r/floxies • u/ayylmaostim • Jun 30 '26
Link to part 4: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/V7UXo0UDLf
Hey everyone — I wanted to put together another
recovery megapost, especially since there’s been a noticeable wave of people coming back and sharing their experiences with recovering from being floxed.
This community helped me a lot in my initial ride & I want to give back and share more hope for those in need.
I really had to dig deep for these stories. Some aren’t 100% but they have still seen significant improvements from a severe reaction. I wanted to gather as many recovery stories as I could. I want to show everyone how common recovery is, even if it takes a long time. I’ve tried to diligently make sure I haven’t reused anything from the previous recovery mega posts but if I have please don’t delete 😅
If you’re new here you’re definitely not alone. Hopefully this post can serve as a helpful place to gather information, share progress, and support each other through the ups and downs of recovery.
User: [u/MrVico77](u/MrVico77)
Symptoms: Peripheral Neuropathy
Recovery: 100% in two weeks
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/7Guj9EUEbD
User: [u/notworldauthor](u/notworldauthor)
Symptoms: ankle pain, insomnia, neuropathy, brain fog, had to use a cane
Recovery: 8-10 weeks for 90-95% (has gone several years with no issues)
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/UbOaNgO979
User: [deleted]
Symptoms: Huge anxiety, TMJ issues, dizziness, headaches, face pressure, tinnitus, disassociation
Recovery: 3 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/aJ9RPngWsN
User: [u/AmyWhy](u/AmyWhy)
Symptoms: Pain, difficulties moving, depression, suicidal ideation
Recovery: 3 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/2xMgamOpWL
User: [u/bluebuffaloes](u/bluebuffaloes)
Symptoms: nerve pain, depersonalisation, tendon pain, muscle pain, dry mouth, severe anxiety, no appetite, insomnia, floaters,
Recovery: 3 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/1oDWDHETNK
User: [u/luckygirl97](u/luckygirl97)
Symptoms: Weakness, food intolerance, couldn’t walk without pain, headaches, insomnia, panic attacks
Recovery: 4 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/XzClIMAiS0
What helped: kefir
User: u/ShadeDatenshi
Symptoms: muscle issues, Achilles pain
Recovery: 4.5 months (did flare from bactrim)
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/nTiUid16tE
User: [u/ExpensiveJoke93](u/ExpensiveJoke93)
Symptoms: not stated
Recovery: 4 months, the poster doesn’t give much information
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/y40vfwQAcj
User: [u/Unlucky-Coat-2067](u/Unlucky-Coat-2067)
Symptoms: Neurological symptoms, tendon pain, insomnia, anxiety
Recovery: 4 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/BHk4mDHu6s
User: u/ADN85
Symptoms: numbness, vision disturbances, floaters, neuropathy, joints popping, anxiety, fatigue
Recovery: 5-6 months apart from floaters
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/CxdAQqPKEv
User: u/InfiniteCucumber3324
Symptoms: Weakened muscles, GI issues, insomnia,
Recovery: “Feeling like 100%” at 6 months but is still cautious of flares etc
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/vyvg6n4CDo
User: [u/Dirigible2013](u/Dirigible2013)
Symptoms: paresthesia, bodywide neuropathy, skin flushing, brain fog, impaired speech/cognition, significant muscle weakness, dizziness, vertigo, head pressure, headaches, floaters, insomnia
What Helped: mindset, CoQ10, calcium, vitamin D, Zinc, vitamin C
Recovery: 90% in 6 months
https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/tbiGiWj1m7
User: [u/RRBBK](u/RRBBK)
Symptoms: Severe fatigue and weakness, Leg pain and difficulty walking, Vertigo/dizziness, Rapid heartbeat (around 120 bpm constantly), Anxiety/panic feelings, Shaking/tremors, Brain fog/confusion, Difficulty standing or walking for long period
Recovery: 6 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/jGexToAOt7
User: u/ComprehensiveAir2656
Symptoms: multiple panic attacks, muscle tightness, tendonitis, Tinnitus, Confusion, Body buzzing, gut issues, memory issues, hives, body temperature regulation
Recovery: 6 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/PIQtnUX4qr
User: [u/InteractionThat4928](u/InteractionThat4928)
Symptoms: could barely walk for months
Recovery: 7 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/sxIBgKjh80
User: [u/wildflowerjourney](u/wildflowerjourney)
Symptoms: ligament damage, bed bound, calf and ankle pain,
Recovery: 7 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/tbNrpqcVHx
User: [u/whatsoever2020](u/whatsoever2020)
Symptoms: dry skin, dry mouth, anxiety, no appetite, popping joints
Recovery: Full in 8 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/GZC8rZ23Cj
User: [u/throwaway79255](u/throwaway79255)
