Cipro

Just finished a 7 day course of Cipro. Been feeling like I have the flu, achy joints and constant nausea. My elbow felt like it was going to break, carrying in groceries. Everything tastes bad, including water. I knew antibiotics could cause nausea, but I didn't know about the joint problems. I'm 28 years old and really hope that I feel better soon. Will not take Cipro again.

On the 5th day of Cipro (for a UTI), I started having debilitating pain out of the blue in my knee, ankle, and back of thigh, plus consistent numbness in my left outer thigh. I'm 26 years old, and this should not be happening. I am having trouble walking, using stairs, standing up from sitting position, and even laying down there seems to be no way to contort my leg to lessen the pain.

I've been in bed for 2 days now with this pain, and just had to schedule an appointment with my PCP (not the prescriber). I never go to the doctor even for flu, only if it's something that seems very serious and/or uncommon, where I can't handle it myself. I'm scared it will never go away, now that I've read the reviews here of people with permanent joint pain/tendinitis/mobility problems, and just now made the connection to Cipro. I wish I had never taken it, and I'm praying the damage won't be permanent.

I was prescribed 500mg Cipro twice a day for 7 days for a UTI. The second day on Cipro, I developed severe pain in my right side, which I thought was in my kidney so I continued taking Cipro. The pain was only when I took a deep breath, yawned, etc. but was excruciating. It made me scream out in pain. The pain lasted two days. Also, I had severe nausea. I vomited several times a day.

I was able to eat only small portions of food because nothing tasted right, not even water. The thought of food or drink made me sick. The UTI was only slight burning in my bladder and was gone in a couple of days, yet, every day, I felt worse physically and mentally. I struggled to breathe. I was weak. I felt like I had lead in my shoes. My sight was affected. I felt as if I was looking through green lenses.

Night 5, I developed severe pain (7 out of 10) in my lower left abdomen. I took a pain pill and used a heating pad. Pain was gone the next morning. I went to doctor again. I had lost 4 lbs in six days. I was so sick I could barely walk. I told the doctor what I'd been through the past six days. Urinalysis and CBC were done. Doctor said the pain in my lower abdomen the night before was caused by a pulled muscle, even though he checked me and I told him it was no longer in pain, was only slightly tender to touch. He ignored all my other complaints, even when I told him I had no energy and was still sick. He said the CBC said the infection was gone, therefore, I was well. He should have recognized the symptoms of side effects of Cipro. I had several of them. I had one tablet left and didn't take it. I continued to feel weak, nauseous, just not myself.

Three days later, another bout with pain in my right side. This time in the muscles. It lasted two days. Also, I developed pain during bowel movements, like a rod was being run through my lower intestine, not constipated. Pain in my right side ended but still no relief. I woke up early the next day with pain in my lower left abdomen, same place as before, not as intense as before. I used heating pad all day. This ordeal began when I took the first Cipro tablet 12 days ago. Today is the first day I've been pain free and I'm hoping to feel like myself again.

My mother was prescribed Cipro for a minor infection. Within weeks she experienced extreme pain in her ankles. Then both her achilles tendons snapped loudly and detached from the bone. She also had extreme pain in her hips and became completely unable to walk. A recent xray showed no cartilage in her hip joints. She also has extreme destruction of her lumbar vertebrae with severe back pain. Doctors at first refused to identify Cipro as the causation. But another doctor who did not supply the prescription advised her that Cipro routinely causes a high percentage of patients to have detached achilles tendons. This is reportedly due to the fluoride in Cipro replacing the calcium in bone, turning it brittle. Drinking and eating high doses of fluoride also add to this overdose from Cipro.

Now every day she is in extreme pain with extreme reduction in quality of life. As a general rule, her doctors claim ignorance of the dangers from Cipro and fluoride, and claim lack of knowledge of skeletal fluorosis (a common disease of fluoride overdose, similar to dental fluorosis staining/destroying teeth). The producers and prescribers of Cipro should be arrested immediately, and their corporate assets should be seized for distribution to their victims. Didn't Bayer make Zyklon-B for the Nazi gas chambers, and weren't those Bayer executives arrested and given the death penalty?

I came down with diverticulitis and was given Cipro 750 mg (2 times a day) for 10 days. A few days after I started the meds I started having horrible joint pains in my shoulders and knees. I have talked to my doctor about the problem and he is not sure either if this will be permanent or will go away. He says a lot of times people just have to get surgery. I am terribly upset as I have had no trouble or injury to my shoulders and now and in a lot of pain all the time. So much so that I cry out at night whenever I move and now I feel like an old woman and I am only 44. It may be long term pain all over my body but mainly in my shoulders. I'm worried that I will not be able to work.

I was prescribed Ciprofloxacin for UTI, and took 3 pills, 500 mg each. I started to have really bad pain in my back and stomach. I then went to the bathroom, to move my bowels, and there was a lot of blood in my stool. The pain is getting worse. What a mess. I stopped taking the pills after I came to this website, and read what others have been through. I thank you all for telling your experience, it may have saved my life. I am going to call my doctor and get some help, and I will not be taking this medicine again. I plan to tell everyone that I see about this experience, and hopefully no one else will have to suffer.

I had a hysterectomy on Sept. 26, 2011 and all went well and was up walking an hour after surgery. I have all documentation of what I did at the hospital. The only major symptom after surgery was the bladder spasms and wound healing. I was moving feeling more energy and healing. In week two of recovery, I called the on-call doctor for a possible UTI, spasms and a hematoma infection. The doctor called in a 7-day supply of Ciprofloxacin HCL 500 MG tabs prescription.

Day two on this drug was horrible with minor symptoms of nauseousness to major joint aches. I could not walk without pain in tendons of my knees and ankles. I reluctantly took it on the fourth day because I was always told to finish an antibiotic. With my lower body hurting, my left shoulder and neck tendons started to ache too. I had most of the other side effects this drug listed--mental, fatigue and sight issues too.

