Ciprofloxacin poisoning?

My husband is hopefully coming to the end of a two month spell of withdrawal from ciprofloxacin (500mg twice a day for six weeks(!) and prescribed NSAIDs with them! Recipe for disaster. He has had anxiety attacks, breathlessness, insomnia, temperature problems, low mood, lack of appetite, pressure in his head, it goes on... He appears to be recovering now but I see above that there have been some detox suggestions. Could someone let me have these? We are willing to try any natural remedies to try and flush this evil drug out of his system and if anyone could give me details of the petition we shall sign that too. Also, if anyone has contact details for a specialist who is able to advise on recovery I'd really appreciate it - if only for the reassurance that my husband will be completely normal again some time soon.

Thank you.

Another trip to the gp today has proved unsuccessful and he's asked me to wait another 5 days before going back to him - fobbed off springs to mind. I will however be going back to him nxt week if no better and insisting i'm referred if he cant give me the reassurance im looking for to ensure this isn't permanent or going to get any worse. He's also wants me to do a vitamin b12 deficiency test which is booked for nxt Tuesday. I've had no previous problems of these symptoms before starting cipro.

GP is insisting this is a very common broad antibiotic and he's NEVER had a patient return with side effects from this drug. He doesn't seem that concerned about my side effects which is also making me more anxious.

A chap I run with as well has previously taken several courses of cipro and CARRIED ON running with no side effects!!

It's making me think anxiety is making my side effects worse.. although the feelings are real to me and very concerning!.

My question is if I can get referred to a neurologist will they be able to tell me if any damage has been done as I've read that the effects of cipro don't show up on tests I.e. MRI, CT scans etc.. is it likely they will also send me packing??

Im even considering paying private if it means I get answers!!

Chris

I've just joined this forum, as I was 'Floxed' nearly 9 months ago, with Levofloxacin, a Fluoroquinolone with twice the strength (is my understanding) of Cipro.

I am in the UK and will try to tell my story, when I find enough energy and have a clear head........ It could take a while!

These drugs are pure poison.

Right, fast forward 2months on for me.

My pain spread to all my small joints. Wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, feet and hands. I found that any resistence agaisnt my muscles/ tendons would result in pain. My hands developed into what I can only describe as athoritic pain. I could still bend my fingers but they felt stiff. My achilles tendon and ankles were aching and it got to the point that I was lifting my children up under their armpits with my forearms to avoid any oressure on my wrists. This was all before xmas. I revisuted the doctor the end of November who tested me for rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune, inflammation markers, vitb12 deficiency. You nsme it he tested for it. All came back negative. So withvthis in mind I've left it.

During december I've visited a sports therapist and had a session if reflexology. Both professionals believe d my reaction however said it just has to work its way out my system time is the only healer.

Where am I now? After the new year I was sick of worrying. I've started swimming again ignoring the pain the best I can. I've started cycling again as I was too worried to get back in my bike. Short distances 5-10 mile rides. I visited the gym yday and started light weights and even ran for 15 minutes at a steady pace on a running machine.

The result over the last few weeks? The pain in my hands have subsided- still there niw and again but getting better. My elbows the same. My knees hurt and so do my ankles ache after exercise. Pins and needles come and go in feet but only once or twice a day. I revisited my gp ysay and ge has now referred me to a rheumatologist. I want this to see if an mri can be donr on my feet to rule out any damage dobe to achilles tendon. As I'm concious not to push too hard and cause injury. I've also had popping abd cracking of joints but this is slowly getting less frequent.

The biggest obstacle for me has been anxiety. After reading up about these reactions I almost felt lije I was literally falling apart mentally abd physically. To put in context I ride a bike well over 100miles s week, run 30-40miles a week and swam twice a week at a steady pace. I was buidling up to take part in an iron man triathlon later this year. The drugs literally knockefceverything out of me.

My wife doesn't disbelieve me but thinks s lot of this has been brought on by tge anxiety this has all caused.

Just before taking the pills I got a promition my company. I started last week and felt like a zombie througout the first week of training. I'm feeling better and more positive niw because of the exercise I've forced myself to do.

I'm nowhere near back to full health or the old me but I'm keeping it together fir me wife abd two kids. I've also found a cyclist in oxford who was hit a few years ago and he has pretty much recovered despite a few niggles. He's racing again for a team and has won various timetrials. He was hit hard and crippled for 12months but got fit again using his bike. He was 40 years old at the time and had taken a lot of ciprofloxacin.

I will continue to fight this and get my body abd mind fit again and will not let yhis beat me. I'm 30 years old and have to do it no matter how hard it is. My gp is still not convinced tge drugs sre to blame. However he failed to abswer how I was in such great shape before taking tge drug to now having all these joint problems after taking just 5 pills!!!

I hope my words give some hope to those affected. And wish you all a speedy recovery.

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