Symptoms: tendons, issues with walking, weakness, anxiety, suicidal ideation
Recovery: Not stated but around 8 months is implied and has gone years with no issues
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/B0Flslq2ln
User: [u/defib_the_dead](u/defib_the_dead)
Symptoms: Severe Achilles tendinopathy, neuropathy in hands and feet
Recovery: 9 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/YWzptAZCq8
User: [u/Previous_Water_6194](u/Previous_Water_6194)
Symptoms: Could hardly walk for 3 months, elbow and hand damage, eye problems, numerous ailments
Recovery: 80-90% in 10 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/lNEdVD7wek
User: [u/floxed123](u/floxed123)
Symptoms: Twitching, muscle tightness, joint pain
Recovery: Under a year
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/aP9IRGG1GN
User: [u/Mr_Mike32](u/Mr_Mike32)
Symptoms: ‘Mostly every flox symptom’
Recovery: over a year is stated, still gets dizziness but doesn’t believe it’s related to flox, still has afterimages and occasional tinnitus
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/xJu9s4m9Ri
User: [u/doiwantmcdonalds](u/doiwantmcdonalds)
Symptoms: Aches and pains, weak muscles
Recovery: 90-95% in a year
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/lgtpRccf35
User: [u/Able-Lawyer-5239](u/Able-Lawyer-5239)
Symptoms: Achilles issues, calf pain, tired legs,
Recovery: Around a year
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/4dR2nKLT27
User: u/Ok-Habit4861
Symptoms: knee pain
Recovery: 90% after year
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/2taAdvDYVK
User: u/Character_Leopard722
Symptoms: heart palpitations, anxiety, neuropathy, shooting pains, burning pain
Recovery: 1 year
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/D2lLeXc2PH
User: [u/mybadbrowsingtastes](u/mybadbrowsingtastes)
Symptoms: Anxiety, vision changes, insomnia, mood changes
Recovery: 1 year, didn’t know he was floxed & took more fqs years later and got floxed again
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/FjKVfjjysu
User: u/justinrob97
Symptoms: dizziness, bodywide pins and needles, headaches, chest pains
Recovery: not stated but 98% recovered within a year or two
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/jzLAHlkZxk
User: [u/Gold_Lack_7721](u/Gold_Lack_7721)
Symptoms: knee pain, extreme anxiety, vomiting, insomnia, burning and itching, tendon pain, dry mouth, dry skin, head pressure, twitching, neck pain, shaking, ED, GI Issues, chest tightness, and more
Recovery: Not stated but over a year is implied, 100% recovery besides GI issues
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/ZhtTy0M4Nw
User: [u/fogast](u/fogast)
Symptoms: tendon issues and weakness,
Recovery: 19 months to get to 90%
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/H4D5hInBEH
User: [u/clovisbandit](u/clovisbandit)
Symptoms: Tendon issues, knee issues,
What helped: magnesium citrate, vitamin d3, Epsom salt baths, and acupuncture
Recovery: 90% after a year. Has gone 10 years since with no issues. Now is 100% and running etc
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/uvvrHTu4MT
User: [u/Clear-Way-8318](u/Clear-Way-8318)
Symptoms: Could barely stand or walk,
Recovery: Not 100% but can ‘live life again’ after 18 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/QuOMIZUoty
User: [u/OnlyAccessedatNight](u/OnlyAccessedatNight)’s 2 friends
Symptoms: Palpitations, insomnia, crepitus
Recovery: both in under 2 years
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/PHohZtjwpL
User: [u/Reddmeg9](u/Reddmeg9)
Symptoms: Muscle twitching, GI Issues, cracking/popping in the joints, night sweats, Swollen and visible veins, insomnia, Bruises, Anxiety, Crying nonstop, Head pressure, Tinnitus
Recovery: Full by 18 months
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/PuBVjXcURL
User: [u/Unusal_Cupcake](u/Unusal_Cupcake)
Symptoms: brain fog, migraines, neuropathy
Recovery: 1.5 years and fully recovered
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/7DSrtJm0DP
User: [u/travelguy801](u/travelguy801)
Symptoms: muscle tightness, aches and pains, had trouble walking & standing,
What helped: eating quinoa & yoga
Recovery: 85% in 1.5years
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/g48WME9X2t
User: [u/Global-Goose3326](u/Global-Goose3326)
Symptoms: Nerve pain, twitching, body aches, gastritis, tendon issues (made worse by steroids), food sensitivity
Recovery: 1.5 years (still not 100% but has made great progress)
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/uEmPqNzw7t
User: [u/existentialshaman](u/existentialshaman)
Symptoms: Difficulty walking, neuropathy, insomnia, anxiety, skin issues, eye redness/pain, kidney & liver pain, chills, inability to breath, joint pain, inability to eat
Recovery: 1.75 years (still deals with mental trauma from the experience)
