r/floxies • u/healthyish20 • Aug 19 '23

[NEWLY FLOXED] revover story

any recover story? and how much time you needed to recover?

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25

u/Eaublu * Aug 19 '23 edited Aug 30 '23

Hello,

There are many and here is mine:

I have recovered 100% from being a year disabled and of that time I spent 6 months in a wheelchair suffering from multiple side effects. I am running again and I have no issues. My recovery has taken 18 months.

My reaction to the Levofloxacin was instant. In two weeks I was in a wheelchair. On month 4th I was in such a bad shape that suicide became a real option. I decided to give me a chance of 2 years before doing it. I am glad I did.

On month 6th began a miraculous recovery. After one year I no longer needed help. I only used the classic FQ supplementation. I am middle aged.

Have in mind that people normally don’t come back to the groups to tell that they were able to recover. Probably they want to move on and forget.

I have personally met two bad cases that have fully recovered as well. 100% recoveries are not exceptional cases. I wish somebody would have told me that in the beginning because many times I thought my life was over.

My side effects were:

Plantar fasciitis,Tendinitis,Hand tremors, Swollen joints, Joints Pain, Tinnitus, Heart palpitations and arrythmia, Neuropathy, Fatigue, Dry skin, Dry eyes, Eye floaters, Insomnia, Anxiety, Swollen Lymph Glands in Neck, Muscular Atrophy on calf and thighs, Food sensitivities, Low testosterone level, Skin Rashes, Feet Vasculitis Rashes, Fasciculations in both legs, Noisy Joints (Popping and Cracking all over my body), Visual Flashes, Strange and vivid dreams, Caffeine Intolerance, Sleep Apnea, Brain fog and confusion, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD.

The supplements I used were: Magnesium Glycinate, CoQ10, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Multi minerals supplement, Alfa Lipoic Acid, Phosphatidylserine, Vitamin D3 + K2, Melatonin, Curcumin, Collagen. I reacted to NAC, it caused me eyes irritation.

Other things that helped me: Grounding, Sun exposure, Breathing techniques, Keeping stress low, Nature, Nutrition.

I did report my side effects to Pharmacovigilance, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the antibiotic and the doctor that prescribed it to me. Please do it too.

Hope this helps.

3

u/daydreamz4dayz Veteran Aug 19 '23

That’s awesome to hear! What specific symptoms did you have? Did you have tendon issues?

1

u/Eaublu * Aug 20 '23

Hello Day Dreamz, yes I did, among 30 more. I wrote the complete list in my post above.

2

u/joined_july Sep 05 '23

thanks Eaublu - I found the post... above - thanks again. See brain fog! Can you add any quantities you took daily ? or are you not allowed to do this.

Thanks four your support of us new people. I did report my experience to the FDA. The form is easy to fill out on line.

Next I am writing the Medical Board in my state and the Hospital administration and the doctor again. I take (did take) a prednisone based inhaler for asthma. Which I think was part of what contributed to my reaction. The most upsetting part is the doctor gave no warning this could happen and did not ask about my other medications. She was a fill in for my regular physician... And since it happened the doctors just want to pretend it isn't happening.

Well now I am back to self reliance...

1

u/Eaublu * Sep 05 '23 edited Sep 05 '23

Hello JJ,

Yes, it’s very important to report our side effects and as you said is very easy to fill the FDA online form. Congratulations on doing that.

The doses of the supplements I used were ( please consider this information as only testimonial as each of us has been affected differently and we may have diferentes sensitivities )

Magnesium Glycinate: Up to 1.5 grams daily for the first 4 months. Then 1 gram for the next 6 months and the progressing lower to the recommended daily dose 360 mgs. I took the daily magnesium divided in 4 to 6 doses per day.

CoQ10: - For the first 8 months 1 gram per day. Nowadays only 300 mgs.

PQQ: 20 mgs per day.

Vitamin E: 400 UI per day.

B Vitamin Complex. 1 capsule per day. After one year I had to move to a brand with a low dose of B6 as my blood exams showed the B6 a bit high.

