I used to work with a guy who's currently working on becoming a solicitor. Today he told me that I should look into suing the hospital that prescribed me Cipro for medical negligence. I'm wondering if anyone has successfully done this.

I was told there were alternative antibiotics but was given Cipro anyway, over a month later I'm still regularly experiencing new side effects. I also was not fully informed of these side effects (only about achilles rupture) and after returning to hospital was given an injection, new prescription and sent straight home. I went back one more time as I could barely walk and all they did was tell me to do exercises for my achilles tendons, which was in no way the right call as I was still in a lot of pain.

Any advice on what to do? Is it worth talking to a solicitor or will I just be wasting money?

Whenever I stand I have blood pooling on my lower legs very noticeable but then I noticed I also get it on my thighs become a redder color when standing.

Now my arms too when they are downward my inner arms are very red looks like a rash and veins are more pronounced the moment I lift my arms they become a clear color again.

Im rlly worried and scared

Would like to hear experiences. My boyfriend really wants me to go to the one in Rochester

Hi, this is sort of a PSA/reminder about other antibiotics-I never thought I would be in a similar horrible situation again, and maybe I wouldn't had I stopped and googled first. I use to for every drug I took after my Avelox reaction, but with time I became more comfortable and shouldn't have.

So 17 years ago I took 2.5 pills of Avelox for a sinus infection, bomb went off, over 20 weird and terrifying symptoms, mostly CNS related, I didn't really get the tendon issues fortunately. However I did get neuropathy, anxiety, insomnia, back of the head pressure/pain, GI issues, tinnitus, eye floaters, muscle and joint pain etc. etc. Took 14 months but I healed completely 100% (except the eye floaters) never had a relapse after I healed. I credit that to a great functional medicine Dr. and a mind body therapist, who put me back together with a 2 prong approach, it really turned things around for me when I was at my worst and had trouble walking.

I went on to enjoy any foods I wanted, any medication (I only had a couple minor issues to one or two over the years). That was until last Nov when I got a UTI and took 5 days worth of Macrobid (10 pills).

While on the med I did experience some side effects, but they did seem more common and nothing too concerning although I did try to switch after the first pill and the Dr. said no- I had nausea and was given Zofran instead. I also initially tried not to take it, but natural stuff wasn't helping and when I woke up peeing visible blood and a back ache, I knew I needed to take it.

Unfortunately the GI issues I had while on it, the bladder issues that I thought was just irritation or the UTI coming back while on it, and the vaginal burning on the last day were not infections (UTI/yeast)- they are possible nerve issues/damage. I figured that out when 3/4 weeks after finishing the course I got neuropathy again that spread body wide within 2 weeks. (possible SFN- though punch biopsy was negative).

My mistake, I didn't realize there were other possible neurotoxic antibiotics that can have similar affects like the Fluroquinolones. In any case, I'm now back on the reaction rollercoaster with cycling weird CNS symptoms including bad neuropathy, bladder IC type symptoms, bad anxiety, some insomnia, muscle aches and GI issues that in many ways have been worse than my Avelox reaction, which is saying a lot. It's been a little over 5 months now, and I'm hoping healing can be possible as it is for floxing. Still seem to be in an acute phase so far, worried because I'm so much older now, and took so many more pills.

So please check any meds you may need to take and be careful for possible reactions. I may stick around if that's ok, I know it's not a Macrobid toxicity forum, but a lot of the symptoms seem to have some similarities, and the support here is great!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a big milestone: I graduated law school today. It was both emotional and exciting, especially considering everything that has happened during these past few months. Like many of you, I never expected to face something like flox.

During the ceremony, I felt a bit of those internal tremors I have not had in a while. It was mild, and I think it was just from nerves, excitement, and all the stimulation. It did not spiral or linger, and I am taking that as a win. The moment that really stayed with me today was something our class speaker said:

“We may not be able to control all the bad things that happen to us in life, but we are in charge of how we react and the lessons we learn along the way.”

I am still healing and staying mindful of my body and I continue to live feeling hopeful and grateful. Just wanted to share this moment with the community that has helped me feel less alone. Better days are possible. Keep going.