I called the doctor and got an appointment. He was upset that I stopped this drug. I asked for an Amoxicillin and it worked just fine without major symptoms other than what was happening in my joints. I am a massage therapist and know how things feel in my body. I am aware that the recovery after surgery can create aches and pains from lack of moving, but I was moving. I am an active hiker and have an active job that keeps me healthy. This drug may have shortened my career as a massage therapist. I am only 37 years old. Did Cipro damage me for life?

I have problems because of medications. I was put on Cipro for a UTI and a kidney infection. I am also on Nexium. I have been having pain in my lower back since and I wake up in so much pain that I can't move. I also have a dry patch on my leg that will not go away. I went to the doctors in August for it and I am still having problems. I also had a problem with my blood pressure dropping suddenly since this medication. I just finally gave in and made appointments with all types of different doctors to find out why I am still having trouble.

I took Cipro for five weeks for a chronic prostate infection. It lessened the infection for a while, but did not remove it. The side effects, however, are frightening. Near the end of taking Cipro, I started having palpitations/heart jumping to catch up on missed beats. Sometimes every third or fourth beat is messed up, for hours or days at a time. Occasional heart pains. This has gone on now for almost a month. It's very disturbing. Now I'm experiencing a flurry of tests on my heart. I would highly recommend never taking Cipro or any of the fluoroquinolone-family medicines. They are truly toxic, as you can see from the reports on this site.

On Sept 5, 2011, I was prescribed Cipro for UTI. On Day 5, I experienced severe pain and swelling in my left wrist and thumb. I called the doctor and she told me to stop taking the drug. Two days later, my right wrist and thumb swelled and both arms were burning. The next day, I developed pain in my left leg from the back of my knee, down through my calf into my ankle. I also started seeing halos around the lights at night. Now over a month later, I am having pain in my lower back which I never had before, and my left leg and ankle still hurt when I walk. I also feel very anxious and shaky. My arms and wrists still burn and the tendons ache.

In 2001, I was prescribed 500 mg of Cipro. A few days later, after taking it, the skin on my hands, feet, and face started peeling. On the seventh day, an excruciating pain (as if a molten metal belt) surrounded my whole pelvic area and hips. The next night, my right hip loudly snapped with a blinding pain. After that, an unbearable pain settled in my lower back and the hip area; I could not get from bed, walk more than 50 feet, put on my shoes, get up from the sofa, and sleep well without constantly turning and tossing for four months.

None of the doctors could offer any help or explanation; however, they all defended Cipro and refused to admit that Cipro was the culprit of my intense suffering. They would not report this in my medical files either despite my insistence. One dared to say that I am a worrying type female, and another said that I am imagining it.

Since I could not function normally, I started to retrain myself to walk, to get up, to pick up, to sit for longer than 15 minutes, and to stand for longer than five minutes. I did it through daily and nightly unceasing pain. It really put a lot of strain on my heart. Eventually, I adapted to live with pain and to function with pain. It got milder with time, and the range of my daily functions increased. I started taking only herbal medicines and ate organically, mostly as vegetarian, to limit the input of harmful chemicals on my body.

Yet I have lived in pain since then - for 10 years. Now, my hip again started causing me an increasing pain and more problems. Somehow, the increase in hip and lower back pain corresponds with the decrease in eyesight and heart palpitations, too.

The family doctor's diagnosis is an intense case of of arthritis. I refuse to take any drugs he offers, as I am afraid to trust doctors to prescribe me any pharmaceuticals since the original problem was caused by their prescriptions of pharmaceuticals. And many pharmaceuticals have either underresearched or hidden side effects (I did a serious research on pharmaceutical industry practices that made me very disenchanted with it).

As pain became more unbearable, endangering my walking and limiting my normal daily functions, I went to an orthopaedic doctor. A protruding bone spur and a fracture on the hip were found so far.

I used to be a very happy and a very healthy, active person - working, gardening, running, dancing; now, I cannot even put on my socks properly or buckle my shoes. Every step, every turn is a pain. From outside, some might not notice the full extent of my daily suffering as I learned to live with it, but it is demoralizing on the inside. I wish that evil has never happened to me; I wish to be undamaged and healthy as I used to be to live a normal life, but Bayer produced Cipro.

I went to Patient First about a week ago to address what I was pretty sure was my very first UTI. I was correct and was sent home with a 7 day prescription for Cipro. A day after, my friends and I went to a Halloween/October event called Field of Screams. As I was climbing the stairs to get onto the hay ride, my right leg cramped so bad I couldn't move it. Since we have been doing a lot of walking due to my overweight problems, I got to address the cramps and kept moving.

The next day my leg was so sore that I was limping for the next two days (until Wednesday morning). Then this morning I noticed a patch of dry skin on my face. I put on some moisturizer and went about my day. After taking my afternoon dose, I started to get cramps pretty badly, and ended up skipping the gym. Tonight after my shower I took a closer look in the mirror and viola, a hive. Goodbye Cipro, I only had one pill left anyway. I feel like I might have dodged a bullet here...

I was given Cipro antibiotic for a kidney infection on September 23, 2011. After four days of 500 mg of Cipro twice a day, I started to get a twitch in my left eye. From there I have started to get extreme panic attacks, dizzy, blurred vision, tingling in my neck and legs, sweaty palms and feet, confusion, heart racing and hot flashes. I have pain in my muscles and joints. It has been a nightmare. I was brought to the E.R on September 28, 2011 from the side effects of Cipro. I have continued to have the twitch in my right eye, at least two panic attacks a day-- Some more mild and some extremely severe. It is now October 13. I have been off of Cipro since September 28, 2011, and I am still left suffering. My wedding is a week away, all I can think about is wishing I was never given this poison. I have never had a panic or anxiety attack in my life. Now I pray each day these side effects will go away, and I can go back to my normal life. Please, don't let anyone take this medication. This is ruining my life.

I went to the doctor on 8/6/11 and was told that I had a urinary tract infection and was prescribed Cipro for the infection. On 8/7/11, I began to feel worse than I originally had and I developed pain in my lower back and a terrible taste in my mouth.

