Comments on: Levaquin tendon ruptures continue to cause problems http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/ Malpractice, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:38:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kate H. http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5824 Kate H. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:01:41 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5824 EDIT above comment... "2 cups of magnesium sulfate" in a BATH for 20+ min, not orally! Sorry! EDIT above comment…

“2 cups of magnesium sulfate” in a BATH for 20+ min, not orally! Sorry!

]]> By: Kate H. http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5823 Kate H. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:58:44 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5823 Hello, Jim, Jeremy, Paul, Connie, Ginger,... I pulled a copy of a study by the Mayo Clinic - Sports Medicine which convinced me to try magnesium as an intervention. I started 500mg/2x on Jan. 14, finished on Jan.21. Right flexor pain (caused a limp) on day 3 of drug, painful blisters on one foot appeared on day 4, more on other foot, day 5, and then the tendon pain and "locking" started. It has involved my wrists, both shoulders (affecting sleep), and now my left inside of my knee is swollen and stiff. My worst shoulder pain and "all over" shooting brief pains were relieved once I started 2 cups of magnesium sulfate every day (went 7 days, then took one day off, and now my knee is painful for the first time). I also have been eating lots of highly digestible proteins, making bone broths for gelatin (which helps assimilate other proteins), and drinking coconut water (juice) which has quite a bit of magnesium. My doctors (2 now) have offered no therapy whatsoever, and one for sure has tried to avoid documenting Cipro as the problem (writing dermatitis for the focused drug eruption blisters). Check out this title for the detail - "Musculoskeletal Complications of Fluoroquinolones: Guidelines and Precautions for Usage in the Athletic Population." I was a very active teacher and distance runner (ran a half marathon in Nov), running 10-20 mi / week. Based on their paper and its implications, I am trying to remain totally low - key. The hardest part to keep from using too much is my right shoulder, which never gave me pain before, and now is often bad. I'm going to try to contact these docs (2 MDs and 1 DO) and get some more recommendations for fixing the damage. Hello, Jim, Jeremy, Paul, Connie, Ginger,…
I pulled a copy of a study by the Mayo Clinic – Sports Medicine which convinced me to try magnesium as an intervention. I started 500mg/2x on Jan. 14, finished on Jan.21. Right flexor pain (caused a limp) on day 3 of drug, painful blisters on one foot appeared on day 4, more on other foot, day 5, and then the tendon pain and “locking” started. It has involved my wrists, both shoulders (affecting sleep), and now my left inside of my knee is swollen and stiff. My worst shoulder pain and “all over” shooting brief pains were relieved once I started 2 cups of magnesium sulfate every day (went 7 days, then took one day off, and now my knee is painful for the first time). I also have been eating lots of highly digestible proteins, making bone broths for gelatin (which helps assimilate other proteins), and drinking coconut water (juice) which has quite a bit of magnesium. My doctors (2 now) have offered no therapy whatsoever, and one for sure has tried to avoid documenting Cipro as the problem (writing dermatitis for the focused drug eruption blisters). Check out this title for the detail – “Musculoskeletal Complications of Fluoroquinolones: Guidelines and Precautions for Usage in the Athletic Population.” I was a very active teacher and distance runner (ran a half marathon in Nov), running 10-20 mi / week. Based on their paper and its implications, I am trying to remain totally low – key. The hardest part to keep from using too much is my right shoulder, which never gave me pain before, and now is often bad. I’m going to try to contact these docs (2 MDs and 1 DO) and get some more recommendations for fixing the damage.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5318 Jeremy Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:44:57 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-5318 I have taken cipro for many years. Starting as a teenager, it seemed like anytime I was sick my doctors drug of choice was cipro. If I traveled out of the country I was told to take cipro before I left and continue taking it until I returned to avoid any potential illnesses while outside the US. Today I am sitting in the hospital with blood clots in my leg and lung as a result of my second Achilles tendon rupture. My first was 5 years ago and I just ruptured my other Achilles tendon about a month ago. I am fairly active and was more active when I tore my first tendon. I have to say I am shocked to have the same injury twice. If Cipro is at all responsible for this, it needs to be determined. I have taken cipro for many years. Starting as a teenager, it seemed like anytime I was sick my doctors drug of choice was cipro. If I traveled out of the country I was told to take cipro before I left and continue taking it until I returned to avoid any potential illnesses while outside the US. Today I am sitting in the hospital with blood clots in my leg and lung as a result of my second Achilles tendon rupture. My first was 5 years ago and I just ruptured my other Achilles tendon about a month ago. I am fairly active and was more active when I tore my first tendon. I have to say I am shocked to have the same injury twice. If Cipro is at all responsible for this, it needs to be determined.

]]> By: Jim http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1700 Jim Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:33:47 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1700 follow to above comment. Even though I only took the Cipro 3.5 days it was a 30 day prescription which would have been 60 500MG pills. follow to above comment. Even though I only took the Cipro 3.5 days it was a 30 day prescription which would have been 60 500MG pills.

