've replied to you in full on the discussion you started.  Please read it.

All of these discussions do contain useful info, so read these too!

Hi Chris,

Was the Cipro prescribed for prostatitis in the first place?  The two months course sounds fairly typical and I'm willing to bet next week they'll say ok, no more Cipro so have Ofloxacin (or Levofloxacin or Moxifloxacin) instead. 

The symptoms you've described sound like they could well be caused by the latest dose of Cipro and if you have any more of any of the fluoroquinolones  you could well be in trouble. (I've named them above but check in case they offer you something with a generic name that is still a fluoroquinolone). 

Your stomach problems are probably caused by the Cipro clearing all the good bacteria out of your gut so take lots of probiotics such as live yoghurt, saurkraut and capsules to help replenish them.

Ask your urologist about the possibility of stress causing your prostate or any other 'down below' pain if an examination suggests it not in trouble for any obvious reason.  They're all so very happy to prescribe antibiotics ad-lib without ever finding out what is the actual cause of the problem.

Please make sure you never take any fluoroquinolone ever again, you sound like you've had quite enough!

Miriam,

yes diagnosed with prostititis.Have dumped the last of the cipro,am on tramadol until i see the urologist as the pain is so unbearable.Will not be fobbed off with more antibiotics,need proper investigation as i have had problems for a year now and they are getting worse. Urine and blood tests have thrown up nothing unusual and doctor is of the opinion that ct scan and camera is the way to go.

I don't want to sound personal but do you do a lot of cycling or are you very fit from other exercise?  A lot of cyclist guys have had severe problems from Cipro after being given it for 'down below' pain that was later shown to be not an infection. I can't post the link but look for this title of a paper:  6-day intensive treatment protocol for refractory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome using myofascial release and paradoxical relaxation training. Anderson RU.

It seems many men have stress symptoms that show up as pelvic pain while in women it tends to be more headaches.  Someone suggested that was to do with the position of the respective brains but I think that was a joke!  Good luck with your appointment next week.  Do tell the urologist about your symptoms and these discussions on this forum; too many doctors don't believe there are any problems associated with Cipro yet the FDA in the US ruled over a year ago that the problems exist and that FQ use should be restricted.  The European med agency is taking almost a year to decide what their stance on it is but we hope the result will be announced in Feb - and that it will be similar to the FDA result.

By the way, take care not to have any Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, or any steroids.  You may not have too many problems at the moment but it's an actual fact that just one Ibuprofen can kick everything off. With that amount of Cipro already taken you could be in danger form this delayed effect for a good year yet.  Tramadol and paracetamol are Ok but definitely not NSAIDs

Just an FYI. With time anyone floxed can resume taking NSAIDS and steroids. This is not well known yet. Antibiotics is another story. Although you may be ok taking an antibiotic most folks may have blood in their stools which is normal which is crazy to say but it is. You don’t want to take steroids or NSAIDs in the first 12 months of being floxed. Some folks are at 24 months out and can take NSAIDs and can handle them quite well. Steroids same thing but something simple like a minocycline will wipe your colon out again but you won’t feel sick just blood stools. You don’t want dark or deep red. If it’s a normal or bright red then that’s what the gastro doctors say is normal and you must take a strong probiotic at least 3 times a day to counter the antibiotic.

Hi Chris, I've not come across this effect yet but will take your word for it (something else to look up!).  I'm guessing you're US?  Are you in FTG?

Mirian,i was taking naproxen as well,also stopped those,was told by hospital doctor that they are nasty!.

I was going to the gym twice a week and yes i did  spin cycle there for a while,again have now stpped the gym altogether as was in so much pain.

Have to say that it appears my problems kicked off once i had retired!

I'm getting confused with the two of you called Chris!  I think you are not in the US but the other Chris is.  He's just posted about NSAIDs being ok eventually but I suggest you steer clear of them for at least a year if not more.  Well done to the hospital doc for getting you off them.

Your problem may be helped by relevant exercises.  Have a look at Pelvic Pain clinic in London; I can't give the link but you should be able to find it. If it is prostatitis there was a study showing that many men find relief from exercises anyway while another one has shown that Cipro is not particularly any better than other antibiotics.  If you want links to these you can pm me to ask for them.

Also, if you think your symptoms are Cipro related one of the support groups may be helpful to you, you'll find useful addresses here: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/fluoroquinolone-toxicity-syndrome-427305

The UK group is for UK people only!  There are huge US groups too.  I encourage anyone who's been affected by Cipro to send in a Yellow Card report (the address is also in the link).  If they don't get any reports they will always think adverse reactions are rare so it's very important that as many people as possible send in a report.

Being retired isn't a problem but Cipro and the other fluoroquinolones definitely are a huge problem!

 

Miriam

yes UK .Will take a look at the link,thanks

 

No problem.  It's a private clinic of course but you may be able to glean some helpful information from it.

I am in the US but share knowledge or experiences with everyone on this subject. I have helped emergency rooms and pharmacists here with my experiences with Cipro and the side effects it has caused with me. I am a younger guy and had the acute bacterial prostititus diagnosis. So ended up with 60 500mg tablets. What I think set it off was at day 5 I took a 800 mg Motrin and was sick for almost 24 months after that.

And Naproxen is commonly used here in the US and isn’t that bad for you. It’s as strong as Motrin/Ibuprofin. Endocin will be harder on your stomach but again I would wait a minimum of 12 months then slowly see what you can tolerate and I would start out with an OTC Motrin strength of 200mg and take it with food. Remember Tylenol is fine during floxed and so is Aspirin. I had zero issues with either of them. 

hey chris, I was wondering what tests they did to determine that you had acute bacterial prostatitis ?, What type of symptoms did you have, and did they find any bacteria in your urine ? The reason I ask, is because I was floxed by taking cipro recently,  due to my doctor suspecting acute bacterial prostatitis and now he wants me to take septra/bactrim instead, I'm not sure I should go ahead with the new antibiotics unless I'm sure that I actually have a bacterial infection. The only symptom I am experiencing is trouble emptying my bladder fully, no pain what so ever, no discharge, no fever or chills. Would appreciate if you could let me know what symptoms you had, and how they determined you had acute bacterial prostatitis, thanks. 

Hi Chris from the US (now I'm not so confused!),

It's good to hear from you and your experience of which painkillers work for you. I'll just translate Tylenol into Paracetamol while Endocin is known as Indometacin - I'd never heard of this one but when I just looked it up it warns you not to take it if you're on Quinolone antibiotics, which is interesting!

I fully agree with your advice to wait at least 12 months before taking any NSAID then see what you can tolerate by starting low and going slow.  Sadly, it seems that the only way to spread the warnings about FQs is to do it ourselves.  At least you had the FDA announcement that FQAD exists over there (although no one seems to have taken much notice of it!  We're still waiting for Europe to decide (hopefully in February) whether the warnings about Quins need to be strengthened.  We've had meetings with our Health Agency but they say they can't do anything unless Europe says so (the UK is still in Europe at the moment!).  So, I keep finding people on here and other forms.

Keep up the good work, Chris 64, and Best Wishes.