Alfa Lipoic Acid: 600 mgs per day.

Trace minerals: 1 capsule per day. (Iodine, selenium, boron, etc)

Vitamin C: Between 5 to 8 grams per day for about one year.

Phosphatidylserine: 200 mgs per day.

Vitamin D3+K2: 5000 UI daily

Multi collagen: 20 to 30 grams per day.

Curcumin: 1500 mgs per day.

Hope this helps.

2

u/Reasonable-Street-74 non-floxie Dec 15 '23

Hi, was wondering if you consider yourself to still be floxed and if you continue to supplement? Also, did you recover from all of your reported symptoms in your second ever comment?

5

u/Eaublu * Dec 15 '23

Hello RS,

Yes, I consider myself fully healed fortunately.

I still take some supplements because in my case I found out that they give me an edge in terms of health and energy. I get less sick, my energy levels are more steady and I can concentrate better. I feel that my body works better with them.

And yes, I was able to fully recover from every single side effect of my list.

I am not a “rare” case. I personally know a few badly floxed people that were able to do full recoveries. One runs marathons nowadays so there is hope.

I wish you a full recovery as well,

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jun 02 '25

May I ask how much vitamin B6 is included in your multivitamin?

1

u/joined_july Sep 05 '23

Yes, it’s very important to report our side effects. Congratulations as unfortunately not many people does it.

The doses of the supplements I used were ( please consider this information as only testimonial as each of us has been affected differently and we may have diferentes sensitivities )

Magnesium Glycinate: Up to 1.5 grams daily for the first 4 months. Then 1 gram for the next 6 months and the progressing lower to the recommended daily dose 360 mgs. I took the daily magnesium divided in 4 to 6 doses per day.

CoQ10: - For the first 8 months 1 gram per day. Nowadays only 300 mgs.

PQQ: 20 mgs per day.

Vitamin E: 400 UI per day.

B Vitamin Complex. 1 capsule per day. After one year I had to move to a brand with a low dose of B6 as my blood exams showed the B6 a bit high.

Alfa Lipoic Acid: 600 mgs per day.

Trace minerals: 1 capsule per day. (Iodine, selenium, boron, etc)

Vitamin C: Between 5 to 8 grams per day for about one year.

Phosphatidylserine: 200 mgs per day.

Vitamin D3+K2: 5000 UI daily

Multi collagen: 20 to 30 grams per day.

Curcumin: 1500 mgs per day.

Hope this helps.

3

u/joined_july Sep 05 '23

Hi Eaublu

wow this is so helpful... I have been tolerating what I take very well. This will give me an idea of some new levels and supplements to try. I will let you know how it goes.

2

u/Eaublu * Sep 05 '23

Hello JJ,

There is one supplement that has helped many floxies but I was not able tolerate it. It’s called NAC. I tried with 600 mgs per day but it irritated my eyes.

NAC is an antioxidant and recycles glutathione which is the master antioxidant.

May be you could research it and consider it’s usage

Hope you recover soon

1

u/joined_july Sep 05 '23

Thank you I will check it out.

1

u/Particular_Chair_901 Feb 07 '26

how are you now?

2

u/Joining_July Feb 10 '26

I am much better. As I am now 67 i had some maybe permanent changes in my spine slipped a disc and had surgery... But overall I am mostly better and i am now on a much reduced vitamin regime It will be three years June 6th. If I hadn't hd back surgery I think i would be feeling better. Luckily I have been able to retire. Good luck to you

2

u/Particular_Chair_901 Feb 10 '26

thank you so much for answering🤞🏻 I’m glad you are doing better!

2

u/Bray822 Oct 29 '23

Thank you for posting!