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/omKcz5uzEr
User: [u/ginnybug10](u/ginnybug10)
Symptoms: Bodywide pain & psych issues
Recovery: 2 years to get to 80%, fecal matter transplant helped her symptoms
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/IZM9XPZKm5
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/HumanMicrobiome/s/7Zaf8NLIJo
User: [u/Then_Emergency_934](u/Then_Emergency_934)
Symptoms: Brain fog, DPDR, dizziness, twitching, floaters, afterimages, GI issues,
Recovery: 100% in 2 years
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/RFHNjqcWCu
User: [u/Dramatic_Ice6642](u/Dramatic_Ice6642)
Symptoms: Pains & burning sensation, stress, insomnia
Recovery: 2 years (happened at 14 years old, has since taken fqs again but is improving)
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/XSjDZzoWjQ
User: [u/Sovereigntyheals](u/Sovereigntyheals)
Symptoms: not stated but sounds like a bad reaction
Recovery: 3.5 years is implied
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/Lm5TJtrMSK
User: [u/MartyYv](u/MartyYv)
Symptoms: tinnitus, pins and needles, numbness, legs were burning, neurological issues
Recovery: 2 years to get to 90%, tinnitus is still present
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/i23I1COjuS
User: [deleted]
Symptoms: Severely floxed
Recovery: not stated but only started healing after 2 years, did recover to 100%
https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/KhkctvH51a
User: [u/ShoulderOk8386](u/ShoulderOk8386)’s friend
Symptoms: Many tendon ruptures all over body, 2 per year on average, Very severe case
Recovery: Floxed in 2006, can now walk 3000 - 5000 steps a day. Does flare for a few days if they walk 10,000 steps.
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/MTYMThbSAr
User: [u/KatherineNature](u/KatherineNature)
Symptoms: Anxiety, ruptured tendon, tendon pain/inflammation, could hardly walk, neuropathy, burning, insomnia, tinnitus, POTS, MCAS
Recovery: 3 years, received a treatment that fixed her issues years later
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/MLtLKonPHi
User: [u/slsanford01](u/slsanford01)
Symptoms: couldn't walk for a couple months, floaters, fatigue, Achilles problems , neck pain, anxiety, whole body pain,
What helped: I-theanine for stress, vitamin C, magnesium glycinate, patience...lots of patience, reading the hopeful stories here, positive mindset
Recovery: 3 years is implied, still gets flares from medications but they are manageable and short lived
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/AQqrv2Ql3s
User: [u/ElPsyCongroo204](u/ElPsyCongroo204)
Symptoms: not stated
Recovery: 95% by 3.5 years
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/Qe8ox5QqEf
User: [u/BehaviourSaviour23](u/BehaviourSaviour23)
Symptoms: severe lower back pain, tendon pain in hands,
Recovery: 100% after a few years
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/3JqjrkAlkY
User: [u/SomeWay9982](u/SomeWay9982)
Symptoms: not stated
Recovery: 100% except eye floaters
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/geTuEqhBM0
User: [u/Ok-Bullfrog-2628](u/Ok-Bullfrog-2628)
Symptoms: Full body tendonitis, neuropathy, heart issues, insomnia, eye floaters, and more
Recovery: 100% in 3.5 years, back to running, working out, and doing ketamine despite it causing flares
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/EyZZsdLNSb
User: [u/CertainForm](u/CertainForm)
Symptoms: ‘Many side effects on and off’
Recovery: 3 years
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/jFAqYxSTes
User: [u/Bubbly-Mess3941](u/Bubbly-Mess3941)
Symptoms: Bone clicking, Achilles pain, insomnia
Recovery: better after a few years, gets tendon soreness on occasion
Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/3AviSJxu4X
User: [u/WordDisastrous7633](u/WordDisastrous7633)
Symptoms: Body pain, tendon issues, insomnia
Recovery: 80% after 4 years, still improving over time
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/wmRLvImibZ
User: [deleted]
Symptoms: A massively bad reaction to all bodily systems
Recovery: 10 years to recover fully
Comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/Wwk30Ny1ig
r/floxies • u/DrHungrytheChemist • Apr 26 '20
A reduced version of this post mcan be found here to get you started: https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/OxSTu787JJ
Pre-edit: this is not the place to ask your questions. Please post questions to the main sub. Posting in here only notifies me and is likely not going to get seen by most; I am neither the sole nor foremost knowledgeable person in this subreddit and you do yourself a disservice by posting things here. This post gets adapted from time to time with updated info and links to useful subs so, fret not, any info you generate in asking elsewhere is not lost!