On 8/8/11, I woke up with such an excruciating pain in my lower back, pelvic area, and left hip with pain radiating down my left leg until I screamed with pain. I immediately called the doctor's office and left a message on the answering machine stating that the medication Cipro was causing me excruciating pain and that I was not taking it any longer. And, I also said that Cipro was leaving a very bad taste in my mouth.

About two hours later, the nurse called me and said that the doctor was changing my antibiotic.

On 8/18/11, I went back to the doctor to see if the infection had cleared because I was still having low back pain, left hip pain, pelvic pain, and leg pain. The doctor said the infection had cleared and referred me to see a radiologist to get x-rays of my lower back. On 8/26/11, I took x-rays which noted that I have arthritis in my lower back. I have never had low back pain, and pelvic pain before I took Cipro.

Extreme pain in leg and hip came very suddenly, only a few days after taking Cipro. I could not put any weight on my foot leg without screaming in horrible pain. The extreme pain lasted one night and then left as suddenly as it came. I have never experienced anything like it. My hips and joints hurt afterwards and still do. It has been about a year. I went to the Doctor and was told that I had bursitis. My elbows, knees and hips hurt at times and it seems I have sudden onset of arthritis. I do not think this drug should be allowed to be given to anyone! Do not take it! I also filed a complaint with the FDA and I recommend that you do the same.

I was prescribed a Cipro 500mg for a suspected UTI. I took one that evening. Within a few hours, I began to experience random pains and general discomfort. I was unable to sleep through the night and felt edgy when I woke. The next morning, I stupidly took a second dose. Then I realized, I could do some online research. If only I had done that first.

I was given 500 mg Cipro to take twice daily for 10 days. I am now on my 13th pill and have decided to stop taking this drug due to extreme pain in the hamstrings of my legs.

After the 12th pill last night before going to bed I was fine, during the night I awoke around 2:00 in the morning due to severe pain in the legs. Feels like someone pulling my hamstrings trying to tear them. This morning I took another not thinking that this was due to the pills but then diarrhea set in after that pill and even more pain in the legs. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate this pain a 10.

It appears to me that this drug should only be taken if a Dr. is will to offer something to counteract the effects of this drug before crippling someone permanently.

I started on Cipro, 2 pills a day 500mg, for an infection and right away, I told my doctor that my tendon where it hooks into my groin was hurting. He kept telling me that if I stop, it would not work so I kept taking it and another prescription. That was in April 2010. Now, I can barely walk, I can't put my shoe on and it has screwed up my groin. They ache when I have **, plus my eyesight is messed up. I have no insurance, I am not sure on what to do. I'm 48 and I was super in shape. I have a gym in my house and I can't even do my job now. That Cipro needs to be off the market, and the doctors and pharmacy never mentioned anything about tendons. All I heard was don't drink milk.

I was prescribed cipro for UTI. The first night I started experiencing extreme leg spasm within an hour of taking the meds. Initially, I assumed the spasms were unrelated. By the second night of taking the meds, immediately thereafter I experienced leg spasm that was more intense then the night before. I immediately contacted the pharmacist and he suggested I call my doctor. In the interim, I started researching the side effects and possible drug interactions. I now realize that the pain I have experienced is directly related to the cipro.

I read the pamphlet given with the meds; however, I didn't really understand the severity of the risk. I have decided not to continue with the cipro. I will be sure to advise my doctor of prescribing this medication without fully warning the patient of the severe side effects. By the way, I didn't take the meds today but I still feel soreness in my legs and it now appears as though my arms are beginning to bother me. Really, wish I would've visited these sites prior to taken the meds. I'm a healthy 42-year old female, and after two days of taking the medication I'm now experiencing leg soreness. The leg spasms are so severe that I'm immobilized at times.

I was given a 14-day Rx for Cipro for a "suspected" prostate infection back in October of 2009. On my 6th day on the drug, I randomly Googled it and found nothing but horror stories of people becoming permanently crippled from the stuff (which, I may add, is nowhere on the warning label), so I abruptly stopped taking the drug. A week went by and it appeared I'd "gotten away" with it. If only I were so lucky. On approximately the 10th day after I'd taken my last poison pill, I began having pain in my Achilles tendons.

The next day, I could barely walk from one room to another in my apartment. Two days later, my thumbs locked up and I suddenly developed what felt like carpal tunnel in my wrists. The downward spiral was only beginning. That was over 13 months ago now. I have not been able to walk since. My entire life has been utterly destroyed! Prior to taking Cipro, I was an incredibly healthy 30 year old (minus some prostate pain) who worked out regularly and always took great care of myself. Now, I have been forced to move clear across the country to live with my parents again. I cannot walk, I cannot work, I am in constant horrific debilitating pain, no doctors have done a thing for me.

They were sure quick to dish out the poison, but now that I really need their help they're outta here. Cipro has damaged absolutely every joint and tendon in my body, it has damaged my vision very badly, I now have constant ringing in my ears, my skin is not the same, all of the hair has fallen out of my legs and not returned, my feet are now purple and cold at all times, even my teeth hurt.

Did you know Cipro can calcify the nerves inside your teeth and cause them to break out of your mouth? Yep! It sure can! But you surely didn't read that on the warning label, did you? Nor did you read that Cipro can eat the cartilage out of your joints requiring complete joint replacement! What Bayer is doing with this poison is downright criminal and they should be held 100% responsible for the horrific damages people like me suffer with every single minute of every single day.

Shame on the FDA for turning a blind eye to this, here is our protection! I trusted my doctor and I trusted that the FDA was looking out for me and it cost me my life. I wish nothing but death and destruction on Bayer Pharmaceuticals for what they have done to me and what they continue to do to countless other unsuspecting victims every single day. Shame on you! How do you possibly sleep at night knowing you cripple people for money!? My dreams are destroyed, my life savings is gone, my independence gone, my mobility gone, my peace of mind gone, my credit is now gone, my income is gone, my faith in this world is gone. Everything is gone. All because of 12 pills. I never in a billion years saw this coming. No one warned me this could happen. The only thing my doctor warned me about was possible sunburn! Listen to me: If you don't have your joints and tendons, you have nothing! Do not take this poison yourself and warn everyone you know and love to run from it as well! God, I wish someone would have warned me.