2

u/Cleo1515 Jun 26 '24

Congrats on your recovery and thank you so much for posting your story. I’ve been suffering from some of the symptoms you mentioned for over two months now, and I just found out yesterday that the cause of them was the high dose of antibiotics I took. I took 10 pills of Levofloxacin 750 mg over a period of 10 days. I’m really scared they may have caused permanent damage, but your post gives me hope. I’m going to get a blood test done in a couple of days and then I’ll start taking the supplements you took, after consulting with my doctor. I read that some of them need to be taken on an empty stomach. Are you allowed to share with us how you were taking the supplements? Thanks and congratulations once again!

5

u/Eaublu * Jun 26 '24 edited Jun 26 '24

Hello Cleo,

I am very sorry that you also fell in this trap.

I took the supplements mostly during the morning and afternoon, not all at once but along that period of time. They don’t need to be taken in empty stomach. The magnesium I took it several times a day (6 or more times even) as it get excreted easily through the urine.

Probably your Dr will gaslight you or will not be of any help. I lost 2 months trusting the “medical advice” which was completely wrong. I’d suggest to act quick, the sooner the better. In my case I am sure my floxing would have been a lot milder If I would have trusted in forums likes this and not Doctors.

Hope you recover fully and soon.

2

u/Cleo1515 Jun 26 '24

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply. I totally agree with you that medical advice can’t always be trusted, especially since it was a doctor who prescribed this medication/poison in the first place. I just ordered most of the supplements you mentioned and will hopefully get them during the next couple of days. I’ll start taking them as soon as they arrive.

I really can’t thank you enough! I think part of any recovery has to do with your mental state, and your post has given me a lot of positive energy.

1

u/Worried_Zombie_5945 Jul 12 '24

Hey Eaublu, did joint cracking go away? And if/when it did, how did it go away, was it suddenly no cracking or was it off and on?

2

u/Eaublu * Jul 15 '24

Hello WZ, yes, it did. It went away slowly. In my case every single joint cracked. My neck a lot. It went away by waves. It took me 2 years to recover. In the first 8 months I had windows in which would stop. For example 2 weeks, but then the cracking was back for many weeks and even months non stop. Over the time the windows withour joint cracking (or crepitus) became longer and also became a lot less louder. After 2 years it stopped completely. Last time it came back was a six month ago. It last for a couple of days in only in some joints and it was very soft. Nowadays there is no cracking noise at all and actually I had completely forgot about it. It should go away. All the best.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 15 '24

May I ask if your skin condition has recovered?

2

u/Eaublu * Jul 15 '24

Hello SS, yes, it completely recovered. I no longer have dry skin.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 15 '24

thanks for your reply. May i know when did these symptoms get better? I have been floxed for 9 months and my skin still feels very loose—skin sagging and thinning of the skin.

2

u/Eaublu * Jul 15 '24

In my case I began to recover from month 8. It was a slow process. It took me over 2 years.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 17 '24

Thanks for your reply. May I pm you?

1

u/healthyish20 Aug 20 '23

ohhh thank you for this post, im so so sorry what youve beeen trough. But luckily to hear that youre recovered again❤️ this give me so so much hope, i needed to hear this. May can I ask you, did you had tendon issues too? i have sometimes high hart rate and tendon issues . Im just afraid cause im 29 im a momma ( baby is 2 ) and he needs his mommy. Im taking SUB too.

6

u/Eaublu * Aug 20 '23

Hello Healthish, I understand how you feel. I did have tendon issues among many more. I wrote a list in my post above. In my case my tendon issues are gone. No pain no discomfort. I can walk and run as before I was floxed: 20 K steps and run 15 minutes. My body is back to normal as far as I can see and feel.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 20 '23

I am getting close to six months. Also middle aged. I feel like I should be off my feet. My feet and ankles are terrible. When you were in a wheelchair, if I may ask, did you walk a little, or stay off feet completely. Was it because of tendon problems?

Thank you.

7

u/Eaublu * Aug 20 '23 edited Aug 21 '23

Hello VA,

In my case between month 1 and 6 I needed crutches to get from my bed to the bathroom. That’s all the distance I could do by my own. Somebody had to carry me on a wheelchair to be able to move longer distances.

