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I also had issues from Cipro, but nothing as bad as yours. I had severe sinus infections on and off for a year. Cipro was prescribed and during the first or second week after taking it, I was doing my usual morning leg and hip stretches and something popped behind my knee - I tore a tendon. Since then I feel my tendons aren't the same - all vague symptoms, but annoying.
Yes - Cipro is famous for tendon damage, with the Achilles being the most commonly affected, but it can affect tendons anywhere in the body.
My doctor told me that I was at an increased risk for any sort of joint or tendon drama now but so far so good once I got the two largest and most critical tendons in my body repaired. What a pain in the arse THAT was.
Cipro can destroy tendons, especially Achilles Tendons, which I believe is what happened to me.
Cipro was widely prescribed in the 80s & 90s for kids' ear infections & is still widely prescribed for UTIs.
And it's "cousins" can have the same devastating effects - any antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone family - Levaquin, Cipro, Floxin, Avelox, etc.
Quote:
Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics that kill or stop the growth of bacteria. While these drugs are effective in treating serious bacterial infections, an FDA safety review found that both oral and injectable fluroquinolones are associated with disabling side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system. These side effects can occur hours to weeks after exposure to fluoroquinolones and may potentially be permanent.
Because the risk of these serious side effects generally outweighs the benefits for patients with acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the FDA has determined that fluoroquinolones should be reserved for use in patients with these conditions who have no alternative treatment options. For some serious bacterial infections, including anthrax, plague and bacterial pneumonia among others, the benefits of fluoroquinolones outweigh the risks and it is appropriate for them to remain available as a therapeutic option.
Yes I have, one time. I had an incredible infection that almost killed me. The doctor kept missing it (swollen body part, red streaks, fever). The doctor said I pulled a muscle, gave me pain killers. I passed out later, had to have emergency surgery to drain the infection, and was hours away from being septic and on my death bed.
Otherwise, I've been pretty lucky with good medical care.
Cipro can destroy tendons, especially Achilles Tendons, which I believe is what happened to me.
Cipro was widely prescribed in the 80s & 90s for kids' ear infections & is still widely prescribed for UTIs.
I remember that, when they were handing out Cipro like candy for about any infection. I also remember cringing (as a microbiologist), when they were handing out Cipro so liberally, even as prophylaxis, and people were demanding it nonstop during the anthrax scare just after 9-11-01. They may not have known of of the devastating side effects the drug can have at that time, or so I would assume since they used it so frequently.
I hope they aren't so cavalier about Cipro these days.
Thanks for the information, Kathryn. I remember your mentioning in earlier posts about your ruptured tendons associated with the use of Cipro, and that was the first time I even realized Cipro had such side effects. What's scary when I think about it is that doctors prescribed Cipro for so many different conditions in the late 80's and 90's, and at the time I don't think they realized the side effects, but I worried about the cavalier use of a powerful antibiotic which tends to make pathogens become resistant to the drug, so it's not an option in serious infections where it could be useful. They used Cipro like candy then, but there is also cross resistance, and from the information you posted, similar reactivity as regards the side effects for the other related drugs as well.
I remember that, when they were handing out Cipro like candy for about any infection. I also remember cringing (as a microbiologist), when they were handing out Cipro so liberally, even as prophylaxis, and people were demanding it nonstop during the anthrax scare just after 9-11-01. They may not have known of of the devastating side effects the drug can have at that time, or so I would assume since they used it so frequently.
I hope they aren't so cavalier about Cipro these days.
I think it would be harder to be, with all the subsequent FDA warnings going out everywhere, and the fact that the pharmacist is now supposed to actually consult personally with anyone picking up a prescription.
Remember, folks - it's not just Cipro - it's ANY antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family.
I make it a point to show every doctor I see, for any condition, my two matching scars up the backs of both my ankles. I tell them how debilitating an ordeal it was. I make them listen. I think seeing someone in real life standing there can make an impression. It's definitely gotten their attention so far.
I have had ONE doctor come back with, "Well, that's a very rare side effect. All drugs have possible side effects." To which I replied, "Well, of course, but not all drugs have garnered the negative attention and ongoing warnings from the FDA that these antibiotics have. I really encourage you to avoid prescribing these drugs if possible." I don't back down from it.
I think it would be harder to be, with all the subsequent FDA warnings going out everywhere, and the fact that the pharmacist is now supposed to actually consult personally with anyone picking up a prescription.
Remember, folks - it's not just Cipro - it's ANY antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family.
I make it a point to show every doctor I see, for any condition, my two matching scars up the backs of both my ankles. I tell them how debilitating an ordeal it was. I make them listen. I think seeing someone in real life standing there can make an impression. It's definitely gotten their attention so far.
I have had ONE doctor come back with, "Well, that's a very rare side effect. All drugs have possible side effects." To which I replied, "Well, of course, but not all drugs have garnered the negative attention and ongoing warnings from the FDA that these antibiotics have. I really encourage you to avoid prescribing these drugs if possible." I don't back down from it.
So you were lecturing your doctor about how he/she should prescribe a different form of antibiotic because the risk of sepsis is preferable to a very small chance of tendinopathy?
Sort of. I had bronchitis - seems to be a simple diagnosis. I had to go to 3 doctors before they got it right. I want home with asthma meds, allergy meds.... nothing was working. Finally! A doctor who wasn't out to make a buck on drugs. Unnecessary delay.
So you were lecturing your doctor about how he/she should prescribe a different form of antibiotic because the risk of sepsis is preferable to a very small chance of tendinopathy?
For many conditions, several different antibiotics are equally effective - if so, it's better to choose the one with fewer known side effects...sepsis would be most unlikely unless no antibiotics at all were given or one that was totally inappropriate.
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