I would consider myself a very healthy and athletic 37-year old male. I started taking Cipro in November 2009 to treat an infection that came about in relation to a soccer injury. Around January 2010, one day, I went to yell and I felt a pop in my neck. Long story short, it was concluded after having scopes jammed down my throat, a barium swallow test, CT Scan, etc. that I had a torn/blown tendon in my neck. During the time of these tests, I was prescribed Lorazepam (made me feel worse) and Prozac (made me feel worse) for anxiety and depression.

I was still on Cipro and Naproxen at this time as well. Cipro and Naproxen are not to be used together (come to find out later). I took my last dose of Cipro in March or April of 2010. I was on Cipro for nearly five months. This drug really wreaked havoc on my body. I have ** up tendons close to my sternum (from doing push-ups), in my neck, in my leg, in my stomach/back. I believe that all of these injuries are healing very slowly. Some of them may never heal--my neck and sternum--because they are almost constantly being used.

In general, I am a very healthy, active 40-year old female who was prescribed Cipro for suspected diverticulitis. My gastro prescribed 500mg 2x/day for 10 days. I read the warning labels, which included a reference to joint + tendon side effects. Starting with my first dose, I began experiencing pain in my arm, hand and elbow. Thinking it had to do with excessive work on the computer, I dismissed it. By the 3rd day, my knees were also in severe pain despite the fact that I was definitely not doing much physical activity.

I spoke with my doctor that day and mentioned this pain as a possible side effect. He said it was important to keep taking the drug to get rid of the infection. Continue to take the full 10-day course and see how you feel after that. I mentioned the severe knee pain again at my 7th day checkup (including popping sounds, etc) and once again, I was told to finish the 10 days. I stuck with it for 9.5 days and then stopped out of fear and frustration with my increasingly severe symptoms. Today, 4 days after my last dose, I attempted to do some gentle stretching on a mat on my living room floor. After less than 5 minutes, I heard a pop in the back of my right knee and was unable to stand up or move it. Now, I am unable to fully straighten that leg without pain and the feeling that my joint is about to pop. It seems to be moving/slipping back and forth over the bone.

I've called my doctor and expect to get no good advice, however, I definitely want my complaints documented. Honestly, I would rather have tried to weather my intense stomach pain without treatment rather than have that condition improve at the expense of my general health. Did I mention the inability to sleep and horrifying nightmares once I do finally pass out from the tiredness? Truly awful.

Was prescribed Cipro for a cough that I've had for about a month, after a week of Doxicycline didn't resolve the cough. Within minutes of taking my first pill, I felt Achilles Tendon soreness as well as random soreness throughout my body. Behind the knee and random pains in my hands as well. This is nasty stuff.

I was given Cipro for a UTI. To make a long story short, I suffered severe neuropathy, numbness and tingling from head to toe and I couldn't even hold my kids or be touched because my skin felt cold to me. Now this was in 2008. I went to my doctor in 2009, with complaints of numbness and tingling when touched. She looked at me like I was crazy. Today, I still suffer from neuropathy on and off. But it's not as bad as it was in 2008.

I was prescribed Cipro for an ear infection, and now I have terrible joint pain in my foot. I am very active and walk 7 miles a day as well as weight training, and now have had to put that on hold due to the pain and fear of rupturing tendons.

I went to the walk-in-clinic at my new doctor's office two days ago and asked if there was anything I should take after two bouts with food poisoning and a sore throat in one week (two other family members also became sick after eating at sushi restaurant, but they had improved, while I was still sick that morning).

Anyway, PA prescribed Cipro 500 mg 2xdaily. I asked if that wasn't kind of strong (remembered Cipro from anthrax headlines). She said no, it was a standard broad spectrum antibiotic used when diarrhea persisted this long.

Long story short -- within 4-6 hours after my second dose of Cipro, started experiencing stomach pain that increased from quite uncomfortable to excruciating. Light sensitivity. Fatigue. But mostly intense non-stop stomach pain. I was uncomfortable during my illness, but I shortly found out that the treatment was worse than the disease.

Initially, after 45 minutes of intense pain, I called the pharmacist. He suggested it would pass in the next hour and if not I should call my doctor. After holding out another 45 minutes without being able to move or help myself. I asked my young son to get the phone and put the computer in front of my hands, I Googled the doctor's phone number and asked him to call it and hold the phone to my mouth.

I used the emergency patient extension, and called back a second time after receiving voice mail as I couldn't imagine ticking off the seconds waiting and wondering when someone would receive my message and return my call while I was immobilized on the bathroom floor.

Next round I asked the receptionist if I could hold until a nurse was available or if she could ensure that someone called me within the next 15 minutes because the pain was intense. Several minutes later I was connected to the nurse who told me she would ask doctor and call me back.

At that point, I had not read the postings on this site.

Well, to wrap this up. About an hour later...still no call back...my pain started decreasing and I was able to make it 15 steps back to my bed. About 20 minutes later I got a call from the nurse with instructions to discontinue Cipro and if the pain was intense that it may be a gallstone or a kidney stone so I should go to the ER (I'm an impatient germiphobe and one thing far worse than collapsing on my own bathroom floor was waiting 4 hours in agony in the ER to have someone take some test, find out the results were negative (I'm healthy and have no history of these issues) and then I knew I'd have to fight out the payment fallout with insurance for weeks to months -- they'd have to drag me out unconscious in an ambulance first).

The nurses final instructions were to wait until my stool sample culture results were returned in the next couple days.

When pain improved (about another hour later), I started aggressively researching online. Found Cipro side effects could be REALLY BAD and wanted to improve ASAP.