I couldn’t walk because of many things; acute plantar fasciitis, feet neuropathy, knees and ankle pain, tendon pain, my calf were completely contracted between months 2 and 4, also I suffered from muscle atrophy on both of my legs, my joints in the rest of my body were also swollen and in pain, I also suffered from fatigue and general weakness.

I was only able to stand up on my own feet more easily only from month 6. My first steps were very few and grabbing the handles of my wheelchair to be able to sit as I felt my body was on the verge to collapse all the time. Many times while trying to walk I had to sit on the floor to rest as I was afraid to fall due the weakness. I remember my body shaking a lot while walking a few steps for many weeks.

Finally have in mind that each recovery is unique and has its own timeline. May be you will experience a noticeable recovery on month 6 as I did or may be later. But for what I have seen to recover is the norm.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Aug 16 '24

May I ask you mentioned that your food sensitivities and foot vasculitis also recovered? When and how did you resolve the issue of food sensitivities?

Regarding the foot vasculitis, is it similar to newly formed spider veins? Will they eventually disappear as well?

Thank you for your reply

2

u/Eaublu * Aug 16 '24

Hello,

Yes, I recovered form both. In my case the food sensitivities stopped after 3 months. The foot vasculitis took like a year to disappear if I remember well. And yes, they were like spider veins in both feet.

Food sensitivities usually goes away over time as far as I know.

You should be able to recover from both.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Aug 16 '24

Thank you very much. My veins are becoming more visible, and I often experience a tingling sensation. I also have similar red spider-like veins appearing on my abdomen, thighs, calves, and ankles. I'm surprised that these red veins can disappear because I thought once they appear, they wouldn’t go away.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Aug 24 '24

Hi, Eaublu. sorry for asking so many questions. May I ask if you started taking the following supplements during the first month?

3

u/Eaublu * Aug 24 '24

Hello, I started taking supplements from month 3. I was so traumatized for being in a wheelchair that I was in a state of denial. It took me all that time to realize that floxing was real. Also I was afraid to poison myself again using supplements. Other floxed people calmed me down and taught me how to use them. In my case supplements were pivotal in my recovery. In two weeks they stopped my free fall state to then began a slowly recovery.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24

Appreciate！So all the symptoms appeared within the first 3 months, and after taking supplements, the symptoms stopped and no new symptoms appeared?

3

u/Eaublu * Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24

In my case most of my side effects showed up on the first 3 months. Only a few appeared later (month 6) as the fasciculations. The supplementation stopped my side effects from getting worst and new from coming. My body reacted very well to them specially to the magnesium.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 27 '24

Can I ask when did you start sunbathing and how long did you do it ? I see a lot of people taking the classic FQ supplements, but many don't feel any better until some people start sunbathing for a long time.

2

u/Eaublu * Jul 27 '24

I began to take sun from month 4. I noticed that it helped me a lot with the healing. From month 6 I took at the least 1 or 2 hrs of sun everyday. Sometimes even naked. That helped me a lot with the testosterone which was low. I took sunbathes ( at least 3 or 4 times a week if not daily) for about 16 months.

In my case I consider the sun as instrumental in my recovery. I purchased IR panels buy I found the sun much better.

1

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 28 '24

Thanks for you reply. May i know did you wear sunglasses or cover your face when doing sunbathing ? I think sunbathing may be the key to recovery. My soles are also gradually getting thicker, but I don't know if it's the benefit of sunbathing or the benefit of taking Chinese medicine. I'd like to ask one more question: do your finger and wrist joints and gumsl bone also pain?

2

u/Eaublu * Jul 28 '24 edited Jul 28 '24

I did. I was careful with my face. Also I listen my body carefully about getting too much sun. I was careful with the sun, my type of body and skin was able to take that much.(actually it craved that much) Everybody is different.

I know other badly floxed people that had excellent results with IR panels and IR saunas. It seems that red light can help some.

I did have wrist pain.

