It is an absolutely beautiful day, today! The sun is shining and it is not too hot; the birds are singing; and all of the plant life has burst into bloom! While I already shared my beautiful iris plant, that is double blooming like crazy, I cannot help to think that it is not the only gift that keeps on giving.

It has been many years since I my body was permanently damaged by the antibiotic Cipro. (a commonly prescribed antibiotic for bladder,  sinus infections, and UTI's) I am grateful that the reoccurring pain, due to the damage caused by Cipro, is no longer constant, and that I have periods of time, that I actually forget that it even happened, but boy, oh boy, let me tell you, when it flares back up, I am reminded just how life altering a "simple round" of the antibiotic Cipro, can be.

I believe that this latest flare is directly linked to the night of dancing, a week ago. It was the third time that I had been dancing since my shoulder surgery, and since my pleural effusion has improved, due to a change in leukemia medications, and I am sure that I just over did it. My heart and soul,  just do not know when to say, when! lol

The nerve pain in the bottom of my feet began as soon as I stepped out of the car; after arriving home. I was a bit annoyed, yet hopeful that it would be gone by morning; of course, as my luck would have it,  that did not happen. The nerve pain has just continually gotten worse, and I am hobbling, with every step.

Two days ago, the nerve pain started traveling up the back of my left leg; It is so severe that it makes, sitting, standing or lying down miserable. Ibuprofen seems to bring some relief and today I am trying heat. UGH!

My reason for sharing this information is purely,  to warn you; warn you against taking the risk of ending up with side effects from an antibiotic (Cipro or Levaquin or any florquinolone)that may be permanent. I swear I would not wish this pain on anyone; it SUCKS!

I know that it is very hard to believe that an "antibiotic" can cause permanent nerve, tendon and muscle damage, to name a few,  and I know that most medical professionals just do not believe the severity of the side effects, or the number of people damaged by them, but what I can tell you, from my personal experience, and from speaking to others who actually realize where their unexplained pain has come from, is that it just is NOT worth the risk.

For those of us that have been damaged by this class of antibiotics, we know how life altering, that decision has been, and I know we all wish we had been "warned", or at least counseled, like the Black Box Warning states. (this rarely happens)

I know that people probably think I am a bit obsessive about this subject, but every single time I am physically reminded how my body has been destroyed, I want to save others from the same fate.

I believe in my heart of hearts, that a large number of people that have tendon tears and ruptures, and others that are diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, are actually suffering from Cipro or Levaquin side effects; sad, but true. I believe that the FDA recorded number of cases, is grossly under reported, as I believe that few actually correlate their pain, and/or tendon ruptures to an antibiotic that they are currently taking, or have taken in the past.

If you suffer from unexplained pain, or tendon ruptures, or any of the side effects listed below, delve into your medical history and see if you have taken Cipro or Levaquin. Best case scenario, is to avoid it, unless it is your LAST drug of choice!

Side effects include, and are not limited to: (remember, some of these may be permanent)

Swelling or inflammation of the tendons
Tendon rupture
Tingling or pricking sensation (“pins and needles”)
Numbness in arms or legs
Muscle pain
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
Depression
Hallucinations
Suicidal thoughts
Confusion
Anxiety
Abnormally rapid or irregular heartbeat
Ringing or buzzing in the ears
Vision problems
Skin rash
Sensitivity of skin to sunlight
Fatigue
Worsening of myasthenia gravis
Aortic aneurysm
Aortic dissection

On a side note; as I was looking for the side effects of these antibiotics, I was FLOORED to see  how  "hidden" the possible permanent damage is, on the internet. You really have to dig, or search; Black Box Warning. Truly unbelievable, and absolutely infuriating.

At this point, who is responsible? The pharmaceutical company? The prescribing physician? The pharmacist? Or the person who trusts, all of these people?

Related Links: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/class-of-antibiotics-gets-stronger-warning-due-to-dangerous-side-effects-says-fda/

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/fda-amps-up-black-box-warnings-antibiotic-class-includes-j-j-s-levaquin-bayer-s-cipro

https://www.drugwatch.com/news/2016/05/16/fda-black-box-warning-for-levaquin-cipro-antibiotic-risk/

https://floxiehope.com/2016/08/19/updated-black-box-warnings-for-fluoroquinolones/

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Healthy Living is a Plus!

