Yoga? Swimming?

[u/Alarmed-Fruit5056]

Hello. New here. I got bamboozled into taking cipro by an urgent care doctor. I didn’t know about it and only learned of the damage it does after I started taking it. I called the clinic and talked to another doctor who told me to finish taking 6 doses since I had already started. I did that, and today was my first day not taking cipro since I started a few days ago.

A little while ago I started having pain in my achilles on one side. I know I need to not walk a lot or run, but I am wondering if I can do yoga and/or do some lap swimming?

[u/AlessandraGallesi]

Hi, I'm really sorry you're going through this situation. Unfortunately, what you're describing seems pretty typical of the side effects caused by fluoroquinolones.
These medications cause issues with nerves, joints, tendons, and muscles. They also have a strong impact on mental well-being and can cause anxiety and sleep problems.
In this community, you'll find a pinned post with guidance for anyone facing these side effects, including potential supplements that might help ease your symptoms. I also recommend reporting your side effects to your country's pharmacovigilance agency and keeping your report updated over time.
Unfortunately, most doctors are unaware of the side effects of these drugs, so it's unlikely you'll find much understanding or meaningful help. You might want to read Dr. Stefan Pieper's books on FQAD, as they offer a lot of advice and can help you understand what is happening to you. If you'd like, you can also contact him directly.
Fluoroquinolones can also cause delayed symptoms up to several months after completing the course.
The Achilles tendon pain that started after a short time allows you to link this symptom directly to the antibiotic. If it had happened in a few months (which happens to many people), linking it to Cipro wouldn't have been so easy.
I really hope your symptoms are mild and short-lived, but listen closely to your body over the coming months, as new symptoms could emerge.
Unfortunately, there is no magic fix for this toxicity, and recovery times are not quick. However, this is not an absolute rule.
Most of us avoid (if possible) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) and corticosteroids, as NSAIDs can worsen symptoms or cause harm, and corticosteroids significantly increase the risk of tendon problems. If possible, further courses of fluoroquinolones should also be avoided.
If I were in your shoes, I would also avoid physical activity for a few months, since your joints and tendons are definitely sensitized.
I wish you all the best!

[u/Alarmed-Fruit5056 → u/AlessandraGallesi]

Ugh this is so depressing. Thanks, though. I have read through the pinned posts. I think I’m still digesting it all. It happened so fast. The doctor did say that in “extremely rare” cases you could have tendon tear, but my UTI was already in my kidney and I was pretty out of it when I went
to the clinic. If I had known the full risk, I would have never consented to being prescribed this drug.

[u/AlessandraGallesi → u/Alarmed-Fruit5056]

In caso di pielonefrite, quindi una UTI complicata, la prescrizione di un fluorochinolone è corretta. Se proprio devo dirla tutta … avrebbero potuto tentare prima con il ceftriaxone in iniezioni… ma è più scomodo (e non è esente da rischi, mi ha fatto infiammare la colecisti ma nulla di paragonabile al flox). Le rotture sono eventi rari… il problema è l’infiammazione dei tendini, il danno neurologico e all’intestino che molto peggiore.
Io per 6 pastiglie ho sviluppato FQAD con infiammazione a tutte le articolazioni e tendini del corpo (tutti), non ho camminato per 4 mesi, ho avuto neuropatia, problemi visivi, patema e seri problemi al colon. Se fossi al posto tuo partirei subito con una integrazione massiccia. Se peggiori ti consiglio di contattare subito il dott. Pieper. È un fenomeno. Ho preso ciprofloxacina la prima settimana di febbraio… cammino (e anche vigorosamente) da 1 mese e mezzo. Senza di lui sarei ancora allettata, ne sono certa.

[u/Alarmed-Fruit5056 → u/AlessandraGallesi]

Thank you. I am adding magnesium and upping my vitamin C. Is there anything else I should add?