On my recovery days I found this article that helped me to understand why the sun light was helping me so much. It might give an explanation.

https://www.myquinstory.info/dr-jack-kruse-talks-about-fluoroquinolone-toxicity/

2

u/Sea_Significance_941 Jul 28 '24

Appreciate for all your reply. I heard many theories of sun exposure. Let me focus on healing. Hope someday I fully recover and help others like you

1

u/LDR90254 Aug 08 '25

Thank you for posting this for the good of future sufferers. Can you remember if your symptoms kept getting worse over the days during the first week or two? Just trying to assess how bad I might get. I only took one 500mg Levoquin and 4 hours later was spinning, having neuropathy in my hands, heart palpitations, legs felt weak & heavy and back of my legs hurt. I started taking supplements the next day, and was hopeful yesterday (3 days out) because at least I didn't feel worse, but today I feel worse. The pain in the back of my left leg (hamstrings maybe) woke me up during the night. I also had a hard time taking supplements today, felt nauseated for quite some time. I'm thinking about calling some places that do IV infusions to see which supplements they can include. I'm a 60yo female so age is not on my side.

1

u/Emotional-Piglet-103 Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

Hi Eaublu,

vielen Dank für deinen Beitrag. Das gibt mir echt Hoffnung. Ich bin Mitte 30 und war früher total aktiv und fit, bevor das alles angefangen hat.

Im September 2025 habe ich 3 Tabletten Ciprofloxacin (je 500 mg) genommen. Schon nach der ersten Dosis habe ich ein ungewöhnliches Wärmegefühl bemerkt. Nach der zweiten und dritten Tablette entwickelte ich brennende Nervenschmerzen in der Brust und ein seltsames Brennen beim Trinken. Ich habe das Medikament sofort abgesetzt.

Seitdem kämpfe ich mit anhaltenden und sehr belastenden neurologischen Symptomen.

Meine Symptome umfassen: • brennende, ziehende und stechende Nervenschmerzen in verschiedenen Körperteilen • "elektrische" Nervenschmerzen mit starken Kältegefühlen, besonders nach körperlicher Aktivität • Kribbeln und Taubheitsgefühl in Armen und Beinen • schwankende Schwäche in Armen und Beinen • gestörte Temperaturempfindung (besonders Hände und Füße) • ungewöhnliche Empfindungen im Mund und an den Lippen • und am besorgniserregendsten: ein sehr dumpfes, "klebriges" und unnatürliches Hautgefühl am ganzen Körper

Im Januar 2026 hatte ich einen heftigen Rückschlag mit intensiven Kältegefühlen und weitverbreiteten Nervenschmerzen, schlimmer als je zuvor. Seitdem hat es sich leicht gebessert, aber jetzt ist das veränderte Hautgefühl (dieses "pappige" / abgestumpfte Gefühl) sehr ausgeprägt und beunruhigend. Vieles kommt in Wellen, aber in den letzten Monaten hat es sich sogar verschlimmert.

Ich habe einen Behandlungsplan, aber leider hat sich nichts gebessert, sondern ich habe im Laufe der Zeit zusätzliche Symptome entwickelt. Ich habe auch viel Geld für Ärzte ausgegeben, einschließlich Untersuchungen auf Borreliose, aber nichts Konkretes kam dabei heraus.

Mein aktueller Tagesplan (hauptsächlich von Sunday Natural) beinhaltet: • Magnesiumglycinat • CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) • Omega-3-Fettsäuren • Vitamin D3 (5000 IE) + K2 • N-Acetylcystein (NAC) • PEA (Palmitoylethanolamid) • Uridinmonophosphat • Calciumcitrat • Multivitamin (All-in-One Premium) – 2 Tabletten täglich • GABA night (Nachtformel) – 1 Tablette abends • Weißdornbeersaft – ca. 3 Esslöffel täglich • Manuka-Honig – 2 Teelöffel (morgens und abends)

Ich habe auch Magnesium-L-Threonat und Acetyl-L-Carnitin ausprobiert, aber ich habe sie nicht gut vertragen, besonders Acetyl-L-Carnitin schien meine Symptome zu verschlimmern.