Called my mom and found out that she had taken Cipro and had the same reaction (2 days "on the ground" from severe stomach pains). She will never again take another drug from this (fluoroquinolone) family. So be very careful if you have any other family members who also experienced symptoms. I'm going to ask the doctor's office to update my son's charts too, so this never happens to him!

So, what to do about all this? I started to research EVERYTHING ONLINE THAT INTERFERES WITH CIPRO AND IS SAFE FOR ME TO TAKE. I read that milk products, calcium supplements, antacids, pepto bismol and iron (ferrous sulfate) fell into this category. So, I started taking all of these items that I thought were safe to help interfere with absorption any remaining Cipro in my system. I'm hoping that these steps will reduce the risk of any long-term damage -- like all the other ones posted here by others.

None of this is medical advice -- just my own desperate attempt to stop this pain and stop it from getting worse....by the way, the pain returned shortly after eating, in addition to a new symptom (vomiting).

No pharmacist or doctor indicated that Cipro could be associated with these types of issues - even when I mentioned my negative reaction. Now that I'm researching it, I wonder - why?? So, take care of yourselves out there! You may need to be your own best friend and do a lot of research yourself on what options are right for you.

I caught a mysterious stomach ailment when moving back to New Mexico in early September 2008. I had stomach pain so severe I could barely stand, no vomiting and only a little bowel upset. I tried to wait it out, as a 'normal' stomach bug is gone within 36 hours or so, right? Well, when it persisted into the 10th day and I could barely function, I went to an urgent care clinic and was given the antibiotic, Cipro. I was to take it twice a day for 7 days. On the 3rd pill, my arm, legs, and right shoulder began to cramp. I felt delirious as if drunk, with heart palpitations and great anxiety out of nowhere.

Needing to get well, I made myself take a 4th pill but the symptoms increased and I called the clinic. They had me return immediately, examined me, told me I was 'done with Cipro', could never take it nor any other of the fluroquinolone drugs for the rest of my life. The doctor strapped Velcro braces on my lower legs and said, "Wear these for a week and hope you feel better, or else you might need an MRI and surgery. We don't know how these drugs do this to people. It has something to do with enzymes." To make a very long, scary story short, I am now disabled, having gotten 10 contrast MRIs revealing 12 partial ruptures in tendons and 14 other areas of connective tissue damage.

Prior to the Cipro, I was healthy, active, able to play in the ocean just 2 weeks before my return from California. I was a distance swimmer for 30 years. Now, I can barely walk and feel my body still reacting to the changes the Cipro caused. Those of us in the 1-5% adverse reaction category are basically just 'collateral damage' since the medical establishment has no real understanding of how Cipro wrecks us, so they have no protocols for helping us. In fact, many doctors still 'pooh pooh' that the fluoroquinolones can hurt you, as they give it to so many people with no apparent side effects, emphasis on the 'apparent'. Some people rupture tendons on the first pill, others have no damage until 6 months after they stop the drug. Beware of Cipro and its cousins. Don't let anyone you care about take it unless it is a last resort, even then you might be playing with fire.

I was prescribed Cipro for a kidney infection on two different occasions. The second time at the Abccm Clinic, the doctor said I was dehydrated but gave me Cipro to clear up the protein in my urine. I told him I was weak and had no appetite and was out of breath. A month after taking the second dose of Cipro, I had severe pains in my stomach and was admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea. I was prepped for a colonoscopy but before that could be done I went into v/tech and my heart stopped. My magnesium level was very low and my potassium level was low.

Fortunately, a sharp nurse checked my pulse and found it to be only 27 and she called the cardiac team and they shocked me back to life and then I had a pace maker put in. I think all of this was caused by the Cipro as I am normally healthy and active and there is no sign of cholesterol buildup or artery problems.

LDL and HDL are excellent so I should not have had sudden cardiac death except for a problem induced by medication. I am only alive, but I am pacemaker dependent by the good luck that I was in the hospital for the stomach problem which was caused by the Cipro.

I am writing this at 2 am because my husband just went through a bout of extreme pain, muscle contractions, muscle cramps and spasms. He could hardly walk by himself or sit or even stand because of the pain. He is normally a very healthy man, but he was prescribed Cipro for a prostate infection. When he first started taking it, it was like a miracle drug and he felt wonderful. However, by the second day, the muscle cramps started. We thought they were slight side effects to Cipro, but when, by the fourth day, the muscle spasms became almost unbearable, I called our doctor's office and spoke with his nurse.

She said it couldn't have been the Cipro because she has only heard that it causes stomach disorders and that he should keep taking the Cipro. He took one more dose, and he became extremely irritated, confused, and had complete body pains. He couldn't stand up because of the muscle cramps and extreme pain in his whole body. Now, he is in a very restless sleep and keeps moaning because of the pain. This drug should be taken off the market. There should be laws against dispensing this drug to anyone. My husband is 72 years old, and should not be put in subjugation to such awful pain.

Hopefully, none of this will be permanent as it has been for some of those poor people who complained about Cipro. How unconscionable it is for Bayer to still have this drug on the market! Doctors and nurses should be educated about this drug because it can destroy people's lives. They should warn people about the possible consequences of this drug.

After taking four pills, I had such pain in my achilles tendon, that I walked to the bathroom and couldn't walk back. I was in severe pain. I didn't realize it was Cipro until my son asked if it could be. I looked at the pamphlet accompanying Cipro, only to find it was the first thing they warn about. I haven't been able to walk without a walker for 9 days. Still I am experiencing pain occasionally and in other places sometimes. I had to go back to the doctor for a visit to be sure it wasn't a bone or muscle problem that needed x-rays. It wasn't. It was tendon problem. I got steroids to help and they have. Not walking completely without pain, but, much better. This drug (Cipro) is not good for everyone and is questionable if good to prescribe at all.