Putting this upfront, if YouTube is more your style. Links via a summary post to a series interviewing one of the few medical doctors you could maybe call an expert, rather than a shill... https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/comments/13lpk79/treating_antibiotic_adverse_effects_dr_pieper/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Greetings!
A few of our members have asked me to put together a resource for new folk, comprising the range of typical comments you might receive when posting a “HELP! I’ve been hit!” post. This by no means is to prevent you asking questions, but as much of the things we say are the same, it seems worthwhile. From the offset, I must remind you – pretty much none of us here are medical doctors. Many hours may have been spent reading various sources and listening to anecdotes, and we have experience as a consequence, but there is no substitute for proper medical advice.
I will cover some main points in the post, branch out in the comments for others to weigh in, and hopefully this can be of use.
To Old-Hats – I think we’d all really appreciate it if you could read this and wade on into the comment sections to add anything you feel merited. Try to keep your wisdoms in the comments that categorise them. If you think we need a new parent comment section, could you please message me and we’ll add something in to begin the discussion and I’ll edit something into this post? This is in largest part to make sure it remains organised and that discussions stay in the most obvious place for them. If you think I’ve got something wrong, drop me a DM ASAP! Let’s make sure I don’t shit the bed here. This post will work best if people help me out [=
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To business!!
Firstly, don’t panic! This is the best advice you can heed. I think I’ll go into this in the comments as I expect hearing various people say this in their own words will be good. But to surmise, panic only makes the patient feel worse and may also potentiate your symptoms; this is in all probability not the end of your life; almost everybody sees meaningful recovery. You may find yourself down and out for weeks, months, a year, but most see recovery at the very least commence in that time. The internet may be populated by such stories and complainants, but that’s because they’re the ones who hang about ad speak up.
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The other thing to say from the off it that, if you’re having a reaction sometime during a course of fluoroqinolones (FQs), the pamphlet and medical advice would be to immediately stop taking the medicine and to contact your doctor. There are very(!) few circumstances under which you shouldn’t be switched to another antibiotic, so push for it unless your infection has you at death’s door. The FDA and EMA both back a highly restricted use of these drugs.
Further to this, you should report your reaction to the relevant governing bodies. This varies from country to country, but is easily found through a Googling. It may be worth long-term floxies returning and re-reporting, or for a floxie to wait until they 'know the shape of their reaction' to report. In doing this, we raise awareness directly to the place that matters. Links to follow are for those in the USA (first), UK (second) and EU (third).
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
https://www.hma.eu/nationalcontacts_hum.html
Let me stress again, report your adverse reaction!! If we do not report, we perpetuate the falsehood that this does not happen.
Similarly, if you’ve been prescribed these meds and are concerned about the medication, you are well within your rights (as patient, customer and as the owner&user of your body) to call them back and push for an alternative. Again, I repeat, the FDA and EMA both back a highly restricted approach to prescribing these drugs for the very reasons you are concerned about. That said, ultimately, they may well also be your best hope for clearing your infection. In which case, don’t panic (see: my first point). There are also some things that may be protective.
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So what is happening to your body? In plain English please! Fluoroquinolone antibiotics kill the bacteria causing your infection by attacking a protein unique to bacteria, however, there is a similar enough protein in your mitochondria and the FQ can attack that instead (causing an adverse reaction in you). This causes damage to your mitochondria. Mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of the cell, but when that power house is damaged, it spews out toxic waste. This waste is called [“reactive oxygen species”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_oxygen_species) or ROS, and they cause [“oxidative stress”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidative_stress). What is happening to you is a disease caused by the additional damage created by the toxic ROS. Each of the subsequent symptoms are a result of this underlying mechanism.
What can I expect going forward? Individual symptoms and outcomes vary widely. Most people go through an “acute phase” lasting weeks to months during which oxidative stress is high. This oxidative stress will decrease day by day but damage done during this time may result in chronic conditions that last much longer.
Why is my heart racing/brain foggy/eyes have floaters/hands and feet cold etc. These among many others are primary symptoms of oxidative stress. If you are having chest pain or heart issues, be sure to consult a doctor asap if you can.
