Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome

Rahul,

You may - or may not - get thesymptoms described here.  Everybody reacts to Cipro differently, some people after just one tablet and others after many courses.  The difference depends on things such as genetics, immune system etc.

It doesn't exactly 'flush out'.  The drug is said to leave the body within a few weeks but the effects of the drug can last for many months or years as it actually causes damage and changes within the cells.  The UK guidelines for prostatitis are to take either Cipro OR Trimethoprim (Bactrim) for 4 - 6 weeks.  You need to go back to your doctor and have a serious discussion.  Find out if you do actually have an infection in your prostate - if you don't, then why are you on such heavy antibiotics?  If he says you do then you could say you are having side effects (don't just say you are afraid of them!) and asked to be switched to Trimethoprim.

If the doctor says there is no way of telling for sure you could say you don't want any more antibiotics.  A study showed that pelvic floor exercises relieved prostatitis pain in many men.  Apparently, when men get stressed it often shows as chronic pelvic pain!  Check out the Pelvic pain Cinic for a video and more information about this.

It's always a very good idea to take probiotics with any antibiotic. Doing this will not give you terrible symptoms later and may well help prevent some of the symptoms - if you are going to get any at all.  Remember, you may not be affected but I suggest you stop taking them right away and go back to your doctor.  Don't let him insist that you carry on with them - there is an alternative.  You can even say you are allergic to them - doctors can't argue with that!

Hi miriam, 

When I woke up today morning, I have experiencing the joint pain near my left elbow 😭 I'm afraid is it due to cipro, so far I took cipro for 15 days by now , and I'm planning to stop it now. Any advise from u?

HI Rahul,

I did suggest you stopped it after you first posted 5 days ago!  You were worried about it then. 

If you are experiencing any joint pain you should definitely stop taking it.  Were you prescribed a 4 week course?  You could either continue with just the Doxy or go back to your doctor and ask for Trimethoprim (recommended in the UK Guidelines as an alternative to Cipro).  Your doctor may tell you the pains will stop once you stop taking the Cipro but this rarely happens, so you would be much safer to not take any more just in case.

You should continue with probiotics, dairy food and vitamin and mineral supplements to help combat the effects of the Cipro.  Don't try to exercise if you get more pains as you could damage something.

Good luck!

Hi  Antibiotics are not recommended treatments for  prostatis. I read that a few weeks go and am searching for the link !!!!

​I would not take these antibiotics together they are both bad news. You have not been proven to have an infection and these drugs especially can lead to side effects.. Taking a probiotic at the same time will not really help except if you stop taking these antibiotics.

Magnesium can help to chelate this stuff out of the body. Please avoid fluoride in any way shape or form. I would surf the net for treatment of prostatis with natural remedies and throw the antibiotics out.  Sorry to be pushy.

Take care.x

Wow, that link is going to surprise many on the prostate Forums and their medical advisors.

Well they should be hopefully.

xx

Hi Miriam,

Thanks 🙏🏻. I have stopped taking cipro after u told me. But I have few queries,

1) can I continue with doxy meanwhile (hope, it won't be the secret reason for my joint pain at the end of the day)? Anyway I'm going to meet my doctor tomorrow to discuss on this.

2) After stopped taking cipro , all my symptoms like dizziness, headache, sometimes blurred vision all seem cleared up except my pains in my left hand near my elbow and biceps area and sometimes it is burning near my wrist and fingers. Will it go away on own like my dizziness, headache?

3) wat minerals , vitamins and nutrients I have to take from now on to protect myself from further damage from this cruel poison 😭

Pls pls advise. Many Thanks  

Hi Miriam,

I have stopped taking cipro before 6 days. But the pain near my elbow Is consistent 🤕 And looks like a Tennis elbow. Can u pls suggest me what I can do next to come out from this ? Does it sounds like a magnesium depletion due to cipro? Pls advise 

I would suggest ice packs , avoid NSAIDS and steroids. Take a simple pain killer , I take paracetamol for pain , be cautious with that too.

​I have PM a link to tennis elbow including gentle mobilisation, splints etc. I would avoid any antibiotic as this ould be responsible as you are possibly sensitised by the Cipro and doxycycline. U need to research the side effects of all drugs as a lot cause muscle and joint pain. Are u right handed?

Hi Rahul,

The advice Harriet has given you already is good.  The problem with Cipro and Fluoroquinolone Toxicity is that no two people are ever exactly the same in how the are affected. It's not like a disease where you know you will get spots after 10 days etc!

It's a good sign that many of your pains have stopped - but be warned that they may come back of you take something else that challenges your system such as Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. This is why you should be careful with any new drugs.

Taking a magnesium supplement may help you - mag glycinate is said to be the best form to take it in. You could try putting Epsom salts (from a chemists store) into your bath - start with just a cupful and soak for just 10 mins, then if this helps your elbow you could gradually increase the amount of salts and the time.  The salts put magnesium directly into your skin but some people find it gives them a rash or even new pains!

Take lots of antioxidants (from good food or as a supplement), don't drink alcohol and avoid sugary food.  Be careful with meat as some may actually contain FQs from when the animals were given Cipro, also prawns and other farmed fish. Try to eat very clean and organic as much as possible.     Any advice for tennis elbow may not be appropriate as the causes of your pain are entirely different to 'tennis' stress.  Some physiotherapists understand the difference while others make things worse in their efforts to help you.  I don't know what the link says but always do everything with great caution - splints may actually help, though.

Thanks 🙏🏻 Harriet.

Thanks Miriam 👍🏻

Are you in the UK?I am in the USA were Epsom salt is sold in pharmacies.