Was prescribed Cipro in August for a diverticulosis. After two days had a sever reaction, muscle aches and pains so sever I had to lay in a tub of water for releif. Read the drug sheet twice to find I was have an allergic reaction. Now, 3 months later, THey paid is aweful. I am in physical therapy for "tennis elbow" type pain & tendon injury. I'm 64 and this may never go away.

On 9/1/2009 i had a prostate infection and my Urologist prescribed me Cipro i started taking it and at my third day i started with watery diarrheas and as i took the cipro the bowel moments because very explosive and several a day. I lost 6 pounds in 10 day while taking the cipro. At the 5 day i called the doctor and told him that the antibiotic was killing my insides and he advised me to take it for the period of 10 days. At the end of the 9th day my lips started to swell some and i had to take Benadryl so finally at the tenth day i had to stop it.

Two months later i still have diarrheas, then i had pancreatitis almost 3 weeks after stoping the Cipro and now i became lactose intolerant, back pains and very anxious which i had to take a whole xanax in order to go to bed. Up to date i gained all the weight back but once or two times a week i have to take immodium because if not my diaarheas become worse. I dont have many diarrheas now but after dinner you can hear loud sounds in my abdomen or rushing gas. I would like for this company to really educate doctors on the dangers of taking this medicine. This medicine might kill bacteria but it might kill people too. I would never take it again in my life after this I dont feel the same as before taking the Cipro. I already had tested everything my next step is a colonoscopy thank you

I took Cipro in Aug. of 2009 and since have been diagnosed with: Severe Vasculitis, Pleurisy, Paracarditis, Partially collapsed lung which in turn has caused problems breathing. Tendonitis, Eye floaters, Severe pain and numbness in legs and arms. I am constantly at the doctor trying to get help with new and reoccurring issues since being on Cipro. I thought I was going to die from this poison! Please help!

I was given Cipro for a severe sinus infection. After taking 4 pills/2 days worth my heart began beating very fast. The Dr. told me it was due to another rx I began taking the same day, so I continued with the Cirpo. I took 20 pills/10 days worth. My heart continued to beat at a rate of about 120 beats per minute for a week after I stopped the rx. The second I would wake in the morning I was aware of my heart beating like crazy. It didn't matter if I was very relaxed or walking around. I am only 33 years old, not overweight, in great physical condition and an overall healthy woman. It has been very stressful to feel my heart continually beating out of my chest. This has caused me to not be able to exercise or do anything that would increase my heart rate any more. I still have chest pains, 10 days after the last pill. It worries me greatly what this rx has done to my heart.

My doctor prescribed CIPRO for me for a urinary tract infection. After 3 days, I began hearing "snapping" in my calves, ankles and knees. I experienced pain, swelling, and soreness. I mentioned it at the pharmacy and one pharmacist said not to worry about it and the other said to call my dr. I went back to my dr. and he said my tendons had been damaged. He said a dr. friend of his also had this problem after taking CIPRO.

The trouble is it continues to be a problem and is painful when I walk. I do not know how to treat the damaged tendons or what the future risks are.

Hi - 2 years ago I was given a 10 day script for Cipro for a minor urinary infection ....my life has not been the same since . Tendon / muscle pain , torn rotary cuff in my shoulder ,froze up achilles tendon, insomnea ,tinnitus,headaches,memory and vision problems , theres more...ALL CIPRO related. Bayer should be sued out of existance for the life they took from me.

I was given Cipro back in 2001 because of the anthrax attacks. I worked at the Post Office in trenton NJ where letters Daschle and Brokaw came through. As a precaution the workers were put on Cipro. After just 3 days of taking Cipro my hands ached and were in so much pain. My doctor was advised by CDC not to treat me but to send me to RWJH. The doctor at RWJH said," What do you want me to do, I don't know what to tell you". I took myself off the Cipro but the damage was already done! I could not pull out a loaded tray to set upon the rack. Everytime I grabbed a tray it would fall out of my hands. I had no GRIP!! What if any lawsuits have come out of this most unfortunate incident? I am still suffering, my hands swell and hurt almost everyday.

I was prescribed Cipro back in 2007 for a kidney infection from a suspected stone (It felt like my kidney tore in half while I was urinating and I was having genital pain before that. Lots of blood in urine and unbearable pain in left flank. No evidence of stone in test or ultrasound).

Was prescribed Cipro in Feb for an apparent bladder infection, even though cultures came back negative. Experienced serious complications: unbearable joint and muscle pain throughout my body, lost 20 pounds, in bed for 2 weeks, kidney pain, and vomiting. I called the Doctor numerous times, where they told me to keep taking the medicine. When a male friend called they told me to stop. The pain never went away and after a hospital visit I was diagnosed with Nuetrophenia and Anemia.Doctors for this medical group claim I was born with this condition although I have records to disprove this. Now I have been told I may have some sort of arthritis and have been prescribed Vicadin, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

I went to the Doctor for incontinence, I had no pain , no fever whatsoever.I have never felt this much pain in my life. I have missed weeks of work as I work on my feet constantly. I must change careers if this pain continues.

I prescribed Cipro for testicle pain and blood in urine for 10 days. Pain is gone but I got more pain as back pain, Kidney ppain lower back pain, hip pain, headache. Then the doctor instead of telling me I have side effect he sent me to Urologist and put me on 30 days more and I got so much pain I could not sleep from pain but he did not tell me to stop Cipro. My life is like a hell now I will never be same as before, more shoulder pain and leg pains and joints pain. I'm fully tocicated. I hope government remove this drug from the list of medicine. I heard some people got help from using high dose of Magnesium.

Achille damaged, Shoulder and back pain and joint, sensitive to lights, can't walk and get tired so easy and depressed.

The foot doctor has explained that the arch-bearing tendons are the foundations of the feet and since Cipro, my feet have been deteriorating and now my foot doctor tells me that I need the major sections of bones in my feet wired together and afterwards I will have to be in a wheelchair for two months while my feet heal. The surgeries will be two separate surgeries since this is major foot surgery.