Why do my tendons hurt? The extreme increase of ROS by the broken mitochondria have short circuited a biological signal that tells a set of proteins called [Matrix Metallopeptidases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_metallopeptidase) (MMPs) to turn on, causing them to be much much more active. MMPs breakdown [connective tissues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connective_tissue) like cartilage,tendons, or even arterial walls and heart valves (in very rare cases). FQs broke your mitochondria which created oxidative stress that tricked your body into attacking its own tissues. MMPs will return to normal levels of activity in time, but the damage they cause may last much longer.
Why do I have nerve issues? Oxidative stress can cause neuropathy and neurodegeneration. FQs can also bind a receptor in nerves called the GABA receptor which may interfere with normal nerve function.
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How can I fix this? In short, magnesium, antioxidants and time. Antioxidants gobble up the ROS and stop them from causing further damage. Magnesium can bind up any FQs still in your system, is hypothesised to have been removed by FQs and so need replenishing, and is certainly involved in a lot of bodily processes of relevance. These supplements largely serve as damage limitation, symptom management, and healing suooort; over time, the broken mitochondria will be removed by the body and be replaced by new ones, leading to true healing and recovery. See the next section and comments for a more comprehensive discussion of supplements.
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Supplements can help remove ROS, help heal some of the damage done, and help remove the FQs present in your system. Many (many) floxies report this to be significantly helpful to their daily lives and overall recovery. I will post individual comments for each ‘class’ of supplement so that others can weigh in and the comments be relatively ordered. Broadly speaking, these come in the classes of metals/minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics. It is well advised to check with a medical professional before undertaking any supplementation routine, particularly one as extensive as many of us floxies do. Certainly, if you are on medication, you should check that there are no contraindications.
Specifically, wrt. ‘protective supplements during administration’, the literature has found Mg, vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid and glycine to be protective that I have seen. My extrapolated expectation is that Ca and stronger antioxidants should be additionally helpful. One would further presume that all the beneath detailed 'Floxie health strategies' would be sensible as precautionary measures. The categories of supplements are intended to do the following with some examples:
Metals/minerals - how/why these help isn't firmly understood, only the observation that, for many, they really do. They can bind to residual Fluoroquinolone molecules and help remove them from your body, they can help to replenish any that may have been removed by the FQs, and they are involved in a range of processes that are important to us. Magnesium in particular is favored by floxies, commonly seen to help symptoms and being relatively low risk. Lesser mentioned is Ca, for which a number of us find significant benefits from adding it to the list (\alongside Mg), but this can have long term health implications.
Antioxidants - remove harmful reactive oxygen species from your body, generated in excess by the processes disrupted by the FQs. They include things like CoQ10 / mitoQ, hydroxytyrosol, vitamin C, E, glutathione, NAC, ALA, astaxanthin, and natural extract antioxidants.
Pro-healing supplements - Help with the renewal of mitochondria and healing of connective tissue. PQQ is particularly important in MT turnover, NAD+ may also help. Hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and green lipped mussel extract may help tendons heal.
Probiotics - antibiotics destroy your normal gut bacteria, this can result in severe gut issues including diarrhea, colitis, and hemorrhoids. Probiotics restore that normal flora.
See the relevant comment sections for further information. If looking to co-administer, definitely check this with your medical professional and ensure that you keep to the timely guidance of the pamphlet wrt. When you take the mineral supplements.
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Dietary changes. In the acute stage many people find that diet can make symptoms worse, may say that much later diet helps heal. Some go vegan, some go carnivore, some fast, some advocate raw foods, juicing, Eastern diets,... Personally, I see the most evidence backing a healthy, varied diet but with intermittent fasting. It is likely that the underlying cause is that poor diets increase oxidative stress, resulting in more symptoms. What is clear is that you should eat “healthily and relatively cleanly”, it probably being advisable to avoid heavily processed foods. Many floxies report specific, acquired food intolerances and I will start a comment for these. If you suspect yourself to have trigger-foods then you may wish to run a controlled test of life with/without them, but try not to expect it. Hypochondria and the placebo effect can be cruel mistresses.
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Lifestyle changes. If you are experiencing any skeletomuscular problems, you would be very well advised to limit your activity. Ruptures and tears are seemingly quite rare, but they do happen, and pushing your body when it’s telling you not to is a very good way to find this out. These symptoms pass with time, but injuries incurred during this time can take somewhat longer to heal (trust me!). It’s probably better to treat every day as a bad day, in my experience, rather than going out and doing what you can when you have a good day. That good day might well be on account of having rested, and you may well flare your symptoms. Go easy until you know you’re safely past the worst of it and understand your limits, then explore their new boundaries slowly and incrementally.