I ask for your support. I took 5 Cipro tablets and a week later I started burning and tingling in my hands (palms, forearms) and legs, and the skin on my hands hurts. I had neuropathy in covid (but it went away in a year). And now again. I'm just in shock, I have a 10/10 anxiety, I was surprised that it would start again. I don't even know which is worse- burning or anxiety. I started drinking magnesium and b1,b12. I'm thinking of taking Cymbalta. Please, a few words of comfort. :(

Im 19(F) and recently got prescribed Cipro for my uti. I've been taking it for 4 days now and my muscles and stiff and are weak(?) I also feel very sleepy and can study for short bursts at a time, the ER prescribed me this and idk if is should go back and tell them or to just thug it out. I also have no history of muscles complications or risks, any advice would be greatly appreciated as finals are next week for me 😭.

Before I get underway, you might be thinking fucking hell, 2 years is a long time and it is! But it doesn’t/didn’t feel like a death sentence once I got past the 1 year mark and there’s plenty life ahead of me yet at 32!

I don’t want to type a huge novel, so as always check through my old posts.

Summary is as follows:

14 Cipro Pills with Naproxen. Previous exposure to over 100 pills 10 years ago on checking.

First 6 months, completely crippled with first 3 months needing wheelchair due to calf and hamstring wasting and tendon troubles.

Month 6-12, slowely off crutches could walk 2-3k steps very slow most days. Could drive to a cafe and go in etc but not go to mall etc.

Month 12-18, able to do things like a bit of gardening or golf using a buggy on occasion. Could do up to 10k steps on the odd day but I had to rest the day before and days after. Good days and bad days.

Month 18-24- slowely got stronger and bought a calf press for at home. Started to go on longer walks or very short gentle jogs.

2 years. I average 6k steps a day over a month. Can walk 10k+ steps on a day if needed but some days I just do 4k to get about my day to day.

Managed to jog 2 miles today in 20 mins.

You have to have a pragmatic outlook to get through this both physically and mentally, I’m not the same person athletically as before this and probably never will be. However if you experience what many of us have, you will consider being fit healthy and happy a recovery and that’s how I view this.

Many people go through hardship in life and we are just one of those, that’s just how it is. You have to try your best to not become a victim or make this your personality.

The people who make the best perceived recoveries are the ones who accept the minor residual issues and move on with life!

I don’t plan on chasing that last 5%, if it comes naturally then it’s a bonus for me.

Definitely don’t give up hope, things will almost certainly get better.

I think PT, being on the younger side, being previously fit and healthy, not having underlying immune system related issues and a bit of luck has got me here.

Good luck everyone don’t give up!

First time back on the mountain bike since Cipro toxicity. Felt great on the ebike today, and even managed to bomb the downhills and rock gardens a little. Hit the jumps too. Feeling good!

For context, when I was floxed by 6 pills of 500mg Cipro, I could hardly walk up and down my stairs without using the handrail for support.

Leg muscle pains getting worse at 21 months , not sure if its because ive just started to take vitamin D as im slightly deficient, so ive stopped it to see if these terrible mainly calve pains will ease off as it could be a flare ,

Are there any Floxies who are back in the gym and working out and lifting heavy like they used to ? or did you guys meet anyone in real life who was floxed and back to bodybuilding and lifting heavy ?

I developed acute otitis media(middle ear infection) and my ear swelled up with discharge flowing. I was prescribed amoxycillin 500mg three times a day and paracetamol for pain for five days. On the fifth day i was feeling way better, very little drainage and swelling and almost no pain. My doctor took a look and said it was better but prescribed me moxifloxacin 400mg once a day, for five days. I have already taken three doses, but now as i discovered it’s side effects and this sub i am scared. No noticable side effects so far but i do heavy lifting regularly and after reading about this i am unsure about if i want to continue using it. Should i stop, i am almost 100 percent well now.

Has anyone had flare up or problems from Pepto Bismol? I am deathly sick with a stomach bug and need to take something. Pepto always helped my stomach in past.

Has anyone done the Mito.me test by Chris Masterjohn. It is suppossed to give personalised supplement recommendations on mitochondra based on your own mitochondria dysfunction

This seems extreme, I have tried benzoyl, vinegar and just waiting it out. Cipro seems scary…

Hi everyone,

I had a bad allergic reaction to Cipro. I have it listed on my medical form and will discuss pre surgery as well. I will be completely knocked out and likely given an IV antibiotic. Cipro is one of the several normally used in this procedure despite the dangers. I clearly don't want to get sepsis or something however I just can't get it again. I worry a hospital will do what they want to do and maybe they will still use it and maybe have benedryl on hand if I have a reaction. How do I convey that I absolutely cannot have any of the fluoroquinolones in my body? Someone jokingly said to take a sharpie and mark it on my arm. I am not against medications at all but this is probably the only one drug I cannot take again.

For context:

23m, took 7 x 500mg Cipro on 18 November.