At the time, the foot doctor saw that I was taking Cipro and told me that Cipro might rupture the Achilles tendon. I asked him if Cipro was responsible for my tendon ruptures and he said no, it is just your feet. He made reference to my weight problem, so I knew he was telling me it was responsible. In 2004, I started researching Cipro online and found a class-action lawsuit for cipro and sent in my records to be examined by them. They told me it was NOT the fault of the Cipro, but the negligence of my doctor, who prescribed the cipro, since he had completely changed my medical records and had put many big lies in my records about me to try to make me looks nuts and not a reputable person, so no lawyer would take my case.

By the time the state medical board got all of this straitened out, the doctor was disciplined and the statute of limitations ran out. So here I am crippled and wondered how I am going to pay for these surgeries since I went through my savings just to live.

I think it is totally disgusting I have been told all this time that I could not go after the manufacturers of Cipro because it was not the cipro's fault and now everyone is admitting it IS the cipro's fault and here I am needing help so I can walk like a normal person and go back to work! Where is my justice in this? I have had not justice since this started! I proved to the state medical board that all the doctor's lies were lies and the doctor got charged with unprofessional conduct and left town and got a slap on the hand and probably a pat on the back from his colleagues because he got away without having to pay for his stupidity! And...........here I am still trying to figure out how I can get my feet fixed and have a somewhat normal life again. I hope someone can help me. Thanks.

I have gone trough all my savings to live and I need major foot surgery. I go to rehab also because I have knee, hip and lower back problems with all this. I have also had left shoulder pain since the cipro also.

I was prescribed Cipro for a sinus infection with possible Mersa/staph infection.

on the 2nd day of antibiotics, I began to have unbearable muscle spasms and by the 3rd morning, my whole body was in full tetni... muscle spasms, charlie horses, tingling and numbness in all my joints.

Then my bladder began to retain and although I went to the doctor that morning and they took me off the antibiotic, they mistakenly assumed I now had a bladder infection. The leg spasms continued for 2 weeks and the bladder problem became increasingnly worse till I had to go to the hospital and get catheterized for 3 days to be able to urinate. I am 32 years old and this has been one of the most painful and confusing experiences and no one is acting like its a big deal.

I am in the 4th week since I stopped taking the antibiotics and although I went back to work on Monday... I still have leg pains, easy muscle pulls and slight urinary retention, with bladder spasms each and every time that I go. I would like to warn people against this drug. I think the side effects are way too scary and in a lot of cases, from what I'm reading...permanent.

I had a series of bladder infections for more than a year for which antibiotics where prescribed. A year later I ended up with a tight right shoulder and subsequent Rotator Cuff tendon tear for no known reason (no apparent injury).

I had rotator cuff tendon repair surgery and was out of work for two months.

I was prescribed Ciprofloxin for a urinary infection. 3 days after I started it I was chased by a client (I work in psychiatry) up 3 flights of stairs. My right achilles tendon swelled up. A few months later I was prescribed more cipro and my left achilles tendon swelled up. I have done physio and my achilles 8 months later are still swollen, painful and have not responded to any treatment (anti-inflammatories, rest etc)

I left my job of 20 years to take a part-time job where I can sit more....therefore my income is reduced. I can no longer run, which I did to keep physically fit (I can barely walk some days), can no longer ride my bike, or swim. Some days I can't walki the 2 blocks to take my daughter to school. I have pain every single day that is not relieved by anything.

Given Cipro 2006 had respiratory arrest, intubated, considered comatose but was aware and could feel everything, just could not communicate, paralyzed. Event lasted approx 4 hours. Then I have had 2 years of pain. right rotator cuff tear, no trauma, left ankle tendonitis, no trauma. I have peripheral neuropathy no diabetes. Weak legs, use walker. Always in pain. Have been cleared of all auto-immune diseases. In litigation now due to dr, pharmacy, nurses, and hospital due to giving Cipro although my hx at the hospital had floxin listed as allergy for 4 years and on admission. We did not go after the drug company. We will settle on this litigation and they have not admitted that Cipro did damage.

My life is forever changed.

Back in July 02, I contacted an infection in my left ear. This infection resulted in me losing my eardrum,1/3 of my inner ear and 50% of my hearing in my left ear. The doctor prescribed Cipro.

Before being on cipro I was a pretty strong individual (6'-2 240lbs) my job requires some lifting but nothing heavy. I'm a mailhandler at the USPS. I was experiencing some pain in my right shoulder but over time it got much worse, I blamed the job. I've missed a lot of work, using up my sick hours and annual hours. After hearing about cipros side affects maybe it wasn't the job after all.

prescribe cipro and took daily for 4 years

last 3 years my body feels like its tearing apart. some days can hardly walk as pain is so great. my ex say a add on tv and called me and told me about the cipro warning-and gave me this web addy-can't understand why doctors never said anything about it. they all knew how long I took it

I am/was a healthy 48 year old woman who went to my doctor because I had an infection in my cheek from squeezing a small blackhead.[sorry]. Well, he gave me a presription [augmentun]. After two pills [12 hrs.apart], I felt neausous and told him I would go to the ER in my hometown [his office is out of town]. The ER doctor decided to test my urine at the same time. She came back with the results saying that I had a bladder infection also. She prescribed me a 14 day supply of Cipro.This is where my life of hell began. Almost immediately after taking the first dose I didn't feel right. Well, I continued to take my doses and after two days I was so severely ill that I went back to the ER.

I told the doctor that something was horribly wrong with me. I said I felt like poison was running through my whole system. She said my blood work came back fine [2nd time] and offered me something for nausea and sent me home.Every single day after that I would have a new symptom. Going from an active, early bird with enough energy that I kept busy from 5am. until 10pm. everyday, like clockwork, I woke up in agony. My body felt so seized up and my neck, shoulders, my lower back and butt were in such pain that I literally hung on to objects, bent over, just to get to my kitchen chair. My head was pounding and I couldn't seem to focus in on what was happening to me. I called my doctor and told him what was happening to me.