When you live in chronic pain you may often be viewed as a whiner, complainer, or hypochondriac. Having lived through the excruciating pain caused by Cipro, I can totally relate with people that have and live with chronic pain. Being sympathetic to a person with intangible pain can often be a difficult task for family members, friends and co-workers. They seem to think if they cannot see it, then it must not hurt. Life for the person in chronic pain is not only difficult from the physical aspect, but the emotional one as well. Having your life stolen from you is frightening, devastating and frustrating. There are many reasons that people live in chronic pain, mine just happened to result from taking an antibiotic.

I think that regardless of the reason, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to take care of yourself. Devise a health plan and stick to it. Exercise as much as you possibly can, eat well, get plenty of rest. Healthy living will probably not cure your pain, but it will help to prevent other health issues that may arise from an unhealthy lifestyle. There are many things that we all can do to improve our overall health.

Healthy living literally means taking care of yourself; body, mind and spirit. The last thing that any of us that live in chronic pain needs is to have any other health issue crop up and cause additional health issues.

Poisoned by Cipro; Now I am Unemployed!

So, just what does one do when their injuries stem from ingesting an antibiotic? I know many, many florquinolone sufferers that have lost their jobs due to the debilitating side effects from Cipro, Levaquinn or Avelox. I can relate with both the employer and the employee. It really sucks to have a great job and not be able to get out of bed in the morning; to suddenly be unable to walk or function like you did the day before.

Just how many days can you expect your employer to keep your job available for you when every medical professional that you consult gives you the same answer: “Gee, I have never seen this before and no, I do not have any idea how long it will last, or what I can do to help you.” How comforting do you suppose that is for your employer? He has a business to run and chances are that you were a crucial piece of that wheel.

Occupational health professionals must keep records of employee health information regarding workplace injuries and illnesses, but just how do they record a side effect? What is a side effect and how could that possibly prevent you from doing your job? How do you explain that one day you were perfectly healthy and mobile and now you can barely even walk? And how do you explain that there isn’t a doctor out there that has an answer?

So, here we are incapacitated, often under insured and now unemployed. Sure seems to me that someone ought to take some responsibility here. Floroquinolone toxicity SUCKS!

Pain Killers Due To Cipro Side Effects

If it were only this simple!

For many of us that have been adversely affected by the side effects of a floroquinolone, (Cipro, Avelox or Levaquin), the muscle, joint and tendon pain can often lead to drug abuse. Drug abuse can occur in many different ways; one can take too many over the counter or prescription pain relievers or people in constant chronic pain may even turn to other illegal substances; desperately seeking relief. Living in so much pain that every step you take brings you to tears is physically and emotionally draining.

I remember the beginning of my second Cipro poisoning; the pain in my feet alone made me wish that I would just die. I did not want to live if I had to suffer that pain every day. Without any advice from medical doctors and no information as to whether or not the pain would ever go away, I was devastated and desperate. I was definitely on the borderline of over using Ibuprofen. I was taking 800 mg every six hours, around the clock. Occasionally, I just could not hold out and took them before the six hour mark approached. This over the counter medication has a plethora of its own side effects and I if am lucky I have not caused any permanent damage to any of my organs.

I can understand how chronic pain can often lead to drug abuse; whether it is an illegal substance or a prescribed medication, doesn’t really matter. Fortunately for me, my pain did begin to subside after several months, allowing me to see a small light, at the end of a very long tunnel, as opposed to the inside of a drug abuse rehab center. I am sure that many, many desperate people turn to addictive pain killers when they are faced with extreme, chronic pain, the question is if they are addicted to pain killers, how will they know if their pain has subsided and will they need drug abuse rehab?

What an utter and complete mess a federally approved antibiotic can cause.

Living with Chronic Pain, Sucks!

Living with chronic pain does not only affect your body where the pain is located, it affects you entire life and well-being. It causes you to be chronically fatigued and often short tempered. It affects your ability to think clearly and to stay on task. Chronic pain robs your quality of life and can make you wonder whether or not your life is worth living.

I often wonder if a Pain Care Center, such as Pain Management NJ, would be able to help those of us that have been poisoned by a floroquinolone. Cipro, Levaquinn and Avelox have left thousands of people in constant chronic pain. If Pain Management NJ were able to help those of us in pain through their therapeutic treatment options, they could educate others on their methods thus helping the thousands of us that suffer from the muscle, joint and tendon pain that we all live with on a daily basis.

Pain Management NJ has helped many patients with neck and back pain due to injuries resulting from injury, deformity or degenerative conditions. Do you suppose that our muscle, joint and tendon pain and ruptures would be classified under the “degenerative conditions” category? Or, do you suppose that our pain is simply categorized as “other” with no help at all? I would like to hope that someday, someone, somewhere will have an answer or regime that will help all of us to regain our previously healthy lives.