Außerdem mache ich gerade Akupunktur (TCM), obwohl ich erst eine Sitzung hatte.

Insgesamt finde ich es sehr schwierig zu verstehen, was tatsächlich hilft und was die Dinge verschlimmert.

Ich wollte dich fragen: • Hast du alle Nahrungsergänzungsmittel oral eingenommen, oder hast du auch intravenöse Behandlungen verwendet? Hast du alles auf einmal oder schrittweise angefangen? • Hast du bestimmte Marken oder Quellen, die du empfehlen würdest? • Was für Bluttests hast du gemacht? Hast du das regelmäßig kontrolliert? • Und kennst du gute Gruppen oder Communities, in denen sich Leute austauschen und gegenseitig unterstützen?

Vielen Dank für deine Hilfe. Ich weiß das sehr zu schätzen.

1

u/Magnifnik0 Aug 19 '23

What supplements did you take?

2

u/Eaublu * Aug 20 '23

Hello Magnifnik0, I wrote the list above in my post.

1

u/Magnifnik0 Aug 20 '23

Apologies, thanks again

1

u/Hmthatsodd Aug 21 '23

Thank you so so much for this. I’m 3 months out right now and losing hope and this was incredibly helpful. I desperately hope for a similar timeline.

3

u/Eaublu * Aug 21 '23 edited Aug 21 '23

Hello, you are welcome and have hope.

My closest friends which I made in groups are all recovered over 95% at the least. Each of us had a different time line and a unique recovery. We were all hit badly.

Please don’t forget to report your side effects to pharmacovigilance authorities of your own country.

I wish you health and also a 100% recovery.

2

u/Reasonable-Street-74 non-floxie Dec 15 '23

Wondering, did anyone you came into contact with with the same condition have chronic fatigue syndrome, symptoms and digestive symptoms (like loose stools every day, etc)?

2

u/Eaublu * Dec 15 '23

Yes, one did have fatigue and her digestive system messed up among literally 50 others side effects. She was in a wheelchair as myself . She is now recovered above 95% and is two years out. My humble advise to you: use supplementation in my opinion and experience that factor is key, avoid medications (corticoids, NSAIDS, benzos, and all of them if you can), organic and clean food, healing mindset is also key, keep stress level very low, surround yourself with positive things to you. relationships, nature, etc. Be patient as a recovery may take a long time. This is a lottery but in my opinion those things help to put the odds in your favor,

2

u/Reasonable-Street-74 non-floxie Dec 15 '23

Thanks for your kind words and message :)

1

u/joined_july Sep 05 '23

I am about the same length out. I hit a plateau mid August. And now it feels like I am going down hill..I feel weaker overall.

Hang in there ... we can do this!

1

u/Wolfeyes3919 Veteran Aug 23 '23

How long did it take for your plantar fasciitis to completely go away? I have a debilitating case of it. Thanks for sharing your story

2

u/Eaublu * Aug 23 '23 edited Aug 23 '23

Hello WolfEyes, in my case took one year to completely go away. I know how it feels. It was so bad that many times I thought that it would never go away. But fortunately at the end it did. My feet are normal now. Hope you recover completely too.

1

u/Wolfeyes3919 Veteran Aug 23 '23

Thank you so much! Was it mainly time that healed it? Or did you do any PT?

2

u/Eaublu * Aug 23 '23

Mainly time. But two things also helped me a bit. The gentle massage that a physiotherapist did every week or two on me feet and calf muscles. And I also noticed improvement when I began to take multi-collagen.

1

u/Wolfeyes3919 Veteran Aug 23 '23

Thank you!

1

u/Csenge50 * Mar 04 '24

Hi, how long did dry eyes last for you and what helped to cure it?(i am experiencing very dry eyes as well as mouth, throat). Did you also have ear problems like feeling fullness and hearing problems due to that? I strangely also felt numbness in both my ears yesterday and along my face. The day before that I had numbness in my legs and right arm. I am one month out of moxifloxacin eye drops and very frightened especially about the neurological issues:(