I was so afraid because everyday, all day long, this thing was destroying me.I had and still have chronic fatique. That and the fact that my bowels stopped working as soon as I started the Cipro. I cannot go to the bathroom no matter how much I try. [pushing]. Since May 9th, 2008, the only way I can go to the bathroom is: Once a week I take a couple of laxitives. I believe that the Cipro caused me to lose my ability to [push]. I have no strength in my bowels or my rectum. I don't believe that I'll ever be able to decide when I want to use the bathroom because I've lost 99% of the URGE to go. MY white blood cell count dropped from 9 to 3 in three days. The doctor in the Critical Care Unit, where I was admitted after losing so much fluid out of my backside that I believe I went into shock. An ambulance was called and I was admitted into the CCU.

The doctor said that my bone marrow was in stress but he didn't explain what that meant. Anyway, my life has pretty much become that each day I hope the next day, will be better, and I always pray for help to my God, but so far I live as a sick, weak, exhausted woman but what hurts me most of all is that my husband, my sons and my 6 month old grandson depended on me for most of their needs and now they are learning to not count on me so much. I took pride in my position as a strong, dependable wife and mother and now I'm really not sure who I am anymore.

I try not to feel sorry for myself [I hate it] but I do anyway sometimes. Justice and compensation would help me deal with this nightmare a lot better. I am not greedy or money hungry but I am mostly angry because my family is suffering right along with me. I wrote an E-mail to Bayer a couple of months ago. I told them how I was suffering and asked if they had any new medications that might counteract my condition. [I didn't accuse or threaten, in fact I was very pleasant] but they did not respond to me. Please take my case if you think I have one. I know I do.

I was prescribed Cipro antibiotic for a urinary tract infection. Within days of taking the medication, I could not walk or use my hands. I was in EXTREME pain. I called my doctors office and spoke with a nurse who insisted this was not a side effect of the medication Cipro and said I must have hurt myself falling or something. I made an appointment with my doctor. Because my doctor has tendonitis, he immediately knew that is what I had. I was in horrible pain for days. He prescribed anti-inflamatory drugs and pain killers. I was OK within about a week.

I missed work for several days, using the little sick time I had. I got tendonitis from Cipro the week of my wedding. I had to postpone the wedding by 3 days because I did not know if I would be able to walk by then. I also was unable to complete the plans for my wedding, including very important details like getting my hair done, my nails done, finishing up shopping for my accessories, food, and cake.

Sudden fast decline in mobility. Loss of hip cartilage in 4 yrs. Hip tendon to ***** bone break down. Pain. Pain in tendon locations of elbows, knees ankles, wrists, back and neck.Bowel probs..carpal tunnel both wrists(I'm not much of a computer user) The known Archilles heel tendon problems have shown themselves because the victims are probably athletes..exercising that area more than most. My hip was exercised most! There is an advisory for children because of bone deformation...so what happens when Cipro is given to an adult for a broken bone????? (such as my situation)

Too lengthy! Suffice to say that I have spent the most part of the last 3 yrs. in bed. My concern about this drug started last Sept. when I was prescribed (again) and the resulting events!!!

I am a 51-year-old male who was diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis. As a part of my treatment for this I was prescribed Cipro,Asulfidine,and Loperamide in 1995. This was a daily treatment for the next 7 1/2 years with of course a variety of other drugs along the way and many--many Surgeries, 29 thus far.

In early 2003 after lifting something a bit heavy, but certainly not unusual for me, I tore my left bicep Tendon. After the surgery my surgeon told me that my tendon was so shredded/damaged that if I was to ever tear it again I would lose the use of my left arm completely. Also, He noted that my inner tissue was completely yellowed. Most likely permanently He believed due to my prolonged use of Cipro. I was NEVER advised that this was even a possibility by the prescribing Physician. In fact when told of my tear He acted as if He didn't have a clue!

In the past 3 or 4 years I have been rediagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis/Crohns. My new Orthopedic Surgeon which did recent surgery on my right shoulder 10/19/06 also reviewed my left arm results from my previous Surgeon and the current situation of my left arm. He, the Orthopedic Surgeon states that my left arm is,and most probably will continue to be,permanately disabled. On 4/3/04 the company for which I worked for--for 26 years severed me from the job which I thought I would certainly have until my retirement.

Now, and for the past 3 years, I have been unemployed and pretty much unemployable due to my bad arm and my Ulcerative Colitis/Crohns and the daily effects of the disease and the toll/effects of all of the surgeries/drugs/treatments have had on my body. Fortunately for me I've maintained a fairly good outlook on life due to my personal spiritual beliefs, good family & friend support, and an awesome wife of 28 years. Still I feel beaten and a bit despaired.

I've had recurrent urinary tract infections and gastrointestional problems for which I was prescribed cipro and levaquin. The medications seemed to clear up those problems (I still take Nexium for gastric reflux). Then I started having problems with walking, and my shoulders were extremely sore, the rotator cuffs actually clicked to the point I thought I would need surgery to correct it. I was seen by a doctor and was told that I was just getting old and maybe had a little arthritis. I explained that it hurt even when I did a minimal amount of work. I was then prescribed pain killers with anti-inflammatory medications which were hard on my digestive system (vicious cycle of pain). I no longer have that doctor, I quit his practice. I have a new doctor. I have been looking for a remedy that didn't cause another problem for some time.

Loss of work/income and problems even funtioning at home. I'm a massaage therapist and couldn't work due to pain in the legs, and hands, all the way up the arms to the shoulders, issues I was experiencing. My low income status was getting desperate so I started a part-time merchandising job last spring. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable that I can't even hold the product in both of my hands. Currently I am avoiding all medications when at all possible and am trying some holistic vitamins and massage techniques. I am happy to report that I am getting some relief, but am concerned about these drugs in question and long term effects. No one should have to suffer as I did because of drug company negligence.

VA doc prescribed this for my 68-year old father for bladder infection. My father had bad reaction, including nausea, aches, an eye floater which OD says will never go away. I have since read about the side effects. I am sending a letter to the VA.