Fluoroquinolones (FQ) are a group of very dangerous antibiotics that should only be used when no other antibiotic will work. It comes with terrifying risks of permanent pain & disability yet is still routinely used for both women and men with suspected UTIs and for a plethora of other common infections eg sinus.
You may be forgiven for not knowing about this special family of antibiotics. After all, not many seem to know about how scary these antibiotics are. And even less seem to offer any clue as to the enormous risks anyone takes by taking even one of these pills. I'm guessing that so far this is all sounding very farfetched and possibly even irrelevant to anyone just living an ordinary life. Surely if there was such a scary antibiotic available it would only be prescribed for the most serious life-threatening illnesses right??? Well Unfortunately no!!!
This group of antibiotics comes in many forms including Ciprofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Avelox & Levofloxacin. Unfortunately these antibiotics are often prescribed even when other less risky and just as effective antibiotics are available. Why? Who knows but it seems that FQ toxicity is something not a lot of doctors are familiar with.
These antibiotics are so scary because they can induce tendon rupture, permanent nerve damage and risk of worsening myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular & autoimmune disease). For the unlucky, the results are permanent, horrific and disabling. Many victims or Floxies (as they call themselves) develop chronic pain in their joints and muscles, sciatica, tendonitis, peripheral neuropathy, blurry vision, brain fog, panic attacks and anxiety. Sometimes these symptoms emerge instantly and other times they unfold over months and can be permanent.
If you have been exposed to FQ it is advisable to avoid ibuprofen, steroids, asthma inhalers, and some SSRIs. Thousands of people around the world call themselves 'floxies' after being treated with a FQ antibiotic.
Many victims start out as young and healthy but end up with their tendons just rupturing spontaneously leaving them unable to walk or use their hands etc. Recovery is possible but avoiding this very dangerous group of antibiotics is something we should all take an active role in doing. Especially women with chronic UTIs.
Fortunately, there are some amazing online support groups around to get more information and support. It is a likely under-reported disorder because many people who get ruptured tendons after taking a FQ don't attribute this event to the FQ.
Check out the Floxies Sub on Reddit r/Floxies:
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