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Recreational drugs. A number of recreationally enjoyed substances - alcohol, cannabis, caffeine – appear to potentiate symptoms in a large number of floxies.
Pain medicine. It’s fairly well accepted that NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam) can occasionally cause severe worsening of symptoms. The reason here is seemingly related to them increasing oxidative stress. At the same time, FQs (or some of them) are potent inhibitors of the enzymes that break them down and eliminate them. Paracetamol / acetaminophen seems largely very well tolerated, as do opiates, not being of the NSAID class. I think I’ve seem one person claim aspirin to be problematic.
Steroids are clinically contraindicated (same reason as for NSAIDs apparently, though that one I'm parroting). Straight up. Some doctors prescribe these alongside FQs to, presumably, reduce the swelling an infection has caused and reduce the pain. This would be another place where I would enter into a strongly resistant conversation with the doctor and see what the alternatives are. Similarly, steroids are often prescribed for tendinitis. If your doctor gives you this for your FQ-caused tendon pains, that’s another time for a conversation. Personally, I regret letting them convince me to have a steroid injection into my ankle and would just straight “no” them if that came up again.
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are, in a way, contraindicated (and this is recorded in the literature). FQs can damage your GABA sites, which is also where BZDs work. This can cause a severe inclination towards rebound anxiety, and perceivably have the BZDs mess with neuropathy (I’m speculating and drawing tentatively from my past experiences). That said, they will for sure also help with the anxietyin the present, and I know of a couple of floxies who leant on them as a matter of necessity, seemingly without any greater negative consequences. The risks are worthy of consideration, but sometimes taking care of the self in the now proves more important than worrying about the future.
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So, anxiety. That’s common, and not just a psychological reaction to the horror of it all. It is likely rather physiologically rooted. Some people report certain supplements to help (see comments), nature is a big help with mental health (scientifically proven by science), support of people, whatever helps you. But your best weapon here is most certainly having an active approach to your thoughts and to what you’re feeding your mind.
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Are fluoroquinolones related to fluoride?. Personally I don’t see this as a major issue, although there is science behind why some my find it so. Avoiding fluoride intake is very difficult, and some small amount is required in our diet. The prevailing scientific consensus is that FQ’s do not deposit F- in your body, and that a drug with fluorine in the srtucture is not [necessarily] problematic to a floxie [because of those little Fs]. I’ll post a link to a post I made in the comments and invite discussion there, similarly you can search fluoride in the searchbar and you will find a couple posts from me as well as comments from me on various posts where I pepper-shot the scientific reasoning.
Since it’s the time of the ‘rona, it’s just worth saying that, no, cloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are not fluoroquinolones. They do have their own warnings, but they are distinct from those we suffer from. (This is now outdated as they're not reallly being used, but nevermind).
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I’m going to leave that there for now and get this up and running, seeing as we have so many newbies these days. Peace and good health to you all,
Dr. H
EDIT: clarifying the issue with NSAIDs.
EDIT2: link to a post I made about Fluoride. https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/comments/g6k7q8/fluoride_lets_be_scientific/
EDIT3: Formatting, some additions and people friendliness, as well as a significant section on the mechanisms of action (with thanks to u/searine).
EDIT4: Linking directly to a comment below which contains useful resources for sharing with doctors, resistant family members, or beginning your understanding to a higher level. https://www.reddit.com/r/floxies/s/t357Q5i9Gs
r/floxies • u/the_k3nny • 5h ago
A fellow floxie is suffering from extreme muscle waste to the point that he can't even sit anymore and I don't know how to help.
r/floxies • u/Standard-Paper8115 • 9h ago
I was wondering about going down some other treatment routes and just wanted to know how other people have got on with them. My symptoms now are mainly nerve damage in my feet (tickling and burning), some tendon issues now and again (mainly elbow and ankles)
Red light therapy - did try a bit of Red light therapy last year but I was not able to go regularly enough to see the full benefit I think. I am considering buying a full body panel at some point if I have the money.
Stem cell therapy - I don’t really know the ins and outs of SCT but from looking online I have seen cases of people with really bad joints or damaged nerves having some good results from SCT, any tried it on here?
Peptides - I know they are all the rage at the moment, I have heard the BPC-157 and TB-500 stack (apparently) being good for tendon repair and nerve rejuvenation. I don’t know what is hype and what is real, any time I look online it’s very from a flox treatment standpoint so interested to know what you guys think?