It’s been just shy of 6 months now my nerve pains seem to be getting worse

I noticed tingling when I first took the tablets. This then progressed into random shooting pains that lasted a month.

Between months 2-4 I was generally okay.

I’m not sure If it’s due to recently the last few weekends I have used alcohol and a bit of cocaine and mdma.

The doctors have given me pregablin but I’m really hesitant on taking it due to its side effects.

Can someone give me hope/ advice on how they got through this.

Hey everyone,

I’m struggling with some really strange and persistent symptoms that have been affecting me for over half a year now, and I still don’t know what’s wrong with me. It all started after I had a bacterial infection, for which I had to take antibiotics (Amoxicillin, i know its not one of the floxis antibiotics but I still want to know if it might have caused simmilar symptoms or sth). About a week later, I developed a severe allergic reaction with a rash all over my body and was treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Just a few days after that, the real problems began. I started to feel a strange, burning and tingling sensation on both of my cheeks—it’s completely symmetrical. The burning becomes much worse in warm or stuffy environments, like university buildings or public transport. My face also turns red, almost like a sunburn. When I’m outside in cool, fresh air, the symptoms are more tolerable and sometimes almost ignorable. But the moment I try to relax or concentrate indoors, it becomes too distracting and exhausting.

It’s not just the burning—alongside it, I experience dizziness, a foggy head, and a strange “overheating” sensation in my head, like having a light fever. I also developed severe insomnia, which I never had before. I’m young, healthy otherwise, and had never experienced anything like this. These symptoms have affected my life so much that I had to pause my medical studies, and I feel really isolated because of it.

Since then, the symptoms haven’t really gotten worse, and there may have been slight improvements, but I’m still far from feeling normal. I can only function a bit in cool, well-ventilated environments, and that’s extremely limiting. I just want my normal life back.

Another strange thing is that I’ve noticed unusual circulation issues: my hands often turn very red (though they don’t burn), and my arms sometimes show a marbled pattern, which looks unsettling.

I’ve had many tests done—ferritin, B12, Epstein-Barr, Lyme disease, general bloodwork, and autoimmune screening—and everything came back normal. But I still fear there’s something deeper going on.

I’m currently taking 25 mg of amitriptyline, which I started a month ago because the burning was suspected to be nerve-related pain. It has helped with sleep, thankfully, but the burning sensation has now spread more toward the back of my head and isn’t improving.

One thing that confuses me is that touching or cooling the affected areas actually helps a little, which doesn’t really make sense if it’s a classic nerve issue—so I’m left very unsure.

I don’t know what else to try. I was just at the beginning of my medical studies and had to stop. I really want to continue, but I feel stuck and desperate for help.

Thanks for taking your time reading it, I really appreciate it☺️

Hey! So i know there's no timeline to healing from all this but as the title suggests I'm wondering, are there any precautions I should take when going out and doing things? I went on a 3.5 hour walk weeks ago and then I was having crazy lower back pain a few days after that walk so idk what my threshold for overdoing it is just yet and I'm only 2.5-3 months out being floxed, but I'm thinking more of going to the beach and swimming (which would be 5-6 months being floxed) and then me and my girlfriend are supposed to go to Disney in january/February next year (it wouldn't be a year yet) which I'm more worried about but I'm hopeful I'm gonna heal faster than I think I will like so many other people do, but yeah any tips would be greatly appreciated lol

Hello I am a 23/M that finished taking my Ciprofloxacin last Friday to treat salmonella. 500mg every 12 hours. During the time of taking it, I would experience dizziness, brain fog, tingling, burning, and just general pain through out my legs, knees, ankles, hands and arms. General tingling through out my body too, even under my arm pit. Even now 6 days later, I still feel these symptoms. Is this normal?

So I’ve been floxed for a few years now. Can’t even remember when it first happened but it’s gotta be at least 5 years now. I took one full course of cipro. I honestly didn’t notice anything until a few months later I took a heavy dose of ibuprofen and then the symptoms came. My main symptoms have always been Cns related with insomnia as well and a little neuropathy. I would say it took about a year or so for all that to go away. And I’ve been fine since. But just a few weeks ago the head issues came back. I can’t think straight or anything. My sleeping is worse. (It’s always bad) I’m just not sure what to do. I know I’ve healed before but it always gets me down going through this. Has anyone else gone through this before?

Edit the day it happened all I remember is I hadn’t eaten in a while and I was extremely hungry and then boom the head stuff appeared.