]]> By: Jim http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1699 Jim Sun, 09 Oct 2011 13:23:09 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1699 After taking Cipro for 3.5 days (7 500mg pills) I started developing tendinits in the elbows. I researched Cipro and saw the warning about tendinitis and ruptures so quit immediately. Symptoms continued to get worse though. Joints snapping from shoulder, elbow, wrist, knees and even fingers. Both Knees got extremely stiff, tight and sore. The worst is my feet, in my right foot the tendons hurt so bad I can't walk on it and have to use crutches. I did have burning in the legs and fee and numb fingers for a few days but that seems to have gotten better. My Dr. said Cipro didn't cause my problems and in fact doesn't even cause tendonitis. He is a complete clueless idiot -- disregarding all the warnings. So I went to my ortho who immediately said that all these tendon problems concurrent with the Cipro that there was no doubt Cipro caused it. Its only been two weeks but I am not getting better yet. Ortho Dr. thinks I will but the worst pain is the foot -- and I can't even curl toes without severe pain in arch and in top of foot. Oh, my regular Dr. made a statement that he "prescribes Cipro like it was Pez Candy" and he doesn't believe it causes any problems. What an idiot. No longer my Dr. And there was no BlackBox warning on my Prescription from CVS even though it was supposed to have started 3 years ago. After taking Cipro for 3.5 days (7 500mg pills) I started developing tendinits in the elbows. I researched Cipro and saw the warning about tendinitis and ruptures so quit immediately.

Symptoms continued to get worse though. Joints snapping from shoulder, elbow, wrist, knees and even fingers. Both Knees got extremely stiff, tight and sore.

The worst is my feet, in my right foot the tendons hurt so bad I can’t walk on it and have to use crutches. I did have burning in the legs and fee and numb fingers for a few days but that seems to have gotten better.

My Dr. said Cipro didn’t cause my problems and in fact doesn’t even cause tendonitis. He is a complete clueless idiot — disregarding all the warnings. So I went to my ortho who immediately said that all these tendon problems concurrent with the Cipro that there was no doubt Cipro caused it.

Its only been two weeks but I am not getting better yet. Ortho Dr. thinks I will but the worst pain is the foot — and I can’t even curl toes without severe pain in arch and in top of foot.

Oh, my regular Dr. made a statement that he “prescribes Cipro like it was Pez Candy” and he doesn’t believe it causes any problems. What an idiot. No longer my Dr.

And there was no BlackBox warning on my Prescription from CVS even though it was supposed to have started 3 years ago.

]]> By: Paul http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1698 Paul Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:26:40 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1698 I am 39. 2 weeks ago I finished a 4 week course of cipro. 500mg twice daily. This week I have pains in my leg muscles like I used to get the day after playing a hard game of Rugby... but no rugby ball in sight! I also have very sore knees. Last week I had the same pain in my shoulders. I was prescribed Cipro for prostatis and it didn't help. I wasn't given any warning of side effects from cipro. I now see that my symptoms are common cipro effects. Funny, I went to the doc because I peed like an old man, now not only do I pee like an old man, I walk like one too :-). I Hope it goes away... . I am 39. 2 weeks ago I finished a 4 week course of cipro. 500mg twice daily. This week I have pains in my leg muscles like I used to get the day after playing a hard game of Rugby… but no rugby ball in sight! I also have very sore knees. Last week I had the same pain in my shoulders. I was prescribed Cipro for prostatis and it didn’t help. I wasn’t given any warning of side effects from cipro. I now see that my symptoms are common cipro effects. Funny, I went to the doc because I peed like an old man, now not only do I pee like an old man, I walk like one too :-) . I Hope it goes away… .