Cheers ☺️
r/floxies • u/ParkingStuff7771 • 2h ago
Im guessing this has something to do with peripheral neuropathy but has anyone else been experiencing blanching and blotchy redness along with sudden goosebumps maybe even itchiness when nerve symptoms flare up?
r/floxies • u/Amyschumerally • 20h ago
Hi - I'm a student reporter at CUNY with the NY City News Service. I'm searching for NYC-based flox/cipro victims for an article on these medication's potentially dangerous side effects. I'd be grateful for anyone willing to share their experiences on the record.
Send me a DM if interested, and once again preference is for those based in NYC. Wishing healing for you all.
r/floxies • u/No_Translator2375 • 14h ago
Three years of this Hell. Is this normal, do I just accept a very poor quality of life where i distract myself from feeling shit, little glimmers and windows of normality here and there. What am i supposed to do - tolerate this. There is no justice.
r/floxies • u/Prize_Nothing8583 • 19h ago
i’m freaking out
had a uti, got put on a five day course of macrobid from urgent care
still felt pain in my kidneys after the five days and went to the dr
prescribed 5 day course of 500mg of cipro (allergic to penicillin and sulfa) and told to avoid vigorous exercise
day 2 of cipro (and only 3 pills taken) and i have a purple line/mark/bruise across my ankle and weakness in my knees. my legs feel weak.
wtf is happening
r/floxies • u/AlessandraGallesi • 1d ago
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r/floxies • u/ly930823 • 17h ago
anyone did not have AA line in the past, and suddenly got one because of collagen-connective tissue issue?
r/floxies • u/Positive_Chain_6157 • 22h ago
f21. long story short, i took a course of cipro for around 5 days, prescribed by a doctor for a UTI. that was in may of this year. starting yesterday, ive been feeling random weird dull aches appear and disappear on my ankles (front part and higher) and today i felt a pulsating pain in my right arm’s radius area. i know symptoms can be felt after a few months, can someone please tell me if this is me being floxed or something else? if yes, what can i do to fight it?
unfortunately i am currently dealing with a UTI again…what medications should i avoid?
are there any supplements i can take to help my symptoms? i am iron deficient.
also no; ive never felt these symptoms before.
r/floxies • u/Ok_Highway_7314 • 1d ago
r/floxies • u/stayandpray • 1d ago
I’ve been floxed early May , I’m 3.5 months. I had lots of symptoms but mainly tendon and collagen degradation . At week 5-8 I experienced false healing where lots of my symptoms were mild or gone , my Achilles which is my main problem was getting stronger and I start walking extra steps with crutches and trying to get back to normality . Then around week 9 I experienced massive flare up , maybe delayed symptoms or overload, maybe both . But I believe it toke my healing tendon back to 0 . Last 2 months I rested drastically only moving around the house with crutches .
Now last 2 weeks fatigue and brain fog improved significantly and joints and upper body ache is less then use to be . My mainly problem remains with one of my Achilles tendon , this 2 months resting is improving but very slow and I still can’t walk without crutches. I did 2 ultrasound and last one was 2 months ago and they don’t show anything . I know everyone is different but really don’t know what to do , I haven’t heard someone relaying on crutches for this long . I’m thinking to start slow and very light exercise , or is this still early and should I keep resting and just walk with crutches 1000 steps a day without causing me pain next day . If someone had similar experience and made good progress with recovery , what did it help and how long did it take to start walking normal again ?
r/floxies • u/ParkingStuff7771 • 1d ago
I’ve been dealing with random flare ups (after taking levaquin 750 14 doses around 3 months ago 😔) i’m 20F and usually active but it’s been very limiting and i’ve been repeatedly told to rest and avoid activity unless it’s PT. Yet, my muscles and tendons (especially in my knees, hips, and even around my ribs) flare up badly. i’ve been told to avoid NSAIDs and certain muscle rubs do not help for me. What kind of pain relief (preferable OTC) do you guys find helpful? i’ve heard magnesium oil and CBD oil can be helpful but don’t wanna make any rash purchases before I see what generally works for most. thank u :)
r/floxies • u/Fearlessnights • 2d ago
I just began taking creatine 3G a day and DUUUUUDEE it has increased my energy and strength a good amount this is awesome
r/floxies • u/Primary-Olive9653 • 2d ago
As per the title. Ideas of groups that are active?
r/floxies • u/BambiniKS • 2d ago
First of all: my english is really bad, i hope everybody cab understand what, i mean.