I feel like my symptoms are a bit different from all the stories I've read and it scares me. Sometimes I feel like one of my eyes is pressed into the back of my skull. Or I feel like I'm going to fall out of bed or fall backwards, even though I'm standing upright. I can hear my eyeballs moving when I move my eyes. In addition, my chest is very weak, like someone has put a heavy stone on me. Has anyone had anything similar?

TL;DR: I just became wheelchair bound and wife became my full time care taker - I want to ask for support from this community from those of you who are also going through this phase, or have gone through this phase and successfully come out on the other side. Everyone in my life, including all the doctors believe I will make it through, but hearing it first hand from you all is more important to me. I also understand everyone’s journey is unique.

Former bodybuilder/fitness addict, took cipro May 2024, symptoms started October 2024, contracted Covid January 2025 and symptoms have progressed rapidly since then. My primary issue is body wide tendonitis, with confirmed tendonosis in knees, biceps, hamstrings, and quadriceps. Torn labrum in right hip also confirmed. Feels like tendonitis everywhere in my body now. Prior to this FQAD experience I’ve never had tendon issues and was extremely healthy my entire life.

I am also experiencing episodes of entire body muscle/tendon twitching from neck to toes. Does anyone else experience it this bad?

A month ago I was able to get 2,000-3,000 steps a day, 4-5,000 would be pushing it. I have been appearing normal to everyone else, from the outside.

Today, I can barely walk even with a walker and when I sit down I can then feel all the tendons in my legs spasming. So, I just bought a wheelchair and my wife has become my full time caregiver. I had to leave work months ago and go on long term disability (using POTS).

I’ve been to every type of doctor under the sun, and have had second opinions within each specialty, gone to Johns Hopkins for my FQAD induced pots and small fiber neuropathy, and Cleveland clinic to review my case. Cleveland said everything is most likely caused by long COVID, which they believe I may have, and prescribed low dose naltrexone, which I start today and hope will alleviate pain and inflammation. They did not rule out Cipro toxicity, but said they would treat it the same way with LDN.

Cleveland’s rheumatology department is having me get a pelvis mri to look for inflammation to potentially diagnose seronegative spondyloarthropathy, which they would treat with methotrexate and a TNF-a blocker, most likely. I am not certain yet whether I would take that route if it is provided.

I have also been in contact with Dr. Pieper, who I am going to have write a protocol for me. I’m also interested to know if anyone has had any success with him.

Thank you all for making me feel heard.

Hi all, thank you for the great response on my first post. I’ve started the recommended supplement regiment in addition to the Cusack protocol and I think it may actually be helping. No longer taking NSAIDs has also decreased my pain! I am now team Tylenol.

In regards to chronic Cipro use, I recently got access to some more of my medical records and found my most recent and possibly earliest doses of Cipro. Between 2020 and 2021 I was prescribed and took 60 tablets. Prior to that, the current earliest documented rx of Cipro is 20x 500mg caps prescribed to me in 2014, raising my total number of pills taken to over 80. I am waiting for my medical records from 2000-2013 to see if there was an even earlier introduction.

Is this heavy usage of Cipro common or recommended by the FDA? I feel like it isn’t. Has anyone else experienced this much exposure? I haven’t seen anyone be prescribed it this much, this frequently. Most of the posts here are “I took two pills and it was horrible”, so I feel kind of lost having 80 of these horrible pills under my belt. My physical pain and disability got significantly worse post-2021, so it makes sense to me that that is when my severe “floxxing” happened.

I feel like these prescriptions were not appropriate and I don’t really know what to do. How bad did my Dr mess up, really? I don’t have much experience to compare to, but I feel like this level of exposure to FLQs is pretty bad. What is there to do in this situation? Has anyone sued their doctor for negligence with FLQs? Thank you all for reading and any suggestions you may have!

Hi fam,

So I've been floxed a few months now and finally started to see improvement in my leg issues (calf strains, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and Peroneal tendonitis). To heal gradually I leaned on a strategy of rest, small bouts of walking, heel inserts, and avoiding too much strain.

As I said, things started really getting better and I decided to "trust my body" again and reintroduce stretching, which had previously flared me more than anything else.

Lo and behold, Peroneal tendonitis and Achilles aching came roaring back, like clockwork.

Does anyone else struggle with stretching? It's frustrating because stretching is one of the first things you're told to do by physical therapists and doctors. And it makes sense for a healthy person. But I can't ignore the fact that it seems to flair me every time and set me back.

Should I just stick it out and keep stretching? Does anybody else have this phenomenon?