]]> By: Connie http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1697 Connie Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:33:47 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1697 My husband took Cipro twice. Once in 1998 and again in 2004. Around 11 months after taking them his tendons started to rupture. He had 3 ruptures after taking Cipro in 1998 and 3 ruptures after taking Cipro in 2004. It's not just tendons that rupture but muscle also. On 1 of the ruptures I noticed there was calcification present before the rupture. The doctor who operated made a point of telling me that there was lack of blood in the tissue. I believe the lack of blood caused the calcification which in turn made the tendon rupture. My husband had 2 operations to repair tendon ruptures but tore worse after both. He still has a tendon torn away from where it was attached in the back ankle of his left leg and a muscle torn apart in the middle of his right thigh. There is also nerve damage in his legs and hands now. He became disabled after all the damages from taking Cipro. He is a former Marine who could pick up a truck transmission by himself before taking Cipro. Now he can't open a pack of lunchmeat. I'm not angry at doctors. They have no idea how damaging these medicines can be. No one informed them. Most still have no idea these medicines have even been black boxed. I believe a "dear doctor" letter should have been sent out long ago. Maybe then when the first round of ruptures happened a doctor would have known Cipro caused it and my husband wouldn't have taken Cipro again. It is what it is though. Nothing will change the fact of what already has happened. The drug manufactorers are responsible for this. Their drug caused this and they should be held accountable. If I made something and sold it to someone and they became injured, I would be held accountable so why aren't they? That's what's wrong. They are responible but yet get a free pass to continue harming others with their drug. "Collateral damage" is more or less what my husband is to them. They have their rights but where is my husband's? My husband took Cipro twice. Once in 1998 and again in 2004. Around 11 months after taking them his tendons started to rupture. He had 3 ruptures after taking Cipro in 1998 and 3 ruptures after taking Cipro in 2004. It’s not just tendons that rupture but muscle also. On 1 of the ruptures I noticed there was calcification present before the rupture. The doctor who operated made a point of telling me that there was lack of blood in the tissue. I believe the lack of blood caused the calcification which in turn made the tendon rupture. My husband had 2 operations to repair tendon ruptures but tore worse after both. He still has a tendon torn away from where it was attached in the back ankle of his left leg and a muscle torn apart in the middle of his right thigh. There is also nerve damage in his legs and hands now. He became disabled after all the damages from taking Cipro. He is a former Marine who could pick up a truck transmission by himself before taking Cipro. Now he can’t open a pack of lunchmeat. I’m not angry at doctors. They have no idea how damaging these medicines can be. No one informed them. Most still have no idea these medicines have even been black boxed. I believe a “dear doctor” letter should have been sent out long ago. Maybe then when the first round of ruptures happened a doctor would have known Cipro caused it and my husband wouldn’t have taken Cipro again. It is what it is though. Nothing will change the fact of what already has happened. The drug manufactorers are responsible for this. Their drug caused this and they should be held accountable. If I made something and sold it to someone and they became injured, I would be held accountable so why aren’t they? That’s what’s wrong. They are responible but yet get a free pass to continue harming others with their drug. “Collateral damage” is more or less what my husband is to them. They have their rights but where is my husband’s?

]]> By: Ginger http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1696 Ginger Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:39:02 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1696 I've been a consistent runner for 40 years and other than sprained ankles from running trails, have never once had a running related injury. After taking Levaquin last December, I have not one day been without pain in my achilles, left knee, and right heel and arch. It began on day 3 of treatment and was initially so bad I was unable to walk up and down stairs. It has gradually gotten about 80% better, but I still live with chronic pain, the fear of a rupture, and am unable to run as I had before, which is a huge loss to me. Besides the pain and fear, something that continues to bother me is why neither my doctor or pharmacist told me about the risk. Being 60 and also on steroids at the time (for a sinus infection) put me in the highest risk group for developing Levaquin tendonitis. The pharmacist did give me a pile of handouts for Levaquin and other meds I was given, but there was no warning on the bottle and nothing on the papers that would catch my eye and make me read every word. No bold black box, etc. Had I known, I would never have chosen to take a drug with such high risks. I feel incredibly angry with the doctors and pharmacy. I’ve been a consistent runner for 40 years and other than sprained ankles from running trails, have never once had a running related injury. After taking Levaquin last December, I have not one day been without pain in my achilles, left knee, and right heel and arch. It began on day 3 of treatment and was initially so bad I was unable to walk up and down stairs. It has gradually gotten about 80% better, but I still live with chronic pain, the fear of a rupture, and am unable to run as I had before, which is a huge loss to me. Besides the pain and fear, something that continues to bother me is why neither my doctor or pharmacist told me about the risk. Being 60 and also on steroids at the time (for a sinus infection) put me in the highest risk group for developing Levaquin tendonitis. The pharmacist did give me a pile of handouts for Levaquin and other meds I was given, but there was no warning on the bottle and nothing on the papers that would catch my eye and make me read every word. No bold black box, etc. Had I known, I would never have chosen to take a drug with such high risks. I feel incredibly angry with the doctors and pharmacy.

]]> By: Cate http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1695 Cate Thu, 26 May 2011 04:44:30 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1695 I am currently on Levaquin 500mg once a day for a 10 days. Today is the third day. I was warned to not work out (gym) by my doctor. But now I'm paranoid after reading this website. My doctor won't change the prescription due to paranoia alone; what other measures can I take to prevent tendon damage? I am currently on Levaquin 500mg once a day for a 10 days. Today is the third day. I was warned to not work out (gym) by my doctor. But now I’m paranoid after reading this website. My doctor won’t change the prescription due to paranoia alone; what other measures can I take to prevent tendon damage?

]]> By: Kate http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1694 Kate Mon, 21 Mar 2011 23:21:54 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/02/07/cipro-levaquin-tendon-rupture/#comment-1694 I was prescribed Cipro for diverticulitis, I have felt horrible since I strted taking it, and have 2 more days to go.....I have horrible aching muscles, light-headedness, sore joints, and bad headaches.....I was told I'd have to take this every time I get a flare-up, but I'm going to tell my doctor absoluuuutely not....he better come up with something else.....This drug is horrible... I was prescribed Cipro for diverticulitis, I have felt horrible since I strted taking it, and have 2 more days to go…..I have horrible aching muscles, light-headedness, sore joints, and bad headaches…..I was told I’d have to take this every time I get a flare-up, but I’m going to tell my doctor absoluuuutely not….he better come up with something else…..This drug is horrible…

]]>