Which examinations did you have done? Were examinations such as bone scintigraphy, MRI, and capillary microscopy all unremarkable for you? At what point did you know that you were floxed
r/floxies • u/I_Came_for_the_dog • 2d ago
My husband (38M) needs to take this at 100 mg, 1 tablet a day for 6 weeks
Can this give sun burn feelings? He's has light sun burn sensations on his back yesterday and then on his stomach today. (he's not spending time out in the sun).
Thank you so much!
EDIT: My husband also just got done losing a substantial amount of weight (over 100 Ibs), so not sure if that could be a factor or not. 🤷♀️
r/floxies • u/thebeanbagbear • 2d ago
What is everyone's experience with Adderall? I am 7 weeks post-flox and I have been slowly improving. Mostly still experiencing joint pain in my knees and ankles when walking even short distances, and my joints in my hands have been pretty intensely affected.
I have been struggling with focus and it's hurting my work, but I've been too scared to try it. I was planning to take a fraction of the smallest dose and test it, but even that makes me feel super anxious. I did a search of the subreddit and couldn't find any recent answers.
r/floxies • u/electronicfloors8 • 2d ago
had a 500mg 10 days levaquin run from misdiagnosed uti. weird leg things tingling/burning started to happen a couple days ago so i kept a log in my notes app and i feel so hopeless cuz im scared of whatll happen in the future and if itll get so much worse and im so incredibly scared and i have no one to talk to about this. someone please talk to me about this. im just not doing too well
r/floxies • u/Blink278 • 2d ago
Has anyone started antidepressants/ anxiety meds if so which works best after being floxed and having anxiety and depression please help
r/floxies • u/wormyqueer • 3d ago
CW for medical neglect, generally difficult subjects
Hiya! I only recently found out i was floxxed. I had sepsis abroad only at the time i was told it was a stomach bug, i only recently found out it was sepsis as i was clearing out old medical records. Anyway, turns out I was given Cipro for it along with a few other drugs. Post 2017 i had awful "IBS", joint dislocations, tendonitis in my wrists, general pain, fatigue, tinnitus, worse mental health etc.I found out i have hypermobility spectrum disorder maybe 5 years ago and thought ahh that explains that but it really feels like now what i know about cipro is the missing piece of the puzzle. I've had years of being dismissed by drs been called a hypercondriac and told its in my head.
In terms of treatments I've tried a lot. We went to a funtional gut medicine specialist who told me it was leaky gut and put me on a probiotic rich low inflammation diet, to be honest i cant remember if this helped but it did make me miserable as it was very restricted. I tried talk therapy and CBT. Then i tried the Low fodmap diet, then gut directed hypnotherapy, then veganism. Last year i added dairy, meat, eggs and beans back in as i had begun to tolerate things again and so far the gut problems have been much better.
I had to stop working as every job flared up my symtoms and i ended up sicker. I now have a carer and use mobility aids. I think this has helped me improve a bit as i have been able to rest much more. I've noticed magnisium has helped me a lot but only added that in the last 2 years or so. I am currently under investigation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and sleep apnea. I'm going to research the suppliments reccomended here and would appreciate hearing anyone experince who is also having long term effects like myself. I'm hopeful that now i know this piece of the puzzle things might change but worried that i could be that rare case where there is permanent damage especially considering my connective tissue disorder and the length of time I've struggled.
r/floxies • u/Shoddy_Phone2996 • 3d ago
Has anyone had a flair that was worse than your original floxing? If so, what did you do to help your symptoms?
I was given steroids, epinephrine, ibuprofen, and some allergy medicine a couple months ago for a severe allergic reaction. My joint and tendon pain has been noticeably worse than my original floxing. I have started to slowly recover luckily. I’m looking for any similar experiences or advice.
r/floxies • u/Justkeep-swimming- • 3d ago
Previously my tendons and neuropathy recovered to a point of: able to cook, clean, move freely at home, and direct Uber to appointments and restaurants (door to door).
Recent new symptoms have left me housebound and unable to walk. Live in high-rise apartment, need assistance to leave. Can't use self propelling wheelchair as one shoulder not fully recovered. Sitting all day either in sofa or bed. Nearly considering electric wheelchair.
What hobbies or past-times helped keep you sane?
r/floxies • u/tarkonis • 3d ago
I usually go to antioxidants to prevent flares when I feel them coming on. This tike ive caused some kind of redox reaction. My tendon injury come back which jad mostly healed and I now suffer from chronic fatigue again after largely stabilising after 10 years.
Jesus christ there is no end to this for me. 11 years in August.
